Best Rain Suits In 2019: Reviews & Buying Guide
I love rainy days, but I don’t really like getting drenched… and I know I am not alone. A little – or a lot – of rain never hurt anyone as long as you’re well protected and covered. Rain suits have been around for years because they are the barrier between the rain and us.
If you spend most of your days outdoors – fishing, backpacking, or running other errands – you don’t want to stop simply because of a drizzle in the rainy season. The best rain suit will counter the effects of rain and make it possible for you to go about your day as you normally would.
How do you know which rain suit to buy from the hundreds of brands on the market? This buying guide and review will shed some light.
Table of Contents
- Best Rain Suits: Review & Buyer’s Guide
- 1. Frogg Toggs All Sport Rain Suit
- 2. Coleman PVC/Nylon Rain Suit
- 3. Viking Cycle Motorcycle Rain Gear
- 4. Joe Rocket RS-2 Two-Piece Women’s Motorcycle Rain Suit
- 5. Motorcycle Biker One Piece Rain Suit
- 6. Nelson-Rigg Hi-Vis Rain Suit
- 7. Firstgear Thermo One-Piece Rain Suit
- 8. Nelson Rigg Unisex Adult Motorcycle Rain
- 9. ILM Motorcycle Rain Suit
- 10. Milwaukee Men’s Riding
- Rain Suits: Buying Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Best Rain Suits: Review & Buyer’s Guide
1. Frogg Toggs All Sport Rain Suit
This colorful Frogg Toggs All Sport Rain Suit is made from Tyvek material which is the same material that lines wooden construction to prevent water from seeping into unfinished buildings. The external material, non-woven polypropylene, is breathable and has welded seams that totally block water and moisture.
They are durable especially when you take good care of them, but you will also need to keep using good waterproofing treatments to keep them water-repellent. The material can be a little grubby when it comes into contact with hooks on the wall, but it makes up for that by being one of the cheapest yet effective on the market. You can machine wash but hand wash is better.
- Cheaper than most in its category.
- Great water resistance with seams to keep moisture locked out.
- Breathable.
- Light and easy to care for.
- No pockets.
- You have to use waterproofing treatments regularly.
2. Coleman PVC/Nylon Rain Suit
While this Coleman suit wins no awards for aesthetics, it does its job efficiently, and that is more important. It is durable with a waterproof 20mm PVC and nylon lining, as well as a cord for the hood. The cuffs too have a drawcord for adjustability while the waist and feet openings are also adjustable. These cords make this suit quite comfortable for people of various sizes.
The jacket has two slit pockets on the side that allow you access to your inner clothes. The lining ensures that none of the moisture or water comes into contact with your clothes because the suit is waterproof. It is easy to maintain as long as you hand-wash it to maintain its waterproofness.
- Waterproof, thanks to an inner lining.
- Has cords on the hood, waistline, and cuffs of legs and arms.
- Split pockets for access to inner clothing.
- Not good looking.
- Only available in off-white.
3. Viking Cycle Motorcycle Rain Gear
Viking Cycle’s gear is a combo of pants and a jacket that also double up as riding gear. This suit is waterproof and windproof to protect the rider from the elements. It comes in four colors – green, black, orange, and gray – and is reasonably priced for a product that could last as long as it does.
It has reflective piping that makes it easy to be spotted at night so that you can work at any hour. With an elastic waist hem, zippered pants bottom, and Velcro straps on the cuffs of the pants, this suit is one of the most comfortable there is on the market. Also, removable stirrups keep the pants in position. It should be hand-washed to retain all its good attributes.
- The material is waterproof and wrinkle-free.
- Night reflector for safety.
- Adjustable cuffs.
- No hood.
- Not machine-washable.
