My initial reaction is that just about any rainwear you get will mainly serve to poach you in warm, humid Boundary Waters come July.
Be that as it may, I tend to think that Marmot’s PreCip ($99 for a jacket; www.marmot.com) or something like it, such as Marmot’s Oracle ($150, it adds stretch panels that may be useful) or REI’s Ultra Light ($125, adds pit zips; www.rei.com) will work just fine. They all use similar materials for their waterproofing. Gore-Tex is typically too expensive for just one trip, although L.L. Bean’s Stowaway is a fine Gore-Tex buy at $145 (www.llbean.com).
You might also opt for one of several non-breathable jackets out there. These are completely waterproof, but of course don’t breathe especially well. Or at all, for that matter聴they’re completely polyurethane-coated and utterly impervious to moisture. For extended periods, sitting in the rain in a canoe, they might be preferable to any of the “waterproof-breathable” alternatives. Helly Hansen’s Impertech rainwear is a great buy, at $70 for a parka (www.hellyhansen.com).
These all come with hoods, but generally a good rain hat is more comfortable. For years the best rain hat on the planet has been Outdoor Research’s estimable Seattle Sombrero. $56, and worth every penny (www.outdoorresearch.com).