New dog owner - clothing recommendations please

[AppleBlossomTimeNow]

I have a new rescue dog who I love with a fierceness I thought I'd only feel for my children! We walk twice a day plus a late night wee walk for five mins. We're out in all weathers & seasons, on country tracks & pavements...and muddy fields. What clothing would you recommend for me? And footwear too. I'm a budget so either want things that are good value or are a good investment & will last. My coat in particular makes me really hot & doesn't keep me dry when it rains!

Thanks (and reading the advice on these threads has been SO helpful)!

Hi @AppleBlossomTimeNow it's this one here - I basically wait for the big brands to have their sales and because it's for dog walking, I don't care about the colours :). I got this one in the bright blue and orange in the sale last year. It's got zipped pockets on the outside and inside and 2 pockets in the back of the other pockets for stuff you can slot in and out. It did take ages to arrive just to warn you! I get quite warm when I walk so I tend to wear it with a T shirt now but it was brilliant all winter through the rain!

https://www.jack-wolfskin.co.uk/eagle-peak-insulated-jkt-w/111364112211_001.html

Update on Merrell waterproof trainers: I notice yesterday that after 3 yrs hard use mine have just begun to leak when sodden.

I will be getting another pair. They have been brilliant.

Are you anywhere near a Decathlon shop? They sell really good value outdoor stuff at great prices... decent wellies £10, decent walking shoes £13, all sorts of waterproofs to fit every budget.

My Best Buy was a light weight rain coat that is loose fitting and knee length, I can put it on over anything and it keeps me dry. Also has deep pockets for plenty of poo bags and bribes treats.

@TheRedHat - ooh that looks great. Thank you.

@pheasantsinlove - funnily enough I was looking at Decathlon just now. It does seem good value. Might get my waterproof from there & save up for Aigle boots for the autumn/winter.

For walking I generally wear a pair of Berghaus walking boots which I can buy at a reasonable price and treat with waterproofing spray so they are great in all weathers plus give excellent foot/ankle support.
If the weather’s really bad/muddy I might wear wellies - I have a pair of Joules which are decent. Before that a pair of Hunters riding style boots, but I know the quality has gone right down. I will probably replace with a pair of Aigle or similar.

I am also on the look out for a really good waterproof coat - good fabric and taped seams; big pockets. I currently wear an old Douglas Gill sailing coat and a waxed cotton peaked cap, in all weathers, to protect from rain or the sun. You can get waxed cotton bucket hats.

There are many ‘outdoor’ clothing sites online which specialise.
I will be following the recommendations here closely, so thanks for the thread!

@WowIlikereallyhateyou I love ariat although I've had one pair that the heel came off before I'd have expected, they can look old quite quickly but I've never had an issue with waterproofing. The le chameau do look nice, I've only seen them in pictures though.

Thanks Midnight.

@AppleBlossomTimeNow

Thank you everybody. Sounds like it is worth splashing out on quality gear rather than looking for bargains!

Mountain warehouse sale for a good coat - and get a men's - always cheaper than women's, lots of pockets. Pockets are very important.

Similarly their Hiking boots, waterproof, comfy.

OK Aigle boot wearers - I'm a UK size 6...should I size up or down?! I love the boyfriend style wellie which is £105 & I figure I'll wear with fairly thick socks.

Haven't RTFT (sorry! ) but my recommendations are:

• any high end waterproof fabric is probably fine - it doesn't have to be Goretex (for which you often pay more just because it's a recognised name). Look at hydrostatic head and breathability. Most manufacturers do a non-Goretex fabric with equal ratings. I've had two jackets in my adult lifetime (first lasted 12 years and second is still going at 10 years) and neither have been Goretex.
• Features are important! A wire around the edge of the hood allows you to shape the hood to the wind, very handy. Do you wear your hair in a bun? You'll need a big hood if so. Does the chin zip up tight enough so that you can really rain-proof your face? Do you need properly waterproof pockets, ie for phone? If so, either interior pocket or exterior pockets with flaps over (those 'waterproof' zips are pretty good but not as good as flaps)! Length - do you want it to cover your bum? Less stylish maybe but very good for not getting as cold if you get caught in the rain without waterproof trousers (if you're getting those).
• Wellies - look for real rubber, not PVC. This is much more important than the brand. Sadly rubber these days seems to cost £50+. I think it's worth it if they'll be getting heavy use, as PVC just cracks and splits so much faster than rubber.
• Wellies tight-ish on the calf helps with them not slipping about (comfier) but if they're really tight on the calf and no air can get out, you'll probably get sweaty feet!
• Waterproof trainers / trail shoes / trail boots might be better if you find wellies uncomfortable or sweaty. It depends on how deep the mud is! If mud is up to 2 inches generally, I'd go for shoes as they're just comfier. If 4-5 inches, get walking boots. If deeper than that, wellies are your only option :)

@FeistySheep Very thoughtful and useful post

Good reminder to get a coat that covers the bum - was out in the rain the other day and I got soaked through to my undies :D

My coat in particular makes me really hot & doesn't keep me dry when it rains!

Waterproof cycling jackets are good for this - they're designed to be both waterproof and breathable. I've got one which is DHB brand and great. Buy a size up so you can fit a few hoodies underneath it in winter!

I am normally a size 38 but in the Aigle parcours (non neoprine lined) boots I take a 37 and the fit perfectly.

Thanks @albird & @FeistySheep x

Skinny jeans or leggings! Loose fitting trousers are fair game for my pup!