Coat recommendation for travelling on the Underground

[Needacoat]

DS is in year 7 and he commutes to school on the London underground, journey time about 25 minutes each way. I need to get him a coat that would keep him warm but hopefully not boiling when he is on the train. Any recommendations please?

Oh tricky, the underground is pretty warm even in winter.

I would suggest something he can take off and bundle up easily, like a thinnish waterproof jacket. A cycling jacket type thing. I wouldn’t go overboard on warmth, when he’s not on the tube he’ll be walking so moving will keep him warm and he will have a jumper I presume?

If he has a long walk or has to wait in the cold then maybe you could get a thin gilet he could wear under the jacket on the coldest days, again a packaway one could work.

Think you are right @minipie! I guess I need one that will fit over his blazer but not bulky. It can be so hot on the tube with a coat on!

I always just take mine off and hold it tbh - anything that will keep you warm enough outside the tube is going to have you roasting when you're on there!

A breathable hiking type waterproof one. Too hot to walk in otherwise. They are light enough to tie round waist or stuff in bag. If very cold could add a thin fleece/hat/scarf/gloves.

North face or Karrimor?

Seems like the consenus is to get a thin one and take off during the journey, and it's very sensible.

Knowing my DS and the fact that he will have to take off backpack, then take off coat and do the reverse when he gets out of the tube, I suspect he would rather avoid the hassle and just sweat!

An unconventional option that can make a thin coat seem much warmer, yet can be pulled on or off with a backpack on, are arm warmers.

You can find them sold as arm warmers in sporty clothing stores, personally I get the heattech leg warmers from Uniqlo (which I pick up on sale). I actually still have some baby leg warmers from DD’s early years, they fit her arms and go nearly up to my elbows.

If you get the right size they are extremely versatile, something to keep in coat pockets on a cold day and slide on once the chill of the evening bites. Or if it starts off freezing but the tube journey is unbearable, arm warmers are quick and simple to pull off.

The rucksack itself is partly a bodywarmer, it often is that a warm boost to the arms makes a big difference, and they can serve as fingerless gloves too. And with school classes potentially being much colder because of anti-viral ventilation demands, it’s another useful “emergency” layer.

I would check the school uniform policy first before buying anything. I know at the DCs’ schools, all coats need to be official school logo ones.

They are also not allowed to wear them purely for warmth until the head gives permission.

Does he have a long commute to the tube station?

Not yet cracked this one! Think depends on the journey and wait outdoors when not on the tube. On a previous commute often had to wait outdoors for a good while and cold cold, so prioritised warmth for that bit and just got too hot on the tube bit!

Often on the tube and heading down it’s too crowded to take a coat off.

Even when walking fast would get cold.