I'm looking for a good, quality rain coat. I'd prefer something that isn't too bulky but will get the job done. Any suggestions?
I'm with David on this one. Eddie Baur WeatherEdge offers a great yet lightweight shell. I've been wearing the Port Townsend Parka and have had no complaints. It's versatile as far looks so you can wear it to work or out on a rainy night.
8 Answers
I have a North Face and love it. I think they look and work great. They range is price from around $200 - $600.
I don't know your body type/age/lifestyle, but I wear the Armani Double-Breasted Trench and I like it. Accompany it with a black or khaki umbrella and you should be set - Keeps the rain out, and looks classy.
By the way, it's on sale right now for 600.
I am a college student and have walked in the rain many a day. I need a jacket that is light enough to put in my backpack, completely water proof, and good looking. I found it in this:
I know its northface, which is rather cliche but it really is great. I can't say enough good things about it. All the seams are very well waterproofed, it is super light and best of all it looks super sharp. You can easily roll/fold the hoop up into the jacket, which is a great feature, it also has a nice water proofed chest pocket that I like a lot too. You cannot go wrong with this jacket, epically in black, really.
as others have asked, is this for more formal occasions? or just running around campus not getting soaked, then sitting in air conditioned classrooms and getting hypothermia? north face is good, but i prefer patagonia, and a shell like this. i have a pair of hardshell pants of theirs with the h2no and dwr stuff, and they really are extremely waterproof. i also have a soft shell jacket of their's, and is very water resistant. if it's dumping though, i prefer my gore-tex hardshell. it's part of the gore-tex paclite series. it's a basic shell that's totally wind/waterproof. i've worn it dozens of times kayaking, on day touring and overnight trips, and just everyday use as well. i wore it in scotland during the spring, and with just the shell and a hoodie on, i was quite warm the whole time. it packs really small, and keeps me warm and dry. any jacket with gore-tex will keep you from getting soaked
As an update, I'll be living/studying at Oxford for all of next school year, starting in October, so I figure that I'll need a pretty good raincoat. So I'll be on campus with all of the English rain and I figure I'll need something that will keep me warm and keep me dry while still staying stylish at the same time. Thanks for all the input. Any other answers would be greatly appreciated as well.
I have been using the REI Shuksan eVent Jacket for some time now and I am truly impressed. eVent is a membrane similar to GoreTex, but it is 4x times more breathable and just as waterproof. I biked home from work last week (11 miles) in the middle of a storm. It was 80 degrees and pouring hard. I had just the Shuksan and a T-shirt on and stayed dry, and didn't overheat.
Don't know if you were looking for something a bit more formal, but I have the WeatherEdge Shell by Eddie Bauer and it has worked great. The rain beads off immediately and it blocks the wind very well.