The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (2025)

  • Best Base Layers
  • Best Midlayer
  • Best Bunting
  • Best Snowsuit
  • Best Rainsuit
  • Best Down Jacket
  • Best Snow Pants
  • Best Snow Jacket
  • Best Mittens
  • How To Choose Snow Gear
  • FAQ
  • Why Trust Us?
  • Ask me between the months of November and April, and I might say snow gear is the worst part of fatherhood. Wrestling my four-year-old into a some semblance of a winter coat has given me more gray hairs than my actual genetics. He’s yet to catch frostbite, but he’s also learned a few choice, non-child-appropriate words. They haven't made their way into a meltdown yet, but I'm waiting for the day they do.

    For context, four-year-old attends an outdoor education preschool that goes year-round and defies the January snows. On days when the windchill dips below zero they go to the public museum, most other days they just tell parents to dress kids warmly. Between this, family ski trips, and his early life in the mountains of Northern Arizona, we’ve run through all sorts of cold weather and snow gear solutions. I can read through a lot of the marketing bullshit newer parents might struggle with.

    Along the way, I’ve learned a couple of lessons: which gear works, which gear fails miserably, and when it doesn’t matter because we’re already running late to daycare dropoff and the car has remote start and heated seats. If you're looking for how to layer your kid up this winer, this is a list of essentials, the best snow gear for kids.

    Best Base Layers

    Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Crew

    The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (7)

    Pros
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (8)Insulates even when wet
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (9)Lots of color options to choose from
    Cons
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (10)Kids may not like texture of Merino wool

    Read anything about going outdoors, and you'll hear about the all-important base layer. Your child’s base layer is the foundation of their outdoor warmth, and arguably, the most important article of clothing on this list. If their base layer isn’t warm, no amount of insulation or fancy waterproofing will be as efficient as it should be. Merino wool is the best choice here. It insulates even when wet, and is naturally breathable.

    For Merino layers, no one does it better than Smartwool. Thankfully, the brand makes base layers in kids sizes. The one downside? Texture averse-toddlers (like mine) might not get on board with the feeling of wool against their skin, even if it is a soft Merino. Even if the first wear goes well, I'd always recommend having some synthetic base layers on hand as a backup. These from REI would do the trick.

    Best Midlayer

    Patagonia Kids' R2 TechFace Jacket

    The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (11)

    Pros
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (12)Can be worn as a mid-layer or standalone jacket
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (13)Weather-resistant face fabric
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (14)Insulating and cozy interior fleece lining
    Cons
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (15)No toddler sizes

    Some brands skimp on tech features for their kid’s line. Instead of shrinking the performance aspects of premium products, they’ll use fewer materials or less functional designs to cut corners. Not Patagonia. The same materials and design features that mountaineers have tested on far-flung peaks and polar expeditions are shrunk down to kid’s size.

    So whether you’re planning on summiting the local sledding hill or breaking the youth ascent record for Mount Whitney, Patagonia’s R2 Techface jacket should be on your list. With a gridded interior fleece and a weather resistant outer shell, it’ll work as a mid-layer on snowy days or a standalone jacket on warmer ones.

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    Best Bunting

    L.L.Bean Kid's Outerwear Bottoms & Suits

    The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (16)

    Pros
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (17)Easy-to-use zippers
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (18)Warm and lightweight
    Cons
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (19)limited color options

    When it comes to babies, the more insulation, the better. Maybe that’s the Dad panic in me. But the transition from the womb to the harsh reality of life, weather, you name it, doesn't that seem cruel to you?

    Thankfully, L.L. Bean takes the worry out of bundling up your newborn with its Ultralight Bunting. The 650 fill-down is cozy and packable, meaning you can still fit your little bundle in a front carrier. It’s priced well for its warmth ratio, and a variety of sizes mean you can upgrade as your baby grows.

    Best Snowsuit

    Reima Waterproof Reimatec Snowsuit

    The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (20)

    Pros
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (21)Fully waterproof, yet still breathable
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (22)2–3 inches of extra space for growth
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (23)Cozy, faux-fur-lined hood
    Cons
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (24)Expensive

    If you’re a parent, you’ve probably seen Reima’s gear on your Explore feed, usually hand-in-hand with content about Scandinavian napping and 1,000 Hours Outside Projects. Or is that just me? Either way, the suit lives up to the hype.

    This thing is fully waterproof, heavily insulated, and with plentiful pockets the Stavanger Snowsuit is the key to your child playing outside all day with the only consequence being flushed cheeks. While other brands like Patagonia and LL Bean make excellent snowsuits, the Reima outperforms the other competitors in breathability, abrasion resistance, and overall fit. Doesn’t hurt that it looks cool either.

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    Best Rainsuit

    Oaki Children's Trail Suit

    The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (25)

    Pros
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (26)Neoprene wrist sleeves add extra waterproofness
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (27)Thick, abrasion-resistant fabric
    Cons
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (28)No insulation

    You don’t always need the full snowsuit. Whether you’re facing a late spring slush or a freezing rain, sometimes layering a non-insulating waterproof layer over top of cozy fleeces makes for the right combination of warmth and breathability.

    Oaki’s children’s rain suits are more than up for the challenge. The thick, abrasion-resistant material is more cold weather orientated than Tuffo’s thinner material and neoprene wrist sleeves add an extra layer of weather protection. Bonus points for the brand offering matching, adult-size options.

    Best Down Jacket

    Patagonia Kids Hi-Loft Down Sweater Hoody

    The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (29)

    Pros
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (30)Lightweight
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (31)700-fill down provides excellent warmth
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (32)Fun colors and patterns
    Cons
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (33)Down doesn’t insulate when wet.

