There’s no better way to raise future adventurers than getting them outside when they’re little. It’s not always easy, but it is always worth it. That’s why quality kids’ snow gear and apparel matters so much. We never regret a day spent outside with our children — but we will definitely take help when we can get it.
Not only is this gear for kiddos the first line of defense protecting our little ones from the bitter cold, but it also enables parents to get outside more, too. And now, kids’ snow gear is better than ever before. Instead of shrinking down adult ski jackets, outdoor brands are specifically designing gear that caters to our kids’ movements. End result: happy kids, happy parents, and more days outside.
It’s best to start with a base layer like the Iksplor Kid Iksplorer Set, followed by a midlayer such as the Patagonia Baby Down Sweater Vest. To shield against the weather, you’ll want to snag an outer layer — for instance, the Reima Stavanger Snowsuit — or a pants and jacket set.
Editor’s note: We updated our Kids’ Snow Gear guide on December 16, 2024, to include the field-tested Airblaster Youth Ninja Suit, Town Hall Down Town Puffy, Hootie Hoo Pinnakle Insulated Jacket and Insulated Bibs, and Reima Ote Waterproof Mittens.
The Best Kids’ Snow Gear of 2025
- Best Base Layers for Kids: Iksplor Kid Iksplorer Set
- Best Bunting Suit for Kids: Patagonia Bunting Sweater
- Best Base Layer Onesie: Airblaster Youth Ninja Suit
- Best Insulated Winter Jacket for Kids: Town Hall Down Town Puffy
- Best Insulated Ski Kit for Kids: Hootie Hoo Pinnakle Insulated Jacket and Insulated Bibs
- Best Snowsuit for Kids: Reima Stavanger Snowsuit
- Best Mittens for Kids: Reima Ote Waterproof Mittens
- Available sizes: 2T-12 years old
- Materials: 100% merino wool
- Waterproof: No
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Machine washable
- Merino naturally regulates body temperature
Cons
- Wool always costs more than synthetic fibers
- Available sizes: Newborn – 24 months
- Materials: Recycled polyester, recycled nylon, and recycled down insulation
- Waterproof: No
Pros
- Made from recycled materials
- Plenty of room to grow, no matter the size
- Extreme warmth
Cons
- Not truly waterproof
- Available sizes: XS-Large (5-6 through 10-12)
- Materials: Polyester blend
- Waterproof: No
Pros
- Simple design so kids can dress themselves
- One-piece style is warmer than two pieces
- Comfy enough to double as pajamas
Cons
- One-piece design may not appeal to older kids
- Available sizes: XS-XL
- Materials: Recycled polyester, recycled nylon
- Waterproof: No
Pros
- Fully recycled materials are better for the planet
- Technical puffy for kids who need high performance
- Fun colors that will please almost any kiddo
Cons
- Expensive
- Available sizes: 4-12, Small-Large
- Materials: Recycled polyester, recycled nylon, Primaloft Silver recycled insulation
- Waterproof: Yes
Pros
- High waterproof and breathability ratings
- Recycled materials throughout
- Growing system extends use
Cons
- Expensive for the whole kit
- Available sizes: 2T – 10 years old
- Materials: Regular and recycled polyamide, regular and recycled polyester, Fellex insulation
- Waterproof: Yes
Pros
- Unparallelled warmth and waterproofing
- Unique, kid-specific features
- Plenty of fun colors for kids
Cons
- Pricey
- Kids have complained that it’s too warm
- Available sizes: 1-10 year
- Materials: Polyurethane, polyamide, recycled polyamide, polyester, recycled polyester
- Waterproof: Yes
Pros
- Easy to get onto little hands
- Secure wrist strap works with elastic cuff to stay on kids’ hands
- Incredibly warm
Cons
- Larger size range can be tricky to navigate
- Available sizes: XS- L
- Materials: Polyester and recycled polyester
- Waterproof: Yes
Pros
- Cutest design on the ski hill
- Internal suspenders are a great feature for snowsuits
- Toilet zipper for bathroom breaks
Cons
- Very expensive
- Available sizes: Little kids 4 – Big kids 18
- Materials: Ripstop nylon, polyester fleece, and down insulation
- Waterproof: No
Pros
- Great mobility for kids to play and run
- Plenty of warmth for most winter adventures
- Wide range of sizes
Cons
- Puffy jackets aren’t very durable
- Available sizes: 2T – 13 years old
- Materials: Upcycled polyester; recycled synthetic insulation
- Waterproof: Yes
Pros
- Biodegradable insulation
- Loose, freerider fit that pleases most kids
- Machine washable
Cons
- Pricey for just snow pants
- Available sizes: 3 mos.- 5T
- Materials: Recycled nylon, recycled taffeta, and recycled down
- Waterproof: No
Pros
- Adds mobility compared to a puffy
- 700-fill power makes it super packable for parents
- Elasticized arm cuffs don’t pinch skin
Cons
- Fairly pricey for a vest
- Available sizes: XXS-XL
- Materials: Ripstop nylon, Megaloft synthetic insulation, Dri-Max waterproof insert
- Waterproof: Yes
Pros
- Easy on-off for kids
- Grippy palm that makes mittens less cumbersome
- Incredibly warm
Cons
- Some testers had a hard time keeping them on
- Available sizes: XS-XXL
- Materials: Recycled polyester
- Waterproof: No
Pros
- More affordable than wool
- Recycled polyester is less reliant on fossil fuels than virgin polyester
- Smooth surface is great for layering
Cons
- Not a ton of fun colors for kids
- Available sizes: XXS-XL
- Materials: Polyester
- Waterproof: No
Pros
- Super warm during high-output activities
- Affordable
Cons
- Definitely stink after a few use
- Available sizes: 12 month – 15 years old
- Materials: Nylon and polyester
- Waterproof: Yes
Pros
- Waterproof one-piece keeps everything out
- Wide range of sizes to fit a swath of kids
Cons
- Requires hand washing and air drying, which can be time consuming
- Available sizes: 2-14
- Materials: Merino wool
- Waterprooof: No
Pros
- Versatile enough to be outdoor midlayers or indoor jammies
- Soft fleece interior is ultra cozy
Cons
- Pricey for a full set
- Available sizes: 3 mos. – 5T
- Materials: Recycled polyester and recycled polyester taffeta
- Waterproof: Yes
Pros
- Reversible so you get two styles
- All recycled materials
Cons
- Some kiddos claim it’s “too warm” for moderate temperatures
- Available sizes: 1-8
- Materials: Polyester
- Waterproof: Yes
Pros
- Quick-release shoulder straps
- Plenty of color options for kiddos
Cons
- Younger children may struggle with the design while using the bathroom
- Sizes: 3-7
- Materials: Polyester and Primaloft insulation
- Waterproof: No
Pros
- Great dexterity-to-warmth ratio
- Very breathable
Cons
- Not waterproof or warm enough for sedentary activities

