In The Forecast: Foul Weather Wear
Promotional apparel and accessories keep wearers warm, dry and looking good
Ask anyone hosting large outdoor events what their biggest fear is and most would say weather. There’s little worse than rain driving all your attendees to their cars and back home, ruining your event and costing you money. Rain can be a major bummer—but it can also be a ‘promotunity’.
With a little planning, you can help your clients turn a rainy forecast into the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow by finding the right promotional rainwear and umbrellas to offer attendees or customers. Not only can the right gear save your event, it can create great photo and branding opportunities.
Meredith O’Brien, vice president of sales, promotional products division for Storm Duds Raingear (PPAI 223406), says to keep portability in mind when choosing promotional rain apparel. Given the unpredictability of the weather, she says a poncho that folds up into a pouch is a great option. “It’s easy to transport. If there is a chance of rain, why not just throw the pack in your backpack? That way you are covered just in case.”
Read on for our picks for rain and winter weather apparel and accessories that will take any promotion to the next degree.
Apparel That Protects And Promotes
The ultra-lightweight, fashionable Cloud Jacket will keep you outside and moving even on rainy and windy days. With a smooth-as-skin feel, the jacket has an airy print pattern and reflective details for high visibility functionality. It is made of 100-percent polyester with a water-repellent finish, stand-up hooded collar, zip pockets, back yoke and tagless label for comfort. For on-the-go convenience, the jacket packs into its hood pouch. Available in sky, spring and storm in sizes S-3XL for men and XS-3XL for women.
Vantage Apparel PPAI 113235 www.vantageapparel.com
The CB WeatherTec™ Trailhead Jacket stands up to wicked winter weather. This 100-percent nylon ripstop jacket is breathable and waterproof to a 5,000mm water column. It is fully seam-sealed with a storm flap, draw cord hem and adjustable cuffs to seal out the cold and wet. The self-fabric mock neck features a concealed hood and reflective trim. Zip in the Barlow Pass Jacket, Cedar Park Fleece or Peak Full-Zip liners for dynamic insulation. Men's sizes include S-3XL, Big & Tall: 1XB-5XB, LT-4XT; Ladies’ sizes include XS-3XL.
Cutter & Buck PPAI 196156 www.cbcorporate.com
Perfect for anyone who does outdoor work including farming, construction or machine operation, these Deerskin Palm with Thinsulate® gloves will keep hands warm. The golden deerskin leather palm is extremely soft and durable, and the black Spandex and Neoprene back is stretchable and breathable. The gloves are lined with 40 grams of Thinsulate® to keep hands warm in the cold weather. And there is an elastic cuff with Velcro® hook-and-loop fastener for a comfortable and flexible fitting. They are available in large and extra-large sizes.
Starline USA, Inc. PPAI 112719 www.starline.com
Embrace cooler weather by sporting the Men’s Tec Full Zip Hoodie. Featuring permanent moisture wicking to keep you dry and comfortable, a front pocket for additional convenience, and enhanced breathability, this microfiber poly technical fleece hood is everything you need for your winter weather health and fitness needs. Available in four colors: black, royal, steel and navy. Sizes include XS-4XL.
Expert Brand PPAI 267226 www.expertbrand.com.
Keep warm at work or play in the Cotton Duck Hooded Jacket. This jacket was built with harsh and rugged winters in mind and features 12-ounce sanded/washed cotton duck for wind and water resistance, heavy polyfill insulation throughout, brushed tricot body lining, nylon sleeve lining, #10 YKK zipper, three-piece hood construction, embroidery access zippers to accommodate crest/back customization, no back seams and two large inside pockets. It’s available in four colors (black, spice, moss and navy) and 16 sizes (S-6XL, LT-6XLT).
White Bear Clothing Co. PPAI 236468 www.whitebearclothing.com
This U.S.-made, water- and wind-resistant bonded poly windshirt sports fashionable drop needle lines, giving it a higher perceived value. It is available in a pullover, a 1/4 zip, or a full-zip jacket. The zip versions can be zipped up into a cadet collar. The open hem makes it perfect for golf on a wet day, or the barrel pull can cinch it shut for more warmth. It’s available in black, navy, olive, stone, red and steel blue and in sizes S-4XL.
