Rainy day running gear – my choices of apparel
Rain or shine, dedicated runners press on! These are my favorite rainy day running gear picks. From the quiet OMM Kamleika to reliable waterproof caps, let’s dive into the world of gear for successful rainy day runs.
Although it is July, it has been almost constantly raining here. Still, better than sweltering in the heat as Europe is doing at the same time.
It’s obviously good for the soul and for toughening up that ultra-marathon resilience to run in all sorts of conditions (which we judge to be safe) so going out in the rain is certain to help that resilience.
But they do pose the question on what to wear whilst out on the run.
I have always loved my OMM Kamleika because it is rustle-free and stretchy unlike the many stiffer Gore-tex variants that are on the market. There is though a time and place for these too (i.e. in the mountains, especially when out for longer periods when they also will keep you warmer) but for most of your bog-standard runs in the UK, I’d say the OMM is just the ticket.
I pair this with a waterproof cap (either also by OMM or by Salomon) to avoid having to wear the hood in all but the windiest conditions or in driving rain.
OMM also make a full-length Kamleika trouser but, again, most of the time, this is just a bit too much. The ankles and lower legs of these trousers tend to get soggy and muddy in a way that is just not nice or practical so I reserve those for the vilest of conditions.
So I thought a running skirt would be a good idea for rainy day running gear because all I need to keep dry is my bum and thighs and it also keeps ventilation going much better. I bought a cheap one on the internet and can report that despite its over-the-knee length its a good item to use (it scrunches up into a tennis-ball too so is easy to carry if you don’t need it). I paid no more than 10 pounds for it. I’d recommend the same to men but they tend to need waterproofing in the lower half of the body less than women to start with
Anyway, OMM make a dedicated Kamleika skirt but this has not been available in the right sizes much and is also very short and generally unflattering when larger than a size 10. They also do some shorts (made for men). Just recently Salomon have brought out a unisex short (presumably ‘men’s’) version of their Bonatti waterproof trousers. These are good options – I long had some cycling shorts for the same purpose but as they are Gore they are bulky and stiff, rather than these softer, stretchier options by Salomon and OMM. But the faff of putting on shorts (and the extra material between legs) as well as the added moisture and heat that gets trapped, make the skirt a winner.
There are also matching gloves which can be a good idea depending on conditions.
I am sure most companies (Inov-8, Montane spring to mind) have similarly good options of rain jackets that are pleasant to wear.
Gore shoes are useful – I find – when the temperatures drop but in the summer/autumn they may not be required. Instead, waterproof socks are a good alternative but it is vital to test these out and make sure the shoes and socks work together well.
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