Not stylish or beautiful but

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I’m in the market for some walking boots/trainers and a waterproof coat/jacket that is more substantial than a pac-a-mac thing, but not winter coat weight. Think March in the UK.

They don’t have to be stylish or beautiful but they do have to be not ‘snazzy’ or crazy coloured. Ideally grey, black or possibly a dusky pink.

This is very much out of my usual comfort zone, but ideas/brans/links greatly appreciated. I will probably be wearing them with straight rolled up jeans or with Sweaty Betty leggings/yoga trousers for walking on footpaths up to about 8 miles, I think.

Oh and if anyone can also recommend a good lightweight flask too, even better!

Footwear I’d suggest Sorrell I have boots and trainers for walks and they’re fab.

Jackets I’ve mainly got from Sweaty Betty in differing thicknesses or Scamp and Dude.

Flask, sorry can’t help on that one. Got a decent travel mug though from Go Outdoors!

Thank you. I’ve got a good mug already.

I’ll have a look at Sorrel and hadn’t thought of SB, although cheaper would be better if possible!

I’d suggest looking in the charity shops or Vinted for a suitable coat. I have found a winter appropriate Didrikson and more rainy day in the Uk Didrikson both in charity shops. Maybe look for something like this https://www.didriksons.com/en/women/jackets/spring-jackets/melinda-women-s-parka-506108-999

Ilse Jacobsen do great waterproof coats.

Thanks both. I’ve got something similar to that Didrickson one; think I might want something shorter. TBH I’m not quite sure what I want!

Basically anything from Decathlon or Cotswolds Outdoor. I also like Acai.

Merrell or Salomon for shoes. North Face or Rab for jackets.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/search?Ntt=Salomon

I got a decent waterproof from Decathlon, they're cheap too, about £35 I layer a fleece from go outdoors under it https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women-s-hiking-waterproof-jacket-nh500-purple/352547/c271m8915638

Thank you. I’ll have a look at all of these.

Are you going on a walking trip with outdoors type people?
I would get boots and a jacket from Decathlon or Go outdoors. Salomon do good lightweight waterproof boots. Decathlon's own brands are ok and being French they avoid the garish colours. Regatta and

Example boots https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/hiking-shoes-merrell-crosslander-mid-waterproof-women/X8808041/m8808041

Example jacket
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/mp/women-s-storm-jacket/cc8f49ed-23e6-4738-b61f-73b93555c90e/c5

Ideally though go to the shop and try both on, particularly boots.

Thank you. We’ve not got either of those shops near us. I can get to Mountain Warehouse, John Lewis or Sports Direct/JD Sports type places easily if any of those are any good.

Try Go Outdoors, @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie .
Women's Waterproof Jackets | Ladies Rain Coats – GO Outdoors

A light warerproof with a mid-layer underneath will be better than a thick coat.

I like regatta stuff, or craghoppers, they have the same parent company so are basically the same. They do good sales for cheaper gear.
Just to say, of you are hiking in wet weather, don't wear jeans. They get cold and heavy when wet, very uncomfortable.

If you have a Mountain Warehouse close by I would go and try their coats on. They tend to have a good range and are affordable without breaking the bank.

You’ve had great suggestions OP - hope you find something that fits your criteria. Although you haven’t asked for it, I wanted to recommend Uniqlo heattech - they were so effective for me that I didn’t need any other layers than my waterproof

Thank you. Starting at Mountain Warehouse is exactly what I’ll do and I’ll look at Uniqlo too. I don’t want to spend a fortune.

Good advice about jeans too.

Uniqlo do some good waterproof breathable jacket.

Mountain Warehouse are ok, don't buy the very cheapest range, but the slightly higher spec boots/coats are ok. Sports Direct do several outdoor brands like Karrimor, similar advice, don't go too cheap.

Generally for walking people wear a thin padded jacket and only put waterproof jacket on top if it rains or very windy (otherwise stash it in a small backpack).

Thanks. I definitely don’t want cheap rubbish. I also don’t want to have to piss around with two coats - hoping that a hoodie and a light waterproof (but not like a cagoule thing) will be fine.

Don't wear cotton or cotton-mix trousers for the same reason as jeans but they also seem to grow when wet

I have hiking trousers from Craghoppers and Rohan. My hiking boots are from Mountain Warehouse.

It won't be cheap rubbish but some brands charge a lot for the logo.
You won't be the envy of the teenagers in your high street.

A hoodie is fine but I'd wear a techy one not a cotton one.
Decathlon is pretty good and inexpensive.
Womens Mayse Full-Zip Lightweight Insulating Fleece | Decathlon

Ha ha - I have no desire to impress teenagers and will stay well away from North Face for this reason!

I have always found that berghaus waterproof coats are good and usually buy from mountain warehouse. I like the one with the removable fleece. Use nikwax waterproofer on it - usually just one or twice a year.
Boots - i quite like Sorrell, Merrell or mountain warehouse own brand are also good as long as you make sure they are properly waterproof.

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie , I think the North Face and other brands have more than one type of product. The 'JD' and the 'Cotswold'

We’ve had a lot of mountain warehouse coats and all of them have not lasted for any decent le hrh if time. The zips always seem poor. I honestly wouldn’t go there unless you want cheap and high turnover stuff. I kept wanting to give them another try but have given up now.

Clothing - look at Acai

Boots - different styles and brands fit differently. Go to an outdoor wear retailer (Go Outdoors or somewhere independent) and try different styles and lacing patterns and try them out on the little hill they have. Be prepared to invest a good hour in finding the right boots. GO employ people you are outdoor enthusiasts, and know/use the kit they sell. Independents generally do. Decathlon certainly used to, not sure about the other warehouse type shops. Boot fitting is a skill, and can make or break your walk!

Oh god. I think I might be biting off more than I can chew here. Might just stick to trainers and a cagoule! I won’t be doing massive walks - just the sort of thing that involves, ‘Walk to a waterfall or up a hill and then have a pub lunch or coffee and cake’ type walking.