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If you are OVER 5'7", where have you got a good longish waterproof warm coat?

140 replies

Proon · 06/10/2011 12:44

I realise this has been done before and there was some success last year in persuading companies that such a thing would sell.

However I've just had my usual utterly rage-inducing visit to my local (very good) outdoor shop, where I was told that a warm, waterproof coat that was also long was 'doing a different job to what we sell'. What, doing a different job to keeping people warm and dry? Hmm I was shown jackets that are a bit longer than sit-on-your-bum style, hillwalking jackets which are warm and dry but basically awful, etc. And the man wouldn't stop talking.

What's around this year, have you bought anything good, or are we still at the stage where yes there are a few coats that fit shorter people fine, sell out in a week, and we have to look to Denmark for imports?

If anyone from a likely company reads this, please let me be clear: I WILL PAY MONEY FOR A LONGLINE WATERPROOF WARM COAT THAT FITS ME AND LOOKS EVEN JUST OK but I cannot find one

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drowninginlaundry · 06/10/2011 12:53

This was discussed on a thread that went on for a while, but to recap:

the only waterproof (not water resistant, min 2000 hydrostatic head) AND insulated AND long coats available in this country are:
North Face Arctic Parka or Brooklyn
Didrikson Elly or Celeste (or Crystal but that's very thick and probably an overkill)
Helly Hansen HT Hilton parka

still looking for more, down coats are usually not waterproof.

Walking/hiking/climbing jackets are hip length for ease of movement, hence most outdoor shops stock those, their customers mostly looking for technical products suited to high intensity activities.

Proon · 06/10/2011 13:09

Brilliant, thank you very much for summarising that for me. That is exactly the reply I needed. Smile

The bit that does not compute for me is that the weather does not change if you're not walking on a hill. It's the same cold wet rain in the city, walking the kids to school, taking the dog out. I accept that I have to look like a shapeless sack and wear waterproof trousers when I'm focusing on hiking, but I want something better for when I'm just getting around town. I'm still going to get cold and wet. The technology exists to keep me warm and dry. It gives me the RAGE that I can't access it!

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pallymama · 06/10/2011 13:21

Last year I bought one of the Boden rainyday mac things, like this. It's not waterproof, but "showerproof". However, it took over half an hour of walking/standing in very heavy rain for it to start coming through, and even then only seams on the shoulders. As for length, I'm 6' and it covers my bum! I'm pretty impressed with it.

Proon · 06/10/2011 13:33

No I'm definitely looking for high-performance, above-the-knee, not below-the bum iyswim. But it does look nice.

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madcows · 06/10/2011 13:39

The Merrell Wakefield now comes in an insulated version, so is warm as well as dry. I've just got one and am very happy with it... but I'm not as tall as you!
goodluck!

drowninginlaundry · 06/10/2011 13:45

I know, it's so frustrating. Rain is rain isn't it. For lightweight around town waterproof I have the Bergans Egersund jacket, it comes down to mid thigh (I'm 5'9'') and has a dropped back. Arcteryx also has the Theta AR jacket which is a long gore tex jacket, and actually looks very stylish on (well as stylish as a waterproof can look).

Proon · 06/10/2011 13:56

There appears to be sleet happening outside my window.

Off to google all of these and then contemplate how to find them. Thanks.

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gilmoregirl · 06/10/2011 14:11

Hi

I am 5'9" and have very similar requirements to you.

I ordered this coat from seasalt which will hopefully arrive today. It is the closest I could find (and trust me I have looked long and hard) to what I needed ie knee lenth, warm and water proof.

During my quest I also bought the famed merrill wakefield but I am not delighted as I bought a "medium" which appears to be a size 10 (I am a 12) and it is v neat on me especially accross the butt which makes it shorter - the sleeves are a great length though) plus a northface metropolis parka which I do not rate at all as is not worth the money (I got it reduced but still) as it is not even remotely showerproof. If it rains the water sinks right through to the down which absorbs the water and soaks through to soak you. When I bought it it was advertised as "water resistent" which I belive they have now withdrawn - when I complained I was told it was for "dry cold conditions only Hmm

Will let you know how my new coat is when it arrives if you are interested?

Proon · 06/10/2011 14:23

Yes, very interested, thanks!

Found this Bergans one here - looks worth a try.

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gilmoregirl · 06/10/2011 14:34

That ones looks lovey - v expensive so would like to think would be worth it.

There is another thread on here recently about similar coats and if you have a more generous budget (ie £200+) then there were some lovely ones - I think one from Patagonia and northface grace?

gilmoregirl · 06/10/2011 14:41

tee he just noticed that on that site you linked to they have my northface parka with a disclaimer "PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a waterproof coat, but it does have a water resistant treatment".

Interesting as assume it is necessary due to volume of complaints from people shelling out the best part of £200 for a coat that you cannot wear unless the sun is shining!

"water resistent treatment" pah. Mine is like a sponge.

Proon · 06/10/2011 14:47

I had a NorthFace Grace, but it was so ridiculously short-waisted, not waterproof/breathable etc. It was OK for a spring raincoat for a shorter person, otherwise, meh.

