My favorite outer wear, layers and more.
The first real cold snap has hit Bend, and it’s got our whole family excited. As a child, I always loved the changing of the seasons – the transition from fall to winter or spring to summer brought a sense of wonder. It’s heartening to see that our kids share this excitement, eagerly embracing the arrival of winter. Mornings and evenings now feature crackling fires, and cozy reading sessions on the couch. While it might take a bit longer to get ready for Forest School, we’re all prepared, thanks to some fantastic winter gear and, of course, the natural resilience of kids.
Discovering the Latest in Winter Gear
With the changing season, I thought it’s high time to update my favorite winter kids’ clothing and gear blog. This year has brought a wealth of new and delightful products, and I can’t wait to share them with you. Although the experts predict a milder winter than the previous year, we all know that cold days are inevitable, especially when we’re out skiing and exploring.
Learning from Forest School’s Wisdom
Reflecting on my experiences with Forest School, I’m reminded of their practical rules for dealing with weather. It’s a simple, but effective guideline: “If it’s below 35 degrees, your child should be dressed in layers – a base layer, a mid layer, and ideally, an outer layer that’s waterproof (although water-resistant works too). They also need a pair of snack gloves, two sets of larger gloves or mittens, a neck gaiter, and a hat.” Over the three years we’ve been part of Bend Forest School, this rule has become our go-to for all our camping trips, cabin adventures, and more. It’s always easier to shed a layer if they’re too warm than to deal with a cold and miserable kid.
Gear That Works for Our Boys
Now, I’d like to share an updated list of what’s been working for our two boys, aged 4 and 6, this year. Even if your child doesn’t attend an outdoor school, these recommendations can help you prepare for any winter activity. We all know that it’s no fun being cold, and as parents, it’s definitely not fun dealing with a grumpy kiddo. Hopefully, the gear suggestions and tips I provide below will encourage you to get outside more this winter season.
Budget-Friendly Alternatives
If some of the gear items seem out of your price range, don’t worry. Scroll down for some tips on where to find discounted and budget-friendly yet fantastic discoveries.
Patagonia Kids High Loft Down Sweater Hoody $189
For those extra cold days, we reach for this jacket. It is big in it’s loft, but that’s what makes it so cozy on cold days when my boys are spending most of their day outside! It does have a PFC – free (perfluorinated chemicals that are bad for our water) DWR finish, which makes it hold up against light moisture. So for us in central Oregon it works great most days. However, if you need something that can perform in a rainy cold environment (like most of PNW) then I would reach for the Patagonia Nano Puff (or the Namuk fleec)+the Oaki or Patagonia rain jacket!
Namuk Fleece Jacket $129
This fleece is sturdy and warm enough to be warn on its own as well as supple and cozy enough to be warn under neath a bigger jacket. Max loves it for it’s pocket and the little owl. We love it because it keeps him warm, comfortable and its made out of Prima Loft Bio Fleece- which means it is completely bio degradable and does not contribute to microplastic pollution after washing like most other fleeces.
Boys’ Winter Powder II Quilted Jacket $120
For our ski days, we bust out his Columbia Puffy out. It has the newest and most advanced reflective technology. An added perk is that it is gold, which my kids really like. They call it their “sparkly, magic puff.” My husband and I love it because it keeps them super warm, it’s waterproof, breathable, and comes with an easy to snap powder skirt. These features make it a great skiing jacket! And it is enhanced with the outgrown system, when my son grows all we have to do is snip a piece of thread and we get another year out of it and then pass it down!
Northern Minnesota Jacket $120
Unbelievably cute and functional. For everyday wear, snowman building and going to forest school, this jacket has been amazing. It is thinner than their other jackets, but it is still water resistant and warm. While it is not my favorite for down hill skiing on cold days, it is an an amazing everday jacket for the winter months. It lets them both move freely enough to go on winter bike rides, climb trees and play in the snow with out all the bulk!
This is a hoody that is heavier than most other merino wool tops we have found and it is brand new for Smart Wool this year! We have been testing it on my 6 year old for the past couple of months and it has been awesome on the very chilly mornings. He is able to wear it on it’s own as it warms up and puts on a puffy or rain jacket and be really toasty when it is colder. I’m really looking forward to having this be one of our main staples for ski season this year, as the hood is really nice and snug and the fit is also snug but breathable.
Patagonia fleece bottom and top
Ever since receiving these awesome cozy fleece pants and top, my four year old has asked for them every single morning. “I want my cozy pants.” “These?” I ask holding up another pair because I really need to wash the pair he has worn for five straight days. “NO my COZY pants Mama!” “Ok”, I say, “they are so cozy.” They are the perfect mid layer for his forest school days and ski days as well as a great single layer for a home day or a warmer fall/spring day. The only downside is that once on your toddler, they will never want to take them off.
