Gear Review

By Deborah Johnson

After years of keeping a practical trench coat with a zip out lining in my closet, I finally started looking for new rain gear. Although the trench cost was a lovely lavender, it was busy and fussy and the wool lining itched. I never wore it. Rain wear has become particularly important as I had started traveling to the East Coast quite a bit for business. I needed something that would fit comfortably over a turtleneck and sweater and look rather stylish. No belts. And I’ve always liked a hood on a raincoat, as then I don’t need an umbrella. I find it difficult to juggle an umbrella, a briefcase and a purse at the same time.

My trip to Nordstrom’s put me in a foul mood. The cuts on the coats were tailored and there was no flow. The selection was poor. Then I remembered a coat I had seen in the Magellan’s travel catalogue. It was just what I wanted. Long and flowing, with a large hood and only a few buttons. Reversible, it was black on one side and bronze on the other. I ordered it and I am very happy. People comment on how stunning it is, with fabric that swings loosely and catches the light. It’s not inexpensive but I wear it all the time. I like the length as well. Packing is a piece of cake. Although it’s voluminous, the fabric is very lightweight and wrinkle free. It lays in the suitcase barely thicker than a piece of paper. When you pull it out, it’s ready to wear. No ironing needed. Now if only I can bring myself to throw out the trench coat…

Product Review Policy

RainyDayTraveler.com accepts sample travel and weather-related products for review purposes, however we only write up products we like and can recommend. If we don’t feel we can recommend the product, we will not review it. If you have products that make traveling or putting up with the rain easier and you’d like to have your product considered for review by Rainy Day Traveler, contact us at raingear@rainydaytraveler.com, or send samples to:

Rain Gear Review, Rainy Day Traveler, 430 Obispo Ave. Box 201 , Long Beach , CA 90814

The supplier is responsible for all shipping if you want your products returned.

Gear Review

by Kayte Deioma

It rained on my recent visit to Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico with a group of photographers and writers. It was a perfect opportunity to try out my new Camera “Rain Coat” from FotoSharp in Seattle. Made of silicon-impregnated ripstop nylon, the camera cover is basically a tube that is open at both ends. An adjustable cord at each end allows you to fit one end around your lens hood and have the other at the back of the camera.

I used the camera cover with a Canon D20 digital SLR with both a 35 to 350 mm zoom lens and also a 16 to 35 mm zoom. The photo on the pamphlet shows hands holding the camera from outside the “rain coat.” I found it easier to have my hands holding the camera inside the cover with the top of the cover over the viewfinder. That way, my hands stayed dry too and I wasn’t struggling to keep a slippery wet grip through the cover.

I tested out the claim that the flash will work right through the cover, which it does. It works best if you have a rubber band to keep it tight around the flash. Then it works as a slight diffuser. The cover opening around the lens hood had a hard time staying on the hood and kept sliding off the curved surface of the hood, especially on the shorter lens, so in future I might consider a piece of gaffer’s tape to keep it from slipping.

Overall, the camera, lenses and my hands stayed pretty dry. I was even able to change lenses inside the cover, although it was like working with film in a dark bag. When not in use, it folds down to next to nothing to tuck back into a camera bag or pocket. The other photographers under their umbrellas were quite skeptical at first, but I think there were a few converts by the end of the day.

The 15″ Camera Cover which I used is available for $27.95 at www.FotoSharp.com. There is also a 10″ version for $19.95.

Product Review Policy

RainyDayTraveler.com accepts sample travel and weather-related products for review purposes, however we only write up products we like and can recommend. If we don’t feel we can recommend the product, we will not review it. If you have products that make traveling or putting up with the rain easier and you’d like to have your product considered for review by Rainy Day Traveler, contact us at raingear@rainydaytraveler.com, or send samples to:

Rain Gear Review, Rainy Day Traveler, 430 Obispo Ave. Box 201 , Long Beach , CA 90814

The supplier is responsible for all shipping if you want your products returned.

Gear Review

by Patricia Herbig

What do you wear in a place where the weather can go through four seasons in a day? The rain blows side-ways – or even up! Everyone has an opinion about the best rain coats, hats and umbrellas. Some pick Burberry rain coats with their distinctive designs. I love my RM Williams waxed raincoat with a hood. Imported from Australia, it’s long and warm; it has kept out the rain which has tried to blow sideways up my skirt and tried to get in down my neck. It has inside and outside pockets for the million things I seem to carry with me when I’m out for the day. The downside: Unless you are tall and thin (which I am unfortunately not), you may well look like a brown waxed moving rectangle. The compensation for this: You will be warm and dry no matter what the weather!! RM Williams has a shop on Regent’s Street, just south of Oxford Circus, or you can visit them online at www.rmwilliams.com

Product Review Policy

RainyDayTraveler.com accepts sample travel and weather-related products for review purposes, however we only write up products we like and can recommend. If we don’t feel we can recommend the product, we will not review it. If you have products that make traveling or putting up with the rain easier and you’d like to have your product considered for review by Rainy Day Traveler, contact us at raingear@rainydaytraveler.com, or send samples to:

Rain Gear Review, Rainy Day Traveler, 430 Obispo Ave. Box 201 , Long Beach , CA 90814

The supplier is responsible for all shipping if you want your products returned.