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The best men’s raincoats to survive a British downpour in style
From Percival to Arc'Teryx, the best men’s raincoats will stylishly weather the storm. You're never quite safe from an unexpected shower in old Blighty
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Raincoats will see you through torrents and tepid days both, ride or dies through any kind of inclement weather. The best men’s raincoats, though. Now those are a different story altogether: wet weather warriors, yes, but also some of your favourite, most distinguished outerwear.
You have only to look at the history of Hollywood to observe the powerful wardrobe potential of a high-quality waterproof. Heroes and anti-heroes both have slayed (sometimes literally) in parkas, trench coats and anoraks. Think Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, Christian Bale in American Psycho and Harrison Ford in Blade Runner.
Here to help you select your very own watertight raincoat for downpours and down days — and to help you wear it properly — is our edit of the best out there, plus a couple of styling tips to see you through any deluge.
What are GQ’s best men’s raincoats?
- Best overall raincoat: Percival Sherlock, £239 at percivalclo.com
- Best filled raincoat: Uniqlo, £109.90 at uniqlo.com
- Best affordable raincoat: Rains, £95 at uk.rains.com
- Best traditional raincoat: Mackintosh, £1,295 at mackintosh.com
- Best functional raincoat: The North Face, £630 at thenorthface.co.uk
What raincoat is best for wearing with a suit?
Make like Hedi Slimane at Celine and team your classic trench with a super-slim-cut suit. Your trench should be stone or caramel, your suit should be slim-cut and ideally, navy and the belt of your trench should be tied – you want to keep your silhouette as slim as possible, after all. Opt for something close-cut, black and high-shine for optimum high-fashion effect.
What raincoat is best for outerwear beginners?
A single-breasted style is your best bet for an easy-waring waterproof. Though you'd do well to keep the shell of your coat simple, bring a bit of life to the look by opting for a coat lined in a bold, bright print from a brand such as Versace. Team with a patterned shirt, some slim black trousers and an excess of jewellery to help banish the grey.
What raincoat is best for heavy rain?
The world of winter coats is one positively fraught with options. From your trenches, peacoats and overcoats to your puffers and wax jackets, there's a hell of a lot out there to choose from. That said, when it comes to selecting the option that's going to keep you (and, more importantly, your outfit) dry in blustering storms, our suggestion would be to reach for specialists brands - AKA, the Rains, Mackintosh and The North Faces of the world, who use things such as ripstop, pit zips and DWR (Durable Water Resistant) materials in their composition.
How do we select our favourite raincoats?
So, how exactly do we choose what constitutes the best raincoats for men in 2024? Simple. We know our stuff, we do our research, and we get out there to experience as much product as possible.
Our section head of menswear for GQ Recommends, Heidi Quill, is obsessed with clothes. Joining British GQ in 2021, Heidi might primarily look after clothing content, but she spends a healthy amount of time up to her neck in samples, checking product for the very best quality, price and design, all before recommending it to you. That includes knowing everything there is to know about an exceptional raincoat.
Part fashion, part function, an ideal raincoat ought to first and foremost keep you dry, but we say that the look of the thing comes a very close second. Whether it's a trench, a peacoat or a full-on waterproof for hikes you're after, Heidi and our our team of contributing writers and freelancers (Jessie Atkinson, Faye Fearon, and Adam Cheung) have taken both into account. Scroll on for their findings.
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