Rain/wind jacket help please.

I like, Columbia Sportswear, and there are a few rain/wind jackets that are packable and on sale for reasonable prices on their website right now. If you sign up to be a member, the Arcadia for women and Watertight II for men are only a little over $30.

Hi! Both REI and Patagonia have online sales right now -50% off. I love my Marmot Precip rain jacket and I think it's on the sale.

Hi g.hbliss,

Before I give you my recommendation, a few qualifiers ;p
We are outdoorsy types. We have been backpacking for years, and as a pathological gear-optimizer, my husband likes to find the most efficient and best performing gear. This means we spend more than average on our gear. It also means we have great gear.
Part of what makes our rain jackets great is that they weigh very little (10oz), can pack down to the size of a large fist, and keep you warm and dry. I have brought mine backpacking many times (where weight to performance is obviously important), and now that we have been traveling internationally, have used these on two european trips, with the same merits (our luggage is Osprey backpacks, so low weight is still a bonus). Both my husband and I have them, and I wore mine in Amsterdam and Paris two years ago when the Louvre flooded bc there was so much rain that summer. Then, when the rain clears and I am getting too warm, I could fold it into a ball and put into my small cross-body bag. This might be more than you want to spend...

https://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?p_id=2328276&fo_flg=1

best,
Jessica

Name brand outdoor wear would more than suffice for casual touring. My quality, high function go to brand is Patagonia but their price matches their quality.

My economy go to brand is Columbia, and Oregon company and it rains in Oregon. If you are in the Phoenix AZ area, Columbia's outlet stores are a good place to check:
Columbia Sportswear Outlet Store - Premium Outlets: 4976 Premium Outlets Way, Chandler, AZ 85226
Columbia Sportswear Outlet Store at Outlets at Anthem: 4250 W Anthem Way, Phoenix, AZ 85086

Marmot, North Face are other quality brands. (The Marmot PreCip clothing that I experienced tend to be stiff crinkly but work).

Make absolutely certain whatever you buy is WATERPROOF and not water resistant or weather resistant. That is a cop out classification that means it will shed water for about two minutes before becoming soaked. The ultra cheap solution is just to get a plastic rain poncho. They are general adequate for rain. The probability of needing rain gear for that time period is low but still a possibility. Also a good rain hat is very useful.

If you are using a day bag, REI and similar stores sell backpacking ponchos, bit more expensive, that have extra fullness in the back to go over a backpack. But if a book bag size or smaller the regular poncho will work.

When traveling to Alaska or to China in March, I took my Columbia true waterproof shell and under layers to wear with it . However for Europe touring in May/June I don't think you need to purchase anything pricey. My go to for spring/summer travel is an Eddie Bauer wind-breaker ($19) and a rain poncho ($9.99 at Target). The jacket can scrunch up to fit in daypack or purse and the poncho folds up to a pouch about 4"x 4".

I too live in AZ so did not want to spend much for a rain coat/jacket that I would almost never wear. The jacket I was taking is water resistant so I went to the 99¢ Store and bought 2 throw away plastic hooded rain coats for $1.99 each. I bought Large for my 5' 5" frame so I'd have lots of coverage. I figured I'd have rain coats if I needed them and could throw them away after use. Trip fell through but I have the rain coats for boating during the monsoon or cleaning horse's stall yesterday. Big 5 has throwaway ponchos that are a little heavier plastic for (I think) $5.99.

Go to REI or a local hiking store and buy a Marmot PreCip jacket. We are on on second PreCips. Excellent rain protection.We take them everywhere we travel and use them in AZ too.

I like my Marmot PreCip too. After waterproofness, the second-most critical part for me is how much of my body is covered. The PreCip covers me to mid-thigh. I would prefer even longer, but the weight and size of longer jackets have dissuaded me. This one is just long enough that I can sit on a bench without getting a very wet seat. The third thing I like about the PreCip is that it is has pit zips. Rain in Italy can be heavy, but it's also warm. I start to steam inside a closed jacket pretty quickly. The rain where I live is anything but warm, so warm rain is a weird feeling for me, and I need to ventilate from a location that still keeps out most of the water.

So that's my two cents on what to look for besides just a waterproof jacket. A waist-length jacket is useless, but a waterproof jacket can be too hot without a way to ventilate it.

if you live near a Costco the may have the Exofficio Emei Trench for sale in the store. It's not available online, but they are selling it at my local Costco.

I also bought the Columbia Arcadia several years ago and have brought on several trips. I bought it in black and occasionally just use it as an extra layer in the evening. I also wear it on the plane to keep warm. It worked well in some rainy situations, and I like that the hood covers the head completely, so the rain isn't falling onto your face.

