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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Ridiculously priced bloody waterproofs

72 replies

Ifeelmuchlessfat · 30/09/2021 18:21

So got second mortgage and bought a waterproof from a certain company that supposedly tests their rainwear in Cornish rain… my question is, is the bloody thing ever going to dry? Walked dog in rain yesterday and it’s still damp. How’s that supposed to work? Aibu to expect raincoats, especially ridiculously expensive ones, to be able to be used two days in a row?

OP posts:
BrilloPaddy · 30/09/2021 19:55

I've got a Seasalt Plant Hunter and it's sat on the radiator. It's extremely waterproof, I've added techwash to it a few times in the wash but it's an amazing coat. The water will just sit there unless you open it out properly and let the water roll off.

Nayday · 30/09/2021 19:58

Didriksons all the way - totally waterproof and great quality, y2 and looks like new. Happy dog walking in all weathers - like walking in your own cosy sleeping bag 🤣 . Have had a Janelle in the past and it was fab, no issues with drying.

AuntyMabelandPippin · 30/09/2021 20:01

I have Berghaus. It keeps me dry (live in Scotland, so very wet days) and dries quickly.

yknaps · 30/09/2021 20:04

Scandi brands all the way for this:

  • Rains
  • Stutterheim
  • Didricksons
AliceAbsolum · 30/09/2021 20:07

You've brought a shit brand.

Brands like -
Rab
Peak Performance
The North Face
Marmot
Mountain Equipment
Arctyrex
Paramor

Will do the job.

Don't go for Burghaus, Craghoppers, Regatta, or anything Millets sell. Don't get my started on Karrimor or Dare2b.

Yes a good one is £200-400 ish. But will work and last years.

AliceAbsolum · 30/09/2021 20:08

Actually Burghaus aren't too bad.

DontPeeInThePlayHouse · 30/09/2021 20:09

I love a Landsend coat personally. Lasts for donkeys years. I've just got a new one after retiring my 17 year old one. Well worth the money.

cheesegloriouscheeseyum · 30/09/2021 20:11

I have a Seasalt Janelle and it's totally waterproof. So's yours by the sound of it, it's just go rain sitting on the outside that you need to shake off. I'm not sure how another brand would be any different?
(I also have a Northface and a Berghaus waterproof - water will sit on the outside of them until I shake them and leave them to dry)

Availableforbaking · 30/09/2021 20:12

I’ve got a Paramo
Keeps me dry & dries quickly

Agree you need a proper outdoor brand

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 30/09/2021 20:20

Paramo, top of range berghaus, Rab

I've been disappointed in North face ones, zips especially, going a bit fashiony

IamEarthymama · 30/09/2021 20:21

When I see these threads I think of Sam Vimes’ theory of economic injustice or boots

“ “The reason that the rich were so rich, Vimes reasoned, was because they managed to spend less money.

Take boots, for example. He earned thirty-eight dollars a month plus allowances. A really good pair of leather boots cost fifty dollars. But an affordable pair of boots, which were sort of OK for a season or two and then leaked like hell when the cardboard gave out, cost about ten dollars. Those were the kind of boots Vimes always bought, and wore until the soles were so thin that he could tell where he was in Ankh-Morpork on a foggy night by the feel of the cobbles.

But the thing was that good boots lasted for years and years. A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that'd still be keeping his feet dry in ten years' time, while the poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet.

This was the Captain Samuel Vimes 'Boots' theory of socioeconomic unfairness.”

― Terry Pratchett, Men at Arms”

The best waterproof coat I own is from Walmart!
£30 on EBay in 2019.
Of course, I would love a Didrickson or the like but I don’t have that sort of money to spend.
I am not being rude, I hope,, I really don’t mean to be but people’s lives can be very different?

I have had a Seasalt raincoat and they are fine, and, yes, I wipe it down.
I hope yours dries quickly.

I have been soaked through twice today and I am trying to be grateful for the rain as my garden was a dry as a bone!

RestingPandaFace · 30/09/2021 20:22

Seasalt waterproofs aren’t shit at all, that’s pure gear snobbery.

I lead hillwalking walking and teach sailing and have waterproofs from Rab, Mountain Equipment, Berghaus, Helly Hansen and I always wear my Seasalt Janelle for the school run and shopping, I almost always wear my Mountain Warehouse waterproof for activities, I rate it better than everything except the Mountain Equipment, but that’s a bit short in the body.

elbea · 30/09/2021 20:25

As a farm manager, I wouldn’t ever but sea salt for reliable waterproof. Cheap farming overalls and better. If you want something really decent you go for something like Montane.

The important is the differentiation between waterproof and showerproof, if it doesn’t have a waterproof rating it is probably showerproof.

cheesegloriouscheeseyum · 30/09/2021 20:34

@Ifeelmuchlessfat

It’s Seasalt, a Plant Hunter. It’s lovely but the rain is just sitting happily on top. Not sinking in, but also not going anywhere… it’s been hanging up overnight…
But it sounds like it's dry inside. How is that not waterproof??
RestingPandaFace · 30/09/2021 20:41

@elbea

As a farm manager, I wouldn’t ever but sea salt for reliable waterproof. Cheap farming overalls and better. If you want something really decent you go for something like Montane.

