More than a mainstay of ramblers, the best waterproof jackets for men blend performance tech with considered design, with many being stylish enough for the morning commute and beyond.
These jackets need to keep you dry without making you overheat, and will ideally protect you from the wind. As I learned during testing, details such as taped seams, breathable membranes and water-repellent coatings make all the difference. Fit matters, too – slimmer cuts keep things sleek for city wear, while roomier silhouettes allow for layering when you’re out on the hills.
As a fashion writer, while conducting this review, I was interested in jackets that looked as good as they performed – the kind of jackets I’d genuinely want to wear every day. With all this in mind, the Craghoppers dynamic Pro III waterproof jacket (£99.95, Amazon.co.uk) can’t be beaten. Durable yet breathable, it moves beautifully, and the overall quality is notable.
From budget to luxury buys, read on for more of my favourites.
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The best men’s waterproof jackets 2026 are:
- Best overall – Craghoppers dynamic Pro III waterproof jacket: £99.95, Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Next drytech packable jacket: £35, Next.co.uk
- Best for versatility –Jack Wolfskin prelight 3-in-1 jacket: Was £260, now £155, ack-wolfskin.co.uk
- Best winter jacket – Kestin gullane storm parka: £349, Kestin.co
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Craghoppers dynamic pro III waterproof jacket
Best: men's waterproof jacket overall
Why we love it
- Excellent build for the price
- Cuffs actually keep rain out
- Durable, breathable, 20,000mm waterproof
Take note
- Hood doesn’t sit flush at back
Craghoppers’ dynamic pro III is one of those rare waterproof jackets that feels “right” the moment you put it on. The fabric is durable yet breathable, the cut moves beautifully, and the overall build quality far outperforms the price. Even the small details are properly executed here. The Velcro cuffs, for example, cinch tightly and genuinely keep rain out. And with a 20,000mm waterproof rating, it’s more than capable for serious outdoor use, not just park laps and pub runs.
It’s so well-rounded, in fact, that it could give the far pricier Montane a scare. The only real drawback is the hood, which doesn’t sit quite as flush at the back as we’d like. Otherwise, this is one of the best-value technical jackets on the market.
Key specifications
Buy now £99.95, Amazon.co.uk
Next drytech packable jacket
Best: budget men's waterproof jacket
Why we love it
- Great value
- Ripstop design looks more premium than price tag
Take note
- Sleeves ride up and let rain in
- Not fully waterproof - better for light showers than downpours
Pac-a-macs are never going to rival the big hitters of the waterproof world, and we’d be lying if we said Next’s packable jacket could. There’s no waterproof or breathability rating, the sleeves ride up high leaving room for rain to creep in, and the hood feels flimsy. Even the velcro pockets let a few drops through on a damp walk. But for £35, this little jacket still surprises.
The subtle chequered ripstop fabric looks good and feels tougher than you’d expect at this price, while its packable design makes it ideal for holidays or unexpected showers. You’re not buying this for mountain hikes, but as an affordable, good-looking layer to stash in your bag “just in case”, it does the job nicely.
Key specifications
Buy now £30, Next.co.uk
Jack Wolfskin prelight 3-in-1 jacket
Best: men's waterproof jacket for versatility
Why we love it
- Three genuinely useful layers in one
- Good weatherproofing
- Clean, smart fit
Take note
- The fit runs neat
Jack Wolfskin’s prelight 3-in-1 jacket is all about versatility, and it delivers it in a genuinely useful, well-executed way. The fit is neat and streamlined – smart-looking for a technical jacket – though some may prefer to size up for a roomier feel. When fully zipped, the collar rises over the chin, giving excellent protection in foul weather, even if it won’t suit everyone. The real win, though, is the modular design: pop off the internal layer and you’ve instantly got a fleece-lined vest and a packable waterproof shell, or keep everything attached for a warm, insulated winter jacket.
Performance-wise, the numbers back it up: a 20,000mm waterproof rating and 15,000g/m² breathability make this more than ready for classic UK “all seasons in a day” weather. Yes, it sits at the pricier end of the list, but you’re effectively getting three well-made pieces from a trusted outdoor brand - and that flexibility goes a long way.
Key specifications
Buy now £155, Jack-wolfskin.co.uk
Kestin gullane storm parka
Best: men's waterproof jacket for winter
Why we love it
- Beautifully crafted, premium details
- Loads of useful pockets
- Tough, weather-ready fabric that holds up
Take note
- Size up if you’re between sizes
Kestin – the Edinburgh menswear label known for its rugged, considered takes on modern workwear – brings that same design DNA to the gullane storm parka, named after the East Lothian coastal town. It’s a beautifully made coat, packed with thoughtful touches: a hand-drawn mountain-top label, multicoloured drawcords, fleece-lined handwarmer pockets and an impressive haul of storage, including a huge internal pocket and a hidden chest stash. The two-way zip is smooth and reliable (a clear step up from the Vuori), and the whole jacket feels crafted rather than manufactured.
There’s no official waterproof rating, but the C-0 DWR coating and two-layer canvas weave kept us dry in testing. Tech obsessives may wish for bigger numbers on the spec sheet, but everyone else will find this more than capable. Fit-wise, our usual size worked, though a size up would have given a better shoulder and sleeve fit – worth noting if you’re between sizes. Otherwise, this is a handsome, hard-wearing parka built for real weather, with all the pockets you could ever need.
