Suiting up for rain...

Nakatomi2010

So, it's rainy season here in Florida with mid-day showers at roughly 4pm till 6pm almost everyday until winter time arrives...

I currently walk 10 minutes to work everyday, I'll be moving soon to a location that'll be either a 30 minute walk or a 15 minute bike ride...

I obviously go to work in my work clothes, and it's not entirely uncommon for these Florida rain storms to be horrible down pours that rival a flash flood...

Essentially I need clothing that I can take on and off within a couple of minutes... I do not want a poncho with a hoodie.... I wouldn't mind something with a little style, perhaps even class... Something that does not require an umbrella to go with it, a nice jacket, or overcoat, or something, with a hat that keeps rain out of my face as I wear glasses....

Something which could be a great alternative should I decide to bike to work instead... Something which can be carried with me easily without having to be worn...


Perhaps maybe two things, "What I'm going to wear" and a "backup plan"....



Anyone have any non-poncho ideas?

Staxeon

Unfortunately I've found the most effect raingear is a large goretex jacket with a hood. It has arms so its not a poncho but its not exactly "stylish". If you get them large enough they're nice and baggy and you can wear just about anything underneath them. Plus the goretex is breathable and you tend to not get as sweaty in it as, say, anything PVC lined.

You can get military surplus goretex hooded jackets on ebay for relatively cheap. I think I paid ~$45 for mine. If you go retail expect to pay upwards of $100 for quality reliable goretex raingear.

radroadkill

If you're doing a walk and have somewhere to store things at work and don't mind a plastic bag or something to carry, get some rainboots. I got some in my visit to NYC but they're perfect for it down here. My campus floods when it rains but the rainboots are great; my work parking lot does the same so I throw the shoes for work into a plastic bag, wear the rainboots in, and then switch shoes inside and put the rainboots bag in the breakroom. It helps a lot with the shoes/pants issue.

Anything else for the upperbody that doesn't require an umbrella I can't help with. My umbrella is my savior. I know about the glasses though; I have them too but the only hats I've seen people wear in the rain look sillier to me.

Quoth

Yeah, Florida rain isn't like your polite British rain. It's more like a waterfall than a mist, so classy trench coats and hats won't cut it quite as well as a raincoat and umbrella.

JebusUD

maybe a motorcycle rainsuit?

Thats the closest to stylish I can think of for rainsuits.

edit: get somthing water resistant and use an umbrella.

PirateJon

most motorcycle rain suits aren't all that great for walking around in. they're pretty f'ing hot under there. But take a look - this is what I got. Cheap and effective. http://www.froggtoggs.com/store/

Foul weather gear for boaters is probably better, since you're moving around a lot. It's usually pretty sturdy and looks ok, but can get kinda pricey. In flordia you should be able to find a marine discount type store pretty easily. Gill jackets are pretty badass looking and if you get white, you'll look like professor membrane. http://www.foulweathergear.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=OS5J

Ritchmeister

A light, stylish, waterproof jacket....

tsmvengy

Regardless of what you wear, you're going to get soaked anyway without an umbrella. Any reason why you don't want one? We have some pretty heavy rains here at times and I find a rain jacket + umbrella is enough to keep me from being soaked. Yeah, you're going to get a little wet.

Also, rain boots are a good suggestion.

Nakatomi2010

I'm already an odd duck as it is, wandering around with an Umbrella makes me look even more odd... I'm the type of character who could pull off a trench coat and a fedora hat quite nicely...

VisionOfClarity

Get a nice London Fog. They're long so they'll cover you're legs and they're quite stylish. I have one because Boston has some nasty rain storms (no hood though I use an umbrella) and I don't want to look like a rubber duck in a yellow rain coat. I'd get a small pocket umbrella anyway. You don't have to carry it obviously but it can help in the rain.

yourspaceholiday

If you're biking, you shouldn't wear your work clothes, flat out. They're gonna get dirty, wrinkled and sweaty. I have a waterproof messenger bag that I bring my work clothes in along with a towel, and ride in a technical shirt and either athletic shorts or cycling shorts. If it's raining, you might benefit from a good rain jacket, but they really restrict airflow and you'll get pretty hot underneath (YMMV, I have a pretty crappy rain jacket. It keeps the water out, but the sweat in). I usually arrive to work 15 minutes early to clean up and change in the bathroom (I bring a dress shirt, slacks, dress socks and shoes and an extra pair of underwear if it's raining, as well as some deodorant). It works out fine for me, and I work in a corporate engineering office. Just make sure your bike has fenders. Things can get pretty ugly if you don't. Proper footwear is another good thing to consider. Rain boots would be great for walking, I'm sure, but might not work that well on a bike. A pair of sandals works out really well, though, especially since you're in Florida and it's probably not going to get too cold. They dry relatively quickly and are easy to take on and off. Cycling sandals, or just the kind that are secured with the back heel strap so they don't shift around, are fine. As far as head gear, I just wear a helmet and dry off at work.

It's also a good idea to get some proper lighting for your bike. A nice red flasher on the back and a front flashing headlight will help drivers see you.

I'm coming from Wichita, KS, and we get some pretty heavy rain here, too. Everything's been working out pretty great for me so far. I obviously prefer biking in the sun, but the rain has its own kind of excitement (except for the fact that my rain bike is a cheapo hybrid, and I feel like a dork riding it...)

Seattle Thread

Nakatomi2010 wrote: »

I'm already an odd duck as it is, wandering around with an Umbrella makes me look even more odd... I'm the type of character who could pull off a trench coat and a fedora hat quite nicely...

Umbrellas come in all sizes, including ones that will easily fit inside a backpack. Or a briefcase. Or the inside-jacket pocket of that trenchcoat.