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Hi Sally. When it comes to certain cotton fabrics, they can be very tightly woven and when water hits the material, the fibers swell – making the material “waterproof”. Or it has a water resistant finish added on the fibre or the material face. The fabric is alright against rain and heavier showers but it will not compare with laminated or coated materials that have a membrane.
So theres “apples and apples” so to say…There is a huge difference. But for your need, you want the kids literally to be sitting in it, crawling around, immersing themselves in the elements without getting wet and cold, right. Then they need a seriously waterproof material for their garments with taped seams so the water won’t enter the garment through the stitches.
FOV actually has great 2 and 3L fabrics plus the cotton that we discussed about.
When you are looking at the jacket link – it’s a city jacket…. not a mountaineering jacket. Yes the material is ok in rain but you won’t be able to be outside for long it in and absolutely not put pressure on any parts of the material and keep it dry. Like when kids sit on the knees n bum f ex. The pressure makes the water go through the material. If it has a membrane, it doesn’t. ( then theres different levels of waterproofness as well, measure in water column or water pillar)
So the cotton fabric you chose could be completely fine for a jacket to play outside, at a park for 45min in light rain, but if you want the kids to be outside in the woods n mud for 8-10h in heavier rain then the cotton won’t do.
Hope this clarifies things:)