Water proof and warm jacket.

[Motherofdragons24]

For the 4th year in a row I’m searching for the seemingly impossible! Can anyone recommend a jacket that fits my description…

must be waterproof, not shower resistant, needs to be fully waterproof (live in Scotland so very wet!)

warm, lots of shell waterproof jackets about but can’t seem to find one that’s actually warm. Yes I know I could wear layers but I cba when I’m running late for the school run.

reasonably stylish, maybe slightly fitted in a neutral colour, maybe cream, oatmeal, beige etc so it goes with most things.

longish, sits somewhere between waist and knees so keeps my bottom half somewhat dry.

Im 5,6 and a size 8-10. Happy to spend a few £100 for the perfect jacket that will last. Why is this so hard?!

I should add as I know it will be recommended I’ve bought and returned the Janelle from sea salt corn well last year, while it looked lovely on the model online and fit the description, I found it completely drowned me. Maybe I need to size down?

Have you tried Barbour & Patagonia?

hmm I’ve not! I have a wax Barbour jacket but hadn’t considered them for a proper waterproof jacket. I’ll have a look thanks!

I'm 5.5, size 8 and also live in Scotland.

I'm Southern European and really feel the cold, so in the past 15 years I've bought and tried a lot of outerwear.

Uniqlo blochtech is nice and I wear it a lot, but for proper Scottish weather (with horizontal rain and serious wind) nothing beats my Didrikson.

1. 100% waterproof and windproof
2. Minimalist, no frills, brands etc.
3. Really cool magnets that close the outer flap over the zips automatically
4. Zip opens both ways
5. Thumb holes (love them) and dedicated integrated mitten
6. Hits just below knee, to meet wellies
7. Hood is PROPERLY adjustable in every way, so it always fits perfectly
8. Hot, hot, hot. I can get away with just a light jumper underneath

I tried Seasalt Janelle last year but also ordered a Plant Hunter at the same time, both in Woodland Green. I'd seen people raving over Janelle so expected to prefer that but, in fact ended up returning Janelle and keeping Plant Hunter. It felt more substantial but less shapeless.
I wore it all winter for dog walking and loved it. I live in the West Pennines, so not as cold as Scotland but also wet and very windy. I have a limited budget so for £60 in the sale it was a really good buy for me.

The Didrikson recommended above is obviously far superior to any Seasalt offering, but I'll leave this comment here anyway, in case someone else is looking at the Janelle and doesn't have a large amount to spend. Plant Hunter is a really nice coat for dog walking.

I got a Barbour which would fit your requirements a couple of years ago. Not a wax jacket and not quilted but long and waterproof and warm.

Mine isn’t this but this is the closest I could see

https://www.outdoorandcountry.co.uk/womens-barbour-iris-waterproof-jacket.html?c=Dark%20Moss%20%2F%20Light%20Sand%20%2F%20Dark%20Moss

Oh I like that, definitely the type of thing I’m looking for, just don’t love the colour though.

I know what you mean, mine is a slightly darker green which is better. But a lot of Barbour stuff is green, you get some blue and the odd brown coat.

Go to a camping and outdoor shop. They have a range of waterproof coats now, in all styles, not just for ramblers and mountain climbers.

This is quite nice: https://uk.varley.com/products/kirsten-rain-coat

High price point though.

If you are looking for proper water-proof and not just water-resistant, I’d suggest finding one which is goretex

Have you looked at ski jackets? That’s what I did a few years ago and it’s perfect! Warm and waterproof and beige.

Something like this? https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/4105989/

I have had my Didrikson parka a few years and it is still going strong. I’m a similar size to you and I’m not drowned. It’s a Scandi brand so made for proper Northern European weather!

Thank you for all the suggestions. I’ve actually never heard of Didrikson before but they look really nice. I think I like the look of this one…

www.didriksons.com/uk/women/jackets/autumn-jackets/gwen-women-s-parka-505683-147

I had that and returned because it’s actually not a warm one, more of a light coat.

@CoubousAndTourmaIet I absolutely second this 👍🏻 I bought the same two and also kept the Plant Hunter. A much better fit than the Janelle.

@Motherofdragons24 I’m on the west coast of Scotland 💦and the Seasalt Plant Hunter is great. I can’t drive for medical reasons so walk for all school runs, and to work and back etc so it’s seen it’s fair share of bad weather 🫠

Yeah I figured that out when I was reading about it, back to the drawing board. How is it this hard to find a warm waterproof jacket that looks okayish (appreciate that no waterproof jacket will ever be the height of fashion, but just want something that doesn’t completely drown me! I’m leaning towards the plant hunter as recommended by PP

I have a plant hunter too, it’s at least 5 years old now and still in good condition.

I've just bought this Seasalt Plant Hunter from their Outlet for £32 - label says £160. They also have some Janelle, but very limited sizes, so you need to be pretty quick. Bargain of the year for me!

Another vote for the Seasalt Plant Hunter. Mine will be going into its third winter this year. I tried the Janelle and the Plant Hunter on in the Edinburgh branch of Seasalt and much preferred the look of The Plant Hunter. In the dark green colour (Woodland?), it looks like a nice parka and its lovely and cosy, as well as being completely waterproof.

@CoubousAndTourmaIet What a bargain! That’s amazing! Where is their outlet? I didn’t know they had one 😊

Three in one jacket is the answer - make sure the hydro head rating (or whatever it’s called) is 10,000 or higher. I have a jacket from mountain warehouse which is a down inner jacket you can wear on its own and is shower proof only and a very waterproof outer jacket and they zip and clip together. It’s actually too warm for me!

Ebay! Just search for Seasalt Plant Hunter or Seasalt Janelle, and at the bottom some of them will say Direct from Seasalt, so you can find the shop that way.
I tried to post a link but it didn't work because I'm on my laptop, not phone/Ebay app.

If you check regularly you can get amazing bargains. I got two coats last year for £60 each, which was good, but £32 for this one was a bit of a no brainer! It was just a lucky find for me because they only had 3 and they were all size 14 so I grabbed one straight away. They all went quickly, but sometimes they restock every few days, so it is worth checking.

I’ve just ordered a seasalt plant hunter , hoping it’s as good as I’ve been lead to believe