Buy Budget Rain Gear for Backpacking
Table of Contents
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How to Read the Tables on This Page
Layers
- Outer (face) layer: durable fabric coated with durable water repellent
- Second (middle) layer: bonded waterproof/breathable membrane such as Gore-Tex
- Third (inner) layer: thin fabric affixed to the membrane
HH (hydrostatic head): Waterproof rating
The higher the number, the more waterproof the fabric. An HH value of at least 10,000 is recommended.
MVTR (Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate): Breathability rating
The higher the number, the more waterproof the fabric. An MVTR of at least 10,000 is recommended.
Pit Zips
Zippered openings under the armpits that allow heat and moisture to escape to reduce sweat condensation.
Rain Jackets
Men's Rain Jackets
Click arrows in headings to sort columns
| Jacket | MSRP | Weight (oz) | Layers | HH (mm) | MVTR (g/m²/24h) | Pit zips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FROGG TOGGS Ultra-lite2 Rain Jacket Men’s | $20 | 6.0-8.8* | 2 | Not published | Not published | No |
| Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket Men’s | $60 | 13.5 | 2 | Not published | Not published | No |
| Helly Hansen Loke Rain Jacket Men’s | $110 | 11.0 | 2.5 | 10,000 | 10,000 | Yes |
| Marmot Precip Eco Rain Jacket Men’s | $120 | 10.6 | 2.5 | 10,000 | 17,000 | Yes |
| Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket Men’s | $170 | 6.4 | 2.5 | >15,000 | 20,000 | No |
| Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket Men’s | $179 | 14 | 3 | 20,000 | Not published | Yes |
| Rab Downpour Plus 2.0 Rain Jacket Men’s | $180 | 13.2 | 2.5 | 20,000 | 20,000 | Yes |
* The FROGG TOGGS official website states that the Ultralite2 is 8.8 oz in men’s size and 6.0 oz in women’s size. Most other websites state that both sizes are 6.0 oz. It seems unlikely that the men’s size is 2.8 ounces heavier than the women’s size. Both sizes are listed here in case the official website number is incorrect.
$19.98 as of 5/4/2025
MSRP $20
Pros
- Ridiculously affordable
- Ultralight
Cons
- Not durable
- Breathability below average
- HH not published
- MTVR not published
- No pit zips
$54.65 as of 5/4/2025
MSRP $75
Pros
- Very affordable
Cons
- Breathability below average
- Heavy
- HH not published
- MVTR not published
- No pit zips
MSRP $169.95
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Breathable
- Pit zips
- Good value
Cons
- More expensive than other jackets on this list
MSRP $179
Pros
- Highly durable
- Highly waterproof
- Pit zips
- Good value
Cons
- Heavy
- MVTR not published
- More expensive than other jackets on this list
MSRP $174.19
Pros
- Highly waterproof
- Highly breathable
- Good value
Cons
- Heavy
- More expensive than other jackets on this list
Women's Rain Jackets
Click headings to sort columns
| Jacket | MSRP | Weight (oz) | Layers | HH (mm) | MVTR (g/m²/24h) | Pit zips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FROGG TOGGS Ultra-lite2 Rain Jacket Women’s | $25 | 6.0 | 2 | Not published | Not published | No |
| Columbia Arcadia II Rain Jacket Women’s | $60 | 11.3 | 2 | Not published | Not published | No |
| Helly Hansen Loke Rain Jacket Women’s | $110 | 9.2 | 2.5 | 10,000 | 10,000 | Yes |
| Marmot PreCip Eco Rain Jacket Women’s | $120 | 9 | 2.5 | 10,000 | 17,000 | Yes |
| Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket Women’s | $170 | 6.4 | 2.5 | >15,000 | 20,000 | No |
| Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket Women’s | $179 | 12.5 | 3 | 20,000 | Not published | Yes |
| Rab Downpour Plus 2.0 Rain Jacket Women’s | $180 | 11.6 | 2.5 | 20,000 | 20,000 | Yes |
MSRP $23.95
Pros
- Ridiculously affordable
- Ultralight
Cons
- Not durable
- Breathability below average
- HH not published
- MTVR not published
- No pit zips
Retail Price: $52.50 as of 5/4/2025
MSRP $75
Pros
- Very affordable
Cons
- Breathability below average
- Slightly heavy
