Rain or shine? Brits reveal their true weather habits
Ever layered two jumpers (or trousers) under a raincoat, worn flip-flops in a downpour, or turned a bin bag into a poncho? If so, you're definitely not alone.
In our latest research we surveyed over 2,000 UK adults revealing what Brits really do when the weather turns and it’s not always what we say we do.
While many of us claim to be ‘weather-resilient’, the unlikely regions top the chart for calling it quits at the first sign of rain. Stereotypes around hardiness are alive and well with one region in particular being elevated to near weather-proof deity status. Meanwhile, a surprising number of us rely on makeshift fashion to make it through the UK’s unpredictable seasons.
From confidence peaks in middle age to a heavy regional perception gap, the data shows that while we love to talk about the weather, we’re not always as tough (or ready) as we think.
The great british duck-out
When it comes to outdoor plans, the weather most likely to send us running for cover is, well, rain. Luckily we don’t get much rain here in the British Isles… Oh, wait.
Indeed, a remarkable 79% said that rainy weather (heavy to moderate, but even a light drizzle) would make them change or abandon their plans. And it’s not just the rain Brits are wary of: 68% would cancel if it’s windy, while 65% draw the line at sleet or hail. Even choosing what to wear in the summer suddenly becomes a tactical decision.
Interestingly, snow, which is usually cause for festive excitement in our snow-starved country, also appears to stop most of us in our tracks, with 67% admitting they’d abandon plans if the white stuff started falling from the skies.
The data also showed that a brave 1% claim they’d go out in all conditions, proving that while British grit is alive and well, it’s not as common as we might think
Are we as weather-resilient as we think?
Somewhat contrasting with prior results, a small majority of respondents (53%) said they consider themselves resilient to the weather. That’s quite an impressive number, until you look a little closer.
When broken down by age, it’s the 35-44s who fancy themselves the toughest, with 60% claiming to be resilient. That’s 13 percentage points higher than the youngest group (18-24s at 47%) and 10 points higher than the 55-64s (50%). Is this a case of a classic midlife confidence peak before reality sets in?
Regarding the attitude towards bad weather, 37% said they either embrace it, enjoy it, or wear it as a badge of honour to show how tough they are. In contrast, 20% avoid it altogether, while 24% are keeping the famous ‘keep-calm-and-carry-on’ motto alive by bravely tolerating it. Only 17% seem to prepare for it or to take control of the forecast by wearing appropriate gear. And looking at further insight, this lack of readiness seems quite consistent.
Mirror, mirror on the wall which brit is the toughest of them all?
Scotland took the crown for the region perceived to have the most weather-resilient people, with 37% of Brits voting them as number one: a staggering 31 percentage points ahead of the next region, the North East (9%). That might be no surprise given Scotland’s famously harsh climate (because the rest of the country is so famous for its dry weather and tropical beaches, right?).
But here’s the twist: while the South West is known for its relatively mild weather, it actually tops the data for cancelling plans: 87% say rain is enough to call off a picnic, and 74% would skip an outing due to wind. It shows that even in the milder corners of the UK, the weather still rules.
Weatherwear wonders (or woes?)
It wouldn’t be a British summer without some highly questionable fashion choices. According to our survey, 1 in 6 Brits admitted to wearing some truly ridiculous outfits due to the weather: from bin bag ponchos and supermarket carrier bags to Christmas jumpers at summer festivals (yes, really).
However, when it comes to prepping for unpredictable conditions, a proper waterproof jacket is still top of the list, with 55% saying they wouldn’t leave home without one. This is followed by ‘sturdy boots’ (30%) and…gloves? Well, it seems that a respectable 24% of Brits believe they either live in the North Pole or are doing their best to keep the Regency-era look alive.
Despite all the grumbling about the weather, more than half (51%) of Brits say they’ve proudly powered through extreme conditions to attend an event, whether it’s a gig, a party, a barbeque or a match. So while we might talk a big game about cancelling plans, we’re clearly still up for the challenge if the stakes are high.
The final forecast and what it says about us
For all our bravado about “just getting on with it,” our data paints a wildly different picture. Brits seem to talk a tough game when it comes to bad weather, however, whether it’s drizzle, wind or the ‘dreaded’ snow, quite a few of us would rather reschedule than rough it.
"Looking at these results," says TOG24 Managing Director Mark Ward, "you’d think we were a nation of fair-weather picnickers. If there’s even a bit of drizzle or wind, plans go out the window. But with British weather doing what it does best, which is switching from sun to sleet in minutes, we design clothing that’s ready for whatever the skies throw at you."
At TOG24, we believe there’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing. For over 60 years, we’ve been helping people face the great outdoors with ease and confidence, whatever the forecast. From reliable waterproofs to lightweight layers for sunnier spells, our kit’s made to keep you comfortable: whether it’s chucking it down or just a bit breezy.
