Best Men’s Raincoats: Luxury Picks Ranked and Water Column Explained

The best men’s raincoat for most men is a knee-length coat with a bonded membrane, a hood and a removable bib, cut to fit over a jacket. Our top pick is the Herno Raincoat in 2-Layer Windstopper, rated to a 20,000 mm water column, from the Italian house that started out making men’s raincoats in 1948.

Quick answer

• Water column, in millimetres, measures how much water pressure a fabric withstands before it leaks; higher is drier.
• Herno’s 2-Layer Windstopper is rated to 20,000 mm, a serious figure for sustained rain.
• Herno’s waterproof flannel is rated to 500 mm, closer to showerproof.
• Membrane coats keep you drier; coated and water-repellent fabrics are lighter and suit showers.
• Herno sizes are Italian: UK/US chest equals the Italian size minus 10.
• The six raincoats ranked here cost $1,720 to $2,080 at Coveti.

What does a water column rating mean?

A water column test places a tall tube of water on top of the fabric and measures how high the column can rise before water pushes through. The result is given in millimetres. A fabric rated at 20,000 mm held back a 20 metre column of water in the test.

In real life, pressure comes from wind-driven rain, from a rucksack strap pressing on your shoulder, from sitting on a wet bench. That is why a high rating matters more than it seems. A fabric that copes with a gentle shower can fail at the shoulders after an hour of walking in heavy rain.

Breathability matters too. A raincoat that keeps rain out but traps sweat will leave you damp from the inside. Bonded membranes such as Windstopper and Gore-Tex let water vapour escape while blocking liquid water.

Membrane, coated and water-repellent: what is the difference?

A membrane is a thin layer bonded to the outer fabric. It does the waterproofing, while the outer fabric does the looking good. Two-layer construction means the membrane is bonded to the face fabric, with a separate lining hanging inside.

A coated fabric has a thin layer applied to the reverse. Herno’s Il Cappotto uses recycled nylon microfibre with a light coating that gives a waterproof matt finish. Coatings are lighter and softer than most membranes.

A water-repellent finish makes rain bead and roll off the surface. It is the first line of defence on almost every raincoat. Herno uses PFC-free water-repellent treatments on many pieces. For more on the house’s technical line, read our Herno Laminar guide.

How to choose a men’s raincoat

Start with how you get around. A man who walks to work in a wet city needs length, a hood and a high rating. A man who drives needs something shorter and lighter that will not crease at the seat.

• Length: knee length keeps your trousers dry; a shorter coat leaves them exposed.
• Hood: removable hoods let one coat do both city and weekend.
• Bib: a removable bib adds warmth at the chest for winter rain.
• Fit: buy your usual jacket size so it closes over a blazer.

The best men’s raincoats, ranked

1. Blue Raincoat in 2-Layer Windstopper

Our top pick at $1,720, and the best value in the edit. Herno bonds polyester microfibre to a high-performance, breathable membrane rated to a 20,000 mm water column, the highest figure here. The design is clean and city ready, with a removable hood for the wettest days. It suits the daily walking commuter who wants one coat for every forecast. Also in brown. Sizes 36 to 46.

2. 2-Layer Gore-Tex Coat in Blue

The best raincoat for business, at $2,050. A Gore-Tex membrane is bonded to lightweight stretch nylon with a fine 30-denier weave. A lapel collar and welt breast pocket give it a tailored face, while goose down padding and a removable bib let it work from autumn through winter. Herno designed it for formal occasions and business in the city. Sizes 34 to 48.

3. Navy Blue Trench Coat in Washington

The best trench, made in Italy, at $2,080. The Washington fabric is a laminated, run-resistant two-way stretch fabric treated to resist water, so it moves easily and packs well. Feather padding and a removable bib with a two-way zip add warmth when you need it. Choose it for light rain and travel, with classic tailoring. Sizes 36 to 48. Our men’s trench coat guide covers fit in detail.

4. Il Cappotto in Blue

One of Herno’s legendary classics, at $1,970. Il Cappotto is recycled nylon microfibre with a light coating on the reverse that gives a soft feel and a waterproof matt finish. A removable windproof bib with a two-way zip and two handwarmer pockets keep it practical. It is the lightest coat here and the easiest to travel with. Sizes 38 to 50.

5. Flannel Coat with Waterproof Membrane in Iron

The raincoat that looks like tailoring, at $2,080. A super-light wool-blend flannel is backed with a waterproof membrane rated to a 500 mm water column. That is showerproof rather than storm-proof, so buy it for short walks and car journeys. The iron grey flannel is the most formal finish in the ranking. Sizes 36 to 46.

6. Vintage-Effect Wool-Blend Raincoat in Light Taupe

The style pick at $1,990. Herno weaves thick wool yarns with polyester in a dense, soft fabric for a vintage look, a nod to the classic city raincoat. Herno does not publish a water rating for this one, so treat it as a dry-day and drizzle coat with beautiful texture. It suits business outfits and slimmer frames. Sizes 36 to 42.

Raincoats around the world

• UK: Frequent rain and wind make a membrane coat the most useful buy in a British wardrobe. UK chest sizes match the numbers on our product pages.
• US: Seattle and Portland call for a high-rated membrane. On the East Coast, a raincoat with a removable bib bridges autumn and spring. US chest sizes are the same numbers as UK.
• Europe: Milan, Paris and Amsterdam all reward a tailored raincoat that can go into a meeting. Italian labels read IT, so IT 50 is a 40.
• Japan: The rainy season in early summer favours light, breathable raincoats without heavy padding. Herno has sold in Tokyo and Osaka since 1968.
• Middle East and Australia: Gulf buyers often keep a packable raincoat for travel. In Sydney and Melbourne, winter rain makes a membrane coat worthwhile. Coveti ships from hubs in the UAE and Australia, with duties calculated at checkout.

Why Herno for a raincoat?

Raincoats are where Herno began. Giuseppe Marenzi and Alessandra Diana founded the company in Lesa, on Lake Maggiore, in 1948, and the early coats used cotton treated with castor oil to keep out the rain. Today the house mixes city tailoring with technical fabrics, and every coat carries a small metal logo plate on the back rather than a loud badge. Read the full story in Herno raincoats and Laminar, and compare with Canadian outerwear from Mackage.

All Herno at Coveti is 100% authentic, checked before dispatch and shipped worldwide by express. Browse all men’s coats and jackets, and see our returns page.

Read next: the men’s overcoats guide, Herno coats for men and Herno for UK buyers.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good water column rating for a raincoat?

The higher the water column rating, the more pressure a fabric withstands before it leaks. A 500 mm rating suits short showers, while a rating such as the 20,000 mm of Herno’s 2-Layer Windstopper is built for sustained heavy rain.

Is water-resistant the same as waterproof?

No. A water-resistant fabric sheds light rain for a while, usually thanks to a repellent finish. A waterproof fabric uses a membrane, sometimes a coating, to stop water passing through under pressure.

What length raincoat is best for men?

Knee length is best for walking in the rain because it keeps your trousers drier. A shorter raincoat ending mid-thigh is better for driving and cycling.

Should a raincoat fit over a suit?

Yes, if you wear tailoring to work. Buy your usual jacket size, since most raincoats are cut to go over a blazer. Herno uses Italian sizes, and the UK/US chest size is the Italian size minus 10.

Does Herno make waterproof raincoats?

Yes. Herno started as a raincoat maker in 1948 and today offers raincoats in 2-Layer Windstopper rated to a 20,000 mm water column, coats with Gore-Tex membranes, and coats in coated recycled nylon with a waterproof matt finish.