More coat questions... 66north/marmot?

[LalaDipsey]

Hi, off I went today to try and suss out Merrell sizing but my loca, Blacks

Blacks just had a small selection of coats in fitting the bill (usual winter school run criteria - warm, hooded, bum covering, not looking too weird!). Anyway I loved loved loved the 66'north parka, it fitted really well but it is £300!!!! They had a similar Marmot parka, not in my size to try unfortunately which is usually £270 but has £50 off this week until Thursday.
So, any experience of 66north? Is there any way it's worth this money? Mum & dad will give me £150 for joint birthday and Xmas, I could forfeit my twice yearly cut and highlights and eBay for the rest if its really worth it and it will last me years and years of school runs and, when the children are older, sidelines of football/hockey etc.
If I can find to try on I still want to see a Merrell or two and a Didrickson, but the Wolf brand seems predominant here, along with North Face and Marmot (who, Blacks assured me, are the British Didricksons!).
Any help on this constant winter coat quest greatly received :)

Anyone? Thanks

Hi Lala, I have a 66north softshell (older version of the Snaefell) and think the quality is fantastic. I do a fair bit of climbing and it's had a lot of wear over 3 years but still looks good.
My school run coat in the winter is a Barbour Speedway or my Alpkit Filo down jacket when it's really freezing!
(Alpkit is a big favourite with British climbers and you have to buy direct from their website so unless you know any climbers your unlikely to meet anyone wearing the same coat )

I found a GEOX coat at John Lewis when they had their 20% off promotion. It is very light weight but lovely & warm. Full price £220 I think but I paid £180. Zalondo (sp?) has them on Amazon at £189. I tried the Weekend Maxmara coat (house of Fraser £380) and the GEOX coat is longer & lighter. Timberland also has them but the sales assistants put me off.

Thankyou very much. I took the plunge yesterday and ordered the 66north as Quidco were doing 20% cash back for one day only so it's made a huge difference to the price. I also ordered a Merrell Haven to try but compared to the Snaefell.... Well there's no comparison really - I'm 5'9'' and love the fact that it goes down almost to my knees whereas the Haven only just covers my bum and I would get v cold thighs!!
Glad it will last, it needs to at that price!