While all the glossy travel brochures will have you believe that the sun never stops shining on vacation, sadly it’s not the salespeople who decide the weather.
Whether it’s a persistent drizzle in London, a torrential downpour in Bangkok, or the always unpredictable weather of the Pacific Northwest, there’s a good chance that it will rain at some point during your trip.
Here’s what to do about it.
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Light Raincoat
A lightweight jacket is one of the most useful travel garments you can wear, and I carry one on every trip. The best ones fold into themselves via a built-in pocket, which means they take up little space and can be stowed in a free corner of your bag.
Look for a hooded jacket, ideally one that can be tucked into a bag when not needed. Try to find one that is double lined, which helps dramatically with waterproofing.
Ideally, the inner layer should be breathable, especially if you are traveling to tropical countries, just because it is raining does not mean that it is cold, and otherwise you can get very hot and sweat.
When it comes to shoeing, buy a jacket that is slightly longer and looser than you need. You won’t make a fashion statement by walking in the rain anyway, so it’s best to have something that covers your back and can have multiple layers of clothing underneath.
Dozens of companies make travel rain jackets; the best known include Colombia, Marmot and Ex Officio.
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Poncho
In general, you will get more use from a lightweight rain jacket than a poncho, but there are some situations where a poncho makes sense. They tend to fold even smaller than a jacket, and cover a lot more of you when the skies really do decide to open.
Because they are so baggy, you can generally wear them over the top of your backpack or tote bag – great when you have a bag full of electronics, especially if it’s not completely waterproof.
The best ones come with a hood and can be reused multiple times, although you don’t expect the same kind of durability as a jacket.
Disposable ponchos only cost a few dollars, or you can buy more durable ones in the $ 30- $ 60 range.
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Travel umbrella
In addition to a rain jacket, I have also often traveled with a small travel umbrella. They take up even less space than a jacket and can, if necessary, keep two people (or you and your backpack) somewhat dry. However, due to their smaller size and more flimsy nature, they do not cope well with heavy rain or strong winds.
In general, I have found that travel umbrellas break in one of two places after a while: the extendable handle and the locking mechanism, or the folding part of the spines.
It doesn’t really seem to matter how much they cost, they still wear out in a few weeks or months, so don’t get hung up on buying a particular model. The designs don’t differ much either, though it’s worth looking for one where the carry bag stays attached when the umbrella is in use – it’s one less thing to lose.
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Travel hood
If you are more concerned about your hair than anything else when it rains, the Hood To Go Travel Hood is an interesting option. Essentially a rain jacket without most of the jacket, the hood folds into almost nothing when not in use.
Worn as a vest and designed (unsurprisingly) to fit under an existing coat or jacket, it will keep your hair looking good, while the rest of you quietly soak in. Still, if the rain isn’t too strong, something like this has its place. There’s even a ‘Wind’ edition, with ties to keep everything firmly under control even in a howling storm. Practical.
Read more about the Hood To Go
