Boys' Jackets & Coats

Layering for an active child

Boys' outerwear has to survive climbing, football and being dropped on the playground floor. Layering solves the temperature problem; construction solves the durability one.

• Three thin layers beat one thick coat. Trapped air does the insulating, and layers can come off indoors rather than being lost.
• A gilet keeps the core warm and the arms free, which is why active children wear them when they refuse coats. No sleeve bulk means proper movement for climbing.
• Waterproof outer matters more than warmth in most British weather. Wet children get cold fast.
• Check the back of the neck to judge whether they are warm enough, cold hands are normal and not a reliable signal.

What makes children's outerwear last

• Reinforced or double-layer elbows and shoulders where a rucksack sits. These are the wear points on active children's coats
• A robust zip with a large pull that small hands can manage independently, ideally with a chin guard at the top
• Elasticated or adjustable cuffs keep warmth in and last through a growth spurt
• Machine washable at 40°C: anything requiring hand washing will not survive a term
• Darker colours between washes, since they will be sat on and leaned against

Safety points worth knowing

• Avoid neck drawstrings. Cords at the neck on children's outerwear are a strangulation hazard and are restricted under UK and EU safety standards for younger children.
• Reflective detail matters in winter, when the walk to and from school happens in the dark at both ends.
• Remove coats in car seats. A padded coat compresses under the harness in a collision, leaving the straps dangerously loose. Fasten the harness over normal clothes, then put the coat on backwards over the top, or use a blanket.
• Check hood attachments: detachable hoods with poppers are safer than fixed hoods for younger children on climbing equipment.

How to size outerwear

• Size up one, not two. Outerwear needs room for a jumper underneath, but sleeves over the hands get pushed up and stay damp.
• Go by height rather than age.
• Check it fits over a school jumper: that is what it will be worn over most days.

Caring for fleece

• Wash inside out, cool, gentle cycle
• Never use fabric conditioner: it flattens the fleece pile permanently
• Do not wash with towels or denim, which cause most of the pilling
• Line dry or tumble low: high heat makes fleece scratchy and shrinks it
• Use a fabric shaver on bobbles rather than replacing the garment