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!

Oh - and re the hood, yes it fits, just doesn't look that good.

But do you know what, I still like the look of the Didriksons - perhaps one of these will have the holy grail of hoods, one that will look OK when up! I'll just have to wait a year or so to justify it.

I love this thread! I am so pleased to find that there are other people who obsess as much as I do about finding the perfect coat!

Thank you for pointing me in the direction of the Didriksons coats, I am now seriously thinking of ordering a Taylor in red - has anyone else got this one? Is the red a bit OTT and mountain expedition-ish and should I stick to the dark green? Would love to hear any reviews!

Oh, one other question about the Didriksons Taylor, is the fur detatchable from the hood? I can't see this info anywhere - although I can for the Lindsey.

Hi My2Monkeys. Thanks for the link to the Thelma.

I had a message from DPD saying that my Naomi arrives tomorrow, which is super quick as I thought the free delivery option was 3-5 working days so fingers crossed it's perfect.
Thanks again for your help. I really feel the cold too. :)

My merrell haven came today. I ordered a medium as I am about a 12. I like it & think it looks pretty smart & feels warm. Prob slightly shorter than I'd ideally like (just above mid thigh on me 5ft 6)
The hood does not look great up & feels a bit small on the neck. I think the only hood that I have had that did look good up was massive & it blew down when it was windy.
Any road up all in all I like it & am keeping it. Not sure how waterproof it will be according to the label it is 3000mm/24hrs. So that's as clear as mud.

My Taylor in red arrived yesterday and I love it! I am on phone, so apologies in advance for any creative predictive blunders.

First of all, to answer Tikka: I could not find any info wrt the fur around the hood online either, but I am pleased to say it does come off. The colour is lovely - not mountain rescue at all, just a flattering neutral red (not too warm or cold in tone, iyswim). The material is very matte, feels like cotton to touch and it does not rustle. For all intents and purposes, it looks like a fashion parka as opposed to a high-performance waterproof gear.

To echo all the other fortunate Didriksons owners, the sizing is ridiculously generous. Zoovillage has measurements that are meant to correspond to their sizes (inc. arm length) so I measured myself before ordering and went for their smallest size (xxs or 34). It is meant to be a UK 6, but I am almost always a small 10 and 5'10" and the coat fits like a glove, although it is quite fitted, which is what I wanted. I am wearing it to work today and wearing a blouse and a suit jacket underneath an it does not feel restrictive. It is particularly roomy around the shoulder and upper arm area, which is great for freedom of movement. I tried it on at home with jumpers and fleeces underneath and it still fits.

The padding is not to bulky and not too hot - I am very toasty, but did not get sweaty during a brisk walk to the train. Bearing in mind it is around 10'C outside and drizzly, I was very impressed with how breathable it is, especially considering all the layers I am wearing.

My only complaint is the hood. I am large of head and long of neck and the fit is snug. The chin guard is very high, like in all high end weatherproof gear (DH just got himself a Berghaus Tera Peak or some such thing and his reaches up all the way to the ridge of his nose!). The hood fits fine when I do not zip the chin guard all the way up, but when I do the opening for my face is very small and it feels uncomfortably tight around my chin. It may be the way it is designed (notice how in all he publicity none of the models are shown with the hood up and the zip closed all the way up?), or it may be because I ordered such a small size. I suppose I could send it back to see if I would have the same issue with an 8, but I don't want to pay for pp back to Sweden and it fits great everywhere else. Plus, with the zip slightly open, the hood is perfectly functional and it stays up.

Was very pleased with zoovillage as well. Despite the silly name, they shipped the coat very quickly with UPS and I had fun following its journey through Europe. Yes, I am sad.

Just to finish off this essay, I am very jealous of all of you complaining of sunny weather and limited opportunities to wear your coats. Here in sunny Manchester, I will probably struggle to air any of my other coats this winter.

youngblowfish - I think you have nearly sold me on the Taylor! Although I am still slightly torn between it and the Rebecca in green.

Such a grim day here (in Somerset) and it has really brought home the desperate need for an excellent coat (at least that's what I'll tell DH )

After lurking through 16 pages I have (after failing to locate my top choice, the Merrell Wakefield) ordered the Didriksons Naomi as I want something long. Have ordered the 10 (38) even though I am a 14, after reading about massive sizes. Now panicking a bit thinking I should have got a 12. Cheaper in Outdoor World Direct 149 but did not have my size so 164 in Viking Kids. Agony to pay so much but looking at the stair rods of rain outside it will need to be up to the job. Will report back.
Now I need recommendations for knee high (NOT mid calf high!) waterproof, warm, comfy and stylish boots to walk in....

Just been out in the rain!! and stood around in the playground (why do P1 always take so long to come out?). The Sprayway Siri performed brilliantly - hood down, because I was wearing a cute little Vans visor beanie plus a great snood scarf from ASDA which kept my neck and head warm and dry. I still prefer this combo as the other advantage of wearing a hat and not a hood is that when your children are running around you it's not the inside of your hood you're looking at, if you see what I mean. Anyway, 30 mins of persistant rain and I was warm and dry at the end of it ! I guess if I were out for longer I might have resorted to my other hat, but would probably only go for the hood if it were bucketing down.

Oh - and had to laugh at the teenagers who'd been sent to pick up younger sisters/brothers (our high school finished yesterday), hardly a coat between them! The fact that there are several threads on here about warm waterproof jackets now makes me think that we are all VERY grown up (ie possibly even advanced years, at least to a teenager...).

annieapple I've also decided on the Naiomi. Would you mind reporting back on the fit when you get yours. I'm a traditional size 12 and I was going to size down to a 10 but would be so happy to have to order an 8!
I've been trying to decide between Ellenwood and Naiomi. What made you choose Naiomi?

