Walking In The Rain – Rain Jackets

November 1, 2009

You can spend a little or a lot on a jacket or covering to keep you dry in the rain. You can even opt to use a large plastic trash bag to keep you dry.  Regardless of your budget, you can always find suitable protection from the rain and continue enjoying your walk through Fall and Winter seasons.  While you’re shopping for yourself, you may want to shop around for your little walking buddy too.  Let’s start with the least expensive and work our way up.

Plastic Ponchos

In a pinch, you can grab a garbage bag and poke holes in it for your head and arms. Ugly, but it works. Slightly more stylish are the cheap plastic rain ponchos, available for a couple of dollars at most thrift stores. These fold up into a tiny envelope and look flimsy, but in fact can last for several wearings and are very effective. I was trapped in a downpour at the Nijmegen Vierdaagse Opening Ceremonies in 1999. I whipped out my cheapo plastic poncho and survived an absolute downpour that had the crowd screaming and running for cover. I was able to stay seated and dry as the rain and hail poured down. Ponchos lose some effectiveness in wind, however, as the wind can blow up them and drive rain in. The hoods are also usually clumsy to use. In warmer climates, they are not breathable and so you end up sweaty.

Rain Slickers

A step up from ponchos are the good old-fashioned rubberized/vinyl rain slickers. Look for those labeled waterproof rather than water resistant. These are waterproof but definitely not breathable, and can have quite an odor of rubber. Sometimes they have vents that are supposed to let out perspiration while keeping out water. A rain slicker is my best choice when walking at a moderate, unsweaty pace in a downpour for over an hour. The rain rolls off the outside rather than soaking into the outer fabric as happens with treated/layered waterproof jackets. These are often inexpensive and can be found at most clothing stores selling jackets. Look for styles that both button and zip for the best protection against wind driving the rain in. I prefer those with hoods.

Water-resistant Jackets

Water-resistant is not waterproof. You will get wet in anything except a light shower. I do not recommend choosing a water-resistant jacket unless you walk in a climate with rare, brief, light rain showers.

Waterproof treated/layered Jackets

A waterproof/breathable material is made by laminating or coating a thin membrane on the underside of a nylon or polyester face fabric. Gore-Tex is a laminate. Others achieve this by applying the coating as a liquid in layers to the underside of the fabric. Coatings may be more resistant to abrasion. The outer layer of the fabric may appear to get wet, especially once the original outer fabric treatment has worn off, but rain should not penetrate beyond this outer layer. Your clothing layers under the jacket stay dry. With moderate activity and some sweating you will stay drier with a waterproof/breathable jacket. But with intense activity or sweating, even the breathable fabrics can’t accommodate the sweat and you will end up wet. Waterproof jackets will run from $65 – $300. Look for the one with the features you need for comfortable walking in all weather. Outdoor stores are the best sources for these jackets.

Things to look for in jacket construction

• Vents and underarm zippers: allow you to achieve greater venting of perspiration.
• Hood: is there an integral or removable hood. How does it fit you? Is it adjustable for wearing a cap? How well can you see when using the hood? Is there a drawstring at the opening to draw it closed around your face?
• Neck protection: does the jacket have a collar which can be buttoned or zipped or have a drawstring to adjust the collar against wind and rain?
• How well can I see? Do I feel any neck strain or discomfort?
• Drawstrings at waist and at the bottom to allow adjustment of the fit.
• Two-way zippers to allow you to zip it up a bit from the bottom for better leg and hip motion.
• Fabric placket covers zipper to provide more protection against wind-driven rain.
• Pockets: Enough pockets in the places you want them. Closings to keep things waterproof.
• Factory-sealed seams: The seams are where leakage will develop first.
• Cuffs: comfortable closure with elastic or with a velcro tab.
• Shoulders allow good arm motion.
• Some people prefer the pullover anorak style, others the jacket style.

Posted in Ask The Experts, Fall, Tips to Motivate, Walking Articles, Walking Tips, Winter