Puddle suits, rain suits, splash suits – call them what you like, these all-in-one waterproof overalls are an essential item in any toddler and child’s wardrobe. Designed to be worn over as many layers of clothing as necessary for the temperature, they’re brilliant at keeping the rain, wind and cold at bay, so children can play and explore.
Available in a variety of thicknesses, some puddle suits are single-layer waterproof shells, others are fleece-lined, and some are three-in-ones, with a removable inner layer that, when worn together, provide maximum warmth.
All the puddle suits tested here are waterproof – a puddle suit that isn’t would be pointless, after all – and the majority of them have an official waterproof rating. The higher the rating, the longer the fabric will stay waterproof, so anything between 1,500mm and 5,000mm is waterproof in light to average rain, 5,000mm to 10,000mm is very waterproof in moderate to heavy rain, and above 10,000mm is classed as highly waterproof in heavy rain (also known as welly boot weather).
Some of them also have a breathability rating, which gives an indication of how much moisture can escape through the fabric. Anything up to 5,000g per metre squared a day is good for light levels of exercise – as you’d expect with childrenswear, none of the puddle suits tested here rate any higher.
It’s great to see many of the brands featured here using recycled materials in their puddle suits – both the outers and inners can be made from recycled polyester, and some also have eco-friendly water-repellent coatings. Also, these are built to last, and hard wearing enough to pass on to younger children, which is always a bonus.
How we tested
The weather played its part and provided plenty of rain in which to test these puddle suits. We headed to the woods, and encouraged lots of tree climbing, puddle splashing and mud-pie making. We also got the little ones changed in and out of the puddle suits while out and about. Extra points were given for comfort, particularly if there were no complaints about fiddly hoods or cuffs.
The best kids’ puddle suits for 2022 are:
- Best overall – Muddy Puddles three-in-one scampsuit: £80, Muddypuddles.com
- Best for big kids – Dinoski Spike the dinosaur puddle suit: £35, Dinoskiwear.com
- Best for windy days – Hippychick toddler waterproof fleece-lined suit: £32.50, Hippychick.com
- Best value – Tog24 buxley kids waterproof rain suit: £17, Tog24.com
- Best for animal-lovers – M&S Collection duck puddle suit: £20, Marksandspencer.com
- Best for stuffing in a bag – Kidly packaway rain suit: £30, Kidly.co.uk
- Best for really cold and wet days – Polarn O.Pyret shell fleece-lined waterproof children’s overall: £100, Polarnopyret.co.uk
- Best for small children – JoJo Maman Bébé waterproof fleece-lined all-in-one: £55, Jojomamanbebe.co.uk
- Best for stylish kids – Grass & Air stomper suit: £38, Grassandair.com
- Best for eco-conscious families – Frugi puddle buster all-in-one: £55, Welovefrugi.com