16 Best Rain Gear Hiking Essentials From $10

The first few warm days of the year are just beginning to appear, and it’s got me and everyone I know itching to get outside on the trail. It’s a classic early spring day, perfect for shaking off winter chill. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and — wait, is that a rain cloud?

In the hiking world, people talk about rain gear like cures for hiccups — everybody has their own system or product that they swear is the best way to keep dry. As an outdoor gear outfitter and avid hiker, I’ve heard dozens of these solutions from customers, friends, and folks on the trail. Some options are game-changing, while others are not quite as impressive (sorry, waterproof socks, you’re too sweaty!) From classic waterproof boots to surprising favorites like ultralight umbrellas, I’ve tried it all. Keep reading to learn which waterproof hiking options are the best of the best for your spring treks.

Keen Women’s Targhee 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots

People make valid arguments for buying non-waterproof boots, but I’m not one of those people. Personally, I’ll take the slightly decreased ventilation in favor of dry feet any day of the week, and in the spring, they’re all I wear. Keen’s Targhee 3 Mids are one of my favorite waterproof hiking boots on the market — they’re comfortable, affordable, and most importantly, I can attest that their waterproofing is the real deal.

I’ve taken a pair through deep mud, forded shallow streams, and powered through rainstorms, all with dry feet. I’m often a fan of lower hiking boots and trail runners, but the rainy seasons are where mid-height boots shine; that extra couple of inches of leather makes a big difference. There’s no better time to stock up, because these boots are currently on sale for a whopping 52 percent off.

REI Co-op Women’s Rainier Rain Jacket

If you don’t need a heavy-duty rain jacket but still want to keep rain from ruining any spring plans, this offering from REI strikes a happy medium between budget and performance for many shoppers. A staple in the brand’s outdoor line, the Rainier does everything you’d need out of a rain jacket, and it does it well. Sporting pit vents for muggy days, pockets galore, and the ability to be packed into a pocket, this jacket ticks all the boxes for a high-quality rain jacket.

Crucially, it does an admirable job of keeping you dry in any wet-weather situation the average hiker might encounter. I especially appreciate the Rainier’s form factor — I’m comfortable wearing an overengineered, high-tech rain jacket around town, but I think the classic, low-key stylings of this jacket give it a ton of range on and off the trail.

Sea to Summit Ultra-sil Dry Bag

I’m a true believer in the power of the dry bag — when it comes to this piece of gear, there’s no such thing as too many. When the rain comes down quickly and unpredictably, avoid being caught off guard by stashing essentials in a dry bag like this one from Sea to Summit. I’m a fan of this 20-liter option — on a quick hike, this bag is perfectly sized to use as a liner inside of a daypack, while on a longer trip, it’s spacious enough to keep necessities like a sleeping bag and spare clothes high and dry.

These aren’t just any old dry bags, either. Sea to Summit’s Ultra-sil material is shockingly lightweight and durable, and the taped waterproof seams add a much-appreciated extra layer of security. Pick one up while they’re discounted 33 percent at Amazon.

Nikwax Nubuck and Suede Waterproofing Spray

There’s nothing fun about confidently stepping into a puddle or creek crossing with your trusty old “waterproof” hiking boots and realizing that you might as well have been wearing Crocs. Most hiking boots achieve their waterproofing through a combination of construction and a durable water-resistant layer, and a sturdy pair of boots will usually outlast their waterproofing by years. This Nikwax spray is my favorite way to get more life out of my boots — simply clean them off, spritz with a healthy layer, and you’re back in business.

I’ve linked the formulation that will work on the most common boots I see on the trail, but Nikwax also makes a version for smooth leather if you’ve got a pair of classic hiking boots or Blundstones that need some TLC.

Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots

The Merrell Moab 2 is another classic boot and another favorite recommendation of mine, even when waterproofing isn’t a core concern. They do just about everything well, but I think their waterproofing is a particularly strong point. It’s not easy to find the line between waterproofing and ventilation, but this pair manages to keep rain out while shedding excess heat and sweat with ease.

