The North Face Alta Vista Rain Jacket Review
A versatile, packable, waterproof shell for hiking, backpacking, travel, and everyday wear
April 28th, 2026
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Our verdict
The North Face Alta Vista Rain Jacket is a versatile, waterproof shell ideal for hiking, walking, commuting, traveling, and backpacking (if you aren’t an ultralight backpacker). It’s not the lightest rain jacket we’ve tested, but it’s effective in harsh weather and has lots of pockets, is available in up to 3XL in both men’s and women’s, sports a simple design in a range of neutral and fun colors, and is a good value for the price.
We tested The North Face Alta Vista Rain Jacket, men’s and women’s, on hikes, runs, walks, commutes, and backpacking trips in Colorado, West Virginia, and Scotland.
Made with The North Face’s proprietary DryVent 2.5-layer waterproof technology, the Alta Vista rain jacket is super effective at keeping water out in heavy downpours while transferring heat to feel more breathable than other waterproof materials. It’s similar to GORE-TEX, but less stiff and more budget friendly.
The Alta Vista isn’t particularly fancy, but the DryVent 2.5L material is both waterproof and relatively breathable. There are five pockets, including a chest pocket where you can pack down the jacket and stow it. And the hems, hood, and cuffs are all adjustable, so you can customize your fit.
If you’re looking for an ultralight jacket, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for a heavy-duty or insulated rain jacket, this isn’t it. But it’s a reliable, packable, and versatile jacket we’ve taken on our hikes, daily walks, and travels. It’s not the least expensive jacket we’ve tested either, but in the world of rain jackets, the cost is not bad, and the jacket is a good value at $160.
Bottom line: The North Face Alta Vista is for those seeking a rain jacket they can take on hikes, short backpacking trips, commutes, and traveling, especially if you want something quality at a more affordable price.
The North Face Alta Vista Rain Jacket
men's
Women's
Find more of our favorite lightweight rain jackets in our Best Lightweight Rain Jackets guide.
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The North Face Alta Vista Rain Jacket Specifications
Price (MSRP): $160
Weight: 11.6 oz (men’s), 9.3 oz (women’s)
Material/membrane: DryVent 2.5L shell with a non-PFC DWR finish
Waterproof rating: 15,000 mm
Seam sealed: Yes, fully
Available sizes and fit type: S-3XL (men’s), XS-3XL (women’s), regular fitBack length: 27.75" (men’s), 26.6" (women’s)
Pit zips: Yes
Pockets: 5 (2 zippered hand, 2 internal drop, 1 zippered chest)
Hood type: Adjustable 3-piece hood with cinch cord
Cuff closure type: Hook and loop (generic Velcro)
Packable: Yes
Sustainability features: 100% recycled nylon, non-PFC DWR finish
Warranty information: Limited lifetime warranty
Comparison tables
Men's
| RAIN JACKETS | WEIGHT | WATERPROOF MEMBRANE | WATERPROOF RATING | SEAM TAPED | PIT ZIPS | POCKETS | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The North Face Alta Vista | 11.6 oz | DryVent 2.5L | 15,000 mm | Fully | Yes | 5 | $160 |
| The North Face Terrain Vista 3L Pro | Not listed | DryVent 3L | Not stated | Fully | No | 4 | $200 - 230 |
| Outdoor Research Foray | 15.3 oz | AscentShell Dry 3L | 28,000 mm | Fully | Yes | 5 | $260 |
| Outdoor Research Helium UL | 5.7 oz | Toray Dermizax 3D 2.75L | 20,000 mm | Fully | No | 1 | $225 |
| REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket | 11.3 oz | HydroWall 2.5L | Not stated | Fully | Yes | 4 | $100 |
Women's
| RAIN JACKETS | WEIGHT | WATERPROOF MEMBRANE | WATERPROOF RATING | SEAM TAPED | PIT ZIPS | POCKETS | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The North Face Alta Vista | 9.3 oz | DryVent 2.5L | 15,000 mm | Fully | Yes | 5 | $160 |
| The North Face Terrain Vista 3L Pro | Not listed | DryVent 3L | Not stated | Fully | No | 4 | $200 |
| Outdoor Research Aspire | 13.9 oz | AscentShell Dry 3L | 28,000 mm | Fully | Yes | 5 | $260 |
| Outdoor Research Helium UL | 5.6 oz | Toray Dermizax 3D 2.75L | 20,000 mm | Fully | No | 3 | $225 |
| REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket | 11.4 oz | HydroWall 2.5L | Not stated | Fully | Yes | 4 | $100 |
Best for
Hikers who spend time in wet environments
Backpackers who aren’t counting grams with ultralight gear
Commuters, travelers, and those looking for a versatile everyday rain jacket
Anyone looking for a quality waterproof jacket on a budget
What we liked
Effective waterproofing
Venting pit zips
Packs into chest pocket
Versatile as a hiking and backpacking jacket or an everyday rain jacket
Value for the price
What could be better
Not as lightweight as other rain jackets we’ve tested
Hook and loop cuffs can get caught easily
Less breathable than similar jackets, like The North Face Terrain Vista 3L Pro
How we tested
We tested The North Face Alta Vista Rain Jacket while backpacking on the West Highland Way in Scotland.
We tested The North Face Alta Vista Rain Jacket, men’s and women’s, on hikes, runs, walks, commutes, and backpacking trips in Colorado, West Virginia, and Scotland. We wore the jacket in the rain and in muddy, humid conditions.
We tested The North Face Alta Vista in temperatures that were cool and warm—we did not test this jacket in frigid cold or scorching heat temperature extremes, but imagine it would work well over warm layers in cold weather. Rain varied from light sprinkles to heavy downpour.
Additionally, we tested this jacket in the shower alongside other waterproof jackets in our Best Lightweight Rain Jackets and Best Women’s Running Jackets guides. We stood in the shower wearing each jacket for a few minutes each to test waterproofness and comfort in a more controlled environment.
Performance in the field
The North Face Alta Vista (left) is also an effective windbreaker.
Weather protection
The North Face’s proprietary DryVent 2.5-layer waterproof technology is super effective at keeping water out in heavy downpour while transferring heat to feel more breathable than other waterproof materials. It’s similar to GORE-TEX, but less stiff and more budget friendly. We had no issues with it wetting out.
The non-PFC durable water repellent (DWR) finish also keeps you dry, so the water beads up and rolls away. However, it is important that you wash your jacket periodically to maintain the DWR’s effectiveness. Scratches, dirt, everyday wear, and our own skin oils can reduce the effectiveness of the DWR finish, but washing the jacket reactivates the DWR.
This jacket is also windproof, so you could also wear it as a windbreaker. The hood is adjustable and stays put pretty well, with a small cap for extra coverage over your face. The seam seals and zippers are durable and have worked well at maintaining weather protection.
Breathability and ventilation
There are two pit zips for venting heat.
While no waterproof jacket is truly breathable, The North Face’s proprietary DryVent technology is far more breathable than trashbag-like materials that are only waterproof, as it transfers heat. This prevents you from getting super sweaty. We wouldn’t say this is the best option for a high-output activity like running, but it works well for hiking, walking, and commuting.
The pit zips, then, allow you to dump heat faster and improve ventilation. This is especially great when you’re hiking or backpacking and warm up quickly.
Fit and comfort
The Alta Vista fits true to size, and is roomy enough for a warm midlayer underneath. You could fit a lightweight puffy underneath, but it would limit your range of motion. Unless you’re wearing a lot of layers underneath, the jacket has a wide range of motion.
I wouldn’t say this has next-to-skin comfort (I have yet to encounter a waterproof jacket that does), but it’s less stiff than GORE-TEX, which some folks may appreciate. The material is on the crinkly side, but not excessively loud.
The hem falls around the hip, so unlike a parka-style rain jacket common in commuter jackets, coverage is limited to your upper body. There is an internal elastic cinch cord with a cordlock at the hem, allowing you to adjust the fit. The adjustable hood isn’t specifically helmet compatible, but we were able to wear it with hats no problem.
