When buying any type of clothing, you need to check that it has everything it should have. The same applies to a raincoat, especially if you need the comfort necessary when out in the rain. Is it your first time out to buy a raincoat? Do you need to add others to what you already have? But which one do you buy? All these questions are important to know what you should look out for as you take the plunge to buy a raincoat. In this article, are some of the things that you should consider when buying a raincoat.
1. Waterproof fabric
One important feature to look out for as you shop for a raincoat is if it is having a waterproof fabric. Others tend to use a water repellent treatment on the fabric that, in many instances, does not last as long. So, you can check what level of waterproof is the raincoats as many brands tell how much of the waterproof fabric it is during the manufacturing process. Hence, it can be a high-quality waterproof fabric or a water repellent fabric. Either way, you can tell with the price as the former will cost more. As these two are different from one another. The waterproof fabric takes a lot of washes before it allows the water to seep through the coat. While the repellant fabric after a few showers of rain washes, it loses its repelling ability, and you have to apply the repellant treatment to work as effectively. So, choose ladies raincoats that are waterproof between 3000mm to 10000mm, to make sure that you get one that has good breathability as well.
2. Has a good hood
Another must-have feature for you as you check out the options of the many raincoats available is to check the hood. Imagine it is raining, and you have your raincoat on. However, the hood you pull on your head does not cover well or keeps on slipping out. So how can you know which hood is better than the other? Firstly, the hood you choose must be one that you can have a way to adjust it. This will come in handy when there is wind and you need to prevent the hood from blowing over your head. Check for a hood with toggles that you can pull to tighten the hood around the face. Do not wait to discover that you do not have. When you are already in a downpour. If it has a small peak at the front it is a big advantage as it will help you to shelter your eyes, and you can see in front. Especially when you find yourself running in the rain and wind. Besides, it will help protect any makeup from streaming and your glasses as well. Opt for hoods that have the above, the adjustability, and have a peak to help protect the face when it rains.
3. Length of the raincoat
Nowadays, there are a lot of raincoats that you can choose. Either it is their style, color, length, and design. Taking all this into consideration, you should ensure the length that you go for is the right one. Since up to where the raincoat covers you, you are sure that you will remain dry. For instance, choose one with a longer length at the back, especially if you have to bend down a lot. For instance, as you work in the garden, buckling kids, among other things. When it is longer, it protects from the rain with ease. However, ensure it is not too long as it will restrict movement, and it can cause you to trip. Anyhow, this depends on what you will be doing with the coat most of the time. Hence, choose a raincoat that has a longer length to give a little bit extra coverage.
4. Sealed seams
Do not assume the seams as they are as important as any other feature of the raincoat. If you have a seam that is not sealed and just sewn. Through these sewn seams, they will leak in some way inside the coat even when the raincoat you have bought is waterproof up to 10000mm. Thus, consider sealed seams as the sewn seams are an area of weakness as they always find a way to seep through even though the fabric is a high spec fabric. Hence, why you must check if all seams from the inside are sealed with a waterproof tape after they are sewn. Notably, if your raincoat is not fully sealed, then you cannot consider it as a fully waterproof raincoat as in a heavy downpour you could still get wet.
5. Breathability
When you buy a good and dependable raincoat. After you check the seams, the hood, and how waterproof it is, you still need to consider the breathability of the raincoat. If you have ever had to run or walk faster as it rains to get cover or get home soon enough, but the coat is not breathable, and you are sweating. It is possible that the coat you have on is not made of breathable fabric. Yet, it is a key element you should consider as you shop for the next one. So a dependable raincoat should not only keep the rain off, but it should let the water vapor and perspiration that we create, out. So how best the fabric can release and absorb moisture shows if the fabric has good breathability. Also, with a breathable fabric, the more warmth will be lost. Hence, you need to know when your raincoat comes in handy. This means that they are best for layering and not best to keep you wet and warm at the same time. So, if you want warmth, ensure you wear your raincoat over some warm clothes. All the same, they are best at moderating body temperature. Thus, you can wear them as you go out for a hike and other types of mild exercises.