Chasing Windmills Merino Sweatshirt and SweatPants $59
We LOVE this company. Chasing Windmills is owned by two parents with twins, so of course I immediately was drawn to them. They also source their merino from NZ, which is where our second home and Jason’s twin brother and his family reside. Besides our many connections, their Merino Wool Sweatshirts and sweatpants are extremely comfortable and serve as a great second layer for super cold days or as a single layer for cozy days at the house or warmer fall/ spring days outside. I have had the same top bottom set for both boys and they are now going down the line to the next neighborhood kid to enjoy because they still look great and even more importantly keep them warm and cozy!
Oaki Wool Base Layers (use Chelsey20 and get a % on purchases over $29.99) $79.99
We are so excited that Oaki has come out with merino base layers! Now they are almost the one stop shop place. And all of their stuff is very reasonably prices. While we have not tested these for too long (one month so far) they seem to be holding up to all the wear and tear my very active boys have been putting them through. And they feel very soft and durable.
Youth Ninja Suit $99.95
These suits have been doubling as both their cabin jammies and base layers for our ski days. The wrap around zipper coupled with the hood and stretchy warm fabric makes it the ultimate suit for non stop winter play. The zipper helps them go to the bathroom on their own with less fuss and the fact that it is all one suit makes dressing them in the morning a breeze. Once my boys put it on, it does not come off for honestly days. This is why we put them in it before winter cabin missions, as for the whole time we are at the cabin, they just live in it and it is the only clothes we take besides their outer wear!
Patagonia Kids Powder Town Bibs $189
These bibs while expensive are the most durable, waterproof and adjustable snow and ski pants I have found. They will likely be with our family for many years, as they can wear the same pair for multiple seasons. This and the fact that they are indestructable makes the $189 price tag a little easier to swallow. But seriously, my older sons previous bibs did not make it through even one Forest School season, but these ones are now on their second season and are showing no signs of wear at all.
Oaki Rain Bibs $49.99
For the warmer snow days, or the shoulder season, where you don’t quite know what the weather will do- the Oaki rain bibs are your ticket. It is waterproof, breathable, super duper adjustable and is great at keeping the mud out and the warmth and comfort in. We love it because my boys can be the dirtiest I have ever seen them but as soon as I take them off, he has no sign of dirt. I then just let it dry, then shake off the dirt and it’s ready to go again!
Gordini Wrap around Mittens $29.99
These mittens have literally saved us all. I am so happy to say that there are no tears when putting these mittens on. They wrap around his hand, his wrist and his jacket making it easy for him to put his thumb “in the thumb place”. The outer material is waterproof and in the inner is a super warm and soft fleece lining that wicks moisture. So far, I am super impressed with these and wonder why all toddler gloves and mittens are not like this.
Columbia fast trek fleece gloves $18.00
At Forest School it is required to send your kids with snack gloves, these are often thin gloves that function well enough to let them eat their lunch with out getting cold hands. These fleece liner gloves have been awesome for both his snack gloves and for xc skiing. They provide just enough protection from the elements when we are working out and playing outside. So far they have kept the moisture out and warmth in.
As your kid grows older, gloves become easier to put on. For our 6 year old, he can now put these gloves on by himself and loves them. They have a breathable, goretex and waterproof liner that is warm and very comfortable.
Iksplor Neckwarmer and thin hat $28
Did you know that if you keep the the neck warm, your whole body will stay much warmer? We lose a lot of heat if this are of the body is not properly covered. That is why when we or our boys go outside, the neck gaiter is a non negotiable piece of gear. As a family, we all love and wear our wool “neckies” from Iksplor. Just like their jogger suit, they are buttery soft and keep our necks warm while also wicking away sweat. If you are not yet sold on woolies or joggers, I would start with a wool neckie and see what you think!
BlackStrap Balaclava: $29.99
For the super cold windy days on the mountain or at school, our boys and us always reach for our Blackstrap Balaclavas! They are SUPER warm thanks to it’s freeze resistant Treo fabric. It is also very flexible and abrasion resistant which makes it comfortable against the skin for long periods of time. We also love them because fit underneath ski helmets with out any fuss because they are thin and breathable. And most importantly they come in awesome, fun prints!
Smart wool and or Oaki wool socks 8- 12$
For play out in the snow and the cold, there really is no other warmer sock option than wool. They hold in the warmth, even when they get wet, which for kids inevetiable. My favorite socks so far (that have gone through multiple seasons and kids) are the smart wool and Oaki wool socks. They are not only super warm, but they have yet to have any holes.
