Mountain Warehouse Noah Kids Borg Lined Waterproof Jacket Review: a warm, practical coat for wet school runs

I picked up the Mountain Warehouse Noah Kids Borg Lined Waterproof Jacket for my 9-year-old because I was tired of the usual combo: cheap thin raincoat + hoodie underneath + constant complaints about being cold and wet. I wanted one jacket that could handle school runs, park trips and the odd hike without me having to layer him up like he’s going to the Arctic. The price was mid-range, not bargain-basement but not luxury either, so I went in with fairly normal expectations.

We’ve used it mainly for school and weekend outings in typical UK weather: drizzle, proper rain, wind and a couple of colder mornings around 5–7°C. No snow yet, but enough bad weather to see what it’s worth. I went for the black 9–10 years size. My kid is fairly average height and build for his age, so it’s a good test for fit and ease of movement.

Overall, the jacket does what it says: it keeps him dry, it’s warm enough for autumn and mild winter days, and it feels more robust than the supermarket coats we’ve had before. It’s not magic, it’s just a pretty solid, practical coat. There are some details I really liked, and a couple of things that bugged me a bit in day-to-day use.

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth paying a bit more than a basic kids’ raincoat, I’d say this sits in that space where you’re paying for better materials and build, but you’re not getting some high-end technical ski jacket either. So I’ll break down what worked for us, where it could be better, and who I think this actually suits.

On the value for money side, this jacket sits in a middle ground. It’s more expensive than the basic kids’ coats you find in supermarkets, but cheaper than big-name outdoor brands like The North Face or similar. For what you pay, you get a proper waterproof with taped seams, a warm lining, decent materials, and a 2-year warranty. So you’re not just paying for a logo, there is some actual functionality behind it.

Compared to the cheaper jackets we’ve bought before, the difference is clear in a few areas: the outer fabric feels tougher, the waterproofing actually holds up in real rain, and the lining is warmer and more comfortable. Those cheaper coats usually start leaking at the shoulders after a few months and the zips die quickly. This one feels like it will last at least a full school year, probably more, as long as your kid doesn’t outgrow it too fast.

On the other hand, it’s not perfect. It’s on the warmer side, so you might end up needing a lighter jacket for spring anyway. And the care instructions mean you should avoid softener and think about re-proofing, which is extra hassle and maybe extra cost if you buy special wash-in products. If you’re the kind of parent who wants one coat to do absolutely everything from -10°C to warm spring rain, this isn’t that. It’s more focused on cold, wet seasons.

Overall, I’d call the value pretty solid. You’re paying a fair price for a functional, durable coat that actually keeps kids warm and dry, without getting into silly “outdoor fashion” pricing. There is better gear out there if you’re ready to spend a lot more, but in this bracket, it does its job well enough to justify the spend.

Design-wise, this jacket is pretty straightforward: solid black, straight cut, no weird logos or flashy patterns. If you want something that doesn’t clash with school uniform and still works for weekends, that’s actually a good thing. My kid didn’t complain about the look, which is already a win at this age. It’s neutral enough for both boys and girls, and it doesn’t scream “baby coat”.

The cut is straight and a bit boxy, which is normal for kids’ jackets. It leaves room for a jumper underneath without looking oversized. On my 9-year-old (average size), the 9–10 years hits just below the hips, which is good because it covers the lower back when he bends over or sits on a cold bench. The sleeves are slightly long at first, but the adjustable cuffs with hook-and-loop (basically Velcro) let you tighten them so they don’t hang over the hands.

The hood is a decent size – not tiny like some fashion coats. It actually covers the head and part of the forehead, and when it’s up, rain doesn’t pour straight onto the face. There’s no wired peak or fancy adjustment, so in strong wind it can move a bit, but for normal rain and wind, it does the job. The borg lining in the hood is a nice touch, it keeps the head warm without needing a hat on milder days.

On the downside, there’s not much in terms of visibility features. No big reflective strips, just the usual small brand details. For winter when it’s dark at 4pm, I’d have liked more reflective elements. Also, because it’s black, it shows dust, lint and mud splashes quite easily, especially on the lower part. Not a big drama, but expect to throw it in the wash now and then if you like things looking clean. Overall, the design is basic but sensible: function first, style second.

From my kid’s point of view, comfort was the main positive. First thing he said when trying it on was basically “it’s soft inside”. The borg lining does its job: it feels cosy as soon as you put it on, no need to “warm it up”. On chilly mornings around 5–8°C, he wore it with just a long-sleeve top underneath and came back saying he was fine, not cold. For a school run plus some playground time, that’s what I was hoping for.

The flip side is that it’s quite warm for indoor use. When he keeps it on inside the classroom or in the car with the heating on, he gets hot and ends up unzipping it quickly. That’s normal for a lined waterproof, but if you’re looking for something super breathable for heavy running or sports, this isn’t it. It’s more of a warm everyday coat than a lightweight shell.

Mobility-wise, he can run, climb and mess around without complaining that it’s stiff. The straight cut and slightly longer back don’t seem to get in the way. The sleeves aren’t tight, so you can wear a hoodie underneath without feeling squeezed. The only comment he made is that when he wears a thicker jumper, it feels a bit bulky around the shoulders, but nothing dramatic. For normal use – walking, playing, cycling – it’s totally fine.

One thing I liked as a parent: the lining in the sleeves doesn’t grab onto clothes, so putting it on over school uniform is quick. No “Dad, my sleeve is stuck” every morning. The cuffs are adjustable, so you can stop cold air going up the arms, which helps on windy days. Overall, comfort is good: warm, soft, and practical, just be aware it’s on the warmer side for indoor or very mild weather.

