I hate raincoats so much.

[otterlybonkers]

That simple really. Sick to death of them, year in year out.

I don't like jeans so tend to wear skirts/dresses and always think waterproofs look dreadful with them and are never the right length. I also don't like or suit big anoraks or parkas (so a big no to Seasalt for me!), they make me look like a depressed sleeping bag.

Anyway it poured down yesterday, and feeling defiant I wore a short skirt with tights and boots, and instead of a raincoat I wore a short quilted jacket with no hood. Popped on a hat and scarf and just thought sod it.

walked for an hour each way to post office., got drenched, but the weird thing is, I dried off quicker and was more comfortable than when I do the whole waterproofs fandango. Seriously. My tights dried quicker than jeans or leggings ever did so that my legs never got damp or cold. My hair was neatly trapped under the woolies and my jacket dried out just as easily as a proper waterproof.

I thought 'why bother'?

Honestly I have a freakily expensive Arcteryx hip length waterproof and some so-called rain repellent leggings - both of which i generally get wetter and more miserable in that tights and a regular jacket. I came home drier and less cold.

Not sure what point of my post is, apart from thinking I wont be buying in to technical gear again.
I would love to just chuck on a wool coat with a hood and face the elements than wear crinkly cold rainwear. It gets wet - dry it later.

Am I the only one who cant stand parkas and rainwear?

I've lived in Ireland and I've lived in Scotland and I haven't bothered with a raincoat since I outgrew my snazzy Winnie the Pooh one in 1985. I just wear a coat I like and if I get caught in the rain I let it dry out.

im tempted to get a wool blazer and a dome umbrella, haha!

Or perhaps just a better hat.

A few yrs ago I purchased a ton of outdoor gear, the protective waterproof seams, the fleece barrier, the adjustable hood, the water repellent leggings that shone like torvil and dean's tights. After 10 mins in the rain and wind I was bloody freezing and the clothes stuck to me unpleasantly like cold wet sellotape. It took an age to peel the damn stuff off and I was always piss wet through underneath with numb legs:(

I think I might try to sell some of it off now, I never wear it and it needs to go to a good home.

This is a revelation! I hate raincoats. They rustle and they’re uncomfortable. You’re right. Sod it. I’m going to wear what I want.

Tights are the best for drying out quickly, or non-cotton leggings.
Wool coats etc. fine too (people wore them for centuries) as long as you're not out for ages and/or you don't have to put it on again when it's wet. brrrr

Yes, OP! Umbrella/hat, wool coat and tights all the way here. As long as my boots are properly waterproof I’m happy!

yes! the sensation of wet feet and soggy socks is miserable, so as long as my footwear can withstand mega-puddles I'm fine.

didnt people used to rub some kind of sheep fat/oil (lanolin??) over tweed to make it more rainproof? Unless I dreamed this...

I don't know about fat on tweed (although I know they used urine somewhere in the process) but oilskins and sou'westers were treated with some kind of grease. Bet they reeked.

As someone who's always lived in Cities I've never really had a rain coat as such I just carry an umbrella on days it might rain and a jacket or coat when I'm cold. Job done. I hate sweaty clammy rain coats. If I get caught out in a torrential downpour so be it. I do have rain a couple of water proofs if needed but don't wear them.

I've never seen anyone where I live in a Seasalt Janelle coat till today. I saw someone I know in one as I drove past and it just looked bizarre on her. Like a sack, she's only in her mid 40's really not a good city look imho.

I have one from here that I adore (definitely on the pricey end for a raincoat…) but I agree with you on all others. I hate that wet clammy feeling around your wrists. A good umbrella and decent shoes are usually enough for me.

Do you do much walking? I don’t drive and walk about an hour and a half most days in all elements. There’s no way I could do without a rain coat! I don’t like them either though.

Actually it’s more like 2 hours. 90 minutes is just for school runs.

@IvorCutler

Do you do much walking? I don’t drive and walk about an hour and a half most days in all elements. There’s no way I could do without a rain coat! I don’t like them either though.

