Rain gear in Washington state (Seattle, Tacoma: homes, shops, weather)

[homesinseattle]

Baseball caps are great, covers the head and the brim keeps rain out of the eyes. I wear that or a beanie when it gets colder in the year. As others have mentioned, the rain isn’t generally heavy around here. A sweater with a denim jacket over it (and hat) usually do the trick, good waterproof shoes or boots help too. There are a few times each year I break out my heavier coat, but not very often.

[CalWorth]

Rainproof pants, the mud on the trails is real.

[MechAndy]

I use quality Grundens Gor-Tex gear (jacket and pants).
A thin jacket with a proper underlayer, a pair rain of pants and good boots is all I need for most any activities here.
I like the Gor-Tex because it’s easy to layer.
I hardly ever use my thick jackets anymore.
My jacket has a hoody for the rain but I sometimes use my canvas gardening type hat for rain and sun.
I don’t much like getting my glasses wet and I can’t stand having the sun bear down on me.

Pro tip,
My jacket was going for $400 locally and I found it for $299 online.
I’ve spent hundreds in that store so I didn’t feel bad one bit about using them to size my new jacket .

[StealthRabbit]

Find yourself a Helly Hansen outlet, or buy online
https://www.hellyhansen.com/en_us/store-finder

[leastprime]

Hat-boondocker, baseball cap is usually enough. Wool/polyester knit hat for colder days
Outwear Layered: rain proof outer jacket, all purpose inner jacket, flannel shirt, is my normal wet-colder day wear.
Pants-normal wet days- just jeans or poly pants. Colder rare days-ski pants over jeans.
Shoes: hiking boots but am getting old so bending over is hard-so slip on Easy spirits, brushed leather with a water repellent spray. I am a PNW and sometimes, I carry a extra pair of socks which double as mittens. I no longer work in muddy areas so rubber boots are long donated.

Doesn't really rain like east of Rockies. It's really a long heavy drizzle. Example 4 hours of this may receive .25 inch.

REI /Columbia stores will give you an idea what we are wearing.

[rjshae]

Originally Posted by Seasidemel

I’ve heard people don’t use umbrellas, and I’m glad because I like having my hands free. My question is this, what is the preferred way to walk in rainy Washington weather. Do you use a hood, a hat? And what about coats or rain jackets? Do you just bundle up in a sweater and put a rain jacket over it or do you wear a waterproof coat? Any suggestions on waterproof boots? Thanks for any help.

People dress however they want. A hooded jacket is common. I prefer a waterproof jacket and a boonie hat.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by leastprime

Hat-boondocker, baseball cap is usually enough. Wool/polyester knit hat for colder days
Outwear Layered: rain proof outer jacket, all purpose inner jacket, flannel shirt, is my normal wet-colder day wear.
Pants-normal wet days- just jeans or poly pants. Colder rare days-ski pants over jeans.
Shoes: hiking boots but am getting old so bending over is hard-so slip on Easy spirits, brushed leather with a water repellent spray. I am a PNW and sometimes, I carry a extra pair of socks which double as mittens. I no longer work in muddy areas so rubber boots are long donated.

Doesn't really rain like east of Rockies. It's really a long heavy drizzle. Example 4 hours of this may receive .25 inch.

REI /Columbia stores will give you an idea what we are wearing.

It doesn't rain heavily, until it does. Some years see heavy rain (I don't know if those are the El Nino years, or La Nina). I had to get a full-length Gore-tex raincoat after walking to work at the UW during a rainy period, and getting to work with my layers of wool clothing (under a water-repellent jacket) soaked through. Water-proofing is important to have for when you need it. Merely water-repellent will work fine much of the time, unless you're hiking in thick mist or drizzle, but I wouldn't do that.

[mayfair]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

It doesn't rain heavily, until it does. Some years see heavy rain (I don't know if those are the El Nino years, or La Nina). I had to get a full-length Gore-tex raincoat after walking to work at the UW during a rainy period, and getting to work with my layers of wool clothing (under a water-repellent jacket) soaked through. Water-proofing is important to have for when you need it. Merely water-repellent will work fine much of the time, unless you're hiking in thick mist or drizzle, but I wouldn't do that.

True. If you do more than a quick urban stroll between your car and a building and spend any amount of time outdoors, you'll get soaked through anything "water repellant." Atmospheric rivers can dump a lot of rain in a short time. And 40s/50 degrees suddenly feels a lot colder when you're soaking wet.

[rkcarguy]

+1 for Gore-tex/Grundens.
I keep a fleece and the Gore-tex jacket in the car, and layer up as needed.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by Seasidemel

I’ve heard people don’t use umbrellas, and I’m glad because I like having my hands free. My question is this, what is the preferred way to walk in rainy Washington weather. Do you use a hood, a hat? And what about coats or rain jackets? Do you just bundle up in a sweater and put a rain jacket over it or do you wear a waterproof coat? Any suggestions on waterproof boots? Thanks for any help.

Just a good "rain hat" with a broad enough brim to keep rain from going down the back of your neck and a chin-strap to keep it from blowing off your head. Here's mine: