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Raincoat shopping help

last year

My old REI waterproof raincoat/jacket (probably 13 years old) started delaminating and shedding bits of waterproofing material on whatever I was wearing. So, now I’m in the market for a new one. I’m having trouble finding exactly what I want.


Must haves:

Water PROOF with sealed seams

Hood with bill

Zip front with storm flap

3/4 length

Bright color, preferably red


I prefer not to have a drawstring waist, but I can live with it.


I do not need or want winter weight. I live in a warm area. If it is chilly, I can add a layer.


“Noisy” is not a deal breaker


I’ve looked at Columbia, Eddie Bauer, LL Bean, and REI so far. All have something that is acceptable except the colors are so sad - dusky rose; muted sage; faded blue. If I can’t have red, I at least want a clear color, not a grayed-down tone.


Any suggestions of places to look?

Comments (38)

  • last year

    Try some of the marine foul weather lightweight jackets - Lands End, LL Bean, West Marine, Helly Hansen, etc.. I have a HH jacket with hood in dusty pink - perfect for FL.

    bbstx thanked HU-892091917
  • last year

    I just bought this one at REI, although I paid full price. Its quite lightweight and would accommodate a fleece under if neededRainier raincoat ⬅️

    Is the aqua bright enough?

    bbstx thanked dedtired
  • last year

    I was also going to suggest Helly or West Marine. The muted colors are definitely more popular now but I think the trend is waning.

    bbstx thanked deegw
  • last year

    I’ve been slogging through the various places suggested above - thank you all. I thought I’d found the perfect jacket


    https://www.westmarine.com/helly-hansen-women-s-skagen-offshore-jacket-P020756730.html


    Then I started reading more closely and looking at the smaller pictures. The lower half of the back is black and the hood is day-glo yellow. It is definitely a coat for a serious sailor, not someone who just wants to look cute and stay reasonably dry.


    @dedtired, the REI Rainier is the latest iteration of the coat that just croaked, I think. The aqua is a nice color and I may well end up with it. For the time being, I’m holding out for red.


    @ajuju, generally liked the one from Duluth Trading, but I believe it will prove to be too long - and not quite red enough.


    The quest continues….

  • last year

    I didn't end up with this one, but when I was shopping for a raincoat earlier this year I really like the Cotopaxi Cielo. It doesn't come in really bright colors though.


    https://www.cotopaxi.com/products/cielo-rain-trench-womens?variant=42505400713277

    bbstx thanked terezosa / terriks
  • last year

    I love that kind of tomato red of the Duluth Trading raincoat--it looks great with navy, white and camel and other blues like sky and robin’s egg. I don’t have a red raincoat ……

    bbstx thanked Kswl
  • last year

    I was on a similar quest for our upcoming northern CA/Oregon coast trip. Sadly, I ended up with…navy blue.

    bbstx thanked Sueb20
  • last year
    last modified: last year

    This one is cute and comes in fun colors. Not sure if the hood will work. I have no experience with the brand. You should check out Ilse Jacobsen as well.

    https://www.nordstrom.com/s/coverack-waterproof-organic-cotton-raincoat-with-removable-hood/8188862?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FAll%20Results&color=650

    https://www.ilsejacobsen.com/collections/rain-jackets

    bbstx thanked deegw
  • bbstx thanked localeater
  • bbstx thanked Eileen
  • last year

    Dee I love both of those raincoats too!

    bbstx thanked Kswl
  • last year

    I have three rain jackets, two of which are lighter weight and fully waterproof. One is Patagonia and one is Marmot. Mine are older, but I think these would be similar. (Names are links.)


    Marmot Minimalist Pertex Rain Jacket


    Patagonia Torentshell

    Colors from Patagonia seem to be more on the "dusty" side unfortunately. I'm pretty certain this is the new version of my Patagonia rain coat which has been great for many years.


