10 reasons to look forward to the rainy days of spring

Let’s be honest. Most of us prefer glorious, sunny days over the wet, cloudy, rainy ones. But now that spring is here, there’s a good chance that the forecast will be showing more rain than sun.

Unless you’re still a kid who’s spending an afternoon jumping in puddles, rain is not quite as enjoyable for adults. Your shoes might get soaked, there might be mud all over your house, and let’s not even talk about your frizzy hair.

But, guess what? A rainy day can be fun again if you stock up on essentials that embrace the weather—an umbrella that actually works, a cool rain barrel that doubles as a planter, and a pair of wellies that make you smile. Read on to discover 11 products made for those less-than-sunny spring days.

1. A superior umbrella that will last a lifetime

Davek umbrellas have a formidable cult following, and for good reason. These umbrellas, which cost a bit more than the average option, have novel touches like an automatic open and close button system, a tightly-woven, wind-resistant canopy, and an elegant frame system that protects against the wind. And for that, we say, it’s worth the money.

Get the THE DAVEK SOLO Umbrella on DavekNY.com for $99

2. An umbrella that keeps your pup dry in spring showers

We are fully aware that an umbrella for your dog looks both hilarious and adorable. But it’s a sensible purchase, too, with a built-in leash so your dog is secure and dry. The transparent umbrella lets you see what your furry friend is getting up to on your walks. This way, you can avoid having to give your muddy buddy yet another bath.

Get the Nice Hyacinth Pet Umbrella With Leash on Amazon for $16.50

3. High-quality rain jackets for men and women

There are few things that feel worse than being ill-prepared in a rainstorm. Perhaps you’re walking through the parking lot on your way to work when the rain starts falling, and now you have to spend the day in sopping-wet clothes. Don’t let this be you—invest in a good rain jacket, like this Amazon best seller North Face jacket for women that comes in 31 fun spring colors or this men’s Outdoor Research jacket that’s outfitted with innovative, rain-repellant fabric, an adjustable hood, and reflective trim.

Get The North Face Women’s Resolve 2 Jacket on Amazon Starting at $55 Get the Outdoor Research Men’s Helium II Jacket on Amazon Starting at $99.95

4. A water-resistant backpack so your stuff won’t get drenched

Shouldn’t your backpack come in a material that’s as water-resistant as your jacket? To prevent your things from getting wet, pack them up in this durable, lightweight backpack. When you’re not using it, you can fold it down into a tiny, ulta-portable little package, making it perfect to toss in your pocket.

Get the ZOMAKE Ultra Lightweight Water-Resistant Hiking Backpack on Amazon for $15.99

5. A rain gauge so you can track rain totals from your own backyard

It can be oddly fascinating to keep tabs on how much rain you’ve been getting, especially during an extra-rainy spring. This rain gauge is not only informative, but features a cute design that will look at home in your garden. Use it to teach your kids a little bit about the weather or just monitor how much water your plants are getting naturally to cut back on sprinkler time.

Get the LaCrosse 705-110 Patina Rain Gauge on Amazon for $3.99

6. A rain barrel that’s also a planter

A rain barrel is a fantastic idea if you’re looking to go green and save a few bucks, and plants love drinking up that all-natural rainwater. This 50-gallon rain barrel will store water so you can keep the plants around your yard happy, and it also doubles as a planter. Made with classic terra cotta, it’ll look like an attractive planter and not just a boring old barrel.

Get the Algreen 50-Gallon Terra Cotta Agua Rain Barrel on Amazon for $139.99

7. Styling products that guard your hair against humidity

For some people, rain means only one thing—frizzy hair. It can be enough to make you stay home. But now you can actually be seen in public on rainy days, thanks to this Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream. It blocks humidity without weighing hair down, and reviewers love it: “Awesome.” “Heavenly.” “It works perfectly.”

It can also help to be prepared when things get unexpectedly humid with these anti-frizz sheets. You can run them along your hair if you're caught out when the weather turns unfavorably to keep your hair tamed and smooth.

Get the Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream 2-Pack on Amazon for $39.99 Get Nunzio Saviano Anti-Frizz Sheets on Amazon for $18

8. A pair of dependable rain boots that are cute, too

It can be a challenge to look fashionable and dress practically for the rain at the same time. That’s where wellies come in, which were invented by the British, who know a thing or two about rain. These Joules rain boots are particularly charming in their raindrop print, and they come in six other patterns as well.

Get Joules Women’s Mollywelly Rain Boots on Amazon Starting at $49.51

9. An unusual product that car owners swear by

It’s tough to see clearly when you get hit with a spring shower while you’re driving, but this product can make things a little safer. Rain-X creates a protective barrier on the glass so when rain hits it, it beads up and slides away instead of creating a full-on curtain of water that reduces your visibility. Just look at the difference it makes in the photo above.

Get Rain-X Glass Treatment on Amazon for $7.68

10. A retro doormat to soak up all of that water and dirt

You might remember this AstroTurf mat from your grandparents’ doorstep, and there’s a reason it has staying power. It grabs a whopping pound of dirt per week, ideal for soaking up the water and mud from the rain. This exact mat is currently on my doorstep, and I can tell you, it works. Plus, it has springy little daisies, which adds a little extra touch of sweetness.

Get the GrassWorx Clean Machine Daisy Doormat on Amazon for $17.99

Prices are accurate at the time of publication, but may change over time.