Packability and weight
The North Face Alta Vista Ran Jacket packs down into its chest pocket.
The Alta Vista stows into its chest pocket, making it easy to pack away. It doesn’t pack down as small as ultralight rain jackets—somewhere between a large grapefruit and a small cantaloupe—but it has a small loop so you could attach it to the outside of your pack.
Weighing between 9 and 12 ounces depending on size, this is not the lightest rain jacket we’ve tested. If you’re an ultralight backpacker, you may want to consider something lighter, like the ~6-oz Montbell Versalight or the Outdoor Research Helium. However, it’s not super bulky or heavy, either, and is a great, more affordable option for non-ultralight hikers and backpackers, commuting, travel, or an everyday rain jacket for people who live in rainy places.
Features
The North Face Alta Vista is adjustable at the hem and hood with cinch cords, and at the cuffs with hook-and-loop adjustments.
Waterproof technology
The North Face Alta Vista Rain Jacket has DryVent 2.5-layer waterproof/breathable technology with a non-PFC DWR finish. In order for the DWR finish to work well, you should wash this jacket regularly.
The Alta Vista also features a water-repellent front zipper and sealed seams for even more water protection.
Hood design
This jacket has an attached 3-piece hood with drawcords and cordlocks for adjustability. It’s not specifically listed as helmet compatible, but it fits over hats and stays put fairly well. The extended brim adds extra protection over your face.
Ventilation systems
The Alta Vista has zipped ventilation at both pits, which effectively dumps heat.
Pockets and storage
The internal drop pockets are plenty spacious enough to fit any phone.
The Alta Vista has five pockets—two zippered hand pockets, one zippered chest pocket, and two internal drop-in pockets (The North Face website only lists one internal drop-in pocket, but ours have two). The internal drop-in pockets are fairly large and can easily fit any phone. All pockets are easy to access, even if you’re wearing a backpack or harness.
Adjustability
This jacket is adjustable at the hem, cuffs, and hood. The hem and hood have cinch cords with cordlocks, and the cuffs have hook-and-loop (the generic name for Velcro) adjustability. The cinch cords are easy to use and effective. The hook-and-loop adjustability at the cuffs works just fine, but it can get caught easily on other materials.
Durability
We have not noticed any major durability issues with this jacket's construction, including the zippers and seams.
The North Fact Alta Vista has DryVent 2.5-layer waterproofing and a non-PFC DWR finish.
2.5-Layer
The Alta Vista is what the industry calls a "2.5-layer" jacket, meaning that it has a half inner layer rather than a full fabric lining found on 3-layer jackets. The half inner layer is printed directly onto the waterproof membrane, which makes the jacket lighter but less durable over time compared to a 3-layer jacket. The printed half-layer also contributes to the jacket's next-to-skin clamminess (as with all 2.5-layer jackets).
Sustainability and ethics
This jacket uses 100% recycled nylon and a non-PFC DWR finish. The North Face also shares their sustainability goals on their website, which include reducing the use of virgin plastic in packaging, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and keeping more high-value resources in circularity.
Should you buy The North Face Alta Vista Rain Jacket?
Buy if you want a versatile rain jacket for hiking, backpacking, travel, commuting, travel, and everyday use. Buy if you’re looking for a lightweight, packable, budget-friendly rain jacket.
Skip if you want an ultralight rain jacket for backpacking, like the Montbell Versalite or the Outdoor Research Helium. Skip if you are willing to spend more for a higher waterproof rating or more features, like the Arc'teryx Beta SL or the The North Face Terrain Vista 3L Pro.
Where to buy The North Face Alta Vista Rain Jacket
The North Face Alta Vista rain jacket is popular, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Amazon
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership
Backcountry
Pros: Frequent sales for Expedition Perks members (free to join), fast shipping, Gearhead chat customer service is excellent
Advice on where to buy
In general for apparel, we recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns, like REI. Trying on shoes is an important way to get the sizing right. With both those retailers, if your funds allow, you can buy two sizes and easily return one. Additionally, check reviews to see whether other users recommend sizing up or down.
