Wetplay Kids Waterproof Jacket and Trouser Suit Set Review: cheap, tough and properly dry for school and nursery

I grabbed this Wetplay waterproof jacket and trouser set in red for my kid mainly for school and nursery outdoor days. I wasn’t expecting miracles at this price, more something I wouldn’t cry about if it got ripped on branches or trashed in the mud. After a few weeks of use in typical British rain (showers, wet grass, muddy playgrounds), I can say it’s not fancy, but it does the job properly for day‑to‑day use.

The main thing I noticed is that it’s genuinely waterproof and windproof enough for school activities. We’ve had him sitting on wet logs, running through wet grass, and standing in light to medium rain, and he’s come back with dry clothes underneath every time. This is not a breathable technical jacket, so don’t expect magic if they’re running around like crazy, but for normal forest school and playground stuff, it holds up well.

In terms of fit, it definitely tends to come up on the big side. I followed the reviews and went for the age that matches his current age instead of sizing up, and that was the right call. The jacket is long, almost down to mid‑thigh on him, and the trousers have some extra length, but the elastic and poppers at the ankles keep them from dragging. So you kind of get some growing room without it being unusable now.

If you want a high‑end technical rain suit for hiking in the mountains, this isn’t it. But if you’re like me and just need something tough enough for school, nursery, or the odd muddy walk in the park, this set is pretty solid value for money. It’s not perfect, there are a couple of annoying details, but for the price I paid, I’m honestly fine with its flaws.

This is where the Wetplay set really makes sense: for the price, you get a full waterproof outfit that actually works. You’re getting both jacket and trousers, proper waterproofing, and a design that will likely last your kid at least a couple of seasons thanks to the slightly generous sizing. Compared to some big outdoor brands where a kids’ waterproof jacket alone can cost double or triple, this feels like good value.

There are compromises, of course. The material isn’t breathable, there’s no fancy lining, and the storage bag is basically useless in real life. The elastic waistband could be more comfortable for broader kids, and the overall feel is more “school rain mac” than “premium outdoors gear”. But if your main goal is keep them dry at school, in the garden, or on weekend walks without spending a fortune, it hits that target pretty well.

Another point for value is how flexible the sizing is. Because it runs a bit big and has adjustable cuffs and ankles, you can usually get at least two years of use out of it, especially if your child isn’t growing like a rocket. That spreads the cost even more. And since it’s unisex and a plain solid colour, you can pass it down to younger siblings regardless of gender, which is a bonus.

For someone who wants technical performance, breathability, and stylish design, this won’t cut it and you’ll have to pay more elsewhere. But if you’re a parent staring at a school kit list that demands “full waterproofs” and you just want something reliable, simple, and cheap enough not to stress about, this set is honestly a good deal. It’s not fancy, but it gets the job done for a fair price.

Design‑wise, this Wetplay suit is very no‑nonsense. Solid colour, no big graphics, unisex cut. That’s actually practical because you can pass it down to a sibling regardless of gender, or sell it on later without people fussing about style. The red colour we have is bright but not neon. It hides mud splashes better than yellow but is still visible in grey weather, which I like for safety.

The cut is generous. On my kid (2–3 years range for the size I got), the jacket sits well below the bum, closer to mid‑thigh, which is good because it keeps their lower back covered when they bend over to pick things up or climb. The sleeves are a bit long, but there’s enough structure at the cuff that you can fold them back and they stay put. The trousers are long too, but the poppers at the bottom help shorten them so they don’t drag, especially when worn over wellies.

One minor design flaw for me is the waist elastic on the trousers. It’s quite tight compared to how roomy the rest of the suit is. On my slim kid it’s fine and even helpful, because the trousers don’t slide down. But if your child is on the broader side, that waistband might feel a bit digging after a long session. It would have been better with slightly softer or adjustable elastic. Also, no braces or straps, so smaller kids might occasionally tug at them if they’re not used to elastic waist pants over clothes.

What I do like is the hood design. It’s not huge and floppy, but it covers the head properly and doesn’t blow off at the first bit of wind. The zip goes up fairly high on the neck, and with the storm flap closed, you get decent wind protection. There are also useful pockets on the jacket, big enough for small stones, leaves, or whatever treasure they pick up. In short, the design is not stylish or clever, but it’s thought through enough for school and forest school use.

In terms of comfort, you have to remember what this is: a waterproof shell, not a soft jacket. My kid always wears it over normal clothes – jumper and trousers or leggings – and like that, he’s completely fine. No complaints about itching or rubbing, and he has worn it for full school sessions outside. The inside isn’t lined, so if you put it straight on bare skin, it will feel plasticky and sticky, especially if they sweat.

The fit helps with comfort because it’s roomy. There’s enough space under the jacket for a fleece or hoodie without it feeling strangled around the neck or shoulders. The sleeves being slightly long is actually a plus for us because it covers the wrists even when he’s reaching or climbing. The trousers pull on easily over normal trousers and wellies; the elastic waist means no fiddly buttons or zips when you’re in a rush before school.

On the downside, because the material doesn’t breathe much, if your kid is very active, they’ll get a bit warm and sweaty inside. After a long, very active outside session, the inside can feel slightly clammy, especially around the back. It’s not dramatic, and my kid still prefers being warm and dry rather than soaked in rain, but it’s something to keep in mind. This is not the kind of suit you’d keep them in indoors for hours; it’s really just for outside time.

The hood comfort is decent. It stays on the head without constantly falling into the eyes, and the elastic isn’t too tight. The zip going high on the neck gives good coverage without choking them. My only real comfort complaint is that the waistband on the trousers could be softer or a bit more forgiving, especially for chunkier kids. Overall though, as long as it’s worn as a layer over normal clothes, the comfort is perfectly acceptable for school and play.

