Along the travel packing thread, In July we are traveling to Amsterdam and the UK. We’ll be doing walking tours and bike tours among other things. Should we bring ponchos, small umbrellas, or raincoats? Which raincoat would you recommend? Mine seems to not really be waterproof.
Raincoat. Ponchos are ugly. Columbia makes great waterproof light, hooded rain jackets. A pocket umbrella wouldn’t hurt either, in addition to the hooded rain jacket
I travel with a raincoat and small umbrella, although in the northern UK, the umbrella was useless because it was too windy. There are all kinds of inexpensive, truly waterproof ones at places like TJ Maxx and Marshall’s. Mine is a Northface that I got on clearance at Marshall’s.
I was in the market last year for a nice raincoat that I could wear when travelling for work with business casual clothes. I checked out all the higher-end brands - North Face, Patagonia, Marmot, etc. I landed on this one from LL Bean. I thought it had a nice polished look to it without looking overly sporty but was also very functional with good features like an adjustable hood, fully waterproof, inner pocket, etc. It’s not cheap but I feel like it was well worth it.
Costco has a breathable waterproof rain jacket for about $20. It comes in a small zippered pouch too. I bought it in 2 sizes—one for wearing with no vest or jacket underneath and one to wear over a puffy vest.
We have jackets for rain and compact good brand (Totes) umbrellas. We were in London last August and discovered the “waterproof” jackets became soaked through. I also discovered the polyester travel purse I had soaked through- I sprayed it with silicone after we came home. I made sure the purse had room for a compact umbrella. Oh- and each person needs one so you can do things independently. Plus- buy colorful items. Too many black, dismal umbrellas and coats make a dreary day even worse.
I have a Patagonia rain jacket (purchased on sale) that is great for outdoor hiking which is my general form of holiday recreation. I like @adlgel’s recommendation - similar style and type to mine. I’ve made the mistake of windbreaker style jackets - some are waterproof, others definitely not.
I always carry a small umbrella but, as noted, wind can make them useless. I just returned from a 3 week trip and discarded my Eagle Creek travel umbrella before returning. It couldn’t handle the first two weeks of daily showers that I encountered.
I have the LL Bean jacket recommended by @adigel and like it a lot. Huge pockets that can hold a small umbrella too.
I have one very similar to the lol bean one. I hate feeling like I’m in Saran Wrap in a rainstorm. They can get really hot and sweaty sometimes.
There’s a reason everyone in the UK knows the word “cagoule”…
Breathable ones (goretex or similar) are good but not necessary unless you’ll be out hiking all day.
I have a basic hooded rain jacket that I bought a couple of sizes too big so that I can put it on over my backpack because I carry my computer in it. I used it today. I am 5’ tall so I don’t do umbrellas.
I find umbrellas awkward because you have to watch the wind and other people to avoid grief. I like having a fitted and an oversized rain jacket—in HI I don’t need any warm garments under it but in colder venues layering is essential. Most clothing feels best when it remains dry.
The Columbia Women’s Arcadia II Rain Jacket- lightweight, comfortable, relatively compact, hood can be pulled tight by cord.
I thought I read that if you want to stand out as an American tourist in Europe, be sure to wear a poncho in the rain.
You will probably want something technical if you are hiking and biking, vs a cagoule, but maybe you just mean a little bike and walk around a city? Or hiking Snowdon?
Just walking and biking for hours each day. No serious hiking.
For summer trips, I always take a very light packable rain jacket with a hood that I can fold and throw in my handbag or backpack. I have North Face and an Eddie Bauer. There are some good recommendations for rain jackets in this thread.
I did this recently in Rome, It was raining on and off. Many European hotels have large umbrellas to lend in their lobby as well. These are great when going out to dinner and the rain jacket is too casual, but I would pack a very small umbrella just in case.
I had never seen the word ‘cagoule before’ (post #14):
A cagoule (French: [kaɡul], balaclava), also spelled cagoul, kagoule or kagool, is the British English term for a lightweight (usually without lining), weatherproof raincoat or anorak with a hood, which often comes in knee-length form.
Another vote for the rain coat.
I have two REI La Selva rain coats. Regretfully they don’t seem to be making them any more.
In cooler climates this type of coat is also great for keeping out the wind or simply the damp. It looks much nicer than a poncho.
My go to travel rain jackets are Burberry. Guess why? 
Eons ago, I bought a foldable Burberry umbrella… that thing was awesome and never flipped on me even in the Pike/Pine wind tunnels here in the city.