Regatta Kids Stormbreak Jacket Review: a cheap rain coat that actually keeps them dry

I picked up this Regatta Kids Stormbreak waterproof jacket in pink, size 9–10 years, for school runs and weekend walks. I wasn’t expecting much at this price – more “plastic mac” than proper coat – but I wanted something my kid could shove in a backpack and not worry about. We already have a thicker winter coat, so this was meant to be a simple shell for rain and wind.

After a few weeks of use in typical British drizzle plus a couple of proper downpours, I’ve got a decent idea of what it can and can’t do. I’ve used it mainly for walks to school, park trips, and one very wet football training session where I basically used it as a throw-on over a sweatshirt. It’s clearly built for rain protection first, not warmth or fashion.

What surprised me is that it’s actually properly waterproof, not just “shower resistant” like a lot of cheap kids’ jackets. The fabric beads water nicely, and my kid’s jumper stayed dry even when it rained hard for 20–30 minutes. At the same time, it’s very lightweight and packs down small, which is handy, but also means you have zero insulation – this is a shell only.

Overall, my first impression is: pretty solid for the price, functional, not pretty in a fancy way but kids don’t care. It’s not perfect – the material is a bit noisy and plasticky, and it’s not breathable – but for a simple school and outdoor jacket that lives in a bag, it gets the job done without feeling like a disposable poncho.

When you look at the price of this Regatta Stormbreak versus what it actually delivers, the value is strong. You’re getting a genuinely waterproof kids’ jacket from a known brand for around the cost of a couple of pizzas. It’s not packed with features, but the key thing – keeping your kid dry – is handled well. For parents who need a spare school coat, a nursery coat that might get trashed, or a camping jacket, it makes a lot of sense.

Compared to more expensive kids’ waterproofs (think £30–£50), you obviously lose breathability, fancy linings, and nicer-feeling fabrics. But in everyday life, kids outgrow jackets fast. For a 9–10-year-old, I’d rather pay this lower price for something practical that might last one or two seasons than invest heavily in a technical jacket they’ll grow out of in a year. This one hits that sweet spot of “good enough quality and not painful to replace”.

If you already own a warm winter coat and just need a shell for rain, this is a cheap way to turn any outfit into a wet-weather outfit. It’s also good as a backup coat to leave at school or nursery without stressing about it being lost. The only scenario where I’d say the value is weaker is if you plan serious hiking or long outdoor days in mixed weather – then I’d pay more for something breathable and more comfortable.

Overall, for typical family use – school, walks, park, holidays – I think this jacket offers good value for money. It’s not fancy, but it’s reliable enough that you don’t feel like you’ve thrown money away on a gimmicky plastic mac. For a budget kids’ waterproof, it does its job and earns its keep.

Design-wise, the Stormbreak is as basic as it gets, which is not a bad thing for a kids’ jacket. You’ve got a straight cut, no weird tailoring, just a standard raincoat silhouette. The hood is grown-on (so not detachable), which I actually like for kids because they can’t lose it. It’s big enough to cover the head properly, even with a ponytail or a thin hat underneath, but don’t expect any stiff brim or adjustment toggles – it’s just a simple hood with elastic.

The cuffs are elasticated, which helps keep water from running down the arms. After a couple of soggy playground sessions, I can say the cuffs do their job: sleeves don’t ride up too much, and water doesn’t easily sneak inside. The front zip runs smoothly enough, and there’s a storm flap that helps keep water off the zip area. My kid can zip it up alone, which matters more than any design detail for me. The two side pockets are basic straight pockets, no zips, no flaps – fine for hands or a tissue, but I wouldn’t trust them with small toys or keys in heavy rain.

In terms of look, it’s very plain. Solid pink, no big logos, no patterns, just a small Regatta logo. If you want something loud or with characters, this won’t scratch that itch. Personally I like the plain look because it goes with any school uniform or casual outfit. My kid didn’t complain, which is already a win. The cut is described as “fitted”, but on my child it’s more of a regular fit – enough room for a jumper underneath without looking baggy.

My only real gripe with the design is the lack of any ventilation features. No underarm vents, no mesh panels. On a mild day with a hoodie under, it can feel a bit sweaty once they start running around. But again, at this price, you’re not getting technical outdoor design. You’re getting a straightforward rain shell that looks neat enough and covers the basics well.

Comfort-wise, this is okay but not luxurious. My kid doesn’t complain wearing it on the way to school or for a walk, which is already a good sign. The inside isn’t scratchy, but it also isn’t soft or padded – it’s just smooth polyester. Over a T-shirt it feels alright, but over bare arms it can feel a bit sticky if they’re warm. For real comfort, I usually throw it over a long-sleeve top or thin hoodie, and then it’s totally fine.

The fit in size 9–10 is pretty true to size. There’s enough room to move arms freely, and the length covers the bum slightly, which I like when it’s windy. The jacket is light – around 280 g – so kids don’t feel weighed down, and it doesn’t restrict movement when they’re climbing or running around. The hood stays on reasonably well thanks to the elastic, though in strong wind it can still blow back a bit since there’s no drawcord or adjustment.

The main comfort downside is breathability. Because it’s a fully waterproof polyester shell with no vents, it can get warm and sweaty once they start really playing. After an intense half-hour at the park, the inside felt slightly damp from condensation, not from leaks. That’s typical for this kind of cheap waterproof, but it’s worth knowing if your child runs hot or hates that clammy feeling. For gentle walks and school runs, it’s not a big issue. For long hikes or very active outdoor days, I’d want something more breathable.

Overall, I’d say comfort is “good enough for everyday use”. It’s not a cosy jacket and it’s not the one I’d pick for a full day of hiking, but for normal kid activities in the rain – school, playground, errands – it’s light, non-restrictive, and doesn’t cause any drama putting it on, which is what matters most for me.

