The Regatta Kids’ Calderdale II Waterproof Jacket is a functional, no-nonsense shell designed to keep children dry on rainy school runs, weekend walks and family trips. Regatta is known for practical, budget friendly outdoor kit, and this jacket follows that formula with a focus on dependable weather protection over flashy extras.
At this price it sits firmly in the affordable end of the kids’ waterproof market, yet still offers a fully waterproof, breathable fabric, taped seams and a mesh lining that you would expect on more expensive options. The inclusion of practical touches like proper zipped pockets, an attached hood and reflective trim shows it has been thought through for everyday family use.
With a perfect user rating so far, albeit from a very small number of reviews, early owners clearly rate it highly. On paper it looks like a great value choice for parents who want reliable waterproofing without paying premium brand prices for something children may quickly grow out of.
The Calderdale II is ideal for primary school-age children who need a reliable waterproof layer for day-to-day life in the British weather. It works well for school runs, playground duty, walks with the dog and trips to the park, as well as family days out to the woods or coast.
The jacket is best suited to parents shopping on a sensible budget who still want proper outdoor performance. It delivers fully waterproof, breathable protection, but at a price point where you do not mind too much if it gets muddy, scuffed or is grown out of in a season or two.
It also suits youngsters who are starting to enjoy simple outdoor adventures like light hiking, camping and nature trails, where a comfortable, mesh lined waterproof with a decent hood makes a big difference to how long they stay happy outside.
If your child is heading into more specialist activities, such as long days on the hill, technical hiking or winter sports, you may eventually want something more technical. For most everyday family use though, this jacket hits a very practical sweet spot.
The standout strength of the Regatta Kids’ Calderdale II is its proper wet weather performance at a very accessible price. The Hydrafort polyester fabric, combined with a durable water repellent finish and fully taped seams, provides full waterproof coverage rather than just being shower resistant, so you can trust it in sustained rain.
The mesh lining is a thoughtful upgrade over many basic kids’ shells. It helps the jacket feel less clammy over a T-shirt or school uniform and improves overall comfort when they are running around. The attached hood has a high collar and elasticated sides, which helps it stay put in wind without needing lots of fiddly adjustments.
Parents will appreciate the storage and safety touches. Two zipped lower pockets and a zipped chest pocket give secure places for small treasures, gloves or a bus pass, reducing the risk of things falling out mid-play. Reflective trim adds a bit of extra visibility on dark mornings or after-school journeys. Features like the printed name label on smaller sizes and an adjustable hem and cuffs make it practical for everyday school and club use.
Despite its strengths, the Calderdale II is still a fairly simple jacket, and that will not suit every family. There is no mention of a soft fleece lining or insulation, so this is very much a shell layer. In colder weather you will need to add a warm mid-layer underneath, which is fine for layering but less convenient if you want an all-in-one winter coat.
Breathability is quoted in general terms rather than with a specific rating, and while the mesh lining helps, very active children may still get a bit warm and sweaty during high-energy play or sports. There is also no sign of extra ventilation features such as pit zips, which you occasionally see on higher end kids’ jackets.
Finally, while the polyester fabric should be durable for everyday use, it is not billed as particularly abrasion resistant. For rough scramblers or children who are hard on clothes, you may prefer something more heavy-duty or be prepared for the usual wear and tear.
Day to day, the Calderdale II should feel straightforward and fuss free. The full length front zip makes it quick for children to put on and take off by themselves, and the mesh lining helps it slide easily over school jumpers or fleeces without snagging. The attached hood is always there when needed, so there is no chance of it being lost in the cloakroom.
The adjustable cuffs allow you to cinch around the wrists to keep out draughts and stop rain running up the sleeves, while the shockcord hem on sizes from age 7 upwards helps seal in warmth and block gusts on windy days. Younger sizes get a printed name label, which is the sort of small but very welcome detail that reduces arguments over whose jacket is whose at school.
The zipped pockets are easy for little hands to use and give secure storage for snacks, small toys or a phone if they are older, reducing the chance of anything bouncing out on the way to the park. Being made from 100% polyester with a DWR finish, the jacket is simple to wipe clean after muddy adventures, and can be washed and reproofed as needed to keep the water beading nicely on the surface.
In terms of weather protection, the Calderdale II does exactly what a kids’ waterproof should. The Hydrafort polyester outer is designed to be fully waterproof rather than just water resistant, and the taped seams remove the weak points where water can sometimes seep in. Combined with a decent durable water repellent coating, rain should bead off rather than soak into the fabric.
Breathability is backed up with a mesh lining that creates a small air gap between the child’s clothing and the waterproof fabric. This helps reduce that sticky, plastic mac feeling and makes the jacket more comfortable when they are dashing about. For typical British conditions of showers, drizzle and short bursts of heavier rain, this set-up is very well suited.
Feature-wise, the hood is a key success. Attached and elasticated, it frames the face and stays more stable in gusty weather than a loose, floppy hood. The high collar provides extra coverage for the neck and lower face, cutting down drafts and wind chill. Adjustable cuffs further improve the seal at the wrists, which is often where water can creep in on lesser designs.
Storage and visibility have also been sensibly thought through. Two zipped hand pockets are great for cold hands and bits and pieces, while the zipped chest pocket adds a secure place for small valuables or a travel card. Reflective trim around the jacket increases visibility in car headlights, which is important on darker days and during winter months.
The use of 100% polyester throughout keeps weight down and makes the jacket quick drying. It is easy to pack into a school bag or daypack, so children can carry it themselves and be prepared for sudden showers without much extra bulk.
At the time of review, the Regatta Kids’ Calderdale II Waterproof Jacket is priced firmly in the budget friendly bracket for a proper waterproof shell. For roughly the cost of a basic high street raincoat, you are getting a fully taped, mesh lined jacket from an established outdoor brand, which represents excellent value for families.
The specification covers the essentials parents genuinely need: dependable waterproofing, a decent hood, adjustable cuffs, multiple zipped pockets and visibility details. It skips premium touches like high-end technical fabrics or advanced ventilation, but at this price point that feels like a sensible trade-off rather than a shortcoming.
With a flawless user rating so far, even if based on limited reviews, early buyers clearly feel they have had good return for their money. Given how quickly children grow, paying a modest amount for robust wet weather protection is a smart investment, and the Calderdale II delivers strongly on that brief.
The Regatta Kids’ Calderdale II Waterproof Jacket is a well thought-out, genuinely waterproof shell that offers parents a lot of reassurance for a modest outlay. It combines proper outdoor performance features like taped seams, a mesh lining and an effective hood with family friendly details such as zipped pockets, a name label on younger sizes and reflective trim.
It is not a heavily insulated winter coat or a highly technical mountain jacket, and very active or specialist young adventurers might eventually want something more advanced. However, for the vast majority of school-age children who need a reliable jacket for wet walks, school runs and everyday play in the British weather, it is hard to argue with the practicality and price.
If you are looking for a straightforward, comfortable and protective kids’ waterproof that you will not worry about them growing out of, the Calderdale II is an excellent, great value option.
