Waterproof coat Didriksons / Seasalt / North Face

[Westcott313]

I'm 48 and usually wear Zara or Cos coats. I'm looking for a waterproof parka, not too frumpy and not necessarily overly warm. I like the Didriksons Luna but it's very expensive although I'm happy to pay as I want it to last.

Just seen the North Face Zaneck and also eyeing up the Seasalt Janelle in khaki although it's oos in my size everywhere.

Edit, I've ordered the Didriksons and Zaneck to try on.

Would love some feedback on any of these coats.

https://www.thenorthface.co.uk/shop/en-gb/tnf-gb/womens-zaneck-parka-4m8y

https://www.didriksons.com/en/women/jackets/autumn-jackets/luna-women-s-parka-4-504379-060

I have Didrikson and Janelle - navy. The navy has faded really badly despite not being worn much in sun and stored in a cupboard. Looks old and tired. Didrikson is fab tho the cuffs are fraying a bit (the cosy jersey inner ones, not the coat itself.

I own a Didriksons long parka and a North Face one. I use them both slightly differently. I think the Didriksons I have is slightly smarter and more fitted. The hood stays up perfectly and is snugger than my North Face one. However, I don't find it quite as breathable as the North Face one, and it seems to gather water in the pockets on very wet days. The North Face one is much lighter, although I'd say the warmth is equivalent. I'd reach for it more if I'm going to be a bit more energetic as the breathability is great and the weight. Good luck!

I bought the Finisterre one after seeing good reviews on here. Love it. So warm, completely waterproof, covers my bum but doesn't restrict walking. Hard to bend over in it when zipped up as it's so thick so have to do up boots before coat!

I did exactly this search in December. I tried lots. I ordered a Janelle, but the hood and pockets were much too small. I eventually went for a Didriksons Antje coat and it is brilliant. Totally waterproof, warm but not over padded, enormous pockets and hood. It also has a drawstring inside so you can pull the waist in - I wasn’t keen on having one of those huge padded parkas that make you look like a duvet with feet 😂.

I got mine in the sale from Alpine Trek, although they post from Germany and it look bloody ages to arrive. (They say delivery is 4-5 days but there is no way that is possible or correct)

Does anyone have the north face brooklyn parka?

My mistake. It was the marta Lisa. Sorry! I had also been looking at the other one but went for this as it was cheaper. Relaxed fit so size down but lovely.

So the 14 luna was tight at the sleeves and the 16 is too big. That rules out the Luna!

Managed to bag a khaki Janelle in a 16 but I'm really a 12-14. It fits but I'm wondering if I should try on a 14.

Still waiting for the North Face one to be delivered.

This is such a topical post for me. I have a Didrikson Helle and love it. It’s warm and cosy, but not fully waterproof.

I also love my Protected Species jackets which are light but supremely waterproof. On a full day in pissing rain at a safari park I had loaned a relative my Protected Species while I wore the Didriksons and she was totally dry and I got soaked through after an hour.

This week I decided I wanted a khaki colour parka which is warmish AND waterproof and I ordered the Seasalt Plant Hunter.

It is still sitting with the tags on and I can’t decide what to do because while I like it - I can’t believe it is £160. Compared with other jackets in a similar price range there are no nice details, no cosy pockets, no comfortable cuffs etc. I assume it must be amazingly waterproof because otherwise it feels like a £50 jacket for me.

and yet everyone raves about Seasalt jackets!?

I’m going to have another look at some of the suggestions on here and then decide what to do.

Funny how there are so many coats but it's so hard to find one that ticks all the boxes. Have you tried the Janelle? I like the zip pockets, as well as the nside zip pocket.

@GandTeaForMe the Didriksons Helle should be fully waterproof according to their website, how long have you had it? It might be faulty?

@covetingthepreciousthings it was less than a year old at the time of that awful rainy day but I don’t think it was faulty - just not up to the job. Seemed more like water resistant to me. Maybe I should have complained at the time.

