You can buy two types of rain jackets for hiking and backpacking: waterproof/breathable rain jackets and waterproof but non-breathable ones. While waterproof/breathable rain jackets will repel rain, you’re still likely to get wet inside from perspiration buildup because the breathable membrane can’t transport water vapor fast enough to keep up. The water vapor transmission rate is further impeded by the fact that your backpack, backpack straps, and hip belt cover half the surface area of the jacket. Keep in mind that waterproof/breathable jackets only transmit water vapor. Once your perspiration condenses into sweat and liquid form, it can’t be vented by a breathable membrane.
If you accept that you’ll get wet from perspiration anyway, you might as well buy a rain jacket that is permanently waterproof (doesn’t require DWR reproofing) and not breathable. If it has pit zips, you can at least open them up to vent excess heat and moderate the amount you sweat.
Here are the most popular non-breathable rain jackets for hiking and backpacking that we recommend.
Lightheart Gear makes 20D ripstop polyester Rain Jackets for men and women that are permanently waterproof with a silicone coating on the outside and a polyurethane coating on the inside. All of the rain jacket seams are taped to prevent leaking. The jackets have extra-long pit-zips with waterproof zippers and adjustable hoods with a small flexible brim to keep the rain off your face. They also make ripstop polyester rain pants and rain skirts.
Frogg Toggs makes a wide assortment of lightweight rain gear. The Frogg Toggs XtremeLite Rain Jacket is popular with hikers because it’s highly durable, fully seam-taped, and has a fully adjustable hood with brim, zippered side pockets, Velcro wrist closures, and a cord-adjustable waist.
AntiGravity Gear makes a unisex 70D siliconized nylon Rain Jacket that is not factory seam-taped or seam-sealed. It has long pit zips, an adjustable hood with a brim, a two-way zipper, adjustable wrist closures, and a cord-adjustable waist. They also make siliconized rain pants and a rain kilt.
The Warbonnet Outdoor makes The Stash Jacket,a unisex rain jacket made with 30D siliconized polyester. It is not seam-sealed but has an adjustable hood and very long 22” pit zips that provide ventilation and access to your pants pockets.
Sea-to-Summit makes the Ultra-Sil Nano Poncho. It is a 15D silnylon poncho with seam-tabled seams and an extended front bill to keep rain out of your face. They also sell an Ultra-Sil Nano Poncho Tarp, which can double as an ultralight tarp shelter.
Six Moon Designs (SMD) makes a poncho called The Gatewood Cape, which can also be used as an ultralight tarp. It’s made with siliconized nylon and is large enough to cover your backpack when worn.
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