The important is the differentiation between waterproof and showerproof, if it doesn’t have a waterproof rating it is probably showerproof.

If you’re working out in the rain all day a Seasalt coat isn’t the thing (not cut for working in anyway) but for dog walk / shopping / school run / watching rugby they are really good. I was expecting “fashion waterproof” but was very pleasantly surprised.
Happyhappyday · 30/09/2021 20:43

Outdoor industry professional here. Don’t buy gear from high street fashion shops if you want to stay dry. There is a legal definition of waterproof in the UK for something to be sold that way but it isn’t waterproof enough to keep you dry if you sit in a puddle (has to do with water column pressure over time).

It sounds like the DWR on your coat is working fine so as previous posters said, shake off the water and it’ll dry the rest of the way quickly. It was unclear on the construction of that coat but it looks like the outer might be made of cotton? Cotton is a very poor choice for waterproofing. It’s not water repellant at all itself so relies on a coating which will wear off over time as a nest case scenario, it may never keep you especially dry.

£160 is also sadly not expensive at all for a properly waterproof coat. Anything GTX will generally be good and Berghaus and Rab both do good value jackets but you’re probably starting closer to £200. TNF fine too. Arc’teryx does really top quality (a couple of mine are 15 years old and taken heavy mountain use, still look pristine and totally functional, but running closer to £500).

Happyhappyday · 30/09/2021 20:46

@IamEarthymama this is SO TRUE with outdoor gear, you absolutely get what you pay for, you could easily go through 4-5 waterproofs in the time I’ve had my Arc’teryx one (DH’s too) and ultimately paid much more.

Jammylodger · 30/09/2021 20:52

A lot of label snobbery here - my Janelle is totally waterproof and I spend hours out doors in it - it is as functional as any of the other makes in terms of being waterproof which was the ask. I wonder how many of you dismissing it as a “fashion brand” have actually tried their waterproof range? My Janelle is still waterproof and looking good after 5 years, DH bought a Barbour at same time .. has needed re-waterproofing and looks awful .. and cost 3x as much

Daisy62 · 30/09/2021 20:52

I really like my plant hunter and find it completely waterproof. If it’s soaked, I hang it in the shower to dry off and I find it’s fine. Is your heating on? If the house is very cold it might take a while to dry I guess. I think Seasalt is a good brand if you want something that doesn’t look too tech/hiking.

Ariela · 30/09/2021 20:54

Berghaus. Can often get reduced in Go Outdoors.

toothpicklover · 30/09/2021 21:11

My seasalt ones are fab but I know what you mean. Really good shake and somewhere warm should dry it and also make sure it’s hanging properly on a coat hanger.

Ifeelmuchlessfat · 30/09/2021 22:46

Ok thanks all for your comments.
To clarify, the coat is completely waterproof as in I didn’t get wet - it just wasn’t drying probably because it’s so waterproof and the drops were just sitting on top. Dry inside.

I realise that’s a good thing, I was just asking those in the know how to get it to dry. Shake and shower seem to be the answer so I’ll do that in future, although not sure I’m prepared to put the heating on just to dry an anorak Grin

Thanks @AliceAbsolum, I don’t think it’s ‘shit’. I realise there are more expensive brands - the money wasn’t the issue, I wanted to try one on rather than buy online and the county town I live in has a limited number of shops still in existence unfortunately.
I

OP posts:
icedcoffees · 01/10/2021 06:50

@Jammylodger

A lot of label snobbery here - my Janelle is totally waterproof and I spend hours out doors in it - it is as functional as any of the other makes in terms of being waterproof which was the ask. I wonder how many of you dismissing it as a “fashion brand” have actually tried their waterproof range? My Janelle is still waterproof and looking good after 5 years, DH bought a Barbour at same time .. has needed re-waterproofing and looks awful .. and cost 3x as much
It's not snobbery to state the facts - fashion brand that sells waterproof jackets isn't going to be designing coats that are suitable for being outdoors and active all day long.

That doesn't mean they won't be waterproof or comfortable or practical but there's a difference between jackets that are great for the school run, popping to the shops and standing by a rugby field, and jackets that are suitable for being out all day in torrential downpours.

I also would never rate Barbour as a good brand for waterproof clothing. It might be expensive but as with many things you are paying for the label. Waxed cotton is always going to be a poor choice for waterproof gear - you want Goretex or the brand equivalent of.

hedgehogger1 · 01/10/2021 07:40

Always been happy with my craghoppers waterproofs. I just check how waterproof they are before I buy.

Notonthestairs · 01/10/2021 08:27

The Op's kept her dry - not sure why people are banging on about the coat being crap, it did its job perfectly well.

She just needs to hang it differently to ensure the top dries out.

I have Seasalt coat & didricksons for different jobs.