Are all puddle suits created equal?

[PerplexPerspex]

I'm just going to say that I don't particularly care about my child getting a bit wet and dirty (as happened yesterday) but my DP reckons DS would have been so much better off in a more expensive well known brand of puddle suit rather than the cheaper one I bought in Asda. That is what he used to buy his older children even they were little but seemingly won't buy our child one

Anyway I thought I'd ask the experts... Should I spend £££ on a puddle suit or just carry on and make do with my cheap one?

It’s not price, but some are much better than others. Get the Lidl ones when available (unfortunately you just missed some). They are brilliant and cheap. Most of the supermarket ones are a bit crap.
I got a secondhand branded one for nursery that was cheap too but very good.

I rate Lidl, Mountain Warehouse, Muddy Puddles and Regatta. Loads on ebay.

I don't think they are created equal normally I'd not be of that opinion and have always brought a supermarket version. However we were brought a premium brand one for our eldest and it's bloody amazing. I'm converted, especially the amount of time we spend outside.

I purchased supermarket ones for my grandkids. The wet went straight through them and soaked their clothes. Their parents got them Regatta ones and no matter how wet or dirty they get it doesn’t go through onto their clothes.

No they aren't all equal. I bought a more expensive one from Next, unfortunately 2yr old child fell over scootering and it ripped at the knee on the first wear. I did return the item, but apparently it was designed to be water proof but wasn't designed to be used with sports and therefore was apparently fit for purposes!

Outdoor shop ones are sturdier.

But mine played in the river in supermarket ones and it kept them reasonably dry (water came up the legs, but they aren't wetsuits... It didn't soak through the fabric).

Also remember if wash them you might need to rewaterproof them

No I really don't think they are.

I invested in a set from Spotty Otter for both of mine and it was honestly worth it. They're amazing and my kids want to go out in all weathers now. It can be torrential rain and they're still bone dry... me not so much!

I got my well branded puddle suit from a used selling site I'm not sure I'm allowed to name but you probably know what I mean. I paid about £8.00 and she is in it every day. I've not tried the lidl one though so I can't compare.

I mainly used Regatta which was great.
Once I picked up a premium brand in a second hand boutique shop and it did have better features, but I wouldn't have paid the extra for a new one.

I don't think they're all equal, but I don't think that it's necessarily the case that more expensive equals better. I usually wait for regatta to have a sale and pick one up for about a tenner.

No they aren't but as above the Lidl ones are both one of the cheapest but also the very best money can buy. I've just handed some on that have been bought big and gone through 2 dc so been in use for around 6 years and they are still doing the job and none the worse for wear

I'll check Lidl out as our local one tends to keep stuff out until it is gone but I doubt they'll have them. I can pick up a regatta one on Amazon prime for £15. That's not too bad so may just order that instead. I washed the Asda one yesterday. I assumed that was ok to do probably will need a new one!

I’ve tried all from the cheap supermarket ones to the outdoor brands and the Lidl ones are the best IMO.

Biggest thing to check is if they are showerproof/splashproof or waterproof. I have found the cheaper ones tend to be less waterproof and therefore less effective than the more expensive ones.

I have got through several supermarket ones which have been ok but the damp has got in, then this winter I splurged on a Frugi one and it is SO much better!

I did grab some Lidl trousers the other week but not tried them yet as I sized up for next winter.

The best I've found was wet Wednesdays which was practically indestructible.

I got a regatta one last year, it was brilliant at first but the seams split in a few places.

I really rate the Regatta ones for the warmer months (single skin, very waterproof) and the Lidl ones for the colder months (much thicker, fleece lined).

Regatta and mountain warehouse are better. Also Muddy Puddles. Pricey but have sales on sometimes. I always get waterproof dungarees and a separate waterproof coat instead of a puddle suit. It’s good for when you don’t need the top half waterproof. Eg if it’s not raining but the ground is wet. And no annoying zip that always gets stuck.

Unfortunately not. I picked up a lovely supermarket tiger one last year and, while good for dewey spring days in the garden, it wasn't good for anything else. We rate Lidl and (more expensive) Reima and Didrikson here. Some fleece-padded Lupilu dungarees and a regatta raincoat, with Reima rain mittens, got my DC through some appalling weather this winter...I was damp and shivery, he was snug and dry.

Regatta (£11 new on eBay) and Lidl here.

If you're going to use it for a whole year and rely on it to prevent your child from getting cold and wet and miserable, I think it's worth investing in a decent one. Cheap ones are probably fine for a few months or light rain but in winter, they'll probably mean you cut lots of outings short!

My kids have regatta light suits for warm weather and muddy puddles dungarees that they wear with coats when it's cold or with some other clothes when there are puddles but it's not raining. We started our with cheap ones but they leaked or the crotches split.

We had Regatta and Muddy Puddle ones. and they are brilliant. The Regatta one had the same sealed seam. the adult waterproof trousers and coats have and the fabric is a lot thicker and more robust than a cheap one.

I sold all of mine for at least 1/2 price afterwards so it may be worth checking local fb groups for offers.

Lidl ones are fab and take a hell of a battering before they look crap or tear etc..... cheap as normally £5.99 for the trousers and £7.99 for the coat.

Cant beat the Lidl ones. Good and thick. The dungaree style waders trousers are better than the drawstring waist ones, especially if you put them over the coat not under as it makes toilet trips far easier!

The Asda ones are very poor quality and maybe shower proof at best. The Lidl one are fantastic! They have a huge range of fleece lined or not fleece lined, salopette style or trousers, I think they've started to do all in ones too. They're honestly streets ahead of anywhere else.

Tell DH to pay for it!!

Bloody cheek of him.

Paying more does not guarantee better waterproof qualities. Having said that if you have children to pass things down to you can worry less about cost.