It’s also worth noting the Moab 2’s Vibram rubber soles, which don’t add to their waterproofing but work particularly well at finding traction on wet, slippery terrain. Despite all that high-performing design, these are also some of the comfiest boots out there, so you won’t regret picking up a pair for all-day wear.

Patagonia Men’s Torrentshell 3L Jacket

A great rain jacket is the backbone of most people’s rainy day excursions for a reason — it’s hard to beat the versatility, freedom of movement, and performance they offer. For most people, I think the Patagonia Torrentshell is the right jacket for the job, and it’s easily one of my most-recommended pieces of gear. The brand struck a perfect balance with this jacket, finding the sweet spot between weight, packability, and durability. It’s not so light that you’re worried about snagging on a tree when hustling back to your car in a downpour, but it can squeeze down to stow in its own pocket if you’re tossing it in your bag. Most importantly, it’ll keep you dry. This jacket comes in 10 great colors, but after a decade of heavy use, my partner just replaced her Torrentshell with another one in the same shade.

Osprey Ultralight Pack Raincover

Keeping your body dry on a hike is great, but if your sleeping bag ends up soaked through, it’s a bit of a hollow victory. As someone who spent half of a 10-day backpacking trip wearing nothing but rain gear, ironically, the driest clothing in my bag, I can personally attest to the power of the pack cover. I’m a big fan of Osprey equipment, so this pack cover was an easy choice.

It’s designed to slip over a 50- to 75-liter pack so it can accommodate most backpacking bags on the market, and its ultralight weight and super packable design mean it’ll be an afterthought in your bag until the moment you need it. It’s also worth noting that Osprey uses a PFAS-free, durable water-resistant treatment on this product, so there’s no need to worry about harsh chemicals while you’re out enjoying nature.

Six Moon Designs Base Silver Shadow Ultralight Hiking Umbrella

You might not imagine an umbrella when you think about rain gear for camping and hiking, but ultralight umbrellas, like this one from Six Moon Designs, have been all the rage among long-distance backpackers lately. Weighing in at barely over half a pound, this umbrella is lighter than traditional rain gear.

Even the best rain jackets on the market will get a little sticky when hiking in warm, wet weather; zippers and vents go a long way toward solving this issue, but an umbrella’s about as ventilated as you can get. When the sun finally starts to peek back out, this doubles as a parasol to keep the sun off your shoulders with a UPF 50+ sun protection rating and a clever silver coating to deflect harmful rays.

Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Low Gaiters

In my opinion, gaiters are an underrated piece of hiking gear. A piece of fabric that covers the top of your boot and typically lands somewhere mid-calf, gaiters are excellent for keeping loose sand and debris from working its way into your boots, and they’re equally talented at keeping rain and mud out.

This water-resistant pair from Outdoor Research strikes a great middle ground for the gaiter-curious. I like this lower height, since they avoid some of the extra bulk of taller gaiters that’s unnecessary for low-key hikes, and this pair is easy to attach with a simple buckle latch. Outdoor Research calls gaiters “the piece of gear you never knew you needed until you tried a pair” — and I’m with them on this one.

Columbia Men’s Watertight II Rain Jacket

Columbia is an expert at producing high-performing, budget-friendly outdoor gear, and the Watertight II is no exception. I’ve tried several products that incorporate the brand’s Omni-tech waterproofing, and it doesn’t play around — if you’re looking to stay dry and comfortable with practically all the same frills, this jacket is a great pick. It’s definitely not frill-less, either, because even at this price point, Columbia chose to include an adjustable hood, cinchable wrist cuffs, and zippered pockets to keep your gear dry and secure.

Before upgrading to my current rain gear, I rocked a version of this jacket for years, and I would have continued to wear it if I hadn’t left it behind on a boating trip. On sale for just $60, this jacket is a no-brainer. 

Six Moon Designs Waterproof Roll-top Pack Liner

If you’re looking to hit the trail and want to keep your gear dry without extra fuss, a pack liner might be the choice for you. The advantage here is pretty clear — instead of needing to find shelter or cover up your bag when those cats and dogs start coming down, a pack liner lives on the inside of your bag, ready to shield your gear at a moment’s notice.

