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!

Saythatagain

I got a Naomi from VikingKids - I'm a 14/16 and got a 38 which fits a treat, I'm 5'10" with long arms too, the sleeves are a lovely length, the soft inside wrist thing comes down over my wrists so chuffed.
If you're worried about the sizing just ring VikingKids and they will measure any part of it for you, Amanda measured underarm to underarm on the Naomi as I wasn't sure if I'd need a 38 or a 40.

Curtsey
There's a knack to the zips.. Amanda at VikingKids (again) rang me back when I left her a message about mine - "it does take a little while but I do find pressing the long part down and holding the two pieces up and together does the trick!"
You have to make sure you get the top one straight then kind of hold the 2 pullers together while you put the other bit in.
If that doesn't make sense I would highly recommend just giving VikingKids a quick call, leave a message if you get no answer, and someone will ring you back.

I really cannot praise VikingKids highly enough for their impressive customer service, I felt truly valued and not abandoned at point of sale. Fabulous and I'm not connected to them in any way.

I crumbled and ordered the 36 Taylor too. For that money, I don't want to always be wondering if its too big etc etc

I do like the black. It's very smart. I love the green too though but it's not what I want right now

The zip on mine seems fine - its not stiff at all, although a couple of times it's taken a couple of goes to get it going - all in the lining-up I think!!

By the way having worn it out a few times I'm properly smitten

Warm (but not sweaty in the car), superbly nice to wear, and I even got complimented on it yesterday by someone who, in the 10+ years I've known her (colleague) has never before mentioned anything about my clothing

Have yet to try out in rain, but won't have to wait long, looking at the forecast

Just got a Didriksons Naomi in the post and wanted to add my tuppence about the sizing.

I ordered a size 36 from a German website. I'm a UK 10 (8-12, depending on shop) and live in Germany. I have plenty of clothes where the label says UK 10, D 36, EUR 38, etc., so I wonder if the Swedish size 36 is the same as the German .

My Naomi is slightly on the big side - but someone mentioned earlier that Swedes would want to wear more thick layers underneath - I don't feel it's unreasonable to call it a size 10.

I ordered it in red, now I just need to decide if I want to return it and exchange it for a black one...

Hi Cheese, yep I think it's like you say, in the line-up...I get fumbly fingers when rushing. Just need more practice.

Oooh yes I love mine too. No compliments yet but I work from home and DD is a baby so no school gate outings for me yet! I tried it out in the rain and it is of course perfect.

Merrell jackets also on sale at [www.gearforgirls.co.uk]] use WARRIOR code fir extra 10% off

I have just bought this wax hooded parka from M&S. Looks lovely on, is hopefully practical in wet weather with the wax finish. It is quite lightweight which is what I was looking for as I tend to overheat easily so prefer something light that I can layer under if cold.

Had also ordered this from Gap but I think the M&S one will be more practical for the school run as it's more waterproof.

After much research I've bought the North Face Parkway which is both warm and waterproof. I'm a size 14 and got the Large which fits really well. It was expensive but I walk a lot and am fed up of getting wet and cold.
Probably have a dry, mild winter now though!

This is definitely the best thread I ever started.

It is a fantastic thread indeed...

Now then, I need to stop shilly-shallying around and make a decision

Is there anyone around who has the Didriksons Cathlyn who's able to answer a question? I see it's waxed... does it smell like a Barbour? I really can't stand the smell of Barbours and it's the only thing putting me off...

If it does, I'm going for the Naomi...

bienemaja let me know how you get on! They managed to find me a size 34 (there is NO WAY I'm a 34 in 'normal' clothes) & hoping it will be delivered tomorrow. Went for the green because that's all they had left so my decision was made for me. Hope it fits & that I don't need a 36 because there are none left - if you send yours back biene put a note on it saying 'accessories has bagsied this!!'

He said the didriksons were flying off the wall and I was chuckling to myself thinking, yes, it's all the MNers!

Longtalljosie my Cathlyn definitely has some smell about it... But I've never smelt a Barbour so couldn't tell you if it's the same smell (so completely unhelpful post, sorry!).

Is there any way you could find out what is used to wax the two and compare?

Delurking to share a tip that may not help right now but could be useful in future... I got my Naomi from VikingKids in September, for £148 instead of £165! I'm on their mailing list and they were offering 10% off everything for a couple of days, just when the new collections arrived. They don't do loads of promotions but they've done this a couple of times since I joined the list after buying a coat for DD last year. She even got a free fleece last Christmas!

Hijacking slightly, but does anyone know where a fat larger lady can find a warm, bum-covering jacket? I'm 5'11" and a size 22 and it's impossible to find a really cosy, waterproof jacket that isn't tent-like, thin material or even worse, double-breasted. I would give my left foot for the Merrell Wakefield but I think it stops at a 16-18, which doesn't help me as my boobs are massive I'm bigger. I am losing weight (18lbs lost so far) but obviously won't be slim enough for a Merrell this winter. Any tips?

Panda, why don't you try this? It says "unisex" and it looks like it goes up to an XXL. Or, their coats come up really big so you may be able to get away with an 18 (46) especially if you're still losing weight - there is this if you fancy something funkier

Ooh Pineapple, thanks! I love the second one, but I'd be "safer" with the unisex one, much more likely to get decent wear out of it.

Just had a look to see how this thread was going- I'm very happy with my Lyndsey - only gripe being I've been getting a bit too hot, but it certainly keeps me dry! I too found the zip really annoying to begin with and even thought of returning it. The knack is NOT to look at it the zip , if that makes sense keep it 'low' and just ease the tow bits into place - if you look down at it and lift it up, it doesn't work so easily - let gravity help a bit!!

Of course, I meant tow, not tow!!

After trying on every outdoor technical coat in Edinburgh and whittling it down to three (North Face arctic, merrell wakefield and jack wolfskin iceguard) I bought the Jack Wolfskin Iceguard in khaki (they call it granite).

I'm a busty size 14, and the medium fits perfectly. I absolutely love it.

The Wakefield was more slimming but I didn't like the hard fabric outer, or the shape of the hood.

The North Face was a contender, but was too heavy and bulky.

The Jack Wolfskin is soft, lightweight, has a fab hood and lovely extras like fleece lined pockets and fleece inside the collar.

Cost £125 from Cotswold Outdoor. Have seen them in quite a few other shops too.

cheesebaby I decided not to risk it and went for a Naomi. Ordered today - fingers crossed. I ordered a 10 - am a 12. I'm sure it's fine but seems like a risk to ask for a size you normally know you haven't a hope of getting into!

Ha, yes I know, but it was that that resulted in me spending ten quid returning my 12 as too big! Fingers crossed

Thank you to the person who suggested this parka, it's brilliant and cheap! Size up though, I'm 12 and got a 14, it fits perfectly!!

Sorry, link here www.slaters.co.uk/regatta-hema-parka-coat