Rain coat for sunny days only
I purchased (with my dividend) a Women's Rainier Long Line Rain Jacket, REI/Hydrowall branded in March 2024. I have only worn it about six times, twice in rather heavy rain. Both those times were within a week, and both times I got wet. I realize that I had owned the coat for two years, but since it clearly isn't waterproof I thought to return it. I took it to the Tukwila, WA store, where the clerk told me some new information that contradicts the instructions on the coat (which themselves are confusing). He said that the coat needs to be washed frequently to remain waterproof (conveniently every 5-7 wearings after I said I'd worn it six times). Also he said that my sweat made it wet inside despite that I was wearing fleece under it to prevent the clammy feeling. He also ignored that the pockets, which flap freely inside the coat, were wet. He additionally told me that after washing the coat I would have to apply a waterproof spray covering to maintain the waterproofing. The lining inside he said was entirely 100% waterproof, yet the pockets, which are made from that fabric, were wet. The washing instructions in the coat say this: "machine wash cold, do not use bleach or fabric softners, tumble dry, low iron, dry clean only" (what??!). I don't know how to follow those instructions, as well as the clerk's. I have always thought that REI was a step up from other outfitters, but whatever is going on there is no step up. I'm stuck with a rain coat that makes my clothing wet in the rain. Disappointed is an understatement. I doubt I'll shop REI in the future. Maggie Howard