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Clothing tip- woman's!

Just beginning to plan my trip for mid-September 2020 (15-16 nights possibly) and I'm sure this will be the first of many questions! Would like recommendations for a good raincoat (preferably thigh length) and other suggestions for best clothing-heavy leggings, fleece, etc.
Thank you!

Posted by
15560 posts

It might help to know if you want men's or women's clothing.

I like thermal undies, tops and bottoms, but only for days when I'm planning to be outside nearly all the time. They are lightweight and dry quickly if you roll them in a towel and squeeze excess water out first.

Waterproof shoes with good traction.

Posted by
1336 posts

North Face has a thigh length waterproof and I believe REI does as well. For general outdoor clothing consider those lines as well as Columbia, Prana, and ex officio. There are others. A lot depends on your activity level. Are you walking/hiking? Shopping? Museums? It generally doesn’t “rain” as in tropical storm rain in Ireland. It’s more like a light rain/drizzle with the occasional, brief sharp shower.

Posted by
26829 posts

I was pleased with how my PrAna 97% nylon pants shed rain in Scotland, though they aren't waterproof. On days that were both chilly and wet, I discovered merino-wool long johns underneath assured that I remained pretty much warm and dry.

Posted by
13800 posts

Eddie Bauer has some nice thigh length waterproof raincoats as well. Make sure you get one with a hood. Umbrella are useless in the wind.

What kind of activities will you be doing where you think you'll need heavy leggings? I might pack a fleece or puffy vest to wear under my rain jacket but for myself regular jeans would be fine. I do tolerate a bit of cold so if you don't then maybe just another layer to wear under regular pants.

Posted by
279 posts

Don’t forget to bring warm-weather clothes as well. We were there from mid-September 2014 to early October, and we had warm (mid-70s) and humid temps for the first two weeks. It wasn’t until we had a full day of rain (first of the entire trip) on October 2nd that it finally changed to fall weather, with highs in the mid-50s the rest of the trip.

Posted by
26829 posts

The nice thing about the nylon slacks I mentioned in my earlier post is that they were relatively comfortable even on hot days. I was pleasantly surprised. Taking trips that cover multiple climates has been a problem for me, because the super-lightweight woven-cotton slacks I wanted for hot days were not suitable when the weather turned chilly. I'm thrilled to have the option of taking more versatile slacks and fewer pairs in total.

Posted by
15560 posts

I prefer a rain poncho. Though it's not that great if the rain is combined with wind, it folds up to nothing to carry around and it covers and protects my backpack and camera with neck strap. When the rain stops I can refold it a put it in a plastic bag.

Once my cheap poncho failed (I have since bought very durable ones at REI and on amazon), and no shops in Berlin had them. I ended up buying an XL hooded rain jacket that I could zip up while wearing my backpack. Because it was so large (and probably for men), it came down to my hips. It's also a good windbreaker over my fleece jacket on cold days.

Posted by
337 posts

Bring layers that you can add or subtract according to the temps. We just got back from Ireland, where temps were in the 60s during the day and 50s at night. Cool, but not cold my any means.
Have fun!!

Posted by
1912 posts

I loved my Eddie Bauer rain jacket and if you are concerned about cold (not sure how cold September will be?) they also make a cozy fleece line pants that are not water proof, but rain resistant. For my Ireland trip this last summer I bought some Eddie Bauer pull on rain pants. They were perfect as it wasn't really cold, but I was able to go outdoors during heavy rain. The weather is so changeable that I could just pull them off or on over my pants as needed.

Really best to layer. I took: travel pants wore one took two, with the pull on rain pants (only used twice), short sleeve and some long sleeve shirts (used all short sleeves) a fleece sweater, puffy warm light jacket that packs easily, and a rain coat. I could put it all on or just pieces of it. I never did use my puffy jacket on my trip, but I had it just in case. This combination worked perfectly!

I took the same to Utah during a cold spell and added the fleece pants and I never did get cold. And, I'm from CA and get cold easily

Posted by
5 posts

I get cold very easily and read that temps in mid to end September average abot 50-55 degrees F. Im much more comfortable in leggings than jeans, so wanted some on the warmer side just in case. I plan on at least 1 pair of jeans, 1 nicer pair of pants and both long snd short-sleeved tops for layering, also maybe 1 or 2 sweaters just in case, and maybe a fleece. Was planning on just layering under rain jacket so I wont have to bring a heavier jacket.

Posted by
13800 posts

"Was planning on just layering under rain jacket so I wont have to bring a heavier jacket."

Yes, this is a good plan. Since you are buying a new one you can make sure it's got some room for layers. If something is waterproof (not water-resistent) it is usually also wind-proof which is a help.

You might want to take a look at Costco if you are a member. They have a puffy vest that is inexpensive (~$15, a dollar or two more online) but is very nice. I've got one from a prior year that is down filled so no comment yet on how the poly fill compares to the down. It feels the same, very lightweight and soft-finish fabric and squishes down nicely, lol. If you have an Eddie Bauer store where you can try on a jacket they also have some nice down vests. They are pricier than the Costco ones but will give you an idea of fit under a jacket.

If you live in an area where you don't get much winter weather you may also want to look online for glove liners. I travel with Smartwool glove liners but I live where it's cold and use them all winter long when I'm doing active things outside (like shoveling snow) so they are worth the expense. If you don't live where it's cold you might look for just some inexpensive glove liners.

Posted by
5 posts

I live in Maryland...unfortunately plenty of cold winter weather. my rain coat is more for spring though and need a new one anyway. Gloves and a scarf on my list to bring as well

Posted by
62 posts

I have a Columbia rain coat that I will be bringing with me next month. It's light enough (not lined) and roomy enough that I can wear a fleece underneath. It hits me mid-thigh. I bought it at a Comumbia "factory store" outlet so I got a good deal. I also like to bring CuddleDuds as a base layer. They're not bulky at all and really help keep you warm. I'm not a jeans person either (although I have a bunch) but practically live in leggings. I found some fleece lined leggings at CVS or RiteAid last year that I usually wear if it's chilly. They were pretty cheap (something like two for $10 or so) and although they don't have the stretch of regular leggings, I love them.

Posted by
279 posts

I just purchased this Exofficio jacket, and I really like it. I used it in a downpour last week and stayed completely dry. I have 3 rain jackets because I kept buying them thinking they would be long enough, but then used them and was disappointed that none of them were. This one will be the last I have to buy--I'm 5'4" and it hits me just below mid thigh. The platinum color is really nice, and it's 60% off today. They also have another style that is not quite as long.

Posted by
15560 posts

Averages don't tell you much. 2 days in the low 40s and one mid-70s give you that range easily. Try this site for daily historical data for the last 10 years by month.

Posted by
129 posts

I second the 32 degrees vest from Costco or the 32 degrees website. Lots of sales on the website. I bought a thigh length raincoat off the 32 degree website that I love as well (after I added a draw string to the hood.). Vest is easily stuffed into your day bag if you get too warm.