Quick Superdry parka advice please, shopping this morning!

[littlecupcake]

DH is taking me shopping with the whiney DC this morning to buy a coat for my birthday. DH knows I've found a Superdry coat that I like and thinks it'll be a case of 'enter shop - buy coat - go home'. I've had my eye on a parka for a few weeks but now I'm not sure if it'll keep me dry enough for the school run.

Has anyone got or tried this Tall Parka or

www.superdry.com/womens/windcheaters/details/55203/microfibre-tall-windparka-jacket

this windcheater coat?

www.superdry.com/womens/windcheaters/details/40035/hooded-super-windcheater-coat

I can see no difference between the two other than one has lining from top to bottom and the other doesn't.

Will either of these keep me warm and dry enough on the school run? And, I'm approaching 40, am I too old for Superdry? Other mums wear them in the playground so I'm guessing I'll be ok! I specifically liked these two because they have the drawstring to give my non-existent waist a bit of shape!

If I manage to persuade DH to go somewhere else to look for coats, which 'outdoorsy' shops would be best?

[carrielou2007]

I have the second one £109 one it's fabulous! Lovely and warm, fab big hood and totally waterproof. We walk to school in all weathers on non-work days. They do come up small though, make sure you try it on. After years of coat threads on here I have several lovely warm/waterproof coats but this is my favourite! I'm 42

[littlecupcake]

Thanks CarrieLou. They didn't have the one you've got and it's out of stock in my size on their website. So I got the other one and it's lovely. Can't wait til my birthday next week so I can wear it, I'm going to be toastie on the school run now!

DC were pretty good while they had snacks to keep them occupied so I managed to pick up some much needed make up in Boots too!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Dd2 has one similar to the second. It's brilliant (I have stolen it a couple of times) - definitely the best ever coat for keeping you dry that I've ever worn. I was going to get one myself, but decided it looked a bit too teenage, but they are excellent coats.

[IHaveBrilloHair]

I love both

[littlecupcake]

That's reassuring - I worried if they're more a fashion brand rather than technical enough to keep me dry. My poor Merrell Haven that I bought about three years ago has been fab but it's not waterproof any more as I discovered after a few downpours in the last couple of weeks. I've searched the coat grail threads but the North Face and Jack Wolfskins etc just aren't doing it for me. I like the shape that the Superdry ones give me. Glad others like them too!

[carrielou2007]

I had two Merrels and both very waterproof but I felt frumpy in them. I huge hood is important for me as I'm partially sighted so need to be able to still see when it rains (or window wipers on my glasses!). I've had quite a few ops on my eyes and been unable to drive for weeks afterwards in the last few years and this coat kept me warm and totally dry and sell able to see where I was going what pushing dc3 in the buggy on the school run. We have a Superdry outlet not far away opened last summer so I bought a second coat in diff colour as it was only £59

[carrielou2007]

Last op was Dec not getting on too well with my new glasses sorry for terrible spelling/wrong autocorrect

[IHaveBrilloHair]

I love my Merrell and don't think it's frumpy, however it's really heavy which isn't always practical.

[littlecupcake]

My Merrell was brilliant but after about the winners I fancy a change! The water used to bead up and run off the surface but now it just soaks through and necessitates a complete change of clothes and underwear. I'm not sure if it's possible to re-waterproof them, or if I'm brave enough to try!

Glad the hood is big enough CarrieLou, I'm a pushchair use and struggle with an umbrella do I rely a lot on the hood to keep me dry!

[littlecupcake]

Brillo, I agree that the Merrell is really heavy. It's not great for shopping centres etc but for outdoors I found it kept me REALLY warm, and I feel the cold!

[IHaveBrilloHair]

Agreed, it's definitely an outdoor coat.
The hood is huge which means I can get a hat on under it, I have a chronic lung condition so really need to be warm.
Between it and my Superdry windcheater I think I have found the coats that work for me, I also have a parka which looks good, but that's about all, but it was £20 so I didn't expect much.

[carrielou2007]

I had Merren Haven in s purple colour and it got lots of compliments and I did like it but got fed up after three winters though was still going strong! Tge orther one was an insulated one I was just too hot in (even when it snowed) and was chocolate brown and made me feel like a walking turd sack . Currently still wearing a Joules raina coat as it's been such a mild winter here only worn the Superdry once or twice. I know Joules can be a bit 'mummsy' for some, it's been a great coat though.