Rain is no excuse to stop you from going outside and getting after it. But while wet weather doesn’t have to change what you do, it will certainly change what you wear and how you gear up. Here鈥檚 a sport-by-sport breakdown of how to dress when the forecast calls for rain.
Day Hiking: Lightweight Wins
If you鈥檒l be out for only a couple of hours, a lightweight but still fully waterproof and breathable jacket like may be all you need. You’ll hardly notice the seven-ounce EVODry Phoenix in your pack if it turns sunny. But thanks to a cinch-down hood and 2.5-layer MemBrain庐 Eco waterproof-breathable fabric鈥攎ade from recycled nylon in a process that鈥檚 both water- and PFC-free鈥攊t鈥檒l keep you dry even if it starts coming down sideways. Pro tip: Put聽essentials in a zip-lock or lightweight drybag, and consider taking those trekking poles鈥攚hen footing is slippery, they can be a huge help.
Canoe and Sea Kayaking: You Can鈥檛 Be Too Prepared
Because you鈥檙e not exerting as much energy, it鈥檚 easier to get chilled paddling in the rain. Your PFD will help keep you warm鈥攁ll that buoyant insulation also helps retain body heat鈥攂ut you鈥檒l want to have quick access to all of your key layers. Start with a sturdy waterproof-breathable jacket like , which boasts a supercharged DWR coating that’s 10 times durable than conventional DWR coatings, then layer underneath accordingly. , which has a handy hood and is cut from Polartec鈥檚 quick-drying Power Dry fabric, might be all you need. But be sure to also pack a warmer layer, like Marmot鈥檚 , which is aces at maintaining warmth in damp weather. Thanks to its DriClime庐 wicking lining and 3M鈩 Thinsulate鈩 synthetic loose-fiberfill insulation, which has the same thermal performance as natural 700-fill down, it won鈥檛 wilt in the wet stuff. Pro tip: Even if there鈥檚 no serious precipitation in the forecast, pack a pair of rain pants, like . Their three-quarter zippers let your legs breathe when you鈥檙e on the move, and the articulated knees guarantee you won鈥檛 have a hitch in your giddy-up. Your (dry) buns will thank us later.
Backpacking: Suit of Armor Required
The farther you get from the trailhead, the more important your gear becomes. This is especially true with rain gear鈥攜our first line of defense against the elements. The ideal backpacking jacket is like the EVODry Eclipse鈥攃ut from a fabric burly enough to withstand all-day rain, with a stout hood and pit zips you can crack without having to take off your pack.聽Pro tip: If it鈥檚 looking especially soggy, pack rain pants and a full-brimmed, waterproof hat like Marmot鈥檚 , your best bet for keeping rain off your glasses or running down your neck. And be sure to waterproof the interior of your pack with a trash compactor bag鈥攊t鈥檚 the easiest and least expensive way to keep everything dry.
Running: Start Cold
Running in a jacket that wasn’t built from breathable materials like can make you wet with sweat. That’s why ample pit zips, like the water-resistant ones on the EVODry Eclipse Jacket, are a great feature鈥攖hey let you vent excess heat quickly. While you can get away with a little looseness in the jacket, it鈥檚 key that your next-to-skin layers are snug, like Marmot鈥檚 , so they can grab the moisture off your skin. Pro tip: Start a touch cold, wearing one less layer than you would feel comfortable standing around in. Once you start running, you鈥檒l warm up right away and reduce your chances of overheating.
Mountain Biking: Extra Layers Are Key
Trails dry enough to ride? Tire pressure reduced by 5 to 10 psi for added traction? If yes times two, and it鈥檚 cool and rainy at the trailhead, a thin synthetic base layer like Marmot鈥檚 layered underneath the EVODry Phoenix Jacket might be the perfect combo.聽Pro tip: If you鈥檙e heading out on a ride that starts with a big sustained climb, and it鈥檚 only raining lightly, keep the EVODry Eclipse and an extra base layer in your pack. Instead, start out wearing a more breathable outer layer, like Marmot鈥檚 windproof and water-resistant , which should keep you mostly dry on the way up. When you top out and it鈥檚 time to rip back down, peel off (and pack) your sacrificial layers, put on your extra base layer and the聽EVODry Eclipse, and bomb back down drier, warmer, and happier.
is the evolution of rainwear, garments that outperform current technology with minimal environment impact. EVODry uses a revolutionary Breathable Water Protection鈩 finish that allows water to bead off even in the heaviest most prolonged storms with no wetting out.