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I tried the Seasalt Janelle Waterproof Raincoat and it really is as good as Mumsnetters say

Waterproof, warm and stylish enough to get compliments? The Seasalt Janelle ticks all the boxes. I put it through its paces on dog walks, the school run and trips into town. Here's my honest review.

By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated Jan 23, 2026

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Mumsnet Badge Mumsnet journalist Poppy O'Neill hand-testing the Seasalt Janelle coat in oak

Price on writing: £180 | Buy now from Seasalt

Our rating:
What we like
  • Available in petite, regular and tall

  • Detachable hood

  • Fleece lined top and quilted bottom

  • Properly waterproof

  • Breathable

  • Warm

  • Dipped back hem

  • Machine washable

  • Mud slides off it

What we don't like
  • Runs small - best to size up

  • Needs specialist laundry detergent if you want to machine wash it

Key specs

Material: Outer: 100% recycled Nylon, inner: 100% recycled polyester | Colour variations: Eight | Sizes available: UK sizes 6 to 26-28, plus tall and petite | Hood: Yes

How I tested

I put the Seasalt Janelle through its paces over the course of three months during autumn and winter. I opted for the oak colour in a size 12 tall.

Wearing the coat in all weathers, I took detailed notes on comfort, warmth, style and weatherproofing. I analysed its practicality for walking dogs around a muddy field, as well as accompanying teenagers on a shopping trip. I then subjected it to a cold shower in order to stress-test its waterproofing claims, and washed it in my washing machine according to the care instructions, to find out for myself whether it's as washable as the brand claims.

Read next: Best winter coats for women

Mumsnet journalist Poppy O'Neill hand-testing the Seasalt Janelle coat

My verdict

What we tested
Performance
5
Quality
5
Ease of use
5
Value for money
5
Style
5
Waterproofing
5
Warmth
5
Fit
4

When Mumsnetters ask for coat recommendations, they're looking for warmth, waterproofing and a good helping of style - the holy grail, in other words. There's one coat that gets recommended over and over, and it's the Seasalt Janelle.

Available in eight colourways, sizes 8-28 and in petite, regular and tall lengths, there's a Janelle for everyone. I love the dipped hem at the back, which elevates it from a practical coat to a stylish one. Using the size guide on the Seasalt website, I got the coat in a size 12 tall (my usual dress size is a 12 regular and I'm 5'8") and while the coat fits well, I would size up next time as I prefer a roomier fit and space to layer chunky jumpers during cold weather.

The coat is surprisingly warm for something so slimline. It's almost as toasty as a quilted coat, without the Michellin Man effect. This is thanks to the recycled polyester wadding throughout the coat, which is accompanied by a soft fleece lining around the torso and in the hood for extra warmth where you need it.

Mumsnet journalist Poppy O'Neill hand-testing the Seasalt Janelle coat

The bottom half of the coat is slightly A-line so it doesn't restrict your legs' movement - it also has a two-way zip for even more freedom if you need it. The detachable hood has a peak to keep the rain off, and raindrops simply roll off the waterproof outer, ensuring I stayed totally dry underneath.

Another bonus of the 5000mm waterproofing is that muddy paw prints don't stick at all to this coat. The oak colour is quite light, which I was concerned about for a dog walking coat, but it looks as good as new after 12 walks in all weathers with my two little terriers - one of whom likes to prop herself up on my legs to ask for treats every few paces. What's more, if the Janelle ever does need a wash, you can pop it in the washing machine on a 30°C wash.

It's genuinely difficult to find anything negative to say about the Seasalt Janelle, but if I had to change one thing, I'd make the pockets just a touch roomier - when I carry a tennis ball in each they stick out in a quite unattractive way.

The Seasalt Janelle is a practical, stylish coat packed with thoughtful details and high-quality, ethically sourced materials. It suits walking the dogs in the rain just as much as a mooch around the shops.

Related: Best warm waterproof coats

Mumsnet journalist Poppy O'Neill hand-testing the Seasalt Janelle coat

Is the Seasalt Janelle really waterproof?

