England rain gear in July?

You might want to take a jacket with a hood, but IMO there is no need for vortex pants. The average rainfall in July is less then two inches. It doesn't rain everyday in England. We were there for a month and only had one day of rain that last about an hour.

I have gone to Europe for 14 of the last 15 years during the Spring/Summer/Fall time period and always carry a very lightweight rain coat with hood in my day pack. It takes up almost no room and has come in handy a few times when no rain was forecast.

You could just spray your regular jeans & trousers with Scotchgard before leaving home. It won't keep your legs dry in a real downpour, but if the weather is drizzly it will help you avoid having to festoon your hotel room with soggy clothing. I would definitely bring a lightweight waterproof jacket, whether Gore-Tex or other material. And give boots/shoes a thorough treatment with silicone waterproofing spray before leaving home.

I agree with Robin , the pants are not necessary , but a gore tex lined waterproof jacket is an absolute winner . This is what my wife and I have used for the last five years , best choice for inclement weather . - https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/91005?feat=593-GN1&page=stowaway-rainwear-with-gore-tex-jacket&csp=f available in mens and womens sizes

Depends on your activities. Will you be walking (trekking) point to point being out exposed to weather for a full day and/or are you doing fell hiking summiting Snowden? If you are doing short distance tourist walks along the Wall and near shelter, or just viewing Snowden from low elevations, lack of rain pants would not be a risk. If you are fell walking to the top of Snowden rain pants and more would be a good idea. And add boots with waterproof-breathable membrane protection with wool or synthetic socks.

Snowden advice: http://www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/visiting/safety-advice

Wear comfortable, ankle-supporting walking boots and suitable
clothing. The terrain can be uneven and the weather unpredictable.
You'll need a waterproof and windproof jacket and over trousers.

Wales climate data: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/regional-climates/wl

Northeast England climate data: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/regional-climates/ne
England does not have "dry" months.

As a Brit, I have to say I hate walking in waterproof over trousers in particular, but would never venture out into the hills without them.

For your trip I would definitely pack a lightweight waterproof jacket with hood - in summer I usually carry a lightweight waterproofed pertex jacket (Rab), which is not quite as heavy as a goretex one (which I carry in winter - also Rab).

You could assess the weather conditions when you get here - you'll be unsurprised to learn there are numerous outlets where you can pick up waterproof trousers, and usually you can pick up a pair fairly cheaply if you think you will need them. Pass on or discard if you don't want to cart them home.

If you are going onto the central section of Hadrians Wall - which is the best place to see it - and to the top of Snowden, even via the railway, conditions can change quickly and both locations are exposed and temperatures can feel much lower than elsewhere, usually down to wind chill factor. Life would be miserable, albeit temporarily, if you got soaked, even if it was a passing shower. Better to be equipped and not need it than be caught out.

That said. both places are wonderful and worth your time to visit - hope you have a great trip!

Ian

PS. Jeans are NOT RECOMMENDED for walking the more exposed parts of the country in. They soak up water and dry slowly. Personally, I wear Craghoppers Kiwi stretch trousers when out in the hills (other brands are available!) which while not waterproof are designed to dry quickly if they get wet.

Ian

Sure, your head might get wet without a decent hat, but what about your feet? Wet shoes are a challenge. I don't hike but I have solid walking shoes which I wear on the plane because they are fairly heavy. I also pack a light, soft pair in case the walkers get soaked, or for evening activities.

I haven't figured out how to keep my feet dry walking in wind driven deluges. My boots have Gore-tex breathable waterproof liners and surface treated with waterproofing compound. I wear Gore-tex waterproof pants and use ankle height gaiters to seal the joint between boot tops and pant. And of course, a hip length waterproof jacket. But after a half day of walking in the rain, my wool socks are soaked.

I would add that on non-rain days but walking through deep puddles in the moors, my waterproof boots work. My only guess as to why my feet get wet on wind driven rain days is the water enters through the pant leg zippers. I suppose it's a trade-off on the convenience of full length leg zippers vs, having to remove boots in the field to put on ones rain pants.

I do carry spare dry socks for mid-day changes. And as suggested, a good idea to have dry hut shoes.

Thanks for all the thoughtful advice from the USA and Great Britain.
We looking forward to walking/touring England and Wales.
Pete
Seattle

We always bring rain jackets and rain pants when hiking. I consider myself lucky if we carry them and don't use them. And if it rains, or is very windy, or we are cold, the rain gear is there to protect us.

We used the rain jackets and maybe the pants too along Hadrian's Wall. I remember it being quite windy. It was warm in northern Wales, very warm. Bring sunhats too! You just never know what it will be like.

RE: POSSIBILITY OF RAIN

The Rick Steve's description of the England tour that includes a Hadrian's Wall visit has a weather chart that indicates the York averages 16 dry days a month for both June and July or about a 16/31th change of a dry day. If we want to have some fun with probability, we can test the probability of one day of rain during a period of two or three consecutive days.

For a probability a dry July day being 16/31 = 52%, the probability of two consecutive dry days is 27% and three consecutive dry days is 14%. In terms of fun with probability, if you plan on spending three consecutive days in York during July, you have a 86% probability of rain during that three day visit. The question is will the rain be a gentle female rain or a maelstrom like storm.

If I am going on a trip or hiking where I think there will be rain and puddles, I take my muck boots.
No laces in front where the water can get in and wet my feet.
https://www.llbean.com/llb/search/?freeText=muck+boots&init=1

You think they'll take up too much room in a suitcase or carry on, but they don't.
Just roll some clothes (T-shirts, slacks/pants, underwear) in a tight roll, and insert down in the boots.
You can fill the inside of the boots so you're not losing storage space.