Similar rain jackets to consider
The North Face Alta Vista vs. The North Face Terrain Vista 3L Pro
Best for: Hiking, everyday wear
Price: $200-230
Sizes: S-XL (men’s), XS-XL (women’s)
Weight: Not stated
Waterproof material: DryVent 3L shell with non-PFC DWR finish
Waterproof rating: Not stated
Seam Sealed: Yes, fully
Pit zips: No
Pockets: 4 (2 zip hand pockets, 2 zip chest pockets)
The North Face Terrain Vista 3L Pro is a heavier, more waterproof rain jacket than the Alta Vista. This would be a better pick if weight is not a concern, especially for those looking for a rain jacket best suited for everyday use and some hiking.
The North Face Terrain Vista 3L Pro
men's
Women's
The North Face Alta Vista vs. Outdoor Research Foray/Aspire
Best for: Commuting, backpacking, hiking
Price: $260
Sizes: XS-XXXL (men's); XS-4X (women's)
PFAS-free: Yes
Weight: 15.3 oz (men's); 13.9 oz (women's)
Waterproof material: AscentShell Dry 3L
Waterproof rating: 28,000 mm
Taped: Yes, fully
Pit zips: Yes
Pockets: 5
The Outdoor Research Foray (men’s) and Aspire (women’s) are our picks for best for commuting for their generous pocket space, storm flaps for extra protection, packability, and extra durability. This is also a more environmentally-friendly option, as it’s the first outdoor technical apparel to be certified as carbon neutral by Climate Impact Partners. Learn more in our in-depth review of the Outdoor Research Foray/Aspire 3L Rain Jacket.
Outdoor Research Foray/Aspire
Foray
Aspire
The North Face Alta Vista vs. Outdoor Research Helium UL
Best for: Lightweight hiking and backpacking, just in case, plus size
Price: $225
PFC-free and PFAS-free: Yes
Sizes: S-XXXL (men's), XS-XXL (women's)
Weight: 5.7 oz (men’s) / 5.6 oz (women’s)
Waterproof Material: Toray Dermizax 3D 2.75-layer
Waterproof Rating: 20,000 mm
Pit Zips: No
Pockets: 1 chest pocket (men's); 2 hand pockets, 1 chest pocket (women's)
The Outdoor Research Helium rain jacket weighs about half as much as The North Face Alta Vista and is our pick for best packable lightweight rain jacket. It packs down small into its chest pocket, making it a great option for ultralight backpackers.
Outdoor Research Helium UL
men's
Women's
The North Face Alta Vista vs. REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket
Best for: Hiking, backpacking, trail to town, travel, occasional commuting
Price: $100
PFC-free and PFAS-free: Yes
Sizes: XS-3X (women's), XS- XXXL Tall (men's)
Weight: 12.5 (men’s), 11.4 (women’s)
Waterproof Material: HydroWall 2.5L
Waterproof Rating: + mm/24 hours
Seam Taped: Yes, fully
Breathability Rating: Not stated
Pit Zips: Yes
Pockets: 4
If you’re looking for an even more budget-friendly rain jacket, consider the REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket. It’s only $100 and weighs a couple ounces more than The North Face Alta Vista and serves similar use cases. We also appreciate that the men’s is more size inclusive than The North Face jackets, which is why we named it Best Plus-size Lightweight Rain Jacket.
REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket
men's
Women's
About the author / Why you should trust us
Becca spends a lot of time outdoors, hiking, running, walking, and traveling and has been writing gear reviews for nearly four years. She grew up in northern Indiana and is no stranger to lake-effect precipitation. Her competitive running background also taught her to get outside, rain or shine, and she does not shy away from wet weather. While she now lives in the relatively dry state of Colorado, she travels frequently to places that are not so dry.
You can find her at her website, Instagram, and her Treeline Review author page.
