Soccer still plays in the rain, but that doesn’t mean that you have to get wet. Stay dry with rain gear for soccer parents and coaches.
Waterproof Jacket
The most essential item is a good waterproof jacket. If you’ve tried a rain jacket before and still got wet, you either bought a water resistant jacket or just got a bad jacket.
Water resistant is not the same as waterproof. It’s just like phones where some phones can actually be used underwater and others might survive getting dropped in water if you get them out fast enough.
The best waterproof jackets will keep you completely dry even if you’re at a soccer tournament sitting in the pouring rain for hours. Interior pockets also protect your phone and car keys.
Columbia is a good brand, but there are others. Be sure to check reviews to make sure the jacket is actually waterproof.
Large Umbrella
Even when you have a nice jacket, a large umbrella can help you stay even more comfortable. You can use it to keep your legs and chair dry. It can also protect your snacks, coffee, and phone.
Some parents will also feel bad for their kids and let them huddle under the umbrella after the game.
Canopy Chair
Another alternative to sitting under an umbrella is a canopy chair. These chairs have many options ranging from giving you just a little bit of shade to essentially your own personal tent.
If you want protection on a rainy day, bigger is better. If the chair only has a roof canopy and no sides, it won’t protect you when the wind blows the rain.
Most canopy chairs fold up to just a little bit bigger than a standard folding chair. They also don’t weigh more than two regular chairs, so they’re easy to carry around and leave in your car.
Canopy Tent
If you want to keep your entire family dry or cover up the team bench, go for a canopy tent. Some tents have walls, but lowering the legs on one side is usually enough to block most of the wind and rain.
One thing to watch out for with these tents is that they like to run away in the wind. Make sure the tent you buy has a good set of spikes for the legs. If you play on artificial turf or have hard surface spectator areas, you’ll need to get a tent that comes with weights.
Remember that these tents will usually fold up to about 6 to 10 feet long, so think about what you’re driving. They’re also much easier to set up and carry when you have at least one other person to help you.
Lightning Detector
You may also want to pick up a lightning detector if you’re a coach or team parent. It’s easy for storms to sneak up on you especially when you’re playing around high trees, hills, or buildings.
The counting to 30 method is a good fallback method, but it’s simply not as accurate as an actual scientific measurement. Apps like WeatherBug also aren’t always accurate since they rely on weather stations that could be miles away.
Handheld lightning detectors keep you safe by monitoring the actual conditions near you.
