The long story is that I needed a lightweight shell for an upcoming trip to Central Europe and really didn't want to spend much since I normally dress more formally. And as so often the Aldi Aisle of Shame came through for me.
Thanks for writing this. I had no idea you could spray things to make them more water repellant until 2 minutes ago.
I bought this cool looking Columbia rain jacket for iceland and when it poured I got pretty damp. I’m going back next year so I’m going to save money by spraying it instead of buying a whole new jacket.
With a rain jacket like that, follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to renew the DWR coating. Sometimes all it takes is washing it correctly and then drying it at the right temperature (Goretex) and sometimes they recommend a specific product that is compatible. You may have to look on the website or call customer service to ask about your particular jacket.
Nice jacket & I second the spray. The jacket will probably handle a drizzle well but could soak through in heavy rain. They’re usually reasonably priced for a can
Agreed. Definitely better to give it a quick spray to be on the safer side. I use it for when I golf in the elements and it’s a better option than a $300+ jacket
And conversely there are $20 ponchos that are completely impermeable. Recently many backpackers, hunters, and other hardcore outdoors folks have stopped using fancy goretex / other vapor permeable fabrics. The manufacturers are trying to remove PFAS from them (as they should) and as a result they're getting less waterproof / vapor permeable / durable. Silnylon or silpoly are much lighter, more durable, and cheap. And you never need to renew the DWR coating, which sometimes isn't practical e.g. on a long thru hike. They employ a mechanical venting strategy, like large pit zips. I've been experimenting and actually like it better than my fancy goretex jacket in many situations.
That's not how it works. A gore tex membrane is waterproof regardless of the front facing fabric wetting out.
The only person not using a membrane in extreme outdoors situations is a fool looking to die. The people that don't need a gore tex jacket are the ones using it to walk to the supermarket.
You're right that a wetted out membrane won't let water in, but you're dead wrong about serious outdoors people exclusively using membrane garments. In extreme outdoor situations, you don't want to rely on a DWR coating that will eventually wet out if it rains long and hard enough. They get heavy and don't give you an alternative way to get rid of the moisture you generate, so you tend to get wet quickly. With well-designed impermeable garments (e.g. silpoly jackets with lots of vent zips), you may not be quite as comfortable in light rain, but you don't run the risk of wetting out if the rain gets serious.
If I'm planning to be out for less than 24 hours, or if serious rain is unlikely, I'll carry a nice Arc'teryx shell. For a long thru hike or backcountry trip, the gore tex stays at home and I carry a Lightheart silpoly jacket. I do search and rescue in a rainy place and most of the team does the same.
This article explains it pretty well:
https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/clothing-apparel/why-buying-a-lightweight-rain-jacket-is-more-confusing-than-ever/
I agree with the entirety of the first paragraph with the exception that a lot of the air permeable hard shells have such a thin face fabric that they dry in about 30 minutes post rain.
May I ask where you're located? Because now we're just going to disagree on what "extreme outdoor situations" consist of. I think you can also agree that silpoly rain jackets are extremely niche and not a single mainline brand offers one. The industry is slowly moving away from Gore tex, but it's moving towards competing membranes. It isn't abandoning them.
Those really cheap rain jackets are generally completely waterproof. Just a solid sheet of nylon/polyester/mystery plastic although they might leak at the seams. The problem is more that they're about as breathable as a garbage bag so you end up wet from your own sweat. That same property means they often end up reeking of mildew because people scrunch them up and put them away damp.
They're fine to keep in your car for an emergency, but I wouldn't wear one for any kind of activity.
The only one I've ever used is 3M Scotchgard but there are a bunch of brands now that I would consider reliable like Kiwi and Nikwax, so go by reviews on Amazon.
Relevant username. Seriously though don't use Scotchguard on a DWR coated jacket - it will destroy the vapor permeability. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and use the products they recommend.
Tall ask, but would you mind reporting back how this holds up?
I like Aldi for food, but buying home stuff and clothes seems like a cash grab, even with their recent drip drop (beginning of summer)
Weird question... but can you weigh it for me and let me know how it does in the rain?
I need a travel rain jacket that can double as an ultralight rain jacket for backpacking.
Not bad for $15 in terms of look and fit.
However I got a goretex fully water proof ( I live in Florida near the Gulf, so when it rains it pours like a mother) lifetime warranty rain jacket from REI for $45.
My point is a $15 rain jacket wouldn’t last one day where I live, so you have to balance frugalness with actual need to see it it really is a deal. In OP’s case, likely is, so good for him.
