In the past, staying dry and comfortable in the rain in a wearable fashion (cause you know, survival and stuff) was accomplished using natural materials like woven grasses and leaves, fabrics imbued with vegetable oils or thin pieces of tree rubber, and even animal intestines. Yum. A far cry from the homemade yet innovative rainwear of yesteryear’s hunters and gatherers, our modern-day rain jackets and raincoats are made from robust fabrics like Gore-Tex, nylon, and polyester, kitted out with bells and whistles all with the same end goal of keeping us dry through drizzle and downpour.
While most outdoor pursuits are more recreational than about mere survival, having a functional waterproof layer that fits is just as important. In fact, a rain jacket or raincoat is a universal gear essential—and a good one will serve even the greenest outdoorists just as well as those with decades of experience.
