Its WWI heritage is well-documented—British officers wore it in the trenches, using details like the shoulder flap for rifle recoil and belt rings for canteens and grenades serving real military functions. Today, it’s less about battlefield utility and more about how that water-resistant cotton gabardine will keep you dry in light city rain. I like the black, but the classic tan is always an option for you too.
We dig an ultra-futuristic waterproof rain jacket as much as the next guy, but sometimes occasions calls for a more, uh, analog way of keeping out the elements—and a coat to match. Enter: the Barbour coat—a versatile buy-it-for-life staple that works just as well with tailoring as it does with weekend wear. The waxed cotton shrugs off weather and ages like a fine whiskey (or wine, whatever you prefer), making it a year-round piece that gets better the more you wear it. As for fit, the Bedale is the shorter, more contemporary option, while the Beaufort runs longer, making it ideal for layering over sport coats. Whichever you choose, wear it to death for a few seasons and then re-wax it at home, a veritable rite of passage for many a menswear enthusiast. The reward for your grunt work is a jacket you’ll keep for decades to come.
Best Raincoat for a Light Mist: J.Crew 1989 Heritage Anorak
J.Crew
1989 Heritage Anorak
Pros
Cool throwback style
Kangaroo pocket to keep hands warm
Great for everyday wear, city or country
Cons
No water-resistant coating
Lacks any meaningful technical detailing
J.Crew’s resurgence is well-documented, and pieces like this prove why. Brendon Babenzien, the ex-Supreme honcho, and his team have restored this anorak from the archives and mixed authentic vintage detailing with modern updates like premium 100 percent cotton, a full lining and easy-on-easy-off side zippers. In 2025, there are plenty of heavy-duty alternatives to keep you dry during an unexpected thunderstorm. But if the weather outside is just a little drizzly, a retro-doused pullover like this will look a heckuva lot better… and might just come in handy for the next Liam Gallagher lookalike contest near you.
Best Highly-Technical Raincoat: Stone Island Nylon Hooded Jacket
Stone Island
Nylon Hooded Jacket
Pros
Signature, unique Stone Island fabrication
Treated with a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating
Iconic branding via the (removable) Stone Island badge
Cons
You’re paying for the detail and construction, but also the brand name
Limited insulation, make sure to layer up when it’s on the colder side
Stone Island isn’t just about clothes—it’s about innovation, materials, and obsessive attention to detail. This Crinkle Reps Nylon jacket is a prime example. It’s Stoney at its best, designed with a unique recycled nylon rep that features ultra-tight weaving and a resin coating that makes it both water and wind-resistant, yet exceptionally light. And due to that in-house treatment, the color penetrates unevenly into the material, leading to the nice crinkled look. This is a raincoat for summer, too: The lightweight shell means it works as an all-season piece layered over a tee or a sweater when things are brisk. It all adds up to the kind of innovation that’s instantly recognizable—even if you’ve taken the famous logo patch off.
Best Packable Raincoat: Goldwin Rip-stop Hooded Jacket
Goldwin
Rip-stop Hooded Jacket
Pros
Rip-stop nylon fabric is lightweight and easy to fold up
Rip-stop is designed to resist tears and abrasions
Breathable mesh lining
Cons
Good for drizzle, but lacks full waterproofing
More of a shell than a warm jacket, so layering is necessary
If you need something ultra-light and ultra-packable, this ripstop nylon hooded shell is perfect for light showers and breezy days—easy to stash in a bag, and ready whenever you need it. Hailing from Japan, and its rich tradition of crafting high-quality outdoor gear, Goldwin, which has been around since the ’50s, has mastered the blend of understated minimalism and premium materials. At the intersection of function and streetwear, its approach is all about staying dry—but doing it with a knowing sophistication.
More Raincoats We Love
Outdoor Research Stratoburst Stretch Rain Jacket
Outdoor Research
Stratoburst Stretch Rain Jacket
Outdoor Research is the only outdoor brand founded by a nuclear physicist—seriously. In 1981, just a year after attempting to climb Denali, one former scientist and avid outdoorsman launched the company with a mission: to solve real clothing problems. This jacket is a perfect example of that ethos, featuring PFAS-free water resistance, guarded zippers, and all the essential bells and whistles you’d expect from a well-designed technical shell.
