Best Budget Running Jackets

Updated October 14, 2026. Prices checked October 14, 2026.

Few rain jackets under $100 are made for running. These four are general rain jackets with enough evidence to compare. Rain protection carries most of the score, followed by ventilation, weight and durability.

How these scores are built. Outer layers are judged mainly on waterproofing, which counts for 55% of the score. The other criteria count 15% each. Based on: Manufacturer specifications, independent reviews and owner reviews on retailer pages. We do not test products in person. How we score.

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#	Product	Best for	Waterproofing	Score
1	REI Co-op Rainier	Best budget overall	7	6.7
2	L.L.Bean Trail Model Rain Jacket	Best for everyday rain	7	6.6
3	Columbia Hikebound II	Best for casual hiking and walks	7	6.3
4	Columbia Watertight II	Lowest price here	6	6

REI Co-op Rainier

Best budget overall, $99.95

6.7/10

Standout strength. The only jacket in this ranking with pit zips, about 11 inches long.

Waterproofing 55%: 7/10
Breathability 15%: 6/10
Fit and mobility 15%: 7/10
Durability 15%: 6/10

Pros

Pit zips dump heat quickly, according to OutdoorGearLab.
REI lists 11.3 oz, sealed seams and a 2.5-layer shell.

Cons

BetterTrail found the DWR holds about 30 minutes of steady light rain, and the shell can wet out after one to two hours.
GearJunkie rates breathability 6 out of 10 and notes a clammy interior under hard effort.

Sources: REI, OutdoorGearLab, BetterTrail

L.L.Bean Trail Model Rain Jacket

Best for everyday rain, $99.95

6.6/10

Waterproofing 55%: 7/10
Breathability 15%: 6/10
Fit and mobility 15%: 6/10
Durability 15%: 6/10

Pros

Fully taped seams on a 2.5-layer shell, with a 3-point adjustable hood.
Owners rate it 4.4 out of 5 across 1,118 reviews.

Cons

Some owners report leaks after heavy rain while biking.
Owners mention a snagging zipper and a short cut. It weighs 13.4 oz.

Sources: L.L.Bean, SectionHiker

Columbia Hikebound II

Best for casual hiking and walks, $90

6.3/10

Waterproofing 55%: 7/10
Breathability 15%: 6/10
Fit and mobility 15%: 4/10
Durability 15%: 6/10

Pros

OutdoorGearLab scored water resistance 7.2 out of 10, and the jacket held up well in its shower test.
Mesh lining. OutdoorGearLab scored breathability 6.5 out of 10.

Cons

It weighs about 18 oz. OutdoorGearLab scored weight 2 out of 10 and calls it a poor fit for long-distance use.
No pit zips.

Sources: OutdoorGearLab, SectionHiker

Columbia Watertight II

Lowest price here, $70 (listed at $100)

6/10

Waterproofing 55%: 6/10
Breathability 15%: 5/10
Fit and mobility 15%: 6/10
Durability 15%: 7/10

Pros

Switchback Travel found the DWR beaded water very well.
Fully seam-sealed 2-layer Omni-Tech shell with a limited lifetime warranty.

Cons

Switchback Travel reports it started to soak through after about an hour of heavy rain.
No venting. Columbia does not publish a weight, and SectionHiker lists 13.5 oz.

Sources: Columbia, Switchback Travel

How we picked

These four are the budget rain jackets with enough independent or owner evidence to compare. Each score comes from the manufacturer’s specifications, independent reviews and owner reviews, and every product lists its sources.

What we left out

REI Trailmade, original version: discontinued, with sizes sold out.
Eddie Bauer RipPac Pro: we found no independent review.
Frogg Toggs jackets: waterproof but not breathable, which is a poor fit for running.

What to look for

Seams that are taped or sealed
Pit zips or vents, because cheap rain jackets trap heat
Low weight, since a heavy jacket is tiring on a long run

Questions

Are these jackets made for running?

No. Almost every rain jacket under $100 is built for hiking. We scored them on running use, so weight and ventilation count along with rain protection. Running-specific jackets start around $175, in the mid-range ranking.

Where do the prices come from?

REI on October 14, 2026, except the Columbia Watertight II (columbia.com, which lists it at $100 and currently sells it for $70) and the L.L.Bean Trail Model (L.L.Bean's US listing).