Mens Rain Suits
From LoveToKnow Men's Fashion
Men's rain suits have come a long way from the yellow plastic pieces. Instead of wearing the unflattering yellow parkas or sticking your arms and head out of a garbage bag to protect your clothes, find these pleasant ways of keeping you and your clothes dry.
Rain Suit Styles
Take rain as an opportunity to distinguish yourself. Today, designers create remarkable rain suits, making it easy to look good in the rain. Try to buy a classic suit, longevity is important. A classic raincoat or trench coat for example, will always look good.
If you need a rain suit for work, and you want a casual look, consider a cropped raincoat in modern shades of gray or blue. This shorter version of the raincoat is comfortable, practical and versatile. If you are looking for something more formal or professional, invest in the legendary trench coat. This iconic piece can be worn mid-length or long, belted or loose and it looks great in a timeless color like black, beige or camel. Find a lightweight coat to help with weather transitions from hot to cold and vice versa. Also, look for front pockets to give your small valuables (your wallet, phone or iPod) some protection.
For outdoor activities, try to find a rain suit specific for that. In sailing for example, you'll need a suit that is not only waterproof, but windproof as well. Try the following links to find the outdoor suit you need:
- Backcountry: For skiing, hiking and other activities
- Rei: For hiking
- Musto: For sailing
For pants, a wide range is available, it all depends on what you need. If you are wearing a long raincoat or trench coat, you probably don't need waterproof pants. If you are going hiking, biking, or doing any other outdoor activity, you want to look for pants with no seams on the back and with zipper or velcro closures. Make sure it fits well and is comfortable, allowing you to move freely.
A very interesting option is to create your own waterproof suit. Some dry cleaners can waterproof your garments, with prices ranging from $30 to $50.
Types of Men's Rain Suits
From heavyweight rain suits to temporary fixes, you can find rain gear at department stores, catalogs and the Internet. First, determine what kind of rain suit is appropriate for your lifestyle. The when and where are important. You don't want to have the burden of wearing a heavy rain suit for a dinner party, or wearing one that's too trendy for the outdoors. How often you use your suit, as well as its end use, will help you select the best fabric, features, and performance. The following tips will help you decide what kind of rain suit you need to buy.
- If you enjoy camping, hiking or boating, then a breathable rain suit is the ideal option. It will prevent moisture from breaking in while allowing perspiration to get out.
- When work requires you to wear a rain suit, because you'll be constantly outside, it is recommended to have a heavyweight rain suit. It will keep you extra dry and comfortable.
- If you want a dressy rain suit, then pick up a classic one that goes with everything in your closet. Make sure it can be paired effectively with both jeans and dress pants.
- For sudden pours, try to buy an emergency suit. Usually made of plastic, an emergency rain suit has the advantage of fitting in a glove compartment or in a backpack. These suits are also very inexpensive.
Important Features
The features and design in men's rain suits can influence comfort and protection from the elements. Always look for the following features when purchasing your rain gear.
| High quality, non-corrosive zippers |
| Properly sealed seams that prevent water from entering through thread holes |
| Accessible pockets |
| Reinforced material in high stress areas, like the knees in pants and elbows and shoulders in jackets |
| Loose fitting gear, allowing air circulation and proper ventilation |
Choosing Suitable Fabric
For any type of activity, you’ll want something waterproof and breathable. Waterproof so you can stay dry and breathable so you don’t overheat. In short, the more active you are, the more breathable your garment needs to be. A breathable fabric allows air to pass through while sweat escapes. Here's a description of the different kinds of fabrics out there.
- Water-resistant and Breathable: prevents water from passing or diffusing through the fabric, since it has a layer that is impermeable to rain. Still, this will only work with moderate precipitation and will not protect you against harsh weather.
- Waterproof and Breathable: gets rid of water in rough conditions, and the fabrics' breathability allows perspiration to escape during activity. They are usually heavier weight and include extra features for ventilation. These are very useful while doing sports like skiing and hiking.
- Lightweight, Waterproof and Breathable: can be used in warm and cool climates, and are easily packed because they take up little space. These cost even more because they provide increased levels of waterproofing and breathability, which is good for harsher weather conditions.
The Right Fit
Pick a suit with enough space for layering but also fitted enough to be comfortable. Choosing the right size will enhance the effectiveness of your rain suit. In addition, a full range of motion is important, so make sure you can easily move your arms and bend your knees. When the weather is rough, you need to be comfortable in order to deal with it.
After Thoughts
There’s a huge array of rain suits available, each with specific purposes and forms. Take some time to select the right one for you, and consider it an investment. Good quality suits will not only last longer, but will provide better protection. Remember, the best rain suit will allow you to make the best out your outdoor activities, even amidst the ambivalence of Mother Nature.
- Written by Melissa Alvarado
Learn More
Comments
Try visiting a local department to see what they have in stock and if all else fails try shopping online. There are rain suits designed to fit over your regular clothing. Good luck in your search!
-- Contributed by: Cheryl CirelliI have been looking for a dress rain suit, I am a corporate chauffer and really need the type of rain suit that can be worn over a suit
-- Contributed by: Dressy rain suit
This page has been accessed 2,018 times. This page was last modified 18:27, 18 November 2008.
© 2006-2010 LoveToKnow Corp.
Subscribe with RSS
See all RSS feeds
Visit us on facebook