Optimistic though we like to be around this time of year (have you seen our sandals, swimwear, and sunglasses round-ups yet?) spring is not short of its damp days. April showers remain a fixture of the weather forecast, and the key to navigating such conditions in style is finding the right waterproof clothing.
When it comes to weather conditioning, you’re not short of options. Brands from the USA to Sweden specialize in waterproof clothing that merge the best technical construction with fashion-forward, on-point styles to have you longing for a downpour in the dryer months that follow.
And so, we’ve rounded up seven brands to consider as you shop for a water-tight wardrobe, comprising everything from rain-proof footwear by Hunter which will see you right through festival season to the steezy and effective bags of Rains.
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When it comes to waterproof footwear, British heritage brand Hunter has been doing the job since 1856. The brand holds two Royal Warrants of Appointment to the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, but don’t mistake its historic accolades for lack of innovation – Hunter has come a long way since its iconic Original boot.
Hunter now offers everything from rain macs to umbrellas and waterproof backpacks, as well as some of the most stylish wellington boots you can buy. A highlight is its Chelsea boot; a timeless style that’s handcrafted from natural rubber and vulcanized for superior protection. For SS19, a particularly fashion-forward rendition came down the Paris runway care of Stella McCartney.
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Stutterheim’s Stockholm raincoat is a wet weather staple. And while you’ll no doubt have peeped the classic bright yellow colorway of its signature fisherman silhouette, SS19 options abound in trending palates and eye-catching designs such as patchwork.
Founded in the Stockholm archipelago, the signature model of Stutterheim is heavy, durable, and above all, timeless. But the brand refuses to rest on its laurels, with steezy collaborations with the likes of Novesta, Alpha Industries, and even Marni.
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Those Scandinavians sure know how to stay dry. Rains is another Nordic company specializing in everyday waterproof clothing with a typically minimalist aesthetic. Founded in Denmark in 2012, the brand has reinterpreted traditional styles in a novel way, first launching with only a poncho and expanding into all kinds of apparel and accessories.
Made from a high-grade polyester, Rains pieces are pretty instantly identified by their particularly soft texture. Pieces are bonded through ultrasonic welding to ensure quality waterproofing, and even its zippers and other detailing is primed for wet conditions.
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The all-round outdoor nous of Arc’Teryx is kind of unrivaled. Formed in Canada’s Coast Mountains, the label produces apparel that caters to one of the most diverse climates and challenging conditions in the world. So it’s not all that surprising that waterproofing is a design given in everything it does.
All of Arc’Teryx’s garments are engineered to solve a problem, using only the most efficient technical fabrics and construction elements. Its most water-tight products draw on Gore-Tex for ultimate water resistance and breathability (the material has 9 billion pores per square inch), while extra points come from the brand’s commitment to sustainability in everything it does.
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Helly Hansen covers all bases of outdoor apparel, and you’ll likely have considered its insulative winter-geared garments in colder climes. Another Nordic brand to make the list, unlike Rains and Stutterheim, it’s commitment lies in professional-grade outerwear made with insights drawn from living in the world’s harshest environments.
First-to-market innovations of Helly Hansen include pioneering supple waterproof fabrics that hit the market some 140 years ago. And though its ski gear may be its most popular product today, relatively low-cost technically accomplished raincoats come in all kinds of styles for spring downpours to come.
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While you’ll no doubt have had Salomon’s latest S/LAB running sneakers on your wish list for a minute now (which, incidentally, come with a construction primed for the puddles), the brand’s offering by no means ends with its kicks.
The French, sports-geared label boasts garments to keep you dry from head to toe. Don’t sleep on its Bonatti race jacket, which comes with fully taped seams and advanced Skin Dry 10/10 technology and is currently available on sale for half off, or its waterproof membrane equipped cap, complete with reflective logo to stay visible in low light.
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The North Face needs no major introduction from us. The American outdoors company was founded some 50 years ago and has since released all-conditions icons such as the Nuptse shell vest and jacket and Basecamp duffel bags, not to mention some of the steeziest ever Supreme collabs and fashion-forward sublines such as The North Face Black Series.
For spring, TNF has a number of lightweight waterproof clothing options sure to see you through wet seasons for years to come. Its Novelty Cyclone 2.0 comes with WindWall technology with a water-repellent DWR finish, recently released as part of its iridescent capsule, or, for a goes-with-everything alternative, the DryVent technology-equipped white Mountain Quest Jacket is a favorite of ours.
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