Waterproofs

[lovemyaussie]

What does everyone wear to keep dry whilst walking the doggo?

Four years in and I’ve yet to find the perfect coat.

I have a Northface Parker which is lovely and warm, but rain soaks through it. It is supposedly waterproof.

I also have a Berghaus jacket , which is supposed to be super waterproof, again rain seeps through.

I am contemplating a long waxed coat now, has anyone tried these?

Any help and advice gratefully received as I’m fed up with feeling soggy!

Flexothane jacket and waterproof trousers. Only things I've found to be truly waterproof for hours of heavy rain. Also the least sexy things I'll ever own.

Thank you @Sillysoggyspaniel I’ll have a google.
Great username by the way!

I have been through lots - now I have two Seasalt coats and they are fantastic. Totally waterproof and have lasted years. Far better then Northface or Berghaus

I thought this was going to be about waterproofs for doggos.

lol, I have a hairy beast who is more than happy in the cold and rainy winter! Me, on the other hand…

That’s interesting, thank you. I have to admit I’ve always assumed Seasalt wouldn’t be that great, but I’m happy to be proved wrong.

I second Seasalt. Their Plant Hunter in particular is a fantastic coat. I live high up on the West Pennine Moors, it's always wet and windy here. That coat keeps me warm and dry, and, unlike every other waterproof I've ever owned, the hood stays up without obscuring my vision. Highly recommend.

Seasalt, as other posters have said, or Lands End Squall. But currently wearing a Country Innovations double ventile jacket. Bought for birdwatching but excellent dogwalking coat too. Bloody expensive though.

I have a £45 Regatta dry robe and I can wear it all day as a dog walker and come home bone dry.

I’ve got a Didrikson coat which finishes mid thigh, elements from next walking ‘leggings’ and wellies. The coat is so good I don’t need a jumper.

I just went to mountain warehouse, cheap and cheerful!

There’s a few of us on the adolescent and puppy threads that have bought dry robe dupes - I have one and it’s amazing. It’s nice and roomy so you can easily layer up under it - although it’s extremely warm so I haven’t needed to do that yet - it’s long enough that it’ll cover the tops of wellies too. And reasonably priced too!

You need to check the waterproof ratings on coats (and tents!) all is not what they seem often especially the lifestyle brands. My mountain warehouse jacket is rated 10,000 (very good) as is my motorbike over jacket whereas my berghaus (3x price) jacket leaks like a sieve but I bought that first before I knew about checking ratings, it’s only rated 5000.

Get a Dachshund. 99% of the little soda refuse point blank to go out into the rain so the problem of a waterproof coat is solved…

This has been really helpful, thanks everyone.
I actually have a dryrobe (bought for camping), I hadn’t thought about using it for dog walking but maybe I should…. I do like the look of the Seasalt Plant Hunter but I see it’s only 5000 rated, those that have them, do they really keep you dry???

In some ways the ratings are subjective. I have a 10,000 rated Lighthouse coat but it doesn't breathe at all, so I can't stand wearing it because it ends up wetter on the inside than it does on the outside. I almost always reach for the Plant Hunter, and yes, it really has kept me dry so far. It is a coat that gets recommended a lot on threads here, even by people in the North West Highlands where they get a lot of rain. I wish I could find a previous thread to link to, where several people were raving over it.

Obviously it's not serious walking gear for a day in the mountains, but it's definitely been the best dog walking coat I've found for an hour wandering about in horizontal Pennine rain and a howling gale. It's a nice length and shape, with a drawcord waist, a hood that stays up and it has no logos on it at all. You can sometimes find them for a great price in the Seasalt sales or their Ebay Outlet.

I've been looking at getting a Didrikson. Is the hood big enough and does it stay up when it's pelting it down?? I want one with a massive hood that I don't have to hold round my face to stop myself getting battered by hailstones / sleet!

I have a driza-bone and it's brilliant - keeps me dry and although it's long, it's still very roomy around the legs and works perfectly for long walks. There is good overlap between the coat and wellies, so there is no part of me that isn't 100% rain protected when I'm out (and I'm on the taller side). It's not the warmest on its own, but that makes it work for spring and occasionally summer as well, and I just layer on a jumper and gilet underneath in the winter. Got mine second hand on eBay, there are also cheaper versions from other brands which come up when you google it, but I've posted a link to the original here.

It does look a bit horsemen of the apocalypse, which I've been teased about before. But I actually quite like the style - it's smart enough to wear for other occasions if needed - and it truly will get you through an apocalypse.

https://drizabone.com.au/products/brookland-oilskin-heritage-coat-heritage-brown

Oh, and even though it's long, it's the right colour to get away with muddy paws (although hopefully your dogs are better behaved than mine and don't bodyslam you during walks). You can even get your dog a matching one if that's your thing!

https://drizabone.com.au/products/ashfield-sherpa-dog-coat-3dgd00077-heritage-brown

Lands end squall are on half price offer at the moment , with free postage
I’ve just ordered one to replace my Lands End dog walking coat that must be nearly 20 years old !