Rain Gear

Gore-Tex rules here, if you can afford the stuff. My favorite traveling companion is a ‘tex jacket that has a separate liner that can be zipped in or out, depending on the temperature. Get a jacket with a removable hood if you can. Unless you are traveling in winter, or are going to be spending most of your time in Ireland, Scotland, or Scandinavia, or are planning on some serious hiking elsewhere, you probably won’t need a full-length raincoat or Gore-Tex pants. For serious trekkers, a knee-length waterproof coat with a hood is advisable. For all travelers, a small, high-quality umbrella is very handy to have in one’s daypack, especially in the countries just mentioned.