After 15 years, the Swedish children's outerwear brand exited the American market at the end of 2025. If your family or school relied on PO.P for rain gear, here's what actually replaces it — and what to look for no matter what brand you choose.
Last updated February 2026
If you're reading this, you probably already know. Polarn O. Pyret — the Swedish brand that was basically standard-issue at forest schools and nature preschools across the US — began winding down its American operations in late 2025 and is selling through remaining inventory via a small outlet site. The reason: tariffs on imports from China, combined with a weakened US dollar and a strategic shift at Stockholm headquarters that made restocking the US franchise financially unsustainable.
For a lot of outdoor education families, this wasn't just losing a brand. It was losing the one company that seemed to understand what daily, all-weather outdoor play actually demands from kids' gear. PO.P wasn't perfect, and it wasn't cheap. But it worked, and an enormous number of forest school gear lists were built around it.
So now what?
If you need an answer right now: We detail everything below, but here's the short version.
If you want the closest PO.P replacement (system + PFAS-free + consistent sizing): Reima. Their head-to-toe ecosystem is the most complete available in the US.
If you want the most waterproof set for serious wet climates: Helly Hansen Bergen 2.0 PU Rain Set. 20,000mm water column. Not breathable, but nothing gets through.
If you need the best value for price-sensitive families: CeLaVi Classic sets through Biddle and Bop (~$69–79 for a full set depending on color/line). Genuinely waterproof, PFC-free — but verify the water column rating on the specific set, as it varies by line (5,000–10,000mm). Color Kids Taxi sets run slightly higher (~$77+) with waterproof ratings often in the 8,000–10,000mm range (varies by set — check the listing).
If your school wants a durable "uniform" option: Didriksons Boardman set. Swedish-designed Galon® PU fabric, welded seams, fleece-lined, reflective details, 8,000mm water column.
If budget is the primary constraint: Tuffo Muddy Buddy coverall (~$30–40). Thin but fully waterproof with sealed seams. Available at Walmart and Amazon.
If you just want to keep using PO.P: Buy secondhand. There's plenty of gear still circulating on Poshmark, Mercari, and Facebook BST groups — and Outdoor School Shop is carrying remaining PO.P inventory.
Now the full picture.
How many sets do you actually need?
- Outdoor school (3–5 days/week): Two waterproof sets (one drying while one's in use), two mitten systems, and at least two pairs of wool socks.
- Outdoor school (1–2 days/week): One waterproof set plus an emergency backup — hand-me-downs or a cheap coverall is fine for the backup.
- If your child hates wet sleeves: Prioritize long-cuff waterproof mittens and a spare pair, even more than a second rain suit.
- If your child is a puddle-sitter: Prioritize higher waterproof rating on pants/bibs and reinforced knees/seat before upgrading jackets.
One-piece or two-piece?
- One-piece coveralls (like the Tuffo Muddy Buddy) are best for toddlers, escape artists, and kids who end up with waistband gaps. Faster to get on, fewer parts to lose.
- Two-piece sets (bib + jacket) are better for older kids who need bathroom independence, and easier to layer — you can swap jacket weight without changing pants.
- The forest school move: A two-piece set as the primary gear, plus a cheap one-piece coverall as a backup at school. This combination handles almost everything.
We've been reviewing what programs are recommending on their updated gear lists and comparing what's actually available in the US market right now. This guide is our attempt to be genuinely useful — not just a list of links, but an honest look at what made PO.P special, what specs actually matter, and where each alternative falls short.
What Made PO.P Worth It
Before jumping to replacements, it's worth understanding why PO.P earned the loyalty it did. Not for nostalgia — but because these are the exact qualities you should be looking for in whatever you buy next.
True PU waterproofing, not just water resistance. PO.P's rain gear used polyurethane-coated fabric with fully taped seams. Their shell gear carried a water column rating of 10,000mm or higher. A lot of "rain jackets" sold at department stores are water-resistant at best — maybe 1,000–3,000mm. That's fine for a dash from the car to the grocery store. It falls apart when a four-year-old spends three hours sitting in a muddy creek bed.