@Westcott313 no I haven’t really investigated the Janelle - I’ll do so now after this thread. I did however look at the Didrikson Antje and Josefine last night which might be an option.

i have landed on the realisation that I won’t get something warm and totally waterproof, so since I like Didriksons generally and there are options in the right colour which are warmer than my Helle, that this might be the route I go down.

@Westcott313 i would keep the 16 if you like it and it fits. I'd much rather have a slightly roomier coat than a tight one. My Didriksons is enormous on me!

@GandTeaForMe i got my teenage DD the Plant Hunter coat after reading recommendations on here. It's thinner than I expected and I was hoping for more pockets. But it is a nice coat and she likes it (a rare achievement!). I got it on Ebay outlet for £50 though. I don’t think I would pay full price.

I love my Didrikson. Warm and a great hood that completely covers my head and stays up. I’ve got a seasalt and same as another poster has mentioned, the smaller hood really annoys me-it doesn’t keep your face dry.
Those with a Didrikson, how do you wash and dry them please? Mines looking a bit grubby but hate it when a jacket doesn’t look quite the same after a wash.

I have a Didrikson Thelma which I got seemingly brand new from the charity shop for £15! It’s the best coat I’ve ever had, I live rurally so waterproof & functionality more important than style…

The north face brooklyn I ordered went back as it was too small across my hips. Following the many recommendations from this thread I've ordered the didriksons erika. Tried one on and the 38 fit comfortably. I have given up on a warm and waterproof, yet stylish coat. It doesn't exist!

I just sent back a Didrickson's Luna, because despite going up a size, it came nowhere near doing up. It looked like an amazing coat though.

I have this and it's great! Very warm and the belt gives it shape. I tried on loads when I got it!
It looks like it's old stock now though

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204557729064?var=505143497381&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338749399&toolid=20006&customid=GB114500204557729064.143740041998~1924506603247-gCj0KCQiA-62tBhDSARIsAO7twbY66xQOEMAMKzcNpJuisqcQAdDLQ8VoCAHaEmk8xUdfsYtfcJ3YCRQaAuloEALwwwcB

I've had a Didrikson Thelma for above five years, and still happy with it.

The Janelle in green size 12 is being sold by sea salt on eBay

I have just bought a Seasalt Janelle in Khaki and bought it on my size (18). I really wouldn't get bigger. It has some poppers on the waist so you can give it a bit of shape. My previous coat, which lasted 7 years and I still have as a backup, was their Plant Hunter one.

What I prefer with the Janelle is the length as it's only an inch or so above the top of my wellies, so on wet dog walks I stay pretty much dry.
I also prefer the angled zip pockets. The Plant Hunter were straight across with a popper and I was forever getting water inside them.
The inside pocket is too small for my phone so I just use it for a spare tissue.
The fabric feels much more waterproof than the Plant Hunter one.
The peak is a bit rubbish but the hood fits well over my baseball cap which keeps my face dry.

I preferred the feel of the fabric of the Plant Hunter and the way the hood was tightened to stop it blowing off, but one of the cords came off quite soon after buying.

I bought my Janelle from Harts of Stur for £120 so you might be able to find one there. I was actually after the Charcoal one but couldn't find it in my size.

Vinted is absolutely loaded with Janelle’s - they can’t all be wrong! I’d swerve that and go for one of the others you like.

I really rate the Weatherbeeta Kyra. I bought one for horse riding (it is an equestrian coat) but ended up buying a second one for non- equine use. It's waterproof, wind proof and I think it looks stylish.

https://www.redpostequestrian.co.uk/clothing/jackets-coats/weatherbeeta-kyla-technical-waterproof-ladies-jacket--pine_216102?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=9355776178042&gaddsource=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7arhjcbsgwMVPZNQBh2TAQ9NEAQYCyABEgJdRPDBwE

Got the North Face one but that's going back. It's not me.

I'm leaning on keeping the Janelle despite it being a bit big as it was £80.

I also like the Uniqlo khaki seamless down coat which I'd love to buy but I already have a black Cos coat and can't really justify another similar coat (but it has fleecy ZIPPED pockets!😀🙄).

Oh OP my Uniqlo seamless down coat is my absolute favourite coat ever, so so warm. I’m not sure it’s fully waterproof though?