This year I made a resolution to spend more weekends out of town and back in the hills. I used to do this regularly in my twenties when I climbed and walked frequently, but in recent years life and work have taken over and those weekend escapes became rare. Committing to get back out there made me realise that my old outdoor gear—walking boots and a rain jacket dating from around 2000—no longer met my needs. I started looking for modern, reliable outdoor clothing and, after some searching, I think I may have found a new favourite raincoat.
A notable collaboration has just been released between the contemporary British label Whistles and the Swedish rainwear maker Stutterheim. The project produced a limited edition version of Stutterheim’s classic Stockholm raincoat, a unisex design updated with a graphic striped hem and contrasting hood facing. The coat is handmade from rubberised cotton with double-welded seams, crafted to be fully waterproof and built to withstand regular use in wet conditions.
Stutterheim’s origin story is modest and authentic: the founder rediscovered his grandfather’s old raincoat in an abandoned farm building and was struck by its simple practicality. Using that mid-century garment as inspiration, he refined the 1960s silhouette into a contemporary, pared-back coat with a discreet, timeless cut. The modern pieces are produced in Sweden in collaboration with one of the country’s remaining textile factories, preserving a focus on quality and local manufacture.
Whistles approached the collaboration with a clear aim: to partner with specialists and create well-made, functional pieces that complement the brand’s aesthetic. The limited edition raincoat reflects those values, combining Stutterheim’s technical expertise in rainwear with Whistles’ understated design language. The result is a coat that feels equally at home in an urban context as it does on a blustery country walk—practical, easy to style and designed to last.
From a practical perspective, the coat’s rubberised cotton construction and welded seams deliver robust protection from rain while maintaining a relatively lightweight feel compared with heavier waterproof garments. The addition of a graphic hem and contrasting hood lining provides a fresh visual detail without compromising the coat’s clean lines. Because the piece is unisex, it offers a versatile option for a wide range of wearers and wardrobes.
Choosing weatherproof outerwear involves balancing performance, comfort and style. For weekend walkers and commuters alike, a raincoat should shed water reliably, resist wind and retain breathability to prevent overheating during exertion. It should also fit comfortably over layers and move with the wearer. The Stutterheim-for-Whistles design appears to address each of these priorities, focusing on timeless proportions and durable construction rather than fleeting trends.
Beyond the garment itself, the collaboration also highlights a broader interest in partnering with suppliers who uphold craftsmanship and sustainable practices. Selecting manufacturers with long-standing expertise can result in garments that last longer and reduce the need for frequent replacements—an important consideration for anyone trying to build a more durable, mindful wardrobe.
For those considering a similar update to their outdoor kit, it helps to prioritise function first: check seam construction, fabric treatment and overall weight, and assess how the coat will perform in the types of conditions you regularly encounter. Visual details and brand partnerships can make a piece feel special, but reliable performance in rain and wind is the most important factor for an outdoor raincoat.
In short, this limited edition raincoat offers a thoughtful combination of classic styling and practical details. It’s a good example of how a well-considered collaboration can produce an item that appeals to both city dwellers and outdoor enthusiasts—someone who wants a coat that looks refined on the high street but will also keep them dry on a rainy weekend in the hills. After trying to modernise my kit, this kind of coat is exactly what I was hoping to find: functional, well made and quietly stylish.