Need a rain jacket but aren’t sure of what to get? Here’s our guide on what to look for the next time you purchase a raincoat.
Think of the last time you were running errands and it started to rain. Were you prepared or were you soaked in the storm? A quality rain jacket will help you to stay dry no matter what mother nature throws at you.
There’s almost nothing worse than getting caught unprepared in a downpour. Not only do you end up looking like a half-drowned rat, but you’ll also spend the rest of the day with squishy shoes and wet underwear.
While most effectively used in combination with an umbrella and water-resistant boots, even on its own a good rain jacket goes a long way in helping you to stay dry and comfortable.
Whether you live in the famously wet Northwest or in the dry deserts of Arizona, it’s a good idea to have a raincoat in your wardrobe. However, the best type of rain jacket for you will vary according to your local environment.
Why Wear a Raincoat?
While an umbrella will keep you dry, it isn’t always the most convenient choice in wet weather. That’s especially true when you need to use both hands, such as when carrying eight heavy grocery bags at once. (“No honey, I don’t need to take two trips”).
Also, umbrellas can be a hassle to carry. Rainjackets can keep you dry and warm, depending on your needs.
To stay extra dry, you can double up and use an umbrella while wearing a raincoat.
With this setup, it’s an even easier decision to share an umbrella with your lady. (Don’t be an umbrella hog)!
How To Buy a Raincoat (Which Style Is Best for You)?
When looking for a raincoat, try to find one that fits you well.
A raincoat should fit pretty much like any other piece of outerwear. If you plan on layering underneath, leave room for a few layers. If you live in a warm place think you’ll probably only wear it over a t-shirt, a closer fit may be considered.
The shoulder seam, wear the shoulder attaches to the sleeve, should generally be right at the edge of your natural shoulder — though you may want some extra room if you’ll be wearing a suit coat underneath.
The sleeves should be long enough to cover all the layers underneath, but not much longer. You don’t want to be swimming in fabric.
As far as the body of the jacket goes, the length depends on the type of jacket. Some jackets, such as bombers and Harringtons, are meant to be short. Others, like trench coats, are traditionally much longer.
Another consideration is desired coverage. How functional does your jacket need to be?
A serious fisherman might need something that allows him to stand on a shore for hours in inclement weather, while a relatively sedentary 9 to 5 white-collar worker might just need a garment that keeps him dry on the way from the parking lot to his office.
A long coat with a hood will perform better than a short jacket without a hood. As you can imagine, when choosing a rain jacket you have to balance form with function.
For example, a shorter guy who wants decent protection from rain but also wants a jacket he can dress up might choose a jacket that ends mid-thigh and has functional lapels but no hood.
Again, there are some trade-offs — this coat probably won’t be as functional as the fisherman’s long orange slicker, but it looks a lot more appropriate for the office.
As always when it comes to outerwear, I suggest buying the best quality garment you can afford. In my experience, a quality coat can last 7-8 years or more, while a less expensive (i.e. cheap) one might be kaput after just a season or two.
Don’t be surprised when a decent coat off-the-rack costs $150 to $350. In my opinion, unless you’re getting a thick wool coat, this amount is the sweet spot for outerwear.
Be careful going cheaper unless you’re buying second-hand as manufacturers may be cutting corners in quality to stay competitive cost-wise. Higher than $350 or so and you may be paying extra for the brand name or unnecessary features, though that’s not always the case.
Raincoat Types
Here are 8 types of rain jackets to keep you dry:
Bomber Jacket
Bomber jackets are commonly made from nylon and thus are pretty darn water-resistant.
The problem is that they don’t really have any other features that I’d want in a good rain jacket.
However, if you live in a warm-ish place that doesn’t get a lot of rain, this might be the only mid-weight piece of outerwear you need.
Harrington Jacket
For several years my Harrington jacket was my raincoat of choice. I really like the laid-back style of this piece. However, in a pinch, it’s also perfect to wear with a white linen shirt and a casual tie.
It’s not ideal for more formal wardrobes, though, as it’s not long enough to wear over a tailored jacket.
The advantage of a Harrington over a bomber is that with a Harrington you can flip up the collar and fasten the top buttons to protect your shirt collar.
