to ask you how to do the school run in wet weather!

[200thousand]

Posting for traffic.

No car. School run takes 30mins with my 5yo walking v slowly. For me, it's 15 mins on my own. That's twice a day 5 times a week back and forwards.

Buses are getting expensive. I hate the cold, I hate the wet, I think I would be better off living in a desert!

I get cold really easily and the wind stresses me out.

I've just bought some walking shoes but what do you wear when it's cold / wet? For me two pairs of trousers isn't enough!!

Ideally we'd do the school run come rain or shine but I can't face it at the moment...

As others have said, Waterproof trousers over school trousers, wellies, proper waterproof coat.
Wouldn’t use a scooter they get so slippery in mud and wet weather.

For yourself the same. Proper coat, boots. Leggings or tights under trousers.

Flutterbyeee - if you don't think it's a thread you're interested in you could just ignore it. Personally, I couldn't think of anything more boring than reading about and commenting on others baby name choices - so I just don't look at those threads.

OP perfectly within her rights to ask for clothing suggestions.

Waterproofs. Check the label and get them from an outdoor shop. Some coats look waterproof but are just shower proof so you may still get wet. Trespass often have decent stuff on sale, cheaper at an outlet too. Waterproofs for all of you.

You need a full Hood, rather than a roll up one. A hat helps too.

Make the journey fun if you can - scooter/bike. Sing songs, ministry of silly walks. I've walked to school with mine doing 'we're going on a bear hunt' numerous times.

Fit flop boots. I really suffer with cold feet, discovered fit flop mukluk's a few years ago and have never had cold feet since. I've converted so many people, they're not the prettiest of boots but if I've got warm feet then I don't care!

Waterproof trousers are useful if it's torrential. An array of hats is also handy. I particularly like my big brimmed waterproof hat that's like a convenient version of an umbrella.

I live close enough that the school traffic comes within a few car lengths of my house so walking is the only sensible option no matter how awful the weather!

Any waterproof coat will cascade water off the bottom. So you need either wellies or waterproof trousers. Hat of your choice - personal preference as to whether you're willing to give up either peripheral vision or acute hearing for the sake of a dry head - I'm not. Gloves if you're not going to keep your hands in your pockets.

Waterproofs of course.....and surprisingly I find a baseball cap great too....it keeps morerain off your face and a must have if it hail stones.

We have a walking to school backpack. ..it has waterproof trousers, hats (both wooly and baseball cap) fluorescent vests and depending on season suncream/spikeys to help walking on ice.

We only ever walk now as I refuse to pay £4 to take a bus!! (1 adult 2 children one way)

When you say "ideally we'd do the school run...." do you mean that you aren't doing it when it's wet, and your DC isn't going to school?

Scooter for the DC, ski jacket and trousers for you.

Kinda agree with flutter as all the comments are basically saying the same suggestions.

Ask in S&B... they know!! Or look at what the dog walkers wear. .. you need a coat that comes down lower than the tops of your wellies... think Strider in LOTR.

Something like this but longer... ideally split at the front and back.. www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/ilse-jacobsen-womens-rain74-rain-coat-A4115919.html?colour=123

Maybe something from Seasalt. .
www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/clothing/jackets-coats/fleece-lined-waterproof-womens-janelle-coat_squid_ink.htm

I found a FAB waxed wide brimmed floppy hat in a market years ago, I don't need a hat so can carry bags, hands, tow a scooter, push a buggy (back in the day!)

I lived in Yorkshire for a few years.. survived with one that came to mid thigh, my sister lives in the South Lakes... she has a lovely long heavy warm waterproof (not a wax though) and now I live somewhere colder but dryer.. it's much better!!

You need to do it quicker! Get him on a
Scooter. We all scoot (me too) I just shove my hood up and the kids have waterproof jackets on? It's never an issue. I've never seen anyone wear head to toe waterproofs! It's just a bit of rain but 30 mins in it is miserable, 15 mins fine. I don't give it a second thought.

