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Fashionable, moisture-wicking, water-resistant outerwear?

rae

(website)

Veteran

I've been consistently disappointed in my rainwear every single year. Again this year, I wore things out in the rain only to find that they do NOT breathe - nylong, polyester, poly linings... so frustrating to be trying to keep dry only to soak yourself in sweat while out and about. DH and like to take walks outside in wet weather and always go at a pretty fast clip.

So far, I have only been impressed with my Lululemon Run: Bundle Up jacket, which really did wick moisture away from the body while I was jogging the other day. It is water resistant, which is great, but it is still a short jacket. I don't see that they have anything in a longer, trench-like length to help keep legs dry.

Anyone have recs for brands or specific styles that are up to the wicking task? I'm eyeballing some Nau styles that look very nice and *claim* to breathe, but the reviews don't mention this feature at all. I need something that is not too heavy, and can hopefully travel well. I don't do a lot of formal workout stuff but lots of outdoor stuff; still I have not been familiar with many outdoor or workout brands. I'm open to both fashion and gear if it looks good and functions well. Also open to old styles that may pop up on Ebay or whatnot. I'm fed up enough that I'm also open to paying more than normal... I could see reselling a few items to help fit the bill.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Shopping

25 replies

Latest reply was from poppylarue

Adelfa

Veteran

I just use a Gore-Tex parka which works but I don't feel fashionable at all! Can't wait to see what you find!

Mia

Veteran

I live on the west coast and have this issue. I have a Lole brand jacket with hood that had been good and is mid thigh length so good for walk but not running. I have a Phillipa K as well which is super technical and has some style. Pricey though.

Have you looked at Arcteryx? My mom loves hers. High end of course.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Adelfa, Gore-Tex is a fabric, right? Hm, maybe some fashion-aware brands will use it...

Thanks, Mia, I had not heard of those brands! Will definitely investigate!

kkards

Veteran

if you are looking for true gear, i like the north face, i have a windproof, water resistant fleece for cooler weather, and a windproof water resistant lightweight shell for spring. both breathe very well.
i would also try patagonia, i have a down jacket from this brand that i love. this brand is totally geared to outdoors- it can be expensive, but they have a trade in program and sell the trade ins on ebay

http://campaigns.ebay.com/patagonia/

krishnidoux

Veteran

I don't know what is your weather condition where you are. But I am very happy with my London Fog (bought in a dep. store, not very expensive, similar to the one below). It isn't a trench, it's a real raincoat, roomy and with a hoodie. I think the cut makes a difference plays a role as well as the material. I agree with you that LL is hear to beat for this. They are expensive, but they do come up with more fashionable items once in a while, that can come handy. Steer clear of anything too weird, esp. dance studio inspired fashion, as you won't end up wearing it and loose your $$$.

I am following this as I am curious myself of others' suggestions.

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Anonymous

Ah, the holy grail. I am still looking for the perfect trench myself that is not black. Even my black one needs replacement. I would check Soia and Kyo. That's the only brand I consistently have good results with. I do have a down coat, a leather jacket and a few coats. They design for form and function, which is rare. Things either look good or are gear.

nk123

I second the Patagonia recommendation. I have a 15 year old jacket (?!) that I always reach for when I want to be dry and active. It began as the jacket I raced across campus in to get to class on time and has now morphed into a wet activity jacket. Would offer a specific style rec, but I'm fairly certain they don't make mine anymore

Also, if you aren't going for uber fashionable, a moisture wicking base layer is always helpful.

Glory

Veteran

I have a thigh length triple W (lol - wind, wicking, water repellant) jacket. It is quite ancient - just checked and it is made by a company called Sierra Designs and is made of the fabric gore-tex. It might be a Canadian company. I would also try Mountain Equipment Co-op for some excellent gear.

Freckles

Veteran

I have been unhappy in a lot of my gor-tex jackets. They seem to wear out very quickly and somehow I don<code>t seem to notice until I</code>m stuck somewhere in the pouring rain and get soaked.
I can highly recommend Mountain Equipment Co-op. They<code>re stuff lasts and lasts plus does what it says it does. I bought my son jacket and pant rainsuits when he was tiny with taped seams, you need them to sit in puddles, and passed them on. I hear that they</code>re still going strong about 15 and more years later.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Gallery is another great brand of rain wear.

Isabel

Veteran

I like Gallery..and I swear by Gore-tex too. I have done some long, very wet hiking with Gore-tex. Right now, I own the LL Bean version

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop.....rench-coat

It is completely waterproof and breathes really well. It is also nice enough for non-hiking. And the added bonus is that LL Bean takes anything back and anytime if you don't like it.

And you have to be careful, Rae, there is a huge difference between water resistant and water proof. There are all kinds on the LL Bean site :

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop.....l-raincoat

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop.....#038;dds=y

Diana

Veteran

North face has some intriguing options that don't look very gearish, but they are quite expensive and only come in neutrals. I am curious about them though - my current "raincoat" (cheap blue trench from Tulle) is not really waterproof but it dries very quickly so I just make do for commuting and stuff. Still it's not very good for actual walks in the rain - if it's really pouring sometimes I just wear the shell part of my gear parka.

http://www.thenorthface.com/ca.....rom=subCat

http://www.thenorthface.com/ca.....rom=subCat

rae

(website)

Veteran

Thanks so much for the options to research, ladies! This is so difficult for me, as I seem to be much more sensitive to a humid in-coat environment than the general population.

