Even in the summer, it doesn’t go amiss to be prepared for rain in the UK. Investing in a decent waterproof coat is essential if you want to encourage the kids to get outside. However, not all children’s raincoats are made equal.
How well a waterproof jacket will hold up depends on its waterproof rating. Waterproof up to 2,000mm means the coat is suitable for light rain (so you should be fine in short showers), up to 5,000mm is ideal for moderate rain, while up to 10,000mm offers protection against heavy rain.
If your little one will be wearing the coat often, you want it to be durable and super-easy to clean, and you’ll also want to consider what kind of temperatures or time of year they’ll get used the most (some are lightweight, others have fleece lining or padding) and what they are going to be used for – whether that’s school, day to day, or walking holidays.
Children don’t tend to stay still for long, so you want to look for raincoats that offer a good level of breathability to stop them getting hot and bothered. Look out for clever fit details such as adjustable cuffs, longer lengths and peaked hoods, along with reflective panels on it to increase visibility on winter mornings.
Practicalities aside, we are talking about kids’ raincoats after all, so of course bright colours and cute patterns will always be appreciated. We’ve included a mix of school-appropriate colour ways and some fun designs which score high on kid-appeal.
How we tested
We rounded up a team of child testers ranging from 18 months to 12 years, to put a range of waterproof coats and jackets to the test. These were put through their paces for over a month on rainy walks and bike rides, soggy trips to the park and even on an eventful camping trip to the Peak District during Storm Lilian.
We assessed everything from comfort, how freely they were able to move in their coats, the breathability, fit details and levels of waterproof protection offered to durability, style, and of course whether they offered value for money. Here are the ones that made the cut.
The best kids’ raincoats are:
- Best overall – PO.P waterproof kids school coat: £80, Polarnopyret.co.uk
- Best fleece-lined raincoat – Muddy Puddles ecosplash fleece lined jacket: £27.50, Muddypuddles.com
- Best raincoat for toddlers – JoJo Maman Bébé waterproof fisherman’s jacket: £39, Jojomamanbebe.co.uk
PO.P waterproof kids school coat
So much thought has gone into the design of this raincoat to make it as kid-friendly as possible. Comfort is key here, with clever fleece detailing around the collar (to prevent any rubbing) and excellent breathability (we love the mesh inner lining), so even the most active children won’t overheat.
The jacket is waterproof to 12,000mm (that’s full-on storm levels) and we certainly put those tapered seams to the test during Storm Lilian. Our tester was out in torrential rain but stayed perfectly dry – surely enough to be awarded the top spot alone, but this jacket is packed with so many other outstanding features as well.
We appreciated the adjustable cuffs, which can be tightened with Velcro strips and mean you can opt for a larger size to get as much wear as possible out of it. The reflectors on each side of the coat were great and offered excellent visibility. Our eight-year-old tester was a big fan of the (removable) hood which provided complete protection from the rain, as well as the two massive zip-up pockets.
PO.P is all about sustainability and creating clothes that last, and we are convinced this jacket absolutely justifies the price tag. The fabric feels very durable and the adjustable fit means you could get away with stretching this coat out for more than three years before passing it on to another sibling or friend. Whether you’re looking for a school jacket or something for everyday wear, we think it’s hard to top this amazing raincoat. Sarah Dawson
Buy now £80.00, Polarnopyret.co.uk
Muddy Puddles ecosplash fleece lined jacket
It’s a big ask for a raincoat to be fleece-lined and breathable, but this cool jacket from Muddy Puddles does just that. When our five-year-old tester got her hands on it, it was love at first sight.
It really does tick all the boxes when it comes to looks, but thankfully it’s not a case of style over substance. Its fully taped seams offer waterproofing up to 10,000mm and we certainly made the most of this with rainy bike rides and walks. The elasticated cuffs keep any rainwater out and the longer length at the back means your child can sit down without getting a soggy bottom.
Forget rigid raincoats, this offers great rain protection without restricting movement, and it’s soft to the touch. The fleece lining covers the body and hood, making it extra cosy on chilly days – we can see this working on snowy days with a thick jumper underneath, no problem.
There are plenty of reflective details and the chunky zip makes it easy for a child to get the coat on and off themselves. It’s also machine washable at 30C, so you don’t have to worry about it getting muddy either. We’d say this comes up slightly large but take your child’s usual size to get the most wear out of it. SD
Buy now £27.50, Muddypuddles.com
Wet Wednesdays outdoor fleece lined jacket
Coming in a choice of bright designs, this stripey jacket was very popular with our younger testers. From a practical point of view, this great quality coat ticked lots of boxes. The fleece lining is soft and warm, making it a good choice for children who spend a long time outdoors, whether that’s at an outdoor childcare setting or Forest School. It’s 100 per cent waterproof – something we put to the test during Storm Lilian – with welded seams to keep the rain out.
The elasticated, fleece-lined hood is particularly snuggly, and the Velcro at the cuffs helped provide a nice fit for our young tester. The jacket also has reflectors for visibility and manages to feel nicely insulated without beng tight. It can be washed in the machine, but we found a wipe down with a damp cloth managed to get rid of any mud our tester picked up on their adventures. SD
Buy now £35.00, Wetwednesdays.co.uk
Töastie wild lunar puffer
The first thing that struck us about this premium winter puffer is how much insulation it provides without feeling heavy and bulky. It’s surprisingly lightweight for such a heavy-duty jacket, filled with vegan-friendly, faux eco-down fill. Offering a tog rating of 6.3, this will keep your child warm on even the coldest of winter mornings, something the fleece-lined pockets and snuggly hood will help with too.
While it’s not fully waterproof (more shower resistant), we’ve tested this coat out in light to moderate rain showers with great success. Usually, with winter coats, you’d expect some level of movement restriction, but our eight-year-old was able to run, play and bike in this coat with no problems whatsoever.