The coordinated system. This was PO.P's real superpower and something almost nobody else does well. You could buy rain bibs, a shell jacket, rain boots, rain mittens, fleece mid-layers, and merino wool base layers — all designed to work together, sized consistently, and available in coordinating colors. The jacket snapped into the fleece. The bibs had boot straps that fit their boots. The mittens were long enough to go over or under jacket sleeves. This matters more than most parents realize until they're trying to mix brands and discovering that one company's size 4 is another company's size 6.
Generous, grow-into sizing. PO.P sized their outerwear to fit over layers, and to last a full season (sometimes two) before being outgrown. This was intentional — they literally designed for hand-me-downs. When parents say "we got three kids through one PO.P snowsuit," they're not exaggerating.
The school discount program. PO.P's Outdoor School Savings program offered a standing 15% discount on full-price outerwear (and seasonal swim/UV gear) to families enrolled in qualifying outdoor-oriented schools, with some programs occasionally sharing higher promo codes. For parents already spending $200+ per child per season on gear, this mattered. It also created an ecosystem — schools recommended PO.P, PO.P gave discounts, parents bought PO.P, gear got handed down within the school community.
Infant and toddler sizes. PO.P offered rain gear starting at 6–12 months. Most brands don't start until age 2. If you've ever tried to keep a crawling one-year-old dry at an outdoor playgroup, you understand why this matters.
Reflective details and safety features. 3M reflective strips, chin guards on zippers, storm flaps — small details that added up for kids spending hours outdoors in low-light conditions.
What to Look for in Any Replacement
Forget brand names for a moment. Here are the specs and features that separate gear built for daily outdoor education from gear built for occasional weekend use.
Water column rating: 8,000mm preferred for forest school use. This number (also called "hydrostatic head") tells you how much water pressure the fabric can withstand before it leaks. As a rule of thumb:
- 1,000–3,000mm: okay for light rain and short exposure, but not much more
- 5,000mm: solid for sustained rain, but can leak under pressure points — a child kneeling or sitting on wet ground creates significant pressure on the fabric
- 8,000–10,000mm+: the range you want for "forest school reality" — kneeling in mud, sitting in puddles, dragging through wet brush for hours
Most department-store rain jackets fall in the 1,000–3,000mm range. For reference, that's the kind of jacket that holds up to a ten-minute walk in light rain — not three hours of creek play. (One caveat: water column ratings aren't perfectly standardized across brands, so treat them as a comparative guide rather than an absolute guarantee.)
Seam taping. Waterproof fabric is only as good as its seams. Fully taped (also called "welded" or "sealed") seams prevent water from wicking through the needle holes. If the product description doesn't mention seam taping, assume the seams leak.
PU-coated vs. membrane shells vs. DWR-treated. These are different approaches to keeping water out, and they matter for different uses.
PU (polyurethane) rain gear — the coating itself is the waterproof barrier. Reliable, relatively inexpensive, and very hard to defeat. The trade-off is breathability: PU gear traps heat and moisture inside. For toddlers and younger kids who aren't generating much body heat through movement, this is actually fine — and it's why PU rain sets dominate the forest school market. Think of these as the "mud kitchen workhorse."
Membrane shells (like Patagonia's H2No or Helly Hansen's Helly Tech) — a waterproof/breathable membrane sandwiched inside the fabric, with a DWR coating on the face. More comfortable for active, older kids because they vent moisture. But the DWR wears off over time and needs reapplication, and when it fails the jacket "wets out" — it still blocks water, but feels clammy and heavy.
DWR-only treatments — a surface coating that makes water bead up, but with no underlying barrier. These are what most department-store "rain jackets" use. Adequate for light, brief exposure. Not adequate for sustained outdoor play.
PFC/PFAS-free construction. These "forever chemicals" have been used in waterproofing treatments for decades. They're effective, but they persist in the environment and in human tissue indefinitely — which is why regulators are moving to restrict them. The European Chemicals Agency has a broad PFAS restriction proposal under review, and France has already passed a law banning PFAS in clothing textiles starting in 2026, with a full textile ban by 2030. Several US states (including Colorado) are phasing them out of outdoor clothing as well.
