Allow me to hijack a comment from one of the other threads, as it points to a resource for anyone who might have to travel in REALLY rainy weather:

<<when in GB visit a Rohan store. You'll enjoy it. There is a store finder on:

http://www.rohan.co.uk/ .

You will even find a good rain coat there. >>

Well, with due respect to Mr. Schwartz's nifty flyweight Aqua0 Travel Rainwear, I would allow that after a brief look around the Rohan website, if I get to London and it's raining, with a forecast for moderate to heavier rain every day I'm there, rather than let there ruin my trip, I'd think my first stop would be the nearest Rohan store, to pick up the "Ink" version of their Globetrotter Mac.

http://www.rohan.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=02450&cid=MensWaterproofs&language=en-GB

The classical British solution to heavy rain has been something like a Barbour Border Jacket, but I can't really see traveling by air with a waxed cotton jacket. The Globetrotter Mac isn't light, nor is it cheap, but it isn't any heavier, I don't think, than my Burberry, which isn't fully waterproof, doesn't come with a hood, etc. Say, does anyone have one of these "Mac" garments? The concept looks somewhat similar to the Nau Succinct Trench, save that it looks a few inches longer, and buttons rather than zips closed. Of course, another downside to the Rohan would be that for travel, it wouldn't readily fit into the sort of carry-on bag discussed here, not without displacing something else.

Another look indicates that the Rohan Globetrotter Mac does have a ZIPPER as its primary closure, making it very similar to the Nau, though clearly it uses a somewhat heavier fabric. Gee, I hope it's SUNNY the week I'm in London...

Just wait to you get inside one of their stores. Take lots of money. You'll want one of everything.

When Monte posted the link for Rohan yesterday...I took a look and now I want one. of their jackets / coats...or both! I have a Barbour and it is just too heavy for me to wear, much less to travel with.

The women's Mac listed a large pocket that the coat can be folded into....

A large Packpocket™ is positioned on the chest, outside the zip but under the storm flap, meaning the contents can be accessed without completely undoing the Mac. And it’s big enough for the whole Mac to fold into when it’s not being worn.

http://www.rohan.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=02453&cid=WomensWaterproofs&language=en-GB

I'd like to try them on in person. Yes, expensive. Weight? Hum?



.

Oh noooooo, what have you done??!!
Just checked the store locator, two of them conveniently placed in my path for September. One in York, yards from our apartment, the other in Covent Garden where we'll be staying.
Now I'm off to re-think my packing list. It is no longer "I'll pack that just in case" now it has become, "how little should I pack knowing full well I'll probably buy things and can I live with those items IF I don't buy more clothes."

I recently discovered there is an Orvis on Dover St in London (off Piccadilly). Well! I can't walk past that and not go in, can I! :-)

Paula - if you were checking a huge bag, as we know you are not, ...I'd be tempted to ask you to bring a few Rohan jackets back for me! :)

"A large Packpocket™ is positioned on the chest, outside the zip but under the storm flap, meaning the contents can be accessed without completely undoing the Mac. And it’s big enough for the whole Mac to fold into when it’s not being worn."

So, the coat is like the Scottevest Travel Windbreaker, in that the packing pocket is integral to the garment, rather than separate, like the Aqua0. The website lists the volume of the coat so packed as 2200 cc, size not specified, which corresponds to about 1 x 10 x 14 inches, i.e., three or four times that of the Aqua0, and weight 835 g, or 29 oz., whereas Aqua0 lists a typical weight of 11 oz. (my XL is 14 oz.).

So, there are major differences among these choices, one's needs, available packing space, and budget being the variables.

Want vs. need? Must differentiate between the two, and sometimes it's hard.
Alan, you bring up excellent points. What may work for home use may not work well for travel. Once again, it does help to try such items on in person.

If you haven't check out the last two posts on Alan's Vulcan thread.

Sorry Brad (she says looking shame-faced with a sneaky grin), if I posted the link to the apartments you'd have me banned but they are nicely located in a medieval courtyard and look out towards the Minster from one of the pedestrian streets. (Runs off quickly).

