10 Must-Haves For Rainy Days

Rain, wind, and occasionally nasty wet snow (essentially rain) – thanks to global warming, winter in many European cities now feels like a prolonged and drawn-out autumn. But there's no reason to be sad, as any weather can be enjoyable if you're properly prepared for it.

Raincoat

Photo: Barbour Beaufour raincoat

The most essential item you'll need when it's pouring buckets from the sky is a raincoat. It should not let water in (but still allow you to breathe), be lightweight, and durable. And, of course, add points to your cool look – because style matters. Legendary waxed unisex jacket Barbour Beaufort is the go-to choice if you prioritize style. For the past 40 years, this raincoat has remained one of the favorite picks for many showbiz stars, artistic bohemians, and members of the British royal family. However, waxed cotton, while good at repelling water, can be quite heavy. Also, it can't be machine-washed.

Photo: OHUENO raincoat

If wax is not your thing, what else can you treat fabric with to make it water-resistant? The answer is rubber. Ukrainian brand OHUENO specializes, among other things, in classic yellow rubber raincoats. Getting one will make you feel like the protagonist in M. Night Shyamalan's "The Village." If yellow is too expressive for you, you can reverse this raincoat to its black side. But remember, rubber has a drawback – it poorly allows not only water but also air. In relatively warm weather, the eyelets in the raincoat (often used for decoration) might help, but when the temperature significantly drops, you won't appreciate this chilly ventilation.

Photo: Patagonia raincoat

The third option to make fabric water-resistant is to add a technological membrane. Then, the raincoat won't get wet and will still breathe because the fabric will have tiny "pores" smaller than water molecules but larger than air molecules. Many modern brands use the popular GORE-TEX membrane, but some companies produce their own alternatives. For example, the unisex Torrentshell 3L jacket from Patagonia is one of the best modern raincoats. You can stand under the shower in it and stay dry. Despite its three layers, this jacket can easily fit even in a lady's purse when folded. The only drawback is that, wearing the sporty Torrentshell 3L, you might look like you just returned from a picnic in the forest or some marathon run.

Umbrella

Photo: RunMi umbrella

No matter how high-quality your raincoat is, it doesn't cancel the need for an umbrella. Of course, you can always buy a disposable one at the nearest supermarket, but both it and many other umbrellas will have the same problem – when closing, all the water will pour directly onto the handle. So, take a look at the gadget from RunMi (Xiaomi). This umbrella not only protects you from the rain but also has a reverse folding technology that completely eliminates the possibility of wetting your hand. In addition, this accessory features a "split" umbrella with an LED flashlight along its entire length. This umbrella will light up the sidewalk for several meters, so on a dark rainy evening, you won't step into a puddle or something that irresponsible dog owners leave behind.

Rubber Boots

Photo: Crocs and Balenciaga rubber boots

Sometimes, important matters lead us down paths where avoiding puddles is problematic even during the day when they are clearly visible. In such cases, you need rubber boots. Of course, we'd all love something like the infamous Crocs and Balenciaga collaboration, but not many would want to spend almost a thousand dollars on a pair of galoshes. Specifically for those who love everything fashionable but also value their wallet, Crocs released the CRUSH BOOT model. It has a similar thick sole to the hyped designer version but is significantly shorter in the shaft. These boots cost almost 20 times less and, unlike the luxurious variant, are adorned with holes on the shaft collar for vibrant personalization with Jibbitz.

Spray

Photo: Collonil waterstop spray

The trouble with rubber boots is that spending more than an hour in them becomes uncomfortable – your feet start to sweat. Moreover, you can't exactly wear Crocs to a serious office job or a business meeting. Therefore, it's worth having some waterproofing spray on hand, like Waterstop Classic from the Collonil brand. Treating your leather shoes with it on a rainy day effectively protects them from moisture, dust, and dirt for 24 hours.

Panama Hat

Photo: Didriksons panama hat

If your raincoat doesn't have a hood, and you don't carry an umbrella because you prefer to have your hands free, you need a rain hat. For example, from the century-old Swedish brand DIDRIKSONS, known today for its quality membrane clothing. The Southwester model hat fastens under the chin (wind gusts won't blow it off), has a soft knitted lining for the entire head (with warm ears), and, most importantly, a wide-brimmed hat made of waterproof Galon membrane material. This headgear essentially acts as a mini-umbrella – you don't need to hold it in your hand. As a bonus, in a rain hat, you'll look like a caretaker of an ancient lighthouse, and everyone will want to take a photo with you.

Bag

Photo: Rains Rucksack Cargo

In rainy weather, it's important not only to preserve the dryness of your body but also to prevent your belongings from getting wet. Primarily – important documents, paper money, electronic gadgets, etc. The Danish brand Rains offers a variety of waterproof bags and travel bags. Fans of Scandinavian minimalism might appreciate the Rucksack Cargo – it's devoid of unnecessary details, quite spacious (fits a laptop, lunchbox, and a couple of books or notebooks), and made of rubberized polyester that repels raindrops like they're stung.

Pants

Photo: Marmot PreCip pants

When going out in the rain, we're least concerned about the type of pants we're wearing. Well, maybe we'll cuff them a bit at the bottom to avoid splashing mud. However, there's nothing worse than wet pants, except for perhaps a soaked reputation. So, if possible, it's advisable to wear something water-resistant on your legs. MARMOT PreCip pants have earned a good reputation among the hiking community. Made of lightweight nylon, equipped with membranes and sealed seams, these are among the narrowest pants for outdoor activities. Therefore, even in the city center, running errands, you'll look somewhat elegant.

Headphones

Photo: JBL Reflect Aero headphones

The sound of rain is pleasant on its own – some people even buy gadgets that simulate its sound for a faster and sweeter sleep. However, there are those who don't leave the house without a music player. Specifically for them, waterproof JBL Reflect Aero headphones with an IP68 protection rating have been developed. In these earplugs, you'll have not only quality sound but also the ability to walk for hours in heavy rain without an umbrella or rain hat. Moreover, you can even swim with them in the pool. At least, the manufacturer guarantees 30 minutes of operation when submerged no more than 1.5 meters.

Notebook and Pen

Photo: Field Notes pocketbook

Ideas never come to us when we sit down at a table and start thinking hard about how to change our lives for the better. They always appear suddenly and in the most inconvenient moments. For example, when we're in the shower or waiting for a taxi in the pouring rain. To not forget these golden insights, you should immediately write them down. If you have a waterproof smartphone, you can create a note there, of course. But if you're an "analog person," you need a waterproof notebook and a pen that writes under any extreme conditions. A good choice would be a synthetic paper Field Notes and the legendary Fisher Space Pen, which writes freely in zero gravity in orbit, on the ceiling, and underwater.

Photo: Fisher Space Pen

Personal Weather Station

Photo: Netatmo personal weather station

As wise people say, the best fight is the one that didn't happen. So, if for you, despite all the preparation measures, rain remains an exhausting and unpleasant confrontation, it's better to stay home in wet weather. However, forecasts often lie, so you can buy yourself a personal weather station – for example, from the Netatmo company. It consists of two devices (for home and outdoors) that collect data on temperature, humidity, air quality, noise level, and, most importantly, atmospheric pressure. You'll receive detailed reports directly on your smartphone. By learning to analyze them correctly, you'll know in advance whether it will rain today, and if it does, you can stay home in comfortable dryness and warmth.