can anyone offer advice on a decent, lightweight, waterproof jacket for a 6' girl? I struggle to find womens stuff with sleeves long enough etc. and I'd rather not be forced to buy a mans jacket if possible.

Thanks

Glad to see someone else with the same problem! I have a Marmot windshirt which has nice long arms - very lightweight, though I don't know if it is completely waterproof - but it is breathable.

And any hints for walking trousers for tall girls? They seem to think that no one with an inseam greater than 30 (ok max 32) would want to walk.

Walking trousers for tall girls - try Montane terrapants. Their women's trousers seem designed for very tall women (from the perspective of a 5'6" woman). And of course Rohan bags are endless - you just chop them off where you need 'em and iron them up, though they're not exactly walking trousers.

I would not suggest Marmot for long waterproofs. I have a precip jacket, which is great and the arms are long enough on me, but it is very short. I would prefer it to be longer. I'm 5'9", so if you are 6', forget it.

Montane's super-fly jacket looks long, but it pricey (£120 min).

Their standard length for trousers is 31. I reckon this would be OK for me, but haven't tried any on.

I resorted to using Fat Face cotton/nylon mix trousers in the end. Fat Face standard length is at least 31, so their long length must be 33 I reckon, too long for me.

However, Montane wasn't doing womens stuff then and their stuff looks fab. The lightspeed windshirt I've got is lovely and long in the arms and body.

It really is odd how outdoor clothing (except montane) is so much shorter than high street stuff. This must be great if you are short, as high street stuff has probably gone too long, but I do wonder why there is such a big difference.

I have had bad experiences with Rohan trousers-short and baggy round arse. Not tried Rohan bags though-name does not inspire me, given previous experience was definately 'bag like'.

Hmmm, yes my Marmot Driclime is not particularly long on the trunk but that suits me fine; if it is really raining I put on my rainpants anyway. I do like the material and the breathability, and the long sleeves were very important for me.

The Terrapants look great Kate, though at 32.5 inseam I'd still look like Charlie Chaplin. Fatface seems to have one model at 34.

Yeah I also often wonder why outdoor clothing doesn't come in the usual long lengths of other clothes.

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll go and try on the Montane superfly, it's probably time to stump up for some decent stuff. The terra pants seem to go from 31 - 33" inside leg, depending on the size, so might just be ok. In the past I've got some cheapy stuff from decathlon the french sports warehouse place, they have a store in London.

What about made to measure kit? Compared to the price of say Terra pants or decent waterproofs, the likes of Slioch, Hilltrek, Extreme are all reasonable.

http://www.slioch.co.uk/

http://www.extremeoutdoorclothing.com/

http://www.hilltrek.co.uk/

What about made to measure kit?

And Cioch

I think a better bet would be to try and get hold of stuff made for the scandinavian market.

I know in Holland my height would be considered pretty short and a lot of women are 6'. I don't know what brands there are, maybe Mammut or something like that?

Made to measure stuff is one solution but not particularly lightweight or feminine.

Tried on the Montane superfly yesterday, it was indeed long enough, though I wouldn't want to be much taller. Also tried a Hagloff jacket, I think they are Sweedish, but the sleeves were a tiny bit too short for me.

Julie, Montane's designer, is quite tall herself and I have a sneaking suspicion that she designed the women's range so it would fit her :-)

If it helps you to make your mind up, the SuperFly, men's version, is pretty much my default lightweight jacket, very breathable and nicely cut and designed. The only thing I'd be aware of is that it's not intended for heavy pack use as it's quite a lightweight face fabric and can abrade under pack straps.

Oh and Haglofs are Swedish. Nice kit if it fits you. Patgonia's women's stuff is worth a look if you can find a stockist near you. They certainly do some longish pants.

Horrah for Julie, I just got my SuperFly jacket, and it seems to fit really well, I may be the only person now hopeing it'll rain so I have a chance to try it out!