Maria, what can I say......this is the first time I've been sorry I travel light.

You could always ship your purchases home.

They do ship internationally

http://www.rohan.co.uk/info/Delivery.aspx

>>>>>You could always ship your purchases home. <<<<<

If I tried that, Canada Customs would clock me for the import duty. We can only send printed matter back home without paying duty.

All the more reason I've get to get over there!

(Oh I was teasing abotu bringing home stuff Paula!)

>>>>>All the more reason I've get to get over there!

(Oh I was teasing abotu bringing home stuff Paula!) <<<<<

I know, but you know what? I'd do it if I could.

I'm definitely checking out the tee shirts and trousers in Rohans, at least I can try them on. Oh and be warned, UK clothes and shoe sizes are smaller than Canadian and American.

Good point about the size difference. Another reason I get discouraged to buy something from overseas, ship it to Canada, pay a small fortune in cutoms duties...to end up shipping it back!

So all the more I for one look forward to your reviews being there in person...and then getting over there myself!

A good travel coat, raincoat is worth the investment. (So Monte - I'll blame you!)

Cheers!

Got my Rohan shirt, and yes indeed, it was made in China. *sigh* Looks like it's going to be all Tilley in the future.

"be warned UK clothes and shoe sizes are smaller than Canadian and American. "

So, while the XL of my Aqua0 is marked for a 48-50 chest, the Rohan Globetrotter Mac XL per their website is 45-47, and their XXL is 48-50. Even if I don't buy one, likely I will stop by the Rohan store in Covent Garden while I'm in London...rain or shine.

The company itself advises that:

"The mens Globetrotter Mac is manufactured in small to extra large sizes only. The XL is to fit a chest size of 45-47". Our size specification for the XL size gives the side neck length to hem measurement of 127cms (50"). There is a minimal 2cm difference in length between each size. The sleeve length is 67cms (26.5") with a 1cm variation between sizes. The weights given on our website are the average for the medium sized garments. The packed size of the mac is approximately 13" wide, 10" high and 3" deep.

We offer a ladies version of this garment which we produce in small to large sizes in the mineral colour, but small to extra large in the charcoal colour. The ladies XL size is to fit a bust of 43.5 - 45"

I hope this helps.
Regards
Mandy Gibb
Rohan Customer Service"

I have asked them for a clarification on the sleeve length, which almost surely they measure in a different fashion than does, say, Aqua0. It does sound as though the Globetrotter Mac is a LONGER garment than the Aqua0, which is 44 inches, and much longer than the Nau Succinct Trench, at 41.5 inches, almost as long as my Burberry, at 52 inches, not to mention being substantially heavier than either one of the alternatives, the Nau in an XL being 22 oz, the Rohan likely being probably around 36 oz. Before I could actually finish this post, they responded further:

"Our measurement is taken from the sleeve head point to the bottom of the cuff. I hope this information is of assistance.

Regards
Laura Watts"

My hunch is that likely it would be very similar to the Aqua0 or the Nau. I can't imagine their selling a coat that does not cover a sports coat sleeve.

Well, the SHORTER Rohan Hilltop Jacket in XL is already KNEE length! The Travel Mac comes to mid-calf. The former has a sturdier zipper rather like the one on my Air Boss; the Travel Mac a lighter coil zipper, but does have a foldaway hood. The TM comes in two colors, the HJ in three, including red, dark green and navy blue.

As it's RAINING out on Buckingham Palace Road, anyone care to guess WHICH one I'll be wearing on our way to dinner over at the Goring Hotel?

Keep an eye on the ash.

Ash? Nothing to do except sacrifice a virgin to Thor...though Sir Richard hopes that's NOT a Virgin Atlantic!

Hilltop Jacket in Men's XL is 39" collar to rear hem, as long as one can go for field use, as short as one can go for dress clothes. I'm 6'3", hits me at the top of the knee, 5" longer than my Gore-Tex jacket, 9" longer than my Marmot PreCip, 4" shorter than the much lighter Aqua0.

HJ is a perfect hiker's or birder's jacket, too long for a mountaineer.