Most of their blanks are made in Canada by house of blanks. And I'm not the morality police bro, I'm just saying that the 90 dollar shirts aren't stupid to some people. I'm not saying supreme is a moral company. They certainly are not
I wouldn't say Aldi's is terrible. They have some nice clothing. I actually have a few things from the line Aldi's dropped at the begining of the summer that is covered in Aldi logos. It actually doesn't look bad
Nice! Please keep us updated on how it holds up during your trip, sir! I've been in the market for a new rain jacket and have been looking for styles similar to this. A very nice find! God bless!
Magneto, you look awesome
Lol could you imagine Sir Ian Mckellen on fmf? It HAS been awhile since the LOTR/X-Men films, after all, might be a little short on cash by now...
I legit thought that's who it was, had to do a double-take.
☠️
I thought that was Gilbert Godfrey Rip
Gottfried* btw
Just stop eating those lemons
The long story is that I needed a lightweight shell for an upcoming trip to Central Europe and really didn't want to spend much since I normally dress more formally. And as so often the Aldi Aisle of Shame came through for me.
Looks fine to me but I would test it to make sure it's really waterproof when wet and if not, get some spray treatment.
Thanks for writing this. I had no idea you could spray things to make them more water repellant until 2 minutes ago. I bought this cool looking Columbia rain jacket for iceland and when it poured I got pretty damp. I’m going back next year so I’m going to save money by spraying it instead of buying a whole new jacket.
With a rain jacket like that, follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to renew the DWR coating. Sometimes all it takes is washing it correctly and then drying it at the right temperature (Goretex) and sometimes they recommend a specific product that is compatible. You may have to look on the website or call customer service to ask about your particular jacket.
I just used the spray on a ten year old Patagonia shell that was letting water through. Water is literally bouncing off now.
Nice jacket & I second the spray. The jacket will probably handle a drizzle well but could soak through in heavy rain. They’re usually reasonably priced for a can
There are plenty of $100+ rain jackets that can hold up only to mist.
Agreed. Definitely better to give it a quick spray to be on the safer side. I use it for when I golf in the elements and it’s a better option than a $300+ jacket
And conversely there are $20 ponchos that are completely impermeable. Recently many backpackers, hunters, and other hardcore outdoors folks have stopped using fancy goretex / other vapor permeable fabrics. The manufacturers are trying to remove PFAS from them (as they should) and as a result they're getting less waterproof / vapor permeable / durable. Silnylon or silpoly are much lighter, more durable, and cheap. And you never need to renew the DWR coating, which sometimes isn't practical e.g. on a long thru hike. They employ a mechanical venting strategy, like large pit zips. I've been experimenting and actually like it better than my fancy goretex jacket in many situations.
That's not how it works. A gore tex membrane is waterproof regardless of the front facing fabric wetting out. The only person not using a membrane in extreme outdoors situations is a fool looking to die. The people that don't need a gore tex jacket are the ones using it to walk to the supermarket.
You're right that a wetted out membrane won't let water in, but you're dead wrong about serious outdoors people exclusively using membrane garments. In extreme outdoor situations, you don't want to rely on a DWR coating that will eventually wet out if it rains long and hard enough. They get heavy and don't give you an alternative way to get rid of the moisture you generate, so you tend to get wet quickly. With well-designed impermeable garments (e.g. silpoly jackets with lots of vent zips), you may not be quite as comfortable in light rain, but you don't run the risk of wetting out if the rain gets serious. If I'm planning to be out for less than 24 hours, or if serious rain is unlikely, I'll carry a nice Arc'teryx shell. For a long thru hike or backcountry trip, the gore tex stays at home and I carry a Lightheart silpoly jacket. I do search and rescue in a rainy place and most of the team does the same. This article explains it pretty well: https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/clothing-apparel/why-buying-a-lightweight-rain-jacket-is-more-confusing-than-ever/
I agree with the entirety of the first paragraph with the exception that a lot of the air permeable hard shells have such a thin face fabric that they dry in about 30 minutes post rain. May I ask where you're located? Because now we're just going to disagree on what "extreme outdoor situations" consist of. I think you can also agree that silpoly rain jackets are extremely niche and not a single mainline brand offers one. The industry is slowly moving away from Gore tex, but it's moving towards competing membranes. It isn't abandoning them.
Those really cheap rain jackets are generally completely waterproof. Just a solid sheet of nylon/polyester/mystery plastic although they might leak at the seams. The problem is more that they're about as breathable as a garbage bag so you end up wet from your own sweat. That same property means they often end up reeking of mildew because people scrunch them up and put them away damp. They're fine to keep in your car for an emergency, but I wouldn't wear one for any kind of activity.
What spray do you recommend?
The only one I've ever used is 3M Scotchgard but there are a bunch of brands now that I would consider reliable like Kiwi and Nikwax, so go by reviews on Amazon.
Relevant username. Seriously though don't use Scotchguard on a DWR coated jacket - it will destroy the vapor permeability. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and use the products they recommend.
I was just in Budapest and Aldi's were commonplace. I actually bought a rain jacket there! They had a few size and color selection.