Kids’ Snow Gear Comparison Chart
Kids Gear | Price | Sizes | Materials | Waterproof |
---|---|---|---|---|
Iksplor Kid Iksplorer Set | $109 | 2T-12 years old | 100% merino wool | No |
Patagonia Infant High-Loft Down Sweater Bunting | $169 | Newborn – 24 months | Recycled polyester, recycled nylon, and recycled down insulation | No |
Patagonia Baby Down Sweater Vest | $99 | 3 mos.- 5T | Recycled nylon, recycled taffeta, and recycled down | No |
Airblaster Youth Ninja Suit | $100 | XS-Large (5-6 through 10-12) | Polyester blend | No |
Town Hall Down Town Puffy | $160 | XS-XL | Recycled polyester, recycled nylon | No |
Hootie Hoo Pinnakle Insulated Jacket and Insulated Bibs | $180 | 4-12, Small-Large | Recycled polyester, recycled nylon, Primaloft Silver recycled insulation | Yes |
L.L.Bean Kids’ Down Jacket | $109 | Little Kids 4 – Big Kids 18 | Ripstop nylon, polyester fleece, and down insulation | No |
Namuk Crusade Snow Pants Upcycled | $149 | 2T – 13 years old | Upcycled polyester; recycled synthetic insulation | Yes |
Reima Stavanger Snowsuit | $195 | 2T – 10 years old | Regular and recycled polyamide, regular and recycled polyester, Fellex insulation | Yes |
Reima Ote Waterproof Mittens | $40 | 1-10 year | Polyurethane, polyamide, recycled polyamide, polyester, recycled polyester | Yes |
Gordini Easy-On Mittens | $30 | XXS-XL | Ripstop nylon, Megaloft synthetic insulation, Dri-Max waterproof insert | Yes |
WeeDo Ohdeer Deer Snowsuit | $282 | XS- L | Polyester and recycled polyester | Yes |
Patagonia Midweight Capilene Crew & Bottoms | $35-39 | XS-XXL | Recycled polyester | No |
Columbia Kids’ Omni-Heat Midweight Baselayer Crew & Bottom | $30-20 | XXS-XL | Polyester | No |
Oaki Rain/Trail Suit | $79 | 12 mos – 15 years old | Nylon and polyester | Yes |
Chasing Windmills Merino Sweatshirt & Fleece Sweatpants | $59 | 2-14 | Merino wool | No |
Patagonia Baby Reversible Tribbles Hoody | $109 | 3 mos. – 5T | Recycled polyester and recycled polyester taffeta | Yes |
Obermeyer Snoverall Bib | $100 | 1-8 | Polyester | Yes |
Hestra Junior Tracker Gloves | $50 | 3-7 | Polyester and Primaloft insulation | Yes |

How We Tested Kids’ Snow Gear
Our Expert Testers
Our Testing Grounds
Our Testing Process

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Kids’ Snow Gear
Waterproofness

- 0-5,000mm: Minimal to no water resistance.
- 6,000-10,000mm: Rainproof and waterproof under light pressure.
- 11,000-15,000mm: Rainproof and waterproof unless under high pressure.
- 16,000-20,000mm: Rainproof and waterproof under high pressure.
- 20,0000mm+: Rainproof and waterproof under very high pressure.