HH not published - MVTR not published
- No pit zips
Retail Price: $100.56 as of 5/4/2025
MSRP $120
Pros:
- Affordable
- Pit zips
MSRP $179.95
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Breathable
- Pit zips
- Good value
Cons
- More expensive than other jackets on this list
MSRP $179
Pros
- Highly durable
- Highly waterproof
- Pit zips
- Good value
Cons
- Heavy
- MVTR not published
- More expensive than other jackets on this list
MSRP $165
Pros
- Highly waterproof
- Highly breathable
- Pit zips
- Good value
Cons
- Heavy
- More expensive than other jackets on this list
Rain Pants
Men's Rain Pants
Click headings to sort columns
| Pants | MSRP | Layers | Weight (oz) | HH (mm) | MVTR (g/m²/24h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Rebel Roamer II Men’s | $60 | Not published | 12.2 | Not published | Not published |
| Helly Hansen Loke Men’s | $95 | 2.5 | 7.4 | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Marmot Precip Eco Men’s | $80 | 2.5 | 8.1 | 10,000 | 17,000 |
| Outdoor Research Helium Men’s | $64 | 2.5 | 5.9 | >15,000 | 20,000 |
| Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Men’s | $129 | 3 | 11.8 | 20,000 | Not published |
| Rab Downpour Plus 2.0 Men’s | $100 | 2.5 | 10.6 | 20,000 | 20,000 |
Retail Price $47.57 as of 5/4/2025
MSRP: $60
Pros
- Very affordable
Cons
- Breathability below average
- Slightly heavy
- HH not published
- MVTR not published
MSRP $129.95
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Breathable
Cons
- More expensive than other rain pants on this list
MSRP $129
Pros
- Highly durable
- Highly waterproof
- Good value
Cons
- Heavy
- MVTR not published
- More expensive than other jackets on this list
MSRP $99.99
Pros
- Highly waterproof
- Highly breathable
- Good value
Cons
- Heavy
- More expensive than other jackets on this list
Women's Rain Pants
Click arrows in headings to sort columns
| Pants | MSRP | Layers | Weight (oz) | HH (mm) | MVTR (g/m²/24h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Storm Surge II Women’s | $60 | Not published | 11.5 | Not published | Not published |
| Helly Hansen Loke Women’s | $95 | 2.5 | 6.7 | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Marmot Precip Eco Women’s | $98 | 2.5 | 7 | 10,000 | 17,000 |
| Outdoor Research Helium Women’s | $52 | 2.5 | 5.5 | >15,000 | 20,000 |
| Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Women’s | $129 | 3 | 10.9 | 20,000 | Not published |
| Rab Downpour Plus 2.0 Women | $100 | 2.5 | 9.3 | 20,000 | 20,000 |
$42.01 as of 5/5/2025
MSRP $60.00
Pros:
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Breathability below average
- Slightly heavy
- HH not published
- MVTR not published
MSRP $51.98
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Breathable
- Good value
Cons
- More expensive than other jackets on this list
MSRP $129
Pros
- Highly durable
- Highly waterproof
- Good value
Cons
- Heavy
- MVTR not published
- More expensive than other jackets on this list
MSRP $100.00
Pros
- Highly waterproof
- Highly breathable
- Good value
Cons
- Heavy
- More expensive than other jackets on this list
Rain suits
Men's Rain Suits
$19.38 as of 5/4/2025
MSRP $30
Pros
- Ridiculously affordable
- Ultralight
Cons
- Not durable
- No waterproof rating published
- No breathability rating published
- No special features
Women's Rain Suits
$19.38 as of 5/4/2025
MSRP $30
Pros
- Ridiculously affordable
- Ultralight
Cons
- Not durable
- No waterproof rating published
- No breathability rating published
- No special features
Rain Ponchos (Unisex)
$12.99 as of 5/4/2025
MSRP $20.00
Pros
- Ridiculously affordable
- Excellent ventilation
- Ultralight
Cons
- Not durable
- No waterproof rating published
- No breathability rating published
- No special features
My thoughts:
If you won’t bushwack or hike in wind or cold weather, this $20-poncho may be all you need. Although it isn’t durable, you can always replace it for $20 (or much less during sales).