The Seasalt Janelle is genuinely built for rainy British weather. It has a 5000 mm waterproof rating, meaning the recycled nylon outer can withstand persistent rain before water starts to penetrate, a level of protection that’ll keep you dry on wet walks and blustery days. The coat also has fully taped seams and a detachable, adjustable peaked hood to stop water getting in at stitch lines and help shield your face from driving rain. Inside, the top half is fleece-lined and the lower half quilted, adding warmth under the waterproof shell, while the coat’s slightly A-line, knee-length cut gives extra coverage. It’s also windproof and breathable so you stay comfortable rather than clammy in damp conditions.

I tested the coat in my shower, to see how it performed against a steady stream of cold water. My arm stayed dry throughout, even when I turned the shower on the seam of the coat, and the water droplets were easy to wipe away afterwards, leaving the coat dry.

Hand testing the Seasalt Janelle in a cold shower

Rain and mud simply roll off this coat, so I found it doesn't even need hanging to dry when you get home. On really foul, rainy days, this is the coat I reach for to make dog walks a bit more tolerable.

The coat is machine washable at 30° and I used the 'outdoor' cycle on my washer dryer without fabric conditioner or tumble drying the coat. The care label recommends using Nikwax Tech Wash for best results, and it's worth getting some of this if you intend on washing the coat. I used a normal bio laundry sheet and it affected the waterproofing significantly, so now I need to invest in a waterproofing spray to get it back up to scratch.

The coat can be re-waterproofed as needed, and Seasalt recommend Nikwax waterproofing spray - it's clear this is a coat designed to be worn for many years to come.

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Mumsnet journalist Poppy O'Neill hand-testing the Seasalt Janelle coat

Is the Seasalt Janelle Warm?

The coat feels noticeably warm for a waterproof raincoat thanks to its soft fleece lining on the upper body and quilted lining on the lower half, which together help trap heat and make it cosy on wet, chilly days.

It's a good idea to go up a size so you can layer jumpers or fleeces underneath without feeling too bulky. While it isn’t a heavyweight parka designed for extreme cold, it's comfortable and warm in everyday cold, windy weather.

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Mumsnet journalist Poppy O'Neill hand-testing the Seasalt Janelle coat

Does the Seasalt Janelle offer good value for money?

At £180, the Seasalt Janelle delivers solid everyday rain protection with its 5000 mm waterproofing and taped seams, a fully recycled nylon shell, a roomy knee-length cut and practical details like an adjustable/detachable hood and cosy fleece and quilted lining - attributes that make it genuinely capable in wet British weather while feeling reasonably stylish for town and country alike.

Compared with another warm, waterproof Mumsnetter favourite, the Lands’ End Squall Coat (often retailing above £200 and built as a more technical winter piece with fully waterproof/windproof shell and thicker insulation), the Janelle is less about heavy winter insulation and more about balance between rain protection, comfort and everyday wearability.

If you look at cheaper waterproof coats, for example basic waterproof parkas and jackets from brands like Regatta, Peter Storm or budget lines on sites like MandM Direct — you can easily find waterproof options under £100 that will keep you dry in light to moderate rain, though they use simpler fabrics, minimal insulation, and basic hoods without taped seams or substantial linings.

Value for money comes down to what you want from the coat: the Janelle is more robust and thoughtfully built than cheaper waterproof jackets, with better material quality, better coverage and more everyday versatility, so it feels like good value if you need a reliable wet-weather coat you’ll wear regularly for many years. It doesn’t quite match the technical weather-defence and insulation of something like the Lands' End Squall, but it’s also significantly cheaper than high-end waterproof parkas and warmer than many budget options, making it a solid middle ground choice for UK conditions.

About the author

Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She researches and reviews the products Mumsnetters swear by, with a particular focus on laundry essentials like steam irons, clothes steamers and washing lines.

From a highly recommended retractable washing line to the best quiet fans money can buy, and Mumsnet's favourite dehumidifier to the steam generator iron that'll cut your ironing time in half, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the very best products on the market.