Waterproofs that don't rustle, for an autistic 11 yr old with sensory issues

[BoobsOnTheMoon]

Any suggestions? We need a lightweight coat and dungarees/trousers that are fully waterproof (not just water resistant), not padded as they can't cope with the bulk, and not rustly...

We used to get the Lidl fleece lined ones which were just avoid acceptable but they stop at age 8-10 so no longer an option. Child also isn't great in shops so taking them along to test things out doesn't really work!

Moon on a stick territory, I know, but any suggestions gratefully received!!

We had muddy puddles many years ago and they were definitely different fabric to the ones we’ve had later. Less rustly but i don’t know if there were zero rustle. I also don’t know what size they go up to. I think they’re online only?

Can you get to a decathlon and you have a look/feel yourself

Have you tried Mountain Warehouse?

My daughter is autistic, so I know the endless clothing challenges. She always manages to find something there. They have a huge selection, there’s usually a sale on and they’re available online. Worth a look if you haven’t tried already.

I have a marmot pack a Mac for that very reason. It was significantly more expensive than your average Pac a mac but superb quality and its earned its keep. Its like a soft still totally waterproof fabric. Absolutely no rustle and good enough to survive wet and cold Poland mid winter with a down jacket and thermals underneath.

What I couldn't tell you is whether all their stuff is like that as it's the only one I've ever seen in real life. But they do do kids so may be worth a punt.

It was part of a whole bundle I tried on from mountain warehouse as per mazdazzle!

A quick Google shows it's still possible to get cotton ventile outdoor clothes but (a) I'm not sure if anyone does them for children and (b) they're eye-wateringly expensive, sadly.

But something to bear in mind as a last resort.

Maybe something made of neoprene? I know they make neoprene wellies now so they might make coats too?

Sounds like we have similar children.

We have a pair of karrimor waterproof trousers which are just about tolerated. They are lined and I think that seems to reduce the rustle. It's a really thin lining so not too bulky, but mine will only wear an extra layer if they really have to.

Coats we had a regatta school coat, the body does have a thin lining but not the sleeves. For us its the sleeves being fleece lined that seems to be the biggest issue. I'll see if I can find a link.

My ds is also autistic and it was a nightmare finding waterproof trousers he was okay with but we did find some, he leaves them at the farm placement he goes to and I can't remember which brand they are but will try and pop back to this thread on Monday when he is next there and let you know.
His coat is a waterproof that has a very lightweight thin layer of padding so it neither feels super heavy or makes the rustling sound, again will check the brand on Monday.
How tall is your ds? I found it much easier to find technical outdoors clothes in adult sizes rather than kids ones

Does your son like cammo print? I googled ‘quiet waterproofs’ and lots of hunting gear came up. Would obviously be used by wildlife photographers and so on as well.
Depends if you can get the right size too. Might be an avenue to explore.

@GreyishDays

Does your son like cammo print? I googled ‘quiet waterproofs’ and lots of hunting gear came up. Would obviously be used by wildlife photographers and so on as well. Depends if you can get the right size too. Might be an avenue to explore.

Oh that's a brilliant idea!

I can't find quite the one we had, it was one which was sold to uniform suppliers, had a zip all the way down the lining so a school logo could be embroidered on it.

They do still look to have some similar options in Go Outdoors, slightly thicker than pack a mac fabric. More like the 3 in 1 coats, in fact those without the fleece are also a good one to look at.

Have you considered buying a waterproofing spray and testing it's capabilities on some old clothing?

I re-waterproof my jackets, tents etc with them but I don't know how well it would work on clothing not normally designed for being waterproof. I'd imagine you'd need clothes with a tight weave?

This is just a thought and no idea if it would work but I was reading the other day about making your own wax food wraps using bees wax - could you do the same with some acceptable clothing? Wouldn't be washable but should be waterproof and wipeable

Try soft shell things. They are warm though. Things aimed at horsey people also shouldn't rustle as horses don't necessarily like it either!

Wax jacket? If you keep them well waxed (only needs doing once a year really though) they’re pretty good and not noisy.

We had some from Rukka once. I don't think they rustled. Rain coat we have one with a zip in fleece.

Also, bit sweaty as not breathable but fully waterproof - Flexothane, used by farmers.

www.fanevalleystores.com/categories/clothing-footwear/clothing/waterproofs/products/76266/Flexothane-Childs-Green-Waterproof-Trousers

Kept out Dartmoor weather really well, but sweaty as a sweaty thing if you're exercising and it's not freezing!

So maybe try a farmer's merchant type place rather than "hobby" outdoors.

Oh wow thank you for the responses! Some great ideas, I have lots to look into. He does love camo gear, a favourite activity is to go round the woods behind our house and try to hide from me

Thanks again, I'm so grateful for the ideas and will be looking into all of them.

(PS we live in the arse end of nowhere and he's home educated so it's hard to get to actual shops without him)

He does love camo gear, a favourite activity is to go round the woods behind our house and try to hide from me

Better buy one of those locator tags and sew it into the lining

Mountain warehouse do free returns and generally have a larger range online. I generally order a lot (on an interest free credit card) so i can check it out and return what I dont want

Paramo make lightweight, fully waterproof gear in a soft, non noisy fabric. They're brilliant, but a bit pricey.

Locator tag probably a good idea tbh though when he wants to make himself heard he is pretty bloody noisy. It's just everything else that has to be quiet and not make any irritating sounds

I think another year and he will fit into XS adult stuff but he's just too short so far and they'd trail at the sleeve and ankle. But I don't mind spending proper money on the right things.

Have you considered buying a waterproofing spray and testing it's capabilities on some old clothing?

DD has a cotton parka that this had worked well with. Might not do a day out in heavy rain but definitely a day out in heavy showers, equivalent to your generic supermarket or Primark Pac a Mac.

I've waterproofed Jeans less sucessfully. End result was nice but not an overly noticeable improvement for me, not a lot of point for DS who used them sat in a wheelchair.

Decathlon hunter stuff is good...sailing as well...the slight rubbery finish is a lot less rustly ..
On legs/arms could you just cut them down and wonderweb?