Essentials For Walking In The Rain

Adventure doesn’t wait for the weather, and the rain shouldn’t stop you from getting outside to do what you love. Embracing the rain and heading out on a walk brings a number of unique joys – but the right kit is absolutely essential. Dressing for the weather and having the right things with you will make sure your walk is enjoyable and safe, too, so here’s our kit list for a rainy-day walk.

A staple in any adventurer's kit, a quality waterproof jacket will see you through years of exploring in the rain. Look for fully-taped seams, a peaked hood and specialist technology like GORE-TEX® for guaranteed protection. Check out our full waterproof buying guide here.

A brimmed hood on your outdoor jacket is great to have year-round, for keeping the rain out of your face when it’s pouring to shielding your eyes from the sun when it stops. If your jacket doesn’t have a peak, a baseball cap or similar hat is a great alternative.

Keeping warm in wet weather is essential, but a knitted scarf will do nothing but absorb all the moisture it touches and leave you freezing. A merino wool neckwarmer is designed for changeable weather, so will be quick-drying to allow for rain and sweat as well as preventing odours.

If your walking trousers aren’t already waterproof, or you’d like an extra layer of protection, overtrousers are a great solution. Look for a lightweight, packable and breathable pair for convenience and comfort in a sudden downpour.

Being prepared with the right kit is everything, but you’ll need somewhere to put your wet clothes if the rain stops! Dry bags come in a variety of sizes and are the best way to separate your wet and muddy kit from the rest of your belongings. They’re also great for protecting sensitive items inside your pack - like your phone, camera or wallet - from the rain.

The reason dry bags are so important is because most outdoor packs aren’t waterproof. Especially in heavy downpours, it’s easy for water to get into your pack through the zips, seams or underside as mud and water from the ground are flicked up. For this reason, some larger packs come with a rain cover built-in, but if yours doesn’t then it’s the best investment you can make to protect your pack and everything inside it from the elements.

It goes without saying that quality footwear is essential when it comes to being out in the rain. Most boots are lined with a waterproof membrane, which is really useful for not only weatherproofing your boots but allowing you to cross streams without a problem on your adventures. But, to avoid soggy feet, you don’t just want to keep the wet out; you need to let it out too, otherwise your boots will be full of sweat and condensation. In other words, you need your boots to breathe. Check out our guide for finding the perfect boot here.

These may seem over-the-top, but few things make for an uncomfortable adventure more than wet feet (and the resulting blisters). Gaiters are easy to put on and take off, lightweight to carry and add an extra layer of waterproof protection to your boots and trousers.

Cold hands can make you feel pretty miserable, and on days where soaked-through gloves are a likely reality, hand warmers are a real lifesaver. Keep them in your pockets and use them halfway through your walk for a welcome respite from the chills.