My sister also has the same coat and likes it (we didn't know until we both bought them!). She used it for recess duty as a teacher in the Midwest. So, the coat design has been thoroughly tested.

I use a rain jacket similar to the marmot precip. It also serves as a light jacket. I use it instead of a long sleeve shirt as a layer over a SS shirt. It’s nice to have when mornings or evenings are cool but warm during the day.

I live in AZ, too, but I have 6 (!) rain jackets. I rarely wear them here. They are for trips and summers in the PNW.

My favorite is an old Eddie Bauer that I take to WA. But it weighs way too much (22 oz) and is too bulky to pack for travel.

I also have a much lighter Marmot (14 oz), but even using its pocket, I can't pack it down to a very small size.

This year I'm trying a very light (4 oz) and packable Land's End jacket like this one. There are also ones for men. My trip will be in June to Scandinavia with stops in Amsterdam going and coming. I hate layering, but according to the weather averages, I'll have to do it for all the places I'll be.

I have a running dialog with online vendors who say things are lightweight, but don't publish the actual garment weight or can't provide it over the phone. It's not such a big deal if you wear the item a lot, but if it stays in the bag (like that Marmot did in Italy last summer) most of the time it's a pain.

If you haven't done so yet, check the places you are going and the times you will be there for the averages. Weather2Travel is a good place to start. You can scroll down the page to get more detail, but as we all know the weather can be very different from the averages.

Not knowing how you will pack, I'm linking my other jackets that still are seeable online. I paid much less than the listed prices.

TravelSmith reversible. Mine is navy and aqua and is very old. It's a lovely packable jacket, but a little dressy for the way I pack. It weighs about 21 oz.

Eddie Bauer Mackenzie. Excellent rain and wind protection. Mine is lined, similar to this in dark smoke and weighs about 21 oz. Not easily packable, but I wore this almost every day on a May-June trip to the UK.

Campmoor Cagoule. This is packable, but makes a rather large package and is awkward to wear. I carried it on 2 trips, but didn't wear it enough to justify packing it. It weighs about 14 oz.

Check your local thrift stores; then if you find a jacket you like, you can spend a few more dollars for a waterproofing spray to coat it with.
I have been to Europe more times than I can count, and have taken jackets and coats from thrift stores with great success.
Never been totally soaked.
You will be in major cities it sounds like: so there is always a café, museum , shop or church to get into and out of the rain!
I wouldn't spend a fortune on something you might never wear again!
The reason I take thrift store things is to avoid them being ruined by European washing machines, and/or getting damaged while away.
I save all my expensive stuff for wearing at home.
Whatever you buy, make sure it has a hood and lots of pockets.

Add my vote for the Marmot Precip jacket too. Love the underarm zippers when its just wet and not cold outside. While I do live in the rainy Northwest, its the jacket I've loved for our 4 RS tours, from Germany to Greece to Italy to Portugal.

And if you're a Costco member, they have 32° brand rain jackets in stock now.

they make them for men too. Onsale right now, they have a pocket inside the jacket for a phone/passport.

http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/womens-rainfoil-packable-jacket/20612328?showProducts=&sizetype=&size=

I moved on from the Marmot Precip to a Cabela's Waterproof jacket. I do wear it a lot as it's my winter shell as well and I can layer a polarfleece jacket underneath. The things that bugged me about the Marmot Precip is the crinkliness factor and that it is a slimmer cut. I decided after a rainy few days in London I needed something that was roomy enough to accommodate a small cross body wallet with the rain jacket zipped up. Be sure to get one with a hood.

You might also look online for Sierra Trading Post which is now owned by TJMaxx/Marshalls. Doesn't look like there are any stoes in AZ (closest is probably UT) but they have good prices on name brand gear.

I have the raincoat from Costco mentioned by Laura. Wore it last year on a spring trip in a downpour and stayed dry. It looks dressier than some raincoats and the fabric doesn't make a lot of crinkly noise (as does my previous jacket). Women's size large is 11 ounces in the zippered storage pack. $20. It will be going with me to Europe this spring. At the moment it is available on website with free shipping.

WOW and WOW....thank you all so very much for the incredible information. I will start my search this weekend and I'm quite sure I will find something.

I'm shocked by the responses and that you all took time out to help me.

Now you know this means I will have to ask a lot more questions regarding our upcoming trip so be ready!!

J/K, I do try to do my own homework before posting.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

If you have a Sams Club membership, I was just there yesterday and bought a very nice rain jacket for $20. Packable with its own little bag. Men and women’s.

