There are everyday rainstorms and then there are those wild, torrential downpours that can leave you soaked in a matter of seconds if you're caught without the right gear. For this type of unruly weather, you need the best raincoats for heavy rain. These jackets typically offer a combination of three factors:
- High-quality material: Polyester, nylon, or proprietary blends like Gore-Tex are usually the best fabrics for raincoats. This is because polyester is hydrophobic (water-resistant) and nylon is hydrophilic (water-absorbing). Often, they're also coated with waterproof treatments such as DWR.
- Proper ventilation: In addition to being fully waterproof, you want your rain jacket to be able to breathe so you don't end up sweaty and sticky underneath. Things like ventilated liners (typically mesh or nylon), armpit zippers, vented capes, or other breathable features will assist with this.
- Water-resistant features: It's also helpful to have additional features that add to the overall water-resistance of a jacket. This can include things like waterproof zippers, taped or heat-sealed seams, and waterproof Velcro cuffs. On top of that, it's nice if the hood is adjustable or even fully removable.
With these qualities in mind, I researched the best raincoats for heavy rain and made a list of my favorites below. Take a look so you can snag up the one that's best for you.