Our family is outside in pretty much every kind of weather, mainly because we have two dogs who love their walks. Frigid temperatures? Drizzly rain? No problem, they’re still eager to go out! So when we had our son, we took him on walks with the dogs as well. At first it was easy to keep him protected and warm while in the baby carrier but now he’s an independent, curious toddler and wants to walk. My quest began to find clothing that would keep him warm and dry but wasn’t as hot as a snowsuit for the chilly wet spring and fall weather. That is when I found the shell jacket and pants from Polarn O Pyret. He wears a merino baselayer underneath to keep his skin warm and regulate dampness and the shell is wind resistant and waterproof. Another feature that at first I thought was odd but have come to appreciate is the reflective strips. We have walked many walks at dusk and the strips add more visibility to passing motorists. The shells are 100% polyamide and have PFC-free water repellence.
Polarn O Pyret is a Swedish company whose philosophy is: ‘We make the best children’s clothes in the world. Our philosophy has not changed since our first striped T-shirt. We believe in good looking clothes that let children be children. Clothes should withstand wear-and-tear and become part of your family; from brother to sister, cousin to cousin.’ In Sweden there is a saying “There is no bad weather, only bad clothes.”
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FIT: This is our second year with their shell system. My son is still wearing the same jacket he wore last year, although we did have to size up his suspender shell pants. The brand is known to run big. In these images he is head to toe in Polarn O Pyret merino wool with their suspender shell pants and shell jacket and well as their signature stripe rainboots. The waist is very wide to accommodate layers underneath or a broader middle and the side zipper makes it very easy to get on. The suspenders are simple enough for a toddler to fasten. The shell jacket also has the curved back to cover when bending or squatting and is one of my favorite features.
COMFORT: I have always been impressed with the attention to detail that Polarn O Pyret puts into their outerwear. The jacket hood easily snaps off/on and also features a curved brim with a velcro tab at the top to adjust the depth of the hood. The elastics on the side of the hood keep it snug but still allow side to side movement. The sleeve cuffs also have velcro tabs that allow modifications to the tightness of the cuff. Everything is so well thought out in regards to comfort and use, even the knees are ‘pre-bent’. Another one of my favorite features is the elastic foot straps at the bottom which keeps the pants in place and keep boots on little feet.
DURABILITY:
The reinforced rear and knees are very helpful for toddlers and children. The only signs of wear after two seasons have been with the boot straps, which are replaceable.
EASE OF CARE:
I have rarely had to wash the shell because even if it gets dirty a damp cloth will take it right off. It is machine washable in warm water and does air dry quickly.
CONCLUSION: In full disclosure, Polarn O Pyret does state that their shell’s are waterproof. However, from experience, if your toddler sits or lays down for several minutes in a large puddle of water, they will still get wet. But if you have wool underneath at least their skin will not feel damp. Otherwise, this is a versatile option for keeping your child’s wool waterproof. Perfect for spring and fall in colder climates.
You can purchase Polarn O Pryret clothing on Amazon or directly from their website.
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