This matters to this audience because a significant part of PO.P's appeal in the forest school community was that their gear was reliably PFAS-free — they used BIONIC-FINISH® ECO, a fluorine-free water repellent treatment. When evaluating replacements, this should be near the top of your checklist. Reima is particularly strong here — their entire outerwear range has been 100% PFC-free since 2017, and they're explicit about it. CeLaVi is also free from fluorine substances, PVC, and AZO dyes. Check product descriptions carefully — "water-repellent" treatments are often where PFAS hide, even on otherwise clean products.
Boot straps or stirrups on rain pants. Elastic loops that go under the foot keep pant legs from riding up inside boots. Without them, you'll find water running straight down your kid's legs into their socks within ten minutes. This is a non-negotiable feature for forest school rain bibs.
Reinforced knees and seat. Kids kneel. Constantly. Unreinforced rain pants develop holes at the knees before anything else fails. Look for double-layer or abrasion-resistant panels.
Reflective elements. 360-degree reflective strips or patches. Not optional for programs that run during short winter days.
Size range and fit. Check whether the brand sizes by age or by height (in centimeters). Height-based sizing is more reliable across brands. Also check whether outerwear is cut to accommodate layers underneath — some brands run slim, which defeats the purpose of a shell system.
Quick EU-to-US sizing reference (most European brands use height in cm):
- 90cm ≈ 2T
- 100cm ≈ 3T–4T
- 110cm ≈ 5T
- 120cm ≈ 6–7
- 130cm ≈ 8
If your child is between sizes and you're layering underneath, size up. Outerwear that's slightly too big works fine with boot straps and adjustable suspenders; outerwear that's too small over a fleece mid-layer doesn't work at all.
Before You Buy New: The Secondhand Option
Here's something worth saying plainly: PO.P gear was built to last through multiple children, and there is a lot of it still in circulation. If you loved PO.P and want to keep using it, buying secondhand is a completely viable strategy for the next two to three years.
PO.P had an official resale partnership with ThredUp, and you'll find their gear on Poshmark, Mercari, and Facebook Buy/Sell/Trade groups — especially the forest school and outdoor education parent groups where PO.P was most popular. If your local school had a strong PO.P hand-me-down culture, that network is still there. The gear doesn't expire just because the company left.
This won't work forever — eventually sizes will thin out, elastic will fatigue, and seam tape will lift. But if your kid is in PO.P bibs right now and you need the next size up for fall, secondhand is probably your fastest, cheapest, and most reliable option.
The Alternatives, Category by Category
No single brand replaces PO.P across every category. Here's what works — and where each option falls short.
Rain Bibs and Pants
Reima Lammikko (Best direct PO.P replacement) — The closest direct replacement for PO.P's waterproof suspender bibs. PU-coated, PFC-free across their entire outerwear line, available in a good range of sizes and colors. Lighter weight than PO.P, which means they're more breathable in warm weather but slightly less bombproof in sustained heavy rain. If PFAS-free construction is a priority for your family — and for many in this community it is — Reima is the strongest option across every category. Multiple forest schools have moved these to the top of their gear lists since PO.P's exit.
Helly Hansen Bergen 2.0 Bib Overalls (Best for extreme wet / PNW) — These come as part of the Bergen 2.0 PU Rain Set (around $90 for the full jacket + bib set at REI). Helox+ fabric is rated at 20,000mm — the highest waterproofing of any children's option we've found. Not breathable, which is actually fine for toddlers who aren't generating much body heat through movement. These are the sets you'll see on half the kids at any PNW nature preschool.
Didriksons Boardman Set (Best "school uniform" option) — Swedish brand with a long history in children's outerwear. The Boardman is a complete rain set (jacket + bibs) with welded seams, 8,000mm water column, Galon® fabric, fleece lining, and reflective details. OEKO-TEX certified. Available in a good range of solid colors. If a school wants a single durable set it can standardize on — particularly one with a European forest school pedigree — this is a strong contender. Less commonly stocked in US retail than Reima or HH, but available through specialty retailers and direct.
