Save this story Save Story Save this story Decades ago, your only options for rainy weather coverage were some kind of trench coat , a coarse wool overcoat, or, if you really needed to be out in it, a thick rubber sack that kept you dry but didn’t breathe. Thankfully, material science has advanced.
There are, of course, umbrellas? And we won’t stop you looking into those. But ask anyone from the Pacific Northwest, and they’ll tell you their rain jacket does all that work with ease. That’s because raincoats aren’t an accessory to your outfit: they’re the main focus. A good raincoat can turn your sad ensemble into head-turning Paparazzi fodder, or at the very least, keep you dry and stylish when it’s wet out.
Still not convinced? We figured—so we tested the best rain jackets and coats for men on the market right now, from the tried-and-true natural-fabric mainstays to the buzzy, newfangled riffs, and everything in between. Here they are.
The Best Raincoat Overall Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket Read more $500 Arc'teryx
The Best Budget Raincoat Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket Read more $189 Patagonia
The Best Waxed Canvas Raincoat Barbour Beaufort Read more $450 Huckberry
The Best Longer Raincoat J.Press x Barbour Burghley Read more $630 J. Press
The Best Upgrade Raincoat Burberry Long Gabardine Trench Read more $3,490 Mr Porter
The Fashion Guy Favorite James Coward Waterproof Draft Coat Read more $940 James Coward
Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Arc'teryx
Pros Best-in-class waterproofing and construction Insurmountable clout Cons Half. A. G. Arc'teryx's Beta LT jacket is the pinnacle of no-BS rain defense , beloved by wannabe Everest climbers, GQ Recommends editors, and meme-savvy TikTokers alike. Its custom Gore-Tex fabrication will keep you from getting soaked during the harshest of downpours, while its breathable pores work overtime to let water vapor (a.k.a. sweat) escape. That sleek, streamlined silhouette also lends itself naturally to a range of pairings, from straight-fit jeans and sneakers to a full-on “Scaling Kilimanjaro” kit— cargos , backpack, hiking boots —perfect for all of your wildcard outdoor activities.
It’s an investment, but hundreds of guys were showering in theirs for a reason: If you need top-tier weather protection and long-term durability—and are willing to invest—this is still the best rain jacket for serious outdoor use. That said, most dudes chasing the clout that Arc’teryx affords won’t need to max out its capabilities. Still, it’s good to know that if you’re ever caught in a downpour that won’t let up, the Beta’s the one waterproof jacket that won’t leave you high and, uh, wet .
Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Patagonia
Pros Classic rain shell design Waterproof and breathable Made of recycled materials Wide range of colorways available Cons Uhhhh…. When it comes to outdoor gear that keeps up with Mother Nature, Patagonia’s among the first to come to mind. The OG gorpcore label has more than its fair share of bangers for every climate from the iconic Baggies shorts to its range of plush fleece jackets, and when it comes to rainy weather, there’s the Torrentshell jacket. It’s a canonical piece of kit for Patagonia and has kept customers dry and fly for years.
The latest version features a three-layer shell system that maximizes water-repellency and breathability with a 100% recycled nylon face fabric. It features toasty microfleece-lined handwarmer pockets, welted zippers for water protection (plus pit zips for ventilation), and the entire thing can pack down into itself. So pack it up, throw it in your bag, and bust it out whenever the weather turns out to be worse than what the weatherman says. With a feature set like that, you’d expect to pay through the nose, but we’re thrilled to say that it doesn’t even break $200.
Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Barbour
Pros Unimpeachable pedigree All key design details are there Long enough to fit over a sport coat Barbour allows you to ship your jacket back to their HQ for a re-wax Cons Not as insulated as some others (though sizing up to fit a chunky knit under should help there) The advancements in rain-wicking technology tickles our lizard brains as much as watching a rock-crushing machine turn a boulder into pebbles. But as much as we appreciate multi-layered DWR-coated materials and heat-sealed seams give us joy, we also have a great reverence and appreciation for rain coats of yore. Enter the waxed jacket, a time-tested fabric used by sailors off the British coast since the 1800s.
