Ok, where is the brilliant 'Warm and waterproof coat' thread from last year? I need another one.

[CuttedUpPear]

I bought an amazing coat by Didriksons last year on the advice of a MNetter here who worked in the industry. She gave the BEST advice but I can't find the thread now. Basically she explained how warm AND waterproof is a hard combination to come by because we're the only country with such a wet and cold climate and no one designs for us. Nice.

I bought the coat for DS but ended up wearing it myself, now I need to buy him one of his own before he gets soaked to the skin!

kiwi I wouldn't call it khaki either, I'd almost call it chocolate brown. I would probably say go 2 sizes down which is really annoying because on VK website they say fairly true to size but size down if you want a more fitted look. I sized down but it's STILL too big

My didrikson Naomi arrived today (viking kids are very quick).

The eggplant colour is pretty much a blue with purple lining, very nice colour. It's fairly huge - I'm a curvy-bummed 16 & ordered a 16. I have the waist poppers done up on the tightest one & can wear a chunky long cardie underneath. I'm 5'11 and the front is a few inches above my knee, the back a bit longer. The arms are also long!
Would have liked to try a size down but
I'm going to keep mine as think a smaller size may be tight on my hips, I think it will new fab in the really cold weather.

Any North Face Arctic Parka owners about? Does the fur detach from the hood? Hubby has the mens version which does (we got it for £70 in the outlet shop at Cheshire Oaks last year, wish they'd had a ladies in as well)

I've seen it here on ebay but will there be any tax to pay with it coming from America does anyone know?

Also is it definitely fully waterproof? thanks for any advice if anyone on here has one.

Arctic parka definitely does have detachable fur.

I tried it on but am undecided! It's very, very warm and padded. Too warm, I think, for me.

I saw it online for £270 delivered by the way.

I have a North Face Arctic Parka, bought it a year ago, after wanting it for many years. Yes, the hood is detachable, and yes, it is absolutely waterproof, as well as snow, blizzard, wind and storm proof. I've even skied in it once or twice (in very bad conditions when my waist-length ski jacket wouldn't cut it).

I love it, the best item of clothing I've bought in my life, by a mile. I think it will last for many years as well, every inch of it is so well-made, from zips to pockets.

I bought it in the US as it was cheaper in $ than £s. I bought it while on holiday, and didn't pay any tax on it coming back in, but not sure about the eBay one.

I have given my Barbour a couple of test runs this week. It is very warm and snugly, and I have had 3 compliments on it already

North face arctic parka on sale for £169 at john Gaynor sports online.

My Lindsey has arrived today so I thought I'd add my feedback :) Its a very very dark green, like accessories said almost a greeny brown, but I like it, would have been better more green than brown but its fine. I am a 14/16 crossover size, D cup, Principals coat I bought last week was a 16. I got the Lindsey in a 12 and its a good fit, I only wear thin layers - chunky knits make me look like the mitchelin man but if you did wear thicker layers you would definitely need to go to a 14 but the coat is so warm I cannot imagine needing thicker layers underneath (just wear thermals if its that cold lol) . The sleeves are perfect length, the hood is massive, length is mid thigh at the front and almost to knees at the back. My only gripe so far is that the pockets are not where I naturally put my hands, they are a lot higher up, just below waist level, I dont know how much difference a larger size would make there, plus the pockets have flaps and buttons which I can imagine being a PITA when wearing gloves... but then when wearing gloves I wont really need to use the pockets.

I'd give it a solid 8 out of 10 :)

Ok so my verdict on the Didriksons in aubergine is.

• size - I am a size 12 ish, boobs more like a 14. Ordered a 38 which some sites state as a 10 but the site I used sent it to fit a 12. I still found it too big so would size down again unless planning on wearing loads of thick knits under.
• v v warm
• hood not massive but did cover head ok
• sleeves v long
• aubergine colour purple/navy with a purple lining
• length on me 5'6 just above the knee

All in all I am sending it back, would order the graphite to try but I'm not sure the lining colour would suit me & can't keep doing the £10 to pay to return it thing so cutting my losses. May have to do actual shopping in person to find the right coat. Just tricky finding somewhere that stocks a good range.

Back to the drawing board. For me I have to love it to justify spending such a lot of money. I've got to want to wear it or it will just be a waste & stay in the cupboard. I might be destined to be soggy & a bit chilly on the school run& dog walks for a bit longer.

