What is the difference between a London Fog raincoat and a trench coat?

A trench coat is a tailored, belted, usually double-breasted design meant to look formal. A raincoat is a looser hooded jacket built for movement and quick weather protection. Both use water-repellent fabric; only the shape and the level of formality differ.

Do rain jackets lose their water repellency over time?

Yes. The factory finish wears off with abrasion and detergent residue. Washing the jacket with a technical cleaner and reapplying a spray-on repellent restores most of the original beading.

Can I wear a rain jacket in the snow?

For light wet snow, yes, over a fleece or a knit. For sustained cold you want an insulated coat instead, because an uninsulated shell only traps the warmth your layers produce.

Raincoats & Jackets

London Fog Raincoats and Rain Jackets

Raincoats sit next to the trench coats in the same catalogue but solve a different problem. Where a trench is tailored and belted, a rain jacket is lighter, usually hooded, and cut so you can move quickly in it.

If your daily walk involves a station platform, a school run and an unpredictable sky, a hooded rain jacket is the more useful of the two. Save the trench for days when you want the coat to be part of the outfit rather than protection from it.

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What to check before you buy

Hood design: An adjustable or detachable hood with a small brim keeps rain off your glasses. Fixed hoods without a drawcord blow back in wind.
Packability: Thin shells fold into a bag pocket or a tote. Anything with a quilted liner will not pack down, so decide whether you are buying warmth or portability.
Breathability: Coated shells hold heat. Underarm vents, mesh backing or a loose cut make a big difference on a mild, humid rainy day.
Length: Hip-length jackets are best for cycling and driving. Mid-thigh anoraks give the coverage of a trench with far less structure.