What to Pack & Wear for Rainy Days

No matter where and when you’re travelling, there’s a chance you’ll come up against rainy days or bad weather. Make sure you’re prepared by packing a raincoat or other water-repellent clothes to keep you dry, cool and comfortable.

But with so many different products for rain on the market, it can be a minefield knowing what to pick. Do you need something that packs down small to fit in your backpack? Something completely waterproof for monsoon weather? Or something completely different?

This post goes into the pros and cons of each of the different types of rainy day protection available, as well as a list of my favourite products to protect you from the rain while you’re travelling.

Rain Jackets

Of course, a rain jacket is essential when you’re expecting wet weather. In my opinion, you really can’t beat a raincoat that’s small enough to pack away into your backpack, but effective enough to keep you dry and protected from the rain too. Even better if you choose one with a hood to keep your head dry and to stop you from needing to carry an umbrella (though if you’re a fan of umbrellas, you’ll find a great selection of them here too!)

Now it feels strange to need to mention it, but make sure you choose one that is actually waterproof and not just showerproof. Shower-proof fabrics can still let moisture seep in between the stitching of your coat, so you’ll be dry in light showers but heavier days could be troublesome. If something states it’s waterproof, it will be completely watertight so you’ll be dry on the rainiest of days.

Here are my top picks for raincoats for women:

And for men too:

Male standing on a mountain side wearing a yellow rain jacket — Travel without fear of getting wet in a waterproof jacket

Waterproof Trousers

Long gone are the days when waterproof trousers were considered to be unfashionable and downright uncomfortable. They were always a great way to protect your clothes (and your body!) from downpours, but now they come in a huge variety of styles, so you’re bound to find a pair you like. Pull them over whatever you’re already wearing on your legs, and stay safe knowing they’ll be dry, warm and comfortable.

I had often thought that waterproof trousers were unnecessary, but that was until I was caught in unscheduled torrential rain in Cornwall. The only pair of jeans I had packed for the trip were wet through for the whole of the rest of my stay, and I found myself wishing I had listened to my dad and bought some waterproof trousers!

Here are my top picks for women:

And for men:

Waterproof Shoes

Waterproof shoes really are the unsung heroes of any travel wardrobe or rainy-day packing list. There’s nothing worse than soggy shoes and damp socks when you’re travelling, right?

Wellies are an old favourite to wear when splashing around in puddles, but they can be uncomfortable and, let’s face it, don’t go with every outfit. That’s why I now prefer to wear a pair of waterproof shoes that are designed for walking around town and on hikes while keeping your feet dry and toasty.

Here are my top picks for waterproof shoes for women:

And for men:

Couple wearing raincoats and holding an umbrella on steps — Choose a packable umbrella for rain protection on the go when travelling

Umbrellas

Umbrellas can be unwieldy and very awkward to carry when travelling, so it’s important to pick one that can pack away small but still remains sturdy enough to withstand heavy rain and wind.

Here are my top picks:

Rain Ponchos

If rainy weather is not forecast, but you still want to be prepared, pack a rain poncho instead! These waterproof capes with hoods may not be the most fashionable rainy-day accessory, but they certainly do the job. Buy one large enough that can cover your backpack as well as your whole outfit and you’ll stay dry even in the heaviest downpour.