The jacket is made from 100% polyester with Regatta’s Hydrafort waterproof fabric. In real life, that means it feels like a slightly softer version of those classic rain macs. It’s definitely on the plasticky side, with that typical rustling sound when the kid moves, but it doesn’t feel ultra cheap or paper-thin. Compared to some bargain supermarket raincoats I’ve handled, this one feels a bit thicker and more robust.

The outer shell is fully waterproof – water beads and rolls off nicely. I’ve seen my kid stand in steady rain for 20–30 minutes and when we got home, the inside was dry and the outer layer just needed a quick shake. There’s no stretch at all, which is expected at this price and fabric type. It’s not restrictive, but if your child is very stocky or broad-shouldered, you’ll want to size up so they can still move comfortably with a jumper underneath.

The lining is also polyester, so the whole thing is basically plastic-based. That’s good for water protection, less good for breathability. On cooler days it’s fine, but on warmer, humid days, you notice a bit of that clammy feeling inside if they’re running around. It’s machine washable, and after a wash it came out looking the same – no peeling or weird creases, which is reassuring. I wouldn’t expect fancy long-term waterproofing like in high-end outdoor brands, but for normal school and park use, the material feels decent and tough enough.

In short: the materials are focused on being waterproof and easy to clean, not on comfort or technical performance. If you’re okay with that trade-off – dry kid, slightly sweaty at times – then the Hydrafort polyester does its job. If you want breathable, eco-fabric, or soft-touch material, you’ll need to look higher up the price range.

Durability was one of my worries at this price, but so far it’s holding up better than expected. The fabric feels a bit sturdier than the really cheap raincoats you sometimes get from supermarkets. After several weeks of regular use – school runs, playgrounds, bike rides, being stuffed into a bag – there are no tears, no loose stitching, and the zip still runs smoothly.

The jacket has also survived a couple of machine washes at 30°C without any visible damage. The colour hasn’t faded, and the waterproof behaviour (water beading) is still there. I wouldn’t wash it every single week just to be safe, but occasional washes plus air-drying seem fine. The seams look properly taped, and I haven’t seen any peeling or lifting around them, which is often where cheap waterproofs start to fail.

That said, you can tell it’s not a heavy-duty mountaineering jacket. If your kid is the type who drags themselves along rough walls, climbs trees every day, and treats clothes like disposable items, I’d expect scuffs and maybe small snags over time. The fabric will probably mark if it catches on something sharp. Also, because it’s quite light, I wouldn’t use it as a “playground on concrete” coat where they’re constantly sliding or crawling.

For normal use – school, weekend walks, camping, light outdoor play – I’d say the durability is pretty solid for the price bracket. It feels like it will comfortably last a couple of seasons for one child, and then still be in decent enough shape to pass down, as long as it’s not totally abused. Not bombproof, but definitely not flimsy either.

This is where the Stormbreak actually surprised me. In terms of waterproofing, it’s solid. I’ve used it in proper rain, not just drizzle, and the inside stayed dry every time. One test was a 25-minute walk in moderate to heavy rain on the school run. When we got home, I checked the jumper underneath – completely dry. The outer shell had water beading all over it, and a quick shake plus hanging it up was enough to dry it out.

Wind protection is also decent for a lightweight shell. On a windy, rainy day, my kid didn’t complain about feeling cold on the upper body as long as there was a jumper underneath. The fabric doesn’t let wind whip straight through, which makes a big difference in bad weather. Just remember: there’s no insulation, so the warmth comes entirely from the layers you put underneath. As a pure rain and wind barrier, it works well.

There are a couple of limitations. First, as mentioned earlier, it’s not breathable. After running around or cycling, you get that build-up of moisture inside from sweat. It’s not catastrophic, but if you’re expecting “outdoor technical gear” level performance, this isn’t it. Second, the pockets are open and not waterproof, so if the kid keeps tissues or small items there, they can get damp in a downpour.

Still, for the typical use case – school, nursery, camping trips, park, dog walks – it does exactly what you want: keeps the rain off reliably. Compared to cheaper unbranded rain jackets we’ve had, this one leaks less and feels more trustworthy in heavier rain. It’s not a high-end hiking shell, but for everyday family use, the performance is more than acceptable for the price.

On paper, the Regatta Stormbreak is a basic waterproof shell: 100% polyester, Hydrafort waterproof fabric, grown-on hood, elasticated cuffs, full front zip, and two side pockets. No fancy lining, no padding, no internal pockets. The one I tried is the pink version, 9–10 years, which is pretty bright – think proper kids’ pink, not a muted pastel. It’s clearly built to be practical and tough more than stylish.

The jacket arrives pretty simply packed – no fancy box, just a plastic bag. Honestly, that matches the product: it’s meant to be thrown in a rucksack, used in the rain, and not babied. At around the £10 mark (prices fluctuate, but it’s generally cheap), it sits in the budget category. When you compare it to big-brand kids’ waterproofs that easily go for £30–£50, you can see why so many people grab this one as a spare coat for school or nursery.

In use, it behaves exactly like a classic rain mac: you put it over whatever your kid is already wearing. Because it’s lightweight, it works across seasons. In warmer weather, it’s fine over a T-shirt. In colder weather, you just layer a hoodie or fleece underneath. There’s no insulation to speak of, so don’t buy it expecting it to replace a winter coat. It’s more like a waterproof shell layer you add when the sky opens.

So, presentation-wise: nothing fancy, nothing clever, but pretty honest. You’re paying for a straightforward waterproof outer, not a multi-purpose technical jacket. If that’s what you’re after – a simple shell that goes over normal clothes – this fits that role quite well. If you want something that looks stylish or has loads of features, this isn’t it.