Cool weather is approaching or perhaps already here depending on where you live. If you are looking for a good fall jacket that will keep you dry and warm on a nice October or November hike, then check out this list I have compiled. With a variety of price ranges and uses, here are some of the best waterproof hiking jackets to suit your needs.
10 best waterproof hiking jackets for men
Top picks
- North Face Men’s Resolve 2 Jacket – Top pick
- Helly Hansen Men’s Seven J Rain Jacket with Hood – Runner up
- Columbia Men’s Watertight II Jacket – Budget pick
1. Columbia Men’s Watertight II Jacket
Value Pick
This watertight rain jacket from from Columbia is a great choice if you are looking for something super lightweight. It will protect you from the wind and rain and is very affordable. This jacket may run a little big and the hood is a bit oversized.
Don’t expect it to keep you warm however, it’s basically a lightweight windbreaker. It can be “packed” into a zipper pouch by on of the pockets for easy stowing. Throw it in your backpack and break it out if needed.
2. Columbia Men’s Glennaker Lake Rain Jacket
2. Columbia Men’s Glennaker Lake Rain Jacket
Another lightweight, water repellent rain jacket from Columbia. This jacket has a hood tucked away in the collar. It has 2 webbed side pockets and one in the chest area marked packable to tuck the whole jacked in for easy storage.
There is some speculation as to just how “water repellent” this jacket is. Repellent may be the key term here. This one may be best for light rain for short periods. If you get caught out in a heavy rain, your clothes may get damp.
3. The North Face Men’s Apex Elevation Jacket
This jacket from North Face is more versatile. It is windproof, water repellant, insulated, and breathable. Although it is very thin and lightweight, it will keep you warm in the cold unlike the even lighter weight Columbia jackets. They have their uses as well, but if you are wanting a little extra warmth and don’t mind paying a bit extra for a North Face and their quality then this may be a better option.
This one can double as a light winter coat and a spring or fall cool weather jacket. I love North Face jackets because of their high quality, this one is no different.
4. The North Face Men’s Resolve 2 Jacket
Top Pick
From a great brand, the North Face Resolve 2 is fully water waterproof. There is a hood that can be tucked away inside the collar for when you don’t need it, making it very versatile. It has 2 outer zip up side pockets, but no interior pockets which may be a con for some people.
This waterproof jacket will definitely protect you from the wind and rain, but may not be the best choice to keep you warm on cold winter days. It has a light fleece lining that would be great for a hike on a cool fall morning or cloudy winter afternoon with a threat of rain.
5. The North Face Men’s Apex Bionic 2 Jacket
With a soft inner lining, the Apex Bionic 2 is deceivingly warm. It will protect you from the wind, cold, and rain. With 2 side pockets and a chest zipper pocket, theres plenty of room to store your keys, phone, and whatever else.
This one has no hood if that is a requirement for you. However you can always get a knit skull cap like this one to keep your ears warm. Overall a solid jacket from North Face.
6. Helly Hansen Men’s Seven J Rain Jacket with Hood
Runner Up
Waterproof and windproof this is a great fall jacket. Don’t expect it to keep you warm in the cold. Above 45-50 degrees and this one will do the trick. It has an adjustable hood, quick-dry lining, 2 front pockets and an interior pocket.
It has stellar reviews on Amazon, the only knocks I see for this one is that it may run a bit big and people are having issues with the zipper malfunctioning.
7. Amazon Essentials Lightweight Hooded Down Jacket
I love Amazon Essentials. I have purchased many different types of products from the Amazon brand and haven’t been disappointed yet. Similar to the other’s on this list, this one is water resistant and packable.
Interior and exterior pockets, with the interior pocket being oversized for storing large items. You can’t see from the picture but this jacket has very comfortable down hood to keep your head warm.
While this may not be quite the quality of a North Face, it doesn’t have the premium price point. This mid weight water resistant jacket is very well made and when purchasing through Amazon you know you will get their great customer service should anything not be as advertised.
8. Outdoor Research Men’s Cathode Hooded Jacket
Lightweight, water resistant, and insulated however may not be the best jacket in a cold wind. This one may make a good mid layer if you are in the cold. Has an adjustable hood but the jacket itself runs small so order a size up.
Not as popular on Amazon as some of the others on this list, still very stylish looking and claims to have won the Outside Magazine Gear of the Year award. Seems a bit overpriced in my opinion but I do like the look.
9. Outdoor Research Men’s Transcendent Sweater
Down-filled, and packable this water repellant jacket is very warm and has great reviews on Amazon. It does not have a hood, however this one has a ton of pockets which for me is something I look for.
It has a zippered chest pockets, 2 fleece lined exterior pockets for keeping your hands warm, and 2 oversized interior pockets. This lightweight, breathable jacket by Outdoor Research is stylish and versatile.
10. Outdoor Research Men’s Transcendent Hoody
Very similar to the Transcendent Sweater, but the Transcendent Hoody well… has a hood. I probably wouldn’t wear it in weather below 30 degrees but be great as a mid or base layer.
Available in a variety of colors and the price point is on par with some of the other major brands such as North Face. Being a down jacket, the outer material is thin and may not be as durable as some of the others on this list.
Conclusion
In this article we’ve shown you some of the best waterproof hiking jackets for men so that you stay dray on your next cool-weather hike. All of the jackets in this list are quality made and have good ratings on Amazon, it’s up to you to pick the one that suits you best. Personally, I like the North Face Men’s Resolve 2 Jacket because I’m a North Face fan and their quality is great.
