rain gear

clark219 · Veteran Member

rain gear

Maggie117 · Guru

I have an L.L. Bean Jacket. Trail Model Rain Jacket, Women's. It fits over my larger sweaters or sweatshirts. It folds up fairly small so I can pack it away. I can also take it off and tie it around my waist and I can store tons of stuff in the pockets. LL Bean has tons of jackets and reviews from customers and you can check them out as a possible option.

I wore it my first time to Ireland and my mother ended up getting one for our second trip (for October 2010!!!). They offer 100% satisfaction so if something happens or you just don't like it you can return it.

Maggie

-- Edited by Maggie117 on Tuesday 31st of August 2010 01:40:14 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Stephanie,

I bought a little cheapo nylon rain jacket that folds into a pouch. For me it is perfect. It is similar to a Totes rain jacket. Things you want:

zipper front
hood with toggles so it can be tightened around your face and won't blow off your head
elastic or a type of wrist closure that can be tightened for the wind
Roomy enough to layer over sweaters, etc.

Mine is not lined. If it gets cold I layer it over other clothes. It is similar to this one: http://www.blair.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=7908

Michele

-- Edited by Michele Erdvig on Tuesday 31st of August 2010 01:57:40 PM

Maggie117 · Guru

Yeah, the one I got has all those features but it's not a cheapo... AND If I had to buy one today I would get the cheapo and not the one over $50... :) See, now you can choose, break the bank or save your money for Ireland!!! :)

DeborahAnn · Veteran Member

Maggie, LL Bean seems to be my go to place for rain wear also. I have a red LL Bean raincoat that I just love for travel, very water repellent plus if needed it has a zip in liner.It's a cheerful color on very rainy days smile

It's also nice enough to wear with dress clothes but it is a bit bulky to pack so I usually just carry it on the plane and put it in the overhead. I'm taking it to Ireland to ward off any really heavy rains and for our time in Dublin.

For this, our first trip to Ireland, and also why I have such a hard time packing lite

I found a sale online at LL Bean of their Casco Bay Windbreaker and water repellent jacket that packs easily into one of it's own pockets. It has all the features Michele noted in the one she takes--I just would have liked to pay even less for it!! It's normally 39.95 for women and men or 44.95 for Tall men sizes but I paid 31.50 on sale and I liked it so much we found one still with the sale price on the ticket for my husband at our local LL Bean. I would have liked to find one a little cheaper but I should get many years of use out of my new jacket.

Stephanie, it's good to be looking ahead to what you will need and you might then find something at a really good price. Deborah

clark219 · Veteran Member

Thanks for the options biggrin

Last time I went I borrowed a rain jacket from a friend (which worked great but they don't know where they got it)and my traveling companion bought a cheapo from Walmart that not only leaked but bled brown dye on her clothes underneath

. So I would like to find a happy medium between cheapo and break the bank.

@Deborah- I will have to keep an eye open for sales at LL Bean! Thanks for the tip. I like their clothes but have never tried the jackets and I think I have an outlet store close to my house.

Maggie117 · Guru

LL Bean is offering free shipping plus a daily mark down on an item (it use to be on Thursday's only).

Even though your friend had a cheapo that leaked I would truly trust Michele's opinion. She wouldn't recommend something if it wasn't worth it (cheapo or not!) :) Just sayin'...

Cheers!!!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Stephaine,

My cheapo jacket is going strong after about 8 years. It is black and has never run. I even wear it at home. Wouldn't be without it in the rain. I also have a Totes rain hat that I love. It fits perfectly, does not flatten my hair down and has a wide enough brim to keep the rain off my glasses.

Michele

clark219 · Veteran Member

@Maggie- all of Michele's advice is awesome smile and thanks for the info on LL Bean

@Michele- thanks for the Totes info I think my umbrella is from them