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The Torrentshell 3L is designed with outdoor adventure in mind. The deep hood and extra-long sleeves keep rain off your face and out of your hair, and the generous cut makes it ideal for layering over other clothing.

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Patagonia shook up the rain jacket market with the release of its Torrentshell 3L in spring 2020. In a big shift from prior generations, the jacket went from a 2.5-layer design to a hardshell-like 3-layer construction, giving it a big boost in performance. The latest version is more protective and durable, breathes better, and its interior is more comfortable and less prone to feeling clammy thanks to a thicker lining. Add in sleek Patagonia styling, a wide variety of available colorways, and a price tag that is only $20 more than the previous model, and the versatile Torrentshell 3L currently is our favorite rain jacket on the market.

For years, the Marmot Minimalist held the top spot on this list, which has a softer-feeling shell that wears extremely well around town. A notable downside of the Torrentshell 3L is that it’s stiffer and more crinkly than the older version and competitors like the aforementioned Minimalist and Black Diamond StormLine. In addition, weight and packed size have gone up a fair amount with the latest build (it still stuffs into a hand pocket, however), although we consider these fair tradeoffs as the Torrentshell has improved in just about every other way. For its reasonable $149 MSRP, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better-made, better-looking, or more protective shell... Read in-depth reviewSee the Men's Patagonia Torrentshell 3L  See the Women's Patagonia Torrentshell 3L

The best overall rain jacket balances premium weather protection, versatility (for both everyday use and hiking), and great quality and durability—all at an affordable price point. By all measures, the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L stands out among the crowd. On one hand, the Torrentshell is clearly intended for everyday use with a reasonable $149 price tag, roomy fit, and feature set that doesn’t skimp on convenience. On the other, it boasts a 3-layer H2No Performance Standard construction, putting its weather protection on par with true performance pieces. To top it off, Patagonia claims the Torrentshell 3L “never gets old,” which speaks both to its classy, clean styling and ultra-durable 50-denier face fabric.

The Torrentshell 3L is remarkably versatile, but it’s certainly not the most technical option here. You don’t get hipbelt-compatible pockets or sleek water-resistant zippers, and the 12.5-ounce weight is on the heavy end. Plus, while the fit of the Patagonia is slightly trimmer than full-on casual models (like the REI Co-op Rainier below), it’s roomier than performance-focused jackets like Arc'teryx's Beta LT. But all in all, for $149, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more protective and breathable jacket that looks this good. Keep in mind the Torrentshell 3L is available in a parka-length “City Coat” version too, which offers even more coverage and has great urban styling.See the Women's Patagonia Torrentshell 3L

Upgrade Pick

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Budget Pick

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The Outdoor Research Helium is a full-length gaiter with an ultralight mentality. At just over two and a half ounces each, this gaiter is easily the lightest full-length option in the category and one that we would definitely want on hand for sloppy shoulder seasons when the weather is warm but snow and mud are plentiful. It's super thin, but a fully waterproof construction makes it a great option when you want leg and foot protection without too much insulation. It has a replaceable instep strap, a thicker nylon lower, and a thin nylon upper. It works well with traditional, mid to high ankle hiking and winter boots. 
There are always tradeoffs with gear this light. Though it is full-length, the thinness of the material means it's not especially insulating; water crossings will still feel cold and wet, even if your feet stay dry. The fabric on the upper is also delicate enough that we have questions about its long-term durability on ice and talus. With all of that in mind, this is still the pair we would want on our legs when full-length protection is paramount, but staying comfortable is also key. 

A long-time ultralight favorite, Outdoor Research’s Helium Rain Jacket, was overhauled a few seasons back. The most notable update was the inclusion of Pertex’s Diamond Fuse fabric, which boosts durability and tear resistance without a weight penalty (in fact, weight went down by 0.1 oz.). Moreover, Outdoor Research updated the fit to a trimmer cut, and the jacket now stuffs into its exterior chest pocket. In testing the Helium Rain, we found it remains a solid ultralight/emergency piece: the 2.5-layer build and DWR coating can handle light to moderate rainfall, the adjustable hood offers good all-around coverage, and its small packed size is ideal for activities ranging from hiking and backpacking to climbing.

What are the compromises in choosing the Helium Rain? Heavy downpours can overwhelm the thin build, causing the fabric to absorb moisture and feel wet against your skin. Further, you miss out on hand pockets, which means the only storage option is the single chest pocket. Finally, it doesn’t excel for true performance use—the lining is prone to getting slippery and clammy and there are no pit zips to dump heat. But these complaints are to be expected in a sub-7-ounce shell, and the Helium Rain’s low weight and impressive packability, reasonable price, and surprisingly good toughness make it our top ultralight pick. Of note: OR also offers the 3-layer Helium AscentShell ($399), which combines the Helium’s durable fabric with a more breathable AscentShell membrane... Read in-depth reviewSee the Men's Outdoor Research Helium Rain  See the Women's OR Helium Rain

The Outdoor Research Helium is a full-length gaiter with an ultralight mentality. At just over two and a half ounces each, this gaiter is easily the lightest full-length option in the category and one that we would definitely want on hand for sloppy shoulder seasons when the weather is warm but snow and mud are plentiful. It's super thin, but a fully waterproof construction makes it a great option when you want leg and foot protection without too much insulation. It has a replaceable instep strap, a thicker nylon lower, and a thin nylon upper. It works well with traditional, mid-to-high-ankle hiking and winter boots. 
There are always tradeoffs with gear this light. Though it is full-length, the thinness of the material means it's not especially insulating; water crossings will still feel cold and wet, even if your feet stay dry. The fabric on the upper is also delicate enough that we have questions about its long-term durability on ice and talus. With all of that in mind, this is still the pair we would want on our legs when full-length protection is paramount, but staying comfortable is also key. 

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230991 Features: Stay lightweight and dry on quick-moving adventures with waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX Paclite Move with confidence to the gusseted underarm construction allows you to move your arms without your jacket riding up When strong winds kick up, pull on the fixed drop hood 2 hand pockets with WaterTight zippers Specifications: Weight: 98 ouncesSpecifications based on size Medium

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Best Columbia Men’s Watertight II Jacket Alternatives

Things to consider when looking for the best Columbia Men’s Watertight II Jacket alternatives

Patagonia Torrentshell

Outdoor Research Helium

Arc'teryx Beta SL

Montbell Versalite

Patagonia Calcite Jacket

Eddie Bauer Cloud Cap Rain Jacket