    We like down jackets for their lightweight, packable, insulation that’ll help your kid avoid acting out scenes from A Christmas Story ("I can’t put my arms down"). Besides, If it works for ducks, it’ll work for your kids.

    Patagonia builds its Down Sweater hoodie from responsibly harvested 700-fill down feathers and coats it in a windproof shell made from recycled fishing nets, so it’ll keep saving the planet while keeping your kid seriously warm.

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    Best Snow Pants

    Columbia Kids Snowslope III Bib

    The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (34)

    Pros
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (35)Great price-to-performance ratio
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (36)Integrates with Columbia’s other snow gear
    Cons
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (37)Could be more insulated

    In the 80’s and 90’s Columbia ran a series of ads, featuring then-company President Gert Boyle, who would subject her son to various product testing scenarios like running him over with an ice surfacer or sending him through a car wash. Not recommended parenting advice, but it shows the type of thinking that went into the company's development of these models way back when.

    These Snowslope bibs prove that commitment to kid's design. Coulumbia’s Outgrown system lets you extend the cuffs for multi-season wear, and Internal leg gaiter seals out the cold and wet stuff, and a generous cargo pocket to save snowballs for later.

    Best Snow Jacket

    Obermeyer Orb Insulated Jacket

    The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (38)

    Pros
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (39)Brand's I-Grow system protects against mid-season growth spurts
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (40)As high-tech as an adult's ski jacket
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (41)Reasonably priced, considering the rest of the market
    Cons
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (42)Might have to hunt online to find stock

    Obermeyer started making apparel for skiers in the snow sport mecca of Aspen, Colorado. Pro-skiers around the world favor the brand’s adult gear, but its line for little rippers is just as sophisticated.

    The Orb jacket is a particular winner. Waterproof, breathable, and allowing for a full range of motion, the Orb is also equipped with the brand’s I-Grow Extended Wear System, allowing parents to weather mid-season growth spurts as well as they weather snowstorms. My four-year-old son—who, once again, hates wearing coats—loves the functioning compass that’s attached, so much so that it’s the only jacket he’ll wear without argument.

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    Best Mittens

    Obermeyer Kids Thumbs Up Mittens

    The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (43)

    Pros
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (44)For kids, mittens are the easiest route
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (45)Velcro opening makes sure you see your kids hand go in properly
    Cons
    • The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (46)Other brands make similar versions of this mitten

    Kids and mittens. Despite all the cozy glove-themed literature and kindly grandmother’s knitting presents for new grandchildren, children and mittens are mortal enemies locked into an eternal combat. Parents are stuck in the middle. That is, I was, until Obermeyer’s Thumbs Up Mittens changed my life with the velcro opening on the top of the glove. Instead of frustratingly pulling the mittens on, you open the whole thing up, watch your kids thumb go in, then velcro it shut.

    Of course, they’re not the only brand that makes kids gloved with this kind of opening, but they’re the best when you take into account ease-of-putting-on and actual warmth and waterproofness.

    How To Choose Snow Gear For Kids

    The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (47)

    Size:

    Size can be tricky for kids—just because it says 3T on the label doesn’t mean it’ll fit all three-year-olds. Also, keep in mind that some brands run larger or smaller. Patagonia’s baby gear tends to skew large. For example, our daughter was still rocking a 6-12 month puffy jacket at 18 months and beyond, and it fit perfectly.

    Activities:

    Think through the kind of activities your kids like to do in the winter. If you’re a skiing family, investing in an all-day skiing kit from a brand like Obermeyer will help you all stay on the mountain longer, lift lines be damned. If your kid is likely to sled for 25 minutes then come inside for hot chocolate, then you can get away with a more budget friendly option.

    Weather:

    Different layers work for different types of weather. A down jacket will be great for the cold, dry mountain air but less effective for freezing, East Coast rain storms. Each piece of gear can only keep your kid warm when used properly.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (48)

    What’s Better: Snow Pants vs. Snowsuit?

    Snowsuits have many advantages and are popular for a reason. They’re one piece, so snow is less likely to find its way into nooks and crannies. They’re warm. And, you only have to wrestle your kid into one piece of clothing. That said, if they need to pee or change a diaper, the whole thing needs to come off. Plus, sizing can be tough on snowsuits. If your kid has a longer torso than legs, you may not be able to find one that fits. A snow pants and jacket combo lets you purchase different sizes for a more customized fit and it can be more adaptable to changing weather. Just pop the jacket off and switch if for a fleece when the sun comes out . At the end of the day though, whichever one your kid wants to wear regularly is the option for you.

    How do I keep my kids warm outside?

    The key is in the layering. Start with a good base layer foundation, cover with a fleece or mid-layer, then finish with an insulating layer that’s waterproof. Strike a balance between insulation and over insulation—too much sweating can also lead to cold kids. And remember, they’re tougher than they look.

    Do I need to buy new gear?

    New gear is great, but the brands we tested and featured make gear that lasts longer than your kid will fit in it. If there aren’t hand-me-downs in the family, consider shopping secondhand for a better value and lower environmental impact. Many brands even offer that option, like Patagonia’s Worn Wear or LL Bean’s Pre-Loved collection.

    Why Trust Us?

    The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (49)

    In addition to those tried and true performers, I tested a wide range of samples from top outdoor brands to figure out what actually works and what’s just marketing jargon. This way, you can gear up with confidence come sledding season. Just remember to have them use the restroom before zipping up their snow pants.

    The Best Snow Gear For Kids, Tested and Reviewed (2025)
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