Getting wet in the rain

[docklands77]

If you have to walk between 2 buildings while it is raining, is it better to walk or to run between the two? Or in other words, will I get more wet if I run or I walk? What I have always wondered is surely if I run then I am running into rain drops and might get more wet as a result?!

[strozzi]

The way to get less wet is to run at exactly the same speed as the wind. That way you only get wet on top.

[Rabelais]

recent studies have shown you are better off walking

[5029]

But surely if you run you would get there in half the time, therefore spending less time in the rain

[chijiki]

This is an age old question. I trust the studies that say that you are better off running to stay dryer. Here's a link that explains;

http://www.restrainedtastes.com/ttt/tielines/artic
les/walkrun.htm

[mikewall01]

I believe that, mostly, you are much more likely to keep dryer if you run. However, this depends on a number of factors including the speed and direction of both yourself and the wind. If you want to be able to calculate this for yourself check out this site that will tell you how.

http://www.devon.gov.uk/dcs/ict/models/morain.html

Of course it is not practical to do this calculation every time you go out in the rain, so it is generally a good bet to run anyway which gives you the best chance of staying dryer unless you have an umbrella.

[woodpam]

Running is your best option fror keeping the top of you dry. However, if it is wet underfoot, running has the effect of making you hit the ground with more force, thus sending the splashes further and getting you soaked from the feet upwards.

[lisaj]

I recall from when I did my A-Levels all those years ago that I asked the same question in a mechanics lesson. My tutor, who was a respected academic in the field, explained that it had been mathematically proven and I think he said it made no difference, and that the proof was horrendously complicated. If it has been proven, it would be published so a look in google should help find the proof.

[WendyW]

Lisaj is correct ... mathematically there is no difference if you walk or run ... you still catch the same number of rain drops.

[sft42]

It's far, far better to use an umbrella folks!

[gazzawazza]

Do you know, I've always asked myself the same question but I never once thought that anyone else was as sad as me or even sadder to the point of doing research on it!!!... And then publishing the research!!!... Must have a look!