Kids go hard in nature — at forest school, on the trail, or on the slopes. Yet, what I wonder about year after year as a forest school teacher for kindergartners in Colorado, is why my gear is better made than theirs.
I’m not the one making snowballs with mittens on and then dipping them in muddy water, or the one who is full-on lying in a puddle and pretending to swim in my snowsuit, or the one who is using a downed log as a slide, splinters awaiting.
Kids’ gear should be, and truly needs to be, waterproof, windproof, and durable beyond belief. I’ve seen “waterproof” gloves soaked by the third snowball and kids’ hiking boots shredded after a few weeks. Thankfully, as nature-based schools (and outdoor adventure camps) have become more popular, gear companies are stepping up and realizing what families need.
“When it comes to finding gear, parents should consider where and how their kids are going to put it to the test,” said Alyssa Marsh, the Chief Operating Officer for Outdoor School Shop, a one-stop shop for high-quality kids’ gear.
“For example, if your child is enrolled in an all-day immersion forest school, they will need higher-functioning and more durable gear than say a child enrolled in a program with more limited outdoor time.”
Similarly, it matters where you live. The Outdoor School Shop has curated gear lists for all regions of North America where you can pick and choose by waterproofness, wind-proofness, durability, insulation, and breathability.
![Polarn O. Pyret kids gear brand a toddler in yellow rain boots, a POP brand printed animal jacket, and yellow beanie running outside](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/05/Pop-brand-1.jpeg)
“We test gear on the kids at my son’s forest school and take real-life advice from outdoor educators,” Marsh said. “Our main goal is to work with brands that have a track record in outdoor education and bring value and function to the families who invest in their gear.”
Here’s a list of trusted brands that I’ve personally seen last all year (and beyond as hand-me-downs). More often than not, the kid-proof gear that my students wear, yet don’t wear out, is from companies started by parents.
Parent-Founded Brands: Best Gear Highlights
Polarn O. Pyret
Bestsellers
- Waterproof Shell Rain Suit for ages 6 months to 6 years ($123): This breathable one-piece is easy for kids to get on and off, and it’s extremely durable. For winter, go with the fleece-lined option, which is removable for multiseason use.
- Waterproof Rain Mittens ($19): These mittens come in fleece-lined or unlined versions for ages 6 months to 6 years. And, the best part, they are waterproof and are plenty roomy to fit over other gloves for warmth in colder seasons.
Oaki
Bestsellers
- Kids Realtree Max-5 Neoprene Waders ($119): Whether your kids are fishing and wading or simply exploring a creek throughout the year, the neoprene waders from Oaki are perfect to keep kids dry and warm.
- Neoprene Rain/Snow Boots ($54): These boots are easy for kids to slip on and off, and are both warm and waterproof. They have slip-resistant, grippy soles so your kids will stay upright, always.
Town Hall
Bestsellers
- Down Town Puffy ($150): This technical layer is perfect for chilly summer nights camping or as a layer on the slopes. The shell, liner, and insulation are made with 100% recycled materials. And the puffy uses a PFC-free (free of poly-fluorinated chemicals) durable water repellent finish.
- Mountain Town Winter Jacket ($180): The durable Mountain Town Winter Jacket is made for the ski hills with features like a pass pocket, pit-zips, powder skirt, and easy-to-manage, waterproof zippers. Pair them with the Mountain Town Winter Pant.
Stonz
Bestsellers
- Sun Suit ($49): Having to slather on sunscreen every 2 hours to a wiggly toddler is as difficult and frustrating as it sounds. Stonz went for the wearable approach instead, with the UPF 50 Sun Suit for swimming or anything else in the sun. It has a loose fit for ease of movement and diaper access.
- Cruiser shoes for early walkers and toddlers ($52): Kids run, everywhere and all the time, and need shoes that stay on yet are supportive and flexible. The Cruiser and Cruiser Plus shoes from Stonz have a mesh upper for staying protected but not stinky. Bonus: kids can get them on and off by themselves.