Best gear for a rainy walking commute
April 11, 2019 9:13 AM Subscribe
My commute is about to change to involve a 15-20 minute walk twice a day and a couple boat rides. I live in the Puget Sound region so I want to protect my work clothes and laptop from regular light rain, the occasional downpour, and, every once in a while, snow. Looking for specific recommendations for a new umbrella, lightweight rain coat, and a laptop backpack. Emphasis on weather resistance and long term durability.
1) Umbrella: Looking for something durable and long-lasting, highly resistant to flipping inside out in the wind, and is collapsible. Doesn’t have to fold up super tiny, but no stick umbrellas. Ideally it would be able to fit in the outer water bottle pockets you often see on backpacks.
2) Lightweight raincoat: I currently have a knee-length hooded raincoat from LL Bean that I like but it’s very warm. It will work for winter, but my morning walk to work is uphill and in fall and spring I’ll be sweaty and gross by the time I get there. I’m usually a women’s 12-14 on coats depending on the company. Ideally it would be knee-length, fit over a sweater, and have a hood that doesn’t blow off at the first hint of wind.
3) Laptop backpack: There are a million water resistant laptop “commuter” backpacks on Amazon, mainly from brands I’ve never heard of, and all seem to be very narrow. Needs a laptop sleeve/pocket - not sure how big my laptop is offhand but it’s pretty small, under 14”. I am not fussed about it having tons of organization/pockets, but the main pocket needs to be wide enough to sit my lunch at the bottom of it. I typically take my food in a 4-cup glass Pyrex container that’s about 6 inches wide. Most of the backpacks I’m seeing that are weather resistant with a laptop pocket are very narrow, with a bottom that often only measures 3-5 inches. I want to be able to put my lunch in the bottom and pile my wallet, book I’m reading, planner, etc. on top of it. Ideally it would have one or two side pockets for a water bottle and folded umbrella.
I would also love for any of these items to be at least moderately stylish, and come in a color/pattern besides basic black. That said, aside from weather resistance and usefulness, my primary criteria is durability. I will be making this commute for years to come and I don’t want to wind up buying a new backpack every 18 months. Thanks!
1) Umbrella: Looking for something durable and long-lasting, highly resistant to flipping inside out in the wind, and is collapsible. Doesn’t have to fold up super tiny, but no stick umbrellas. Ideally it would be able to fit in the outer water bottle pockets you often see on backpacks.
2) Lightweight raincoat: I currently have a knee-length hooded raincoat from LL Bean that I like but it’s very warm. It will work for winter, but my morning walk to work is uphill and in fall and spring I’ll be sweaty and gross by the time I get there. I’m usually a women’s 12-14 on coats depending on the company. Ideally it would be knee-length, fit over a sweater, and have a hood that doesn’t blow off at the first hint of wind.
3) Laptop backpack: There are a million water resistant laptop “commuter” backpacks on Amazon, mainly from brands I’ve never heard of, and all seem to be very narrow. Needs a laptop sleeve/pocket - not sure how big my laptop is offhand but it’s pretty small, under 14”. I am not fussed about it having tons of organization/pockets, but the main pocket needs to be wide enough to sit my lunch at the bottom of it. I typically take my food in a 4-cup glass Pyrex container that’s about 6 inches wide. Most of the backpacks I’m seeing that are weather resistant with a laptop pocket are very narrow, with a bottom that often only measures 3-5 inches. I want to be able to put my lunch in the bottom and pile my wallet, book I’m reading, planner, etc. on top of it. Ideally it would have one or two side pockets for a water bottle and folded umbrella.
I would also love for any of these items to be at least moderately stylish, and come in a color/pattern besides basic black. That said, aside from weather resistance and usefulness, my primary criteria is durability. I will be making this commute for years to come and I don’t want to wind up buying a new backpack every 18 months. Thanks!
