Best ever coat

[mynamechangemyrules]

I know it's not AIBU but still, the world of coats is being unreasonable and I need your help.

I moved to the U.K. from a hot country 2 years ago.

My DCs play a lot of sport, all winter, all over the bloody place, in all weathers... Anyway- I need the BEST COAT EVER please! Keeps me warm, can get in and out of the car easily, good pockets, hood, waterproof.

I bought a Mountain Warehouse puffa (long) when I first came back. It isn't waterproof really, it's ripped walking past a bush and the zip has gone. (Also it's a bit too fitted so I look like a sausage in it 🤢) I spent ages down the rabbit hole trying to find it and I just started looking for a replacement and am already overwhelmed.

Don't have much cash to flash, but prepared to spend in the region of £100-150.

Is there a winning coat? Please help.

Hi @mynamechangemyrules
I bought a Mango jacket years ago, it was the best jacket i had ever had. It also looked stunning, knee length, beautiful hood, it was a gold colour. I had to catch the bus alot so it was money well spent. Not sure what their jackets / coats are like now, worth checking out xx

My DD plays a lot of outdoor sports too and I love my Dryrobe! I know they were originally used for changing under on the beach but it keeps me warm and dry stood on the sidelines

I feel like with Dryrobe I look like a big tent..? The sizes seem so huge.

Will search Mango!

Maybe an alternative to dry robe like those made by Red? They come in different sizes and can look a bit more like a parka.

Seasalt waterproof ones. They do a good range.

I don’t find Seasalt coats warm enough in winter. Fine for autumn and spring but not padded enough for colder months.

I bought this jacket for the school run. It’s absolutely brilliant, warm, waterproof and well made. I’ve had it now for 6 years and it still looks like new and still waterproof.
Tog 24

Top tip - whatever the jacket keep a hot water bottle inside it!

(I also have a long superdry coat which is pretty good, fleece lined thermals from M&S and snow boots from decathlon)

Bear with me. Landsend if you don't care about looking cool.Or Didrikson on sale.

After wasting money on a variety of cheap winter coats, I finally decided to invest some £ in something more substantial and bought this. It was worth the investment - it's warm, waterproof, cosy and looks like new 2 years later. When I go for freezing rural winter dog walks or stand by a sports pitch, I feel protected. www.ellis-brigham.com/the-north-face-arctic-women-s-parka-jacket-208396?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0bunBhD9ARIsAAZl0E21GEsAYC5NjNhcrZjuByCbeoQeao6PkApxrb9BpNdqiSX2zLW4UtkaAsyiEALw_wcB#135=93&93=389

Landsend squall coat is considered to be warm if you search this board for reccos. I don't have that because I don't need a super warm coat. But my Landsend puffer coat was a good buy for me for outdoor walks.

I meant search Style and Beauty not AIBU. Also I just saw that Didriksons are still on sale on certain sites.

Honestly I'd invest the most you can - spend a bit more and you will get something that will last 10 years or more.

I've had a goose down parka from an expensive brand literally 8 years, its warm, bone dry in sopping rain, and still looks in perfect condition but you won't get that sort of thing for £100.

Personally in your situation, I wouldn't be aiming to buy 1 winter coat. You'd probably benefit from layers. I'd recommend looking at some full-length waterproof Macs or similar.

I have a fabulous winter riding coat (Musto BR1) https://www.ladds.co.uk/product/musto-long-br1-carter-jacket/ which I can't wear once it's above 7 degrees otherwise I melt.

As much as I love it, it means I struggle with it outside of the depths of winter.

So I would definitely go for a long waterproof Mac like this - https://www.newforestclothing.co.uk/products/champion-sandringham-full-length-coat

And get yourself a good quality merino wool (or similar) jumper. Merino is expensive compared to Polyester and other wools, but it's not bulky and still provides the same warmth whilst not getting sweaty. I'd also recommend thermals, thermal socks etc. Then you can layer up appropriately for the changing weather. If you can't afford Merino then I'd skip wool entirely and go for Polyester, it will keep you nice and warm and is much more durable than wool, but is much sweatier than wool.

I'd also recommend mittens over gloves. Better to keep your fingers together for the extra warmth.

Thinking about winter temperatures where you live is a good point, I live on top of a hill in Scotland, it often doesn’t get above 0 degrees for months on end so my “big coat” gets lots of use. If you’re in a more temperate area you may not need something quite so warm.

Didriksons - there's some on good sale at the minute, but you may need to try stretch your budget a little more if you can. Would highly recommend, I got one two winters ago and it's the best coat I've ever had, windproof, waterproof and so warm !

This is the best coat in the world.

https://www.landsend.co.uk/WomensHoodeddExpeditionMaxiiLongDownn_Coat/pp/5703180.html?dtp=Womans%20hooded%20expedition%20maxi%20long

Warm, waterproof, comfy, practical, machine washable, and long. I spend hours standing around in playgrounds and parks, and I have never once regretted buying it. I'm on my second in over 10y.

I work in a school and spend the majority of my time outside, invested in a long SuperDry puffa coat last year-it is fabulous, keeps all of me warm as goes down as far as the top of any boots I wear. If you go on the SuperDry outlet site you might get one reduced.

Yep, layers.
Problem is that your requirements do not go together easily. Non-bulky, car-suitable for example doesn’t really go with ‘warm’, or at least certainly not for £100.

So, I suggest a really good gore-tex Mac with all the zips pockets and waterproofness you could possibly need, with a cosy base layer. Basic cashmere jumper would be perfect, I find them both lightweight and so cosy. You could prob find something similar but more outdoorsy in an outdoor shop like Cotswolds.

You need Didriksons. They are out of your budget but you can sometimes get last seasons in sales. They are the warmest coats you will ever need. I wish I'd bought one years ago.

Dridikson with layers

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/didriksons-womens-leya-parka-B11ACB0225.html?colour=98&utmsource=google&utmmmedium=cpc&utmcampaign=CWO-UK-PERF-ONG-PLA-NB-GOOGLE-PMAX2&gbraid=0AAAAAD7-iQALtonfbC523BBsVR6jzWypx&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0bunBhD9ARIsAAZl0E10ELCmCmZ-zHFwFiEqffW6ubdMP7EmwY7H5ypE1Wj6Ou3oD1CrXoaAlH4EALww_wcB

100% get a Didrikson

I have a Craghoppers parka that I bought second hand years ago. Padded inside, about a million pockets, furry/fleecy hood lining to keep my ears toasty without a hat, and it's bloody wonderful. The only improvement would be a double ended zip as I'm a porky beast and I have to undo it to bend down, but it's the warmest coat ever. Look on Vinted etc to get a better deal.