Best sports & outdoors raincoats & jackets according to redditors

Quick links:

Base layers: Uniqlo Heat Tech ($15ea) or anything else you find that's not cotton. Get short sleeve and long sleeves.

Fleece layer (combine with next layer when it gets really cold): This REI fleece jacket is on sale for $20 in charcoal right now.

Insulation (down) Layer: Uniqlo ($70) or even this super cheap Uniqlo knockoff ($23) if you can wait a month for delivery somewhere. You'll probably want to size up on this layer for when you need to fit your fleece under.

Super basic rain layer in case you need to get out while it's raining: Frogg Toggs $15 and size up.

Wool socks: Kirkland signature
$20

Blanket: Hammockgear 0º quilt ($232. You'll want Long and Wide) For emergency purposes I'm recommending a weather rated quilt. It's like a sleeping bag but it comes fully unzipped to act like a blanket as well. You don't NEED it though just something to keep in mind for when it gets a lot colder. Or just pile up on

Beanie depends on your head size. Can't go wrong with a carhartt usually. $13

For gloves what I do is get some safety rated leather gloves like these durawears($38), in case you need to get out and work on something while it's below freezing) and also get some liners ($25). You might want to add another heavy duty set of mittens for emergency reasons.

**OR https://www.ironclad.com/all-ironclad-gloves/outdoor-adventure/cold-climate/



And if you want to treat yo self I can't recommend MeUndies enough for comfortable boxers. Their boxer briefs are the most comfortable I've ever worn and they work for you bc they're not cotton. Also their lounge pants would be awesome to sleep in.

You probably have/want steel or composite toe boots if you're at all involved with loading/unloading but they're uncomfortable as shit so for day to day just get some beaters with good traction. Don't need anything fancy. You're driving not styling like some kind of goddamed cityboy. And you might make your work boots highs in case you ever gotta deal with snow.

ALSO, please get a basic emergency set up.

Emergency blanket, candles/matches, energy bars, water, etc.



/u/MoveAlongChandler

I would just grab a Frog Togg in the mean time. Cheap, light and will do the trick in the interim.

>I don't ride in the rain,

https://www.amazon.com/4ucycling-Raincoat-Outdoor-Updated-Version/dp/B06WD4J837

>and then I have to haul a bike around to use LINK?

https://www.amazon.com/Resettable-Combination-Complimentary-Mounting-1-4Lb-Blusmart/dp/B011NX8KMC

edit: to your edit

>I'd rather have stations closer together, like they are in cities with good transit.

I know you would, but the system isn't for every special snowflake. There is always a balancing act of transit time to convienence. Everett is a long ways away, if we doubled the number of stops, it would make the system inefficient. Plenty of cities with good transit have their stops ~2 miles apart once 6 miles out of the core and we will too.

If you think you can be comfortable on a CCF pad like the z-lite then go for it. It'll be lighter, cheaper, and much more durable than an inflatable. I personally don't enjoy them as much, so I opted for the neoair. It's plenty durable if you pay attention to sharp things (rocks generally won't puncture it), but it does cost more. If you can test any of them out I highly recommend that because if a CCF pad works for you then you're golden; cheap, light, durable. For me I was willing to spend more to get a good night sleep on the trail, and I'm fine with watching where I drop it to protect it more.

My go to recommendation for rain wear is a Frogg Togg jacket. Amazon UK (I'm assuming you are in UK, sorry if not) carries them for cheap, and they do a solid job of keeping you dry. Some folks complain about durability, and they aren't designed for hard abuse like bushwhacking, but my pair is 2 years old and still going strong.

Columbia I own this jacket and its great, for the price you cant beat it in my opinion. I've owned Helly Hansen, mtn hardware, this Columbia is equal in quality.

I used to pick up those 99 cent disposable ponchos from the check out lane and toss them in my glove box or back pack for emergencies. They're not worth the 99 cents.

I'd rather get a box of 32 contractor trash bags (4mil, 42 gallon).

I can make rain gear out of one, use it to collect water, use a couple around a sleeping bag to water proof it in the snow...

But to be honest, that's just for a beginner. Over time you want to replace all your cheap starter stuff with quality products. Now I've got a set of Frog Toggs that cost me $20.

Weighs 2 pounds, rolls up tightly and I can tuck it into my pack and forget about it until needed.