The suit is made from 190T 100% StormDri 2000 polyester with a PVC coating. In normal language: it feels like classic rain mac material, not soft shell. It’s a bit noisy when they move (that swishy waterproof sound), and it’s definitely not breathable like high‑end outdoor gear, but for short to medium stints outside it’s fine. My kid hasn’t complained about it being scratchy or uncomfortable over normal clothes.

The waterproof rating is 2,000 mm, which is standard for basic rainwear. In practice, that’s enough for school runs, forest school, and playing outside in light to moderate rain. We’ve had him sitting on damp logs and wet grass, and his trousers underneath stayed dry. No leaks yet around the seams, zips, or knees. For heavy, long‑lasting downpours, I’d still throw a warmer layer underneath or limit how long we stay out, but for what most kids do, it’s more than enough.

The PVC coating does mean it doesn’t breathe much. If your kid is the type who sprints non‑stop, expect them to be a bit sweaty inside after a while. When we’ve picked him up after very active forest school sessions, the inside of the jacket was slightly damp from sweat, not from rain. For me, that’s acceptable for the price, but if you want something breathable, you’re in a different price range. On the flip side, this coating makes it easy to wipe clean; mud and dirt come off with a cloth or quick rinse.

One thing to think about is care: it’s hand wash only. I’ve ignored that once and chucked it on a gentle machine cycle at 30°C, and it survived fine, but I wouldn’t do that every week. Regular wiping down and the occasional gentle wash seem enough. Overall, the materials feel cheap in the hand but sturdy and functional, which is exactly what I expected from a budget kids’ rain suit.

Durability was my main concern when I bought this, because kids absolutely batter their clothes at forest school. So far, this Wetplay suit has held up better than I expected for the price. No ripped seams, no peeling coating, no broken poppers. The fabric has had a few close calls with branches and rough wooden benches, but there are only light scuff marks, nothing that goes through.

My kid is not gentle with it. He sits on concrete, slides on wet playground equipment, and drags the trousers over wellies. After several weeks, the knees show some very light wear, but nothing worrying. The stitching around the waistband and cuffs is still intact. The zip still runs smoothly, which is a big one for me because cheap zips on kids’ gear usually die first. The press studs on the storm flap also still click firmly.

Cleaning it is simple and that helps with durability too. Most of the time, I just wipe off mud with a damp cloth and hang it to dry. On one really filthy day, I rinsed it in the sink with a bit of mild soap. It dried overnight and looked fine the next morning. I did risk one gentle machine wash, and it survived, but I wouldn’t do that every week if you want the waterproof coating to last.

Overall, I’d say durability is pretty solid for a budget kids’ rainsuit. I’ve had more expensive kids’ waterproofs tear quicker than this. I wouldn’t expect it to last for years of daily hardcore use, but for a couple of school years of regular outdoor days and weekend walks, it feels up to the job. And if it does eventually give up, the price makes it less painful to replace.

In day‑to‑day use, this suit does what it’s supposed to: keep the kid dry and block the wind. We’ve used it for school forest days, wet walks to the park, and just general rainy‑day play. After sitting on wet swings, kneeling in damp grass, and splashing through puddles, his clothes underneath have stayed dry every time. The only time he came back a bit damp inside was after a very long, heavy rain session, and that felt more like sweat buildup than real leaking.

The windproof side is decent too. On colder, windy days, with a jumper underneath, he’s been fine. It’s not insulated, so you still need a warm layer, but the shell stops the wind cutting through, which is really all I expect from this type of suit. The hood stays on reasonably well even when it’s gusty, which matters when they’re not great at keeping hats and hoods on.

From a practical point of view, it’s also easy to put on and take off, which is important when you’re trying to get a wriggly kid ready for school in the morning. The front zip is smooth, the poppers close easily, and the trousers slide over clothes and wellies without much drama. Teachers seem fine with it too – no one has moaned about complicated straps or awkward fastenings.

The only performance limit I’ve seen is around breathability. For calm play, it’s perfect. For full‑on running and climbing for an hour in mild weather, they’ll be sweaty inside. Also, this isn’t a heavy‑duty hiking or skiing suit; it’s clearly built for school, nursery, and general wet‑weather play, and in that context, it performs well. I’d trust it for regular UK weather, but for serious outdoor trips in rough conditions, I’d go for something more technical.

Out of the bag, the Wetplay set is very straightforward: one waterproof jacket, one pair of waterproof trousers, and a small storage bag. That’s it. No fancy linings, no extra layers, no weird gimmicks. The one I got is the red version, which is bright and easy to spot in a crowd of kids – handy when you’re trying to find your child on a busy playground or at pick‑up time in the rain.

The jacket has a full‑length front zip plus a storm flap with press studs, so the wind and rain don’t go straight through the zipper. The hood is integrated and elasticated, so you don’t lose it, and it rolls up into the collar with a little Velcro strip when you don’t need it. The trousers have an elasticated waistband and poppers at the ankles so you can tighten them over wellies. No fancy adjusters, but it all works fine in practice.

One thing worth noting: the storage bag is too tight for everyday use. Technically, you can stuff the suit back into it, but it’s a fight, especially if you’re in a rush. I tried to be neat the first couple of times and ended up forcing the zip more than I wanted. I’m not the only one – plenty of reviewers mention breaking the bag zip. Personally, I just started folding the suit and chucking it in the school bag or hanging it on a hook. The bag is basically a bonus, not something I rely on.

Overall, the presentation is very basic, which is fine for this kind of product. It looks like a standard school waterproof, not a stylish streetwear piece, but I didn’t buy it for looks. Function over style is clearly the idea here, and for a kids’ rain suit that’s going to be scraped on trees and dragged in mud, I actually prefer it that way. Less to break, less to worry about.