The ultimate guide to functional clothing. With us, you won’t get lost in it.

Articles
Author: Věra Maxová

The sun has lost its strength and dressing for the outdoors is becoming quite a science again. For children who are always on the move and won’t be stopped by wet grass or a big puddle, this is doubly true. Today you can choose from a huge variety of materials that keep kids comfortable. But for us parents, it can be overwhelming – Are those trousers breathable enough? Is the jacket waterproof enough? Does the T-shirt wick moisture properly? From now on, you’ll know how to make sense of it all.

To help your children easily adapt to any situation they may encounter outdoors, it’s best to dress them in layers. Let’s take a look at which materials to choose for each layer.

Children overheat and sweat quickly. That’s why you need to choose a base layer made of a material that wicks moisture well and dries quickly. In winter, it should also provide warmth. So which materials are best?

  • Merino wool (light to mid weight 150–200 g/m²) – excellent temperature regulation and sweat wicking. For small children with sensitive skin, look for merino labeled “superfine.” The downside is the need for gentle washing.
  • Synthetics (polyester, polypropylene) – dry quickly and wick sweat very well. Durable and easy to care for. Not as warm, though.
  • Bamboo viscose – pleasantly soft to the touch, antibacterial. Better for mild weather; less resistant to cold and damp.
  • Merino + synthetic blends – Often the most practical choice for kids. Combine the benefits of both: merino comfort and thermoregulation + synthetic durability and quick drying.

As a second, warming layer, a popular fleece sweatshirt is ideal. But not all fleece is the same. Especially when shopping online and you can’t feel it, it helps to know the types. The simplest way is to choose by weight:

  • 100 g/m² – light, thin, more like a base layer; suitable for active movement under a jacket.
  • 200 g/m² – a universal mid layer; a good balance of warmth vs. breathability; suitable for hiking and everyday wear.
  • 300 g/m² – thick, very warm fleece; more for winter and low activity.

You may also see the following fleece types:

  • Classic fleece (polar fleece, microfleece) – the most common; smooth or lightly napped
  • Microfleece – thin, light, suitable as a base layer
  • High loft fleece (long pile, “teddy” style) – very warm, soft, but less wind resistant
  • Stretch fleece (with elastane) – stretchy, sporty, medium warmth

Now you just need to choose the outer layer—a jacket or trousers.

UNDERSTAND MATERIAL PARAMETERS


WATERPROOFING:

  • 5,000 mm – basic protection (light drizzle)
  • 5,000–10,000 mm – medium protection (rain, snow)
  • 10,000–20,000 mm – high protection (prolonged rain, mountain conditions)

WIND RESISTANCE:

  • Windproof (100% windproof) – membrane softshells, hardshell
  • Wind resistant (partially windproof, 70–90%) – non-membrane softshells, densely woven fabrics
  • Low wind resistance – fleece sweatshirts, thin knits

BREATHABILITY:

Indicated by the Ret value. The lower the number, the more breathable the material.

  • RET 0–6 – excellent
  • RET 6–13 – good
  • RET 13–20 – satisfactory

Or MVTR – moisture vapor transmission rate: < 5,000 g/m²/24h

  • low breathability (gets very clammy) – 5,000–10,000
  • basic (regular hiking) – 10,000–20,000
  • good breathability (active sports)

For everyday protection against wind and a bit of wet, softshell is a great choice. It’s breathable, resists wind well, and can handle light moisture. You can primarily choose between different warmth levels depending on the lining.

  • the thinnest (sometimes called “summer”) has a weight of 200 g/m²
  • for spring and autumn, a 290 g/m² softshell works best
  • the warmest (“winter”) is lined with fleece and weighs 300–345 g/m²
  • membrane softshell: thanks to the membrane, it protects well against wet and wind, but is also less breathable

Our tip: If you’re choosing softshell trousers, a good option is to pick ones that are less insulated but sufficiently roomy, so your child can wear tights or thermal underwear underneath in colder weather. One pair of trousers will then work all year round.

For greater protection against wind and especially water, membrane clothing is ideal. Not only is such material very durable, it’s also breathable. You’ve already seen the individual parameters in detail above. But don’t forget that seam quality (taped / welded) also determines waterproofness.

Is your child one of those connoisseurs who love to roll in every puddle, and mud is their best friend? Let them enjoy it and stay calm—just dress them from head to toe in rubberized rainwear. Its inventor deserves a Nobel Prize! Get trousers that come up to the chest and are held up by suspenders/braces. The legs often have elastics at the bottom to keep them reliably inside rubber boots, or they won’t ride up if you pull them over the shoes. If you add a rubberized jacket, nothing will stand in the way of big autumn fun. Keep in mind, however, that this type of clothing is not breathable and children can easily get sweaty when romping around.

We believe you now know how to choose the right clothing for bad weather, and nothing will spoil your time outdoors with your children. Don’t forget to label all clothing so everything from kindergarten and school always makes it back home. With our name labels and stamps, it’s a breeze!

We wish you beautiful, carefree moments outside! Your Mama Labels team.