Also, in my opinion, the buttoned flap pockets of the Harrington keep out water better than the average zippered pockets of the bomber.
Mac Coat
The Mac coat, Mackintosh, or slicker, this wet-weather staple goes by many different names.
First sold in 1824, the Mac coat has a rubber or rubber-like exterior.
Traditionally, this jacket was bright yellow. (Who wears it better — the Gorton’s fish sticks mascot or The Modest Man’s own Brock McGoff)?
These days “Mac coat” is a general term for a single-breasted raincoat that typically is mid-thigh length.
While the classic yellow color is still a solid choice for casual wear, for a more dressed-up look, opt for a jacket in a neutral color such as navy, olive, or khaki.
In my opinion, the mac coat is the best raincoat option to wear over a suit.
Trench Coat
Speaking of suits, if you picture in your mind a man in beating rain with a white shirt and tie and a fedora what kind of coat is he wearing?
You probably thought of a trench coat. Guys like Humphrey Boggart in old movies make trench coats look really cool. However, in real life they’re hard to pull off (they’re kind of like floor-length wool overcoats in that way).
Trench coats look best on “seasoned” men. At any rate, like a fedora, trenches don’t dress down very well as they can look “costumey.” Go for a slightly shorter coat for an updated style.
Waxed Cotton Jacket
I recently got my first waxed cotton jacket. This Hudson Jacket from Huckberry is awesome. It’s my go-to when it’s nasty outside.
I also own Huckberry’s Waxed Trucker. It’s not quite as heavy-duty, but it’s certainly a good option to stave off the chills on damp days.
Keep in mind though that this is a short jacket, so your legs are still likely to get wet.
Wool Coat
If it’s cold and spitting sleet from the heavens, a quality wool coat will keep you dry. Add a thick wool scarf for even more coverage if it doesn’t have functional lapels.
This wool coat hasn’t gotten soaked through yet and I’ve worn it in many a deluge.
When there’s freezing rain, you’re gonna want more than a waterproof shell — an overcoat offers great protection and warmth.
Athletic Jacket
In this case, I’m using “athletic jacket” as a general term for rain jackets in technical fabrics not included elsewhere in my list. This includes rain jackets meant for hiking and backpacking.
These kinds of jackets are great for certain outdoor activities (like hiking and casual sports) but aren’t usually very stylish.
Running Jacket
Don’t let “bad” weather stop you from reaching your fitness goals.
Luckily, running in the rain is kind of fun, especially if you dress accordingly.
If it’s warm out, I like to wear a baseball cap, a light running jacket, and shorts.
With this combo, I still get soaked, there’s pretty much no avoiding it without wearing a plastic bag (which would just leave you soaked with sweat anyway). However, it does keep me relatively comfortable and visible to vehicles. Also, the hat keeps the rain out of my face.
When there’s freezing rain or snow, dressing for the weather needs to be a little more intentional. For tips, check out my full guide for what to wear when running in winter weather.
Q&As About Raincoats
Here are answers to some common questions about rain jackets:
Where to buy a raincoat?
You can buy a raincoat wherever you buy clothes. Most brands sell some version of outerwear to protect against wet weather.
I’d recommend checking out Huckberry, Banana Republic and Burberry for rain jackets.
What to wear in the rain?
When it’s raining you can stay as dry as possible by wearing a raincoat and water-resistant boots and carrying an umbrella.
Do you need an umbrella with a raincoat?
No, you don’t need to carry an umbrella while wearing a raincoat, but it can certainly help. By combining the two you can (hopefully) stay bone dry.
Conclusion
No matter where you live it’s going to rain. It’s just a matter of “when” and “how much.”
For most guys, it’s a good idea to have a rain jacket of some sort for when wet weather comes. I’d recommend a short water-resistant jacket for a man that lives in a place that doesn’t get a lot of precipitation and a long jacket (possibly with a hood) for a man that faces regular storms.
What’s you’re most memorable “caught in the rain” experience? What were you wearing? Share your stories in the comment section below!
The issue is sleeves. Invariably too long. Hard to find one that fits.