Patagonia seems to offer wicking fabric, though it doesn't say what the lining is made of.

North Face seems to line in nylon..

Arcteryx lines in poly/nylon.

Lole looks promising, says the lining is wicking, though they are sold out in my sizes. Will check ebay.

Love Soia & Kyo, but the only rainwear on their site is 100% poly.

I have posted a question on the Nordies site asking about the lining of a Gallery trench in a really pretty emerald color!

Haven't checked linings of LL Bean; their stuff has historically not fit me well, and their coats are designed to layer over blazers, which I do not want.

Isabel, yes, there is quite a difference between -proof and -resistant. For me, I am only setting my bar at -resistant, because I know it is tough to find something with good looks and good function at the same time. Plus, the rain in CA is hardly ever that serious. If push comes to shove, the umbrella can come out.

I am seriously eyeing this Lulu anorak, reviews say it hits the back of the knees on a 5'5" gal. I would also probably size up for a more slouchy fit. Downside is the price. There is also this Nau trench that I wrote to the company about, inquiring if it is lined - would actually be great if not lined.

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annagybe

(website)

Veteran

http://www.rei.com/product/842.....ket-womens

http://www.rei.com/product/828.....oat-womens

I have Arcteryx gear. It's excellent, but very expensive. I have a goretex rain shell, total gear complete with avalanche beacon built in, a ski parka, two soft shells and one fleece jacket. The cut their seams on a curve so it really does fit. Not all polyesters are equal. The technical ones do wick.

rae

(website)

Veteran

That is really good to know about the technical polys, Anna! I really like both of the ones you posted.

catgirl

Veteran

Check Marmot, Mountain Hardware and Isis too.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for all the great tips!

Does anyone know if these outdoor companies come out with new items for Spring? It seems like a lot of them are sold out in the smaller sizes and are having big sales right now.

Nadya

Veteran

My husband used to work for Columbia Sportswear (also the parent company for Mountain Hardwear for more technical gear) and they do have a Spring line. It should be out next month, if memory serves.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

My puffer coat is Lole, Rae, and I am happy with it. But it's a puffer, not a raincoat. I do know this brand comes out with a spring/ summer line. They are out of Montreal. http://www.lolewomen.com/luw0144.html

I agree with Anna that not all polyesters are created equal. The higher end ones really do breathe or wick. If the coat is for walking it makes sense to look to a stylish gear company.

You could also add some rain pants. I have a pair of those for times when I need to keep really dry.

Also, gear *does* have its place. There is nothing more fashionable than being comfortable for the activity you're engaging in.

Mia

Veteran

Oops! That should have been Fillipa K.

Sarah A

Veteran

My first recommendation is Patagonia. Everything I own from them has performed beautifully. Their email with have some 15% off and free shipping offerers too if you sign up at the website. Dont forget the webspecials tab too -- some of those XS sizes hang about occasionally.

I have two paddling jackets from them with PIT ZIPS this is a great invention in gear (might not look that stylish) but they are great the regulate the temp and humidity in your jacket while keeping the top surface protected from rain. I would not invest in a gear coat without them. And when there are closed they are basically unnoticeable in the higher end brands. Cheap brands (REI house brand come to mind) the zipper is too stiff and bugs me. I also have a Seirra Designs and Mountain Hardware. Depending on where you buy you can bring it back (REI) or send for warranty work if it is broken basically forever. What can i say.... I love gear!

ETa: here is a non gear looking one from the webspecials thats available in S and XS:

http://www.patagonia.com/us/pr.....7175-1-920

"waterproof breathable barrier" is your code word for gore-tex like products as you read descriptions online

ETA2: on second thought that still looks pretty gear-y

ETA3: the while membrane you see on the inside here is the gore-tex layer. Some other coats put a mesh on the inside too and you can see the gore-tex through it.

http://www.patagonia.com/us/pr.....RRWidgetID

rae

(website)

Veteran

Sarah, thank you for explaining more about some of those features. "Waterproof breathable barrier" is something I've seen a bit but had confused me due to the fabrication. Combining your description with Anna's clarification about technical poly opened up more doors.

There is a new Patagonia store not far from here - right by the REI in fact. I should go try things on. Hopefully the true gear is not too heavy; it is kind of a weird thing to want to be dry but not too warm.

Ariadne

Veteran

I really like that silver Nau one from REI.

This is my current rain jacket. WaterPROOF (vital in Vancouver) and breathable.
http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/.....womens.jsp

Mine is tomato red. See here:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ar-color-q

rae

(website)

Veteran

Wow, that is the same coat? It looks SO much better on you, Ariadne. Great sale, too. What you said about the plastic-y feeling makes me hold back, though. Yeesh, who knew shopping for a simple raincoat could be so tough??

poppylarue

I really like this look you have inspired me to try something new!!!!