The humble waterproof jacket is an essential item for anyone whoever steps outside, be it in the heart of the city or on the most rural fell-sides. The British Isles play host to some pretty damp weather at times, with sharp showers, persistent drizzles and torrential downpours all being part and parcel of this.
For those of us who enjoy walking, hiking, trekking and camping, a waterproof jacket carries extra importance – if we’re planning to be out all day, we need to be sure that we can stay warm and dry for reasons of enjoyment and safety.
To help you find the best men’s waterproof jackets, we’ve rounded up the greatest options available today. These waterproof jackets are lightweight, easy to store in commuting and hiking backpacks, and most importantly they’re reliable. The waterproof rating that they carry and their carefully engineering and construction means that they can be trusted. No matter your budget, there’s going to be something for you.
A quick note on the Water Column…
At the bottom of this article, we take a closer look at what the Water Column means for your new waterproof jacket. As a general rule of thumb, however, these are the rough brackets you want to be aware of; for the urban user, up to 10,000mm should be fine, weekend hillwalkers will want to head for between 11,000mm and 15,000mm, and the dedicated mountainside stomper will want to look around 20,000mm.
It’s important to note here that typically as waterproofing increases, so does windproofing. When you’re looking for a waterproof, remember that the windproof ability can be just as important as its water resistance.
We’ve rounded up the best men’s waterproof jackets around. Here are our picks:
The best at a glance:
Marmot Eclipse EVODry Waterproof Jacket
Regatta Men’s Cross Pennine III Hybrid Jacket
Berghaus Deluge 2.0 Pro Waterproof
Alpkit Balance
Mammut Albula
The North Face Apex Flex GTX 2.0
The best in detail:
Men's Waterproof Jackets
1 of 6Marmot Eclipse EVODry Waterproof Jacket
Pros: The California-based outdoor specialist Marmot has delivered a very lightweight very waterproof and very exciting jacket with the Eclipse. Boasting a 20,000mm water column and 2.5-layer construction, the Eclipse is ideal for stowing on long hikes in changeable weathers. While wind and water ingress is kept to a minimum through materials and taped seams, the underarm venting allows the wearer to keep their body temperature and moisture controlled. The collar is high, and the hood has a rigid peak to help keep eyesight clear. Cons: A three-layer build would be more comfortable when worn over long periods. Weight: 380g (M)Water column: 20,000mmTech: Marmot EVODry
2 of 6Regatta Men’s Cross Penine III Hybrid Jacket
Pros: First and foremost, the Regatta Cross Penine III hits a very compelling price point. But the good news doesn't stop with the affordability. With taped seams and a 15,000mm water column rating, it's going to keep you plenty dry. There's venting under the arms for improved airflow. There are three external zipped pockets and one internal, large enough for an Ordnance Survey map. The hood has a peak and shock-cord adjustment. Cons: A little heavy, difficult to stow in pack and the sleeves are very long. Weight: 570g (L)Water Column: 15,000mmTech: Regatta Isotex
3 of 6Berghaus Deluge 2.0 Pro Waterproof
Pros: The Berghaus Deluge 2.0 Pro Waterproof is an excellent waterproof jacket, offering great protection from the driving rain often encountered in the great outdoors. Berghaus has used its in-house 2-layer Hydroshell technology to create a lightweight and fully-waterproof jacket, with substantial abrasion protection and comfort thanks to its breathability. While we couldn't find any stats directly relating the jacket's Water Column rating, we're comfortable to say the performance is up to a day spent on the rainy fellside. The cut is great too: close without being slim fitting, and with amble wrist-cuff and hood adjustment.Available in 11 colours and made using sustainable methods and materials. Cons: Minimal venting. Weight: 324g (Large)Water Column: n/aTech: Berghaus Hydroshell
4 of 6Alpkit Balance
Pros: If we're heading out onto the mountainside, moors or Highlands, we take the Aplkit Balance with us – it's a thoroughly well-engineered and constructed jacket. Though lightweight and very stowable, the jacket caries a 20,000mm waterproof rating. Thanks to a three-layer construction, body sweat is moved away from the skin effectively, helping to reduce the damp inner-jacket feeling that plagues waterproof clothing. It's a tough jacket too, with ripstop material helping it stand up to knocks and scrapes on rocky surfaces. The cut is great too, being close fitting but never restricting movement. The two map-sized pockets double as venting thanks to the mesh lining. Neck, hood and wrist adjustment allows extra protection against water and wind ingress. Cons: To keep the weight to a minimum by reducing excess material and zips, there aren't many pockets. Weight: 339 (M)Water Column: 20,000mmTech: 3-layer construction with PU membrane
5 of 6Mammut Albula
Pros: Swiss mountaineer brand Mammut know a thing or two about keeping dry in adverse conditions, and the accomplished design of the Albula demonstrates this expertise. Primarily designed for both urban and hillside environments, the jacket is lightweight, fashionably cut and most importantly, very waterproof. As a hardshell design, there is more rigidity to this jacket than other items on this list – however, this does help the jacket maintain its shape and improves water run-off. There's also ample cuff, waist and hood adjustment. In addition to these attractive functional qualities, the Albula is constructed using fully recycled waste materials and sustainable practices with reduce water consumption and CO2 emissions. Cons: No peak on hood. Weight: 269g (average)Water Column: 10,000mmTech: Hardshell layered recycled materials
6 of 6The North Face Apex Flex GTX 2.0
Pros: The Apex Flex GTX is a mainstay of waterproof jacket lists, and for good reason – this jacket is highly versatile. The Gore-Tex material that is used here, while not having an advertised Water Column rating, offers a reliable and consistent performance through even stormy, driving rains. This material also serves as wind protection, seeing off even the harshest of gales. The close cut keeps things light and snag-free, while the extensive shockcord channels provide plenty of chance for the wearer to get the fit that works for them. The large underarm vents really help the jacket operate throughout the year, from the early spring showers through to autumnal downpours. Cons: While the jacket is great, it's expensive. Some may argue that a percentage of this price tag is for branding alone. Weight: 780g (average)Water Column: n/aTech: Gore-Tex
What’s Water Column?
Water Column is a test measuring a material’s waterproofing ability. A column of water is placed on the material, with more being added until the water begins to leak through. The result is given in millimetres (mm) – the higher the number, the more waterproof a material is. Sometimes the water column is known as hydrostatic head, but this is a more commonly used when referring to tent waterproofing.
Here's a Water Column quick guide on what to look for:
Less the 5,000mm – Little to no water resistance
6,000mm to 10,000mm – Showerproof over a short time
11,000mm to 15,000mm – Rainproof under moderate rainfall
16,000mm to 20,000mm – Rainproof under heavy, persistent rainfall and wet snow
For the urban user, up to 10,000mm should be fine. Weekend hillwalkers will want to head for between 11,000mm and 15,000mm, and the dedicated mountainside stomper will want to look around 20,000mm. It’s important to note here that typically as waterproofing increases, so does wind proofing. When you’re looking for a waterproof, remember that its wind proof ability can be just as important as its water resistance.
Don't forget to protect your legs from the elements, too: The best Gore-Tex waterproof trousers