Updated October 16, 2026. Prices checked October 16, 2026.
Three rain jackets cost less than $100 on REI. The REI Co-op Rainier is the clear choice: four independent tests name it the best budget jacket, and 445 REI owners have reviewed it. The other two have much less behind them. The Columbia Hikebound II is heavy, and the REI Co-op Trailmade has a two-layer build, no pit zips and only six owner reviews. All three suit light rain and easy trails. The guides report that in long downpours or on hard climbs, they wet out or feel clammy.
How these scores are built. Outer layers are judged mainly on waterproofing, which counts for 45% of the score. Breathability counts 25%, and the other two criteria count 15% each. Based on: Independent tests by OutdoorGearLab, CleverHiker, Switchback Travel and GearJunkie, manufacturer specifications and prices read on REI. Most tests cover general rain use, not only hiking. We do not test products in person. 7 source pages are linked under the 3 products so you can check each finding. How we score.
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Product
Best for
Waterproofing
Score
1
REI Co-op Rainier
Best overall under $100
5.5
5.5
2
REI Co-op Trailmade
Least expensive
5
4.9
3
Columbia Hikebound II
Lowest price among tested jackets
4.5
4.7
01
REI Co-op Rainier
Best overall under $100, $99.95
5.5/10
Waterproofing 45%
5.5/10
Breathability 25%
5.5/10
Fit and mobility 15%
6/10
Durability 15%
5/10
Pros
OutdoorGearLab (71), CleverHiker (4.1 of 5), Switchback Travel and GearJunkie (6.4 of 10) all name it their best budget pick. It has a 2.5-layer HydroWall membrane, pit zips and weighs 11.3 to 12 oz depending on the source.
It has a long list of features for the price, and 445 REI owners have reviewed it.
Cons
CleverHiker says it wets out in extended heavy rain. OutdoorGearLab found the liner clammy and the jacket less durable than pricier shells.
GearJunkie finds it clammy during high-exertion hikes, and CleverHiker and Switchback Travel say it runs large.
Readers in Germany, Canada, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and Sweden are sent to their own Amazon store, where prices show in local currency. The prices on this page are US prices.
How we picked
Each score comes from four independent tests (OutdoorGearLab, CleverHiker, Switchback Travel and GearJunkie), manufacturer specifications and the price on REI. The tests cover general rain use as well as hiking, and none publishes a lab waterproof rating. We do not test jackets in person. Ratings are our assessment from what the reviewers report.
The Rainier has the most evidence by far. The Hikebound II and the Trailmade each have one independent source, so their scores carry more doubt.
What we left out
Columbia Watertight II ($100) and Glennaker Lake II ($70): OutdoorGearLab tested them, but REI does not sell the men’s versions.
Boulder Gear Stratus and Free Country jackets: prices read on REI, but no independent test found.
The North Face Alta Vista ($160): OutdoorGearLab scored it 63, and it belongs in the mid-range price band.
What to look for
Pit zips, which let heat out on climbs and matter more than a thin membrane
A fit with room for a fleece, since several budget jackets run large
A weight you will carry, because the cheapest shells here are the heaviest
Questions
Why is the Rainier in the budget ranking at $99.95?
REI sells it for $99.95, which is under $100. The guides round it to $100, but we use the REI price for the tier.
Why only three jackets?
Three men's jackets under $100 had a regular price on REI and an independent test. The Columbia Watertight II and Glennaker Lake II were tested by OutdoorGearLab, but REI does not sell the men's versions.
Where do the prices come from?
The regular price on REI on October 16, 2026. Sale and outlet prices are ignored.