Still struggling with Rain Gear

karly05 · Nov 26, 2015

This year was my first April trip, and I had a couple of off-and-on downpour days that caught me off guard. Next April, I figure I'd better be prepared for rain - but I'm Having Issues...

My park bag is too small to carry my Mickey poncho - and if anything, I'd like to look for a smaller bag for next year. I took a couple of "emergency ponchos" this year, but the first time I tried to use one (in the AK downpour where there was nowhere to get under shelter), I honestly couldn't even get myself into it, it was so flimsy and I couldn't find the head-hole and yes, I know, I'm just hopelessly inept. It was a Coleman brand I got at Target. Anyone want to recommend a better disposable/portable poncho? Better yet, tell me how I could hang a gallon ziploc off my bag (like with a carabiner) and carry my good Mickey poncho. (Although that kind of defeats the purpose of the small/lightweight bag if I'm hanging stuff off of it like Russell's Wilderness Explorer backpack.)

I shouldn't even ask about footwear. I live in Nike sneakers and socks and I just can't believe I'd be comfortable all day in any kind of sandals. I think I'll just have to get my feet soaked and live with it. Is there any sneaker with a cushy insole that won't get soaked?

I'm mostly whining, but I'm four and a half months out and I've got nothing better to think about.

OKW Lover · Nov 27, 2015

Don't know what the problem was with that poncho. We've used the Coleman brand from Target, and other similarly cheap ones, without problem. Suggest you give it another try. The only "trick" we use is to also wear a hat over the hood, which keeps the hood from blowing off if its windy.

minnie mum · Nov 27, 2015

Can't help with the ponchos. I refuse to go to the parks without our day bag, which holds our Mickey ponchos.

I know you love your Nikes, but there are some great sandals on the market that are really comfortable to wear, even when you're walking all day. I have 2 pair of Birkenstock (don't laugh) Gizeh sandals that I wore almost every day on my WDW and DLR trips this year. They have a great arch support, which is essential for me, and didn't rub or chafe even when they got wet. And they're so light you hardly know they're there.

dancemonkey · Nov 27, 2015

We alwAys bring a small bag with ponchos and baggies for phones for water rides and an epi pen

loves to dive · Nov 27, 2015

I have a clear raincoat similar to the ones the CMs wear and love it, it completely covers me from head to toe (I'm a little woman). I can fold it down and fit it in a small D&B crossbody. My phone is so big that it almost takes up more room than the rain coat. Some days, I carry a small travel umbrella that has a hook I can hook on belt loops of shorts. Since I tend to wear sun dresses I have to carry a small purse anyway for the phone. I have a couple of really good ponchos like the Disney ones but from our local university that I can fold up really small by smoothing the air out on each fold then putting them in a zip lock and squeezing all the air out and those will fit in the little waste packs that runners where http://www.amazon.com/niceEshop-Wat..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=1PTYSAC2ZKC03ESKHFDW. It holds my phone in one pocket and the poncho in the other, reading glasses go on a little magnetic loop on my shirthttp://www.amazon.com/Interchangeable-Centerpiece-Holding-Magnetic-Brooch/dp/B00YI8RQD4/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1448643616&sr=8-12&keywords=shark+tank+eyeglass+holder.

texasroni75 · Nov 27, 2015

We've gone twice in September when daily downpours are common. What I've found is that Dollar store ponchos are just too short for me (barely covers to my lap area and is like wearing short-sleeves, which really doesn't help much in any significant rainfall). I bought the following poncho from Walmart for me, my teen daughter, adult daughter and her fiance, and I liked it because it has snaps. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Generic-127WA/19480463 . P

They come in their own protective sleeve, so you can take it off and put it back in your bag to carry it around when you don't need it, without getting the other items in your bag wet. Or, use the drawstring to hang it outside your bag. I was able to roll it up to about half the size it was when I picked it up in the store. Definitely not as small as a cheap dollar store poncho, but much tidier than the Mickey ones.

karly05 · Nov 28, 2015

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. texasroni75, thanks for that Walmart idea. I always end up with a gift card for them after Christmas and was going to check them out for ponchos.

I was on Amazon this weekend, and they had the exact Keen Whispers I'd been flirting with (even the color I wanted) for practically half price, so I figured "why not?" and ordered them. Better safe than sorry.

Long Beach Mike · Nov 28, 2015

I also bought the disposable $1 ponchos for my upcoming December trip, but the moment I got them I knew they were too flimsy to protect against anything. I found these on Amazon and they are eligible for Prime Free delivery:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001L6QGE6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

Also, we got these for our 10 and 8 year old DDs"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QSXNRXA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

Hope this helps!

GaSleepingBeautyFan · Nov 29, 2015

I wear the kind of athletic shoe that doesn't have those annoying holes that water lets into the shoe - it doesn't bug me if it's not breathable since I always care an extra pair of socks and switch out partway through the day as well as renewing the body glide on my feet.

