Vancouver Weekend: We're Thinking....Rain Gear

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      Need something to do this weekend? Here are five local shops offering various types of rain gear to keep you dry.

      The Umbrella Shop, 526 West Pender Street

      There’s no better city for the Umbrella Shop to call home than Vancouver, where the rain falls in buckets from October to June. (And then there’s always July, August, and September, when things slow down to a drizzle.) Given the yearly amount of precipitation—1,457 mm, in case you’re curious—an umbrella isn’t a foppish luxury, but instead a complete necessity. You can spend $4.99 on a made-in-Taiwan drugstore special that’s going to last a week, or pony up a bit more for a quality Umbrella Shop brolly that will withstand the windiest of November monsoons. Wannabe Englishmen can opt for the classic stick model, which looks like something Alfred Hitchcock might have treasured. There are folding umbrellas for when you need something compact, and oversize golf umbrellas for making sure you and your loved one stay totally dry while strolling down Robson. In addition to the classic hook, handles come in bamboo, duck head, and penguin head models. And why go with basic black, when you can stand out with colours that include grape, burgundy, and royal blue, or patterns like royal pheasant and lemon-lime blossom? For the three weeks of the year when the sun actually shines, spring for a vintage-looking parasol in iridescent fuchsia or gold. As for the rest of the time, if your favourite song is Garbage’s “Only Happy When It Rains”, the Umbrella Shop is probably your favourite store.  

      The waterproof jackets from Mountain Equipment Co-op will make your walk in the rain less dreary.
      Mountain Equipment Co-op

      Mountain Equipment Co-op, 130 West Broadway and 212 Brooksbank Avenue, North Vancouver

      Our city has plenty of monikers, one of which aptly describes the weather in the fall months: Raincouver. Should you be a newcomer to Vancouver (or just anyone who is unprepared for the amount of rain in this town), we suggest checking out Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) for some waterproof gear. Besides being a favourite shop for all things active (e.g. skis, bikes, camping supplies, hiking equipment), it also carries a wide selection of rainproof active wear that you’ll want to own for those cold and wet days. Taking a walk in the rain? Check out the MEC Alpine Ally Jacket ($250) that comes in both women’s and men’s designs—its 3-layer Pertex Shield will guarantee full waterproof protection so you can focus on the walk rather than on staying dry. Heading up to the North Shore for a quick weekend hike, but faced with pouring rain? Go for the Columbia Conspiracy Titanium Outdry Light Trail Shoes (available in both men’s and women’s styles), which are waterproof and versatile for outdoor sports. Made of durable and rain resistant material, the shoes can save you from constantly avoiding those puddles. Just don’t get carried away with the rain gear, because the sun does eventually come out during the beautiful summer months.

      The boots from Australian Boot Company are a good investment.
      Australian Boot Company

      Australian Boot Company, 1968 West 4th Avenue

      So you reckon that there are more Aussies in Vancouver than in Australia itself? You’re not alone. Many hundreds of our friends from Down Under settle around the Lower Mainland for a ski-season or two—a fact that’s not wasted on Australian Boot Company, which, by setting up shop in Kitsilano, has managed to tap in to both of its target markets: homesick Aussies, and people who appreciate having dry feet. Specializing in Blundstones—pull-on leather ankle boots that come in an array of colours and styles—the store boasts a huge stock of fashionable, waterproof shoes.Offering choices for both men and women, the Australian Boot Company prioritizes comfort over gender, providing a host of unisex styles ready to stave off the Vancouver rain—be it steel-toed workboots, wellies, or dress shoes. Although on the pricier end of the scale, these shoes are well worth the investment, because, as all locals well know, there’s literally nothing worse than walking around with wet socks all day.

      Arc’teryx's waterproof gear has a lifetime warranty.
      Arc’teryx

      Arc’teryx, 2033 West 4th Avenue

      There is rain gear, and then there is the waterproof outerwear made by this North Vancouver–based company. Arc’teryx, known for next-level equipment guaranteed to stand up to harsh climates, was created in 1989 by a group of local climbers. (They’re serious about the guarantee: their lifetime warranty means if your gear falls apart, they’ll replace or repair it for nothing, or next to nothing.) Today, Arc’teryx employs topnotch designers, material experts, product developers, and pattern makers to create a host of products, but our favourite has to be their Alpha jacket. Designed with incredible durability and functionality, these coats are made with quality control at top of mind: a single Alpa SV Men’s Jacket takes nearly five hours to make and requires input from 65 different employees. Add their funky colour selection and customization options into the mix, and you’re looking at an investment that every resident of Raincouver can appreciate. 

      Keep your feet dry with some rainboots from Gravitypope.
      Gravitypope

      Gravitypope, 2205 West 4th Avenue

      There are few places in the world where you can justify investing in a pair of comfortable, completely waterproof and won’t-fall-apart-in-the-event-of-a-monsoon boots, and luckily (or unluckily) for you, Vancouver is one of them. But seriously: if you’re going to live in a place where P.O.P. levels are consistently hovering at 99.9 percent, you may as well look damn good doing it. Enter gravitypope, a Kitsilano mainstay with a footwear selection that can only be described as delightfully overwhelming. We’re not kidding when we say that almost every square inch of the boutique is packed with shoes, though the merchandisers have found a way to cram a long table with loafers, Chelsea boots, boat shoes, and sneakers in a way that feels more artful than claustrophobic. Those looking for footwear designed to weather even the wettest of West Coast storms will want to look for labels like Frye and Aigle, the latter of which was one of the world’s first brands to incorporate durable rubber into shoes. Dr. Martens, Alice + Whittles, and Sperry are other names available, each of which offers fashion-forward details like lace-up closures, glossy finishes, and luxe fur lining that are a step above the basic welly.

       

      Running every Thursday, Vancouver Weekend spotlights five Straight-approved places around the city worth discovering.

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