I love this choice from Six Moon Designs because it’s one of the lightest options on my list. At just 3 ounces, this liner is ultralight and low-profile, so it’ll vanish into the background until the moment it saves the day after the clouds open up. Accessing the contents of your pack is made easy through a simple roll top and buckle, and the liner’s durable ripstop nylon is built to take a beating. 

Frogg Toggs Ultra-lite 2 Rain Poncho

I’m not saying it’ll win any fashion contests, but if you’re looking for a super light, super affordable piece of rain gear for hiking or to stow in a bag as backup, consider this ultralight poncho from Frogg Toggs. Ponchos have a bulkier form factor than a rain jacket, but many hikers swear by the extra room because it makes them far more airy and breathable for active use.

A hood cinch and side snaps allow you to dial in the fit to get the perfect balance of weather resistance and comfort. Plus, if you’re trekking with a daypack, the Ultra-lite 2 has enough room to slip over you and a pack, protecting you and your bag in one fell swoop. All that performance squeezed into a minuscule 9-ounce package is already impressive, and a super affordable sale price of just $13 just sweetens the deal.

Patagonia Women’s Capilene Cool Daily Graphic T-shirt

Try as we might, it’s a fact of life: If you stay out in the rain long enough, you will get wet. I’ve met a subset of hikers who operate on a radical acceptance model, forsaking rain gear in favor of quick-drying materials, so they dry out quickly after they inevitably get wet. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, it’s worth preparing for the possibility — accidents happen, and storms roll in fast.

For that reason, I like to hike in these Patagonia short-sleeved tees. The brand’s special Capilene fabric feels super soft and lightweight on the skin, and it dries out shockingly fast. I’ve gotten soaked in one of these shirts and been back to normal within 10 to 15 minutes. Plus, they come in a variety of cute designs and colors, so your fellow hikers will appreciate your fashion sensibilities as you ride out the rain together. 

Outdoor Research Women’s Aspire 3L Jacket 

Anyone who knows me will tell you it takes a lot for me to spring for a pricey piece of gear — budget-friendly staples definitely tend to be my wheelhouse. After talking to some diehard gearheads, though, I took the risk on this offering from Outdoor Research, and I’ve never once regretted it. I use my Aspire year-round, and I’m amazed by how well it performs in any season, whether it’s layered over a puffer as an improvised ski jacket, around town to dodge a light mist, or a mucky April trail in the middle of a downpour.

This jacket’s three-layer construction means it’s as waterproof as it is breathable — the technology allows moisture and vapor from your body to pass through the fabric while keeping rain out. I run hot, so the little touches on this jacket go a long way. I’m a big fan of the side zippers and armpit zips to cool off, and the taped zippers on this jacket are no joke. The Aspire is certainly an upgrade pick, but I think you won’t regret it, either. 

Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouch

It’s time to talk about protecting what’s really important: your phone. I’m not sure I’ve ever moved faster than when caught in a torrential rainstorm with nothing but a pants pocket to keep my devices dry. Cradling my phone as a last-ditch effort to keep the rain off, I almost forgot that I was getting soaked myself! A little extra piece of mind goes a long way, and on a short jaunt where you may not be packing much rain gear, these handy pouches are a great way to ensure your phone stays out of the rain.

The enclosure is easy to open and close, and once tucked away, you can use the touchscreen and take crystal-clear photos without any trouble. Mobile devices have become an important part of outdoor adventuring, so thankfully, you can still access important navigation and safety tools.

Baleaf Men’s UPF 50+ Sun Protection Shirt

Another hiking expression you’ll hear all the time is that “cotton kills.” It’s a great material, but as someone who’s tried to make cotton shirts work for hiking time and time again, trust the hiker wisdom. Cotton sponges up water and refuses to let go, turning a light rain shower into a grueling, soggy, all-day affair.

For a high-performing, budget-friendly pick for a wicking hiking shirt, look no further. This offering from Baleaf ticks all the boxes, providing UPF 50+ sun protection, flexible four-way stretch fabric, and most importantly, the ability to dry out in no time. I also appreciate the flat seam stitching on this tee, which allows packs to sit comfortably on your shoulders without any chafing. At this price, it’s worth picking up a few for your spring and summer voyaging, because they’re sure to see plenty of mileage.

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