Mountain Warehouse Exodus Kids Softshell Jacket Review: a solid everyday coat that keeps kids dry without bulk

I got this Mountain Warehouse Exodus softshell jacket in navy for a 9–10 year old, mainly for school runs, weekend walks and the usual UK drizzle. I wasn’t looking for anything fancy, just something that the kid would actually wear without complaining and that wouldn’t fall apart after one term. On paper it ticks a lot of boxes: water resistant, wind resistant, fleece lining, and it’s not crazy heavy.

After a few weeks of use (school days, a couple of wet football sidelines, and a windy walk by the park), I’d say it does pretty much what it promises. It’s not a miracle coat, but as an everyday softshell for kids, it’s pretty solid. The main surprise for me was how much the kid actually likes wearing it, which is half the battle with children’s jackets. If they think it’s stiff or itchy, it just sits on a peg.

In real life, it feels more like a slightly stretchy hoodie with a weatherproof outer than a classic raincoat. That makes it good for those in-between days: too cold for just a sweatshirt, but not cold enough for a big padded winter coat. It’s also light enough to shove into a school bag without filling the whole thing.

It’s not perfect though. The water resistance is fine for showers and light rain, but if your kid is standing in heavy rain for ages, this is not a full replacement for a proper waterproof shell. Also, the fit is on the regular-to-slim side, so if your kid is tall or a bit broader, I’d go up one size. Overall, it’s a practical, no-drama jacket that gets the job done for everyday use.

In terms of value, this jacket sits in a good spot. It’s not the cheapest kids’ coat you can buy, but it also doesn’t feel cheap. You’re getting a proper softshell with fleece lining, wind resistance, and decent water resistance, plus a 2-year warranty from a known outdoor brand. The Amazon rating of 4.6/5 from almost 10,000 reviews says a lot – people generally seem happy with what they got for the price.

Compared to some budget supermarket jackets, you’re paying a bit more, but you’re also getting better materials, a sturdier zip, and a design that actually works outdoors rather than just looking like a coat. Compared to big-name outdoor brands that charge double for a kids’ softshell, this feels like a good middle ground. It’s functional enough for real outdoor use, but still priced reasonably for something kids will grow out of in a year or two.

What I liked is that it covers several roles: school coat, weekend jacket, light rain layer and windbreaker. You’re not buying a super specialised piece that only works in one situation. For a parent, that matters – one jacket that works most of the time is better than three that each do one thing. The downsides for value are mainly the limited heavy-rain protection and the slightly neat sizing, which might push you to buy a size up (and therefore spend a bit more if it’s a different price bracket).

Still, looking at the build, comfort and how often it actually gets worn, I’d say it’s good value for money. It’s not a bargain bin miracle, but it’s a sensible, reliable purchase. If you can grab it during a sale or discount, then it becomes an even easier recommendation as a go-to mid-season kids’ jacket.

The design is pretty straightforward, and that’s honestly a good thing for a kids’ jacket. The navy colour is neutral, works with school uniform and casual clothes, and doesn’t show dirt too badly. There are two welt side pockets that are actually usable – big enough for small hands, some tissues, or the usual random stones and Lego pieces kids carry around. No inside pocket on the version I had, which would have been handy but isn’t a deal-breaker at this price.

The zip goes up fairly high and there’s a chin guard at the top, which sounds like a small detail but matters a lot with kids. It stops the zip from scratching under the chin or catching the skin when they zip it up themselves. After a few weeks of daily zipping and unzipping, the zip still runs smoothly, no snagging or teeth misaligning. A lot of cheaper kids’ coats fail on the zip first, so this is a plus. One Amazon review even mentioned the zip still being fine after years, which matches my first impression of it feeling sturdy.

The cut is regular, not super baggy, so it looks neat and not like they’re wearing a sack. On a slim 9–10 year old, it fits nicely over a jumper without looking tight. If your kid is on the bigger side for their age, I’d 100% suggest going up a size, especially if you want to get more than one season out of it. One reviewer with a 13-year-old mentioned it ran a bit small and recommended sizing up, and I can see why – this is not a super generous cut.

