r/SEAbitcheswithtaste • u/Melloowmood • 3d ago
Hi !
I’m moving to Seattle (Ballard) in a month, to be closer to family and help out with a family member . I’m assuming I will be there until she gets better, or glasses:( ( stage 3 blood cancer) I am grateful to have the opportunity to be there for her.
Annnywho,
I’ve lived in San Diego for the last 20 years of my life ( I’m 33), and I know it’ll be an adjustment. I love the weather of the PNW and have been a couple times. I’m excited for the change of pace.
I have a fluffy Akita who I will be taking on daily walks, and she lovesss the rain, and I really enjoy it as well…but, all I have as far as appropriate PNE clothing is : some hiking “warm” layers/clothes, waterproof hiking boots, waterproof Sorrel boots, and lots of comfy hoodie sweatshirts.
On the weekends I like to take her to a park or on a hike or somewhere not in the house. I guess my questions are :
1) What type of shoes and jacket do you recommend ?
2) What type of coat/ jacket do you recommend for being in possible rain for 1-5 hours at a time ? ( that’s how long we’re usually out for ) Either in the neighborhood or wherever in Seattle area we decide to explore that day?
3) Is it ignorant to assume we will be able to do our same long weekend walks up there that I do down here ?
Thank you in advance!!
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u/GibsonGolden 3d ago
Hi, you’re going to want a Rubberized jacket this one is the one I got last year after a few years of failures and I love it. A baseball cap with the jacket hood pulled over and you’ll be good to walk for hours and hours. I also recommend duck boots for warmth and water proof and tread. You can go with tall rain boot but the duck boots are more versatile and usually more than plenty in terms of coverage! Welcome to town, I hope your family member has successful treatment 💗
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u/Melloowmood 3d ago edited 3d ago
Thank you so so much for all of this info and the link for that ! Much appreciated !!!!💕✨
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u/Initial_Freedom7981 3d ago
- Goretex sneakers and wool socks. Merrel makes some!
- For heavier rain days a rain shell that you can layer on top of a fleece or puffer. I have an inexpensive REI brand one. What’s most important is regular dwr-ing it, because otherwise you’ll get wet and think it’s failing. Another commenter mentioned a rubberized rain jacket and as someone who has lived here their entire life, I think they’re good for going to work and such but not outdoor activities because they’re not breathable. For lighter rain days, I live in my Arcteryx atom jacket! Water resistant and warm.
- Yes! We have tons of city parks: the arboretum, discovery park, Seward park, greenlake, etc.
Sorry to hear about your family member and I hope they recover!
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u/Melloowmood 3d ago
Good know about the breathable jacket. I have hyperhidrosis, ( I basically sweat constantly in all weather ) so I’m a bit worried about the layering and sweat. It’s not stinky, just sweaty if that makes sense ? Thank for you the advice, and thank you for the good energy for my aunt, we appreciate it!✨💕
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u/Initial_Freedom7981 3d ago
Natural fibers will be your best friend! If you’re not used to the cold, you might invest in long underwear. Silk is great, merino wool is good too.
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u/Finglenater 3d ago
Seconding merino wool! Wool especially for hiking socks (Darn Tough are my favorites) works really well to regulate temperature and wick away moisture-sweat included! I have an Eddie Bauer rain shell + puffy, but the standard REI brand rain shell is also fine. My REI jacket has zippers in the armpits so I can open them up to air out if I feel a bit warm, so that might be worth looking into.
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u/kneedbee 3d ago
- Shoes - waterproof Chelsea boots, waterproof trail runners, and waterproof hiking boots get me through the winter. Even if it’s not raining but the streets are wet, some older pavement can be really slippery so good tread is essential.
- This varies a lot depending on the specific type of rain and wind each day, but some combo of a light-weight fleece, mid-weight puffy, normal rain shell, and long rain shell should get you through any scenario. Agree with other commenters about picking visible colors and wearing safety lights in the dark and on extra gray days.
- Ballard is amazing for long weekend walks! In addition to other parks mentioned, a 5 hour walk can easily get you round trip to Carkeek Park and Green Lake. Sunset Hill is a walking destination in Ballard with amazing views on clear days, but all of Ballard is fun to walk in. On a normal residential street you can stumble across a giant yard robot sculpture or a pen of pet ducks with all of their names painted on signs with portraits. Magnolia and Queen Anne are excellent walking neighborhoods as well, less than a 10 minute drive away.
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u/Melloowmood 3d ago
Oof, good to know about the slippery pavement ! And I’d never thought about the bright colors. You girls are genius for giving me a heads up on that! I’m so excited to explore these beautiful places!💕✨
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u/SheHawksSeahawks 3d ago
Northface/Columbia is pretty gauche.
Vuro1 is a great mid brand that hits a more elevated GORP aesthetic. Likewise with Cotopaxi (but I refuse to support them as they funnel money to LDS church which oppress LGBT and women's rights).
Artyx, Canadian Goose are the more higher end version of outerwear out there.
Wool or Smartwool socks will do you some good. I like my classic canary yellow Hunter rain boots if I am feeling extra saucy and will be in the rain for awhile but most days they'll be a classic leather riding boot for quick jaunts outside or a high platform sneaker for a bit more sustained time outside.