I'm still looking for something better, but this has gotten me through the last winter, so worth the price. I'm open to suggestions for better.

In the PNW you gotta have decent wet weather gear.

I grabbed this one and I've loved it so far. Really lightweight and always keeps me dry.

Has anybody tried out these jackets? They seem like a decent alternative to frogg toggs.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06WD4J837?psc=1

I just got a Marmot PreCip Jacket and love it so far. It is very lightweight and cuts through wind like butter

https://www.amazon.com/Marmot-Mens-Precip-Jacket/dp/B004OVE430

I live in the tropics and got an Outdoor Research Foray which is a rain shell with zip open sides for poncho mode. Still, an umbrella is better imo - barely use this.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E9IY9B0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_1Nb.BbYDWSY95

One of the cheapest (of the "waterproof breathable" "non-disposable/non"emergency") that is relatively light: Marmot Precip

The lightest: Outdoor Research Helium II

A compromise of very light, but still has pockets and pitzips (and what I just bought): Montbell Versalite...sucks that you have to order directly from Montbell....I much prefer getting free shipping and free returns to try on different sizes

Ive been using the 4ucycling jacket and it seems pretty good and covers my shorts. its only 13 dollars and weighs about 7 oz.
https://www.amazon.com/4ucycling-Raincoat-Outdoor-Updated-Version/dp/B06WD4J837/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1518318562&sr=8-10&keywords=4ucycling

Frogg Toggs - cheap, reliable, but kind of fragile. I like beauty in my fenders so I run Velo's

Are you looking for two separate jackets? All jackets that are waterproof will be windproof as well.

I'd check this one out. If you look around, finding it for <$100 shouldn't be a problem. Stuffs to the size of a sandwich, weighs less than half a pound.

Ditch the spare water bladder - you have a cooking pot for that.

Have you thought about getting lightweight pants that can roll up to essentially become shorts? - Then you wouldn't need shorts and pants. Or look into dance pants?

I would ditch the wool buff - Your fleece can make into a scarf, and/or just use the sun buff.

Actually, ditch the fleece if its only for whitney - You have a puffer.

Ditch the sandals or find something lighter.

Ditch the long johns - You have pants for whitney you could sleep in.

Ditch the baselayer top - sleep in your hiking clothes or puffer.

Look into cheap straw hats from farm supply stores.

You do not need a puffer, fleece, rain jacket, and thermal top. Definitely remove atleast one or two of these.

Replace the rain shell with frogg toggs. - you'll drop 6oz for $15 https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DQNC6TG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 .

http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Sportswear-Evapouration-Jacket-Black/dp/B00DNNM3ME/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1420141486&sr=8-7&keywords=columbia+rain+jacket
I lived in this for a month straight out in the North Cascades and the San Juan Islands, Columbia is a little pricey, but I still wear the jacket most days, as close to BIFL as it gets I'd say.

Says 100% Polyethylene.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CLVM5V8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01

Ok so I use a frog toggs ultra lite jacket (the XL is 6 oz lol) for the summer and it rocks

Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 Rain Jacket, Blue, Size Medium https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CLVM5D6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_UEX6CbX15EPCN during summer weather and I love it

I have this one

I ditched the umbrella altogether in favor of one of these breathable rain suits by Frogg Togg.

I'm happy with it. Affordable, versatile and portable enough to fit in a wheelchair bag.

They come in five colors too: bright yellow, royal blue, khaki, black & forest green.

Frogg Toggs Men's Ultra Lite Rain Suit, Green, Small https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008J4D9XO/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_lMJdub0G39S61

I'm unfamiliar with that brand, but the description says the hood is helmet compatible and I would be concerned about dealing with a lot of hood material even though it can cinched down. Here is the Frogg Toggs that I use:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Frogg-Togg-UL12104-09MD-Ultra-Medium/dp/B007X5XDOK/ref=sr_1_1?s=clothing&ie=UTF8&qid=1537840601&sr=1-1&keywords=frogg+toggs+ultralite

These are just my preferences, anything waterproof that you like that is also acceptably light will do.

FroggToggs. Pants weigh about 5oz. Still ugly, but they come in different colors and they're cheap. Just a note, the fit is one size bigger than normal. I'm 5'10" and the small fits me. Medium was too long.

https://www.amazon.com/Frogg-Toggs-Ultra-Small-UL12104-12SM/dp/B007SF1DAQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1501997584&sr=8-6&keywords=frogg%2Btoggs&th=1
This one, I bought 2 suits UL2 FToggs

Not sure how one makes it this far in life and not know the secrets of walking in the rain, but the popular method of not getting wet in a rainstorm is a combination of umbrella, rainsuit, and rainboots.

