15 best men’s waterproof jackets to keep you dry and stylish
Summer might be on its way but decent waterproofs are year-round staples for any seasoned hiker. Whether you’re standing on a ridgeline in Snowdonia or waiting for a bus, when the rain comes, you need to make sure you’re wearing something that’s going to avoid the dreaded drowned-rat look. So, we’ve been busy putting the best men’s waterproof jackets to the test.
Waterproof jackets are typically constructed with either 2, 2.5 or 3 layers of protection, to guarantee you stay dry. A single layer with a connected membrane will keep work clothes dry at the bus stop, while jackets made with a single layer and membrane that are treated with a water-repellent will be a good option for any prolonged outdoor pursuit. Finally, for that Snowdonia ridgeline, you have three-layer jackets that have all of the above plus another liner on the inside.
The waterproof rating of jackets is expressed as a number measured in millimetres – its hydrostatic head (HH). The greater the rating, the more waterproof the jacket.
A good waterproof jacket should be able to keep you dry while releasing water vapour, so you’re not drenched in sweat when you take it off. The rating for this is measured in the number of grams of water vapour able to pass through a square metre (gm2) of material over 24 hours.
Keep reading to find out which jackets performed best against the elements.
How we tested the best men’s waterproof jackets
We were (un)lucky
