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Few things are as day-ruining as getting stuck in the rain. That's a situation that's all too common in the spring, which is why it behooves you to make a rain jacket a daily accessory. Thankfully, the best rain jackets aren't a burden—they're lightweight, take up little space in a bag, and, above all, they do their job. And while a good rain jacket costs more than a simple poncho from Amazon, dozens of watertight styles are up to 50% off right now at REI.
About half of REI's rain jackets for men are on sale right now, including styles from The North Face, Fjallraven, and REI Co-op. Prices for basic styles start at just $53 and go up based on factors like technology, materials, and fabrication. After Men's Journal had a chance to look through the rain jackets at REI, we found these four styles that are perfect for anybody to wear this spring.
Free Country's lightweight waterproof jacket rolls up tight to fit into any backpack, work bag, or hydration pack when the skies are looking gray in the morning. It's also the best deal on a rain jacket you'll find at REI right now given the price and its features. Falling to the hip, it offers ample coverage, but because it's not fully seam-sealed, it's best used in light to medium rain. Find it in three colors and sizes small through 2XL while it's still available.
What Shoppers Are Saying: "This jacket is great for the weather here in Florida. During our frequent rain storms, it’s great to keep the rain off but it’s lightweight enough to make it comfortable to wear even in the summer. It also was great to wear on our trips to Alaska."
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The Alta Vista Jacket from The North Face features 2.5 layers of the brand's DryVent technology, which means it has a waterproof outer shell, a durable water-repellent coating, and a half layer inside that keeps the coating away from your skin. It's also one of the brand's lightest and most packable technologies, making this a great rain jacket for travel, bringing to sporting events, and other pursuits where weight matters. It also has pit zips to better regulate temperature.
What Shoppers Are Saying: "All I ask is that my rain shells have side ventilation. This does, and I've been very happy with its performance in daylong drizzle and pouring rain on New Hampshire and Maine trails. Well done, North Face."
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The collaborative pieces between REI Co-op and Outdoor Afro, an organization that seeks to foster Black connections and leadership in nature, have been some of the best-looking produced by the outdoor retailer, and that's seen in this rain jacket. It features contrasting zippers and lining and has a certain old-school Members Only air to it. It's also windproof and features a DWR coating and an adjustable hem and cuffs to keep water out. Pair it up with the matching trail pants to complete the weatherized look.
What Shoppers Are Saying: "Awesome jacket! I've gotten compliments on it, so I know it looks good. More than that, though, is the functionality. The jacket is warm and has some cool features including an inside pocket, awesome zipper pulls, and a storable hood. I've been wearing it out on walks on my local trails as the weather is getting chilly, as well as to and from the office, and it works well for both scenarios."
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Fjallraven's High Coast Hydratic Jacket is a 2.5-layer design that features pit vents, zip hand pockets, and multi-point adjustability for enhanced protection. This would be a great rain jacket for hiking or touring, especially in the highly visible orange colorway. Despite its ruggedness, it's still quite flexible, so rolling it up to stuff into a bag won't be an issue, and at a mere 11.2 ounces, it's a packing no-brainer.
What Shoppers Are Saying: "I got caught in a wind/rainstorm on the Laugavegur Trail in Iceland and this baby kept me dry…you won't be disappointed if you get this jacket. It's light, durable (I use it to crawl through pokey brambles to mushroom hunt), keeps you dry, and looks great…If I had to name a downside I wish there was a chest pocket to more easily access items like a phone from beneath my pack but that's small pickings."
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