21 Day Rick Steve’s July/August packable rain coat and umbrella?

Do your raincoats have hoods? You might not need an umbrella, if a hood is sufficient, and if you’re actually out in the rain.

On our last couple of trips (not RS tours), many hotels have had loaner umbrellas, just in case. Of course, if you were competing with 2 dozen other people in your group for a few umbrellas, there probably wouldn’t be enough to go around for everybody, if the lodging did offfer a few.

Yes— a hooded waterproof jacket or windbreaker is more essential than an umbrella.

The most torrential downpour in the Netherlands in my experience came with turbulent winds that turned my umbrella inside out before destroying it. So a flexible umbrella you can pack may not be worth bringing.

I seem to be the outlier on this board. I bring a light weight folding umbrella when I travel in Europe and Asia. It weighs ounces. It goes into my purse or day pack when rain is forecast. This is in addition to a rain jacket with hood.

Why bother? Because I have had purses and day packs soaked through in rain storms when on my shoulder or back. I can’t carry a purse under the Patagonia rain jacket I prefer for travel. If my hotel has free loaner umbrellas, I may take one of these, but they are often very large and not as easy as my travel umbrella for toting around all day.

Why not buy as needed? Because I don’t want to spend time hunting down an umbrella. My exception is city explorations in Japan where umbrellas seem to appear prominently in every shop when there is rain.

Wind? The umbrellas I favor for traveling are small and less subject to being turned inside out. I find I can generally manage to prevent this by holding onto the umbrella shaft close to the canopy (arm raised overhead). And, wind isn’t always a factor.

Since you want to keep things light, skip the umbrella. We live near Seattle and I have not owned an umbrella since I was a little kid. A good rain jacket with a hood is much easier, plus many people with umbrellas are not very self aware and if you are anywhere with other people close by, you would need to be careful to not poke anyone.

I'd add that there are "good" lightweight packable raincoats, and there are "JUNK" lightweight packable raincoats. While we generally tuck a small umbrella into our luggage for most travel (rarely actually needing it), a "good" lightweight raincoat is a great investment. As a cyclist who rides in all weather, the one thing I've learned over the years is the right gear makes almost any weather "cycling weather" (same is true for hiking, walking, etc.), and in the early days, my "cheap" rain gear was in the JUNK category that I was essentially one-and-done with after a single rainy ride.

Not knowing what you bought on Amazon, I still suggest a visit to REI or another good outdoor store to try out their wide variety of raincoats and looking over things like breathability, packability, and features (hoods, waterproof zippers, vents, etc.). Gore-tech stuff is usually a little pricey, but in most things waterproof, it's a great option.

But, also, bring a small umbrella. They're light and they can live in your luggage unless needed.

Another point against using an umbrella is that you only have one hand free. On cobblestones and uneven pavement, add in rain and you may want to have both hands free for balance. You probably need to pack with great care for a 21 day tour, so an umbrella, even a tiny one, may not make the cut.

I would say; bring the umbrella. Not only will it keep you dry when it rains, but it can also shield you from the sun. Which could prove to be very helpful in July/August in countries like France and Italy. When I was in Dubrovnik a couple of weeks ago, lots of people were using an umbrella to create a bit of shadow. I definitely wished I brought mine!
I live in the Netherlands and the days on which I can’t use an umbrella because of the wind are rare, especially in July and August. My umbrella served me quite well against the rain of the last couple of days.

I am in agreement with those who say to bring an umbrella! I don't quite understand why so many people seem to think we don't use/need umbrellas here in Europe. I use mine all the time. A small travel-sized one can come in very handy for reasons others have mentioned. If the wind is that strong you don't have to use it (or even better, stay indoors).

Do what makes you comfortable. I do not travel with an umbrella, but at home I dislike wearing the hood up so I'll use an umbrella with the rain jacket. I agree with Tom R. Get yourself a good rain jacket, don't go cheap. And buy based on the fabric's hydrostatic head, which is a measure of the waterproofness of the fabric.

I haven't brought an umbrella in years. I know myself too well. I know I would leave it behind at the restaurant or wherever if it stopped raining while I'm inside and I didn't need it that minute.

And almost every hotel I've stayed at lately have umbrellas for guest use.

