Weird thing about coats and warmth..

[SnowyPheasants]

I have a few good coats - an older Barbour wax, 2 long wool coats, a thin Barbour rain mac and a small puffer.

Surprised recently by something I discovered when out in the damp, biting cold of the north UK.
I wore a merino base layer under a donegal wool jumper with thick trousers and warm accessories and felt warmer than when wearing any of my coats!

Couldn't get my head around this as I have always loved coats, the bigger the better, and they can cover a multitude of sins, lol. But I can't lie, the decent combination of wool layers did make a terrific difference, and without the bulk (my woolies are not terribly chunky, just very good knits).

It left me slightly confused and disinclined to buy anymore expensive padded winter coats, maybe just something for the rain.

Layering is a better way to keep warm, yes.

True! I used to layer under coats when I lived somewhere even colder, yet even the pure wool and dedicated outdoors coats don't match this.

Wool layers will keep you warm, yes. But they don’t work against cold wind and rain outdoors.

Yes wool as an outer layer can only really work when it's dry.
Ask me how I know.

I have found wool layers to keep me warm in harsh wind. Especially a combination of merino and cashmere, far more than a heavy winter parka or north face type stuff.
The rain is another matter, the wool does help but I don't like the initial dampness. For that I would wear an outer waterproof but it doesn't need to be thick.

Base layers are the key to being warm all the time when it's really cold!

I've only recently discovered merino wool having previously avoided will on the basis it itches. Life changing!

Yep, base layers, mid layers, then a waterproof outer is the best option for cold rainy weather.

I used to live in a very cold, wet place, and everyone wore fleece, thick down mid layers and those stiff, windproof hiking jackets. Most of this stuff was incredibly expensive and all synthetic materials.
I recall chatting to a guy in one of the outdoors shops who advised me to buy several layers and a £300 jacket to go on top. Something always felt off about this, as I wondered what the hell people had done for centuries...but heck it's a good marketing/profit spiel.

No wonder we need several layers when most of them are synthetic. I appreciate that a lot of people don't get on with wool, but since switching to natural fabrics I have needed less. Wool certainly isn't cheap, but it became more economical to me than spending nearly £300 on an unlined, arcteryx 'pacamac'

Icebreaker is a good merino brand. Lovely to wear against your skin and so weightlessly warm.

My current outerlayer is an old long barbour rain mac, so what i wear under it is for warmth and the coat itself is for keeping dry. It is lightweight and cost very little.
I have no idea how so many outdoors brands get away with charging hundreds for a piece of plastic or polyester that ends at the hip complete with a dodgy zip.

This £350 jacket, for example (outside of mountaineering, which is it's only acceptable use) is ridiculous:

I think it’s lifestyle dependent. If you’re going outside in horrid weather on your way to somewhere indoors that’ll be warm (office, restaurant, friends house, shop etc) then you will want to go for the big coat over the layers since it’s not possible to remove thermals without a full strip!

I agree, you are right, it is absolutely dependent on lifestyle. I suppose I am outlining my own really. I wfh and get out and about quite a bit, although tend not to dine out often.

My point is the short expensive hiking jackets that are pushed on us each year make no sense to me. I think hiking gear has been marketed to become the norm in winter, which doesn't make sense unless you are actually hiking or climbing. They were engineered to be taken off and packed in a rucksack, so are practical for only that. Nothing beats traditional wool for everyday life, or a decent padded coat. Rainwear is of course a thing of it's own but if it stops at hip length it is practically useless.

Not to mention those lurid hop length mountain coats look awful with anything other than leggings, waterproofs or skinny jeans. I think hyper marketing has assisted us in forgetting how to actually choose appropriate clothes for the occasion.

I look awful in a padded coat anyway but years ago discovered that wool coats are actually warmer
my favourite this year is an alpaca lambs wool mix it is so light but very warm
in a downpour I need an umbrella though

I have that exact jacket (different colour), and am toasty warm all winter in just a blouse/tshirt and jumper underneath. And obviously stay nice and dry in the pissing rain we’ve had recently.

Also wore something very similar when I lived in Toronto, and while I did need a down jacket in -20C, that Arcteryx jacket was fine up until about 5C.

They do.

There have been some pretty convincing studies that show wool is one of the best technical fabrics. That's why more and more hiking and climbing companies are using it.

One study said that the clothing worn by the Mallory expedition to Everest in the 1920s (mainly wool, tweed, leather, sheepskin and silk) was actually as effective than the kit available in 2006 and was suitable for an attempt on Everest!

A good heavy tweed will keep out a lot of rain. Dachstein mitts with silk liners keep your hands warm, silk socks with wool outer socks and a sheep skin insole in a leather boot will have your feet tosty wam in the coldest weather.

Agree with this, have also noticed Fjallraven incorporating more wool.

Gamekeepers traditional clothing was wool tweed. There’s lanolin in sheep’s wool to keep the rain running off.

There are also companion now making loft insulation from wool.

We need to encourage more use of British wool. It is a wonderful fabric, sustainable, and it having a good price would have a positive impact on animal welfare. It is a crying shame that farmers can't afford to have their sheep sheared while the shops are full of nasty acrylic jumpers 😡

I love my original Montgomery Duffle coat, long, warm and toasty, not too bad in the rain as I give it a spray with water repellant and was originally made for the navy.

Similar recent thread OP, in case you find any of the comments/recommendations useful: http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/styleandd_beauty/4646032-anyone-else-hate-practical-winter-coats

I've been wearing a base layer underneath (usually silk but sometimes merino if it's cold enough) with a down layer on top to deal with the wind and cold. If I'm dressing up I wear a pretty coat over the down layer. If it's raining I wear a light pac a mac on top or use an umbrella. I'm rarely too hot and if so it's easy enough to take off my down gilet or jacket.

I don’t like wool. It can shrink in the wash (hell I’ve had 00s of pounds worth of wool shrink after downpours), and I find synthetics just wear better. If you only want to buy once then go synthetic. If you want to keep replacing every 5 years then go with natural materials. Neither option is superior to the other.

Wool is such a versatile material. Warm yet breathable. The wool used to be the main source of income for sheep farmers in days gone by, not the meat.
Now we pay the shearer £1.60 to shear a sheep and get paid 70p when we sell that fleece. Hopefully more British wool can be used in the future for clothing, insulation etc

I adore wool fabrics for warmth and sustainability. I'm on a one-woman to convince everyone I know to adopt some old-fashioned techniques for warmth

Following for recommendations !