The best hiking jacket- A complete and comprehensive guide
You need a reliable waterproof or at least a rainproof jacket if you’re going to be out walking in wet weather.
We’d all like to hike in shorts and a tee shirt in warm temperatures, but there’s no telling what mischievous forces may be at play. If they’re watery, the only thing that can save us from a day or two of misery is to pack a good hiking jacket.
What makes one jacket a better choice than another?
We’ve selected the best seven outdoor jackets for this year. Below them, you’ll see detailed buying advice that will allow you to choose the right one for your specific situation.
We’ve got everything from ultra-lightweight softshells and lightweight waterproof rain jackets to “bombproof” hardshells for all types of outdoor adventures. This may let you think that you will need hiking gloves to keep your hands warm and protected. Let’s not forget that our feet need protection too check out our article about Danner hiking boots.
How To Pick A Waterproof Jacket For Hiking?
When buying a good quality backpack, there are several things to consider. Here, we give an outline of some of them.
Wind & Water Resistance
There are two types of hiking jackets: 2-, 2.5-, and 3-layered ones. Some general observations can be drawn about them regarding their performance.
Durability
To determine whether a rain jacket is going to be durable enough to withstand the elements for several seasons, look at the thickness of the fabric and the type of weaving used in its manufacture.
Best hiking jacket
The North Face Venture 2
If you need a simple, low-priced, reliable, and light weight jacket for when you’re out in inclement weather, then the North Face Venture 2 Jacket is well worth considering.
With its impressive hydrostatic head rating of 25k, this cheap-and-cheery two-piece jacket is made with Tnf’s DryVents waterproofing, which gives it a good MVTR of 12,000 g/m2/24 hours compared to the next cheapest item on our list, the PATAGONIA TORRENTSHELM.
It isn’t just the cost that makes this lightweight hiking jacket so special; its fabric is actually stronger than some coats twice its size. And, if you choose a solid colored jacket, the fabric is a 40D Nylo. Heather-colored models, however, are constructed with extra durable 70D Nylo.
The Venture 2 has a number of features comparable to some of its more expensive competitors. It includes pit zippers, adjustable hood and cuff, a storm flap with hook-and-loops for closure over the front zip, two interior pockets, and a drawstring at the bottom of the leg openings.
Specs
- Type: Hardshell
- Weight: 11 oz.
- Waterproofing: 2.5-layer DryVent
- HH: 25,000 mm
- MVRT: 12,500 gsm/d
Black Diamond StormLine Stretch-Best hiking jacket
We searched for the best hiking jacket to rule them al; none were quite as good as the Black Diamond Storm Line Stretch.
Prepare yourself for a few minutes of unmitigated, gushing praise…
The Stormline is, simply put, a game-changer in the world of outdoor apparel.
With the advent of this new technology, we now know that waterproof coats don’t necessarily need to sacrifice comfort for water resistance.
Beyond its awesome mobility and versatility, the StormLine has so much more to offer than just its reasonable price tag. It also has adjustable sleeves, waterproof zippers, breathable mesh lining, a removable hood, underarm venting, and packs up into its own pocket.
Specs
- Type: Hardshell (with a twist!)
- Weight: 11.3 oz.
- Waterproofing: BD.dry waterproof-breathable laminate
- HH: 22,000 mm
- MVRT: 22,000gsm/d
Marmot Minimalist-Best hiking jacket
The Marmot Minimist has been around for quite some time now, and has been praised by thousands of wet-weather hiking enthusiasts worldwide.
Compared to the Montbell Versalight, which weighs just under 15 ounces, the Zeta SL is four times heavier but offers similar waterproofing, is much less expensive, and has a lot more features.
It has an impressive 28,000mm H20 rating and 15,000g/m2/24 hours MVRT makes it one of the best jackets in its category. It’s ideal for hiking in rainy weather or during hot days.
Compared to the other heavyweight hiking jackets we reviewed, the OR Foray is a little less rugged, has fewer pockets, and doesn’t come with full-body pit zippers. However, it’s a bit lighter, costs half as much, and is slightly more mobile because of its Angel Wing underarm gusset design.
Specs
- Type: Hardshell
- Weight: 14.9 oz.
- Waterproofing: GoreTex Paclite
- HH: 28,000 mm
- MVRT: 15,000gsm/d
Outdoor Research Helium II
The latest version of OR’s HELIUM is the perfect choice for trail runners, hiking enthusiasts, or anyone else looking for a lightweight emergency shell that weighs next to nothing.
