When it comes to buying coats for my children, we tend to have got by on a mixture of hand-me-downs and second hand buys. Coats can be expensive, especially when you have three kids to buy for, and we had yet to find a decent warm, waterproof coat.
Trespass is one of the UK's leading outdoor clothing retailers, with 150 stores and a great website offering a huge choice of outdoor gear for adults and children.
During the week the children walk two miles a day, in any weather, back and forth to school and, most weekends we go out exploring the woods. More often than not, we arrive home from the school run completely drenched so we were delighted to review one of Trespasses waterproof coats.
We decided to go for the Gizella Girls Waterproof Jacket in bubble gum pink, age 9-10 years. Shannon is almost eight (a lover of anything pink) and Keira is nine and a half and it fits both of them really well, Shannon has been "chief tester" this weekend and she is thrilled to bits with this coat.
It is a gorgeous cerise pink colour, but it also comes in flint grey (which her sister would prefer) and it is extremely comfortable.
The jacket has a waterproof outer up to 5000mm and taped seams which cover the stitching, to protect against any rain leaks.
The coat also has a windproof coating and coldheat padding to help lock in body heat, it is fleece lined and can zip right up to the chin. Shannon said that it is the warmest, most comfortable coat she has ever worn, second to a faux sheepskin one she had when she was younger.
The detachable hood is warm and cosy with a faux fur trim and the coat has an elasticated waist and multiple pockets. She particularly likes the chest pockets and was walking about with her hands nestled in them.
So, all week we have been putting the Gizella coat to the test. Shannon is somebody who feels the cold easily and often complains on the way to school that she is chilly. On Monday it was very cold and frosty but she said she was super snug, especially with the hood up.
On Saturday we went on a six mile walk along the North Downs Way, there was a chill in the air, but again she had no complaints about being cold, favouring walking with her hands in the top pockets.
There was steady rain on Sunday, so this was the ultimate test, how waterproof would the coat be? We walked half a mile to the shops and we were really impressed, the jacket kept the rain out and did not soak through, unlike my old parka! It also dried off very quickly, and the velcro at the sleeves kept the cuffs in place.
The jacket comes in sizes 2-12 years, and is machine washable. It is currently on sale at £17.99* saving an amazing 70% from its usual £59.99.
I'm so impressed with the Gizella jacket that I will be buying the grey one for my other daughter and I'm also looking at buying the Marsden Boys Waterproof Jacket for Fin. For an outdoor family like us, this coat is the perfect choice. Shannon has rated it 1000 out of 10 and loves it.
Disclaimer: I was sent the Gizella Girls Waterproof Jacket from Trespass for an honest review. All opinions are my own (and my daughters).
*The jacket is currently on sale at £17.99 in January 2016 but may be subject to change.