I always throw a small travel umbrella in my luggage. I like it because it keeps my camera dry when taking pictures in the rain. If it is just drizzling, I prefer to just have my hood up, but if it is raining hard, I don’t like the feel of the rain hitting my hood. I appreciate when hotels provide umbrellas, but they are always full size, and if it stops raining, you get stuck carrying it around with you all day.

I bring 3 disposable ponchos and a cap. Weather looks iffy i put one in my pocket on the way out the door. https://www.amazon.com/COOY-Drawstring-Emergency-Disposable-Disneyland/dp/B07FMF5SPC/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?crid=YE2EELN5DHFR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CiSswzimSkdkA-1Qe3KYuIFb042lcALAiBcHOXIUUEQyTphKWqsCeszsvaShmoD_nU1YwLzD87NxBkhbIMheNR9Aojj1WmNlyW1JntvBnTfibSqHho01NmT-ikrbBay8326fOf7FPO4qwjNIJ73RsJBCQyqYfvcLkRmZ6bDAlpUSKf0gdWsR5ZyFoBXkYnlYqKADvfsUyUNh2ZRBwMBDPulb7zLPHXfC8L_shg2kWta0PzK5TJDVmiJmiqYivkgfF2EkAjrtFYWTiOr_DpSE-miGRZNVYlPs_aLjoNs9l-Y.d8qf21vfNA-kk2GT4Xba9r0vgBiNeyFOmsWOtZck7LU&dib_tag=se&keywords=disposable+rain+ponchos+for+adults&qid=1751980088&sprefix=disposable+rain+%2Caps%2C206&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

Maybe something here that's useful?https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/women-s-water-resistant-packable-jacket-for-day-bag

I would not take a poncho, water just blows in on the side, I prefer water PROOF & easy to pack, but there are lots of ideas here! Personally we don't take umbrellas, but sure why not!

I don't quite understand why so many people seem to think we don't use/need umbrellas here in Europe.

Same !

I don't think anyone here thinks you don't use or need umbrellas in Europe. But when you're living out of a suitcase, there's only so much you can bring. So I choose to bring a waterproof raincoat.

I would go to Europe without an umbrella only if my trip was in mid-summer and the itinerary only included really dry areas (southern Italy, Greece etc.)--but that's not a recommendable trip plan due to the likely temperatures.

To those who say (looking at you, Rick) "Just buy an umbrella if it starts to rain--they'll be everywhere", I respond:

• That may not work well if you're walking around a non-touristy area. And if it's during the siesta period, there won't be anyone selling anything outside the tourist zone.

• The umbrellas sold by street vendors in tourist areas are usually cheap, with expected lifespans measured in hours rather than days. The one I bought had a handle that snapped of in Hour 2 and stopped opening entirely in Hour 3 or 4.

It rarely rains when I am on holiday. Maybe a few times in 50 years of travel. When it does, I run in the rain and laugh, or I stay inside. Or if I was smart enough to put the 4oz rain poncho in my pocket I can put that on but rarely do.

On occasion my then current S.O. might not be as forgiving about being wet as me ... I have had no problem with the cheap convenience store umbrellas. They have lasted more than a few days. They generally stay when we leave. 10 euro on average. Every convenience store and every tourist street corner has them. Or not, then run in the rain and laugh.

To be honest, I don’t even own an umbrella, or a rain cover of any type save the disposable ones. So, my holiday planning isn’t any different than daily life.

When I am trying to keep the luggage down to carry on, there isn’t room or weight allowance for an umbrella or full-fledged rain gear. It’s just a tradeoff that I make. Nothing right or wrong about it.

Or just sing in the rain: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1016836397175213

I’ve been on that tour and I agree with the advice for a good waterPROOF jacket with hood. IF you wear glasses I also suggest a waterproof ball cap to be worn under the hood which will help keep the rain off your glasses. I am not a ball cap person but I now travel with one!

An umbrella is a pain in the neck when you are with a group, particularly if you are doing a walking tour in a city during a rain. They are fine if you are on your own and nit with 25 of your nearest and dearest!!

I’ll add that every time I’ve been to Cinque Terre on a RS tour (including this one!!) it’s rained heavily either walking from the train station to the hotel or back to the train station. (Insert eyeroll emoji here). The rain jacket was invaluable.

Have a wonderful time! This tour gives you a taste of so many things!