The Best Men's Lightweight Rain Jackets

An inexpensive rain shell is an uninsulated jacket meant to repel wind and rain, but not necessarily keep you warm. Because it’s unlined, it’s lightweight and easy to stuff in a pouch or pocket. Unlike rain jackets of yore, they’re made of waterproof/breathable (“w/b” from now on) fabric that helps push moisture out of the coat and prevent you from getting wet and clammy. It’s a basic piece of gear that all hikers, campers, and backpackers should have in their arsenal—it doesn’t hurt to have one around the house either. There are some other considerations that a cheap rain shell ought to include, that might seem obvious, but not all are made with some of these in mind. For one, the fabric should be waterproof and breathable. Secondly, the design of the jacket should be such that, it keeps water out. Also, there should be some manual ventilation, it's preferable if it is in the use of pit zips. This is particularly useful for dumping heat and letting out moisture manually. Though less important, our ideal rain shell could also be easily used while wearing gloves, and has a hood that articulates—meaning when you turn your head, the hood turns with you.