4. Joe Rocket RS-2 Two-Piece Women’s Motorcycle Rain Suit
This two-piece riding suit is beautifully designed, and only available in black. The outer shell is made of waterproof soft polyester while the inner lining has PVC backing. This makes this suit quite light and a favorite for many who wear their rain gear regularly. A full-length zipper on the jacket makes it easy to access your normal clothing while the storm flap and collar keep of moisture. A nylon comfort liner makes it soft on the skin while the elastic waistband makes it adjustable. It has a reflective band for night riding.
The pants have the same material and features as the jacket with leg zipper gussets to make it easy to wear your riding boots. Though the jacket has no hood or pocket, it works excellently to prevent any water from getting through.
- Reflective strip for night vision.
- Cords for adjustment.
- The lining is soft on the skin.
- Waterproof.
- No pockets.
- Quite expensive.
5. Motorcycle Biker One Piece Rain Suit
If you want some color for your riding gear, this piece is just the right one. The outer shell is made of PVC-free Polyester while the inner lining is Polyurethane that makes it fully waterproof. A thin lining also makes it no-stick so that you can wear it easily with other clothes regardless of material – and that’s including leather.
This one-piece suit has a long zipper that runs its entire length to make it easy to access any items in your pockets. It is hooded too to protect you from rain even with your riding helmet on. The gusseted leg cuffs make it easy to slip your boots over the suit, all the while remaining fully covered from the rain. It has one deep cargo pocket on the left for your keys and phone, and on the shoulders, you have reflective strips for night riding.
- Reflective strips.
- One deep pocket on the left side.
- Zipper runs to the bottom.
- Expensive.
- Some reviewers say water gets in through the zipper.
6. Nelson-Rigg Hi-Vis Rain Suit
The outer shell of this Nelson-Rigg rain suit is soft polyester while the inner lining has PVC backing. These two make this suit waterproof and lightweights, ideal for every weather and night riding because of the reflective strip on the sides.
The jacket has a soft corduroy inner collar that is soft on the skin and a zipper that makes it easy to access things in your other clothes. Two large outer pockets on the jacket give you more storage space while cooling vents under the arms keep temperatures perfect.
- It has an adjustable hood and cuffs at the bottom.
- The soft material of the inner lining.
- 100% waterproof.
- Some reviewers say the zipper lets in water.
7. Firstgear Thermo One-Piece Rain Suit
Though this Firstgear Thermo is quite expensive, it has features that most lack. Made of 210 denier Hypertex with 120-gram polyester insulation to keep water and wind at bay. It is a full suit with cargo storage pockets for all your smaller gear, and the cuffs are accessible even with your normal clothes on. It is available in various sizes to accommodate wearers of all sizes too.
The manufacturer throws in a 1-year limited warranty. The collar is adjustable to keep all weather elements at bay. The chest area is reflective for night vision.
- Waterproof, thanks to great material.
- Has extra pockets for storage.
- Straps for adjustment on the side.
- Quite expensive.
- No hood.
8. Nelson Rigg Unisex Adult Motorcycle Rain
This two-piece orange-and-black Nelson Rigg rain suit is made for reflective night riding. It has two large outer pockets and a soft polyester outer shell. The interior part of backed with PVC to make it 100% waterproof. A soft corduroy inner collar makes the material quite comfortable on the skin as the collar simply lies on the neck easily. The full-length zipper keeps you all covered, even though some reviewers say it allows in a little water.
The cuffs are adjustable and oversized zipper gussets elasticized for easy boot entry.
- The material is soft of the skin.
- Waterproof material and lining.
- Two outer pockets.
- Reflective piping for night riding.
- Water sips in through the zipper as per some reviewers.
- No hood.
9. ILM Motorcycle Rain Suit
This ILM rain suit made Nano fabric that is water-resistant. It has 6 pickets, which is not a feature you find in many rain jackets, and that is on top of being super light. It is hooded to make it windproof as well, although some reviewers say the hood doesn’t fit under a helmet.
The mesh lining is breathable and an anti-tear waterproof strip ensures it stays in crisp condition as long as you don’t machine-wash it. The leg opening is adjustable while every part that matters is waterproof. It is super light at 2lbs.