Insulation
Down

Synthetic Insulation

Alternative Insulation

Windproofness

Breathability

Reinforcements

Adjustability & Growth System

Hood & Collar

Pockets

Sustainability

Price & Value
Budget


Mid-Tier

Premium


Frequently Asked Questions
There isn’t a single brand that is categorized as the “best” brands for kids’ ski clothing.
However, there are certainly brands that make high-quality products for kids. In the United States, Patagonia has long been known for exceptional kids’ apparel, with a special nod to their Infant High-Loft Down Sweater Bunting.
Columbia Sportswear is also known for decent and affordable kids’ snow gear. But in the past 5-7 years, more new or European brands have come to the American market with kids-only apparel, adding more competition and quality into the category. These brands include Iksplor, Reima, WeeDo, and Namuk, to name a few.
Additionally, the last few years have brought innovation to this category from American brands like Town Hall (started in Steamboat Springs, Colo.) and Hootie Hoo (founded in Vermont).

Winter clothing is especially pricey, so it’s tempting for parents to size everything up to get the most use out of it. While that can be a temporary solution, it may not be your best bet. Remember: large outdoor layers will fit sloppy and can cause tripping hazards for your kiddo (or even ripped layers if they step on pant legs).
Additionally, winter layers perform best if they fit properly. An oversized baselayer is going to hang on your child, which means the fabric won’t be able to properly wick sweat away from their skin. For an insulating puffy or exterior ski kit, a larger size means lots of extra space on the inside. Since both down and synthetic insulation keep us warm by warming the air around us, extra space will take much longer to warm up for your child.
On the flip side, you don’t want your child’s gear to fit too snugly. This will make it tougher for them to move around and stay warm, which could be problematic.
Ultimately, use the accompanying sizing guides for each brand and choose the size that works best for your kiddo when you need it — and then double down on those growing systems that are included in most exterior layers these days!
Neither is better and there is no overall rule on snow pants versus snowsuits. However, a general rule of thumb is that snowsuits are better for smaller kiddos (younger than kindergarten) whereas snow pants are more popular with the older crowd. Snowsuits work best for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers because there are no cracks to let cold air or snow inside.
As a result, they tend to be warmer which is especially helpful for babies who cannot communicate their needs. However, they are more cumbersome, particularly for kids who are not wearing diapers. That’s why most older children start to rebel against them and ask for snow pants.

Gauging your baby’s warmth during outdoor adventures is one of the most stressful parenting tasks. It’s so relative: Some babes run warm and others are little ice cubes.
If you’re worried about them while playing in the snow, check on their temperature by feeling their core every once in awhile. If it feels cold to the touch, put another layer on them. If it’s too hot, remove a layer.

It is often overwhelming to build out your child’s first winter kit, so start with the basics. First, prioritize high-quality baselayers. These are the items that will sit next to your child’s skin and can make or break their comfort. Second, emphasize the outer layers (which may or may not include insulation).
Children have a tendency to wallow in the snow far more than adults do, so it’s more important to guarantee waterproofness and a reliable layer against Mother Nature. Lastly, consider their appendages. Hands and toes are typically the first things to get cold, so pay extra attention to their hand coverings. For the most part, ditch the gloves; mittens are much warmer for little fingers.

If parents made all of the kids’ outdoor clothing, it would probably be more affordable. But as it is, kids’ clothes can be outrageously expensive. On the one hand, we want our babies to be comfortable on outside adventures. On the other hand, we still need a few bucks left in the bank for said winter adventure.
We’ve found a few strategies for gearing up for winter without breaking the bank. First, before you drop a ton of money on winter gear for your child, check out local thrift or used gear stores.
Ask your fellow parent friends if they have anything they don’t need anymore. Having a go-to source for secondhand gear can be a real treasure.
Next, prioritize and think about how often you’ll really use something. If it’s something you know you’ll use quite often, it’s worth the splurge. But if it’s a once-per-year kind of item, consider finding an affordable alternative.
Most of all, just get out there. Whatever gear you end up choosing, your kid, your sanity, and your family memories will thank you for making the effort to get outside — even when the temperature drops and the snow flies.


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