The Best Packable Rain Gear for Travelers

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Sign Up

Spring brings rain and unpredictable weather, which makes packing for spring vacations tricky. But you can travel prepared without sacrificing much space since packable rain gear and rain boots are more lightweight than ever before.

The Best Packable Rain Gear for Travelers

Not sure where to start? Below is the best packable rain gear to bring with you on your spring trip.

Nau Slight Anorak & Jacket

North Face’s Anorak for women and Castelli’s Meccanico Jacket for men both pack down into themselves as a space-saving technique. Both styles are wind- and water-resistant, making them the perfect companion for an urban spring trip. Made from PFC-free and sustainable materials, both versions are extremely lightweight for travel.

Price & Where to Buy: $105 for the women’s style on Backcountry and $112 for the men’s style on Backcountry.

L.L. Bean Stowaway Rain Jacket with Gore-Tex

This L.L. Bean style has a traditional fit for a rain jacket and is waterproof yet breathable with durable Gore-Tex laminate. The style is available for both women and men. I love this packable rain jacket for travelers because it fits into its own pocket.

Price & Where to Buy: $199 and up for the women’s style on L.L. Bean’s website and $199 for the men’s style on L.L Bean’s website.

Cougar Swoon Rain Sneaker

These super stylish rain sneakers by Cougar are made from handcrafted rubber and are guaranteed waterproof. Their non-bulky size makes them easy to pack, and they can most definitely be worn when it’s not raining. Available in five color options, these packable rain boots are a must for any traveler.

Price & Where to Buy: $25 and up on Amazon.

Rockport Rugged Boots Waterproof Mudguard

These lightweight and waterproof leather outdoor shoes are extremely comfortable and have Rockport-patented technology to prove it. The EVA outsole provides traction and shock impact; the Hydro-Shield waterproof leather keeps your feet dry; and the shoes have shock absorption and foot cushioning.

The shoes weigh only two pounds and are so versatile that they can do double duty for both outdoor activities and business trips. 

Price & Where to Buy: $60 and up on Amazon.

Kate Spade Sedgewick Rain Boots

Kate Spade’s latest rain boot style is a packable rain boot that’s so stylish you’ll want to wear them even when it’s not raining. The rubber boot is a heeled Chelsea-style rain boot with gold finishes for a stylish touch. These weigh less than most other rain boot styles, and you won’t need to bring another pair of boots because this pair is so versatile.

 Price & Where to Buy: $150 on Amazon.

RainScarf & Hood to Go

If you’re looking to add some weather protection to your favorite jacket, then these two products will do the trick. Both are lightweight and small-sized, so they’re packable rain gear, and allow you to pack your favorite jacket.

Pack your favorite jacket and then add a layer of waterproofing with the RainScarf. This large, waterproof scarf keeps you warm and has a hood and two water-resistant pockets for holding your essentials.

The Grommet’s Hood To Go is a detachable hood anchored by a lightweight vest that can be worn under any jacket. The 100 percent water-resistant microfiber material is machine washable, and the hood comes with a purse pouch so it can be tucked away after use.

Price & Where to Buy: RainScarf: $23 on Amazon; Hood To Go: $25 on The Grommet).

Hoke Mini Compact Umbrella

The Mini Compact Umbrella by Hoke is lightweight (0.48 pounds) and stows as small as the palm of your hand (6.9 inches). And you don’t sacrifice size for space, since this umbrella uses six ribs and is larger than conventional five-folding umbrellas when open.

Price & Where to Buy: $25 on Amazon.

Bago Lightweight Collapsible Backpack

Bago’s collapsible backpack is comfortable to carry and is made of a water-resistant fabric, making it the perfect daypack for outdoor activities or walking tours. It folds small enough to fit into your pocket, and takes up minimal space in your suitcase.

Price & Where to Buy: $22 on Amazon.

More from SmarterTravel:

• What to Wear in the World’s Chicest Cities This Summer
• Smart Tips for Packing Shoes and Boots
• 8 Things Every Traveler Should Pack

Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Sign Up