1. Vessi
Okay, yes, we might love Vessi’s waterproof shoes for their versatility in summer (going from the spray park to the beach without having to swap shoes is great), but the Vancouver-incepted brand offers more than a city-based sneaker. Their Classic Chelsea Boot ($180) wraps the ankle and foot in their patented Dyma-tex waterproof fabric to keep feet dry from top to toe.
2. San Poncho
This style of raingear is not just for Niagara Falls! Based on Vancouver Island, San Poncho makes the rain poncho both stylish and tactical. Its Rain Cape ($249) takes inspiration from the classic poncho, but adds a large front pocket, side snaps to create sleeves and finger loops to make a tent over the rest of the body. Colours include black, hyper, deep sea and habanero.
3. Glasnost
East Vancouver’s Glasnost makes effortlessly cool and understated rainwear that boasts waterproof waxed cotton. Made by hand by designer Stephanie Schneider, the minimalist Collarless Rain Trench ($420) features large pockets, brass snaps and French seams. Each item is made-to-order, so don’t put off purchasing ahead of rainy season!
4. Vancouver Umbrella Inc.
You might not actually know if the umbrella you’re holding is made by Vancouver Umbrella Inc. (if it bears the logo of your favourite Vancouver brewery, perhaps), but the women-owned family umbrella empire has been operating in B.C. since 1932. They silkscreen, dye and print commercial and personal-use umbrellas in custom logos and colourways that can be ordered online or found at retailers like Nesters, Choices, Pharmasave and even Whistler’s Trading Post.
5. Westcomb
Rainproof wear is made down to the zippers at Westcomb, which designs and handcrafts each piece in Vancouver. Their women’s Fuse LT Hoody ($623), for example, is made with Polartec NeoShell 250 (a 100-percent nylon material with a polyurethane membrane) in red, blue, yellow, orange and black to keep out rain and possibly even whitewater splashes.
6. Adhere To
Dreamed up by Vancouver fashion designer Alexandre Dean, Adhere To creates rainproof outerwear from 100-percent recycled, sustainability-certified material. Her versatile designs—from trench coats to crops and puffer jackets—boast full supply chain traceability to ensure her eco-conscious approach. The Waterproof Crop Rain Jacket ($469) comes in flat olive green and matte black, and features a removeable hood.
