Reima vs THERM vs Calikids: Which Kids Rain Jacket Is Right for Vancouver?
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If you have been standing in our store trying to decide between Reima, THERM, and Calikids, you are not alone. These are the three rain jacket brands we carry and trust most at Little Treasures Kids, and the question of which one is right comes up every fall without fail.
The short answer is that all three are genuinely waterproof and worth buying. The longer answer depends on your child's age, how active they are, and where they spend most of their outdoor time.
Reima
Reima is a Finnish brand that has been making outdoor clothing for children since 1944. Finland has weather that makes Vancouver look sunny, so their technical standards are built for conditions we rarely actually reach here. When a Reima jacket says waterproof, it means it.
Reima jackets use their own Reima-Tec fabric with a 10,000mm waterproof rating and sealed seams throughout. They tend to run slightly more fitted and technical in their styling, which some kids love and others find restrictive. The quality is exceptional and the jackets last multiple seasons, which makes the price easier to justify over time.
Reima is best for kids in outdoor school programs, families who spend a lot of time in the mountains or at the coast, and parents who want to buy once and not think about it again for three years.
Shop Reima at Little Treasures Kids
THERM
THERM is a newer brand built specifically for outdoor kids. Their jackets and suits are designed to be fun and genuinely waterproof without sacrificing mobility. The cuts are generous and relaxed, which works well for active kids who cannot stand anything that feels constraining when they are climbing or running.
THERM uses a 10,000mm waterproof rated shell with heat-sealed seams. The designs tend toward bright colours and modern graphics, which means your kid will actually want to wear it. They make matching sets of jacket and pants, and their rain suits are popular in the forest school community for exactly the right reasons.
THERM is best for kids who run warm, kids who need maximum range of motion, and families who want something that performs on outdoor adventures without looking like survival gear.
Shop THERM at Little Treasures Kids
Calikids
Calikids is a Canadian brand designed with our specific climate in mind. Their splash suits and rain jackets are lighter weight than the technical mountain brands, which makes them ideal for younger kids and daycare settings where teachers are putting rain gear on and taking it off multiple times a day.
The front zipper on most Calikids designs is genuinely easy to manage, which daycare staff consistently tell us they appreciate. The sizing runs from very small toddler sizes up through older kids, the colour range is wide enough that you can usually find something your child will not refuse to wear, and the price point makes it practical to buy a size up for next year while you are at it.
Calikids is best for daycare and toddler age kids, parents who need something easy for caregivers to manage, and anyone who wants a reliable everyday raincoat that does not cost the same as a ski jacket.
So Which One?
If you are buying for a daycare age child, Calikids. If you are buying for a kid who is in outdoor school or genuinely spends full days outside in all weather, Reima. If you want something in between that your child will be excited about wearing, THERM.
If you are still not sure, come into one of our stores and try them on. Seeing how they fit your particular child makes the decision considerably easier.