Ideally we'd do the school run come rain or shine but I can't face it at the moment...

I don't understand this ^^

Who is doing the school run for you at the moment?

To be fair on the OP, if she's used to walking quickly in the cold/rain, (and therefore not getting that 'cold through to your bones' feeling) having to go very slowly, so getting very cold can be hard to adjust too. There's an akward few years between being able to just shove them in a buggy and march at the speed you would like, and them being able to walk at a brisk pace (or much of a distance), where being on foot with DCs is a right faff. Scooters are fabulous for taking the edge off this stage!

Long coat and wellies. Waterproof gloves. Jack Wolfskin is my favourite coat.

I learned to drive tbh. Best thing I did I certainly don’t miss the 5 years of doing the school run in gale force rain, winds or snow.

Def wheels for your 5yo. I did the nursery run (DS is just 4) in 10 mins this morning with DS on his pedal bike. I had to jog to keep up. Normally takes 15-20 mins with him in a buggy or at least 30 mins walking. I hate jogging or any form of exercise but grudgingly admitted it was healthy and healthier for DS too, plus he had great fun. So that to bring time down and also decent waterproofs (I have a giant didriksons parka, waterproof trousers and waterproof walking boots)

This is a huge thing that scares me about having to take my DD to nursery, and then school (well aside from them being either very expensive, or shite in my area).

I am not an outdoorsy type, and I have also loathed any type of casual or practical clothing. I own one sweatshirt with a hood that I only bought because the hood and sleeves are encrusted in gold sequins! I have never actually used the hood, and it would only protect me from the elements for about 2 minutes anyway, plus the sequins would probably rip my hair out.

None of my coats or jackets have hoods - the ones with just don’t appeal to me.

The first time I had to go out with my DD when she was tiny and it was raining, I took my usual leopard print golf umbrella and tried to hold it whilst steering my large pram. It must’ve been hugely comical for everyone else to witness, as I was all over the place! Ever since then, I’ve taken a smaller umbrella, allow more time to get anywhere, and I do my best to avoid rain. I’ve looked over and over again at waterproof and hooded rain jackets (the type you can fold up in a small bag), and some have lovely prints on them, but I just feel I look like such a dick in them. I think I’ll have to buy one soon though

@Argeles it comes down to suffering for your fashion or not giving a shit what people think and wearing what's comfortable. I'll wager it won't be long before you ascribe to the latter camp. It's not like functional clothing needs to be glaringly repulsive - I certainly don't get a second look on the nursery run, and that's fine with me!

My actual answer is that today I wore a vest and a light cardigan, leggings and leather boots, to do the school run. It’s mild outside and it was only spitting, so I didn’t bother with a coat. I am notoriously minimalist with these things. DCs had coats, don’t worry.

Our school is about 18-20 min walk. Takes about 15 on the way back. If I’m really fast and the stars align an I can be there and back in 30 mins. I have a reception age with me, and not a chance I’d take a scooter, it’s all uphill. I just put my normal coat on when I go out, usually.

My question is what do you do all the other times you go out? What do you wear when you go for walks, or just out generally. Especially without a car, I can’t see how this has only just come up. I appreciate it’s colder hanging about for DC but you really need to speed them up. It’s really not exercise doing a 15 min walk in 30 minutes!

When I am going out all day and doing proper distance off-the-beaten track style walks, in foul weather, I have a mountain warehouse soft shell coat, it has a hood. I’ll wear a wool underlayer, wool socks and a sturdy pair of boots. Gloves usually but not always. And put my gear in a plastic bag before it goes in my rucksack to stop it getting soggy.

Can you break the journey at a shop or something?

Argeles, wearing weather appropriate clothing while you drop/pick your child up is a huge thing that scares you?

50 identical (unsurprisingly) responses to an adult asking what to wear in the rain. 51 - waterproofs.

Worra, I assumed Argeles's post was a piss-take? I bloody hope so anyway.

I'd like a leopard print golf umbrella. Or zebra print. Peacock print would be nicer though.