Didrikson are a Swedish company who have been around since 1913 and have a full range of both adult and children’s waterproof outerwear. The boy was asked to test out a coat and trouser set from the new and innovative adjustable range. With a few Cub hikes in the coming months I thought the boy would benefit from the chance to see if the Didrikson Nera Set would keep him warm and dry.
As I would expect with a clothing company from Sweden the Nera set of coat and trousers is extremely well made, with an outer water-repellent shell, breathable coating and lining. There are too many details to list on this set but include loops for attaching gloves, and soft lined cuffs, and not forgetting the reflective safety strips. The boy was instructed to put the Nera set through its paces. At first he was not all that impressed, “Yuck! its clothes” as you can see here, but after a bit of persuasion he tried them on.
The Didrikson Nera coat is a lovely shade of blue with a pattern called Pool waves, which at first I thought the boy might find too childish. He hasn’t said anything and actually the pattern is very neutral, so would suit girls or boys. The trousers are a dark navy with the addition of reinforced knees with a rubber textured material. These are a dungarees style and even though they looked huge, once the boy had adjusted the elastic braces fitted very well. I like the details of this set with adjustable under foot straps, high wasted and contrast elastic. The coat is zipped and poppered with a removable hood with a drip guard.
Having only ever purchased high street coats for the boy in the past, I know these are not always waterproof, or even windproof, but with the boy growing so quickly investing in full waterproof has not been an option till now. Didrikson have come up with the idea of extending the use of your coat and trouser sets with their hidden seam system.The arms and legs of this set each have a hidden tacked seam, in a contrast cotton it is easy to find and when the set starts to look a little shorter you can extend your use by releasing these seams. Children grow so fast, and this is a winning idea with me as I would want a coat to last at least one year, if not a little longer.
We had a long discussion about how to test the water-proofing of the Didrikson Nera coat set, and decided squirting the boy with a hose was not the best option. Some ideas included water rides, but it was decided a cub hike would possibly be more enjoyable. The boy set off all zipped up on a sunny spring evening, complete with hard-boiled egg. The experiment for the evening was going to be who could roll their egg down the hill without breaking the shell. Ok the boy didn’t manage to keep his egg undamaged but he did manage to get the award for the furthest rolled! The prize we got to bring the aptly named ‘smeg egg’ home. Nice!
The Didrikson Nera set fared well, the boy was dry, and kept warm as the evening had turned chilly. The trousers have shown signs of muddy puddles, but this easily brushed off. The coat is still looking new, and the boy has been wearing it everyday in the hope that it might rain. He even offered to wear the set to bed to test it out! I’m not sure this was needed so we have stuck to daytime wear.
I have been very impressed with both the quality and wearability of the Didrikson Nera set, and would consider investing the RRP £80 when the boy finally grows out of this one. But we will keep you updated as to how we get on when we extend the legs and arms later on in the year!
To find your local Didrikson stockist, or purchase online follow the link to the Didrikson website, they also have a Facebook page where you can find out more about the story behind the firm.
Disclaimer, we were sent this set to review the opinions remain our own and have not been altered.
This looks like a fantastic set! I’m going to need to invest in new waterproofs for my big two in the autumn.
Thanks for linking up with #TriedTested
Colette (“We’re going on an adventure ….”) recently posted…Tried & Tested Tuesday
Thanks, yes defiantly an investment item, but certainly we think its worth it as its proved very useful so far and hopefully with the extra growing room will last that bit longer.
I very much like the idea of being able to extend the sizing to make it last longer, that’s a real winner for me. I like the design too, I think both my son and daughter would wear this. Thanks for linking up with #TriedTested
Kate @ Family Fever recently posted…Give a book this Easter – Lost my name book review
Thanks for coming over, I loved this ide from the first time I saw it, and almost want my boy to grow so I can try it out!
I really like the idea that this set grows with you. Such a good idea, we should be testing this soon too – we can compare notes!
Mary @over40andamumtoone recently posted…Recognising letters
I look forward to finding out what you think?
Looks fab for a big adventurer
spicers1976 recently posted…Definitely NOT A Nutty Idea From Mr Nutcase
This looks like a great set. I keep meaning to buy E some waterproof trousers, particularly for those rainy walks to school! Sounds like you have had a lot of fun testing it out!
Mummy of Two recently posted…Win a Deep Fat Fryer from Wilko
That looks really nice. It’s greatto have something for them that you KNOW is waterproof 🙂
Not sure about the name of that egg – has he been watching Red Dwarf? 😀
Jenny @ The Brick Castle recently posted…The LEGO DUPLO ‘How Do You Play?’ Competition
😉 well spotted there Jenny, he is a big fan of Dave at the moment!
Good waterproofs are an essential part of outdoor kit. These look really excellent. I think the Scandinavians generally know what they are about in this area, they have much tougher conditions to deal with than we do!
Pippa Ainsworth recently posted…Alternative Easter Gifts from Lalaloopsy – Giveaway
That is very true! but with all the wet weather earlier in the year, I am hoping we will have a nice summer!
They look very good quality. Not seen them before. Will have a look!
Eileen Teo recently posted…Flowering Tea / Flora Tea
That looks a great set!! Looks like he’s ready for a big adventure x
Kim Carberry recently posted…Frozen….
These look fabulous, but then the Scandinavians really do know how to do outdoor play and forest schooling etc. ‘There’s no such things as bad weather, only the wrong clothing’ is their motto.
Hayley Goleniowska recently posted…Make Positive Choices for Learning Disability Nurses: Together we are Better
That is very true, I wish I had these when my son was doing forest school in November, would have saved some wet clothes!
That looks excellent and like the idea that it grows with the child. #TriedTested
Yet Another Blogging Mummy!!! recently posted…Sugar and Crumbs review and giveaway – part 3 Coffee Cake
These look really good, the quality looks fab, design great and I love the adjustment feature. Definitely something worth thinking about as my two love the outdoors.
Fiona Martin recently posted…Chill Factor Colour Blast Slushy Maker – Review
Thanks for the intro to the brand – I think my boys would love their clothing range!