Key specifications
Buy now £349, Kestin.co
Montane phase waterproof jacket
Best: men's waterproof jacket for serious adventurers
Why we love it
- Storm-ready waterproofing
- Packed with thoughtful technical details
- Built to last
Take note
- Expensive - you’re paying for top-tier performance
- Roomy fit designed for layering, not streamlined city wear
If you’re serious about staying dry when the weather turns nasty, the Montane phase is that rare piece of kit that genuinely delivers. This isn’t a slick city shell pretending to be technical – it’s built from GORE-TEX ePE with a pivot-style helmet-compatible hood that offers full coverage, and clever details like pit zips and bonded pockets that you probably didn’t even notice until you needed them.
The fit is generous, allowing layering underneath without feeling bulky, and the fabric has a robust, purpose-built feel that outlasts many lesser jackets. That said, this jacket asks you to commit. The price is high, so you’d better know you’re going to exploit its capabilities – storm-level protection, mountain conditions or full-on winter terrains. For everyday commuters or casual weekend wear it might feel like overkill, and the length and styling are geared more toward outdoor adventuring than tailoring. But if you live for weather, terrain and long days outside, this is as good as it gets.
Key specifications
Buy now £234, Amazon.co.uk
Under Armour stormproof cloudstrike jacket
Best: men's waterproof jacket for cold weather runners
Why we love it
- Lightweight and breathable
- Built for running
- Simple, packable design that nails the essentials
Take note
- Bottom hem doesn’t tighten enough reducing overall protection
Under Armour has always taken a performance-first approach, and the cloudstrike jacket feels purpose-built for runners. While many jackets here lean into hiking-friendly features, this one keeps things clean and streamlined: a 10,000mm waterproof rating that handles showers, an impressively breathable two-layer fabric and a featherweight build that packs away with zero fuss. The chest pocket is useful, and it feels great when you’re picking up the pace.
It’s not perfect – the bottom hem doesn’t cinch tightly enough, letting in a bit of wind and stopping it from competing with the top-tier shells. But for runners wanting a simple, mid-range waterproof that won’t weigh them down or overheat on the move, it’s a solid, practical choice that gets the basics right.
Key specifications
Buy now £80.99, Amazon.co.uk
Canterbury Everest breakdown jacket
Best: men's waterproof jacket for plus-size men
Why we love it
- Impressive range of sizes
- Removable hood adds versatility
Take note
- Over-the-head design won’t suit everyone
Canterbury has long been intertwined with rugby culture, and the Everest breakdown jacket feels built squarely with that world in mind. It’s a sturdy, no-nonsense bit of kit with a few polished surprises – the gold detailing on the chest and back looks great and lifts what could’ve been a basic black shell. Despite the product page being quiet on it, Canterbury confirmed the jacket is fully waterproof thanks to a polyurethane membrane and taped seams, and the removable hood (rare on this list) adds welcome practicality. It also comes in an inclusive size range up to 4XL, which will appeal to many.
The over-the-head quarter-zip format won’t suit everyone – it’s still a bit of a faff to pull on – and it’s not the most technical or fashion-leaning option here. But for those already loyal to the brand, or anyone wanting a dependable, weatherproof jacket for match days and foul-weather weekends, it’s a solid, good-value choice.
Key specifications
Buy now £108, Sportsdirect.com
Fabletics the waterproof rain jacket
Best: men's waterproof jackets for minimalists
Why we love it
- Very lightweight and breathable for spring runs
- Good value through Fabletics’ membership pricing
Take note
- Feels plasticky inside and the hood is small - not one for winter
Fabletics, the membership-based activewear brand known for its sharp pricing and fitness-first approach, brings that same ethos to its waterproof rain jacket – a no-frills layer clearly designed with runners and gym-goers in mind. It’s as stripped back as they come: a single, ultra-thin layer that’s lightweight, quick-drying and far more breathable than the Under Armour cloudstrike. If you’re heading out for a run in spring showers or want something you can shove in a gym bag without thinking twice, it fits the brief perfectly.
There are compromises, though. The inside feels a bit plasticky, the hood runs small, and there’s nothing here that offers meaningful warmth – this is not a winter piece by any stretch. But if all you need is a simple, featherweight waterproof to keep you sort of dry while you get the miles in, this is the one we’d pick.
Key specifications
Buy now £134, Fabletics.co.uk
Heritage luggage by Rimowa
These durable, premium cabin bags and carry-ons are perfect for your next adventure – there’s a Rimowa style to suit every traveller.
Buy now, Rimowa
What is the best men’s waterproof jacket?
If you want the best balance of performance and value, the Craghoppers dynamic pro III is the standout – a genuinely capable, well-built waterproof that outperforms jackets at twice the price. For a true bargain, the Next drytech packable jacket is the easy grab: lightweight, stashable and ideal for those who just need reliable, no-frills rain protection. And if you want winter-ready warmth with proper weatherproofing, the Dare 2b torrek blazen delivers insulated comfort without the premium price tag.
How I tested men’s waterproof jackets
We wanted to test jackets you’d actually live in – from budget packable shells to serious waterproofs – so each one was worn across real-world conditions: wet commutes, drizzly runs, blustery coastal walks and colder days that called for insulation. Here’s exactly what I assessed:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Richard Jones is one of our fashion writers. He has handpicked and tested a host of sartorial pieces and accessories, such as the best hoodies, the best joggers, and the best cashmere jumpers. Richard bears function, as well as style, in mind when selecting his final edit, and looks for high-quality and wearable pieces that will stand the test of time and work hard for your wardrobe.
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