Buying Rain Jacket in Alaska?

[snoopy5386]

I don't own a rain jacket and I am getting the impression I will need one for our cruise this summer. I figure if I have to drop $30-50 on a rain jacket it might as well be a souvenir. Are these easily found to purchase on the ship or in port for those prices? Or should I buy at home and haul with us? Same goes for a fleece jacket, I do have one of these, but I could use a new one.

[Coral]

There are plenty of jackets in port and they are very cheap! I wouldn't buy them on the ship (much more expensive).

 

I bought a fleece/rain jacket that is "heavier" for $20 that I love. They had light jackets as well. I bought mine at Tongass in Ketchikan.

 

http://tongasstrading.com/store/filtered/d_6/c_25/

 

They seem to have a better selection than online. The store is packed with t-shirts, jackets, souvenirs, etc...

 

Skagway and Juneau also have many shops with inexpensive jackets.

Edited May 14, 2016 by Coral

[sherryf]

Yes, you should be able to find something in that price range in ports. Some things to consider - What's your first port? What are your plans in that port? Will you need a rain jacket sooner than you will have time to shop for one?

 

For example, my first stop is Juneau, and this year I have an excursion scheduled immediately, half an hour after we get into port. No shopping time for me!

Edited May 14, 2016 by sherryf

[knittingGal]

There are plenty of jackets in port and they are very cheap! I wouldn't buy them on the ship (much more expensive).

 

I bought a fleece/rain jacket that is "heavier" for $20 that I love. They had light jackets as well. I bought mine at Tongass in Ketchikan.

 

http://tongasstrading.com/store/filtered/d_6/c_25/

 

They seem to have a better selection than online. The store is packed with t-shirts, jackets, souvenirs, etc...

 

Skagway and Juneau also have many shops with inexpensive jackets.

 

That is a great advice.

[Bklynbill]

Yes, you should be able to find something in that price range in ports. Some things to consider - What's your first port? What are your plans in that port? Will you need a rain jacket sooner than you will have time to shop for one?

 

For example, my first stop is Juneau, and this year I have an excursion scheduled immediately, half an hour after we get into port. No shopping time for me!

Also, Ketchikan is the first stop on a lot of cruises. It is often very rainy there, and you might need the rain jacket just to get to the shops.

[eandj]

Pick up a cheap poncho to carry along. it will hold you until you find the jacket you want. My luck, it would rain until I found the jacket. ;)

[Putterdude]

Two bits of advice:

 

-do not buy a fleece lined rain jacket, if it leaks or rain gets down your neck they are extremely difficult to dry in the confines of a ships cabin. Purchase the jacket and fleece separately or bring along a fleece from home and that way you can layer.

 

-a poncho in the winds of Alaska is absolutely useless.

[Coral]

Two bits of advice:

 

-do not buy a fleece lined rain jacket, if it leaks or rain gets down your neck they are extremely difficult to dry in the confines of a ships cabin. Purchase the jacket and fleece separately or bring along a fleece from home and that way you can layer.

 

-a poncho in the winds of Alaska is absolutely useless.

 

I would actually agree. I bought the jacket for our October/November weather for back home. I didn't use it on the trip - it was far too warm for that. I did like it as it is reversible. I was just surprised at how cheap this jacket was and how warm it was - more making a point that this type of jacket was $20.00. A typical rain jacket is probably less.

Edited May 14, 2016 by Coral

[snoopy5386]

Thanks all. Our first stop is Ketchikan and our plans for the first part of the day is shopping. I do have a windbreaker from the 90s that will work in a pinch, ponchos and an umbrella so I think I will be ok until I can make it to a store. Looking around online I'm having a hard time finding a jacket for under $50-75. Will definitely wait till we get there.

[Coral]

Thanks all. Our first stop is Ketchikan and our plans for the first part of the day is shopping. I do have a windbreaker from the 90s that will work in a pinch, ponchos and an umbrella so I think I will be ok until I can make it to a store. Looking around online I'm having a hard time finding a jacket for under $50-75. Will definitely wait till we get there.

 

There is a Tongass store right at the pier and 2 more in town plus obviously other stores. You will have no problems finding something.

Edited May 15, 2016 by Coral

[Who knew?]

Tongass Trading sounds great, but Ketchikan is almost at the end of our cruisetour in August.:mad:

 

We'll be staying in Anchorage (downtown) on our own for 3 days before starting the land part of the cruisetour. Can someone recommend a place there for a similar rain jacket, for a similar price, to those from Tongass?

 

Thanks - Linda

[lstrong]

Several years ago we bought great jackets at anchorage Walmart.

[Who knew?]

Several years ago we bought great jackets at anchorage Walmart.

 

Looks like we can get there by public transit from downtown.

 

Linda

[mapleleaves]

there are dozens of cheap waterproof jackets on amazon for $25 and even less. Unless you're going to wear it again, no point in buying a nice North Face or Columbia ; cheap and functional will suffice.

Buy a size larger than normal so you can wear a fleece/sweater/hoody underneath for your warm layer (which hopefully you won't need).

 

Instead of wasting valuable vacation time hunting for a jacket, buy it now so you can spend your time sightseeing and exploring !

Edited May 17, 2016 by mapleleaves

[Havin'fun]

there are dozens of cheap waterproof jackets on amazon for $25 and even less. Unless you're going to wear it again, no point in buying a nice North Face or Columbia ; cheap and functional will suffice.

Buy a size larger than normal so you can wear a fleece/sweater/hoody underneath for your warm layer (which hopefully you won't need).

 

Instead of wasting valuable vacation time hunting for a jacket, buy it now so you can spend your time sightseeing and exploring !

 

Great advice - this is exactly what we did last year. I found a fantastic buy on Columbia rain jackets, bought them a size larger and took a fleece along. It was the perfect combination, using them together or separate took care of all of our weather needs.

Edited May 18, 2016 by Havin'fun