WATERPROOF bum-covering COATS: I am doing the research so you don't have to...

[WilfShelf]

Can we just have one thread in anticipation of autumn/winter? No, we don't all want a Boden coat because a. they're not properly waterproof and b. EVERY other bugger in the playground has one already. So, I'm after technically sophisticated properly waterproof coats that GO IN AT THE WAIST that are somewhere in between hiker and fashion victim. Inevitably, this means EXPENSIVE usually I'm afraid. Some suggestions below. If you would like to add yours, especially cheaper ones, feel free:

Northface Stella Grace Good good good

Marmot highlander Marmot do some excellent longer waterproof jackets but unfortunately I cannot find lots of stockists in UK

Barbour are doing some nice coats these days [hit view all to see full range]

And even some of their wax jackets are wearable!

Now look here High Fash-hags Creenstone, a dutch company, do some very INTERESTING coats, apparently waterproof and technical... but difficult to find UK stockists or prices: can anyone track 'em down?

That's enough for now. will post more later. Please add suggestions but only ACTUAL waterproof coats please.

TB testing, bacon? That brings back MAFF memories.......aaaahh.

Can anyone tell me just how toasty is the Merrel Haven? I really do like to be warm and am worried it's not going to be warm enough for a snowy winter.

The Merrel Haven is very warm and toasty and I got caught in a downpour on the way home from work rain just ran off it. So its windproof,rainproof and lovely and warm.

I plumped for the North Face Arctic Parka (the brown version), it was more money than I've ever paid for an item of clothing in my life, in fact my first car cost less!

But that said, it's fab. I'm 5' 10" so a lot of fitted coats just don't fit in the right places. I feel the cold dreadfully, but I'm hoping this will keep me toasty. It's down filled and waterproof, the furry hood trim is removable.

Downside is the hood swamps me a bit and isn't adjustable and it's not the shapeliest of garments, but I don't give a FF because I will be warm this winter. Oh and it looked nicest in the winter white colourway, but I know what a scruffy creature I am and I'd never keep it clean, so opted for boring brown...

I wore my Merrell Haven for the first time today and it p*ed down just as I left work and I was warm and dry :)

Playground duty tomorrow, let's see how it performs then...

I think I've read most of the pages on this topic (!) but has anyone mentioned the Craghoppers Haddenbury, seen here... www.eoutdoors.org.uk/product/2/474109/Ladies-Haddenbury-Insulated-Overcoat.html

I've not seen one in real life but doesn't seem too bad, particularly given its well under £100 (unlike the NF Arctic I'm really in love with even if I do think I'd look like the michelin man, at least I'd be truly cosy!!)

I think this is the loveliest thing I've ever seen!!

[http://danefae.dk/oscommerce2st/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22_46&products_id=711]]

Popped back to see if Insulated Wakefield had made an appearance!!! My brown NF Arctic Parka is the biz though. Large is fine (I'm size 13!) and the shape has grown on me - not actually as chunky as I thought. Best of all I am so warm and so dry!! Money well spent - phew................

I was really cold this morning in my Wakefiled and had to sqeeze a thin fleece underneath - I could barely move though!! I am going to go out at the weekend and get a nice thick jacket lol

what is the hood on the Merrell Haven like - is it adjustable? Oh and does it have ribbed cuffs?

I think I will get that or the NF Grace

This is nice, but not insulated

www.proidee.co.uk/?P=739771&H=nextag

Yes, cuffs are ribbed inside the main sleeve iyswim. Hood not adjustable

Those of you who have loved the Danefae coats - I've now used mine for about 2 months in rain, sleet and snow, and I absolutely love it. It does stand out and brighten up the day (this is mine and I've seen this around and they also do bright red now), but if you are more conservative, go for the purple or brown.

The Danefae coats are lovely - not sure I am bold enough to carry off one of the brighter colours though!

Hi
My pink Danefae is a winter coat ("vinterfrakke") and it is padded. The padding is neither thin or thick. In my experience it will do fine in 0...10 C. Very windproof and rainproof. Will not be sufficient in the coldest Nordic winter (I live way north - we already got some snow) but should be fine in the UK. And definitely too hot if it's 12...15 C (I tried).

