Kids Rain Gear Guide: 10 Years of Testing What Actually Works

Did you know we actually had a relatively dry July? I know it felt wet. But it wasn't, really. At least that’s what the data research says. It wasn’t even particularly wet over other years. Memory and weather kinda messes with you - and it’s also why I’m emphasizing you think about your winter gear a little different this year. 

I've spent 10 years testing kids' rain gear on my own kids, in our shop, and on every muddy walk to the river and back. And here's what I've learned: there's a huge range in kids' rain gear, from water resistant pieces that'll get you by, to heavy-duty waterproof gear that genuinely changes how your family handles wet weather.

Here's what I actually look for.

Welded seams

No stitch holes for leaks — welded seams use ultrasonic high-frequency welding and are typically rated heavy duty.

The catch? It increases cost. If you're not ready for that price tag, taped seams are a solid lower-cost alternative. But if you’re spending a lot of time outside, a welded seam might be worth the long term investment for both it’s durability, and it will have awesome resale value. We just restocked the Wheat Mika Rainsuit which is a top contender in this space offering exceptional water protection for kids under 4Y. 

Fluorocarbon free

One of the cheapest ways to waterproof clothing is to use PFAS — a "forever chemical" that isn't great for the environment or for human health. Fluorocarbon-free waterproofing costs more to produce, but it's worth asking about when you're shopping, especially for gear your kids will be wearing and playing in for hours at a time.

As a overly empathetic person fluorocarbons are also important to me because it’s important to the health and well being of the people making my kids clothing. I know not everyone thinks about that, but I do. And maybe you do too. 

Water column rating

This is the number that tells you how much water pressure a fabric can actually handle before it leaks.

• Less than 5,000mm — fine for light rain

• 10,000mm — built for steady rain

If a product doesn't list this number anywhere, that's usually a sign it's not being tested to a real standard. Seriously, I question any brand not willing to give you numbers on the products construction. 

All-day kid comfort

Features, colours, and designs your kids will actually want to wear. This one gets overlooked constantly — you can buy the most technically sound rain suit on the market, but if your kid hates putting it on, it's not doing its job. Fit, ease of getting in and out of it, and yes, whether they like how it looks, all matter just as much as the fabric spec sheet.

One of hte great things about TPU style rain gear from Wheat Kids & Reima is that it’s soft rubbery texture instead of this crinkly noisey muddy buddy gear. You’ll love how soft and smooth it is. 

Since 2022, we don't actually get a lot of rain

Here's the thing that might surprise you: Prince George doesn't get a ton of rainfall. We get the occasional outlier month, but rainfall is genuinely minimal through the summer.

That's part of why I stock rain gear the way I do:  I'm keeping our coastal communities in mind, since a lot of you come into town to shop and need gear built for where you're actually headed home to.

 And I stock it for that in-between slushy season, when it's sitting anywhere between -10°C and +10°C and layering pieces do more work than a single "rain" or "snow" label ever could. Which is why we have lots of the Jan & Jul Cozy Dry Rain suit in stock - a fleece lined suit that is great for midseason all year round. 

So, what's actually the right choice for you?

There's products that will get you by, and there's products that change how your family experiences wet weather entirely. On the boutique clothing side, we bring in some of the best kids rain gear we can find :  welded seams, real water column ratings, fluorocarbon-free waterproofing. But I'll be the first to say: it's not for everyone. Not every family needs TPU rubber-style, welded-seam rain gear. Some of you do, and for those of you who do, I want that option to exist in town. The goal has always been to give Prince George more choice, not to tell you there's only one right answer. You will find Muddy Buddy’s, a lower cost rain suit at many of the other children’s shops in Prince George. 

On the secondhand side, rain gear is genuinely one of our fastest-moving categories — and I think that's because, deep down, we all know it doesn't rain here that much. Spending a lot of money on gear you'll use a handful of days a month is a tough sell, and secondhand rain gear lets you get the good stuff without that guilt.

Consigning your rain gear

We accept any and all rain gear —- no appointment needed, all year long, all kids' and youth sizes.

We're almost always closed Mondays, and open Tuesday to Saturday. You can also find us online any time at nestandsprout.ca.