Rainwear for children - 6 things you MUST know

1. Shell clothes or rainwear? What is the difference and works both for rain?

Both work for rain, absolutely! But there are differences you should know about. We sort out.The gallon is completely tight and does not breathe. Neither water nor dirt penetrates the material, thus keeping your child snuff dry in the rain. In addition, the gallon is very durable and easy to clean - just rinse off the jacket or pants with a little water.Shell clothing, on the other hand, is made of breathable materials and can thus transport moisture and heat out of the body. Perfect for active children. Furthermore, they are also waterproof but absorb dirt more easily and cannot be cleaned with a little water. They need to go into the washing machine.

Benefits of gallon clothing:

• very water resistant
• usually lower price than shell garments
• rinse easily with water
• top to pull gallon pants over the winter overalls on small children, then the child is kept dry and the overalls wear less

Cons:

• do not breathe, if it is hot outside, your baby can easily become sweaty
• rather rigid material - harder to move in than shell clothing
• works worse with the layer-on-layer principle, as all heat is shut off

Advantages of shell clothing:

• water resistant
• durable material
• materials that are easier to move in
• breathe
• works in other weather as well
• fits perfectly with the layer-on-layer principle

Cons:

• absorbs dirt more easily than gallons
• function deteriorates during washing
• shell clothing is often more expensive than gallon clothing

More information about different types of children's clothing can be found at babyshop.seIn short: if you are looking for clothes that withstand torrential rain and mud puddles - run on gallon clothes. But if you prefer to invest in a more all-round set that also works well when it is not raining, shell clothing is better. A combination of both is of course the best solution and perhaps worth investing in if there is an opportunity.

2. Water pillars - what is it?

Water columns, which are often abbreviated with vp or wp, are a measure of how high a water pressure a material can withstand before the water penetrates. According to Intersport so a garment with 2000 mm vp is not waterproof but water-repellent. If you buy a jacket with a water column of 5000 mm, your child can stay outside for a short period in torrential rain. With 10,000 mm vp, it stays dry for several hours in heavy rain.

3. Boots - a must?

Yes, yes and yes. Unfortunately, there is no shortcut here. Of course, water-repellent sports shoes and boots work well in light drizzle and snow, but when it comes to precipitation that never seems to end, it is the old-fashioned rubber boot that applies. A tip is to buy boots with an inner lining that can be removed. Perfect during the winter season when it is raining, wet snow and sleet. But not only that! When the boot has become too small, just take out the lining and put in an insole and voilà - then you have a boot that fits a few more months.By the way, did you know that there is a boot dance that has its origins in South Africa's gold mines? It emerged as a way for miners to communicate with each other because it was forbidden to talk. If you go to YouTube and search for "Gumboot Dance", there will be several videos that show the creative and unique dance. Enjoy!

4. Rain hat and mittens - unnecessary accessories?

Short answer: not unnecessary! Especially during colder seasons when ordinary hats and mittens quickly turn sour in the rain. A fleece-lined southwest with ear flaps is great for keeping your baby's head and face protected from the cold and wet. Even in warmer weather, the rain hat is a better alternative than the hood, which easily comes off during play.Raisin fingers are cured with the help of gallon gloves. A tip is to buy unlined and then adjust the thickness of, for example, the mittens below according to the temperature outside.

5. New or used?

If you want to save money and be kind to the environment, the used way is to go. Because children grow up fast, second-hand clothes are often in very good condition. It is not uncommon for outerwear to have only been used one season by a child.

Tips if you want to buy used:

• Shell clothes are often more worn than gallon clothes, as these are not only used when it rains - have a good idea of the condition before you strike
• Invest in quality, then you know for sure that the rainwear will last for your child as well
• Tradera, Blocket, Sellpy, Facebook Marketplace and sales and buying groups on Facebook have an incredibly large selection of rainwear for children

If you have neither the time nor the desire, you will find both gallon stands and shell clothing all year round in the shops. If you also know that the garments will not only be used by a child, it can be a good investment to make.

Tips till dig som vill köpa nytt:

• Quality brands often have a high resale value, so you can get some money back if you resell the latter
• If the clothes are only to be used by one child for one season - then you can probably do with cheaper variants

Regardless of whether you are investing in used or new, it is always good to take part in various tests before you apply. Bäst i test Guiden and Testfakta usually publish new tests on an ongoing basis.

6. What does the expert say about rainwear for children?

Who has more knowledge on this subject than a person who spends time with lots of children daily, in a hurry? None probably. So we asked Julia Brukroken, preschool teacher and preschool director, to share her best tips. Please enjoy!

1. Buy the right (= larger) size! The most common mistake people make is to buy too little rainwear. Parents often buy the recommended size for the child's age, but forget that it should fit jackets, fleece sweaters and possibly even a thick overall underneath. When small children sit in the sandbox or play, the waistband cuts in and it destroys the feeling of play. Go up one size - try to take a grip on the crotch. If the hand can grip the fabric freely, it is the right size for the child.
2. Buy two sets if you have the opportunity. Very often, unfortunately, rainy places are forgotten at home. And picking up a wet and cold child from preschool is no big deal. Therefore, feel free to buy two sets in different colors - so you know which ones belong where.
3. Quality of rainwear can of course vary, but as long as it is gallon, has a drawstring and heel holder, you are at home in my opinion. And it does not matter which brand you invest in. Didriksson with sewn-in fleece is, however, a favorite!

Last but not least: do not forget that young children love when it rains. Maximize this happiness with the right clothes, shoes and accessories and your child will never stop jumping in pools of water or dancing in the rain! Do you want more tips? Here you will find all the information you need regarding what style you should have for your child.