Danefae also do a "midseasonjakke". I think it would be much thinner, and the raincoat probably thinner still - but I don't have either of these yet. Am thinking of buying the Danefae midseason coat: the belted A-line cut is super flattering and forgiving (as opposed to the Ilse Jacobsen softshell raincoat which I will have to return - it both looks and feels strange).

I didn't like the Haven (in granite).
Weird material and the reviews from the US slate the zip (keeps undoing and the toggles don't stay toggled).

Would much rather have the Arctic Parka and be done with it but it just seems tooooo expensive.

Have been testing out my NF Arctic these past few days and it is just sooo toasty. V pleased with it. Will still need to find a thinner but long waterproof jacket for when the weather is warmer (a midseason jacket, perhaps?) but right now it is just perfect.

I am soooooo close to ordering a NF Arctic Parka, though toying with the idea of the Red Danefae, not sure it would be warm enough though - I like to be toasty!

I've usually worn my Danefae with just one thin cashmere sweater. Today it was down to 1 C here and I felt nice and cozy in it. So if you add some layers it will be even warmer. But it isn't a down jacket.

Re: NF Arctic, did you read the reviews here. (I always find it useful to check out the negative reviews before deciding.)

I wish I had bought the Danfae instead of the Wakefield. I don't think it would be warm enough for all winter for me though.

Cheers for the links to the review site, never seen that one before. Some of the reviews are quite old though so not sure how seriously I could take them.

I think I shall just order a NF Arctic and be done with it! I WILL be warm and dry this winter lol

Blacks are currently doing 'Buy One Get One Half Price' on all North Face products. There's also a 10% code THANKS10 which you can use as well. They dont stock Lauren or Grace though , but thought it might be useful for someone.

Very belated Thank You to Wilfshelf for this thread. I lurked, I ordered and now I have a black Wakefield from Shop on the Beach. I ordered M in anticipation of hopeful pregnancy/b-feeding #2 and as size 12 I could fit a big rolled up jumper bosom AND tracksuit trouser bump in!!! But it also looks alright without the stuffing too! So hopefully I shall be dry and warm whilst stomping round for years to come.
Wouldn't have even thought of Merrell for coats before. Every day's a school day with MN.

My Cragghopper haddenbury just arrived and I LOVE it! It's waterproof and the lining is insulated - feels pretty warm but I haven't been out in it yet.

It was a bargain too, £60. Good length, the fabric feels lovely, and it fits really well. Has an adjustable hood, wrists and the tie thing at the back(?) is also adjustable. Size-wise I would say it comes up a little big.

Great if your budget doesn't stretch to some of the bigger name coats.

Also, if there are others looking for cheaper coats and you live near a Millets, it might be worth looking at the Peter Storm Breeze.

It's currently £35 (was 55). I didn't have it in mind at all but was trying it on amongst some more expensive Berghaus and it was the only one that fit me properly. However it probably depends on your body shape as to how good it is. On me the 12 just about covers my bum, but I'm quite short (5'2"). I'm one of those petite but slightly overweight people so normally my size in a coat is too big around the shoulders but this (most of my clothes are 12/14) was good in a 12. It's slightly fitted (ie. not much), and the hood and wrists are adjustable. Waterproof with a fleecy inner that keeps me warm in this weather but probably wouldn't be good for much colder. I'm one of those who really heats up as I walk so I like it. Allegedly reversible but I don't think it would look very nice that way.

They only really have the brown in stock online (size 12 in black) - might be worth checking out in store for some?

Just thought I would add that I have now graduated from my, merely, bum covering waterproof to a full-length riding coat.
I have just bought a target-dry outback riding coat and it has been amazing.
Can't say it looks the most stylish, but it is actually quite cosy and is almost ankle length.
Went out today in torrential rain and was bone-dry and warm. Very pleased, as long as nobody sees me.
My only gripe is that the hood is a bit inadequate compared to my Berghaus or even Regatta jackets, no peak and not very deep. It did keep my hair dry, but my face was a bit chilly and it dripped on by dose.
Managed to get into a car and onto a bus successfully despite it being a very long coat.

Wilf, how is it that you haven't yet bought a coat? I'm still not sure whether or not to take the plunge with the haven.