With the rainy season upon us, along with our kids about to start up at forest school, it’s time we get straight down to this matter.
Living just outside Vancouver BC, where we see on average 2500 mm of rain every late-fall/winter season, it’s imperative we find a solid hack to keep our kids dry. As of yet, they’ve been wearing pre-loved hand-me-downs (our preferred source for all things kids), but now as they’re getting older and getting more time outdoors, we’re buckling down and investing in their comfort and their future.
‘If we want people to care about our natural world and value it at the ballot box, we need kids to spend time in nature. They can’t do this without a raincoat, a warm hat and good shoes.’
-Kate Howlett (who kindly shared – her scientific view on the importance of kids spending time in nature – with us last year)
With possibly more to come, these are raincoats we can get behind. We’re constantly in the testing grounds for warm hats and good shoes, perhaps a blog post to come.
The following raingear has been thoroughly tested by little mud pie experts.
Best Toddler Raingear
For:
- Comfort and Ease: The Helly Hansen Kids’ Adventure Rainsuit
- Complete Watertight Protection: Helly Hansen’s Kids’ Bergen 2.0 Rain Set
- All-in-one go-to: MEC’s Heritage Newt Suit
- Added Warmth and Fun: Hatley’s Zip-Up Rain Jacket
Helly Hansen
Helly Hansen Kids’ Adventure Rainsuit
$200 Cdn
Personally my favourite out of Helly Hansen’s famous kids suits. It’s built with ‘Helly Tech’ Performance fabric (aka nylon), so it offers a little more breathability than their Bergen 2.0 set, and although not quite as waterproof, it still holds up and keeps the rain out. For our wild 2 year boy, it’s reinforced knees and bum provide extra durability, which suits his rough-and-tumble ways. The reflective details are always a great addition to any raingear, but especially for our precious littles. The adjustable features, like the inside suspenders and back waist are great for their fussy ways, providing comfort and flexibility, and a perfect ‘Fit (as the cool kids seem to say these days..or maybe not so cool as it’s come into this mama’s vocab).
Pros and Cons
Pros– In one fell swoop, getting this puppy on is a breeze. Feels simpler for bathroom breaks than having a 2 piece, which if anyone is familiar with Robert Munsch, you can relate to how frustrating it can be to get your kid all suited up to go outside, to then be told they have to go to the bathroom.
It feels less restrictive and the flexible nylon feels more inviting to get into on a cold day, in comparison to the rubbery feel of their Bergen set. It dries pretty quickly, and hangs up well when it’s time to dry indoors. Love the bootstraps, keeping your kids’ ankles warm and covered up. Good colour options, with unisex colours for easy circular hand-me-downs.
Cons– Not as waterproof as some suits. The cost, at $200 Cdn can be hefty knowing they grow so fast. Perhaps size up so your kid can get 2 seasons out of it.
Hot Tip! As for many products, last years colours often go on sale. Check their website for deals.
Kids’ Bergen 2.0 Rain Set
$110 Cdn
This is what comes to mind when I think of classic rain gear. Made just for kids’, it is iconic on the playground. No matter where you are in the world, guaranteed you’ll see one of these babies out in the pouring rain. The set comes with a jacket and bib overalls in a variety of fun colours. Helly Hansen’s ‘Helox+’ fabric technology provides the waterproofness along with a good stretch, to keep up with their fun imaginative rainy day play. HH didn’t shy away from the details, with care put into a detachable hood, some elastic bootstraps, reflective bits, and a solid quick-dry lining.
Pros and Cons
Pros – With it’s 100% Polyurethane Shell you can guarantee that it’s going to be waterproof.
Cons – With it’s 100% Polyurethane Shell you can guarantee it won’t be breathable.
MEC
Heritage Newt Suit
$99.95 Cdn
Also iconic to Canadian playgrounds, the MEC Newt Suit is a dependable choice. We’ve had this as an infant suit and now the Toddler/Children’s suit. It does a wonderful job at keep the silly-billies dry, and it couldn’t be more adorable with their hoods up as they stomp through all the puddles.
It’s a rainy play favourite around here on our muddy playground missions and soggy hikes. The waterproof fabric (again Nylon) and full coverage design with the taped seams help to keep the kids dry and comfortable throughout the wet season. Long front zippers make changes and layering slightly more simple when it’s time to head indoors.
Pros and Cons
Pros – Keeps the kids dry. The elastic cuffs are great for keeping the water out. Both our kids wore this suit, a lot. They fell in the puddles many times, bodies fully submerged, and they were still (mostly) dry. The hood is great, along with the colour and reflective patches.
Cons – Can be tough for them to get in and out of on their own, which, as an infant or young toddler, most will need help no matter what they’re wearing.
Hatley
Zip-Up Rain Jacket
$32.50 – $65
We most likely would not have heard of Hatley, if it weren’t for cute gifts from loving aunties. Their adorable patterns, colours and designs are certainly designed for the average kids’ taste.
I recently took my daughter on an annual trip to the local mall (hello 90’s!), to buy her friend a bday gift, so Hatley’s seemed to be a no-brainer stop. To my surprise, there was a big pre/end of-season sale at the back. So, we left with not only cute headbands and socks for said bday gift, we picked up a new raincoat for her little brother that matched his current rainboots and umbrella (thanks to said auntie). He was pumped! He immediately put it on and walked to the bathroom to lather it up with water water, watching the magical colour changing sharks! How fun.
And so far so good. It’s waterproof! Fits great, has convenient front pockets, has reflective patches, and is lined with super cozy and warm soft terry, which is the icing on the cake imo. I tend to lean to this coat just for that added warmth and comfort.
Pros: Unlike the others we’ve tested, the lining in this coat makes it stand out. It makes the utilitarian raincoat feel warm and inviting. Also, we love the Hatley is a ma and pop started Canadian owned and run company. Their story is quite cute, worth having a look. They also mention that they build their goods to last and to be passed down, including a preloved section on their website.
Cons: Not as techy as other brands. Also, no mention of using recycled materials, however other items on the website do use organic cotton, so sustainability and eco consciousness is in their ethos.
Hot Tip: Go to the physical store as they have deeper discounts than you can find online.
In Conclusion
This list isn’t extensive, but it’s all we’ve needed, and we hands down, full heartedly recommend everything here.
If you’re up for testing your new raingear, here’s a little rainy day hike inspiration in the Sea to Sky for ya. You may even find us out at one of our absolute favourite magical rainy day spots in Whistler, good ol’ trusty Cheakamus Lake.
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