Raingear choices for Spring 2010

With the end of winter nearing, one things for certain; soon, the falling snow will change to rain drops. Fortunately for our customers, it is precisely this time of year we begin to receive and merchandise onto the sale floor all the new offerings of weatherproof jackets we reviewed last summer on our buying trips. Even after 20 years associated with BILLS, I remain amazed when customers come into the store and tell me how surprised they are to see so many options when they say “I need a raincoat”. Looking at our store through their eyes, I can see why.

From emergency ponchos that you can stow in your cars glove box, to $250 waterproof breathable Goretex jackets, we really do have every base covered. It truly is surprising to see how many options you have to choose from.

For example, if you need a rain poncho, we carry them for women, men, and children. We carry them in 3 different grades of P.V.C. we carry them in rubberized nylon fabrics. We carry them in Cordura nylon fabrics, with each fabric offering its own valuable low price or increased durability in comparison.

This spring, we will be offering waterproof and breathable rain jackets and rain parkas for women, me and children from 7 different brands, Marmot, The Northface, Columbia, Carhartt, White Sierra, Red Ledge, and Mountain Hardwear. You are probably wondering why? The reality is that each brand represents a different selling price or a different level of construction, to ultimately keep you dry. Some brands seam seal all the seams in the jacket, in order to lock out all moisture, while others only seam seal the critical seams, like the shoulders, in order to reduce the cost and ultimately the selling price of the garment. The most sophisticated brand, Mountain Harwear offers gear with the most sophisticated fabrics, like Goretex, which are mated with their evolutionary

Z-WELD construction, when sealing the seams of the garment. Other brands make their own waterproof fabrics to hold down cost, like The Northface ( Hyvent), Columbia ( Omni-tech), and Marmot (Precip). Sometimes the raingear is simply water resistant,( which should not be confused with waterproof). For many, this is all the protection they will need from mother nature. And with garments still, a unique and fresh design matter a lot. Yes, raingear can be sexy! Well, maybe not, but they are certainly fashionable, and those fashions we have searched for, to offer our customers

By the way, yes, we still sell old fashioned, bright yellow slickers like our parents dressed us in. My parents usually pulled one out when there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, just on the hunch it might rain on your way home from school. If you feel the need to torture your kids, we can help you outfit them for maximum discomfort as well !!! Be assured, however, they will remain dry.

Whatever need or question you may have, we can probably solve it with the selection of gear we buy. And please remember, we are here to help. We love answering your questions about the differences in the merchandise we sell, and how each may be appropriate for your lifestyle or travels. And in particular we look forward to helping you when you come in and say “ I need a raincoat..”