View 2018’s best wet weather jackets
A good rain jacket will keep you dry, inside and out when the heavens open and when you build up a sweat.
Abrasion resistance
Technical rainwear is made of two, two-and-a-half, or three layers. The outer face fabric is generally abrasion-resistant nylon. The fabric might be reinforced at high-wear points such as elbows, shoulders, knees and inside lower trouser legs.
Hoods
Hoods can remain fixed or roll into the collar. Most hoods have drawcords or Velcro so the volume can be adjusted to snugly encase your head. A reinforced, self-supporting brim can keep rain out of your eyes, ensuring good vision in all directions.
Zips
Water-resistant zips are common. Pit zips running under the armpit improve breathability and air movement. Zip sliders often tuck into a ‘garage’ to prevent rain entering through the top of the zip.
On trouser legs, full-length or quarter zips allow for easy on and off without having to remove boots.
Collars, cuffs and gutters
The collar should stand high enough to prevent water running inside the jacket. Cuffs that can be tightened will prevent water running up your sleeve when you raise your arms to climb.
Length
Below-the-waist designs tend to be heavier, but provide better protection and a ‘tail’ to sit on. To-the-waist jackets are lighter and often with stretch panels in key areas to prevent the hem lifting. Rain pants can be pulled up high to create an overlap under the jacket.
Pockets
Handwarmer pockets are ideally positioned so they can be accessed while wearing a pack or harness. Mesh-lined pockets help with ventilation and breathability but can make stored items wet from perspiration. A chest pocket (or Napoleon pocket with a vertical opening) can provide easy access to map and compass.
Care
Wash your wet weather gear as often as you would wash your jeans. Because laundry powder can affect the garment’s breathability, your best bet is to use a technical wash that rinses out completely. This will usually restore moisture transfer through the membrane.
If the outer fabric is starting to wet out (water pools in the fabric), a wash-in or spray-on durable water repellent may be required. The DWR needs heat to set it, so read the garment’s care instructions and iron or tumble dry as recommended.
Water resistance and breathability
Technical rainwear fabric works much like your skin: tiny moisture vapour droplets pass through its pores toward the atmosphere, while larger rain droplets are blocked from passing through the other way. Garments can be tested to determine water resistance and breathability.
Water resistance: The amount of water pressure (in millimeters) a fabric sample can withstand before leakage occurs – e.g.: 20,000mm
Breathability: The amount of water vapour (in grams) that can pass through a square metre of fabric during a 24-hour period. e.g. 20,000g/m2.
Because there is no standardised test to measure breathability and water resistance, the products featured here do not have this information displayed.
Now you know what to look for, time to choose a model…
![]() Slim fit, fully seam sealed, helmet-compatible adjustable hood, high collar, chest and handwarmer pockets, YKK zippers with garages, cuff and velcro closure, adjustable hem. Fabric Pertex AP nylon Weight 480g (m); 400g (w). www.macpac.co.nz |
![]() Outdoor Research Men’s Axiom $599.99 |
![]() Earth Sea Sky Nano Primaloft $599 |
![]() Three-layer, active fit, adjustable hood, chest pocket, hand warmer pockets, pit zips, water-resistant zippers, Velco adjustable cuffs, drawcord hem. Fabric Gore-Tex Weight 680g (m); 409g (w). www.thenorthface.co.nz |
![]() Earth Sea Sky Hydrophobia $499 |
![]() Outdoor Research Men’s Foray $399.99 |
![]() Trim fit, DWR finish, seam-taped micro-seams, gusseted underarms, adjustable StormHood with laminated brim, chin guard, water-resistant zippers, hand pockets, zip garages, Velcro cuff closure, drawcord hem. Fabric Gore-Tex Paclite 2-layer Weight 315g. www.bivouac.co.nz |
![]() Seam-taped, pit zips, adjustable hood, chest pocket with water-resistant zipper, zippered hand pockets, centre zip stormflap with snap/Velcro closure, drawcord hem, Angel-Wing Movement. Fabric Gore-Tex Paclite Weight 425g (m); 383g (w). www.marmotnz.co.nz |
![]() Patagonia Stretch Rainshadow $399.99 |
![]() Marmot Essence $399.95 |
![]() The North Face Stormy Trail $330 |
![]() Standard fit, seam-taped, stretch fabric, adjustable wire-brimmed hood zips into collar, water-resistant YKK zippered chest pocket, pit zips, hand pockets, pocket doubles as stuff sack, double separating front zip, elastic cuffs with hook and loop tabs. Fabric Ventia 2.5-layer, nylon Weight 398g (m); 337g (w). www.bivouac.co.nz |
![]() Seam-taped, attached hood with side cord adjustment, pit zips, chest pocket with water resistant zipper, zippered hand pockets, asymmetric cuffs, Velcro adjustment, drawcord hem, Angel-Wing Movement. Fabric Stretch NanoPro, nylon Weight 300g (m); 281g (w). www.marmotnz.co.nz |
![]() Relaxed fit, seam-sealed, adjustable hood, Velcro storm flap, pit zips, secure-zip hand pockets, Velcro adjustable cuffs, drawcord hem, packs into pocket. Fabric DryVent, nylon ripstop, 2.5-layer Weight 400g (m); 300g (w,). www.thenorthface.co.nz |
![]() Patagonia Torrentshell $199.99 |
![]() Outdoor Research Men’s Foray $299 |
![]() Standard fit, seam-taped, elastic waist with drawcord, gusseted crotch, rear pocket doubles as stuff sack, ankle zips, accepts accessory suspenders. Fabric Pertex Shield 2.5-layer Weight 166g; 152g (w). www.bivouac.co.nz |