The 5 Best Men's Rain Jackets for Fishing

Let's be real: There's little that can ruin a day of fishing, even a rain storm. In fact, fishing in the rain can actually be more successful since fish are more active and there's fewer anglers on the water.

When shopping for the best men's rain jackets for fishing, you first look for a quality rain-gear brand and a good fit, but there are other considerations as well. As a fisherman, you ask a lot of your fishing gear, and your rain jacket has to be tough enough to last many a fishing trip and allow plenty of freedom of movement to get the job done. Add to that the need for plenty of pocket space in your decision making, plus you want to look good—it's a tall order.

In hunting down the best rain jackets for fishing, we considered performance, breathability, comfort, stretch, fit, and style. These five picks tick those boxes and offer a great value.

Best for Three-Season Fishing: Salt Life Rogue

Salt Life has thoroughly considered all of the requirements that both salt anglers and everyday fishermen need in a jacket. If you fish during both the spring and fall, the Salt Life Rogue Jacket is great for conditions that call for a little more protection and warmth.

It's fully lined for warmth and has a hood for wet weather, but it also has a vented back for breathability as temperatures swing the other direction. It's constructed  from a water-resistant, cotton-nylon blend fabric for a highly useable performance either on or off the water.

This jacket is simple, well made, and has just enough attention to small details, like a convenient pocket on the chest. Also, it's machine-washable for when the filleting gets messy.

Best Fully Waterproof: The North Face Dryzzle Futurelight

The Dryzzle Futurelight Jacket is a completely waterproof option that has a great slim fit for those who prefer a body-skimming raincoat. It's appropriate to wear in any wet weather, even when the wind comes into play, with its laminated storm flap and snap closure at the hem.

The permeable-yet-waterproof membrane keeps you dry while offering great airflow to keep sweat from pooling. The three-layer shell includes a soft woven face that stretches for added warmth and comfort.

This jacket also features three zip-secure pockets, an adjustable hood, and an internal stow pocket for stashing valuables—and the fact that it looks great is a big plus.

Best Packable Rain Jacket: Columbia OutDry Extreme

Columbia continues to offer the outdoorsman so many solid choices in gear, and the OutDry Extreme Jacket is a great choice for sitting in the boat when a shower strikes. You'll come to appreciate even more its lightweight style when you see how easily it packs away if the weather gets better.

It comes in enough sizes to please everyone from smaller-stature men to the big guys that need great-looking rain gear, too.

Best for Fishing from Shore: Salt Life Excursion

Another in a great lineup from Salt Life, the Excursion Jacket has all the features that you need for beating the worst weather while riverbank fishing. You'll be impressed by the comfort that the tough-as-nails ripstop material gives you while keeping you dry.

The jacket has a cinch at the waist to keep sideways rain from blowing in, while the vented back and armpit mesh help wick away the moisture.

Best for Boating: Gill Fishing Tournament

The Tournament Jacket from Gill Fishing is designed to keep the hood in place while traveling at high speeds, a great feature for those on the go when the bite is on and time is of the essence.

Another great attribute is the adjustable double cuff with an inner seal, which stops water from entering the sleeve. Couple that with its great looks and plenty of pockets, and you got a winner for wearing on the boat—just know this jacket is bulkier than some, which lessens the ease of movement.

 

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