Festival Season Rain Gear - Any Suggestions?

With festival season in full swing for 2025, lineup announcements are rolling in, and as always, it’s an exciting time of year!
This time, I would like to add some spotlight to some key gear and essentials to help you get the most out of your festival experience. If you’re new to festivals, I hope this serves as a helpful guide!

“The Evolution of Rain Gear at Outdoor Festivals” — 2025 Edition

Rain is almost always inevitable at outdoor festivals. No matter how sunny the forecast, sudden downpours or thunder showers are a common occurrence. That said, festivals will usually go as planned unless the weather is extreme or dangerous. In fact, embracing the tough conditions is part of the fun of an outdoor fest — or so they say!
That’s why it’s worth taking some time to think about how to stay as comfortable as possible, even in the rain. The key is choosing your gear wisely while keeping your budget in mind.

My Personal Rain Gear Journey, Thus Far

I’ve been going to Fuji Rock since 2001, and looking back, here’s how my rain gear has changed over the years:

It’s clear that my rain gear has evolved along with my age and budget.

If you're in your teens or twenties and have a lot of stamina, even a convenience store rain poncho can get you through a festival. The same might be true for people in their thirties and forties, if they’re confident in their physical strength.
But if you're not so sure about your stamina, it's worth investing in some decent rain gear. These days, you can get affordable, high-performance rainwear from places like Workman. One key feature to look out for is breathability.
When we think of rain gear, the first thing that comes to mind is usually waterproofing. But just as important is breathability—in other words, how well the gear prevents stuffiness and sweat.

What is breathability?

It’s the ability of the fabric to let sweat and moisture trapped inside the clothing escape to the outside.
With highly breathable rainwear, you’re less likely to get all sticky and sweaty, which makes a huge difference in comfort.
In the past, cheap vinyl raincoats would keep the rain out but trap sweat inside, so people would end up with soaking wet T-shirts underneath. Nowadays, even affordable options often use breathable materials, so it’s truly a great time to be outdoors.

My Personal Experience: The Evolution of Materials and Comfort

GORE-TEX® is truly in a class of its own.
Its overwhelming waterproof and breathable performance, combined with lightness and durability, make it unbeatable. Once you use it, honestly, you can’t go back to cheap plastic rainwear.
Nowadays, many brands have developed their own high-performance materials—such as The North Face’s FUTURELIGHT™ and Montbell’s DryTech—that rival GORE-TEX. These alternatives are often more affordable than GORE-TEX products.

Rain gear isn’t just for festivals!

High-performance rainwear is too good to use only at festivals. It’s also great for daily commuting, camping, hiking, traveling, or even picking up and dropping off your kids. Recently, the designs have improved, making them suitable for everyday use as well.
With proper care, they last a long time, so they offer great value for your money.

To Summarize: Rain gear is an “investment” and a form of “self-protection”(a bit over-exaggerated, but it’s true)

• When you’re young, you can cover yourself with physical strength, but if you want comfort, breathability (moisture permeability) is a must!
• People who move a lot or sweat easily should choose wear that doesn’t trap moisture.
• If you want to protect your belongings too, I recommend a full-coverage type of poncho.
• Umbrellas are absolutely a no-go at festivals! They block the view and are dangerous, so let’s respect festival manners.

I wrote a lot, but it’s fine to start with inexpensive rain gear that’s easy on the wallet. Once you get hooked on festivals, investing little by little in comfort the next year helps reduce fatigue and makes the whole experience that much more enjoyable.
If you want to be comfortable from the start, definitely spend money on good gear.
Choose your rain gear by carefully considering your physical strength and budget.

Sound House also sells KiU rain ponchos, which come in many colorful and stylish designs. Ponchos that cover both you and your belongings are convenient and indispensable.
We also have sprays that can revive the water repellency of your existing rain gear.

⇒ List of rainwear and ponchos

That’s all for now!