CeLaVi Classic (Best budget value) — Danish brand (owned by Brands4Kids), and increasingly the default at European forest kindergartens. PU-coated, PVC-free, PFC-free, welded seams. One important caveat: CeLaVi's water column ratings vary by product line — some Classic sets are rated at 5,000mm, while their recycled PU line reaches 10,000mm. Check the specific listing before purchasing, because the difference matters for daily puddle-sitting use. The full Classic rain set (jacket + bibbed pants) runs around $69–79 through US retailer Biddle and Bop (varies by color and collection) — significantly less than Reima or Helly Hansen. Smaller sizes (up to 100cm) come with proper bibbed pants and adjustable shoulder straps; bigger sizes (110cm+) switch to an elastic waist, which is a meaningful downgrade for active outdoor play. No snap-in liner system, and the color/accessory range doesn't extend into boots or mittens — you're getting solid rain protection, not a coordinated system. Their sister brand Color Kids ("Taxi" line) offers similar construction with 66% recycled material, typically at 8,000–10,000mm — though pricing runs slightly higher (~$77+). If budget is a primary concern and you need something that genuinely works, CeLaVi is probably the best value in the market right now — just verify the water column on the specific set you're ordering.
Playshoes (Cheapest option that still works) — Budget option. PU-coated, functional, cheap. But they're thin. Parents report holes developing from normal play — sliding down rocks, kneeling on gravel. If budget is the primary constraint, they work. Expect to replace them more often. They also dry the fastest of any option, which matters if your kid is in gear five days a week.
Oaki Trail Pants (Most widely available in the US) — US-based company with strong school partnerships. Nylon/polyester outer with membrane waterproofing, 8,000mm water column. Reviews are mixed — some parents love the value, others report durability issues compared to PO.P or Reima. Note that their shell jackets are rated lower at 5,000mm, so if you're buying Oaki, the pants are stronger than the jackets. Oaki is the most widely available brand in this space in the US, including through Amazon and Walmart.
Tuffo Muddy Buddy (Best budget one-piece coverall) — You'll see these on playgrounds everywhere. A thin, fully waterproof coverall with sealed seams that goes on over whatever the kid is already wearing. Not a substitute for a proper rain bib + jacket system — there's no insulation and the fit is loose — but for programs with price-sensitive families who need something functional now, the Muddy Buddy works. Best for warm-weather rain and muddy shoulder seasons, not winter — nobody should be sending a kid out in 30-degree sleet in one of these. Available on Amazon and at Walmart for roughly $30–40.
Patagonia Torrentshell Pants (Best for older, active kids) — Technical 3-layer waterproof/breathable shell. More expensive (~$89), but extremely durable with sealed seams and 100% recycled nylon. Best for older, more active kids who need breathability. Patagonia does make baby Torrentshell bibs as well, though they're pricey and more "technical shell" than the PU rubber bibs most forest schools default to.
Rain Jackets
Reima (Best overall range and PFAS-free commitment) — Multiple options across price points. Their PU-coated jackets are the most direct PO.P replacement for younger kids. Their Reimatec shell jackets are breathable and better for active older kids. Excellent reflective details. Their entire range is fluorocarbon-free.
CeLaVi — Their Classic jacket (from the set, or sold separately) is PU-coated with a fleece-lined collar, detachable hood, and snap flap over the zipper. Straightforward and functional at a lower price point than Reima or Helly Hansen. Not as durable under heavy abrasion, but a strong value for programs where gear gets replaced annually anyway.
Helly Hansen — The Bergen 2.0 jacket (from the set) is a thick PU jacket — tank-like waterproofing, not much breathability. Their Helly Tech shell jackets are a step up in breathability and durability for bigger kids.
Didriksons — The Boardman jacket (from the set) uses their proprietary Galon® fabric, welded seams, and microfleece lining. Solid mid-range option with good school-friendly features like reflective details and a detachable hood with snap closure for safety.
Oaki — Their Trail Fleece Lined Jacket gets solid reviews for three-season use. Waterproof rating of 5,000mm is adequate for light to moderate rain but won't hold up to sustained heavy downpours or a kid who's actively sitting in the wet. Good for mild-climate programs.
Rain Boots
This is PO.P's biggest gap to fill — and where the market is surprisingly thin.
Bogs (Best all-around) — The most recommended rain boot across forest school gear lists. Warm, waterproof, easy for kids to pull on. Neoprene construction means they also work for cold-weather mud season. Available in infant sizes.
Kamik (Best budget boot) — Good budget option. Lightweight, functional. Less insulation than Bogs for cold weather.
