A last minute question regarding raincoats
 

My Hubby & I will be in London area / Cork & Dublin Ireland / Edinburgh during late June thru mid-July --- I am trying to decide if we need our raincoats or just a windbreaker (I have read on this site that Ireland & Scotland are alittle cooler than London)? I am trying to pack light so any info would help in our final choices. Thanks

I read once that American tourists could always be spotted because they were wearing those light windbreakers and were shivering:)
I think a light rain jacket would be enough, no need to haul a long raincoat. But you might need warmth when it is raining, so skip the windbreaker~

I'd recommend a gore-tex rain jacket and something polartec for underneath. You'll find you'll often be glad to have one or the other or both along.

I don't know if it's me or not, but I have always been COLD in London and in Ireland!! I find that if I layer my clothes and with that I wear a turtleneck, a shirt over that, and then a jacket that keeps me warm. After sightseeing in London and Dublin I found a raincoat that packs up into the size of a pocket (very small) and it's a full length so that yes, it does help keep me warm and dry. I use it here a lot too (probably one of the best investments I made).

Like Scarlett said - you don't want to be wearing a thin windbreaker and white sneakers, do you??

Have a great trip
Ellen

I've never been hotter in my life ..and I live in Florida...than I was in London at the end of a June!Take a light rain jacket..and layer..

I'd probably check the weather closer to leaving, although you never can tell with that long a time frame -- however, I would not take a windbreaker at all but would take a raincoat. I've only been to Dublin and Edinburgh once each, but both were in July and it rained a lot and was quite cold. I am really glad I had my raincoat with me or I would have frozen. Mine was a knee-length trench coat (but no heavy lining), but was thicker material than those real thin ones you can find. I wore that during the day and also going out at night (with a sweater or something under it at night). The days it was warmer I just wore the sweater. I don't find windbreakers that useful -- they are too light to do much good but are too casual to wear out at night to a relatively nice place such as the theater or nice restaurant. My black trenchcoat filled all purposes. It folded up fairly small (was probably a combination polyester/cotton fabric). Actually, I've been in London in August several times and twice it was fairly cold also and I could use a trench coat, especially at night.

I'm on Jody's side! I have frozen some June-July trips and broiled others. #1 You want to keep the rain off even if it's 100. Soggy clothes are a drag! It rains horizontally there and will soak your pants or mist them to mold!
This goes for all of Europe in the summer! And don't be too proud to use an umbrella, even a folding one. My rule is "if it looks like rain and you leave the umbrella at the hotel...it rains! If you take it, it doesn't!" Not fool proof, but close!Same goes for foot wear!
Bon Voyage

I'm headed over for the first time, and we'll be out in the countryside a lot. I thought I would take my wind/waterproof shell, along with a fleece jacket (fits under the shell, and some turtlenecks.

A related (temperture/comfortwise) question, I was trying to decide whether to take my cozy flannel nightgown (a bit bulky and obviously single duty) or some leggings and a long sleeve t-shirt that could serve as pajamas and/or an extra layer if I needed them. I'm leaning towards the leggings idea... any thoughts?

Goretex coats, turtleneck sweaters, cotton layers, thermal artic underwear! for goodness sake your going to Ireland in early summer: short sleeve shirt open to the waist and you'll be snug as a bug in a rug (for females it is acceptable to just open the top two buttons)- where has the pioneer spirt gone.

Crazy Cat

Went to Ireland once in June and once in July within the last couple of years. In June it rained cats and dogs and I was more than happy to have my rain jacket along. It is only a jacket though, had to layer for colder weather, and I also purchased rain pants as well. Both were the kind that can sqeeze way down and either had their own bag or could zip into it's own pocket. The June days were warm mostly but it was a plus not to be wet in the car and everywhere else.

The July we went had hardly any rain at all. Still, in Ireland, it's best to be prepared. As one local told me "If you can't see the mountain, it's raining. If you can, it's going to rain."

Have a great time!

Wendy

I was lucky. I spent a summer in london/Liverpool and it rained only twice and by the time we crossed the street, it was over. I did have heavy rain in Wales suddenly fall as we were at the sheepdog trials and also in Scotland.

I think your choice of coat would depend on your planned activities.
In Ireland, I went to cliffs of Moher, & Gap of Dunloe (boat & pony trap outing)with a neutral hooded windbreaker.
A raincoat and umbrella would have been impractical, but the hood came in handy during some wicked weather...
For more formal outings, I wore sweater sets or layers, and carried an umbrella.

along with your activities, are you warm- or cold-natured? I'm very warm-natured and do a lot of walking so I usually opt for something light. If you're quite the opposite, a heavier jacket will suit you.

Rather than a windbreaker, I took a gore-tex jacket on my last trip (exactly one year ago) and I was simply too warm to wear it most of the time... then again it didn't rain all that much while I was there.

I have just returned from Ireland and it was cold, wet and windy. A light waterproof jacket with a hood to go over layers of clothing is my suggestion. I was glad to have taken a hat and gloves, used them more than once. Now on a lighter note if you stay at one of the hotels with a leasure center make sure, as well as taking a swim suit, you take a bathing cap. It cost 3 Euros to get a cap which was manditory at the Woodstock hotel in Ennis.The only other time I've had to wear a cap was in Germany many years ago. Caps were manditory but suits were not. Very interesting!

We were in Dublin, Dingle and Galway late June 2000. I agree w/ most posters that layers are the key.We only had a few drizzly days but I'm glad we had light raincoats w/fleece to layer undernetath when it was cold. I even brought a pair of those little stretchy dept. store gloves and was very glad to wear them on the double-decker bus in Dublin. On the same trip, my husband wore shorts several days! My kids and I were comfortable with long pants but it goes to show you the variation of weather in a 12 day period! Layers allow you to dress for whatever.
Have a wonderful time!
marylouise

I own a wonderful, lightweight, oversized trench coat that might make Colombo blush, but it travels with me everywhere. It fits comfortably over mutiple layers; it can be belted around a lightweight dress; it's pockets hold maps, tissues, gloves and never show a bulge. In a pinch, I've even thrown it over my pajamas to answer the door.

When it becomes too disreputable to wear any longer, I'm going to buy another one just like it. Aside from my husband, it's my favorite traveling companion.

I'll bring some rain coat or jacket, but would love to buy a coat in London -- to say that I did and enjoy for the next 5+ years. Any thoughts on deals for Burberry or Aquascutum or similar chic raincoat for no-longer young working mom with limited shopping time? No, not the $300+ kind...the $500 for $200 kind.

This part of Europe averages 68-74 for high temps during that time of the year. The rain is generally in showers (1/2 hour to 2 hour episodes) that are often followed by limited sunshine. I agree with those who say to forget the long bulky raincoats & go with lighter shells & umbrellas. We just returned from Ireland where it was showery each day and 55-60. We did fine with sweaters, shells and umbrellas.

take a look at www.weather.com and look at the 10 day forcast for the city you are visiting. Might give you an idea of what to expect. Who can really predict the weather? Might get a weather rock. Put it outside. If its wet its raining....LOL