Does my child need a puddle suit?
You don't necessarily need one, but a puddle suit opens up outdoor play for kids, especially preschoolers, allowing them to run and splash in puddles as deep as they like, sit on swings without getting a wet bottom, and generally make the most of the great outdoors.
You may find your child’s nursery or playgroup assumes they will have one to take part in outdoor activities and, even as they get older, they’re useful for outdoor after-school clubs, forest school and more. They’re also great if you’re a family that goes camping, meaning you don’t need to be put off by a showery weather forecast, or limit your adventures to the height of summer.
How do I choose the best puddle suit?
Here are a few things to think about to help you narrow down your choices and make sure you pick the perfect puddle suit for your child, enabling them to enjoy the outdoors whatever the weather.
Consider the age of your child: While all-in-ones are really snug and keep any hint of damp out, if your child is at the age where they’re potty training, or perhaps going to the loo independently but having difficulty with zips and buttons, a two-piece puddle suit might be a better choice.
Think about just how waterproof you need it to be: Taped seams and some of the fancier fabrics and designs from Scandi companies are great if you want your child to be able to wade into streams and get really soaked. But if you just want something waterproof for the park or playground, you won’t need a heavy-duty option.
Ask yourself how warm your child is in it: If you live in the Scottish Highlands or on the coast, and will be out in very blustery weather regularly, a fleece-lined version that works as a snowsuit is a good plan. But bear in mind that, in warmer climes, puddle suits can get pretty sweaty. Opt for a suit that’s just going to keep the rain out and add warmth with fleece layers as and when needed.
What should I look for in a puddle suit?
You really do get what you pay for with waterproofs, and it’s worth looking out for some of these extra features. You might not want all of them but consider which ones would make a real difference to you.
Taped or bonded seams
A good waterproof rating: 5,000mm is rainproof, whereas 10,000 to 15,000 is properly waterproof
Elastic around the hood and cuffs to keep them in place
Peaked hood to let the rain run off
Detachable hood
Elastic stirrups at the feet to stop trousers riding up
Zips that go all the way down the suit for ease of taking on and off (or separates), and fastenings that are easy for children to do themselves
Fleece lining for cold weather
Soft insides so that the suit is more comfy to wear
Breathable materials
Ease of cleaning
Fabric that will dry out easily
Reinforced knees
Reflective areas on exterior for visibility in winter
Pockets
What's the best puddle suit for kids?
For its overall practicality and the fact that it has a large range of sizes, we think the Regatta Charco All-in-One Suit is the best puddle suit on the market right now.
How we chose our recommendations
We drew up a longlist of recommendations from the Mumsnet forums, alongside a list of the puddle suits that had won awards and had lots of excellent reviews.
From there, we cross-referenced to see which featured the most frequently to draw up a shortlist of 20 puddle suits. We then whittled these down to a top 10 – a selection that offers something for every child and budget.
Why you should trust us
Here at Mumsnet, we know a thing or two about standing around in playgrounds in the rain (and about soggy socks rolled down into wellies) so we’re ideally placed to choose the best wet weather gear.
More importantly, we have a raft of experts at our fingertips in our Mumsnet users, who are always happy to point other parents in the direction of great products, as well as warn them off products that aren’t quite so impressive.
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.
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