Adulting 101: 6 rainy day commute tips for waterproof working professionals

MANILA, Philippines – The rainy season is here, bringing with it nice, cooler temperatures, a relaxing pitter-patter, and unfortunately, all kinds of inconveniences. But they’re no match for you, a waterproof working professional! 

Apparently, not being a student anymore means you automatically become waterproof – which is perhaps why work doesn’t normally get included in suspensions due to inclement weather (though to be fair, some offices call off work on their own, or allow working from home on rainy days). (READ: Healthy comfort food for rainy days)

If you do need to be somewhere on a rainy day, here are a few tips that will hopefully help keep you dry, or at the very least, minimize the hassle that commuting on a rainy day brings:

Walk slower

The rain may make you want to get home sooner than usual, but you definitely won’t be getting home soon if you slip and hurt yourself. The rain makes pretty much every surface more slippery, so be mindful of how you walk when it’s pouring. If you’re riding a motorcycle (like an Angkas) or a car, make sure to watch the speed that your driver is going too, and ask them to slow down when they’re going too fast.

Also, strong rains may compromise visibility on the road, especially at night, so break out your brights (like a neon-colored or reflective jacket or hat) to stay within sight of motorists and help them avoid accidents.

Invest in good rain gear

Bare minimum, you should at least have an umbrella and a waterproof jacket to protect yourself from bad weather. When you’re looking for an umbrella, get a sturdy one that can withstand strong winds, and preferably an automatic one so you don’t have to faff about with opening and closing it.

As for jackets and raincoats, stores like Miniso and Decathlon as well as department stores will have affordable waterproof coats and ponchos that fold flat into pockets so you can easily bring them in your bag. If you want to keep your things protected, you may want to choose a poncho instead of a button-down coat, as it’s roomy enough to cover even your bag. (READ: Top 5 monsoon must-haves)

Speaking of bags, a quality water-repellent work bag is a good investment, and getting a backpack in particular is ideal because it will allow you to keep your hands free to hold up an umbrella while you’re walking. Local brands like Goauche (which carries waxed canvas bags), and Doughnut may be a good place to start canvassing for a bag that’s both stylish and functional.

Waterproof the things inside your bag

Short of using a dry box, you can never be sure when a particularly strong downpour will manage to seep through even your water-repellent bag, because unfortunately, even the good ones can only keep out so much water when the rain is strong and persistent.

Just to be on the safe side, put your laptops and other gadgets in waterproof cases (some use ziploc bags, or reuse the packaging from their online shopping) and place papers and other important documents in plastic folders that can withstand the rain. Also, bring an extra plastic bag or two to put in any items you have that has gotten wet, which brings us to the next point…

Have spares ready

Extra clothes, footwear, and a towel will definitely come in handy in the event that you get stranded in your office, or clock in sopping wet after getting caught in a downpour while on your way to work. Make sure you always have a set in the office so you know you’re prepared whatever the weather.

Consider your footwear

Spindly high heels, suede loafers, or your favorite white sneakers may not be the best choices for rainy day commutes. When it’s raining, you’re better off wearing actual rain boots or leather shoes that can better withstand water.

If you’ve waded in floodwater, make sure to disinfect

Sometimes when you’re commuting home after a downpour, it can’t be helped that you end up walking through even a little bit of floodwater. If that happens, make sure you thoroughly wash your feet – and any other parts of your body – after with soap and water, or alcohol if you can’t get to a bathroom right away. Depending on how much you were exposed, you may also need to take antibiotics, so consult with a doctor or healthcare provider after going through floods.

There you have it, waterproof warrior! Keep these tips in mind for the next thunderstorm, and hopefully you can continue to hustle sans the rainy day hassle. – Rappler.com