- Hooded
- Six pockets.
- Reasonably priced
- Hood doesn’t fit under a helmet.
10. Milwaukee Men’s Riding
This Milwaukee rain suit has a durable nylon construction that also ensures its waterproofness. The inner PVC lining is soft and seals the water-resistance of the suit. A Banded Velcro collar keeps away the cold and starts at the point where the helmet ends.
Though this suit is a little expensive, it retains its water resistance even when washed severally. The Velcro strap on the foot makes it easy to wear your boots even with your gear on.
- Waterproof.
- Durable nylon construction
- Full zipper front
- Lined for breathability.
- Weighs 3.4lbs which is a little heavy.
- No hood.
Rain Suits: Buying Guide
What are the most important features of a rain suit?
Waterproof vs. Water-Resistant
Rain gear is usually classified as either “water-resistant” or “waterproof.” No gear is going to promise total protection from the elements, but the best will keep your clothes dry by preventing most of the rainwater from getting to you. Light rain suits are ideal for light sessions and they will mostly be classified as water-resistant because they prevent splashes of rainwater from getting to your clothes.
Waterproof gear has a built-in laminate layer like coating or Gore-Tex that blocks moisture from getting through to your clothes. The waterproof rating of a jacket is rated from 0 to 20,000mm or even more to mean the amount of moisture in a 1-inch-diameter vertical tube that the material used can withstand before leaking. Most manufacturers, though, prefer to use seam taping on the seams of rain gear to determine how waterproof it is as opposed to these measurements that many say do not mimic real-life situations.
Layers of Fabric
You may have seen numbers such as 2L, 2.5L or 3L on raingear labels, mostly to show the number of layers of fabric that have been used. The ideal raingear has to meet a few conditions – it has to prevent moisture from penetrating your clothes while at the same time ventilating the interior parts to prevent sweating. A 2-layer jacket has a mesh lining that as well as the outer part. It is not breathable and is best used for casual wear.
A 2.5-layer jacket adds a waterproof laminate and is breathable. Though the inner fabric is not the softest, this gear is light and ideal for backpackers, mostly because it is breathable and comfortable. A 3-layer jacket with its three pieces of fabric incorporates a waterproof and breathable membrane, and so it is the best for all conditions. It is heavier than a 2.5-layer one though.
Weight and Breathability
A shell that weighs 6.4 ounces is almost perfect as it adds no bulk to anything you could be carrying. Unfortunately, it may not offer you the best protection, which is why most people prefer slightly heavier rain suits with three layers of fabric. As technology advances, manufacturers are finding ways of making gear both light and functional.
Breathability is yet another important factor, being the gear’s ability to let out perspiration and moisture without allowing rainwater through. The inclusion of pit zips will enhance a product’s breathability, and the manufacturer will let it be known on the label as this is a major selling point. Before buying, ensure that the material used is breathable.
Pockets
If your gear is fir every-day wear, then you want it to have a few pockets for your smaller items such as phone and keys. Without pockets, you would have to reach under your suit into your inner clothes for these things that you need. That would be too much of a hassle.
Adjustable Hood
To protect your head sufficiently from rain, you will prefer that your rain suit be hooded. You want a hood that is large enough to wear over your helmet but at the same time one that can be adjusted so that it is not blown away by the wind. It should also take up the shape of your head so that you don’t have to struggle to make it fit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
These are the most common questions we get about rain suits.
Conclusion – Wrapping Up
We hope this guide made you more knowledgeable in the area of rain suits and that you can now select one without much trouble. This review is meant to inform you of the various brands or rain suits available on the market too, which is why we selected 10 of the best.
In the buying guide, we explained the various features you should consider before buying rain gear, and we to recap we emphasize that all those factors are super important. When new information becomes available, we will review this article to include it so you stay updated. Till then, have fun in your adventure!