Yes, at this price it’s certainly an investment, but the quality here is undeniable. This is a coat that will last many winters and is designed specifically to be passed down. It’s luxurious, yet totally practical and durable and, in our opinion, worth the expense. While the navy colourway is a brilliant choice for school, the coat comes in a variety of colours making it a fantastic buy for both boys and girls. SD
Buy now £100.80, Toastiekids.com
JoJo Maman Bébé waterproof fisherman’s jacket
In traditional yellow with a Breton stripe lining this cute mini fisherman’s jacket is a rainy-day classic. Designed for babies through to preschoolers, it’s a good option for keeping the rain out. Now, while getting any toddler into a coat is no mean feat, the soft, flexible material of the JoJo Maman Bébé jacket did reduce the wrangling somewhat when we tried it out with our 18-month-old tester.
With a zip and poppers to protect from the rain and wind, as well as breathable cotton lining for comfort, it’s a durable option to see your child through the toddler and nursery years. We like the Velcro fastening on the hood which stopped our tester from trying to pull their hood off mid-rain-shower. They were most fond of the two front pockets, just the thing for storing essentials like stones, acorns and twigs. SD
Buy now £39.00, Jojomamanbebe.co.uk
Mountain Warehouse solar kids waterproof jacket
This classic waterproof jacket is a simple and affordable all-rounder that fits the bill for older kids. The coat is lined in breathable mesh with the addition of a soft fleece lining around the collar, for extra comfort. Featuring taped seams, the jacket has been tested to 2,000mm, so while it’s ideal for general day-to-day wear it may not be 100 per cent effective at keeping your child dry during the heaviest of downpours.
That said, it’s a good-looking, good-value lightweight jacket that would be great for school or days out when the weather looks changeable. It also has adjustable cuffs and large side pockets, which our tester really rated. Our tester found it came up a little on the small side size-wise, so for longevity, size up. SD
Buy now £24.99, Amazon.co.uk
Spotty Otter forest leader insulated PU jacket
We love the versatility of this jacket, which provides cosy protection from whatever the British weather decides to throw at it. The fleece lining got the thumbs up from our testers who found it soft without being itchy or sweaty. The hood is elasticated and peaked which helped keep the rain off their faces in the heaviest of downpours and the zipped pockets were handy for keeping things dry and secured inside.
Waterproof up to 8,000mm, it features reflective safety trims and has adjustable cuffs for the perfect fit. Available in a choice of yellow, red or blue, it’s stylish and excellent quality and would be perfect for handing down between siblings – this is a raincoat that means business, offering superior protection without feeling weighty or restrictive. SD
Buy now £40.00, Spottyotter.co.uk
Craghoppers kids’ roscoe waterproof jacket
Kids grow at an alarming rate, but Craghoppers has your back here. This smart coat has been designed to grow with your child. Our tester found it to be comfortable and lightweight enough to not inhibit their playground antics – football was achievable. It’s lined with jersey material so it didn’t get too sweaty, but was warm. Water- and windproof, with tapered seams, a sturdy storm flap and an adjustable hood, the coat has a whole host of features that make it a great pick at a decent price point. ZP
Buy now £21.95, Amazon.co.uk
Regatta kids' animal print waterproof jacket
This sunny little raincoat is perfect for keeping at nursery for those days when they get caught out by the weather. The bright yellow colour makes them easy to spot in the playground – and our little tester loves the duck design. It’s practical too, thanks to the taped seams and lined hood. Small air vents under the arms helped this coat from feeling too sweaty, and it has little pockets to stow away treasures. ZP
Buy now £20.31, Amazon.co.uk
Lindex rain jacket
Durable enough to allow for being a great hand-me-down, the detachable hood is elasticated, keeping the worst of the wind and rain off faces. For extra cosiness, the collar is fleece-lined, which our tester appreciated. If your little ones aren’t yet great at independently zipping up their coats, the storm flap is fastened with poppers (as well as a zip), so they can pop it up themselves in the school playground. We also like the reflective details on the sleeves and back for those dark winter afternoons. ZP
Buy now £34.99, Lindex.com
Roarsome Dash the leopard everyday coat
Our only complaint with this coat is really that it doesn’t come in adult sizes. It’s so beautifully made, with attention paid to every detail – and it appealed to our five-year-old tester.
The detachable hood fastens tightly under their chin, the storm flap can be popped and zipped, and the elasticated cuffs. There’s also a beautiful quilted lining that’s backed up with thermal insulation and it’s completely waterproof (up to 10,000mm). Even better, it’s made from recycled plastic bottles, making it an eco-friendly choice too. Of course, it is an investment but one we’d certainly recommend you make. ZP
Buy now £50.00, Roarsome.com
Spotty Otter forest leader fleece-lined jacket
This coat is perfect for days spent at autumn forest school – it’s waterproof to 8,000mm and windproof too, without being very bulky.
The elasticated adjustable cuffs keep jumper sleeves dry underneath, allowing them to mix up potions in the mud kitchen without issue. There’s also a detachable fleece-lined hood, which has a peak to keep off that delightful sideways rain. A great all-rounder. ZP
Buy now £40.00, Spottyotter.co.uk
The verdict: Kids’ raincoats
Although it’s one of the most expensive in our round-up, the PO.P raincoat packs so many features into one comfortable and easy-to-wear package that we feel it deserves the accolade of taking the top spot. Designed to last through multiple children, extremely waterproof, cosy, breathable and stylish, it ticks all our boxes. If you’re looking for a slightly cheaper option, the Muddy Puddles fleece-lined jacket is worth every penny, and we also loved the Spotty Otter forest leader insulated PU jacket – very well-made and extremely waterproof.
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