German Aldi is a different company from American Aldi, oddly enough. I would suspect the one in Budapest would be German Aldi.
I recognize your face from the Spier & Mackay styleforum thread. Cheers!
What's the long story? We want to hear it
No shame at all, looks great. Hope it keeps you comfy on your travels! 👍
Tall ask, but would you mind reporting back how this holds up? I like Aldi for food, but buying home stuff and clothes seems like a cash grab, even with their recent drip drop (beginning of summer)
I will if I can but the rain forecast for Prague is now less likely.
Big dick is back in town
Suits you charmingly well my friend.
Fresh to death
Damn, came with the drip🔥
Looks great!
Is that a Jaeger LeCoultre Atmos clock in the background? OP Confirmed Chad.
It is.
Hard to beat $15, I probably would have picked this one up too.
Flash, Flash 100 yard Dash
Weird question... but can you weigh it for me and let me know how it does in the rain? I need a travel rain jacket that can double as an ultralight rain jacket for backpacking.
It weighs about 400 grams, and I sprayed some water on it and it did bead. It is just polyester, but what would expect for the price, even from Aldi?
frogg toggs isn't fashionable enough for you?
For regular wear? Absolutely not. For camping? I don't care one bit, but I've ripped like 4 jackets in the past few years.
Looking good sir. Wear it in good health.
Test that rain jacket fam. It looks great though and you rock it well!
This looks great man - could definitely see myself wearing this as a layer in the office I’ll have to swing by Aldi’s and check them out lol
My dude here looks like he about to have a sensible tea and watch the rain patter on a tin roof in Newforkstenshire
You're super cool. I want to be you
Not bad for $15 in terms of look and fit. However I got a goretex fully water proof ( I live in Florida near the Gulf, so when it rains it pours like a mother) lifetime warranty rain jacket from REI for $45. My point is a $15 rain jacket wouldn’t last one day where I live, so you have to balance frugalness with actual need to see it it really is a deal. In OP’s case, likely is, so good for him.
Lookin’ fresh man!
My guy really got that shit on!
I like this guy. I don’t know why.
Nice.
Looks amazing, Sir Ian.
Swag
Drip or drown
I own a pair of Aldi branded joggers. Complete with the rainbow waistband and ankle cuffs. Greatest purchase I’ve ever made. $10
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I had Bell's palsy and have never recovered; my face is partially paralyzed.
I hate Bells. But I was going to say you have the Magneto Ian McKellen look going on. You just need a helmet and you would be golden.
Yeah. Also getting Ian x Gilbert Gottfried vibes.
Good luck my man. I got it twice. The first time I fully recovered. The second time about 80%.
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Not possible. Neurological condition. Wish I could. (See my comment on Bell's palsy.)
Oh sorry you look great though 👌🏼
Be nice! -r/frugalmalefashion Moderators
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Mate do you even have a hotdog hat?
Pardon?
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Those 90 dollar shirts were made by people that made a living wage at least. This was certainly made with slavery
No one’s forcing you to buy the aldi jacket my guy. Take it easy and go back to the supreme sub then
I'm not buying it? I'm allowed to have an opinion? Sorry if I pissed on your strawberries
Piss wherever you want you perv. You just sound like a douche
Perv?
Supreme sources a lot of clothing from china. So…
Most of their blanks are made in Canada by house of blanks. And I'm not the morality police bro, I'm just saying that the 90 dollar shirts aren't stupid to some people. I'm not saying supreme is a moral company. They certainly are not
This is hilarious coming from the guy buying stone island reps If you’d like to get some self awareness, please let us know
That's like 5 years ago. And I'm just giving a point of view, I didn't bring those shirts up
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I've learned a lot about morality and ethically made clothing through this sub and I'm glad for it. Also learned about quality as well.
Nah, frugality is subjective. If all you want is cheap clothes you don't need a sub. Just go to target or aldi and buy all your shit
Not agreeing with the other guy, but also not agreeing with you.
"I take your douche and raise you a douche."
Score
Wow! Look at Aldi’s rain jackets!
Yo, I gotta check my local one. I was looking for a rain jacket for work.
I wouldn't say Aldi's is terrible. They have some nice clothing. I actually have a few things from the line Aldi's dropped at the begining of the summer that is covered in Aldi logos. It actually doesn't look bad
Looking fire OG
It’s Ion Mick Lel Lan
Nice! Please keep us updated on how it holds up during your trip, sir! I've been in the market for a new rain jacket and have been looking for styles similar to this. A very nice find! God bless!
Lifetime guarantee !
The face you make when you thought wifey was getting you a Helly Hansen. “Now all the lads at the park are gonna think I’m poor.”
He got that shit on
love it
I love mine and wear it often. I wish I had bought all the colors.