The Best Mens Waterproof jackets

Our team of outdoor experts have tested some of the best mens waterproof jackets to help you find the right fit for your adventures and budget.

Waterproof jackets are a much-needed essential when out hillwalking, especially in the UK, where the mountain weather forecasts sometimes throw you curveballs. To help you decide which waterproof jacket is best for you, our team of experts has put together a list of the best mens waterproof jackets. Make sure you also take a look at our guide to The best waterproof jackets.

Main image: Chris Townsend

If you’re not quite ready to make the jump to a new waterproof, perhaps there’s life in your old jacket yet. Take a look at our guide on how to look after your waterproof jacket.

How we tested the best mens waterproof jackets

All of these waterproof jackets for men were tested by David Lintern. David has over a decade of experience as a photographer and writer and has produced dozens of articles for magazines, newspapers and organisations. His first feature for The Great Outdoors covered a walk across the Pyrenees in 2011 and he’s been a regular contributor ever since. He is the author of three books and has campaigned actively on access and environmental issues.

BEST BUY: Rab Arc Eco

Rating: 4.5/5
Likes: Eco credentials, a great all-rounder, cost, weight.
Dislikes: Could use one more pocket.
Price: £200

First on our list of the best mens waterproofs is the Rab Arc Eco, which won Gold in last year’s TGO awards in the sustainability category. The jacket’s face fabric, membrane and backer are all made up of a single polymer, making it easier to recycle at the end of its life. The fully recycled fabric has resisted wear and tear, and the Pertex Shield has continued to keep me completely dry. The hood is adjusted at three points and part-wired, and the cut is long and roomy at the chest.

The sleeves are Velcro-adjusted, and the hem adjusted by two toggles and elastic. The main zip is one-way and has a stormguard, and there are pit zips to help cool things down. It is lighter, simpler, cheaper and more environmentally friendly for most hillwalking and backpacking outside of deep winter.

Read the full Rab Arc Eco Review

RECOMMENDED: Alpkit Definition

Rating: 4.5/5
Likes: Eco credentials, a great all-rounder, cost, weight.
Dislikes: Could use one more pocket.
Price: £260

The Alpkit Definition is a well-thought out mountaineering shell with tailored sleeves, a lower cut tail, three outer pockets, a wired peak, three-way ‘cordlock’ adjusters, a single internal phone pocket, Velcro at the sleeves, two more cordlock adjusters at the hem, a chunky two- way zip on the front as well as a press stud to ease load on the zip, and stormguards on the main zip and two handwarmer pockets. It claims an impressive 30,000mm of hydrostatic head, and a breathability measure (MVTR) of 20,000 g/m, but the outer fabric thickness can feel stuffy in the warmer months

Read the full Alpkit Definition Review

Berghaus Ridgemaster

Rating: 3/ 5
Likes: Quality fabric, fully wired peak.
Dislikes: Pocket placement, single hood adjuster
Price: RRP £300

Berghaus Ridgemaster hillwalking-orientated jacket provides excellent protection at a fair price, with a single rear hood adjuster and a fully wired peak. It is slightly long and has five roomy pockets, but has too much fabric at the chest, not enough width in the arms, and pockets that can’t be used in conjunction with a rucksack.

See our full Berghaus Ridgemaster Review

Recommended: Mountain Hardwear Exposure 2

Rating: 4/5
Likes: Good hood, great cut, durability
Dislikes: Cost
Price: RRP £550

Mountain Hardwear does alpine-orientated gear extremely well which is why they’ve made it onto our list of the best mens waterproof jackets. The Exposure is a 3-layer, bluesign-approved Gore-Tex Pro, 100% recycled, with a single adjuster and stiffened peak. The hem is adjustable with two simple cinch lock ring pulls, and the cut is A-shaped and roomy. There are two big, well-placed Napoleon pockets, and two ribcage handwarmers, all with big-glove-friendly pulls. The main zip is one-way and has a stormguard, as are the two handwarmer pockets. The pit zips are two-way. Using the Exposure last winter on low-grade climbs, I found it to be a great mix of protection, weight and features.

Read the full Mountain Hardware Exposure 2 Review

Haglöfs ROC GTX

Rating: 3.5/5
Likes: Fair eco credentials, quality components
Dislikes: Could use at least one more pocket, no pit zips
Price: RRP £300

Our final option in our list of the best waterproof jackets for men is the Haglofs ROC GTX. It’s a bluesign-approved, three-layer Gore-Tex jacket which is made with quality components. The ROC GTX boasts an impressive 28,000 hydrostatic head. The thick material makes the jacket robust, but it also suffers a little in terms of breathability. Pit zips and an extra pocket would hugely improve usability.

Read our full Haglöfs ROC GTX Review here

The best waterproof jackets for men

Our team of outdoor experts have tested some of the best mens waterproof jackets to help you find the right fit for your adventures and budget.

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