Warm winter coat, are brands like northface worth the hype?

[TopangaD]

Hello, I need a new winter coat and live in Scotland so it needs to be warm and pref water proof.. I've been looking on eBay at north face and Montclair and even second hand the they are pricy but would invest if worth the hype.. or are there any good cheaper ones anyone has seen? Would love some advice, thanks mumsnetters

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Hello, this thread is a little old now and some of the links are out of date. Take a look at this handy page for a round up of Mumsnetters' favourite winter coats.

[BumWad]

I've had many north face coats over the years (arctic parka) it is an amazing coat very warm and waterproof - definitely worth the money

[TopangaD]

Thank you.. it's a big investment but worth it to keep out the chill!

[CraftyYankee]

TNF is a good brand quality wise, but the prices have crept up quite a bit and I'm less convinced that they're worth it.

I personally find Trespass, Mountain Warehouse and Regatta to be about 75% as good for about 25% of the price.

[ArbitraryName]

I've had an arctic parka for about 5 years now. It still looks as good as it did the first year and is gloriously warm and waterproof.

[LegoShmego]

They're not as good as they used to be.
A decent goretex or eVent jacket will keep you dry.

[NotTheDuchessOfCambridge]

I have a lightweight Northface and it's totally waterproof, I think it's worth paying a bit extra. My husband has a Superdry and it leaks. He calls it his super wet

[TopangaD]

Thanks ladies.. I'm off to have a snoop on eBay to see what I can see!

[Inertia]

Another vote for the arctic parka, mine is as good as new after a few years. Bought mine online in a spring sale though - might be trickier to get a bargain at this time of year.

[frogsoup]

I have the Arctic parka. It's 5 years old but still looks nearly new. It's the most expensive item of clothing I've ever bought, but it was worth every last penny!

[paradoxicalInterruption]

I bought the susannah north face triclimatte and it's going into its fourth winter. I line in cold damp north west and it's been in use almost every day of winter (and most of one summer that was dire) and it's still going strong.

It's the warmest best coat I've ever owned and made such a different. The waterproofness is great.

[Didiusfalco]

Have a look at Didrikson - warm, wind proof, water proof. Definitely worth the price imo.

[SnowiestMountain]

I have a North Face 'Metropolis Parka' it is incredible! So warm and soft it actually makes me really happy when I put it on! It's a couple of seasons old so you might be able to find one a bit cheaper if you have a google around, I paid £150 for mine in a sale, if it had been £500 I would have still said it was worth every penny!

[LoniceraJaponica]

I have had a Craghoppers coat for 5 years now and it is very warm and totally waterproof. It is so practical and has several pockets, some of them with zips, plus an inside zip pocket. That means I don't always have to carry a handbag around.

It look a little like this, but without the "fur" trim on the hood.

[SnowiestMountain]

Look on here https://www.nevisport.com it's where I got mine from, website all fine, they have some on there which while still expensive are cheaper than usual

[Veterinari]

Other outdoor brands are just as good - you pay a bit for the 'name' with NF. Get yourself to Go Outdoors or Tiso and have a look around

[ErrolTheDragon]

My approach to practical winter coats is to get a good goretex jacket, with enough room for layers under. This makes it adaptable - we get wet weather all year round. My current is Berghaus.

[dudsville]

I have the north face Arctic parka, also 5 yrs old. It's like new. I wash it a few times each winter (I'm messy). It's got the best hood (stays put in the wind), totally waterproof, super warm. Will replace it when it dies ane it's good value because it's so pricey but so fabulous that I don't get tempted to buy another!

[OuchBollocks]

Yes anything goretex will be good. I have a thin goretex jacket from Rohan in a nice mint-y colour which kept my top half bone dry in a complete downpour yesterday (bottom half a different tale!) Windproof as well and as it's thin it can be layered up as needed or not so it's versatile.

[LoyaltyAndLobster]

I don't own any north face jackets but I am guessing they are very durable as I see a lot of people wearing them.

I have a number of Moncler coats, they are not good when it comes to handling rain, if you want a coat that is super warm and will protect you from the rain you should invest in a Canada Goose coat.

[hellswelshy]

I've had a Merrell coat I bought from Tkmaxx about 5 years ago and it's been brilliant. Think I paid £70 for it. Totally worth it. I recommend checking Tkmaxx as they heavily discount some big branded waterproof coats, they may not be the latest style but who cares!?

[frogsoup]

You really will need a second mortgage for a Canada goose coat though!

[MoreProseccoNow]

Are you near Livingston, OP? There is a North Face Outlet there, plus Trespass, Barbour, etc etc.

[iseenodust]

Agree have a look in TK Maxx I've seen Barbour, Regatta etc in there and they have US Brands which look really good quality (down filled etc).

[ReinettePompadour]

Definitely try a Didriksons. Designed and developed in Sweden for cold harsh winters. If one of those doesn't work for you I dont know what will.

[FiaclaBui]

Years ago when I was walking and waiting around at bus stops I had one and it seriously lessened my misery during winter.

I also had in a brighter colour, a lands end shorter down filled coat which was JUST as warm. Landsend have a few styles so you may pick up one that is wearable. Landsend have a system on their site where you can select warm, warmer, warmest.