Weatherproof and weather-resistant jackets are a must-have for anyone looking to do hiking and backpacking throughout the spring and fall. A waterproof jacket, in particular, is essential.
In these seasons, the snow might be gone from winter and the heat might be gone from summer, but that doesn’t mean rain won’t just mess with your plans of going on certain hikes and trails due to the colder and more variable weather.
The easiest way to maintain your outdoor plans is by purchasing a good-quality jacket, such as an insulated jacket with a waterproof membrane and an adjustable hood.
There are two common directions that most hikers will go to protect themselves from the wet weather. The first is a traditional rain jacket, while the second is a more recent innovation of a hardshell jacket.
Both of these have their own strengths and benefits, but it’s important to know their differences so that you purchase the best jacket type for you.
We’ll be going through the main traits of each jacket on its own, and then we’ll give a full comparison to give you an idea of how rain jackets and hardshell jackets stand up to each other.