    Patagonia Triolet

    Nice vivid red for this one, but I think it might be too thick for what you want.


    bbstx thanked pricklypearcactus
  • last year

    @pricklypearcactus the last one is exactly the color I’m looking for. The website doesn’t give a temp range for the jacket, but I notice that a lot of reviewers say it is good for skiing and snowboarding. I think you are correct, it is too heavy.


    I think I need to start a Pinterest board to keep up with the ones I like!

  • last year

    I don't own rain jackets from these brands, but I know they are good quality brands.


    Helly Hansen Loke 2.0



    Helly Hansen Odin 9 Worlds


    Mammut Crater Light HS


    Mammut Tais HS


    bbstx thanked pricklypearcactus
  • last year

    Those are the colors I’m looking for. I wish they were mid-thigh length. I really want something shorter than knee-length but longer than hip-length. (Picky? Moi?)

  • last year

    This is the one I got (in navy)…is Burnt Sienna close enough to red?? 🥴



    bbstx thanked Sueb20
  • last year

    Do you ever shop Grundens? They aren't fashion, they are really rain and outdoor wear. I have the weather watch jacket in hi-vis yellow. You do see me coming. DH has worn their outer wear for years and has the full bibs, coat, all of it.

    We do both prefer the Seattle Sombrero by Outdoor Research when we want only a rain hat.

    bbstx thanked morz8 - Washington Coast
  • last year

    Columbia Long Valley Trench


    Patagonia has a nice longer version, but unfortunately it's a dusty red color.

    Torentshell 3L Rain Parka


    bbstx thanked pricklypearcactus
  • last year
    last modified: last year

    No suggestions, but this made me think of my old hooded Totes slicker - in bright yellow with plaid flannel lining that's lasted me for decades now 🙂

    It's a lot like this one, but a bit longer and it has breast pockets:



    Hmm - looks like they don't make raincoats any more, but I saw a number of similar ones listed on sites like Poshmark.

    bbstx thanked carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
  • last year

    Here I am sitting in my corner feeling sorry for myself. I thought I had tracked down a great raincoat - one that kept popping up on the Cotopaxi website but was never listed for sale. I found it using Google lens at a girls’ camp store in NC. I was so excited….until I tried to add it to my cart. No yellow available. Boo Hoo!




    The quest continues….as soon as I get the 700 loads of laundry from the Iceland trip under control.

  • last year

    My mom had a Land's End jacket that sounded like a shorter version of what you are looking for, so I looked there. The only red ones I saw were probably both warmer than you want and one in bright cherry red was only in plus sizes. I like the color ofthis one, but it's magenta, not red.

    bbstx thanked lascatx
  • last year

    The yellow on Land’s End is acceptable except I want a two-way zipper and it only has a one way zipper. I was getting ready to order it until I saw that. I like to be able to unzip a bit at the bottom when I sit down especially when I’ve added extra layers for warmth.


    On a different note, I created a Pinterest board to help me keep up. The first one I tried to pin (the LE that lascatx linked) won’t pin. Rats!

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    I’m not sure I have ever owned a raincoat other than as a child. Just not something i would wear. Never ever would I wear that bright yellow! For some reason that reminds me of the safety patrol/crossing guards in elementary school lol.

    bbstx thanked HU-688559642
  • last year
    last modified: last year

    DH and I both have bright yellow crossing guard raincoats that go down halfway to our ankles. I bought them for our crossing just in case we ever had to muster on deck in a storm or God forbid take to the lifeboats. i wanted to make sure we could find each other in a crowd and be visible (from outer space). We didn’t need them and they were heavy items to pack but you know, visibility 🤷‍♀️

    bbstx thanked Kswl
  • bbstx thanked ice1
  • last year

    @bbstx How was the Iceland trip? Was it a cruise?

    bbstx thanked hhireno
  • last year

    @ice1, Interesting to compare the EU Uniqlo site to the US site for the BlockTech jacket. The EU site indicates that the jacket might be water-proof, or at least the lining is. The US site specifically states that the jacket is not water-proof. I love the few Uniqlo items I own (ultra light down jacket; Airism PJs; HeatTech base layer items). Wish the rain jacket were in brighter colors and also a skoosh longer.


    @hhireno, the Iceland trip was fantastic. I’m hopeful I’ll have a “trip report” ready soon. Came home to appointments I had put off until I returned, plus the general time suck of unpacking and doing laundry, and getting things in order for the next trip (Thanksgiving).


    Although I didn’t get a chance to meet @ice1, I was in her general area. Breathtaking.


    @Kswl in the mid-90s I had a mid-calf yellow rain slicker and matching sou-wester hat (Talbot’s, of course). I loved that rain gear! Regretfully, it finally deteriorated and I had to let it go, plus it was very heavy - not good for travel. I probably looked strange, but I thought I was the cutest thing on 2 wheels!


    What I thought I looked like




    What I probably actually looked like (minus the beard)





  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Bbstx I laught out loud when I saw your yellow raincoat. Somehow I don‘t belive you. tho I have never seen you I think you must look fab in a yellow raincoat. I have a lot of Uniqlo clothing and love all of it. next time I use mine Ill make a note of if it leaks. I would have loved to meet you and yours vile you were here. Maybe next time.

    Interesting that the Europe and American sites are not the same ( well the informations on the broducts )

    bbstx thanked ice1
  • last year

    Is this one bright enough?


    Duluth Trading Company Downpour Duster


    If you like yellow, here's an option.

    Hellly Hansen Moss Raincoat


    This one has buttons rather than a zipper. Not sure if that would work.

    Helly Hansen Kirkwall II


    bbstx thanked pricklypearcactus
  • last year

    I had Hellh Hansen foul weather gear in bright yellow when I lived on a ship in the 70’s— pants, jacket, and sou’wester with black boots. We all looked like upside down bananas 😎 I have a really nice black sou’wester that I wear with my black raincoat. You can’t beat the design!

    bbstx thanked Kswl
  • last year

    @Kswl you lived on a ship in the 70s?! That's so cool! (Also lol at "upside down bananas".)

    bbstx thanked pricklypearcactus
  • last year

    I love the HH Moss rain jacket, but it doesn’t have a 2 way zipper, which I think is a must for a jacket of that length. The HH Kirkwall is sold on Zappos and a good many of the reviews comment on it being tight through the bust. Nevertheless, I may order it for size.


    The Duluth Trading company is not as red as I want, but it has potential. My biggest concern is that it is too warm for our climate.


    I am currently raincoat-less, except for a jacket that is ”water resistant” but not waterproof. I wonder if I ought to stop my quest for a couple of months to see if the Spring lines brings brighter colors?


    We are going into a relatively dry season. I don’t have any travel planned until Thanksgiving (in snow country), so I can probably make do with the water resistant jacket. I do not participate in any activities which require me to be out of doors. Generally, if it is raining, I’m running from the car to the door of wherever I’m going.

  • last year

    My assumption is that we are in a current fashion period of muted colors. Everything seems grayed out (greens, reds, blues, etc). So it may take some time before manufacturers start making bright colors. I think the longer coats are considered more fashionable (vs the more technical options) and so that's likely why we're seeing them in muted colors.

    bbstx thanked pricklypearcactus
  • last year

    Uh oh, i just sent a Gap yellow raincoat to the thrift shop. I have too many raincoats, including a red Eddie Bauer, but its short. I like a raincoat that goes mid thigh.

    Im smiling at the thought of you and your dh on deck in your long yellow slickers, kswl. Glad they werent needed!


    bbstx thanked dedtired
  • last year

    @carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10, Totes still makes rain gear. An email triggered my looking at Belk this morning. They had a reversible hooded Totes rain poncho - red on one side, navy with white polka dots on the other. Not what I want, but I was surprised to see the brand.

  • last year

    I checked REI again because they are having a Labor Day sale. I purchased the Ranier rain coat, which I think is similar to the one that only lasted 11 years 😁. It is not a color I wanted but at least it is a clear color and not greyed down. And it was marked down to less than $100. I’m lukewarm about my purchase but it could be worse.