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.

www.craghoppers.com/buy/haddenbury-jacket-109919 craghoppers link
have found it for £70
i currently have a berghaus goretex jacket, over 10yrs old. its great but was hoping to buy a coat that would do shopping as well as dog walking. warmth and waterproof most important. not willing to pay north face prices but will go up to £150. would prefer longer length than my current berghaus. i have read all the thread and was hopeful i could find something warm, practical, waterproof, windproof but not like i'm about to go on an all day hike

btw love my berghaus but do want a longer, plainer coat

also, will pay for quality. had my berghaus 10 years and its still in great condition

£70 is a great price for that, it's waterproof, breathable and insulated - hardcore outdoor peeps scoff at their AquaDry fabric, I think it has a hydrostatic head of 7000 which is fine for an everyday jacket, dog walking, shopping and the like but if you get a downpour for two hours you'll get wet, and water will go through if you are sitting on wet ground etc. It's not as breathable as your Gore Tex so you might find that during a brisk walk although you are dry on the outside, you are wet on the inside from perspiration.

Note that Gore Tex products are expensive, because of manufacturers' licenses. There are lots of own brand equivalents that do a similar job. Plus Gore Tex contains fluorocarbons which are baaaaad for ecosystems.

Ooh drowning, would you rate Trespass for me please? I'm fancying one of their coats.

gimme a linky and I'll tell you

oh no, i like the fact my berghaus is breathable and i have never ever got wet. do you know of a longer, plain version of my berghaus?

btw thanks for all the technical info.

drowning - can you say where your shop is?

drowninginlaundry I didn't realise you were the resident waterproof coat expert when you left your helpful comment on my thread the other day 'that HH jacket will keep you warm and dry - it has PrimaLoft which is a superb synthetic insulating fibre, the warmest there is without paying for down. 5000 mm hydrostatic head is waterproof, not gore tex level but if it was then you'd be paying double - it's waterproof enough for dog walks and school run. £220 is a fair price I think, and it looks nice!'

Thanks for that - it's really helpful to have someone who really knows what they are talking about.

Laundry - just seen your comment above about the 7000 jacket - does that mean my 5000 jacket will let in rain after two hours?

my goretex berghaus was about £250 approx 13yrs ago. had goretex gone up in price then? i have had no need to look for equivalent quality but longer till now. off to look at the HH as i think i may need to up my budget

pink - i know, i always thought waterproof meant totally waterproof. i understood the difference re breathability and windproof but i expected waterproof to mean just that

ah just saw 5000 and 7000. maybe HH not so good then.

laundry - if i give you a list can you just tell me what to buy pretty please? happy to return the favour if you need any advice about dogs or chickens

pink - it depends, e.g. the design of the hood and the zips make a big difference as well in addition to the fabric. Personally I would not take a 5000 rated jacket out on a two hour hike in a torrential downpour, but wear something more substantial but lightweight that breathes even when soaking wet. But you decide what your priorities are within your budget - it's a bit like buying a house! Is it to stay warm for three months, or to stay dry if you decide you fancy a 2 hour hike in torrrential rain It is really hard to find one jacket that does everything in the English winter, because we will get anything from -8C (when it's going to be dry so waterproofness is not an issue) to warm and wet. So you really need two jackets - one insulated, and one properly waterproof.

Gore Tex has a water column rating of 20,000, between 5,000 and 10,000 it's waterproof (as opposed to just shower proof) EXCEPT under pressure e.g. extended sitting on your bum on wet ground. So for camping holiday you want something that is 10,000 plus, for school run 5000 is just fine

chichick I can't link my shop, against mumsnet rules. I sell Scandinavian outdoor clothing, I'm from Finland and have done expeditions in the high Arctic, we do know a thing or two about keeping warm up north....

yes give me a list chicken, I am such a gear nerd I can talk about this for years.

And yes I do need some dog advice before our black lab is turned into a hand bag....

I won't bother specifying the trespass coat now drowning, because now I look at the specs with your words of wisdom ringing in my ears it's clearly not going to be remotely waterproofed.
(it was this one if anyone else is curious, and this one looks like a bargain, and seems to claim the magic 5000mm and taped seams).
They had another one, which sold out as I was typing this .

But could you give us a teeny hint about your shop's name? if we promise we won't tell HQ? Sounds a bit like....?

drowing - my list. waterproof, breathable, windproof. i walk in all weathers, often up a mountain in wales (may still wear berghaus for that but would like the option if i'm out that the new coat will be good enough if its all i have in the car).

i am not interested in designer names but will pay for quality. my current coat is a berghaus goretex jacket. it is great on long walks. i hate the feeling of being sweaty when the temp is cold. a decent adjustable hood with a peak (preferably wired) is a must.

my berghaus is cream with purple piping on pockets and looks like a hiking coat. i will still wear it on long walks but i would like a longer length coat (so i can sit down on wet ground) and one that is just one colour with no bright piping etc. i have arthritis (hence the need to sit down to rest but want to be warm when resting and not moving whatever the weather)and raynauds so feel the cold but do not want to be sweaty. i didnt realise goretex was still so expensive. has the quality moved on since i bought mine 13yrs ago? i like walking in the rain so properly waterproof a must. i will push budget for quality (you reminded me i was an auqadry/foil snob when i bought my goretex )

zipped pockets a must. i dont like taking rucksack unless i have to so secure pockets for phone, keys, etc.

a lab

Thank you Laundry - I had no idea 'waterproof' didn't mean 'waterproof' also!

anyonebutLuLu feeling a bit sick that the one you have linked to here looks and sounds very similar to the HH one I have now spent nearly £200 on (ie 4x as much) . Hoping Laundry will tell me that the HH one is much better.

ok chicken I'll have a dig around - I like a challenge

pink the Trespass jacket is not similar to the Helly Hansen one. I am repeating myself, but there is no way that a £50 jacket will perform the same as a £200. Think of it like buying a digital camera - you can get one for £30 for sure, but you don't expect it to be similar to a £250. You can't compare PrimaLoft (in the HH jacket) to whatever crap they've padded the Trespass jacket with. PrimaLoft is the best quality synthetic insulation there is with highest warm to weight ratio. The stuff saved my ass in an arctic storm in Greenland when we were camping out in -40C. Helly Hansen kits people for North Pole expeditions, I don't know anyone who has gone to the Arctic wearing Trespass, to put it bluntly. but honestly, the more you pay the better stuff you get, it's that simple.

Thank you Laundry [feeling a bit guilty about my expensive purchase - can you tell? . Camping in Greenland sounds fantastic!

I do love the Didriksons though. Do you know how they come up size wise? I am 5' 8", long armed and broad shouldered. I know you can't post your company details on here, but would MNHQ allow you to PM me your website if you have one?

Thank you so much Laundry - that's great (& no more questions, I promise!).

" The stuff saved my ass in an arctic storm in Greenland when we were camping out in -40C. "

Why the hell would you do that?? :o

Thank god I only want a coat to keep me warm and dry on the school run/dog walk type scenarios.

Thanks so much Laundry, I like the North Faces and I have the money, but I've always been at whether it would make me a mug to spend that much. I think you've talked me into the Suzanne, even though South London is rarely hit by Arctic temperatures.