If you’re gonna get a waxed jacket, you’d best get a Barbour, the reigning champ of waxed jackets. Barbour has more options and collaborations than ever, so it can be tricky to get your head around what’s what but for our money, the classic Beaufort is the Goldilocks of wax jackets. Where the Bedale is shorter and styles like the Border run down to the mid-thigh, the Beaufort is just right but still long enough to layer over your sport coats. Whichever you choose, don’t forget to re-wax at home after a few seasons. Guys seem to be nervous to do it, but it’s easy, and everytime I’ve re-waxed mine, people compliment me on how great it looks. The reward for your grunt work is a jacket you'll keep for decades to come.
Save to wishlist Save to wishlist J.Press x Barbour
Pros Signature Barbour details in a unique full-length style Water-resistant and breathable Detachable hood Cons Probably too long for drivers, great for walkers, commuters This season, J.Press has unearthed a Rare Barbour: the Burghley. It hasn’t been in the brand’s regular rotation for a number of years, earning it a following among collectors in places like Japan. But now it’s back in all its sweeping, full-length glory.
Originally designed to extend past the knees (and over the saddle and tops of riding boots) the Burghley protects the rider from rain and thorns. It’s a dramatic silhouette that will set you apart from all the cropped Transport and Bedales out there. Sure, it has equestrian heritage, but you needn’t be keeping a stable to wear one. It’s a great alternative to a trench, at home in the city as well as the country. And yes, it’s still made in England.
Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Burberry
Pros Enduring, minimalist design Stellar construction and quality Cons Not for use in heavy rain Over. Three. Gs. The perfect trench coat does exist, and Burberry, inventor of the style's signature gabardine fabric in 1879, cracked the code on it long ago. In the nearly 150 years since, surprisingly little has changed about the silhouette, and for good reason. The classic fit means it's roomy enough to layer over your slouchiest Armani-inspired suiting , while the belted design gives it instant sophistication. Plus, the lining and under-collar check pattern is unmistakably Burberry—an investment-worthy flex since the coat was invented.
Its WWI heritage is well-documented—British officers wore it in the trenches, using details like the shoulder flap for rifle recoil and belt rings for canteens and grenades serving real military functions. Today, it’s less about battlefield utility and more about how that water-resistant cotton gabardine will keep you dry in light city rain. I like the black, but the classic tan is always an option for you too.
Save to wishlist Save to wishlist James Coward
Pros Versatile color and design Natural waterproof fabric Generous silhouette with roomy raglan sleeves Cons Not for use in the heaviest of rain Not inexpensive! Another entry from Vancouver—what can we say, they know a few things about rain up there. Indie label James Coward sources fabric from mills known for their quality and considered production practices, then makes its garments locally in its workshop. This coat is cut from the brand’s durable, waterproof ‘Mastershield cloth, a dense weave that offers protection from the elements. A generous silhouette and roomy raglan sleeves give it natural gravitas in gloomy weather, all while keeping the look relaxed and easy to layer.
Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Arc'teryx
Whereas the Arc’teryx Beta is the brand’s versatile all-mountain shell, the Alpha SV is built for technical climbing and severe weather. A helmet-compatible hood, harness-ready chest pockets and pit zips make it the top dog of storm shells.
HAVEN puts a GORPcore spin on the refined, city-ready trench made from three-layer GORE-TEX PRO, a more rugged fabric typically found in shells for climbing and backcountry skiing. It’s serious storm gear with a city sensibility, ready to make you feel invincible during a rainy commute.
Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Lemaire
The wrap coat is Lemaire’s runaway hit. But this Ventile-cotton style is a rainy-day flex: densely woven, breathable cotton that swells when wet to help keep wind and rain out, without synthetic fibres or coatings. Chic.
Save to wishlist Save to wishlist MAN-TLE
Menswear can get a little obsessive about fabric specs and provenance. But when a jacket is this cool, you get why. 100 percent Giza cotton, woven at maximum density in Saitama, Japan and originally developed for the British Air Force and later recommissioned by Japan’s Coast Guard. Yeah, that’s the good stuff.
Save to wishlist Save to wishlist J.Press
Prep never left, but J.Press is certainly on its way back. The label’s updated take on a classic hooded parka keeps the familiar military shape sans PFAS with natural Ventile cotton. Choose classic army green, or eye-popping orange.
Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Snow Goose
Haider Ackermann's take on Canada Goose is coming into focus. The brand’s Snow Goose sub-label is more Milan than Manitoba, trading logo-heavy designs for cool colours and modern silhouettes that go well beyond down parkas.
Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Outdoor Research
Making a good rain jacket might not take a degree in nuclear science, but Outdoor Research’s founder was actually a nuclear physicist turned avid mountaineer. This stripped-back shell sheds weight and packs small without skimping on protection. Stash it and forget it.
Marmot, meanwhile didn’t pull back on features to shave weight. This soft, quiet waterproof shell is built for movement, with an “Angel-Wing” design that lets you reach overhead without the hem riding up and putting your backside on display.
Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Reigning Champ
Reigning Champ has also gone well beyond sweats and tees. This workhorse of a rain jacket is more downtown than summit in style but still meets the moment with GORE-TEX construction and a very digestible price.
Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Knickerbocker
Italian fabric. Fifth-generation Portuguese construction. New York City design. That’s the mix behind Knickerbocker’s full-length trench. Its tightly woven, water-repellent fabric helps keep rain out all with the kind of easy, downtown cool Knickerbocker does so well.
Uniqlo’s even more affordable sister brand, GU, delivers a lot of jacket for the money The throwback piping and punchy colours nod to the ’90s, while the water- and wind-resistant fabric makes it practical, too.
Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Flint and Tinder
A waxed Harrington probably isn’t for a downpour unless your trousers are waxed, too, but it’s ideal for breezy, drizzly, and sunny fall days alike. And, aye, the waxed fabric comes straight from Scotland. No messing about.
Who wants to drag a sopping wet umbrella around only to forget it at the restaurant or in the back of a cab? When you’ve got a trench coat with your cell and headphones in the pockets, it’s almost impossible to lose. Through light mists, heavy rain, and even torrential downpours, the best rain coats are, ironically, the drippiest too. They’ll prevent you from showing up to the function like a poor wet dog and instead make your arrival a warm, dry welcome.
Trench coats that aren’t the only coats vying to shield you from the rain, though. Gorpcore’s popularity has given us waves of tech-y jackets, parkas, and anoraks all wrought from futuristic multi-layered materials that balance breathability with waterproof ability. The result is a cementing of this 21st century sportswear into must-have menswear. And let’s not forget the workwear-adjacent waxed jackets born from sailing the Scottish seas in 15th-century Scotland. With their rugged good looks and a lust for patina, they’ve become stylish staples when the weather’s all doom and gloom.
Style is subjective, we know—that’s the fun of it. But we’re serious about helping our audience get dressed. Whether it’s the best white sneakers , the flyest affordable suits, or the need-to-know menswear drops of the week , GQ Recommends’ perspective is built on years of hands-on experience, an insider awareness of what’s in and what’s next, and a mission to find the best version of everything out there, at every price point.
Our staffers aren’t able to try on every single piece of clothing you read about on GQ.com (fashion moves fast these days), but we have an intimate knowledge of each brand’s strengths and know the hallmarks of quality clothing—from materials and sourcing, to craftsmanship, to sustainability efforts that aren’t just greenwashing. GQ Recommends heavily emphasizes our own editorial experience with those brands, how they make their clothes, and how those clothes have been reviewed by customers. Bottom line: GQ wouldn’t tell you to wear it if we wouldn’t.
We make every effort to cast as wide of a net as possible, with an eye on identifying the best options across three key categories: quality , fit , and price .
To kick off the process, we enlist the GQ Recommends braintrust to vote on our contenders. Some of the folks involved have worked in retail, slinging clothes to the masses; others have toiled for small-batch menswear labels; all spend way too much time thinking about what hangs in their closets.
We lean on that collective experience to guide our search, culling a mix of household names, indie favorites, and the artisanal imprints on the bleeding-edge of the genre. Then we narrow down the assortment to the picks that scored the highest across quality, fit, and price.
Across the majority of our buying guides, our team boasts firsthand experience with the bulk of our selects, but a handful are totally new to us. So after several months of intense debate, we tally the votes, collate the anecdotal evidence, and emerge with a list of what we believe to be the absolute best of the category right now, from the tried-and-true stalwarts to the modern disruptors, the affordable beaters to the wildly expensive (but wildly worth-it) designer riffs.
Whatever your preferences, whatever your style, there's bound to be a superlative version on this list for you. ( Read more about GQ's testing process here .)
Production Credits Photographs by Bowen Fernie and Natalie Piserchio Styled by Tyler Austin Grooming by Laramie using RéVive and Oribe
Source: Celebrities
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