The outer material is 100% polyester ripstop, which is basically a woven fabric designed to stop small tears from spreading. In real life, this means it feels more robust than the smooth, flimsy fabric you get on cheaper kids’ raincoats. After a few weeks of use – school, playground, scooter rides, sitting on damp benches – there are no snags, no pulled threads, and no obvious wear. It’s not bulletproof, but for normal kid abuse, it holds up well.

Inside, the body and hood have that borg/sherpa-style polyester fleece. It’s soft and warm straight away, no scratchy feeling. My kid wore it over a t-shirt on a cooler day and didn’t complain about itching, which he usually does if a lining is rough. The arms are lined with a smoother polyester, which slides over sleeves easily. That’s handy when they’re trying to get ready in a hurry and you don’t want them stuck halfway in the coat.

The zips and hook-and-loop fasteners feel decent. The main zip doesn’t snag often, and the pull tab is big enough for kids’ hands. We haven’t had any teeth misalign or pullers fall off, which has happened to us on cheaper supermarket jackets after a few months. The Velcro on the cuffs sticks well; it hasn’t gone fluffy or weak yet, but that’s something that usually shows after a season, not a few weeks.

One thing to note: the care instructions are a bit fussy. 30° delicate wash, no softener, tumble dry low, re-proof every so often. So if you’re the type who just chucks everything in on a hot wash with softener, this might lose its waterproofing faster. You do feel you’re dealing with a proper waterproof fabric, not just a water-resistant fashion coat, but it does mean you have to treat it slightly better if you want it to last.

Durability is always the question with kids’ coats because they get dragged, sat on, thrown on the floor, and used as goalposts. So far, after a few weeks of daily school use and weekends, the outer fabric still looks almost new. No scuffs on the elbows, no fraying on the cuffs, and the ripstop pattern gives you a bit of confidence that small snags won’t turn into giant holes immediately.

The stitching seems tidy and solid. I checked the usual weak spots – around the pockets, under the arms, at the base of the hood – and there are no loose threads or gaps. The hook-and-loop on the cuffs still grips well after lots of opening and closing. The main zip feels sturdy and hasn’t misaligned or jammed badly yet, just the occasional minor catch on the storm flap, which is pretty standard.

Inside, the borg lining hasn’t gone flat or matted yet, even on the back where it gets the most pressure from sitting and leaning. That said, sherpa-style linings do tend to flatten with time and repeated washing, so I don’t expect it to stay fluffy forever. But it doesn’t feel cheap or thin; there’s enough material there to last a couple of seasons of normal kid use if you don’t abuse it in the wash.

The 2-year warranty is a nice backup. It doesn’t mean the jacket is indestructible, but at least the brand is confident enough to offer more than the usual basic guarantee. For a kids’ jacket that will probably be outgrown in 1–2 years anyway, that’s acceptable. Overall, I’d say durability is good for the price range: clearly tougher than the budget supermarket options, not at the level of premium outdoor brands, but solid enough for everyday life.

In terms of waterproofing, this jacket does the job properly. We tested it in a solid 20–25 minutes of proper rain on the school run and a walk back from the park. When we got home, the outer was wet but the inside was completely dry – no damp patches on the shoulders or around the seams. The taped seams seem to be doing what they’re supposed to. Water beads on the surface rather than soaking in straight away, which is what you want from a coated polyester jacket.

Wind protection is also decent. On a windy day, about 30–40 km/h gusts, my kid didn’t complain about feeling cold through the jacket. The combination of insulation + windproof outer keeps the chill out quite well. It’s not a hardcore winter parka, but for typical UK autumn and early winter, it’s enough. I’d happily send him out in this down to around 0–2°C with a warm jumper underneath.

Breathability is where you feel it’s more of a budget/mid-range waterproof. After running around a lot, he came back a bit sweaty, especially on the back. The sherpa lining holds warmth well, which is good when you’re standing around, but less ideal when they’re sprinting nonstop. For normal walking and light play, it’s fine. For intense sport, they’ll probably get hot and need to unzip it.

One thing to watch is the maintenance for keeping it waterproof. The label suggests washing with a re-proofer and re-proofing when dirty or at least every six months. That’s realistic if you care about performance, but some parents just want to throw it in the wash and forget it. If you skip the re-proofing, expect the water beading to fade over time, like with any waterproof. Out of the box though, performance in rain and wind is solid and matches what Mountain Warehouse promises.

On paper, the Noah jacket ticks a lot of boxes: waterproof, taped seams, sherpa (borg) lining, ripstop outer, lots of pockets, adjustable cuffs, 2-year warranty. In practice, most of that checks out. The outside feels like a typical mid-weight waterproof – not stiff like a hard shell, but not floppy or thin either. It’s clearly built more like a coat than a simple rain mac, so you feel you’re getting something that can handle daily use.

The inside is lined with a soft sherpa-style fleece on the body and hood. It’s not crazy thick, but enough to feel cosy straight away when you put it on. The sleeves have a smoother lining, which makes it easier for kids to get their arms in when they’re wearing a jumper or school uniform underneath. That’s a small detail, but it avoids the usual wrestling match with sleeves sticking to clothes.

In terms of features, the pockets are a big plus. There are enough of them for the usual kid stuff: gloves, random stones, snack wrappers, whatever. They close properly, so things don’t fall out every time they run. The zip is full-length with a storm flap, so wind and water don’t get in through the front easily. The hood is attached (not removable), which I actually prefer for kids because at least they don’t lose it.

Out of the bag, it doesn’t look flashy or technical, just like a simple black kids’ outdoor jacket. If you’re after bright colours or reflective strips all over, this isn’t that. It’s more low-key and practical. For school, that’s fine. For visibility in dark winter afternoons, I’d add a reflective band or something similar. But overall, the basics are there and it feels like a straight-to-the-point everyday waterproof coat.