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.

I think the most important thing for warmth is having something properly waterproof. That and a fleece lining, fine. Very lightweight, water "resistant" outer shell that the water seeps through eventually, plus fleece, are not enough for a 5 year old IMO especially if you have a decent walk to school.

I do spend on winter coats, mainly from Landsend these days (in the sale).

The poster saying teenage boys don't wear coats 😳 My son is now 18 and he's always worn a winter coat and so have his friends. DD is 12 and at high school, again her and friends wear coats over Blazers on very cold or wet days. Mind you, we are in Yorkshire, it might be warmer further south.

Very few teens do here. I imagine being in Yorkshire plays a big part in needing one

I long ago gave up buying coats for DS. We live at altitude and have cold winters, but he happily goes to school in a thin cotton jumper even when it's minus several degrees.

Not sure I would be so casual for a 5 year old, but if he'll wear layers that's a sensible compromise.

We are in the Scottish Highlands. Ds3 has a fleece lined waterproof (eBay) and a lovely Next duffle coat (preloved) sent by a kind Mumsnetter last year. He wore the duffel coat from its arrival around this time last year until I prised it off him in May. It will do again this winter. We certainly need a winter coat here!

I just sponge off the worst of any mud if there won't be time to dry it before next use - I'm not precious about dirty outerwear though tbh. Washing a coat happens once or twice, after a genuine mud bath. It isn't a child.

My ds got through last winter with a properly waterproof fleece lined coat and his school jumper. He feels the cold but was never freezing. He overheated in anything else. The trouble with wearing a gilet/extra layer underneath a thinner coat is he would not always bother putting it on whilst it is up to him at school, so the waterproof needs a decent warm lining.

It is difficult getting it right for all eventualities, but you can overthink coats, a lot of children in my son's year had just the one supermarket, lightly padded, water resistant job; they all didn't seem to suffer for it. I went to school for years in a wool toggle buttoned duffel and lived to tell the tale.

The idea of having a change of coats for when one is in the wash seems excessive to me but whatever makes life easier I guess.

Yes possibly Dame, I've not lived anywhere else, though been to both coasts in winter and that's even colder 😂

DS age 14 and his friends never wear thick winter coats. The most ds will wear is a sports over from his rugby team. At least I know at their age they can say if they need more, However they just dont seem to need a great deal more, His sisters all have thick coats and moan about the cold.

I'm giving up buying winter coats. Last time we saw snow was winter 2012/13. The proper winter coat I bought for 2013/14 and beyond has spent more time on the playground floor and in my hand than on DS. It was too warm, too thick to move properly, just too much. Whilst it kept DS dry it would end up really wet. So if it was raining hard on the morning run I'd end up putting a waterproof coat over it so that he started his school day with a dry coat in the small cloakroom. I'm going for the good waterproof coat and layers. If we get a proper winter I'll probably get a proper winter coat.
YANBU

But I make him wear a vest. Every time he doesn't wear one he gets a cold.

Waterproof IMO is more important than warmth! The puffa style cheaper ones from ASDA etc are not as warm as they look anyway. I made the mistake of buying a really heavy puffa style parka for my DS and he hated it! It restricted his movements and was far too warm for most of the winter.

I come from a Scandinavian country and they always go on about layering, and have really good lightweight rainproof jackets but they are unfortunately very expensive as well.

My ds is 8 and runs very hot, it was at least November before he even attempted to wear a coat and we're in Yorkshire. Last year I bought him a lovely thick warm Parker style coat and he wore it zipped up half a dozen times and was usually taking it off on the way to school. At school it's warm inside and he spends playtime running around playing football and his coat was usually used as goal post.

This year I've bought him a waterproof with fleece lining in a size too big and bought a few lightweight fleece jackets to wear underneath. Knowing him he'll probably wear the fleece jackets most often and the waterproof only when it's raining.

None of my dcs have ever really been a fan of thick coats and I've about given up in favor of layers. It costs more getting a fleecy waterproof and a few separate fleeces but they get worn more as they can wear both together or just wear a fleece or waterproof.

We get days when the temperature never rises above minus 10 (-10) in winter and a lot of snow; last winter I sent then 8 yo ds1 off in his big ski coat in the mornings and he returned (on the school bus then a short walk) with it under his arm or stuffed into the top of his rucksack or left it at school or on the bus if the sun was out despite the well below freezing temperatures poor boy only wore long sleeved t shirts because "everybody laughs at me if I wear short sleeves when it's snowing"

I have to buy him a winter coat though, and he is a dedicated hat wearer - lack of a big winter coat and hat and snow boots on an under 10 after the end of October is about the only thing that'd get Germans calling the equivalent of SS I think

As long as you don't own or buy yourself a winter coat ....

Why would you not want to buy your child a water proof coat/winter coat??

Asda do them cheap or even primark - there is no need not to.

Nina she said why not -because he won't wear it. and he has a waterproof. Do people sometimes actually not even read the opening post and just reply to the title?

lack of a big winter coat and hat and snow boots on an under 10 after the end of October is about the only thing that'd get Germans calling the equivalent of SS I think

Oh god I know! We already got a funny look and a comment from the Kindergarten head this morning because the girls were wearing sun dresses and sandals. It is currently 30 degrees here . OK it was cooler this morning but it was at least 22...

I had a much 'warmer' ie more padded coat than ds last year, but I spend a
It of time standing still, a concept he has yet to be introduced to.

The last two winters have been mild and the OP is talking about a waterproof and layers as an alternative to a puffy thing that will see a couple of days use.

You only mention the school run and school playtime, OP- what about the rest of the week? Weekends? Playing outside, walks in the woods, outings?

Just because we have had mild winters it doesn't mean they will be forever. You can easily pick one up for £20 thst you can keep in wardrobe for cold snaps or snow. Sell it on if you don't want to lose the money - at least you will have it there.

And yes I did read the thread. I'm sure he would keep a wArm coat on if it was freezing.

Thanks for the replies. Just to clarify I have no intention of letting my pfb go cold! I just thought that vest, long sleeved polo, school jumper, fleece and water proof fleece lined coat with hat and gloves might be sufficient! Some great ideas though I'll have a look at 3 in 1 coats and also the thinner puffer ones in decathlon. Otherwise I'll pick up a second hand big winter coat and wrestle him in to ot on cold days. Ever since I've had kids I overheat really easily and hate it so I tend to worry about the kids overheating more than getting cold.

It's absolutely nothing worse than a big heavy winter coat when you're in between buildings, cold outside, sweaty inside! Last winter when my son had a really warm big parka, I ended up carrying it whenever we were on outings to museums etc! no definitely going for something lighter this year

H&M do good light but warm and waterproof jackets