Gadget Guru

Come rain or shine, our tech expert tells you what’s what.

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Q STEVEN LEVITT, SOUTH SHIELDS

How do I stay dry on wet days?

A traditional (or at least cheap) waterproofs are basically no help. they essentially generate their own weather system between the outdoors and your body, effectively making you wetter and very, very gross.

Top-down, then. you’ll want a torso covering like the under Armour Mens Gore-tex paclite half Zip Jacket (£130), which is both waterproof and windproof but also offers a level or breathability thanks to a “highly technical membrane”, which is probably beyond Guru’s pay grade to understand. it doesn’t have a hood, so equip yourself with the davek solo umbrella (£95) to keep the drizzle off your scalp. it totes a three function button: one press erects it, a second pulls it down again and, should its amusingly named wind-combat frame fail to protect you from errant gusts, you can press the button to invert the canopy back to its proper shape.

Trousers are a tougher sell, but Guru would suggest looking towards the running market rather than the bulkier hiking world. the kalenji trail running trousers (£35) are highly rated for breathability, and their waterproofing will withstand machine washing.

Boots are easier to find, but if GaGu was forced he’d steer you towards the Merrell Moab 2 Mid (£112) which couple a long-lauded weatherproof design with a fancy traction-controlled sole and great ankle and arch support. obviously the real answer is to stay indoors until the sky has got its act together, but we don’t all have that luxury.

Q KAY GREEN, KIDDERMINSTER

Is it time to switch to digital currency?