With the weather heading quickly towards rainy days it is the time to start thinking about getting yourself a new rain jacket. You can pick up one for a decent price nowadays at big retailers like O&C, but with brands offering so many different choices it can be difficult to know which one to pick. These tips will help to make sure that you choose the best rain jacket to suit your needs this autumn.
How To Pick a Rain Jacket:
Think about the size
Obviously you want your rain jacket to look good, but making sure you get the right size, and a good fit will mean you can look stylish and feel comfortable. If the rain will be accompanied by the cold, then you need to make sure the shell will fit over the layers you want to wear to keep warm, so choosing a larger fit will be a more important factor. If your autumn/winter is more mild, then you can get away with a much more fitted jacket as you won’t be layering up underneath it.
How waterproof does it need to be?
Rain coats will usually be categorized according to how much rainfall they can withstand. Water resistant or waterproof will be fine for light or even average rainfall. If you live somewhere where the rain will be heavier, you would do better to invest in a more heavy duty coat. Synthetic materials like nylon are more water resistant than materials like cotton, and these are usually treated with either a waterproof coating, or layered with a waterproof membrane.
What you should look for in a coat
You will probably find that many jackets you look at will offer things such as being ‘breathable’ or having ‘taped seams’. These are good to look for, but they come with their own pros and cons. If you go for a non-breathable jacket it means no rain can get through but it won’t allow sweat out and so you may find you get uncomfortably hot. Taped seams are an additional feature that help keep the water out and you perfectly dry underneath.
Think about traveling
Do you want a light rain shell that is easy to carry when you don’t need to wear it? If so, there are plenty that will pack away into a pocket so that you can fit it easily into your bag or leave in your car for those days when it starts to pour.
Choose one that suits your style
To have the maximum in comfort and protection from the rain you don’t need to compromise on style. The range of rain jackets available means that every taste is catered for and you don’t need to give up the durability that you need in order to feel good in what you are wearing.
If you are looking for a rain jacket take these tips into consideration and when you go to buy one make sure you look for the best bargains. Hanging on until there is a Joules sale is always a great way to find a high quality coat at a great price, and still look good when that inclement weather threatens!