I don't think this is unique to Chicago but who knows.

Maybe ask /r/weather or /r/meteorology for advanced rain-aversion techniques.

Lots of rain jackets to choose from with GORE-TEX or some equivalent. Here's a basic one (for staying dry, not warmth): http://amzn.com/B00331GLLK

This one from the same brand is named 'light weight', and listed at 50 grams?! Interested in seeing if that's true, otherwise the reviews seem to be pretty positive.

Probably something like this Columbia jacket, has a ton of reviews if that helps.

http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Watertight-Jacket-Black-Charcoal/dp/B00331GLLK/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1396295451&sr=8-6&keywords=marmot+precip

If you're looking for just a standard jacket, the Marmot Precip is fairly standard, and comes in a nice yellow. A lot of people seem to like the L.L. Bean Trail Model but I don't like the longer cut.

*Addendum: After more searching there is apparently a shorter L.L. Bean Trail Model. My apologies.

You can never wear enough reflective / LED stuff. Can recommend this jacket from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/AKFLY-Reflective-Jacket-Waterproof-Hiking/dp/B0779BQ7M9

This is the exact one we used in the beginning of September. The sizing was pretty accurate, I'd say.

https://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Evapouration-Jacket-Black-Large/dp/B0781VY56B

I just picked up the Outdoor Research Foray jacket for $150, which is $65 less than retail from Amazon.

I got it a couple months ago, and it is very good. Breathable, water proof, but most of all, the pit zips that extend down to the bottom of the jacket allow is to be opened poncho style. When I´m highly active I open them all the way to increase airflow.

Good luck

The Marmot Precip is also another relatively inexpensive rain jacket.

You can find a Marmot Minimalist on sale for $150 USD (https://www.amazon.com/Marmot-Minimalist-Jacket-Black-Large/dp/B005BXY2PA). It's better than the Marmot Precip. Also, there's the Outdoor Research Foray II, which I purchased for $120 USD (https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Research-Mens-Foray-Jacket/dp/B009Q19UE6)

I'm pretty happy with my Outdoor Research Helium II FWIW.

frogg toggs UL12104-09SM Ultra Lite Rain Suit, Green, Small https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008J4D9XO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_COOVDbJFVSNR6

You can get a Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket in Black, a North Face Venture Jacket in Black, or a Marmot Precip Jacket in Black.

Looks like there is different kinds, any ones in particular to look for? I found these ones on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B007X5XDU4/ref=twister_dp_update?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Rain gear for you to wear? Frogg Toggs

I would go one or maybe two sizes smaller than you usually wear. If you want to find them locally then bass pro shops, cabelas, and target sometimes have them.

I have these. It doesn't rain a lot in Southern California. I've used these a few times and they work pretty well.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007SF1DAQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

cheap on Amazon

I got my set for like $16. I returned my OR Helium 2 after getting completely soaked in it on a 10 mile hike in the rain. It sucks to get soaking wet while wearing a rain jacket that costs that much. The Frogg Toggs UL jacket has kept me BONE DRY

Agreed. Certainly not BIFL, but not intended to be. They (pants + jacket) cost around $20 and pack up small so you won't get caught without. I often only bother with the jacket, but the pants are nice to have.

http://smile.amazon.com/Frogg-Toggs-Ultra-lite2-Rain-stuff/dp/B007SF1DAQ

I really like my Outdoor Research Helium 2 that won't match your affordability requirement, as these are hard to find for less than $100. But it replaced a columbia rain jacket that let moisture through and an ll bean rain jacket that had the same problem, too much heat. No point in keeping the rain out only to get soaked by sweat.

If you routinely commute in a hurricane, this probably won't be enough for you, but 20 minutes in a spring shower is no issue.

Look a poncho. It’s $15.00

https://www.amazon.com/Multifunctional-Womens-Waterproof-Outdoor-Raincoat/dp/B07Q3PB9D9/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=waterproof%2Bponcho&qid=1568516903&s=gateway&sprefix=waterproof%2Bpon&sr=8-4&th=1&psc=1