Oaki Euro Boot (Best for mild climates) — Lightweight, shorter than traditional rain boots. Good for mild weather but the lower height means snow and deep puddles get in.
Rain Mittens
The hardest category. PO.P's long-cuff rain mittens were legendary for actually staying on toddler hands.
Reima Puro / Ote (Best PO.P mitten replacement) — Currently the most-recommended replacement. The Ote mittens get specific praise from forest school teachers for fitting over jacket sleeves without bunching. Waterproof and lined.
Oaki Neoprene Trail Gloves — Still available, and a popular option in the forest school world. The neoprene is soft and flexible, stays warm even when wet (like a wetsuit), and the velcro wrist strap helps keep them on. Important caveat: these are not seam-sealed, so water does get in. They keep hands warm despite being wet, rather than keeping hands dry. For kids who are constantly pulling mittens off to touch things, that's actually a reasonable trade-off.
A general tip from experienced forest school parents: the two-layer system works best. A thin fleece or acrylic glove underneath, then a waterproof mitten over top. This way when the outer mitten inevitably comes off during play, the inner glove stays on and provides some warmth until you can get the mitten back on.
Base Layers
PO.P's merino wool base layers were genuinely excellent and a big part of why their outerwear performed so well. Wool insulates when wet, wicks moisture, and regulates temperature in ways synthetics can't match.
Ella's Wool — Several forest schools now have affiliate discount codes for this brand. Merino base layers specifically designed for outdoor education.
Reima — Offers both merino and synthetic base layer sets. Their merino/bamboo blend gets praise for being soft without the itch that some kids experience with pure wool.
Helly Hansen — Merino wool base layers available for kids. Well-made, but pricier.
Smartwool / Icebreaker — Socks and base layers that are widely available and reliably good. Not kids-specific brands, but their children's lines are solid.
The universal rule: no cotton. Cotton absorbs moisture, loses all insulating value when wet, and takes forever to dry. For any outdoor program in cool or wet weather, base layers should be wool, silk, or synthetic. This is the single most impactful gear decision you can make, and it applies regardless of what outerwear brand you choose.
Caring for Rain Gear (So It Actually Lasts)
One of PO.P's selling points was durability through multiple children — but that only works if the gear is maintained. This section applies regardless of brand.
PU-coated rain gear (Reima Lammikko, CeLaVi, Helly Hansen Bergen, Didriksons Boardman): Wipe down with a damp cloth after muddy use. Machine wash cold on gentle cycle with a mild liquid detergent — no fabric softener, no bleach, no dryer sheets. These additives break down the PU coating. Hang dry — or follow the care label, as some PU sets (including Didriksons) explicitly say do not tumble dry. Don't iron. Don't dry-clean. Most PU rain sets are remarkably low-maintenance if you follow these rules.
Membrane shells (Patagonia Torrentshell, Helly Hansen Helly Tech): These need more attention. Wash with a technical wash (Nikwax Tech Wash or similar) to clean without stripping the DWR coating. If water stops beading on the face fabric, the DWR has worn off — tumble dry on medium heat for 20 minutes to reactivate it, or apply a spray-on DWR treatment like Nikwax TX.Direct. Re-proofing once or twice a season is normal for heavily used gear.
Drying at school: If your program has kids in rain gear daily, drying logistics matter as much as the gear itself. Hang hooks at kid height — one per child, labeled. A boot rack or newspaper-stuffed boots dry faster than boots left in a pile. PU gear dries quickly; membrane shells take longer. Some programs keep a spare set of rain bibs at school so wet gear from the morning session has time to dry before the afternoon.
When to replace, not repair: If the seam tape is peeling, the garment is done as waterproof rain gear — you can't reliably re-tape PU seams at home. Small holes in PU fabric can be patched with Tenacious Tape or Gear Aid patches. If the fabric itself feels stiff, cracked, or "crunchy," the PU coating is delaminating and the garment won't keep water out regardless of how intact it looks.
For Schools and Program Directors
If you managed a gear list that said "buy PO.P," you're probably fielding a lot of parent questions right now. Here's how to think about updating your recommendations.
