In this article I will cover the best 10000mm waterproof jackets. Optimized for outdoor activities like hiking, but also for everyday use. 10k is a great waterproof rating for casual outdoor activities and in some cases these can even be a good choice for more extreme adventures.
If you want to learn more about hydrostatic head and waterproof ratings, I would highly recommend to take a look at this article.
Marmot precip
The marmot precip is a great 10,000mm HH waterproof jacket. It’s been listen on many “best hiking jacket” lists (on hikeheaven and on many other websites) – and this is no surprise at all. The marmot precip is considered one of the best -if not the best- waterproof hiking jacket within its price range.
A high quality jacket that is suitable for various outdoor activities is pretty expensive. Although this jacket might not be extremely cheap, it’s definitely considered a budget option when compared to jackets of similar quality.
Don’t forget that the hydrostatic head (10,000mm) isn’t the only factor to consider when we talk about waterproof fabrics. Poorly finished jackets will allow water to seep through at the seals for example. This is why it’s very important to do your research before buying a jacket.
One of my only arguments not to buy the precip is if you need more than 10,000 mm hydrostatic head. However, if that isn’t the case, you really can’t go wrong with this jacket. Another reason could be that the Marmot precip is still too expensive. No worries, I will have more budget options later in the list.
Amazon usually has the lowest prices and it’s available for both men and women:
Men: Marmot Precip Lightweight Waterproof Rain Jacket
Acme Projects Rain Jacket
I promised a true budget option, and here it is: the Acme Projects Rain Jacket. Even though there is a clear difference in quality between this jacket and the Marmot precip I was still amazed by the value for money Acme Projects provides.
For those of you who are very tight on money, this is one of the better options you could buy.
For more rugged/extreme outdoor activities I would not recommend this jacket. However, for everyday use or casual hiking trips, this rain jacket won’t let you down.
It’s also slightly heavier than the alternatives. This doesn’t matter too much for everyday use, but it makes it a less valid option for any sport related activities.
In summary, it’s a solid waterproof jacket for a very good price, but it’s not great for any extreme or sport activities.
Once again, you can easily buy this jacket for both men and women on amazon:
Men: Acme Projects Rain Jacket
Women: Acme Projects Rain Jacket
Columbia watertight 2
The next option is perfect for those of you who are looking for something “in between”. You want a jacket that is more durable and lighter than the Acme Project Rain Jacket, but the Marmot Precip is slightly too expensive for your budget.
There are still some advantages that the Marmot Precip has over the Columbia watertight, the Marmot is lighter and is slightly more durable.
That being said, this jacket is by no means low in quality. In fact, I feel pretty confident to recommend this to long distance hikers who are looking for a great 10,000mm HH hiking jacket.
In case you are interested in the Columbia watertight 2, more information can be found on amazon.
Women: Columbia watertight 2
Waterproof ratings
The purpose of this article is to talk about the best 10,000mm HH waterproof hiking jackets. So I did not intend to talk too much about waterproof ratings. However, since hydrostatic head is a pretty important concept if you are looking for the best 10,000mm HH waterproof jacket I decided to give a quick summary:
The hydrostatic head (HH) rating (also called the water column rating) is the most common way of rating the level of waterproofing. These ratings will indicate how waterproof your jacket (or other products like a tent) is.
These ratings are determined by testing how much water a fabric can hold before the water starts to seep through. This is tested by holding a tube filled with water over the fabric and see at when it starts to leak.
So what waterproof rating do you need? Well, I’d recommend long distance hikers to bring at least a 10,000mm HH jacket. Except if you know for sure that you won’t meet a lot of rain of course. For everyday use, I would recommend at least a 5,000mm waterproof jacket.
For more extreme situations/rainy long distance hikers, I would start to look towards the +20,000mm wateproof jackets
Conclusion
If you are looking for a good 10,000mm HH waterproof hiking jacket, simply take a look at the Marmot Precip. If this jacket is too expensive I would recommend the Columbia watertight 2 instead.
If you are truly on a tight budget or you would only use this jacket for everyday use, the Acme projects rain jackets might be the right call.
If you have any experience with one of these jackets I would love to hear your opinions. Also, if you have any recommendations that I did not cover in this article feel free to let me know!
If you have any questions about waterproof ratings or waterproof hiking jackets, feel free to ask a question in the comment section below or simply send me an email. I have done a lot of research on the topic and I have had my share of (bad) experience(s).