GoKawiilDeals on Rain Jackets and Outdoor Clothing
Now is a great time to score some new base layers and mid layers ahead of the cooler months, or pick up one of our favorite rain jackets.
Photograph: Adrienne So
Arc'teryx's Beta AR rain jacket is one of the burliest rain jackets I've tested. The Beta AR uses 40D fabric for most of the face, with reinforced 80D patches in high-wear areas, all of it with a Gore-Tex Pro 3L membrane. It's been the only Gore-Tex jacket I've tested that hasn't wetted out yet, and the pit zips provide excellent ventilation. At 1 pound, 0.3 ounces, it's not the lightest jacket, but you'd be hard-pressed to find anything else this durable at this weight.
I have the 2024 version of this jacket and it has proved reliable and waterproof. The taped seams and welded construction keep wind and moisture at bay, and the side zip vents run all the way from the hem to the bicep, offering great ventilation when you're moving (also handy for getting at stuff in the pockets of your mid layers). Only the men's version is on sale.
Patagonia's classic rain jacket is half off. It's only one color and only women's sizing, but this is a great deal if it works for you. The Torrentshell has a two-way adjustable hood, and the cuffs have velcro to give a nice, tight seal against the rain. The only real complaint I have with this jacket is that's it's on the noisier side, but at this price, I can deal with a little extra nylon crinkling.
Courtesy of REI
The Rainier is our favorite budget rain jacket, especially when it's on sale. This particular deal, while limited in color options, is the lowest price I've seen in 5 years of covering REI sales. Unlike most rain jackets in this price range, the Rainier uses high-quality three-layer, seam-taped, laminate waterproofing that's non-fluorinated (meaning no PFAS). It has some other features rare in budget rain jackets, like pit zips or venting, a weatherproof center zip, and an adjustable, stowable hood.
Looking to avoid the sun? REI's Sahara Shade hoodie is a great alternative to sunscreen. I don't often use a sun hoodie myself, but I have worn this one and it does do a good job of protecting you without feeling too stuffy on a hot day (it's definitely better for protecting against high altitude sun rather than humid, Florida sun).
The Ghost Whisperer Down jacket is my top pick for a backpacking puffer jacket. This is the hoodie version of the same. It weighs just 10.7 ounces for a men's medium, packs down to a tiny little thing (stuffing into its own pocket), and the 1,000-fill-power goose down offers one of the best warmth-to-weight ratios on the market. Unfortunately, colors and sizes are very limited.
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