The junior jackets clearance features kids' jackets from end-of-line stock: waterproofs Reima, Regatta, Didriksons, Napapijri, Dare 2B, Mikk-Line and Uhlsport, three-in-one jacket Regatta Trekktain, fleeces Peak Mountain and Guess, parka Didriksons Sylvin, puffer jacket Zigzag, bomber Just Hoods and jacket Nike Tech. Everything you need to face the rain on the way to school and the cold in the yard.
Dry and warm, from end-of-line stock.
The waterproofness of a jacket is measured by its water column, expressed in millimetres: this is the height of water the fabric can withstand before letting moisture through. At around five thousand millimetres, a jacket can handle a shower on the way to school; from ten thousand, it can stand up to heavy and prolonged rain, or when a child sits on wet grass. The taped seams, covered with a heat-sealed tape on the inside, prevent water from seeping through the needle holes. Finally, breathability allows the steam produced by a running child to escape, so they don't end up soaked from the inside.
The junior lifestyle clearance also includes:
All the end-of-line items are gathered on the lifestyle junior page.
Two Nordic brands have made rain their specialty. Didriksons was founded in 1913 in Grundsund, on Sweden's west coast, when Julius and Hanna Didrikson developed, using oils applied with a brush, clothing capable of protecting fishermen from storms; the Talvi and the Sylvin parka continue this expertise for children. Reima, established in 1944 in Kankaanpää, Finland, made its first garments from old military uniforms before specialising in outdoor clothing for children. Its hooded jackets, Lampi, Vaanila, and Muurame, are designed for playing outside in all weathers.
The principle of layers also applies to children. The Regatta Trekktain three-in-one combines a waterproof jacket with a zipped fleece inside: the jacket alone for spring rain, the fleece alone in dry weather, both combined in winter. The fleeces Peak Mountain and Guess, lightweight and warm even when damp, serve as an intermediate layer. The puffer Zigzag Lusano, filled with a puffing insulation, keeps warmth in dry cold but doesn't do well in prolonged downpours. The longer Didriksons parka covers the lower back when the child bends down. Regatta, a brand founded in Manchester in 1981, also offers the Pack It, which folds into its own pocket.
A children's jacket follows specific safety rules. The European standard EN 14682 prohibits cords and drawstrings at the hood and collar on clothing intended for children under seven years old, that is, up to one hundred and thirty-four centimetres, to prevent strangulation accidents, particularly on slides. Reflective strips, common on jackets from Nordic brands, make the child visible to drivers as soon as night falls. Regarding size, choose based on stature rather than age, allowing enough room for a fleece underneath; sleeves that are slightly long can be rolled up the first year.
Zip it up, turn it inside out, and wash it at thirty degrees with a liquid detergent, without fabric softener, which clogs the membrane. If the label allows, a few minutes in the tumble dryer on low heat can restore the water-repellent treatment of the fabric.
The water-repellent treatment wears off with rubbing and washing: the outer fabric becomes saturated with water, even if the membrane remains waterproof. A waterproofing spray product, or one to add during washing, will restore its effectiveness.
The bomber, like the Just Hoods Baseball, is a mid-season jacket with a university style, ideal for dry and mild weather. As soon as the rain sets in, a waterproof hooded jacket takes over for the journey to school.
The Nike Tech jacket, made from double-sided technical fleece, insulates well in mid-season and during sports activities. It is not waterproof: in cold, wet weather, a parka or a lined rain jacket is preferable.
For a baby, choose a jacket that is easy to put on, with a front zip closure and no drawstring, with a soft hood. Opt for one that is slightly loose so it can be worn over several layers, without it riding up on the belly once the child is sitting.