I walk everywhere at the moment, but will be driving soon. I used to hill walk a lot and even then the technical, dedicated stuff didnt really keep me any warmer or drier than regular clothes. That's the problem. I had myself convinced that I had to wear dedicated, expensive clothes.

Warmth matters to me more than getting wet, as stuff simply dries. Ive never had a raincoat that doesn't get the hood blown off in a wind, and most of the front of my hair gets wet. A decent hat keeps it drier. And unless the coat is very long, the water just runs off it all over my legs. If I then take the hood down a cascade of water gets in down my neck and back. And im talking the best one's on the market, too.

When I lived further north, the damp was worse than the rain itself. Only puffer coats made a difference. I don't suit those either, though.

You make good points! My raincoat works very well and the hood stays on (it’s a rains one), but the water does inevitably run all over my legs if I’m not wearing waterproof trousers and it feels horrible. I’m not someone who likes to be too warm though and I have a big head so I don’t think I could be doing with a hat.

My DS has an aversion to coats so I bought him a cagoule for £20 from Peter Storm to keep in his school bag just in case it rains. Seemed like the best compromise and perfect for sudden rain fall

I think you’re right. It’s very hard to find a raincoat that looks elegant. I normally feel scruffy or frumpy in them.

I’ve abandoned technical raincoats (they don’t keep water out in my experience, they stick, the tops of your legs get soaking, etc etc) and gone for a cheap plastic poncho for walking or camping. I did buy a helly Hansen rubberized sort of thing for the school run or similar trudges, but most of the time will just use my ordinary coat and a woolly hat.

The HH is very waterproof and makes no false claims to be breathable. Also much cheaper than anything technical, especially as I got it for half price.

Another Irish person here who’s never owned a “proper” raincoat and lived to tell the tale.
Rain doesn’t kill you. I like this thread as I do have a niggling feeling that I should be buying very technical outerwear, but I think it’s just clever marketing really.

@JunieSpoony

I’ve abandoned technical raincoats (they don’t keep water out in my experience, they stick, the tops of your legs get soaking, etc etc) and gone for a cheap plastic poncho for walking or camping. I did buy a helly Hansen rubberized sort of thing for the school run or similar trudges, but most of the time will just use my ordinary coat and a woolly hat.

I agree, might give the foldaway poncho some thought!

I also think that the more 'technical' rain wear and outdoors brands are taking the piss. I lived for years in an area which had quite a few of them and they are mostly aimed at visitors and tourists.

I have been pathetically drenched and cold in North Face, Arcteryx, Fjallraven, Mountain Equipment, and have had various merino base layers from these brands develop holes within weeks. I honestly think it is all a gimmick, just another lifestyle market focused idea to sell us more crap we don't need.
I also always wondered why anything calling itself waterproof or weatherproof would end at a woman's hip.
Most of the clothes, from coats to 'hiking tights' to technical layers are pretty much shaped only for the average male body. Too tight at the hip and enormous at the shoulder. I spent a while looking like an upturned triangle.

The only good reason to have a raincoat is the school run with a pushchair. All other occasions can be dealt with by using an umbrella

Raincoats were invented by Satan.
Just use a decent umbrella and maybe some classy wellies (Aigner or the likes) and you’re good to go.

Ohhhh please do recommend me a sturdy umbrella! I used to have a dome one, which is the only thing that kept the rain and wind away from my fuzz-prone hair.

Packaway poncho's welcome too!

Back to the raincoat fiasco - I am ashamed to say I paid over £250 for an Arcteryx, hip length rain coat. This was 2 years ago and I properly fell for the hype. I still have the thing, was worn twice, so might put it on ebay and hope for the best, although a shame to inflict it on someone else really.
It is as thin as carrier bag fabric, the velcro cuffs are slightly non functional after two wears (!), the hood, however adjustable does not stay up or cover front of head, I am a size 8 and the hips area is too tight even in medium but leaves room for a parked car in the chest. It is just ugly and utterly fucking useless. It might do well for dedicated hiking to keep wind off on a mountainside but that's about it. I found that even regarding hiking, you really didnt need much more than a £60 version from Mountain Warehouse in all truth.

Apologies, I needed that rant.