I've got my Sprayway Siri today - really pleased with it, it's almost the holy grail of jackets for me. Because it's NOT insulated, it's easy to take off and cart around on the days it turns out hotter than you expect. For winter I'll put warm layers underneath and as it's fully waterproof/windproof (gore-tex) it should do a good job through most if not all of the winter. It looks GREAT: the styling is really nice (belted middle, 2 way zip, buttons at top to give more weatherproofing around neck). The only reason it's NOT totally the holy grail of jackets for me is that the hood looks a bit rubbish when up, but I blame that on my very long neck (no hooded jacket has ever looked good on me with the hood up...). For the price at Gaynors (£119, delivery £ which is next day), it's great. I've had Sprayway jackets before, they've been a good make so I trust that this will last about 10 years like the last Gore-tex jacket I had from them .

agree with kiwi about the lindsey that the pockets are in an annoying unusual place. I don't know whether to bother with trying another didriksons or just try the merrell wakefield / something else

I really should stop reading this thread! I really do like my Lyndsey - love the colour and the big hood is fantastic at keeping rain off my face. I know what kiwi means about the pockets though - they are rather high up! DH thinks I should have bought a waterproof shell, that I'll get too hot on my dog walks - I have to say I am getting rather too hot in it at the moment, just hope it comes into its own in the colder weather. Just been out for a quick walk in the rain and my head got SO hot (hood is fleece lined) and I've taken the fur off in the meantime while it's still quite warm outside.

I get a bit obsessed with these purchases - I've already had 3-4 coats from TK Maxx which I took back for one reason or another.

Last year I tried to get hold of a really nice Parka a friend of mine had bought - a Helly Hansen in a teal blue colour. I could only find it in burgundy / black, ordered them but sent them back as I didn't like them as much as the blue - they were a bit shiny too! I probably could have bought a coat with the money I've spent on postage!! . My other worry about theparka is that it will date - it's a bit trendy now, but will it look naff next year?!

I must admit I'm thinking that I'll need an 'in between' coat now too, but I'll just have to make do for the next few weeks till it gets proper cold and then at the other end of the season I might get an uninsulated Merrell Wakefield to keep the rain off but not give so much warmth.

I'm hoping I get used to those funny pockets... I cant cope with any more coat decisions so I'm keeping the Lindsey!

know what you mean kiwi I'm getting bored of this whole search (and STILL no coat!).

My Naomi should be here tomorrow so ill report back.

I'm fed up of buying coats the are ok in one way but never perfect. My lands end down coat is really warm and waterproof but too warm for now and too
casual looking to wear to work but then a wool coat I have is freezing

For those that have a North Face Arctic, how is the sizing? I am 10-12, would medium be right for me? Thanks.

Found another contender today : Jack Wolfskin I tried on their 5th Avenue coat and it was very cosy and non shiny.

Oh, numpty - that Sprayway one looks really good. Can I ask though - I've been reading this thread and everyone is talking about sizing up/down - are sizes on there fairly norma? I'm tallish (about 5'8'') and about a size 12. Also, is the hood big enough to stay on? (I also have a bit of a long neck...)
Thanks :):):)

minipie I like the jack wolfskin one but it doesn't look very long ??

Ooh the Siri looks nice!

It was near knee length on me accessories but I'm only 5'3

My Naomi arrived today. I ordered the aubergguine which in rl is a lovely purple with royal purple lining.

I'm normally a petite ten so ordered the eight but its far too big. The sleeves are long and the upper body seems too baggy. The sleeve width and under the arms is also quite baggy. On me it looks like a sack. The material is ski wear fabric so it crinkles as opposed to rattles iykwim. On the plus side the hood fits really well, the sleeve cuffs are warm too and when I took the coat off I realised how warm I had been. It's quite a heavy coat. The length is perfect. I'm 5.4 and it came to my knees at the front and past my knees at the back. I've even tried on a cardi and fleece under it but still it's too big. I soo wanted to love it. It seems more padded and less fitted looking than the photos. I'm going to order a 6 and see what thats like.

I have the Merrell Haven which I bought from ShopontheBeach, think they were the company that ended up giving an mner a pair of boots for free for the recommendation on mn. I also have The North Face Arctic Parka but it is a bugger to try and get the feathers to fluff up again when you wash it.

So glad I came back to this thread!!

My Lands End Stadium Squall Coat in a M (allegedly UK 14/16) was slightly but too-much-to-ignore tight around the hips/bum so I've returned it.

However, inspired more by this thread, I emailed Viking Kids to ask if they were getting any more Naomi's in a 14 or Melissa (that looks lush in the amaranth) and got a very detailed and helpful reply from Amanda who suggested I try a 12 as I'm a 14-16.
And the answer was no, unless they import more which will inevitably cost more.

So... I've ordered one of those ££££ but I hope if it's the right coat it will last and last. My current coat is a LE non bum-coverer but I have had it for at least 10 years so figured that is minimal cost overall (well that's what I'm telling him!!
Will let you know if sizing down 2 sizes is the key to Didriksons...
Oh and I'm 5'9 too, so don't know how long it will be on me either.

Just ordered North Face arctic in grey from Gaynors, keen price I reckon as new season colour, £239!