Learn when it’s better to wear a regular jacket versus a rain jacket, including details on materials, weather conditions, activities, and more to help you make the right choice.
When heading out into chilly weather, you may be deciding between a regular jacket or a rain jacket made with waterproof fabric like Gore Tex shell jacket.
While rain jackets excel at keeping moisture out, they aren’t always the best choice. We’ll compare the benefits of each and offer tips on when to wear a jacket instead.
Jacket Materials
Traditional jackets use materials designed more for insulation than water resistance:
- Wool jackets retain warmth even when wet.
- Fleece and softshell jackets provide lightweight warmth and some weather protection.
- Down jackets are extremely warm but lose insulating ability if soaked.
Rain jackets utilize advanced waterproof, breathable membranes like Gore-Tex that block liquid water while allowing sweat vapor to escape:
| Membrane | Example Brands | Cost | Breathability | Durability |
| Gore-Tex | Arc’teryx, Mammut, Outdoor Research | $$$ | High | High |
| eVent | Rab, Marmot | $$ | Very High | Moderate |
| NeoShell | Polartec | $$ | Moderate | High |
Weather Conditions
Wearing a jacket instead of a rain jacket can be preferable in certain weather scenarios:
- Cool, sunny days – Regular jackets provide enough comfort without the need for water protection. Rain jackets may feel stuffy and cause overheating.
- Snowy days – Insulated jackets like down or wool retain more body heat than thinly insulated rain jackets. They also withstand compressive snow better.
- Rain ending/beginning – Donning a jacket at the start or end of precipitation can conserve rain jacket durability and breathability for when you really need it.
Activities
The demands of different activities may favor one type of jacket over the other:
- Casual wear – Regular jackets allow more versatility for everyday use with various outfits. Most people don’t require a technical rain jacket for walking the dog or going to the supermarket.
- Stop and go sports – Insulated ski jackets or softshell mountain biking jackets provide better breathability and ventilation during aerobic exercise. They also retain some heat while stopped.
- Extended rain exposure – Backpacking, sailing, or hiking for hours in a constant downpour calls for the sustained wet weather protection of a durable rain jacket.
Alternatives to Consider
Depending on your needs, you may want to think about alternatives like:
- Wearing a jacket layered under a rain jacket.
- Owning both types and choosing whichever is most suitable.
- Using an umbrella for periodic drizzle and saving your rain jacket for downpours.
The Bottom Line
While modern rain jackets boast exceptional water resistance and breathability, they aren’t always necessary.
In moderate weather or sporadic rain, a good multi-purpose jacket can suffice while keeping you more comfortable.
Evaluate the conditions and your planned activity, but don’t hesitate to opt for a regular jacket over a technical rain jacket when it makes sense. With the right choice, you can stay warm, dry and happy outdoors!
