Rainy Days 2016: Gear for Unpredictable Weather
Stay dry through April Showers and beyond with these waterproof products
Whether it’s dropping your phone into a puddle or getting stuck in the rain mid-ride, bad weather woes are universal (albeit trivial). The right gear, however, can change all that. True rain protection extends beyond a jacket or umbrella, and most certainly means keeping all devices safe. If you live in a rainy part of the world, are presently enduring seasonal transitions or just happen to be a bit of a klutz, the following items (which can all be found in our Buy section) offer protection and aim to keep away the soggy sadness that accompanies wetter days.
Light Grey Schaket
Part of Palace’s SS16 collection, this shirt-jacket mashup, aptly dubbed the “Schaket,” ($225) provides protection from inclement weather while staying light and loose. With two side pockets, two zippered chest pockets and a packable hood (which prominently displays the brand’s name), it’s an essential layer that can adapt to any spring weather condition—or outfit, thanks to its muted grey color. Buttoned cuffs and a drawstring waistband offer extra adjustability.
Carry Bag Waterproof Laptop Sleeve
While a sudden downpour can result in wet feet or a bad hair day, it can also destroy one of your most expensive possessions: your laptop. Rains’ “Carry Bag” ($62) is a clean, simple and classic laptop sleeve (made for a 13″ Macbook or similar) that features two compartments and also happens to be waterproof—complete with a waterproof zipper. The case is available in black, blue and soil, but our pick is the muted olive green.
Leica X-U Camera
Makers of dream cameras, Leica knows that some of the best shots are taken on the move or in less than perfect conditions. Their X-U digital camera ($2950) comes wrapped in an anti-slip rubber exterior and is water-, dust- and shock-proof, so it can take on the rigors of action photography. A great option for adventure photographers and klutzes alike, with a 16.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor and a 23mm Summilux lens, it’ll never compromise on image quality.
Annalise Two-in-One Parka
Available in all-black or a pink and gray colorblock, Parka London’s Annalise two-in-one parka (£120) can change from stately to sporty in one zip. The lower section detaches off at the waist to create a cropped jacket for when the weather changes, and it comes with a pouch to store it in. Made from lightweight ripstop polyester, the coat keeps you dry and looking snazzy.
Boncho Bike Poncho
After years of braving the rain with nothing but waterproof jackets—leaving legs completely exposed—cyclists finally have a viable way to repel raindrops while on the move. The Boncho ($74) first launched on Kickstarter and is a poncho designed especially for bike riders. Thanks to an aerodynamic design, the packable, lightweight layer keeps everything from handlebars to toes to shoulders dry, never letting rain ruin another commute.
Evo Xplorer iPhone Case
Tech21’s most robust design yet, the Evo Xplorer iPhone 6 and 6s case ($90), protects from water, dust, dirt and more. With over six feet of drop-protection, built-in screen protection and secured yet accessible ports, phones are safe from all the elements. And thanks to an ultra-slim profile and transparent backing, it’s attractive enough to want to use on the regular—because dropping your phone in a sidewalk puddle is the easiest way to ruin springtime plans.
Alert Umbrella
After successfully crowdfunding their Alert Umbrella, Davek New York is back on Kickstarter with the Alert Mini and Alert Grande ($50). The two new models are built from the same DNA as the original (which packs a tracking chip into an incredibly sturdy yet sleek design) but also provide additional sizes for a range of weather (and storage) conditions. An update to their dedicated app now also reveals the umbrella’s last known location.
Hudson’s Bay + Stutterheim Rain Coat
While the standard yellow raincoat may be the most iconic look in wet weather wear, the multicolored sailor-reminiscent stripes of Hudson’s Bay and Stutterheim’s collaborative coat ($400) are worthy of some harsh storms. The PVC rubberized shell guarantees rain deterrence and the snap-front and drawstring hood make it easy-on-easy-off. Bold, bright and gender-neutral, it’s a cheery jacket for a gloomy day.
All-Weather Top-Spiral Pad
With Rite in the Rain’s all-weather notebooks, your notes, doodles or million dollar ideas won’t get washed away in a sudden downpour. Their pocket top-spiral pad comes with 100 lined pages and is compact enough to fit inside a shirt or jacket pocket—so you can take it anywhere. Impact-resistant Wire-O binding and a PolyDura cover make sure your precious pages won’t rip or crumple either.
Cat Umbrella
Opening Ceremony and Fossil join forces for this cat umbrella that steers clear of becoming too cutesy by way of its brown and black colorway—with just hints of pink, white and yellow. Made from 100% polyester and featuring a maple handle, this rainy day accessory will keep you dry and might just put you in a less dreary mood at the same time.
Images courtesy of respective brands, hero image also courtesy of Boncho