Namuk backpack $129.00
I know, $129 for a kids backpack!? But this is a really nice and comfortable pack. I have seen my kids haul their own gear on multiple camping trips, across airports and more. And now it is the perfect pack for Forest School as at school they go on many outings where they have to carry their lunch, etc. The chest strap, waist strap, roll top and easy to access water bottle holders make this pack super kid friendly. The fact that it is waterproof makes it awesome for adventurous families. The number of times we have actually used their pack as the “dry pack” on our family missions that have gone epic is many. And for 14L, it can fit an amazing amount of gear!
The first thing my kids say to me after breakfast on school day mornings is “can I see my lunch?” They absolutely love this lunch box. It is super fun for them to have all the little sections full of different types of food. It is also helpful as the person who makes the lunch as it helps me make sure that all the food groups are covered. I hear that Forest School teachers are also fond of this lunch box because it is not too big and is easy for kids to open and close themselves.
Hydroflask 12 oz wide mouth bottle $14.95
We love this little bottle for drinking hot cocoa, cider or tea on the way to Forest School. Just as I love to drink my coffee while I drive them to school, they are the same. It warms them and is an added little comfort that helps them get into the car and ready for the day.
Hydroflask 12oz food jar $26.22
This food jar has been great for those super cold days, where I know that a warm lunch would be appreciated. It keeps their mac and cheese perfectly warm for up to 8 hours. The thinner shape is easy for their little hands to handle. The only con is that they do still need a teacher to help open and close the lid.
Keeping their toes warm is a hard job, especially in the early morning. These boots have worked super well so far for both of my boys. They let them stomp through puddles with out worry and when warn with a cozy wool sock, they are able to go for 6 hours outside with out a peep about their feet being cold.
The warmest boot with the best traction out there. My 6 year old’s favorite thing in the whole world is to climb…. anything. His most favorite thing to do is to climb really high up in a tree and just sit. However, when winter comes, ice becomes a worry. These boots have the best traction I have ever seen in a kids boot. I have seen him scale a wet icy rocks and trees in them with out a care. And unlike other super traction boots, they don’t let the snow pile up on the sole. Instead, they seem to repel the snow! The only downside of Vivo is their sizing, it is not like another shoe sizing so do what their website says and measure your child’s foot as per their instructions! If you go off of other boots that you have in their size, it will likely be way too big.
Extras:
Hand/foot warmers are great to put in their backpacks or pockets. I always tell my kids that they can always ask for a teacher to put them in their mittens.
Hankerchiefs are great for the endless running nose that starts November 1st and does not end till mid March! Most recently we have had to add in practicing how to blow your nose with gloves on. This is a hard one!
SkinDoctor: Angelinas Skin Care makes our most loved product ever for the skin- Skin Doctor! It is great for their faces (and yours too) when it’s really cold and windy out. We put it on all of our faces before ski days and before Forest School days when it is sure to be both windy and cold. Use “BendRacing” for 10% off at check out!
Tips for keeping your kids warm on a budget:
If you read this and are like “damn, outdoor gear is expensive!” I hear you. It can be expensive to keep your little ones bundled and cozy. Of course if you have more than one kid who will be using it, the price tag is easier to swallow. I also look at the resell value before I buy as well. FB market place, and selling to friends has helped us rationalize buying something that will make our outings more enjoyable.
Below are some tips on how to find the above gear and other gear at a budget.
Go to your local use gear store
When ever we are needing something for ourselves or our kids from skis to bikes to jackets, we always head to our local used gear store first. And whenever we are done with a piece of gear, we bring it in to sell it. This way we make money or get credit which helps us and helps them. All the gear they take in and sell is gently used and still has a ton of life in it. It’s a great cycle that we love being apart of.
Check FB Market Place.
Yes, this does require you to get on Social Media, so if you are opposed to this, don’t worry about it. We have found a ton of great stuff on FB Marketplace. It does require you to message people, go to their house and check it out, but people usually price it at a great price. We sell a few nice things on FB Market Place and have yet to have a bad experience.
Buy at the end of the season
For our boys, I often will buy things for the next season at the end of season. For example at the end of winter, I will buy the next size up in all the things for my fiver year old. The three year old usually gets all the hand me downs, but from time to time I will get him some new base layers that are not as thrashed.
Look into second hand/ grow programs
Many companies, like Patagonia and Iksplor have programs that sells gently used products at a very discounted price. I love looking here after checking Marketplace and local use stores. I usually find exactly what I am looking for (and more!) at great prices. And it’s nice knowing that it is already infused with some adventure from another family. In addition to this, when I do buy something new, especially snow pants and jackets, I always look to see if the pant legs and arms can be extended. Many companies are doing this now (Columbia/ Patagonia) and I love seeing this.