Discount Programs That Still Exist
Outdoor School Shop (outdoorschoolshop.com) — The closest thing to a PO.P replacement ecosystem for schools. They carry Reima, Helly Hansen, Oaki, and remaining PO.P inventory — PO.P's own communications explicitly direct customers here for continued access to their products. ODSS is also helping maintain the outdoor school directory that PO.P originally built. They offer school accounts and have historically provided educator pricing. Their warehouse sales (typically fall) offer significant discounts on multiple brands. If you need one more season of PO.P gear while you transition to a new brand, this is your best bet.
Biddle and Bop (biddleandbop.com) — Women-owned US retailer specializing in Scandinavian outdoor gear for kids. They carry CeLaVi, Color Kids, Kuling, and Reima. Their "Gear Up" program is specifically designed for school administrators — walk through their intake form and they'll send a customized invoice with school pricing. They also maintain a US forest school directory. If your families are price-sensitive, CeLaVi through Biddle and Bop is likely the most affordable path to genuinely waterproof, PFC-free gear that meets forest school standards.
Oaki — Offers school partnership programs with discount codes specific to each school. Several forest schools have negotiated 10–15% discounts for enrolled families.
Reima — Has run educator discount programs in other markets. Worth contacting their US team directly if you're purchasing for multiple families.
REI — Members get the annual 20% off coupon plus the dividend. For families already paying the $30 lifetime membership, this can make Helly Hansen and Patagonia gear more competitive on price.
Updating Your Gear List
Rather than recommending a single brand, consider listing the specifications families should look for, then offering brand options at different price points. Here's a version you can adapt for your school handbook or welcome packet:
Rain bibs or pants (required): Fully waterproof with taped or welded seams. 8,000mm water column preferred for daily outdoor use; 5,000mm is adequate for programs in lighter rain climates or with less puddle-intensive play. Must have boot straps/stirrups. Reinforced knees and seat preferred. Reflective elements required. Recommended: Reima Lammikko, Helly Hansen Bergen 2.0 set, Didriksons Boardman set, CeLaVi Classic set (via Biddle and Bop), or Oaki Trail Pants.
Rain jacket (required): Fully waterproof with taped or welded seams. Hood with brim. 8,000mm water column preferred for PU jackets; membrane shells acceptable for older children if maintained. Recommended: Matching jacket from rain set above, or Patagonia Torrentshell 3L for ages 5+.
Rain boots (required): Fully waterproof. Tall enough to overlap with rain bibs. Easy for children to put on independently. Recommended: Bogs (all climates), Kamik (budget option).
Rain mittens (required in wet/cold months): Waterproof with long cuffs that overlap jacket sleeves. Recommended: Reima Puro or Ote. A thin fleece glove liner underneath is strongly recommended.
Base layers (required in cool/cold months): Wool, silk, or synthetic only. No cotton. Recommended: Ella's Wool, Reima merino, Smartwool, or Icebreaker kids' lines.
Avoid "water-resistant" gear without seam sealing — it will not hold up to sustained outdoor play. Look for specific waterproof ratings (measured in mm) rather than marketing language like "keeps kids dry."
This approach survives the next brand exit or product discontinuation. It also helps parents who find good secondhand options in brands you haven't specifically vetted — if the specs match, the gear will work.
Gear Swaps and the Secondhand Network
The PO.P hand-me-down culture was one of the best things about the brand's ecosystem — families routinely passed gear through two or three kids before it wore out. That culture doesn't have to disappear just because the brand left.
If your school or parent group ran gear swaps before, keep running them. If you didn't, now is a good time to start. A twice-yearly swap (fall and spring) with a table, some size labels, and a "take what you need, leave what you've outgrown" policy works surprisingly well. The secondhand market for quality rain gear — PO.P and otherwise — is strong on Poshmark, Mercari, and Facebook Buy/Sell/Trade groups, and it will stay strong for years. Outgrown Reima bibs and Helly Hansen sets hold their value the same way PO.P did.
For families replacing PO.P for the first time: don't feel pressure to match brands across every category. A Reima bib with a CeLaVi jacket and Bogs boots works fine. The specs matter more than the logo.
All Weather Kids publishes independent gear reviews and tools for families who play outside in every weather. We don't accept sponsored content or affiliate arrangements that influence our recommendations. Have a question about gear for your program? Get in touch.