Helly Hansen
Sail Jacket
Helly Hansen’s sail jacket is perfect for braving the open sea—or just channelling your inner yachtsman. Built with the brand’s signature waterproof, windproof, and breathable tech, it balances serious performance with a clean, Scandinavian aesthetic, and colors that’ll help you stand out in any storm.
Lemaire Boxy Water Repellent Rain Coat
Lemaire
Boxy Water Repellent Rain Coat
Lemaire is best known for its runway-ready knits and relaxed tailoring, but this boxy coat shows the brand can also balance its fashion-forward design sense with technical smarts. Finished with a water-repellent DWR coating, it’s a statement piece that doesn’t sacrifice practicality—two party guests that rarely show up together like this.
18 East Cascade Water Resistant Shell
18 East
Cascade Water Resistant Shell
New York’s 18 East is known for blending fashion and function, but its Cascade Shell Jacket takes things a step further. Designed for all-season weather protection, it features a water- and windproof poly membrane, hand warming lined chest pockets, and a versatile silhouette that feels just as at home in Central Park as it would in a national park.
Ghaia Cashmere Waxed Cotton Trench
Ghiaia
Waxed Cotton Trench
Ghiaia Cashmere has earned a cult following among menswear enthusiasts for its sumptuous knitwear. But there’s much more to the inventory: This long waxed cotton-canvas trench coat is infused with military inspiration—check out the epaulettes and matching belt, which add a good dose of Italian drama.
Anglo-Italian Raglan Raincoat
Anglo-Italian
Raglan Raincoat
Again, the Brits understand rain. As the name suggests, London’s Anglo-Italian blends fine Italian craftsmanship with a muted English sensibility. Its gabardine raglan-sleeve raincoat offers a relaxed alternative to the classic trench or mac—and comes with a detachable wool collar and padded lining for bracing days.
Patagonia Granite Crest Waterproof Rain Jacket
Patagonia
Granite Crest Waterproof Rain Jacket
Patagonia, of course, knows its way around functional, sustainable outerwear, and this waterproof rain jacket occupies the middle ground between entry-level tech and full-on Arc’teryx coverage. With Patagonia’s signature eco-friendly materials, it more than delivers for those who need reliable weather protection without venturing into extreme technical territory.
Mackintosh Oxford Bonded Cotton Mac
Mackintosh
Oxford Bonded Cotton Mac
Sometimes, a full trench can be overkill. A Mac offers a clean alternative, free of military details and effortless with fits both tailored and casual. Who better to snag one from than Mackintosh, the 200-year-old brand behind the name? Its signature bonded cotton—two layers fused with rubber adhesive—creates an ultra-waterproof shell with a structured feel that softens and molds to the body over time.
Loro Piana Storm System Car Coat
Loro Piana
Storm System Car Coat
Cashmere and wool are nature’s original DWR fabric, but leave it to Loro Piana, the Kings of Cashmere, to refine perfection. Their proprietary Storm System enhances these natural fibers with even greater water repellency and wind resistance, all while preserving and respecting the sumptuous feel of Loro’s already god-tier fabrics.
Canada Goose Snow Goose Squall Jacket
Canada Goose
Snow Goose Squall Jacket
The Canadian purveyors of hefty winter parkas recently appointed star designer Haider Ackermann as Creative Director. His first move? Breathing new life into the company’s vast archives and reviving the long-dormant Snow Goose sublabel. With a fully seam-sealed tech shell and eye-catching zippers in bold colours, this early result bodes well for the future.
How We Test and Review Products
Style is subjective, we know—that’s the fun of it. But we’re serious about helping our audience get dressed. Whether it’s the best white sneakers, the flyest affordable suits, or the need-to-know menswear drops of the week, GQ Recommends’ perspective is built on years of hands-on experience, an insider awareness of what’s in and what’s next, and a mission to find the best version of everything out there, at every price point.
Our staffers aren’t able to try on every single piece of clothing you read about on GQ.com (fashion moves fast these days), but we have an intimate knowledge of each brand’s strengths and know the hallmarks of quality clothing—from materials and sourcing, to craftsmanship, to sustainability efforts that aren’t just greenwashing. GQ Recommends heavily emphasizes our own editorial experience with those brands, how they make their clothes, and how those clothes have been reviewed by customers. Bottom line: GQ wouldn’t tell you to wear it if we wouldn’t.
How We Make These Picks
We make every effort to cast as wide of a net as possible, with an eye on identifying the best options across three key categories: quality, fit, and price.