Weighing in just under six ounces, this is one of the lighter jackets we’ve tested. It beats out the Montbell Versalight by 0.1 ounce and the next closest contender, the Zeta SL by almost four ounces. However, it’s also quite sturdy. Its 30D polyester/nylone rip stop material is tougher than many jackets that weigh twice as much.
To keep the weight low, however, manufacturers had to sacrifice some features that were available in other jackets on our top 10 list. There’re only one pocket, no pit zippers, no articulation in sleeve, and no under arm gusset. These omissions make this jacket less convenient than others, but don’t detract from its standing as an excellent emergency jacket.
The Helium II jacket has the most athletic, slimmer fit of all the coats on our list. Therefore, it’s best to size up if you intend to wear substantial layers underneath.
Specs
- Type: Hardshell
- Weight: 6.3 oz.
- Waterproofing: Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse 2.5L
- HH: 20,000 mm
- MVRT: 20,000gsm/d
Columbia Men’s Ascender Softshell Rain Jacket
If your outdoor gear storage space lacks a good, warm, waterproof jacket that works well as a layering piece and as an outer layer, the Columbia Ascender Jacket is well worth a consideration.
Made from 100 percent polyester, the Ascensor has a little more elasticity than most other coats in our review, the exception being the Rab Kinetic Jacket and BD StormLine Jacket. It offers impressive wind protection, too, but is one of the few coats reviewed without any kind of waterproofing. While calling it a rain coat is a little misleading, we found that it kept us dry during brief light showers.
The Ascender‘s main advantages are its warmth and softness. Unlike the hardshell coats we reviewed, this jacket provides enough insulation to keep you comfortable on longer hikes or when hiking at higher altitudes. It also feels far lighter than most hardshell jackets.
The Ascender has three zippered pockets, two chest vents, adjustable alpine cuffed, and an adjustable waistband. It lacks articulations in the sleeves or underarms.
Specs
- Type: Softshell
- Weight: 12.35 oz.
- Waterproofing: N/A
- HH: N/A
- MVRT: N/A
Rab Kinetic Plus
Over the past few decades, British brand Rab has established itself as an expert at making technically advanced outdoor clothing for the mountain-loving public. And in the new Kinetic Plus, they’ve created something we think is one of their best rainwear pieces yet.
The Kinetic Plus has been designed using Rab’s proprietary PROFLEX fabric which offers excellent breathability and moisture management properties.
Unlike most other soft shells in its weight class, the Marmot Men’s Houdini 2 has a flexible waterproof shell with a hydrostatic rating of 10,000mm and an MVTR or 30,000g/m²/d, making it just as water proof as hardshell jackets like the Patagonia Torreshell and among the more breatheable options in our test group.
With regard to its feature set, the Kinetic Plus offers a lot of the same things as the better models out there. It doesn’t include any under arm gusseted panels, but it does offer a stretchy mesh panel at the top of the jacket for ventilation. It also includes three pockets, an Aqua Guard VISLON front zipper, and adjustable cuffs, which are nice additions.
Specs
- Type: Softshell
- Weight: 11 oz.
- Waterproofing: PU membrane
- HH: N/A
- MVRT: N/A
Arc’teryx Zeta SL
We chose the best product for each category based on our own personal preferences and experiences.
We were looking for a comfortable jacket with robust water proofing, a low weight, lots of breathability, and was made from durable materials. It also needed to be able to move freely so that we could hike, scramble, ski-tour, or climb without any restrictions.
The Zeta SL ticks all those boxes.
It has 40D ripstop nylon material, which makes it one of the most durably constructed jackets we’ve reviewed. Its Gore-Tex PacLite technology also makes it among some of the most water resistant and breathable jackets we’ve tested.
However, there are a few other features and designs that make the Zeta SLSL a true stand out.
Specs
- Type: Hardshell
- Weight: 10.9 oz.
- Waterproofing: Gore-Tex New PacLite Plus
- HH: 28,000 mm
- MVRT: 15,000gsm/d
Conclusion
Hiking is a wonderful activity that improves your health and increases your strength. Your lungs will get better, and you’ll feel much healthier. You should also wear the appropriate clothes to match your hiking style. These jackets are perfect for anyone who enjoys hiking.