AKWA PPAI 205981 www.akwa.com
This lightweight Primaloft™ insulated jacket will keep you warm and comfortable with its sporty active fit. It’s perfect to use as outer warmth or to layer as insulation under a shell. This jacket compresses into its own pocket for portability and has a hood hidden in the collar.
Craft Sportswear PPAI 637932 www.craftcorporate.com
These fleece accessories are perfect for winter weather protection. With a scarf, gloves, earband and bag, this set is available in black only. All items are decorated with either fusion embroidery or fusion sublimation digiprint.
Suntex Industries PPAI 113094 www.mainstsun.com
Ponchos With Punch
This high quality, multi-use poncho, made from New Englander® polyurethane bonded to a knit backing, is waterproof and has heat-sealed seams. It features a hood with snap neck and drawstrings for added wind and rain protection, as well as a side snap closure under the arms. It coordinates with the New Englander rain pant, and one size fits most adults. It conveniently packs into a matching storage pouch.
Charles River Apparel PPAI 111644 www.charlesriverapparel.com
Easily carry rain protection with you in this convenient Poncho in a Pac. Made with 100-percent waterproof, eco-friendly EVA fabric, it offers 52 x 86 inches of coverage with snap closures at the neck and side. It is resistant to cracks and ultraviolet radiation and is biodegradable; perfect for outdoor events and attractions.
Storm Duds Raingear PPAI 223406 www.stormduds.com
Made from Dura-Tuff™ polyethylene blend, this lightweight poncho is available in 10 standard colors—clear, white, yellow, royal blue, red, green, orange, purple, black and navy blue. It has an oversized hood with adjustable drawstring and is durable yet economical, with superior dryness and comfort.
Mad Dasher, Inc. PPAI 113961 www.maddasher.com
Umbrellas With Personality
The Rebel:
Who says umbrellas have to close downward? This 48-inch arc inverted-style umbrella turns traditional umbrella closure on its head. The revolutionary design allows the umbrella to close away from you so you stay dry when you close it. It’s also easier to close when entering or leaving a car or through a door.
Peerless PPAI 112666 www.peerlessumbrella.com
Mother Earth:
It's easy to go green with the Ecoverse™ vented auto open, auto close umbrella. Made from 100-percent recycled and sustainable materials, this eco-friendly umbrella protects you and the environment with style. Features include a bamboo handle, recycled aluminum shaft and fabric made from recycled materials. Its unique vented double canopy and push-button auto open, auto close feature make it a top-rated umbrella for wind and rain.
Shedrain PPAI 112963 www.shedraincorporate.com
Colorful Character:
The alternating gradient color panels with black triangular border make this umbrella pop. Throw in the auto-open feature and the extra-large 58-inch arc and it’s a winner. The matching gradient case with shoulder strap keeps it classy and convenient.
Stromberg Brand PPAI 114212 www.strombergbrand.com
Case Study
Take Me Out To The Ballpark
When the University of Washington Huskies were ready to open their new ballpark in 2014, they turned to Seattle, Washington-based distributor Zippy Dogs (PPAI 253813) for a great promo item for fans. Zippy Dogs partnered with Storm Duds Raingear (PPAI 223406) to provide good quality Husky-branded rain ponchos that they distributed on stadium seats throughout the ballpark the day it opened. As is predictable in Seattle, “It was raining that day,” says Elise Lindborg, top dog at Zippy Dogs. “The fans loved the team-branded rain ponchos. People were fighting over them!”
Top 15 Rainiest U.S. Cities Over 20,000 People
*Average of annual rainfall amounts from 1981-2010
- Hilo, Hawaii – 156.79 inches
- Maple Valley, Washington – 85.73 inches
- Kailua, Hawaii – 71.12 inches
- Marrero, Louisiana – 67.26 inches
- Longview, Washington – 66.81 inches
- Corvallis, Oregon – 65.9 inches
- Pascagoula, Mississippi – 65.4 inches
- Mobile, Alabama – 65.28 inches
- Gulfport, Mississippi – 64.68 inches
- Houma, Louisiana – 64.51 inches
- Prairieville, Louisiana – 64.29 inches
- Pembroke Pines, Florida – 63.92 inches
- Sulphur, Louisiana – 63.37 inches
- Homestead, Florida – 62.6 inches
- New Orleans, Louisiana – 62.45 inches
Source: WeatherDB