I was watching kids walk to school and observing use of umbrellas and/or raincoats. I feel like you have a certain preference in your family (and is probably #regional).
So here is a silly poll to entertain you on a Wednesday.
I'm probably usually a both person. I grew up in Delaware, have lived in the southeast and now Texas. But the umbrella protects your shoulders up, but a lot of time the rain could be, like, blowing in so I want my torso and arms covered as well.
SS (I voted umbrella only)? I generally wear a rain-resistant coat, like the outer shell of my ski parka if its spring/fall + umbrella. I find raincoat material uncomfortable.
Regular coat with a hood? If it's really rainy or we are going to be outside for an extended time, I'll dig out umbrellas. The main extended outdoor activity we do in the rain is swim, so neither. lol.
My kids sometimes take umbrellas to school when it rains. (They have cute umbrellas) but seem to use the umbrellas as often for catching rain or floating on puddles as they use them as actual protection. My oldest (like Gretchen) also thinks a cotton hoodie is enough. And then gets wet and cold.
Post by MixedBerryJam on Mar 8, 2023 11:31:48 GMT -5
As a retiree I can happily just stay inside when it rains! But if I have to go out I’ll wear a raincoat (correction: windbreaker) and only rarely use an umbrella. I’m not sure I even own one.
But what I really hate are ponchos. I do not understand why you’d want all that humidity trapped inside a poncho.
ETA: turns out I don’t own an actual raincoat either. Just my removable ski jacket liner.
I usually just get wet if it's a light rain. Last year I bought myself a good raincoat after getting unexpectedly drenched. I haven't had much reason to wear it yet, but it's supposed to be breathable. I feel like most rain coats just trap me in my own humidity, which isn't fun.
I have a newish cute Marimekko rain jacket I wear in the spring that’s light weight and fairly short. I also have a Boden raincoat but that’s too heavy and warm for spring but not heavy enough for winter. I bet it’s better suited for UK weather but I’ve never gotten much use out of it. I got it at the sample sale really cheaply so I’ve hung on to it but I really only wear it when it’s rainy and I have to meet someone in a more professional capacity.
I do have a collection of fun umbrellas and use them most often. I keep my sliver Totes umbrella from high school in my car.
I had many, many years where I had to walk long distances in any kind of weather and/or wait long times for public transportation outside without shelter so TBH I try to live my life to be indoors during bad weather and avoid the need for any of this if at all possible.
Post by Velar Fricative on Mar 8, 2023 11:44:50 GMT -5
SS, sorry!
If it's light rain, umbrella only. If it's a downpour or windy as hell, the umbrella is doing jackshit so rain/waterproof jacket only. If it's five zillion degrees outside, I use one of those cheap ponchos that aren't as stifling as a jacket. I'm still getting drenched but it's something at least.
I've just made my peace with getting wet for the most part. I do try to keep an umbrella in my office and car but it's almost never in the right place; I'll end up with two umbrellas in my office and none in my car or they are all at home.
ETA: I do see some students use umbrellas on our campus and a few will have a poncho or something but I almost never see raincoats. Most people just seem to get wet. I will add since some of you are getting ready to have college age kids that we recently asked some kids for a video on advice of what NOT to bring to their dorm room or what they never used and umbrellas, rain boots and rain coats were quite commonly mentioned as things their parents made them bring that just took up space. 😂
Rain coat only, but I'm raised in Seattle. We don't do umbrellas. LOL.
Ditto.
We do have umbrellas if we're standing out watching kids sports. But that's really the only time we use them, and even then it has to be a pouring rain.
ETA: the kids don't use either. They just get wet. DS (14) hangs out with friends almost every day after school oyn only a sweatshirt. And very occasionally a puffy coat.
Post by goldengirlz on Mar 8, 2023 12:05:23 GMT -5
Both, but it depends how much wind there is. I hate struggling with an umbrella in the wind.
Also, I don’t wear a raincoat per se, but a water-resistant jacket (like someone else mentioned above, I have a three-in-one winter coat from Patagonia and the shell is my raincoat.)
Post by expectantsteelerfan on Mar 8, 2023 12:10:45 GMT -5
I picked SS...we all have jackets with hoods, and we will all use the hoods if it's raining, but they are likely not rain coats specifically. I do have (more than one actually) that are waterproof, one lighter and one heavier, that I will wear if they match the outfit/occasion, but both my kids and I wear sherpa lined hoodies almost all winter regardless of weather unless we're like out playing in snow.
My 13 year old ds does also love umbrellas though and will also take one to the bus, sometimes even when it's not raining enough to even warrant it.
I will use an umbrella for very specific occasions, but not in normal every day life because they just aren't practical because I often don't have an extra hand to hold one (walking the dog, carrying groceries, etc).
Usually when it rains here it’s too warm for a raincoat. Same for my very cute but rarely worn rain boots, lol.
BUT my kids love their raincoats. And their rain boosts, and their kiddie umbrellas, so they are thrilled for any excuse to use any of these items, no matter what the weather actually is.
Raincoat - It barely rains here and I always know where my raincoat is (used as a windproof spring jacket), vs the umbrella that gets stashed somewhere never to be seen again.
So, PNW people are very snobby about their "raincoat only" stance.
I've been in your rain. It's constantly drizzly with occasional heavier bands. Makes sense.
When rain is vacillating wildly between soft sprinkle and sideways knifepoint downpour, your raincoat is borderline useless without an umbrella. And during the sprinkles you're just hot and sticky. Or freezing because it's not warm enough.
I have a Columbia rain jacket that I'll wear for light rain and just like dashing to/from the car. I'd do rain jacket plus umbrella if sitting out at a sporting event or walking a distance.
I’m confused by all of the “hanging outside in the rain” posts. If it’s raining, my dog just isn’t getting a walk that day and my kids’ outdoor activities will all be cancelled. Lol. Rain is why humans made inside.