In terms of style, it’s more on the functional side than fashion. No fancy patterns on the navy one, just a simple, clean look. Some of the other colourways and prints (like the rainbow star version mentioned in the reviews) are a bit more fun, but the core design is the same: lightweight, zipped, softshell with fleece lining. If you want something loud and trendy, this might feel a bit plain. If you just want a coat that goes with everything and doesn’t cause arguments on school mornings, it works well.

Comfort-wise, this is where the jacket does well. The fleece lining is soft and doesn’t itch, and the kid I tested it with never complained about it feeling scratchy, which is rare. It’s the kind of jacket they’ll happily wear over a t-shirt on a cooler day because the inside feels like a light fleece jumper. No annoying labels scratching the neck either, at least not in our case.

The stretch in the fabric (thanks to the 4% elastane) makes a difference. When the kid is reaching up on climbing frames or riding a bike, the jacket moves with them instead of pulling tight across the back or shoulders. You don’t get that “I can’t move my arms properly” complaint that you sometimes get with stiff raincoats. The weight is also light enough that they don’t feel weighed down – it’s closer to a hoodie than a heavy coat.

In wind and cooler temps, the wind-resistant outer helps a lot. On a breezy day in the park, it kept the chill off better than a cotton hoodie would, and the kid stayed comfortable longer without immediately asking for a thicker coat. For pure warmth, it’s not a deep-winter option on its own, but with a jumper underneath it’s fine for most UK winter days that aren’t freezing. The collar and chin guard also stop the zip from rubbing, and there’s no hard edges against the neck.

The only minor downside is that, because it’s a regular cut and not super roomy, if you try to stuff a very thick jumper underneath, it can start to feel a bit snug, especially around the shoulders. So if you know your kid likes chunky knits, or they’re already at the top end of the age/size range, consider going one size up for better comfort. Overall though, as an everyday jacket for active kids, it’s comfortable enough that they don’t fight you about wearing it, which is probably the best compliment you can give a children’s coat.

The outer fabric is 96% polyester and 4% elastane, which is classic softshell territory. In the hand, it feels like a slightly stretchy, smooth scuba-type material. One Amazon reviewer described it as “scuba type material which is thick and warm”, and that’s pretty accurate. It has a bit of give when the kid moves, so it doesn’t feel stiff across the shoulders or elbows, which is important when they’re climbing, playing or cycling.

Inside, the fleece lining is soft and comfortable on bare arms. It’s not a heavy pile fleece – more of a medium, flat fleece layer. That means it adds warmth and comfort without turning the jacket into a sauna. For autumn, spring, and mild winter days with a sweatshirt underneath, it’s bang on. In proper cold (close to freezing), you’ll need an extra layer, but that’s normal for a softshell. The lining also hasn’t shed fluff everywhere, which is something I’ve had with cheaper kids’ fleeces.

The jacket is labelled as water resistant and wind resistant, with a DWR finish to make water bead off. Material-wise, that checks out: light rain just slides off initially. After a longer shower, it does start to darken slightly where it’s taking in some moisture, but the kid inside stayed dry in normal drizzle walks. Just keep in mind it’s not taped-seam, so heavy or prolonged rain will eventually get through at some point, especially at the shoulders and seams.

The stitching looks tidy and even, with no loose threads hanging when it came out of the bag. The fabric weight is “medium” and feels like it can handle the usual playground scuffs without tearing at the first fall. It’s not bulletproof – if your kid is constantly sliding on concrete or brambles, any softshell will show wear – but for normal school and weekend use, the materials feel reliable and appropriate for the price. Considering it comes with a 2-year warranty, Mountain Warehouse clearly expects it to survive at least a couple of seasons of normal use.

From a durability point of view, this jacket feels better than a lot of supermarket kids’ coats in the same general price range. The outer softshell fabric has a sturdy feel without being stiff, and after repeated use there were no obvious signs of wear like fraying seams or loose threads. The stitching around high-stress areas (pockets, cuffs, zip) looks solid. Several Amazon reviews back this up, with one person saying that even after years of use, the jacket still has its original zip and is going strong.

The zip itself is often the weak point on kids’ jackets, but here it seems well chosen. It’s not a flimsy, tiny zip; it feels robust, and the pull is easy enough for kids to grab. My test period wasn’t long enough to claim it’ll last for years, but there were no early warning signs like snagging, splitting teeth, or the slider loosening. The cuffs also held their shape and didn’t stretch out immediately, which is nice when kids are constantly pulling sleeves up and down.

