Travel Rain Jacket

If you plan to be walking around during your trip the last thing you want is to have the rain ruin your plans. Without being prepared, rain can ruin whole days or even the entire trip.  Although you can check to see that you don't schedule your trip during a rainy season you don't want to end up canceling a trip you had scheduled 6 months in advance due to unexpected bad weather. This is why its important to take a light rain jacket on your trip.

They are often very thin and pack up very well. They will take up as much space as a t-shirt in your bag and they don't weigh much. They can also be used during unexpected chili nights. Their nylon material breaks the wind so they can also be used to provide extra protection by wearing it over other jackets or sweaters. Yes you can buy a cheap umbrella or throw away pancho but neither would be as useful or convenient as taking a light rain jacket.
That being said, with the huge variety of styles and colors available there's almost no reason to not get one. Below are a couple of jackets I would recommend taking on a trip.


North Face's Men and Woman's Venture Jackets

This is the jacket I have. It is a good quality build and thin. The adjustable hoodie and cuffs ensure you remain dry in the heaviest of rains. There are many colors available. I chose black because it sleek enough to go with most occasions.

The North Face Men's Venture Jacket 

The North Face Women's Venture Jacket

Colombia Men and Woman's Hooded Rain Jackets

Colombia Jackets are also of good quality and generally cost less. These are also advertised as packable jackets. In my opinion these are less sporty than The North Face option above. They can potentially pair with all sorts of styles.

Columbia Men's Hooded Rain Jacket

Columbia Women's Rain Jacket

Carhartt Men and Woman's Rain Jackets

Carhartt is a brand that has gained a reputation for rugged work wear. Recently it has gained popularity as a durable and trendy brand. The men's style rain jacket has the least sporty look compared to the other two. The woman's jacket is well fitted and is also more casual than the other two on the list. Carhartt is also a well priced brand.

Carhartt Men's Rockford Rain Defender Jacket

Carhartt Women's Rockford Rain Jacket

Final Tips

I would recommend any of these jackets for trips. These three options give you a taste of the different styles available. Although I hope all your days are the perfect temperature and don't get rained out, that wont always be the case. Go prepared with one of these light rain jackets and you wont be disappointed.