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In winter you won't find my kids without a snowsuit over the top of their clothes and the rest of the year you'll be hard pushed to find me without a pair of waterproofs in my bag.
This is the one piece of clothing in your kids wardrobe that I recommend spending the extra money on if you can. A good quality snowsuit or all-in-one waterproof will end up saving you HOURS of hassle and fights with coats, extra layers and complaints about being soaked through.
We've had 3 different brands of snowsuit and countless waterproofs beforehand that taught us the hard way that this is something to do research on and get the best you can afford.
You're going to see me recommend Little Green Radicals a LOT in this blog! They have been our go to brand for quality, comfort and ethics since Calliope was 1 year old. We currently have a sherpa lined winter suit for Lauchlan. The sizing is generous so we know it will fit at least for another year, if not longer. It's also very warm so he doesn't need lots of layers underneath, just a tshirt and trousers. The quality is also incredible. We have never had a Little Green Radical item of clothing that has gotten a hole, torn or bobbled before selling it on (after it's been through 2 children already!). They're also ,made using recycled materials where possible and everything is GOTS certified organic.
The downside is it DOES come with a hefty price tag, £88 for the particular snowsuit we bought. HOWEVER we paid £44 in their 50% off sale and there are almost always discount codes to be found and sales on plus you will absolutely get your moneys worth, especially if you have multiple children to pass down to. They are also part of Super Looper so you can return your clothes for vouchers.
The waterproof lightweight suits are also fantastic and are available as full suits or as dungarees. These come in between £68-£64 but again the sizing is generous and you will get many years of use out of them (especially when sizing up!)
You can shop Little Green Radicals HERE!
Frugi:
We have used the same Frugi suit since Calliope was 2, now Lauchlan has grown out of it and it's still going strong! From our personal experience, Frugi have been wonderful. That being said.... we haven't bought any of their outwear within the past 3-4 years and there have been lots of complaints that the quality has gone own hill from many people I know and from reviews I have read so be aware of this and always read reviews before purchasing. Frugi have also had a bit of turmoil over the past year with changing of management and the company going into administration. I'm hopeful that the new owners will take Frugi back to the ethics AND quality it used to be.
The Explorer suits cost £65 but again there are also discount codes and sales to be had however Frugi sales are a little manic and most sizes are gone within minutes.
Jack Wolfskin:
Jack Wolfskin is a brand I personally love so when we saw a ski suit in Calliopes size at our local outlet we knew we had to give it a try. They have not disappointed! Calliope loves nothing more than lying on the ground and looking up at the sky, rain, shine or even snow. She's never once complained about being cold whilst wearing her Jack Wolfskin, she's never been wet underneath despite spending hours in the rain and in streams, the hood stays in place and easily has room for a hat underneath, the design around the legs means it's easy to get shoes nd wellies on without having to struggle with getting the suit back over the top. It's just wonderful and is still in perfect condition to pass down to Lauchlan in a few years time.
This is the most expensive item we own for the kids with a whopping £140 price but again, shop smart and off season (right now it's £84 on the website).
Unbranded packaway rain suit from a Middle Aisle...:
This was a thoughtful gift from a relative. She knew how we loved to be outside and thought that a light weight, waterproof splash suit would be perfect for spring and summer. Unfortunately it wasn't waterproof at all! It taught us a valuable lesson to TEST AT HOME before packing for a trip out AND just how important it is to have good quality waterproofs, especially with a toddler. On the first use Calliope was soaked through, on the second it ripped all the way from the ankle to the hip along the seam!
This was far and away the cheapest option at under £10 BUT considering it broke after the second use (and didn't work the first time!) it would end up being the most expensive with the number that I would have had to buy.
Second Hand:
Another hard lesson learnt. Sometimes second hand can be a treasure trove and other times it can just be garbage. ESPECIALLY when buying a high use item of clothing like rainwear.
Always ask questions when buying rainwear:
Are you choosing the item for the quality or the cute pattern? I'm not saying it has to be one or the other.... But I know I've fallen victim to choosing style over substance too many times and don't want you to do the same!
Can you see more detailed photos? You're looking for any tears or sign of extreme wear. This will compromise the waterproofness of the item and although can sometimes we fixed, often times not.
Can you have photo/video PROOF that the item is still waterproof. When wet water should bead on the surface of the item and not immediately absorb. Again many items can be waterproofed (we do this regularly to our outdoor clothing) but if you're paying top dollar you want to be sure you're getting premium quality.
How much use has the item had? If you're getting something that has only been used for a couple of months it's probably still going to be in great condition. If you're getting something that has stayed within one family, ask for more details. If you're getting something the seller has gotten second hand themselves and can't guarantee how much use it's had, be wary going forward.
Finally, if a seller isn't willing to answer questions, move on. It's an instant red flag for me when a seller can't or won't provide more information and there are plenty of other options out there in the second hand market! Just move on.
If this was helpful please like and leave a comment with your favourite kids waterproofs OR your least favourite (give me all the gory details!)
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