15 Lightweight Rain Jackets For Staying Dry This Spring

I’m of the belief that spring is the ultimate “yes, but…” season. You know what I mean. Yes, the flowers are blooming, but I certainly hope you have Claritin on you. Yes, the sun is finally shining, and it no longer sets at 3pm thank goodness, but there’s nothing like rain to throw a wrench on well-planned outings and outfits. Furthermore, the proverbial April showers tend to start before April and often last long after.

The 15 best lightweight rain jackets we’ve rounded up here may not do much for seasonal allergies, but they’re sure to keep you dry this spring. When it’s wet out, put that temperature-focused jacket away, and reach for one of these weather-focused ones instead.

Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket

The Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket is tailor-made for travel. Its ability to pack down to the size of your palm, no not Shaqille O’Neal’s palm, the regular human man’s palm, provides stress-free convenience at the airport, train station, or camping trips. Its ability to shrink doesn’t take away from its functionality though.

Thank its taped seams and diamond fuse fabric for that.

This basically means that instead of adding extra materials for durability, the diamond-shaped fibers on the surface of the jacket literally lock, meaning they hold on tighter to each other the more they’re pulled at and challenged, like a series of a billion plastic lock-ties integrated with each other.

Patagonia Torrentshell Rain Jacket

Hike in style and comfort with Patagonia’s latest-and-greatest rain jacket. The Torrentshell is built to be fully waterproof, keeping you dry even when the rain’s coming down hard. The three-layer shell will keep you warm on cooler days but has enough breathability you won’t overheat even when the temperatures start to rise.

The hood comes with a laminated visor to shield your face against the rain, and it’s easy to store when not in use. Thanks to the microfleece lining at the neck, it’s comfortable to wear even if some water seeps in. With plenty of pocket space, pit zips to let out body heat, and a self-stuffing design, it’s a truly versatile addition to your spring and summer wardrobe.

Black Diamond Highline Stretch Shell

If you’re heading for higher altitudes and colder days on the mountain, you’ll want to pack the Black Diamond Highline Stretch Shell. It’s fully waterproof (20,000 mm rating), with taped seams to add extra durability and impermeability, so you can wear it through even a torrential downpour and stay bone-dry.

It’s designed to move freely with your torso and arms as you climb, and the hood is even compatible with climbing helmets. The shell design makes it ideal for keeping out brisk winds as well as the rain, but it’s breathable enough to keep you cool under direct sunshine. Best of all, it’s backed by a “practical lifetime warranty”.

Marmot GORE-TEX Minimalist Jacket

It doesn’t get tougher than the Marmot GORE-TEX Minimalist Jacket. As its name suggests, it’s made using GORE-TEX, the same fabric used for waterproof work and hiking boots. It’s insanely durable, capable of withstanding rough handling, abrasive environments, and active use.

The taped seams add both waterproofing and toughness, and the PFC-free water repellent coating is highly efficient at keeping the rain off your back. Thanks to the adjustable hood, hem, and cuffs, you’ll have no trouble blocking out even the fiercest, chilliest winds. It’s built to last a lifetime and is backed by the warranty to prove it.

Filson Swiftwater Rain Jacket

Anglers, kayakers, and canoers, you’ll love the Filson Swiftwater Rain Jacket. It’s built to keep out water both falling from the clouds above and splashing up from the river, lake, stream, or ocean beneath you, with a design that will hug your frame just right to provide waterproofing without limiting your range of movement.

The recycled ripstop nylon fabric is tough enough to stand up to any active use, and the multi-layered construction offers good breathability as well as light insulation. Best of all, if you want to wear it in the cold weather, it’s designed to be used with multiple layers—spacious without being bulky or constricting.

Columbia Watertight II Jacket

Columbia’s updated Watertight II Jacket delivers better performance, waterproofing, and versatility than the original model. It’s got all the features you could want: sealed seams, breathability, an adjustable storm hood, zippered hand pockets, an abrasion-resistant chin guard, adjustable cuffs, a comfortable and flexible fit, and long-lasting durability.

It’s designed to pack down into its own hand pocket so you can throw it into any duffel bag, backpack, or suitcase to have it always on hand whenever you travel.

Rab Phantom Waterproof Pull-On Jacket

To the delight of hardcore rain-or-shine runners, but perhaps to the ire of hesitant runners looking for excuses not to hit the trail, the Rab Phantom Pull-On Jacket isn’t just classified at the highest rating of waterproofing, but it’s lightweight and easy to move around in. It’s literally designed for mountain running. 