I was going to add my North Face jacket as an option as well, only because it's lightweight and can be folded into a fairly compact space.

Having said that, if you anticipate future travel you may want to invest in a lightweight, waterproof jacket with a hood for future adventures!

Take seriously the warnings about how sticky you'll probably get inside a waterproof jacket that has no vents or some other feature to assure breathability.

Have something light which you can put in your daypack. Weather is unpredictable, but chances are you don't need those jackets at all or just for an occasional shower, even in Amsterdam.

Sam's Club has a packable rain jacket, just saw them in store yesterday. I am thinking the price point is around $20. I have a Columbia jacket that has made numerous trips and is still in good shape.

There is a difference between water resistant and waterproof that you might the hard way and after-the-fact not saying that someone like me did but ok, yes I did, so I would make sure about waterproof
Signed,
Soggy

^ ^ ^ Hahaha!! So funny! Yes, water resistant just slows down the wet.

To OP, yes, people here are passionate about lots of things...including Jackets, shoes, crossbody bags, luggage/backpacks...

If there is an REI where you live, at least go by and feel the fabrics even if you decide you will purchase online. There is a lot of difference in feel, sound, clamminess, etc.

In addition to all the great recommendations we recently purchased the REI Co-op Rhyolite Waterproof Rain Jacket. Very similar to the recommended Marmot. After comparing both we felt the REI was better quality. In order to maintain the integrity of the fabric we recommend to wash with "Power Wash" Biodegradible liquid soap. The REI Jacket is currently on clearance.

There are so many good brand choices. I suggest looking for "breathability" for comfort. Complete waterproofness will result in a lot of sweating when you are active. An un-coated water resistent nylon or polyester will shed light drizzle, be breathable and will dry fast. If there is torrential rain, i just find shelter. I also have goretex or similar coated jackets which are waterproof. They are breathable as long as you are not too active. In order to be comfortable and avoid sweating, you need really good venting. I like to look for under arm zips in coated jackets.

My spouse has a high quality waterproof hooded jacket and it becomes very "clammy" quickly. I follow my own advice... buy a quality water resistant garment, and spray it with Nikwax or similar product if you wish. A light merino wool sweater beneath helps if there's leakage.

An ultralight jacket like the PreCip (mentioned above) has been my go-to for years.

They are breathable, so do not get clammy, and waterproof. Lightweight, so they pack small. Does double duty as a wind shell too.

My pick has actually been a similar jacket from REI, which has pit zips for ventilation. But I have been eyeing the PreCip.

The one downside is that after about 5 years the waterproof layer starts to deteriorate. A heftier, more-expensive gore-tex jacket would not have that problem, but would also be heftier and more expensive.

I have waaaay too many rain jackets but that being said I picked up one from Sam's Club last week for $20. The tag says "waterproof, seam sealed, stretch fabric, breathable, light weight, upf 30+, reflective logo, packable and comes with an 11 x 7 inch zippered bag. I loved how soft the fabric was and it did not make any krinkly noise. It does not have vents though. I also have several Columbia's, a Marmot Precip and an Eddie Bauer. The Columbia's and E.B. I picked up at their outlet stores. They are all nice hooded waterproof jackets. Last Fall I picked up a bit longer waterproof jacket at TJMaxx by Mondetta. Found it in the sportswear section for $30 or $40. Took it on a 3 week trip to Puglia last Oct and was so glad I had it. The day we were in Polignano al Mare we had abit of rain and super strong winds and sea spray. . We were in Poland, in July, several years ago and stopped at some castle ruins in the rain. One of our sons packed his waterproof jkt and the other only pked water resistant. Big difference!! No matter the month we never travel to Europe without our waterproof jkts. Have a great trip!

Very interesting thread. I've done some research on this a bit. I'm torn between a poncho or jacket. I agree with the "pit zips", a hood that cinches, lightweight for packing. I also like the recommendation of Nikwax. My trouble is I have a box shape therefore I typically buy men's jackets so they fit my upper arms, chest and hips. I found a jacket years ago that zipped from the bottom or from the top, which I found to be a very handy feature. When I was in Europe, I had an inexpensive poncho which worked perfectly for the few occasions. Good rain protection is like what shoes to wear. It's personal and must be tried out before the trip.

Last September, I took an Eddie Bauer knee length, waterproof jacket (with hood) to Europe. It kept me completely dry in rain and snow. The jacket was lightweight and easy to fold, and fit well in my backpack. I also wore Ecco tennis shoes with Gortex that were great for all types of activities and climates.