What would you do about a waterproof coat and if you'd buy new, which?

[2025willbemytime]

My roughly 12 year old North Face coat has a broken zip that attaches the fleece to the outer layer. I can't fix it myself and the dry cleaner said - not seen, just on my description- it will cost £49-55 to fix as they use YKK zips.

I have no sentiment to this coat, the opposite really, but also can't throw money away.

1. Get it fixed and I'll get another 12 years.
2. Buy new in which case what do you recommend?

It is for walking the dog and it needs to be warm, easily washable and full on rain proof.

Thank you anyone who can help. I've looked at new NF and Jack Wolfskin and they are expensive if I make the wrong choice in buying.

Look at Lands End Squall jackets, especially in the sale. But look for small independent clothing repairer for your zip. Sounds roughly twice what I would pay in our local town. Or even ask North Face?

Well worth repairing it. I'd take it to a couple of seamstresses and see if you can get a slightly cheaper price though it shows like a fiddly job.

I's repair but not for fifty quid. Wouldnt be worth that much as waterproofness doesn't have an everlasting shelf life, so you may only get another couple of years out of it.

Find a local seamstress , dry cleaners sub out so you pay twice!

The zip gets replaced and you can buy them online cheaply !

You might find something on mandmdirect if you decide to go new, I got a couple of Jack Wolfskin coats there for DS. Bergfreunde often have good deals too. NF seems to have gone down a lot in quality in the past few years.

Theres a lot of end of sale sales going inn- Craghopper, Go outdoors etc.

https://outdoorgear.co.uk/clearance/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADb9s1_ci9928Oo-3b7KTX5W-8IQ8&gclid=CjwKCAiAzba9BhBhEiwA7glbagMhdMUmxyzOiznNgaZJ2SjLKzZ7krI1e9rJsyM85CbWnQx11wNdvBoC2F0QAvD_BwE

Discovered thus website recently - some very good prices. I brought a couple of things from them.

Sorry, to post and disappear. Had an unexpected crisis to deal with.

Thank you so much for all the fabulous suggestions.

A local seamstress is definitely an option and I'll email North Face as well.

Re the dry cleaners. I popped in with my body warmer as the zip kept coming apart two inches up from being fastened and they fixed it for free there and then and I felt a bit cheeky so asked about my coat. I definitely don't think I can put in a new zip myself.

I did reproof it a couple of weeks ago but I've never done it before so I don't know how long it lasts.

I'll look at the other suggestions and links for new as well. Thank you.

https://www.mandmdirect.com/01/details/QW30355/Trespass-Womens-Qikpac-Waterproof-Jacket-Navy-Blue This is one option. What do you think? No reviews yet.

This may be a silly question but can't you just wear the fleece and outer layers anyway?

I've never bought the fleece layer for any of my walking jackets, I'd rather wear a separate one so I can adjust layers easily.

DS had a trespass coat for years inherited from his cousin, but I don't know what the quality is like now. A friend recently got a trespass pair of waterproof hiking boots which were not waterproof at all.

That's not a silly question and this morning when I went out having separated my coat and I was cold, I considered trying a different regular fleece instead. I've just checked the actual coat one and the zip is fine as a normal zip up so it must be the one on the outer layer which attaches the fleece that is broken. Mind blown. Thank you. I'll try that next time. I've clearly just been zipping up the outer layer 🫣

Anyone have any thoughts on this one? It's going to get annoying soon having to have my coat separated.

If you are anywhere near a branch of Alpkit, they repair outdoor gear, and have always been considerably cheaper than anywhere else.

You could do worse than look at their own gear for a replacement jacket.

12 years is a good life for a waterproof jacket! Laws about the chemicals that are used in breathable waterproof fabrics have changed recently. Modern fabrics won't be as good as older ones were, so if you can keep your old jacket going, then do!

Unfortunately I'm not near a store. I am shocked that a coat that cost £200 is only expected to last twelve years. It's the zips that have let me down anyway as I've only needed to reproof it once.

I just got this from alpine trek and it's wonderful for £75

It's huge though so size down a full size

www.alpinetrek.co.uk/heber-peak-womens-sylvahe-long-coat-coat/

There is also a short and an insulated version.

Lighthouse do great ones I’m very happy with the 2 I have

Look up @zoepatches - Zoe Can Patch It
On Instagram - she is in the US doing repairs on outdoor gear

I know you said you won't be able to mend the zip yourself but it's quite inspiring to see how she approaches each repair she does

Thank you to the latest posters. I'm fed up with my coat even more now so do need to make a decision soon.

I bought a regatta Lucille from eBay, which they've updated this year. For a lightweight parka, it's surprisingly warm. Inside pocket, standard big pockets with popper fastening and chest height zip up pockets that are just the right angle for hands in pockets. Cost me £18.

That sounds good @Ahsheeit. I need waterproof and warm for dog walking. Would yours fit the bill do you think?

Seasalt are good and waterproof

I know they are a bit more expensive initially but rab is a great brand . Any issues with their clothes they repair for about £30 and send you a little bad etc in the post and have a reuse ethos . I think 12 years is good for any coat to be honest but north face is more of a fashion brand now isn’t it than a high quality outdoor brand ?

go outdoors do pricematch plus 10% if you can find one cheaper which you normally can

I would worry at that price point it would be not very breathable and a bit plasticky as it’s a pu coating so won’t last and I don’t think you can re waterproof. You want gortex type coatings

Also just checked Vinted you can get a high end outdoor brand for £50-£100 secondhand but in very good condition . So it’s the waterproof outer shell and you can put a fleece underneath

I got a Sea Salt Janelle half price and it’s wonderful. So warm and waterproof too. Just hit back from a holiday where it was -6 every day and it kept me really warm. Have also worn it in a torrential storm and it kept me bone dry. I paid £110 for mine.