Forum menu
As title says. Recommend me a jacket for late autumn/winter dog walking duties
What I'm after-
Something akin to a fjallraven/North Face/carhartt parka. Warm, waterproof enough for an hour or so. Looks decent.
Not as expensive as a fjallraven/North Face/carhartt
What I'm not after-
Insulated hiking jacket (like Montane prism/buffalo)
Shell type jacket
So basically something sun £150 that is warm and waterproof, to an extent.
Should I just go with a 2nd hand one of my preferred brands from vinted?
Passenger Baltic Jacket? Just bought one as wanted something smartish / casual and different to my Montane Prism. Really pleased with it.
I’ve just bought one of these from Decathlon for the exact same usage. Fits all your requirements and looks pretty good too, certainly fine for a wintery pub walk or too. Only issue if anything, is it’s too warm!
Yesterday Decathlon and Go Outdoors were rammed with jackets that fit your needs
They were less good at stocking cycling soft shells in my size though
It might be worth looking at Lands End as well. There stuff is good value
@hoff the passenger looks decent, how did you find the sizing and how insulated is it? I'm usually warm, so don't want too much insulation.
My wife got a lands end coat from TKMaxx and it's bloody brilliant.
I've ordered one of these from sportpursuit, haven't got it yet so no idea if it's any good but only £60.
They have other colours which have more photos as well.
I have a Montane Prism bought for dog walking last October. One of my favourite jackets. Not oficially waterproof but for light showers and low level mither it's really good.
MOUNTAIN-KIT.CO.UK For when it gets properly cold or wet I break out the Montane Extreme jacket.
For dog walking in adverse weather i would get a full length waxed jacket and some jumpers to wear under it.
Combined with some decent boots and a waxed hat you will be very well protected and, as a bonus, might be asked to join a Fields of the Nephilim tribute band.
NEWFORESTCLOTHING.CO.UK 
came here to recommend Ruffwear but got wrong end of stick
I’ve got what would be the ideal coat, it’s a waxed cotton coat with a corduroy collar, wool lining and all brass fittings, made by Dickies, but sadly they don’t make anything like it anymore. 😕 Your generic waxed cotton coat is the ideal dog walking coat, they’re easy to keep proofed with something like Renapur wax, they’re good for using to sit on, and Tilley do a superb waxed cotton version of their regular hat to go with it, although their Canadian Winter hat is just as good, if not better, because it’s wool, and has flaps that drop down to keep your forehead and ears warm.
If it's any use, I have a Carhartt jacket I picked up in a sale, then had immediate buyer's regret when I got home and have never worn it outside the house. Think it's size L (but would need to check). Message me if it's of interest and I can send you details an pictures.
Waterproof
Warm
Nice
Circa £150.
Pick any 2 !
@robertajobb I'm not looking for gore Tex alpine/Antarctic style expedition gear. It's just got to be good enough for an hour's muddy walk in the rain or cold during winter. Not look like I'm a member of the Nigel Farage appreciation society and not cost more than my dog did. Also, hopefully not be torn to shreds by the first bramble I walk past.
@cletus I nearly spat my sherry out. Yeah, that's probably a bit overkill. 🤣
I have a 14 year old Paramo Cascade jacket and a 12 year old Montane Flux that are used for dog walking during autumn and winter. I expect I'll still have the Paramo in another 14 years. The Montane has just been washed and proofed again, and the duct tape appears to have stayed on. But it's not lasting as well as the Paramo.
You can probably pick up a decent Paramo jacket off eBay that will last longer than your dog.
Waterproof
Warm
Nice
Circa £150.Pick any 2 !
Don't be daft.
I have the Decathlon one (or the very similar one from two years ago). Incredibly warm and perhaps *too* warm just for dog walks. Even standing around I can get too hot even when it’s below freezing. It’s an absolute bargain. And I was extra lucky as I got mine for £80 🙂
Something akin to a fjallraven/North Face/carhartt parka. Warm, waterproof enough for an hour or so. Looks decent.
I just got a Didriksons "Fredrik" parka and it ticks those boxes. Really warm and I've been completely dry after a few very rainy dog walks.
£40 Austrian army surplus its Goretex with a bit of insulation and plenty of room for a jumper. Not too warm, just right, decent length.
Unissued ones are £82
If you go onto Sport Pursuit and search for 'parka' you'll get a bunch of (mostly) reasonably-priced parkas and similar. I have no idea how good any of them are, but I'm sure a load of them would do for dog walking and some of them actually look less than hideous.
If you're walking through brambles then waxed cotton will survive better than any synthetic, it'll keep the rain out better too. It's not warm though, you'll need a jumper but that's an advantage as you just layer up or down for the weather.
Not walking through brambles. Just through fields, lanes, meadows where I could be bashing against brambles to not really interested in very lightweight nylon/polyester material that tears easily.
The alpkit jura is a buffalo copy. I practically lived in it last year.
Not to be worn on warmer days and really does need either nothing or a t shirt underneath.
Walking on shitty days it was great, cycling you had to make full use of the vents.
ALPKIT.COM So ideal for casually throwing on over other clothes, and taking the dog for a walk while looking relatively smart?
Not walking through brambles. Just through fields, lanes, meadows where I could be bashing against brambles to not really interested in very lightweight nylon/polyester material that tears easily.
Then cotton?
If you're in doubt ask the dog. And it'll tell you it couldn't care less what you wear as long as it gets walked.
Maybe not as warm as you're expecting, but I'd recommend a Paramo Cascada. They have an Ebay outlet store, there may be other outlet stores too, but its what I've worn for walking the dog from Autumn through to Sping for the last 7 years. I bought it second hand from the classifieds here (STW).
Its warm enough with a base layer, maybe add a fleece in the depths of winter but it has excellent coverage, the hood is brilliant, and when its lashing it down its a very cosy place to be listening to a podcast.
The pockets are good and everything is all very well put together, you will need to re-proof it once or twice a year, and it will get dirt marks around the cuffs / pockets, so for that reason. Its too warm for summer, but should be fine for winter given the activity.
Some Paramo jackets look better than others, but I expect the quality and design features acorss the range will be similar, and they will last for years. Also if you do rip them on a bramble (unlikely) you can just stitch them up.
squirrelking
Free Member
If you’re walking through brambles then waxed cotton will survive better than any synthetic, it’ll keep the rain out better too. It’s not warm though, you’ll need a jumper but that’s an advantage as you just layer up or down for the weather.
I'm not saying you are wrong...
But I have a helly Hanson workwear jacket that says you are.
And you can pressure washer yourself clean.
Mine is orange and it's perfect for walking the dog with its capacious pockets for handwarmers dog poo bags and the long lead.
As always recommend what you have (5 years old and going strong) .. Berghaus Arran jacket, it is more a heavy duty shell, but mine came with an 'zip-in' fleece, which they don't seem to come with now. I'd suggest being able to layer up for conditions is better than a jacket that might simply get too hot
I've just got a Fife Country catalogue and there's a few jackets in it that would do you well I reckon. There's also a code for 10% off and free postage if you spend over £125 (23CWH).