Hello everyone.
I ordered a 12 (38) in the Naomi and it arrived today. It's the perfect length but the 12 is just too snug on me, I'm normally a 14 and occassionally a 16 in some shops. So I called outdoor world direct and I have bought the 14 (40) which will arrive tomorrow and will return one or both.
I tried the Naomi on with a v-neck jumper and like I say it was very snug. I'm a bit worried that I'm actually a lot bigger than I think I am, as I followed the advice and sized down. I could do it up but I could feel it if that makes sense, so fingers crossed that the 14 isn't huge as otherwise I'll have to start my search again.

I'm so disappointed my naomi didn't fit. I sized down but it was still too big and too long in the arms. I've just returned it. I half tempted to go for a size 6 but then worry if the sleeves are long on the 8 they'll be long on the 6 too and at £10postage to return I don't want to risk it.

I'm tempted to try the haven ellenwood instead. I can't work out how waterproof it is though.

Fabrics : 2-Layer Merrell Opti-Shell? waterproof, breathable fabric keeps you dry and comfortable
Merrell Opti-Warm? lightweight, low-bulk, synthetic insulation keeps you warm - 100g Merrell Opti-Warm?
100% polyester
10,000 mm/ 10,000 g/m2/24hr breathability( does this mean 10000 waterproof ness or breath ability)
DWR finish
Fully seam-sealed for compete waterproof protection
Interior zip secure media pocket carries MP3 player
Fabric-covered, zip-secure handwarmer pockets
Removable, adjustable and contoured hood protects in style
Snap-adjustable cuff
Interior adjustable drawcord waist
36? Center back length (size medium)

Does anyone know if the insulated ellenwood comes in purple. I can find the non insulated version but not sure if that would be warm enough.
ta

Mumat39, I don't think you're bigger than you actually are, it looks like OWD aren't using the usual conversion charts from European sizes. I'm pretty sure that a 38 is actually a 10, a 40 a 12 etc. I guess it makes sense to size the coats like OWD do since they come up big, but I remember someone at VK telling me at one point that they have to stick with normal conventions because they don't just sell in the UK and it would hugely confuse things if they "made up" their own sizing IYSWIM.

LOL, just reread my last post and that should have said "I don't think you're actually bigger than you think you are"!

Hi Ladies,

I was still a lurker when this thread was about last year, and have read this one from the start. I ordered the ellenwood on tuesday, and it arrived this evening. Amazed how thin it is. Have I bought an uninsulated one?
I'm a 14, and have the L. Its about right. I'm 5'7, and the sleeves are slightly on the long side, but nothing problematic. Slightly disappointed that they aren't adjustable. They look as if they should be, and are poppered, but no other fixings to shrink the cuff. Will test it out in the park at the weekend (but not next week, I'll be working in Southern Spain ) If its the uninsulated version, its pretty warm on testing in the house.

ImLostWithoutAHope - I ordered this fig heather, and am pleasantly surprised at the colour. Its brighter than the picture suggests. I'd call it royal purple.

Hi again My2Monkeys.

Thanks for that. That makes me feel much better. Clothing sizes confuse me no end so it's good to know maybe it's not me.

It's also interesting as the ODW people on the phone, said that they had only very recently started to stock the Didrikson coats, so I'll definitely speak to them about the sizing confusion. Fingers crossed they agree to not charge me for the return as I kinda now feel that it wasn't me getting it wrong. But on the other hand they were really helpful on the phone and seemed keen that I'm happy with whatever I end up with, even if that means returning both sizes. They also sent the 14 today by next day delivery without charging me and the original one I ordered arrived well within their 3-5 days so I can't complain as they seem like an honest company.

Thanks for your help by the way. I feel slightly less lardy now :)

I've been AWOL from this thread for ages, but just popped back to say; my Didriksons Rebecca arrived and I love it! Best coat I've ever worn, it's fab fab fab!

I managed to get mine from Complete Outdoors as they have a few left from last year (14 & 16 still in stock).
I really prefer the Rebecca to the new versions this year, everything about it is nicer IMO, from the fabric to the pockets.

I'm a happy Tiddly! :)

Thanks next. That's the colour I'm looking for as the only other ones I can see are the black and grey. From what Icahn tell the purple is the non insulated version as the descriptions don't mention anything about opti warm thingy. I found the insulated purple in the states but not uk. How warm would you say it was? Does it have cuffs in the sleeves( I always feel cold if my wrists aren't sealed in! )

Just want to thank you all for your dedication to reporting back details. After much dithering, a didrikson taylor is winging it's way over from Sweeden. Very exciting! Thrilled to hear youngblowfish's positive feedback but slightly anxious I may be completely swamped.

lost
No, open cuffs. Thats my bug bear with it.
There is definitely some padding in it, and merrell only has an insulated version on their www, making me think there is only insulated ellenwoods about? Its not clear tho. Its pretty snuggly - but not had a propper test yet tho. Only arrived last night.

Does anyone know for a fact about insulated v uninsulated? Do they both exist?

DOH. How silly am i. I've read the label. Its got opti-warm in it!!!!!

neolara Can I ask where you have ordered your Didriksons Taylor from? I really want one and 38 is sold out at the only place I can find it in the UK! I'm worried about the sizing too. I "could" possibly fit a 36, but its risky...
Thanks!

I have finally made up my mind and ordered the Didriksons Rebecca from The Complete Outdoors - exciting!

Bienemaja I think other people on here have ordered the Taylor from this Swedish website which ships to the UK.

Thanks to all of you for reporting back on your purchases, it's been v helpful to hear about the sizing etc. I will let you know how I get on with mine!