Schoolrun on foot: kids’ winter coats!

[Osquito]

Hello all!

I take DS6yrs to and from his school on foot (about 25’ average either way) and every year try to get him a waterproof (not showerproof) and properly warm coat for school.
Last year he had a Muddy Puddles blizzard coat which, while keeping rain out and washing well, didn’t turn out to be remotely as warm as down. A past success was a Zara Baby Boy down coat that was covered in some sort of waxed cotton, but the older boys’ seem to get puffer-style down which isn’t even showerproof. I had thought of sticking merino thermals under his uniform, but his classrooms are very warm and it makes changing for PE very stressful for him.

*So:

• waterproof
• extremely warm (we live in the NW)
• preferably not in black or dark grey, for road safety issues
• wipeable or washes relatively easily
• Max £70*

I know - not asking for much but hoping other pedestrians can recommend something.

Decathlon, Trespass. Basically get a ski or outdoor jacket so it will be genuinely waterproof and warm. Lands End are good too, the Squall parka is my football watching coat.

Another Lands End recommendation. The Squall coats are warm and dry.

Was going to say the decathlon three in one coats are what mine had at primary school. The waterproof outer was great for warmer rainy autumn days, the fleece on its own great for chilly classrooms and then combined on cold wet winter days.

www.decathlon.co.uk/C-2490643-kids-3-in-1-jackets

I second Polarn O Pyret. We’ve had their fleece jackets and waterproof jackets for spring/summer/autumn use (they clip together as a 3 in 1 system) but also the padded winter coats for the cold and very wet/snowy weather. They have been excellent quality, bright colours, very durable, warm and definitely waterproof. They are pricey but easily pass down to siblings and then can be sold on. There is a Facebook group selling pre loved Items where you might pick up a bargain.

I usually buy a ski jacket with a removable fleece.

Waterproof and warm when you want it to be. With the added advantage that if the school runs a ski trip, your dc doesn't need a new jacket.

Lands end! Absolutely swear by them, they last years. Bargain in the sale too. I normally get the squall coat

Everyone, thank you for your suggestions! I didn’t expect to have so much choice, very pleased.

@NanooCov it does indeed!

Thanks to this thread I’ve managed to order my 8yo dd a squall coat for £35.

We do a combo, down coat with a thin goretex coat with taped seams on top, that way the goretex coat becomes the general waterproof coat to wear in warm weather. But you could just pop a decent jumper or fleece underneath.

Bit late to the conversation but if anyone is still looking, Asda do a bright yellow 3 in 1 fisherman's coat. Waterproof and comes with a Dino print dark blue padded jacket inside that is detachable. Only £20.

Try ski jackets, Sports Direct normally have for 20 quid, always brightly coloured, waterproof and warm

LandsEnd. They often have 50% off sales. My son has the squall jacket and it's been brilliant. Stood up to a winter in Sweden, inexpensive, good range of colours and they have extendable sleeves so it might even do you two winters.

Lands end sell waterproof coats. 40% off until 15th

Sainsbury’s. I get my daughter’s coat from there every year.
Warm, fitted with stormwear so great in windy, rainy weather, and easily washable.
They come in a variety of colours and have reflective patches on.

Muddy puddles currently has a waterproof parka on sale.

There is brand called toastie that does warm waterproof coat which looks amazing. £79 but can get discount codes. Toying with for my little girl.

Personally I'd buy a Uniqlo ultra light down jacket plus a waterproof coat to wear over it. More flexibility that way.

I found Muddy Puddles raincoat wasn't waterproof. Water came in at neck seam.

@nanbread

Personally I'd buy a Uniqlo ultra light down jacket plus a waterproof coat to wear over it. More flexibility that way.

I found Muddy Puddles raincoat wasn't waterproof. Water came in at neck seam.

Yeah - Muddy Puddles aren't what they used to be. Thinner materials, poor quality finish etc.

In theory two coats (one warm, one waterproof) would be better, although both my DCs are terrible at losing property at school so one is better than two in that regard as it's less to lose. Plus I just know that they wouldn't bother to wear both for outside playtime, so would either be wet or cold!

Yeah the two coat thing doesn’t work with kids. I don’t understand why it’s so hard to make warm and waterproof coats for kids. There down puffa type coats are absolutely useless in this country as it rains so much!

Coincidentally, just seen in an email that Muddy Puddles is releasing a waterproof puffer... obviously no reviews just yet, but something to consider!

I'd go for a puffer with a rainproof shell on top. POP are my to but Patagonia do some fab stuff that's properly waterproof. You basically want a ski jacket. Search for ski clothes and you'll find what you need.

Didriksons. Some of ours are on the third child and still going strong.

Just ordered a coat from H&M off the back of this thread, thanks op! DS says he wants to wear it, which is a good starting point and hoping it will do the job for a cycle school run. I never would have thought to look there, I always thought of them as a fashion as opposed to a practical sort of clothes shop. 👍

Another good brand is light house clothing. They do a lot of waterproofs some of which have fleece linings. They have a pretty good sale on. I just got my son one who is a bit of a hot bod anyway one in the sale. It’s not a full on warm coat but the fleece lining means it will take me through the majority of autumn and winter with only a few months we might need a warmer one.

I used to buy next / M&S parkas when my boys were little, last year we made the mistake of going fancy and ended up with a coat that didn't wash as well and looks crap
So have now bought a red parka from next that is washable and can be tumble dried