Cat & Jack Kids’ Solid Rain Coat Review

The Cat & Jack is our budget pick for kids’ rain jackets — $30, bright yellow, and genuinely good for light to moderate rain. It’s water-resistant rather than fully waterproof, which is an honest trade-off at this price. We tested it on a Colorado nature walk in a light spring drizzle, and Cypress, 4, stayed dry the whole time. The surprise is how warm it is: the full recycled polyester lining adds real warmth that most shells at this price don’t have. The one consistent note: it runs large, so size down.

3.7/5.0

Best budget kids' rain jacket

Cat & Jack Kids’ Solid Rain Coat

Bright yellow option, warm lining, water-resistant in light rain. Thirty dollars is hard to argue with.

Shop at Target$30

Sizes: XS–XXL (fits approx. ages 4–16) | Waterproof: Water-resistant — 100% recycled polyester interlock | Windproof: Not confirmed | Weight: Not listed (heavier feel due to full lining) | Fabric: 100% recycled polyester

Is the Cat & Jack rain coat waterproof?

Water-resistant, not waterproof. It handles drizzle and moderate rain well, but in a real sustained downpour it will eventually soak through. For $30, that’s an honest trade-off.

Where we tested the Cat & Jack

We were on a nature walk in Colorado in a light spring drizzle — nothing dramatic, just the kind of day where you go outside anyway because the kids need it. Cypress, 4, wore the bright yellow Cat & Jack and stayed completely dry for the full walk.

Why we picked the yellow

We picked the yellow. Not Cypress — us. And we’d pick it again.

There’s a book called The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair that makes a compelling case for how colors affect mood and wellbeing. Yellow is joyful. It’s the color of a fire hydrant and a school bus and every classic rain jacket you’ve ever seen in a movie. It’s also practical: easy to spot on a playground full of navy blue jackets. For boys especially, outdoor gear color options can be frustratingly limited. Yellow is a win.

Cat & Jack features — what actually stood out

Here’s a surprise: this jacket is warmer than it looks. The full recycled polyester lining adds real warmth — not temperature regulation, just warmth. The hood is also lined, making it noticeably more comfortable to wear in the cold than a bare-shell jacket.

The zipper has a reflective pull and an interior flap to keep rain out. A chin guard at the top keeps cold metal off the face when fully zipped. Coat loop inside. Elastic at the wrists. Reflectors on the zipper pull, above the sleeves, and along the back.

At $30 the construction is surprisingly solid. This doesn’t feel like a cheap jacket.

What doesn’t work on the Cat & Jack

It’s not breathable. The full lining that makes it warm also traps heat. Running hard in warm rain means sweating underneath. Cold drizzle: yes. Summer storm: not really.

The hood is the most basic we tested — no elastic on the sides, no visor, no Velcro adjustment. It keeps rain off the top of their head and that’s it.

The pockets don’t zip. Open, soft-lined, good for warming hands. Anything else goes in at your own risk.

How to care for the Cat & Jack

Machine wash. The recycled polyester construction is low-maintenance — check the care label, but most polyester rain jackets are machine washable and dryer-safe on low. No special treatments needed.

Does the Cat & Jack pack down?

Heavier than the shell-only jackets due to the full lining, but still rolls up into a manageable bundle. Not packable into its own pocket.

Cat & Jack sizing guide

Cat & Jack runs large. We ordered XS (their size 4/5) for Cypress at 4 and it was very big — sleeves long, hem well below his butt. Size down one from wherever you’d normally land.

Who is the Cat & Jack best for?

The starter rain jacket. The budget rain jacket. The grandparent purchase. At $30 it’s hard to argue with, and that yellow is genuinely hard to lose in a crowd.

Pro tip: Size down. Seriously.

How the Cat & Jack Rain Coat compares to other kids’ rain jackets