Basically I would like my budget to be lower, but I want a well-fitting coat, which I think means going Scandinavian (women are taller on average). Hence £££

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Proon · 06/10/2011 14:49

When I say short-waisted...the belt did up just under my breasts!

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drowninginlaundry · 06/10/2011 16:11

water resistant is not the same as waterproof. A water resistant garment has a Durable Water Repellent coating, which all it does it makes water molecules 'roll off' the surface. So if you buy something that says water resistant and get soaked - it's because the coat is exactly that, water resistant. Water proof means it has a waterproof laminate, and a DWR on top of it, and inside either a lining, or a protective membrane. Much more technical construction, usually this is evident in the product specs.

Down jackets are not water proof, as a rule of thumb, so if you buy a down coat/jacket it's for dry days only. If down gets wet it collapses and stops working eventually. Synthetic insulation is less sensitive to rain and usually cheaper, but heavier and bulkier.

It's worth reading the specs if you are buying technical clothing, usually in the product information you can see what weather it's intended for.

Proon · 06/10/2011 16:11

I think Ladyword got the Wakefield last year (just remembered), and found that the shell fitted well, but the lining was a size smaller - so she altered it herself and put fleecy fabric in as well (she's my sewing hero). She's v tall and it looked great.

What the effing hell is the point of making a coat lining that's significantly smaller than the coat? [despair]

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Proon · 06/10/2011 16:15

x posts
yy the Grace wasn't advertised as waterproof, however it also wasn't water resistant, except initially (I didn't wash it and remove any coating). It was definitely quite poor quality overall (the inner membrane cracked wherever it folded too).

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nickelbabe · 06/10/2011 16:17

I'm 5'8".

I got a duffle coat from New Look about 3 years ago, and it's still going strong.
It's got a detachable hood, and being wool, is very waterproof.

gilmoregirl · 06/10/2011 16:29

Interesting. I definitely learned from my (expensive) mistake with the north face parka I must say so I have been reading the specs very closely.

I niavely expected it to at least be wearable during the winter if you were perhaps caught in a shower but no, it is not in my opinion even water resistent - my £12 mac from sainsburys offers more protection from the rain!

Having had this bad experience I did email seasalt to ask if the coat I was about to order was actually rain proof and if it has taped seams (it does so fingers crossed).

The merrill wakefield I have is a very odd shape - well perhaps if I happened to be a couple of stone lighter it would fit perfectly. Am v impressed by the sewing skills of someone who can change a lining in a coat. I think my whole coat is too small - in hindsight I should have sent it back (or I can just try to lose a stone or two!)

Will report back when I receive my coat and let you - am hoping it will be ok as I exhausted from this search!

gilmoregirl · 08/10/2011 00:17

my coat still has not arrived - so much for the first class post! Hope it comes soon so can give verdict

lentilpie · 12/10/2011 12:19

Came out of lurking to ask gilmoregirl what she thinks of the seasalt coat?

gilmoregirl · 12/10/2011 12:52

Unfortunately STILL not received it! It does say on their website 7-10 working days for delivery so they are not kidding.
Will report back when it arrives which surely must be by next tuesday as I order it over a week ago.

lentilpie · 12/10/2011 12:56

Thanks, will hold back from ordering it, I'm fed up of sending coats back so will be interested to hear your feedback.

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PollyMorfic · 12/10/2011 13:03

Lands End Stadium Squall Parka or else the coat version which is even longer

Yes, I know it's not a hi-tech performance jacket in the outdoor gear nerd, camp-out-in-the-arctic kind of way, but it's waterproof for most normal purposes (I've done an 8-mile hike through the Peak District rain in one, and it didn't leak, not to mention countless school runs). It's light and warm but not bulky or thick. And it's long. I am 5' 11", and long is a very rare and fine thing for me.

I like it. Smile

CMOTdibbler · 12/10/2011 14:37

I've got a Merrel Haven which is v waterproof, warm, and looks ok too.

My go to coat when its cold is Lands End though. High fashion, they ain't, but well made, long lasting, and practical they certainly are.

gilmoregirl · 12/10/2011 17:05

So finally received the sea salt coat.......

Verdict seven out of ten.

Pros
Long
seems well made and high quality
sleeves ok length
is definitely marginally more "stylish" (and I use that term lightly) than your standard outdoorsy anorak type by berghaus or similar

Cons (I am very fussy so most of these prob wouldn't bother others!)
Pockets not deep enough to be comfy to walk with hands in
Not keen on the "contrast fleece lining" looked ok in photo on web but is more furry than fleecy IMO and colour is yuk
Not v flattering in shape (but to be fair I am slightly chunkier than I'd like to be so perhaps is just my body does not look like what I expect it to and that is hardly the poor coat's fault is it??)

I am going to keep it as honestly do not have energy to keep looking and am v tight and having paid £3.99 postage and having to pay for returns would be about £10 down with no coat otherwise

Think that the navy may be nicer (red bad choice) and would like to see the other seasalt coat (the more expensive one) in person.

Note re Lands End. I was down to two choices - the seasalt or the lands end and went for the seasalt as slightly cheaper and thought it would be more stylish. Would say that is NOT more stylish so perhaps consider the landend as suggested by Polly?

Good luck - let us know how you get on

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