For waterproof bags, I love Chrome. My specific backpack might be a little small for you but they have a wide variety.
posted by ferret branca at 9:24 AM on April 11, 2019
posted by ferret branca at 9:24 AM on April 11, 2019
I’m really happy with my Patagonia Black Hole backpack - it’s impressively waterproof and durable.
posted by faineg at 9:31 AM on April 11, 2019
posted by faineg at 9:31 AM on April 11, 2019
While you didn't mention rain pants, I want to suggest them! I have Marmot Optima Gore-Tex PacLite Rain Pants that I bought used and they are incredible and make me totally unconcerned about getting wet. I wear them over my work pants for downpour walk/bike commute days and stay totally dry.
posted by zem at 10:05 AM on April 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by zem at 10:05 AM on April 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
I have this coat and it's perfect. It's slightly below the knee, but I'm 5'2 so YMMV. I'm currently slightly smaller than you, and I wear a Medium and it layers OK. Not sure the weight of your sweaters in transition series. If you have an REI near you, suggest trying on as they have some great ones in this line that may work. This is my personal favorite if you have need for a shorter one for other uses.
posted by TravellingCari at 10:17 AM on April 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by TravellingCari at 10:17 AM on April 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
I'm on my second Marmot PreCip jacket (longer length version), and they're affordable (REI often has them on clearance) and hold up great - mine is 7 years old and what I wear bike commuting, hiking, doing fieldwork, and walking around the city in the rain, including over a down/fleece jacket in the winter, and the laminate is just starting to show wear. Has an adjustable hood. The pit zips are a key feature, I wouldn't get a raincoat without them at this point. REI also has a house version that gets good reviews, the fit was a bit weird on me. NB: do not scrub laminate fabric against itself to remove stains, gently brush the surface and keep the friction off the inner laminate layer, this was the death of my first PreCip jacket.
I'm not a big umbrella user, but my ShedRain with horizontal vents in the canopy to mitigate wind problems is great. I think you can find them at big box retailers, on a kiosk with some size options.
posted by momus_window at 10:58 AM on April 11, 2019
I'm not a big umbrella user, but my ShedRain with horizontal vents in the canopy to mitigate wind problems is great. I think you can find them at big box retailers, on a kiosk with some size options.
posted by momus_window at 10:58 AM on April 11, 2019
Sounds like you've got a Bainbridge/Vashon thing going on. I do a lot of cycling and busing/cycling around here, and started out with lots of fancy kit to keep me dry, only to scale back when it took too much time to get ready, or the materials inevitably aged past practicality (i.e. moving to a second hand REI raincoat with grease stains for my commute. So, my advice needs a grain or two of salt.
I've heard great things about these rain capes/ponchos. High quality materials and some are quite breathable. The bonus would be that you could carry the laptop underneath in whatever bag you have. I used to have a Shower's Pass jacket - pretty amazing breathability, but unless you're exercising, it might not offer enough warmth on its own. A little expensive too.
Umbrella-wise, I've tried to get the expensive ones before, only to lose them on the bus or at the office. And even they will succumb to the wind downtown at some point. The avenues downtown are wind tunnels. I pretty much go for whatever is in the Bartell's. I use one right now that was a free "morale event" giveaway, with MSN butterfly logos, god knows how old.
Laptop bag, I typically use my timbuk2 bag if I'm not biking. Not too expensive, professional looking, and waterproof.
posted by SoundInhabitant at 12:18 PM on April 11, 2019
I've heard great things about these rain capes/ponchos. High quality materials and some are quite breathable. The bonus would be that you could carry the laptop underneath in whatever bag you have. I used to have a Shower's Pass jacket - pretty amazing breathability, but unless you're exercising, it might not offer enough warmth on its own. A little expensive too.
Umbrella-wise, I've tried to get the expensive ones before, only to lose them on the bus or at the office. And even they will succumb to the wind downtown at some point. The avenues downtown are wind tunnels. I pretty much go for whatever is in the Bartell's. I use one right now that was a free "morale event" giveaway, with MSN butterfly logos, god knows how old.
