Rain gear question

I’d go with “door number 2 Monte.”

My dear friend has been hiking across England since the 29th. He hasn’t experienced any torrential downpours. Some light drizzle on a few days.

I would bring the waterproof one and just wear layers underneath. There can be downpours and getting soaked is decidedly unpleasant.

Vote #3 for the waterPROOF jacket with layers underneath if you can work them out. IF you can't wear layers under this one, I'd go for the London Fog IF it's waterproof as well. I would forget about the water resistant one. IF that is not going to work....sigh....a Columbia waterproof jacket is probably as far away as your nearest outdoor store. Even Kroger usually has them. Size up for layers.

I'm pretty sure Pam meant #2. I agree. Waterproof is the only way. I have a friend who is in southern England right now, and she got drenched the other day. You absolutely never know what the weather will decide to do in England. Layers are never the wrong answer, especially in September. Have a great trip!

I hope all of your options are full length? If not, I'd throw in a pair of rain pants. Have a wonderful-and dry- adventure. Safe travels!

Well, what I meant was I was the 3rd vote for Door #2, lol. Sorry I didn't express it well!

Water resistant is a big no no for me. So is a heavy coat. I would take jacket #2. Bring a fleece which you can wear on cool days when it’s not raining. I’d also take a lighter jacket. Ideally you’ll have a hood. I can’t stand umbrellas.

The consensus is very clear, although the comments are mostly from the US, so if any Brits who know September weather best have any other thoughts, let me know. I forgot to mention that #2 is only hip length, whereas #1 is a thigh length raincoat that was great for months of Seattle fall weather, which is why I like it.

“#1 is a thigh length raincoat”

I have traveled to England in September a number of times as I suspect a number of respondents have.

To me the thigh length does not really matter if it only keeps you dry for 5 minutes, then you are soaked.

I am in South West England. It has rained a lot here over the past week but it’s not really cold. I am wearing a waterproof unlined jacket every day.

Looking at the weather forecast it looks like you’ll have good weather - mild and mostly dry so definitely just bring the light weight jacket.

The forecast is generally improving. In the Lake District last night I was woken up by the rain hammering down on the house roof, then it was beautiful when I was changing trains at Carlisle at 7.30am. Just passing Lancaster now and it is a torrential shower.
Frisky weather.
It's that time of year.
I'm hoping the fair forecast is right for tomorrow at Plymouth and Dorchester, but I have come prepared for the worst.
It's not going to be cold, although one day recently, can't remember which, we had a biting wind chill.
Very much layers weather.

The short term forecast for Portsmouth is dry and temperatures in the late teens and early twenties, in the sun it will feel warmer. For me that means shorts and t-shirt. If I'm out hiking or walking the dog and rain is likely then I'll wear a waterproof jacket. I have several, my aim is to wear the lightest but completely waterproof jacket that I can as I heat up quite quickly so don't need anything to keep me warm, my latest North Face jacket with their new Futurelight fabric is the most breathable I've found so it's my go to jacket for keeping dry.

The majority of my walking trousers are water resistant and I only wear the heavier waterproof ones when it's raining heavily.

I would opt for coat number two.

I just wear a waterproof rather than water resistant coat. I wear a Blocktech Parka from Uniqlo most of the time. It's just come back out after a summer break in the last week or so.

I'm always trying to reconcile what I do around London with what visitors I read about on here do. Sometimes I think visitors overestimate how rainy and cold it is in south east England. I don't seriously dress for the weather in London. That jacket from Uniqlo is enough 99% of the time. I've only worn waterproof trousers a handful of times out in the country. I'm not sure I'll still fit into my old pair. I get by with Carhartt Simple Pants, Nike ACG walking pants or Levis / Naked and Famous denim for trousers. A shirt with maybe a t-shirt undershirt, sweater, or sweatshirt and my Uniqlo jacket are all the layers I need for the 3 or 4 coldest / wettest months. I never choose sneakers for waterproofness.

Compared to where I grew up in the west of Scotland, it still surprises me how mild and dry London is on average. It never rains solidly for days on end here like it does in Scotland. Most of the time rain is showery. London is full of buildings with roofs if it does rain. I guess if you're a tourist walking from museum to museum all day you need to dress for the weather more than I would.

