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AIBU?

To think winter coats that are not waterproof are utterly pointless?

25 replies

lecce · 06/10/2013 14:05

And why are there so many of them around? We want a parka style coat but about half of them are not waterproof. Do people really spend £35 + on a coat and have to buy another, just as warm, for rainy/snowy days??

And why do so many, otherwise very warm-seeming, boys' coats end at the bottom, thereby being more of a jacket? I don't see as many girls' coats like that. Do boys have freeze-proof bottoms?

I am getting the rage with coat-shopping, can you tell? Smile

AIBU?

OP posts:
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ClementineKelandra · 06/10/2013 14:15

I'm with you! If it doesn't cover bottoms then its just not good imho

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ILoveAFullFridge · 06/10/2013 14:16

Brew I agree.

There is the POC that it is rarely freezing cold when it rains here (SE UK), but that doesn't really help. And I don't want to spend 2 x £30-40 on coats for each child!

Ski coats tend to be a good option: warm, waterproof, and bum-covering. For kids at least. Don't get me started on finding a warm, waterproof, bum-covering coat for myself!

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phantomnamechanger · 06/10/2013 14:18

gawd tell me about it, gives me the rage that coats are not waterproof!

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diddl · 06/10/2013 14:21

Buy a big, cheap rainjacket to fit over the coat?!

When I was at school our uniform winter coat was a (dry clean only?) wool dufflecoat!

Think we may also have had some form of waterproof to go over it, as the only other coat we were allowed was a wool(felt like) blazerHmm

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TeWiSavesTheDay · 06/10/2013 14:25

Worst ever coat purchase was an actual rain coat type thing that leaked at the seams after DD played outside for half an hour in it...Confused

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drawsofdrawers · 06/10/2013 14:27

YABU. Winter coats are to protect you against the cold.

And it doesn't rain nearly as much as people make out anyway

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Annunziata · 06/10/2013 14:28

YANBU. And don't start me on waterproof coats with no hood!

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HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey · 06/10/2013 14:31

I have just brought a quite nice parka for just under £100.

Showed dh and his first words were "but it's not waterproof just buy a waterproof one"

My parka is now back in the bag and I am looking at North Face ones like dh's £300 though Shock

He is convinced it will be an investment!

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LadyBeagleEyes · 06/10/2013 14:31

If all the waterproof coats weren't so ugly I'd buy one, but they are all so outdoorsy looking and make you look like youv'e just come down from Ben Nevis.

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ILoveAFullFridge · 06/10/2013 14:36

I had a fabulous wool duffle coat when I was at primary. Wool is waterproof, and even when it gets wet remains warm and windproof. Trouble is, I can't justify spending £100 on a child's coat. Only drawback to wool is that modern rucksacks would ruin it.

When your dc walk to and from school in all weathers, them you do need a warm and waterproof coat. Otherwise their coat is still damp the following morning. Useless.

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aGnotherGnu · 06/10/2013 14:38

I have been having the same issue. Even worse, coats that have no hood! (And are not waterproof)

I bought m&s puffa jacket things, £16 each. And a cheap cagoule each for if its really wet

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CrohnicallyLurking · 06/10/2013 15:30

I bought a lovely rubberised, fleece lined coat from Lidl a couple of weeks ago, and matching trousers for DD. They might still have some left if you're lucky! In fact, Lidl often have pack-a-macs, parkas and ski jackets in at very reasonable prices (I paid £12.99 for the coat and trouser set in a baby size) so you can get a coat for all occasions!

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flipchart · 06/10/2013 15:38

YABVU!
Just because it is winter doesn't mean it's going to rain.
I have a Rab down jacket that cost £200 and it is lovely and toasty on biter cold days.

I have a Mountain Equipment waterproof I wear on rainy days. Sometime I do put a soft shell underneath it for extra protection.

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invicta · 06/10/2013 15:47

Mountain warehouse do a good range of kids waterproof jackets. Some of the girls ones are really pretty.

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SpookyRestingFace · 06/10/2013 15:57

Not pointless. Non-waterproof coats usually look and feel nicer. I have a warm waterproof coat, but I only wear it when it's pissing down. It's a practical, functional item, but I don't love it - I wouldn't want to wear it on beautiful, clear, cold days.

I much prefer having a choice of multiple coats and jackets, for myself and for the kids.

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FatherHankTree · 06/10/2013 16:03

YANBU. I had lovely Rab jacket that was down-filled and waterproof and if my arse wasn't so massive, I'd still wear it.

Is it too much too ask for a coat that is: 1. Warm; 2. Waterproof and 3. Moderately Grin fashionable? We tend not to get dry snow in the UK, so anything that's suitable for sleety crap weather is what's needed.

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specialsubject · 06/10/2013 16:16

a coat that looks outdoorsy. Now, why would that be. :-)

just buy a decent Gore-tex type long jacket and be done with it. Fleeces underneath if more warmth needed.

I find all 'fashion' coats useless - too hot once you start moving.

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TigOldBitties · 06/10/2013 16:20

YABU I've never seen a nice waterproof coat that I would wear unless walking the dog.

I've often been out in absolutely torrential rain in my non-waterproof coats and not even felt a drop on the areas that my coat covered. I think I would have to submerge myself in water to get soaked.

Britain isn't prone to 5ft7 tsunamis.

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FrightRider · 06/10/2013 17:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Rooble · 06/10/2013 17:18

Where do you live, in these rain-free, or dry-rain places? Here it rains daily at about 2.45 (just when I walk up to school to collect DS) and the rain is wet!

For the OP, I got DS a Didriksons winter coat from www.vikingkids.co.uk last year. It is totally waterproof, really warm, and can even be extended (a seam undone) so that it can be worn for two winters. Best coat I have ever bought him.

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JamieandtheMagicTorch · 06/10/2013 17:33

I agree about children's coats, but I like to look a bit stylish in a coat so I'll wear a different one on different days - I decided a couple of years back to invest in coats/jackets that make me feel good rather than underneath clothes that other people don't see.

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RainierWolfcastle · 06/10/2013 17:33

umbrella

plus i travel to work in a car

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JamieandtheMagicTorch · 06/10/2013 17:33

I see Spooky is like me

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JamieandtheMagicTorch · 06/10/2013 17:35

I live in London, and it's actually not that often that you need a truly waterproof coat for everyday popping about

A walkin in the rain is a different matter

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TeWiSavesTheDay · 06/10/2013 18:11

I can easily spend 3 hours a day walking in the rain/horrible freezing sideways wind/hail pushing buggy, so would love a really nice waterproof, warm coat.

Woolen duffels are actually pretty good, unless it's really torrential. But my waterproofs don't stand up to torrential either.

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