I quit downsizing my park bag because it just wouldn't fit rain gear - I tried the poncho in a drawstring bag that dangled from it and that just annoyed me. I now carry a small backpack and I'm good. I also carry a couple of plastic bags for the wet poncho to go into, and added a small kitchen garbage bag to put down on a bench so I can sit and not get wet. LOL

ReluctantDisaholic · Dec 5, 2015

We felt in August that our ponchos made us hotter - I'm seriously considering leaving them next time and just getting wet

jliehr · Dec 5, 2015

Wet feet are begging for blisters, well, wet socks are anyway. We just always brought a change of socks to the park. If we get those soaked also it was time to head back to the resort, dry our feet and change into new socks and shoes.

Accident · Dec 6, 2015

I don't bring rain gear anymore because I found it not helpful especially if your there in hotter months. I've also had the flip where I've had no rain gear and had no option but to change clothes but that was also an excessively wet week and not the normal quick rain daily.

There is really no good answer except plan whatever makes you comfortable in case you get soaked or it's a couple days of rain. I just buy something while there now if I need it and most of the time I don't. I've also become an expert at spotting the "street cart vendors" quickly covering the electronics to know it's time to spend some time at an attraction that is indoors or takes awhile.

starvenger · Dec 6, 2015

I'm at the point where I now have "travel clothing" which is mostly the fast dry/moisture wicking stuff you get at the Eddie Bauers and Mountain Warehouses of the world. Doesn't prevent you from getting soaked, obviously, but having them get a bit wet is a non-issue.

Speaking of which, Eddie Bauer does sell rain jackets that fold into a small pouch - we used to call them windbreakers when I was a kid - so if you're looking for something a bit less flimsy than the dollar store ponchos (which imo are still great value for what they provide) I'd look for them when they're on sale or clearance.

pepe of ohio · Dec 9, 2015

I have no use or the train of thought in them thin, throwaway ponchos....totally worthless....they got your money, you struggle....

We purchased the yellow Disney ponchos at least 15 years ago and I must say...worth every dime...they have been on every trip ( 56 ) since with no problems, rips or tears and fold up quite small as how they came originally....

Also have to say, in all them trips, we've used them possibility 4 times...our stays have been quite dry but they do go to the parks on forecasted rain days....those 3 pm bursts, we don't bother covering up...

peg110 · Dec 10, 2015

The "Rain Gear" question comes up a lot. I have heard other suggest something like this -> http://www.amazon.com/Augusta-Sportswear-PULLOVER-JACKET-POCKET/dp/B003YE27A0 I have been debating it. we have taken our compact (but large when open) umbrellas when we were anticipating rain. Like others, the quick "Down burst" we don't really worry about.

I have used the "Cheap" (Dollar store) ponchos and personally, I don't like them. (I haven't used them at WDW but at other places that like to GOUGE you for them and charge you $10 for something that is only marginally better than cellophane wrap). If they work for you, then great. I think given a choice, I'd take a Large garbage bag and cut a hole for head and arms and call it a day.

PaHunter · Dec 13, 2015

One of my favorite trip tricks is to take a Mickey poncho, fold it down and get all the air out of it I can, then I place it in a vacuum seal bag and suck it shut. Now of course if you get caught in the rain, rip open pouch and wear poncho. Have to wait until returning home to reseal it, or in our case the camper at Fort Wilderness. Frogg Toggs also pack very small and are very light weight.

Clifton Tesh · Jan 2, 2016

Frog Toggs, you'll never regret them. They're extremely light, compact, and durable. I drive a tow truck and wear my frog Toggs when it rains. I roll on the road, under trucks, and around all kinds of oils and grease and they've stood up to the abuse for the last 7 years. I have a feeling they'll be around for a lot longer.

A jacket and a pair of pants take up about as much space as a 20 ounce bottle.

Here's a link to what I wear.

http://www.froggtoggs.com/mens/the-frogg-toggsr-ultra-lite2tm.html

ZoZo · Jan 2, 2016

Clifton Tesh said:
Frog Toggs, you'll never regret them. They're extremely light, compact, and durable. I drive a tow truck and wear my frog Toggs when it rains. I roll on the road, under trucks, and around all kinds of oils and grease and they've stood up to the abuse for the last 7 years. I have a feeling they'll be around for a lot longer.

A jacket and a pair of pants take up about as much space as a 20 ounce bottle.

Here's a link to what I wear.

http://www.froggtoggs.com/mens/the-frogg-toggsr-ultra-lite2tm.html

I bought a Frogg Toggs poncho for my last trip and loved it! It was made of sturdy, breathable material, not like those Saran Wrap types of "emergency" ponchos that stick to your legs when wet. It folded down into a separate pouch, which I tossed in my backpack.

Still struggling with Rain Gear

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