On the maintenance side, the care instructions are a bit fussy: 30° delicate wash, no softener, low tumble dry, no ironing, and use a re-proofer to maintain the water resistance. In reality, that means you can’t just blast it on a hot wash with everything else. If you follow the instructions, the DWR coating should last longer. If you ignore them and use softener, the water beading will drop off faster. For a kids’ jacket, that’s slightly annoying, but it’s pretty standard for any technical or semi-technical outerwear.

Overall, I’d say the durability is better than average for the price. It feels like a jacket that can realistically be passed down to a younger sibling if you don’t trash it. The only real long-term concern is the water resistance gradually fading if you don’t reproof it every so often, but that’s normal for this type of fabric. If you’re willing to wash it properly now and then, it should hold up well for at least a couple of seasons of solid use.

In terms of weather performance, this jacket does what you’d expect from a mid-range kids’ softshell. In light to moderate rain, the DWR coating works well at first: water beads and rolls off, and the fabric doesn’t soak immediately. On a 20–30 minute walk in drizzle and light rain, the kid stayed dry and didn’t complain about feeling damp or cold. For quick dashes between home, school and activities, it’s more than enough.

Where it starts to reach its limit is in long, heavy rain. This is not a fully waterproof hard shell with taped seams, so if you stand around in a downpour at a football match for an hour, you’ll likely start to see some moisture seeping in at seams and shoulders. That’s normal for a softshell at this level. For everyday UK weather – showers, wind, cloudy cool days – it’s fine. For hiking all day in the mountains in heavy rain, I’d pack an extra proper waterproof over the top.

For wind protection and warmth, it performs well. The wind-resistant outer stops cold gusts cutting through, and the fleece lining traps enough heat to keep a 9–10 year old comfortable on chilly days without needing a big padded coat. It’s a good “in-between seasons” jacket and also works as a mid-layer under a heavier shell in colder conditions. Compared to a standard cotton hoodie, the difference in wind and drizzle is very noticeable.

Day to day, the jacket handles school life and play pretty well. The zip has held up so far, no sticking or misalignment. One Amazon review mentioned their zip still working fine after years, which lines up with how solid it feels. The pockets are practical and haven’t sagged or ripped with normal use. The fabric hasn’t bobbled or gone shiny yet, though obviously long-term wear will depend on how rough your kid is. Overall, as a practical, daily-use layer for active kids, the performance is good and consistent, just don’t treat it like a full-on raincoat for hours of heavy weather.

On the spec sheet, this is a kids’ softshell jacket with a fleece lining, meant for casual and outdoor use in cooler weather. The one I had is the navy version in the 9–10 years size, but the comments on Amazon cover a bunch of prints and colours. The style is simple: long sleeves, zip closure, two side pockets, and a round collar with a chin guard so the zip doesn’t rub. There’s no big branding screaming all over it, which I like.

The jacket is 96% polyester and 4% elastane, so it has a bit of stretch. Inside, you get a soft fleece lining, but it’s a thin layer, not a thick teddy fleece. So don’t expect a full-on winter coat – it’s more for mid-season, or winter with a jumper underneath. The weight is around 0.34 kg, so it feels light in the hand and doesn’t weigh the kid down. It sits at standard length – roughly to the hips – so it covers the lower back but doesn’t hang low like a parka.

In terms of weather protection, it’s water resistant and wind resistant, not fully waterproof like a proper hard shell. It has a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating, which makes water bead and roll off in light rain. In practice, that’s enough for school runs in drizzle, walking between activities, or short showers. For a day-long downpour in the hills, you’d want something beefier. The brand gives it a 2-year warranty, which is reassuring for a kids’ item that’s going to be tugged, sat on and zipped a hundred times a week.

So overall, the presentation is clear: it’s a mid-weight, everyday softshell aimed at kids who are outdoors a fair bit but not necessarily hiking mountains every weekend. If you go in expecting a warm, flexible, shower-proof jacket for daily life, that’s exactly what you get. If you expect a hardcore ski or storm jacket, you’ll be disappointed.