Umbrellas vs Rain Jackets for Netherlands & Belgium

We were just in the Netherlands and Belgium at the end of April. The wind would kick up and my small travel umbrella would go inside out. I wished I hadn't brought it, and was perfectly content with my rain jacket. Of course, I'm from Southern California; I truly know nothing about appropriately packing for rain; so you'll probably make better decisions. I stressed endlessly over how to pack for that particular trip. It turned out fine! Varied between lots of rain, and warm, sunny days.

Are you planning to come over in July? Which part of July? I rather be concerned about heat and sun than rain as July and August have proven to be really sunny and dry the last couple of years (to Dutch standards).

If it rains, it may be a lot of rain in a short period of time and your rain jacket will be soaked (and getting sticky because of the tem. A foldable umbrella may be a better option. You can always buy an umbrella in a shop if needed or lend one from your hotel or B&B if the need arises.

Will it rain, no idea. The weather has become pretty unpredictable in the summer with mostly rain shortages and long spells of hot days mixed with an occasional gusty rainstorm.

I am not a fan of planning to buy an umbrella if you need one. Who knows where you'll be when you decide you need one. And even if you are in Tourist Central, you may not quickly find a good umbrella. On my 2015 trip I left my nice, collapsible umbrella in a restaurant during a day trip; it wasn't practical to go back to retrieve it. When it rained the next day, the predicted street vendors did show up, offering umbrellas, but they were junk. The one I bought lasted less than a day (first the knob on the handle broke off, then the thing refused to open).

I always pack both an umbrella and a hooded, waterproof jacket, but the way I travel is a factor--my trips are long, so I'm guaranteed to encounter rain on multiple days, and I spend a lot of time wandering outdoors.

A lot of better hotels have loaner umbrellas that look reliable--full-size, not collapsible. But do you want to carry one of those things around with you every day it might rain, perhaps needing to check it in museums? It probably won't fit in a museum locker. I don't find weather forecasts terribly reliable about precipitation.

Take BOTH

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts and experience. I'll be in Belgium mid July, and the Netherlands from there onward...so probably best to bring both. Hopefully they sit at the bottom of the bag! :)

The weather has been really bad here with a lot of rain and the short term forecast doesn’t look too good either. Best to bring both I am afraid.

I'm against umbrellas for several reasons, mainly because holding an umbrella blocks one hand, but also, if it is a bit windy, it can be a real nuisance. It can also reduce your vision, depending on how you have to hold it. For me, a rain/windblocking jacket is the answer.

I like this umbrella because it is super small and light weight. It’s expensive, but fits easily in my day bag or the pocket of my raincoat. And it has held up well in the wind so far.

https://davekny.com/products/the-davek-mini

A raincoat is great for a light rain, but I prefer using both in a heavier rain to keep my pants and day bag dry.

Easy for me. We always take our rain jackets and an umbrella. Not much space or weight and my bag usually weighs in at about 17# total, including perhaps a second pair of size 14 shoes. So take both.

We live in the Seattle area and do not own an umbrella. The last one I had was when I was a kid and I remember it turning inside out, just as my mother told me it would, lol.

A good rain jacket is plenty. We were in The Netherlands in February and our rain jackets were just fine, FWIW.

Rainjacket made of Goretex or other breathable fabric. It will also be useful if you travel in the summer in many parts of the US.

Thanks all! Have brought and used both already! It rained a bit in Paris, and after moving north to Belgium, there’s been a bit of rain and a few chilly nights! Locals are saying it’s been raining more than usual, and is getting chillier than it used to this time of year. Already validated my light sweater too!

Let’s put it this way. One of the first clothing items I learned the Dutch name for when I was an exchange student to Belgium was “regenjas” (rain jacket).

I have an excellent collapsing umbrella. Packing it in one of the drink bottle holders on my backpack has worked perfectly. But I also have a rain jacket. Don't see this as an either-or situation.

Have brought and used both already!

Sounds like you were well prepared. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

You were very wise to bring both an umbrella and a rain jacket. On Friday and Saturday the rain was so severe and so continuous that rain jackets were absolutely useless. And yes, I’m talking about Friday July 12 and Saturday July 13! Anyone without an umbrella was soaked in minutes. The weather for the upcoming week is somewhat better, but so far this summer has been very autumn like!