to not by ds a warm winter coat

[metimeisforwimps]

He has a fleece lined, but not padded waterproof, which he wore most of last winter, but occasionally wore a puffa type on really cold days, which doesn't fit anymore. The thing is he walks to school and at playtime is running around so tends to get quite warm, and not sure I want to spend money on something which won't get worn very often. Could I just put an extra fleece on him on really cold days? He's 5.

And by decent I mean not just waterproof but one with a well fitted lining ...so it isn't a faff to put on.
(I actually agree with noah -we had one that the arms were attached to the lining with a single elasticated button - I found that a pain -but you can get better ones that the arms stay in the arms ... something you need to look at when buying)

Buy a second hand one. My school (state) has a padded waterproof one that my son only wears on the coldest days. I bought it new (about £15) but you can get them in the second hand sale for £2 or £3. Equally I sell my children's beanded coats (Boden, joules, etc.) for basically pennies on my local fb site. If you put up a wanted message you will be inundated with good quality offers and probably friends of yours saying "you can have jack's old one hon". Because lots of people, like me, give stuff to their mates.

Branded. Ffs.

Treaclesoda I'm thinking I'll call 101 to report her.

My DS won't wear thick winter coats. I've taken to buying light weight down-filled ones in colours I can pass down. They're pricey but he can still move in them.

Another thing I do is make him wear a gilet with a waterproof over the top. He seems to be able to run around freely in that combo too.

He's 8.

Yes he needs a warm coat, do you not remember last year's storm cycles? It gets very cold and the air is damp making the cold more insidious. Tbh, I don't know how you could possibly manage with just one jacket. What about when it needs to be washed? I have to wash my DS' coats weekly at a minimum as children out playing means dirty outerwear. I couldn't manage without at least 3 proper coats, all bought either secondhand or in next year's size at the end of each winter.

THREE coats?! I just washed ds's when he came from school and hung it up to dry.

People get a bit funny about 'proper' coats ime.

I would. It's freezing in winter. Mine def need a warm winter coat. Don't you want places?
Walking to school needs a winter coat/ hat/ gloves etc here, same as walking anywhere. If they then run around in park they might remove something but usually it's still cold in park even when running about.

Here school won't let them outside in winter if they haven't the adequate layers. Which includes hat and gloves. We are only in London not Siberia.

Three coats?!

So for clarification, what does and doesn't count as a winter coat? I'm in Scotland and anything that isn't waterproof is useless 90% of the time, regardless of how cold it is. In previous years, I've got DS a M&S puffy effort with their Stormwear - definitely very waterproof - but this year we got a Mountain Warehouse 3-in-1 because it's roomier. I'm thinking that in Winter, when he'll be wearing long sleeves and moving around constantly that'll be plenty warm enough, but more importantly plenty waterproof.

Yes mine need at least two coats. Some days they might go to a park, come home covered in wet mud etc from playing. They needs washing and drying before they can wear again, so have another coat to wear in between.

I lived in London for 20+ years, I can't ever remember being freezing. Since moving out most definitely but not in London.

How long do these costs take to dry?

**coats

are they any sales around op?
remember it is often colder january/feb so you might be able to buy one nearer the cold weather.
it is hard to imagine now during an indian Summer

I always buy my daughter a 3 in 1 waterproof regatta coat. You can have it as a fleece or waterproof layer or wear them both together. We have an outlet near us and it cost £25. Bargin and it lasts ages. Problem solved.

Dame - overnight or so. But mine could go outside 9am -1pm and coat be soaked or really muddy in January, then if we need to go out say 4pm again and out for dinner they can't really wear the same coat they wore in the woods as its needed washing

I don't live within walking distance of a park, so that rules out the getting muddy in the park option for mine!

My five year old has about eight coats, but they were all hand me downs. If I was paying for them myself, there would be two - a warm one and a lightweight one.

We lI've up north and waterproof is fine. With polo, jumper, coat and hat - mine often end up taking coat off on the way to school

Mine has a two layer zip together waterproof and fleece. All last winter (and he walks to school, plus we are out a lot at the weekend) he wore it zipped together twice. No hat or gloves, max other layers a polo shirt and sweatshirt. He runs very hot and likes at least two layers less than me.
He does also have another waterproof and a softshell jacket plus a gilet, so options to combine things - but he would bake in my winter coats

My DS hates the restricted feeling of coats so I've started buying him the very lightweight puffa type jackets from Uniqlo. I think Decathlon do similar.

Thats the other great thing about layered coats - they wash and dry in no time ...a fleece straight out the washing machine is almost dry. The waterproof bit - hang to dry, brush mud off and wipe with a damp cloth. (can also go in washing machine but to preserve the waterproof bit you have to be more careful)...
(And get darker colours or even patterned - my DM bought DD a plain pale lilac coat when she was 3-4 ...it was in the machine more than worn..until I just gave up and called it a 'play coat' and just let it be a bit mucky)

YABU. Get your kid a winter coat. What about when he's walking somewhere (i.e. not running or playing) and it's a bitter wind? Doesn't have to be below freezing to be cold. Fleeces are more autumn/spring wear. Supermarkets and charity shops will turn something up for not much cost.

unlucky puffa coats also dry super fast.

treacle "My five year old has about eight coats, but they were all hand me downs. If I was paying for them myself, there would be two - a warm one and a lightweight one." Me too. DCs have a warm coat (usually a puffa) and a lighter weight rain coat. They don't cost much, supermarkets sell great puffa coats.