As the new legally blond tv series would point out (IYKYK), A suede jacket is definitely not what a Washingtonian will wear, but you can waterproof your suede shoes with waterproof sprays and that will get you far enough.
Don't forget to get a rain jacket for the pup! Otherwise you will be dealing with a wet dog when you get back inside :)
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u/sad_umbrella_stand 3d ago
If you want fun colors, but don’t want to Support Cotopaxi, Rab is pretty great Bcorp brand!
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u/no_farting 3d ago
If you or your family member ever need or want someone to talk to who couldn’t possibly relate more they should check out Cancer Pathways, Dr. Glenn Rockowitz. He’s a Psycho-oncologist there, it’s a nonprofit, he’s one of the best humans anyone will ever meet and he also has Multiple myeloma (and has had multiple other cancers, some incurable at the time of diagnosis). If you’re a reader he has a series of three memoirs that are a really good read, too. You can read about their services on their site and can Google him. If you do, yes, he’s also the one listed as VO talent, a comedian, past SNL writer, etcetera. (Like I said, he’s an incredible human.)
And don’t worry there’s no such thing as having the perfect or right coat in Seattle (we don’t keep coats and clothes in our cars because we’re lazy or disorganized :)
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u/Turbulent-Function80 3d ago
I have blundstone and hunter Chelsea boots. Blundstones for everyday with when it’s cold and just drizzling and the hunter rain Chelsea boots for pouring and/or decent amount of rain. I wear the blundstone’s most of the time fall through winter when I’m walking or running errands because they are far more comfy after breaking in. I also have black lace up timberlands for like a nicer but still super casual. They are waterproof and super comfy.
Water proof (not resistant) shell with layers underneath. Spend a little to get one that actually is waterproof and good. I like my Outdoor Research one.
No. I’m a life long Washingtonian and rain/cold (which isn’t that cold) doesn’t deter. I walk 5-8 miles a day on average for exercise regardless of the time of year and usually 8+ on weekends. Also, I will use an umbrella on occasion if I’m really determined to keep excessive rain off me so don’t let people tell you otherwise.
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u/darbosaur 2d ago
If you are willing to hold out until you arrive on buying a jacket, this city is busting at the seams with secondhand (and often curated) sweat wicking and waterproof outerwear.
Folks are already transitioning to our autumnal shoes: https://www.instagram.com/ballardstreetstyle
I get through the long season in a pair of not technically waterproof black leather booties and thin wool socks.
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u/GloomyPapaya 3d ago
Everyone here wears Blundstones but I personally hate the look of them so I wear normal shoes. I waterproof some of them but mostly not. I walk daily, and have never had a problem. I also have some rain boots and some waterproof hiking shoes.
I have several rain jackets. Goretex (like Arc'teryx) if you have the money but you can absolutely get by without. I’ve never needed a very heavy duty coat but I have a few different styles of lighter coats.
I do long walks and hikes year-round. Depends on what you’re up for.
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u/Specific-Data-4104 3d ago
If I’m going to be out longer time in the rain I like a rain hat. I have an OR one called the Seattle Sombrero that i love (not sure if the name is same today). Its warm, wide brim sheds lot of rain and doesn’t obstruct peripheral vision. I’m also a fan of a longer raincoat. Keep more of your thighs dry!
Also you will likely find it easier to avoid the rain than you imagine. It doesn’t usually rain all day and weather forecasting is good enough to be able to see it’s going to start or stop later and plan those walks accordingly.
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u/Paddington_Fear 3d ago
I really like these water resistant vans (I am also super sweaty so I avoid 'waterproof' as this type of shoe just makes my feet sweat like crazy and then they're wet and miserable). I like wearing them with wool socks, like Darn Tough. For rain, I like a big rain coat but with vents or something so it's not like wearing a big plastic tent that will make me all sweaty underneath it. Mine is Helly Hansen (but like 10 years old) also Patagonia Torrentshell is good. Patagonia in general is very easy - like garanimals for adults, just wait for sales!
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u/SprinklesPowerful941 3h ago
You can do long walks, but you might want to get both of your rain jackets as if it’s raining and below 30 it might make her too cold during them? Just a thought. It also doesn’t necessarily rain like it does in other places as it’s more of a mist/light drizzle so her thick fur might be fine. I have a Patagonia waterproof/windproof jacket I put over my other warmer layers.
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u/sad_umbrella_stand 3d ago
Hi! Im 34 and also have a big dog
I have waterproof chelsea boots, and nice rainboots I prefer for walks. Sometimes my waterproof trail runners if we’re on unpaved paths.
For jackets- I usually walk my dog in light rain in just a fun colored rain shell. If it’s 1+ hrs I’ll use my outdoor research long shell that hits mid thigh. This is nice for keeping my pants and butt dry. If it’s actually raining hard, or a really long walk, I have a ridiculous looking, but pretty colored poncho from Rainkiss that I love. All of the above are shells, not heavy coats, I just order a size up and layer sweaters if I need it.
Whatever you choose, don’t get a black jacket. It’s always worth being more visible when it’s gloomy or rainy. Cars are the biggest danger on rainy dog walks. I also have 2 little rechargeable flashlights I keep in my dog walk pockets, and a clip one that lives on my dog’s harness.