Just ordered Karrimor jacket - have I made a mistake?

[queenbrunhilda]

Had remembered Karrimor as a reliable outdoors brand so yesterday ordered a bargainous jacket in the hope of keeping out the cold/wet. But have just found out that the original company went through several years ago and the name has been sold on. Anyone have any recent experience?

Dh had quite a bit of their running stuff & ds their football stuff from sports direct.

All seems perfectly fine to me.

I got a 3 in 1 Karrimor jacket for my birthday last year and it still looks new!

It has lots of little features that other more fashionable brands don't, like adjustable elastic in the hood to make it fit around your face and the depth of your head so that it doesn't swamp you or blow down in the wind!

Yes I don't think the quality is what it used to be, but they're still ok. If it was a tremendous bargain it doesn't matter too much I think.

I've got a karrimor jacket that's about 6 months old -it's shower proof at best

Thanks all - not received it yet - just a bit nervous given postage costs to returns these days are sky high. (No more late night bargain hunting for me...).

I don't know what the brand used to be like, but they seem OK for running stuff.

Don't know about clothes but I have a really shitty rucksack that's coming to pieces after a few months. Zip keeps jamming on the shredding threads of it. Hopefully the jacket will be better than the bag!

They're owned by Sports Direct with all the attendant pressure to cut costs and corners. I have some of their running clothing and it's cheap fabrics with very poor finishing. Does the job for a 'hobby runner' like me but even I wouldn't touch their trainers with a barge pole. There are far better brands out there for decent winter waterproofs for only marginally more money. They are what they are, as long as you don't expect too much from them you can't be disappointed.

Definitely not the same quality they were until the late 90s. Their stuff is all cheaply made and it shows, in my experience. Fine for a cheap occasional use waterproof, but if for more everyday use, I'd spend more and buy a decent brand.

Karrimmor used to be really great quality it was the backpack of choice for friends when we were at uni travelling round Europe and trips back home with our dirty laundry for mum to wash.......... obviously things have changed.

I walk 5 miles a day (at least) in the Highlands and my jacket has stood up well to torrential rain storms, gale force winds and heavy snow!

I've never gotten even slightly wet and I'm always warm enough.

Thanks All. Quick update: the jacket has now been delivered - so top marks for super-efficient (and free) delivery. But the jacket is tiny (and I sized- up) and not even a gesture towards being water-repellent, so I now get to test the returns process.

I now think of them as a cheapy sports direct brand.
I have had a couple of running tops and jackets from them which have been ok but nowhere near as good as the Nike ones I have. I do think you get what you pay for with this type of thing.

I tend to buy Scandinavian brands for outdoor wear I've had stuff for years and it is very well made and reasonably stylish.

I bought some Karrimor boots last year - thinking they were still a good brand. Not waterproof at all. Went to a 'proper' walking shop and bought some North Face - brilliant and waterproof in dire weather in the Lakes. When I explained why I was buying new boots - salesman pulled a face and said they'd stopped stocking Karrimor as the quality wasn't the same as it used to be.

I regard it as quite a cheap brand but I bought some running stuff which was good value. Very cheap and I don't have high expectations but it all seems fine.

Tbh though I would go for a better brand with waterproofs. I have a north face jacket and a montane one, both of which are excellent but a lot more costly than karrimor.

Oh no, I've always lived Karrimor !!!! I have a an old 4-in-1 coat which, although not the height if fashion has been fantastic!

I used to love going to the Karrimor outlet shop at Altham in the 80s and 90s. I got a load of bargains, rucksacks, hiking boots, waterproof and camping equipment.

I wouldn't touch them now though.

I hadn't realised Sports Direct owned them now. It explains a lot, we have a large SD in town and over the last few days I've noticed quite a few women wearing a pink Karrimor jacket.

Fast no-hassle refund from Sports Direct. Disappointing coat but good customer service.

My karimor bust it's zip within days