Laptop bag, I typically use my timbuk2 bag if I'm not biking. Not too expensive, professional looking, and waterproof.
posted by SoundInhabitant at 12:18 PM on April 11, 2019
Hi:
Seattle ferry commuter for 20 years here. A few things have/haven't worked for me:
- as noted above, be sure to get a vented umbrella. It's windy downtown, and unvented just don't work. Over the years, I've mostly used mine to protect my backpack
- I nearly always have a hat with a bill packed in a coat pocket or bag - I find it works better in the wind, and keeps me just as dry. I lose them a lot, so I just replace at Goodwill so I have a ready supply.
- I've been using an older version of this Briggs and Riley pack for 7 years and it still looks new. Lots of organization inside, and utterly practical.
- I've also been wearing a jacket a lot like the REI jacket linked above. Some days it is too hot, and I take it off. I've found that (oddly!). I often just rely on a heavy/fashionable sweater/scarf/hat to stay warm/dry. I don't get rained on much during my commute. Of course, there was that one time when everything from my knees down was soaked - but one time in 20 years. That is to say, don't stress too much about rainproof (I've NEVER worn rain pants), and just stay comfortable.
posted by dbmcd at 12:24 PM on April 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
Seattle ferry commuter for 20 years here. A few things have/haven't worked for me:
- as noted above, be sure to get a vented umbrella. It's windy downtown, and unvented just don't work. Over the years, I've mostly used mine to protect my backpack
- I nearly always have a hat with a bill packed in a coat pocket or bag - I find it works better in the wind, and keeps me just as dry. I lose them a lot, so I just replace at Goodwill so I have a ready supply.
- I've been using an older version of this Briggs and Riley pack for 7 years and it still looks new. Lots of organization inside, and utterly practical.
- I've also been wearing a jacket a lot like the REI jacket linked above. Some days it is too hot, and I take it off. I've found that (oddly!). I often just rely on a heavy/fashionable sweater/scarf/hat to stay warm/dry. I don't get rained on much during my commute. Of course, there was that one time when everything from my knees down was soaked - but one time in 20 years. That is to say, don't stress too much about rainproof (I've NEVER worn rain pants), and just stay comfortable.
posted by dbmcd at 12:24 PM on April 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
I'm a daily walking commuter in SLC. For umbrella, I love my Blunt Metro. It's small enough to pack away in my backpack, drys quickly, and withstands the winds that the buildings funnel down to pedestrians.
posted by msbutah at 12:27 PM on April 11, 2019
posted by msbutah at 12:27 PM on April 11, 2019
2nding a Blunt Metro umbrella. It doesn’t fold up super small but it's sturdy and can be quickly shaken/spun dry, in a way that can break cheaper umbrellas. I got mine at Lee Valley.
posted by bonobothegreat at 3:32 PM on April 11, 2019
posted by bonobothegreat at 3:32 PM on April 11, 2019
Something to consider WRT durability is that carrying any kind of bag over a Gore Tex or similar breathable waterproof jacket will wear off the waterproof-ness where the straps and bag touch the material pretty fast. One can re-up the water resistance with Nik-Wax or similar, but it's a really time-consuming pain to do it often. My Showers Pass jacket has reinforced shoulders for this reason, but the back would still get worn out more quickly if I ever wore a backpack.
posted by outfielder at 6:50 PM on April 11, 2019
posted by outfielder at 6:50 PM on April 11, 2019
I have an osprey bike commuting bag with a built in rain cover. I used it once on a motorcycle in a torrential downpour and the outside of the bag (under the rain cover) was still dry. I've had the bag for years and it's held up very well. Probably not exactly what you're looking for but here's a link: https://www.rei.com/product/856578/osprey-spin-22-bike-commuter-pack
posted by dbx at 10:02 PM on April 11, 2019
posted by dbx at 10:02 PM on April 11, 2019
Have you looked at the Rains brand? I can't link because I can't stop their geolocation. They have everything you need and I find it very good value and good looking.
posted by mumimor at 11:16 AM on April 12, 2019
posted by mumimor at 11:16 AM on April 12, 2019
I have this umbrella, and really like it. It has an auto-open and close, doesn't turn inside out, and collapses down to a pretty compact size.
posted by sarcasticah at 11:28 AM on April 12, 2019
posted by sarcasticah at 11:28 AM on April 12, 2019
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