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Beat the Great British downpour with 10 expert-picked rainy day essentials
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As autumn takes hold, rainy days are likely to replace the clear skies of recent months.
Wet weather doesn’t have to keep you trapped indoors or stop a family outing. It also shouldn't mean soggy socks, slow-drying trousers or muddy footprints everywhere.
Which? experts share the autumn essentials they rely on to stay dry in the outdoors, alongside indoor gadgets that will help if you do get caught in a downpour.
Planning to head out on a hike? Take a look at the essential walking gear used by Which? experts.
Black & Decker X Frame Heated Airer
Cold, wet weather means laundry takes forever to dry, so I finally got a heated clothes airer. It’s a game-changer for everything from fresh washing to drenched jackets after a Sunday dog walk, keeping the damp at bay and preventing that awful musty smell.
We like: Dries clothes inside
We don’t like: Not as big as other airers
Dry wet clothes more quickly by investing in a heated airer, rather than just using a regular clothes horse. It will take a matter of hours rather than days to dry your trousers, and may help to prevent damp in your home, too.
With an X-shaped layout, this Black and Decker airer is designed so that clothes shouldn’t stack on top of each other. And it will neatly fold down when you want to store it.
Read our Black & Decker X Frame Heated Airer review to find out what our testers thought.
Helly Hansen Waterproof Overtrousers
I never leave the house to walk the dogs without my Helly Hansen waterproof overtrousers. After getting caught in one too many downpours, they’ve become part of my daily essential kit. There’s nothing worse than starting the day with soaking wet clothes and feeling cold and uncomfortable before you’ve even had your first coffee.
We like: Even torrential rain won't bother you
We don’t like: Not available at many retailers
A pair of waterproof trousers is a must-have for any rainy-day walkers. They’ll keep you dry and comfortable even when it’s chucking it down outside.
Helly Hansen was a popular brand among Which? members. It had the highest customer score along with Arc'teryx, whose products cost nearly three times more.
Helly Hansen's waterproof trousers start at £50 and are regularly on sale for less.
Read about more of the best waterproof trousers to see other brands recommended by our members.
Fox Racing Ranger water jacket
I ride my bike in all weathers, which makes a hood that's big enough to stretch up and over my helmet a sound investment. It means I can stay dry and warm and not compromise the safety features of my helmet by putting a regular hood between it and my head.
We like: Made for cyclists
Watch out for: Expensive
A waterproof jacket is a must-have for all sorts of outdoor activities in the autumn.
The Fox Racing Ranger jacket caters to cyclists, keeping you dry and protected with a roomy hood that fits over your helmet. It also has zippered pockets to secure your valuables and claims to be engineered to be breathable for added comfort.
If you’re looking for an everyday or walking coat, take a look at our guide to the best waterproof jackets.
Polti Vaporetto SV460 Double PTEU0296
Between the dog jumping in every puddle he can find and my husband's golf bag, the downstairs floors get muddy quickly over winter. This steam cleaner helps keep the house feeling clean and less mucky once wet weather hits.
We like: Cleans mud off hard floors
We don’t like: Smaller tank than others
Whether it’s the dog or the kids, someone is bound to traipse muddy footprints through the house on a rainy day. A steam cleaner will allow you to keep hard floors looking spick and span, no matter the weather outside.
Polti’s Vaporetto SV460 promises to kill bacteria and sort out dried-on stains. It works as both a steam mop and portable steam cleaner.
To find out how it performed in Which? tests, take a look at the Polti Vaporetto SV460 Double PTEU0296 review.
Puremate PM465 20 Litre dehumidifier
This has been a workhorse in my home the past few years. It's brilliant at removing water from damp air at room temperature, so it's essential during wet autumn and winters. It's always on if I'm drying laundry as it really speeds things up, plus it's super easy to use and to move from room to room.
We like: 24-hour timer
We don’t like: No cord storage
As the weather turns, a good dehumidifier becomes essential. Beyond preventing condensation and mould, it pulls excess moisture from the air to dramatically speed up indoor clothes drying.
Puremate’s PM465 20-Litre model comes packed with practical features, including two fan speeds, dedicated night and laundry modes, 11 target humidity settings, a 24-hour timer and built-in wheels for easy portability.
To find out how it performed in our tests, read the Puremate PM465 20 Litre dehumidifier review.
Shoe dryer
Walking boots are great for keeping your feet dry, but once they're wet they tend to stay that way. Popping them on the radiator works, but can damage the materials because they dry so quickly. Instead, I bought these football boot driers, they work overnight and deliver a less-intense heat that protects leather and squishy mid-soles.
We like: Claims to dry shoes quickly
Watch out for: Which? hasn’t tested it
There’s nothing worse than putting on a pair of shoes to find they’re still wet from the day before. This electric dryer slots into your shoes and circulates warm air to dry them out so they’re ready to wear next time you go to put them on.
It claims to heat up within 15 seconds and takes up to two hours to dry them out. You could also use it for drying gloves, hats, socks or any other soggy clothing.
Rainkiss poncho
Available from Rainkiss (£69)
This Poncho folds up so small, which makes it easy to chuck in a bag in case it rains. It's huge and fits easily over any outfit and it's ideal if you don't want to have to wear a rain jacket or coat all the time.
We like: Keep your whole outfit dry
Watch out for: Expensive
Stay completely dry on dreary days with a cosy, full-coverage poncho.
Rainkiss ponchos shield you from head to toe with heavy-duty weatherproofing, including adjustable hoods and sealed cuffs to lock out the rain.
Best of all, they inject plenty of personality into gloomy weather. You can buy them in all kinds of styles, from delicate Japanese blossom prints to bold leopard patterns.
Nikwax TX Direct Spray-On
I've got a few items in my wardrobe that aren't exactly built for sudden downpours. A waterproofing spray has been a quick and easy way for me to add a layer of extra protection against the rain to keep dryer for longer. I also use similar products made specifically for shoes, which means I can still wear my warm, fluffy Uggs and keep my feet dry.
We like: Waterproofing treatment
Watch out for: Not for use on suede
If your waterproof clothing isn’t quite as waterproof as you’d like, a waterproofing spray can help prevent the outer fabric from absorbing water.
Unlike other waterproofing treatments, there’s no need for tumble drying. Just spray it on and let it air dry.
Le Chameau boots
Essential for walking in muddy parks over winter, Le Chameau short wellies keep my feet dry and look nice enough to wear with jeans if I'm going somewhere smarter.
We like: Protect your feet on rainy walks
We don’t like: Not so good for hiking
Wellies don’t need to look bad. Le Chameau has options in different styles and colours, including short ankle boots, mid-length ankle boots and tall boots.
Which? members praise them for how comfortable they are, with one telling us they're 'almost like a pair of shoes' and 'can be worn all day and over long distances'. The weather and mucky ground conditions are no match for them either. Le Chameau wellies achieved a five-star rating for their grip, which is very important to avoid skidding in muddy patches.
Take a look at more of the best wellies.
Totes Eco-brella X-tra Strong Plus Auto Open umbrella
Whether it's a weekday commute or weekend plans, I always throw an umbrella in my bag if the weather looks iffy. I've stopped buying cheap corner-shop ones, though, because they break the second the wind picks up.
We like: Auto open and close
Watch out for: It's big
A sturdy umbrella is a must-have accessory to keep in your bag, ready for rainy days.
Avoid buying something super cheap that will break after a few uses. Instead, it's worth spending a little extra to get something that claims to survive the wind as well as the rain.
Take a look at the Totes Eco-brella X-tra Strong Plus Auto Open review to find out how it performed.