Rainy weather might make me take public transport for shorter journeys rather than walking. It's really not that wild in London where you need to prepare for weather like you might in the country where you're out on a hillside all day.

"Sometimes I think visitors overestimate how rainy and cold it is in south east England."

Completely agree - we're in London now and it's actually quite warm - a couple of days I was wearing a short sleeved shirt - I didn't even bring a raincoat, and certainly haven't needed one. I do have a popup umbrella that I haven't used at all. We've had two slightly drizzly days, but that's been it. You're very unlikely to get torrential rain, although as always, weather is unpredictable.

I'll be back in Oct/Nov and will have a light padded water resistant coat and a smart warm coat. That's about it for me even in the depths of winter. One thing I do always ensure I have in winter is boots - ankle high elastic sided for wet pavements.

I also find the weather generally very mild in Southern England as I too grew up further North. However, a lot of visitors seem to find it very cold because they’re used to warmer weather. I barely ever wear a ‘big coat’ in Bristol unless I’m standing around outside for a long time and wouldn’t wear gloves or a hat unless it was really wintery. And I’m considered quite a cold person by British standards!

I have a prized oversize orange beanie hat from Cos which was gift from a friend years ago. I don't think I've worn that since March or April. I didn't take it to Scotland in June and regretted it. I haven't had to wear it yet, but it's on standby for the coming weeks.

Rick Steve's Forum contributors are the best! Thank you all.

I live in Seattle and traveled to the UK last fall. We were there the last week of Sept-first week of October. We were fine with our REI rainjackets, the kind that roll up into their own pocket. We had maybe 3 days that we needed them, only one of which was consistently rainy. This was in north Wales. The other times it rained it was just a brief cloudburst and we ducked into a bookshop for 15 minutes to wait it out, once in the Cotswolds, once in London. I'd go with your option #2.

The best raincoat for traveling is always an undecided issue for me. After reading this I'm once again questioning myself. I'll be in London in early December. My plan had been to wear my puffer jacket and carry a small umbrella. I doubt I could fit a rain jacket over my coat if I tried. Should I consider making a change to my plan?

Right now I'm leaning more towards GerryM's post, thinking the rain will most likely be intermittent and I could duck into a building or at least under an awning for a few minutes if necessary, but I do like to be prepared.

I prefer a jacket with a hood to an umbrella. I've gone through phases of using an umbrella, but I haven't bothered to buy a replacement when I lost one a few years ago. You're always at the mercy of a bit of wind blowing up and it can be a pain in busy parts of town bashing people with it.

December in London can be a bit of mixed bag. December, January and February are the only months where it can really be a bit miserable.

How early it gets dark is a bit of a pain. If you get a grey drizzly day it's pretty much getting dark by 2pm or so. Sometimes it's pretty gloomy all day. It's fairly rare that it will get cold enough for a frost, least one that isn't totally gone by 9 or 10am.

You might of course get some nice bright days too. I never consider it that bad. It's a long time since any of my plans have been foiled by weather, or even since I've been out and got soaked to the skin.

I prefer a jacket with a hood to an umbrella

I agree. My poor little travel umbrella was a pathetic failure against the winds in Porto earlier this year. I just haven't found a better solution yet. Winter temps and rain at the same time make finding the right jacket even more of a challenge.

OP, your trip sounds amazing! Hopefully someone will come along with the perfect recommendation.

I manage in London with a fairly light jacket. Some days in the depths of winter are "two sweatshirt" days. Maybe a crew neck and a hoody under that light waterproof jacket. I like that my jacket is XL so I can fit two sweaters no problem. I have been known to wear sweatpants under those big Carhartt work pants on the coldest days. I used to wear a military fur hood parka or a snowboard jacket for winter in Scotland. I've never needed anything as heavy in London.

I'm not sure why this thread has veered into the realm of winter clothing as the OP is visiting in September and winter clothing won't be required.

Because the OP was pretty happy with the answers they got and someone else joined the discussion to talk about their visit in December.

I don’t know if Didrikson is available in the US. They’re a Swedish brand and make fantastic coats. They sell the holy grail of warm and properly waterproof parkas with good hoods that stay up and keep the rain off your face.