The fit is fairly slim, so architecturally, the clean lines won’t get in your way, but there are points of flexibility to allow you your entire range of movement (the curved elbows for example). There’s also reflective branding all over, so you can safely run on rainy evenings too.

Mont-Bell Versalite Jacket

Ask any tsunami-prone island nation, and they’ll tell you how inconvenient it is when rain and wind decide to join forces. Heavy-duty but still featherweight, the Monte-Bell Versatile Jacket is cleverly-built to hold the line from weather at two points.

First, there’s two-layers of tech fabric equipped with pores almost a thousand times bigger than vapor molecules, which allows you to breathe even as it protects you from wind. And beyond that, there’s a water-resistant layer made of ripstop nylon that doesn’t add any bulk.

Patagonia Storm Racer Jacket

In the world of tech wear, the word “innovative” gets thrown around for every weirdly-placed zip pocket in an otherwise standard jacket. The Patagonia Storm Racer, on the other hand, is truly ingenious. The waterproof shell features zippers that start from each side of the front collar, that then go down to your underarms to reveal a compartment layer for emergency kit items, such as supplies and food.

There are even shoulder straps under there, each featuring a place to store a bottle. It’s like a cop’s chest holster—keep a water bottle in one, a flask in the other, and draw them with cross arms to feel extra cool.

Montane Minimus Lite Waterproof Jacket

If there’s one thing that endurance athletes don’t want to think about, it’s everything besides the sport they’re currently doing. If you’ve got miles of trail left on your fastpack, you don’t want to think about taking your jacket off because you’re overheating, then putting it back on because it’s starting to rain, especially with a backpack in the way.

Enter the 100% nylon Montane Minimus Lite Waterproof Jacket, with a user-friendly adjustable hood. It’s minimalistic but strong, with a close-to-body fit that’s secure but not binding.

Kuhl The One Shell

A rain jacket from the near-future, The One Shell from Kuhl is clean-looking with a matte, soft, and almost not-techy finish. The Aero Shell, as it’s aptly named, is made out of 20D nylon, and is patterned using 3D articulation, which provides a sophisticated and comfortably airy drape that, ironically, is nearly windproof.

This makes it a first-rate everyday jacket, not least of which is thanks to its range of colors that serves up a personal style factor. A lively mustard hue called golden moss and a military-like pine are some examples.

Orvis Ultralight Storm Jacket

As tough and as waterproof as the Ultralight Storm Jacket is on the outside, that’s how soft and comfortable it is on the inside. Its impressively breathable interior is raised for airflow and dry-touch like silk, while also being effectively moisture-wicking. This is a jacket that takes care of you. On top of that, the zippers are waterproof too, which is an appreciated detail to those of us who’ve ever been rusted shut into a cheaper old rain jacket.

Finisterre Rainbird Waterproof Jacket

Another model with a range of great colorways, the Finisterre Rainbird Waterproof Jacket is offered in versatile neutrals, as well as fun, bright variants like purple and red. More importantly, this lightweight piece of outerwear, made with 100% recycled polyester by the way, is warm and packable, perfect for those cold rains.

It also has a high breathability rating, so you don’t have to choose between freezing or overheating to death. And adding to its range, this jacket comes in sizes as small as an XS, all the way up to an XXL.

Mack Weldon Stormchaser Jacket

Mack Weldon goes all in with the thoughtful details on the Stormchaser. It’s definitely a function-forward jacket, well-engineered with a waterproof rating that can handle most substantial downpours and even heavy snow. However, its handsome texturing, deep hue, and easy lines throughout make it an undeniably stylish garment. It’s as if a canvas utility jacket combined with a minimalist hoodie.

The interiors are fully-seamed for extra protection, while every single pocket is bonded allowing for safekeeping of your items without them interrupting that sleek silhouette. Another style-meets-usefulness detail, the sleeves are equipped with convenient velcro twist cuffs.

Path Projects Graves PX Shell Jacket

Runners and marathoners, this one’s for you. Path Projects designed their Graves PX Shell Jacket to be lightweight so you can run longer without worrying about excess weight, and it’s packable enough you can throw it in your running backpack or pouch when it’s not in use. The hood is engineered to stay in place even if you’re sprinting, and the synch waist moves freely as you pump your arms. It’s suitable for temperatures ranging from 20 to 50 F, so you can use it in both the dead of winter (with a base layer) and the warmer spring months.

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