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Women's packable rain COAT

Does anyone want to go into business with me creating the perfect rain COAT? Haha... I have scoured the internet looking for exactly what I want, which would CLEARLY be the perfect coat. Packable, thigh length (without the scalloped, longer in the back look), pit zips, zippered pockets, elastic or cuffed wrists (NOT velcro), a good hood, responsibly manufactured, that is actually waterproof. I find it amazing how many RAIN coats say "water resistant"! I want it to look a tad dressy, or pulled together, however not all the added weight of knee length. To pay with my watch I often had to rip open the Velcro to get at it on my current jacket. Noisy. If you've ever had pit zips you'll never want to go without them again. I swear. I'm a sailor, experienced traveler, and have lived in all climates. I've always had to settle for a JACKET.

Posted by
9119 posts

Look at the Amazon Raincoat. Goes to the knees.

Bought mine 4 -5 years ago. Bought a man’s because I hate that womens coats are designed to accentuate the waist. That and men’s coats always have more pockets.

Stood up to rain and drizzle in London.

Posted by
45 posts

Thank you, I'll take a look. I'm average height and to the knees makes me look "all coat", however I appreciate the advantages you mention of men's. Helly Hansen is currently ticking half the boxes....

Posted by
17251 posts

Have you looked at the Patagonia Torrentshell Rain Parka? It is the longer version (to mid-thigh) of their reliable Torrentshell Rain Jacket. I have one of those and can vouch for the waterproof factor—-we hiked for three successive days of rain in New Zealand and stayed nice and dry.

https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-torrentshell-3l-city-rain-parka/27120.html?dwvar_27120_color=UTB

The cuffs are “partially elastic and shaped”, so apparently no Velcro closure. They do not mention pit zips, but you could ask. My Torrentshell jacket has them but I never use them, even when hiking uphill.

The Blue color is on sale, 30% off, but only size Small.

Posted by
1622 posts

I recommend AGAINST the Eddie Bauer Cloud parka. It's lightweight but not breathable. I end up sweating so much that the sweat beads are visible on the inner side of the fabric.

Posted by
563 posts

LLBean has 3 raincoats that are mid thigh length and are waterproof not just resistant. I agree that is so annoying, who doesn’t want to stay dry when they wear rain gear!? I think one of them may have Velcro cuffs but the other 2 don’t. No pit zips but 2 have back vents.

Posted by
14603 posts

I just tried on the Patagonia Torrent last week and yikes...fabric is so crinkly! That's a nope. Even the sales staff I was chatting with mentioned it's noise factor.

So....Add that into your list of wants or nots, lol.....

I prefer the velcro cuffs so if it's really coming down you can loosen them and have the whole sleeve over your hands, lol!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fr5ByQo5TI

Posted by
594 posts

I love this question! I've purchased several rain coats only to find out (too late) that they're either not quite waterproof or too clingy when wet or don't pack down small enough or my biggest complaint, the hood doesn't stay tight yet also not slide down into my eyes (it's like you can only have one or the other). Oh, and while we're at it, I'd love it to have inside pockets as well as outside.

Sorry I have nothing helpful to add, but fingers crossed someone suggests something perfect because I will buy that coat!

Posted by
286 posts

Coldwater Creek (online only) has a nice all weather raincoat that can look dressier especially if you add a scarf and it comes in nice colors. I have one that I use and it is nicely waterproof and actually can be pretty warm if you wear a sweater underneath and zip it up.

Posted by
2619 posts

You're looking for a unicorn, pretty much impossible to find such a creature, as most coats lack at least one of your stated features. Not sure what you mean by "responsibly manufactured" though.

I have this jacket that isn't noisy, is waterproof, has pit zips, but is not long and has velcro cuffs (but they're not horrible). It's super comfortable. They have a longer version that is more stylish and has elastic cuffs, but it does not have pit zips. Marmot has several styles that tick some of your boxes some are a little longer than jacket length.

Best of luck, I hope you find one!

Posted by
14603 posts

@CL - have you had it out in the rain? I see the 1* reviews on Amazon say it is not actually waterproof? Just wondered what your experience is because it's got some great colors!

@KRS - the "hood fix" is wearing a ballcap under the hood. It will keep the hood out of your face and keep the rain off unless it's really blowing a gale. I am SO NOT a ball cap wearer but I have started taking one with me for rain.

@LIZinPA - I really like OR products. I've got a winter "Seattle Sombrero" that I've had for probably 20 years that is still my go to for snow shoveling - brim keeps the snow off my face, fold down ear flaps keep my ears warm. Only drawback is my brother says I look like Father Guido Sarducci (SNL anyone!)!!! I've just bought a waterproof ball cap (see above,hahaha) to try out on my trip in a couple of weeks. It stays waterproof in the shower, hahahaha....we'll see about real life conditions!

Posted by
2629 posts

@Pam
Gotta love a SNL reference! Warm and dry matters more than appearance in my book.

I've been a fan of OR since I found they had hats that fit my big head. Yay! Their shirts run long, too. Also a plus.

I was shocked to see a review on the Aspire trench page that said it wasn't waterproof. I wore mine during a long downpour in Switzerland in June and remained dry.

Posted by
1497 posts

I wore a double breasted London Fog trench coat with a removable warmth lining and detachable hood and removable waist belt on my UK trip. I was mostly dry, except in extreme coastal wind. I wore a 12 petite at 5'3". A new one goes or over $200 plus. So I suggest buying one which I saw on eBay or thrift shop. I was touring the UK in Sept/Oct. I wore wool sweaters, slacks and tights that color matched my plaid skirts. Also, Boys black leather Doc Martins oxfords with rubber soles were comfortable and kept my feet dry. Later in the trip when walking through Castle Grounds, etc., I wore Knee High Rubber Boots that I bought at a Garden Store. Not recommended for long haul hiking, but we were driving. I looked so local, tourists would ask me for directions. A later time I wore a puffy jacket over tech tops and wore a long scarf wrapped around my neck and head. I don't like a hood which you have to wear over a ballcap. I stayed pretty dry, but again we were driving, so we could drive on. If you want to keep really dry buy a rubber coated sailors jacket at a marine supply store. I have one that covers my rear. So, back to the future, LOL!

Posted by
5460 posts

Wow- $600!
Maybe Sierra Trading Post has some newer discontinued options. I purchased the perfect ( for me) Gore-Tex water proof longer rain jacket from them last year, with inside zipper pockets, and a hood the rain couldn't knock down. It was great in the NL rain this past spring. But, it does have that crinkly sound, but I decided to live with it. Good luck!

Posted by
2619 posts

@CL - have you had it out in the rain? I see the 1* reviews on Amazon
say it is not actually waterproof? Just wondered what your experience
is because it's got some great colors!

@Pam, I've worn it in medium wet and misty conditions, but not a classic PNW gale buster. Next time it howls here I'll put it on and give it the real test. It does have great colors, I got "blue" which is really more of a marine blue. Size up if you want to wear thicker layers. And it does go on sale frequently - mine was under $50.

Posted by
27 posts

I got a REI in-house brand rain coat. It has velcro. But it kept me dry as a bone through really rainy days in Iceland.

Posted by
4572 posts

I got an REI house brand Goretex jacket because my phone wants its own zippered front pocket and the Patagonia Torrentshell doesn't have it. I think my jacket was in the $150 range-Arcterex is a very expensive brand.