I just finished packing and leave for the airport in a couple of hours. I was surprised to see so many follow up posts. I'm taking option 2 (the lightweight waterproof with a hood), a fleece, a sweater, a enough shirts of variable weight to have options for layers. I'm also packing a puffy insulated vest that may be too warm for anything, but it also packs down small and provides backup if it gets cold by the end of the month. Also an umbrella, although I agree that a hood is better, but it fits in the suitcase and isn't very heavy, so why not? And whatever the weather, I plan to have a great time! Signing off of this thread.

Have a great trip! Hope the weather treats you well! Forecast is looking pretty good.

Have a great trip, ogilviej

BTW if you need any more rainwear - or anything similar - there are probably more outdoor clothing shops in the UK than anywhere else I’ve ever been. Mountain Warehouse is a great cheap option and you’ll find a branch almost everywhere.

JC, I believe it veered briefly into December because of my post.

The best raincoat for traveling is always an undecided issue for me. After reading this I'm once again questioning myself. I'll be in London in early December. My plan had been to wear my puffer jacket and carry a small umbrella. I doubt I could fit a rain jacket over my coat if I tried. Should I consider making a change to my plan?
Right now I'm leaning more towards GerryM's post, thinking the rain will most likely be intermittent and I could duck into a building or at least under an awning for a few minutes if necessary, but I do like to be prepared.

It sounds like OP now has a plan, but I'd love to hear any helpful input you might have for my trip. If not, no worries. Thanks!

My apologies KRS, I hadn't read your post properly. I think GerryM has covered London in December sufficiently. Besides, I don't really feel the cold so what would be sufficient for me would likely be inadequate for others.

How do you know if the raincoat is water resistant vs waterproof?

Is there some label or something on the clothing to indicate this?

"How do you know if the raincoat is water resistant vs waterproof?"

@Josh - In my experience if something is Waterproof it is labeled thusly...usually in an eyecatching font on the tag. If something is NOT labeled then it is likely not waterproof. Many garments sold as "raincoats" are not actually waterproof.

Josh, Goretex is one type of waterproof, breathable, fabric and there are newer ones that are similar-look at sites like REI to see what Patagonia uses. I know those fabrics are expensive, but in my opinion, they are so worth it!

https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/best-rain-jackets

And from just this morning.

If we're talking London still, Arc'teryx and Patagonia are what you're going to get cred (from me) for around town.

I have a secondhand Arc'teryx Atom LT shell in my eBay watch list as an upgrade, but I can't justify 225 quid for a secondhand jacket, much less 400+ for a new one. [edit:not so expensive new. Have been replaced by newer models. 225 isn't a bargain]

Of course, you never know what the weather will be like. We’ve been in the UK twice for the whole month of September and only had a very light rain for 30 minutes one day.

It's going to be nice, ideal touristing weather right into the middle of next week by the looks of things. Very settled after some short, sharp showers the last couple of days.

Rain doesn't stop at your knees, whatever clothing you are wearing. Wet shoes mean cold feet. My solid runners can resist most of the splash, as long at the puddles are navigable.

interesting the discussions about umbrellas and hoods. I dislike and don't use an umbrella - I usually wear a fleece and a wax hat which keeps me plenty dry. If the wind is really up and the water really coming down like in our named storms earlier this year, I will dig out a waterproof left over from my days on the railway but that is very rare.

My wife on the other hand wears a thin waterproof jacket (with appropriate layers) and always uses an umbrella. We don't look like a couple in bad weather because her umbrella drips on me if I am too close.

I still have a couple of railway issue waterproof trousers - worn once while at work and never since.

How do you know if the raincoat is water resistant vs waterproof

The waterproofness of fabric is measured as hydrostatic-head

Here's a decent explanation
https://outdoorgear.co.uk/hydrostatic-head/

There's more to a rain jacket than just the hydrostatic-head of the fabric. There's the intended use, use with gear, breathability, but any discussion of waterproofness should start at hydrostatic-head.

Nigel, funny.

My recommendation is to take only your fall coat, and then buy a new lightweight, actually waterproof rain jacket after you land. The many excellent outdoor gear stores (Mountain Warehouse, Trespass, Cotswold Outdoors, Barbour) offer great selection at a wide range of price points.

Of course, you're already in England by now so this advice is moot for you. Maybe it's a thinking point for the next person.