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Kids’ Outerwear Fall 2019

As a parent you may face three main challenges to bundling your kids up for cold weather. The first is that they grow. This is actually a good thing, but when it comes to keeping them in clothes, it can be frustrating. Unfortunately, there’s no way you can predict how much they will grow and when. Traditionally, Fall is the time to pull last year’s jacket out of the closet and see how well it fits. Have your child’s wrists moved well beyond the coat sleeves? Is the jacket zipping up? And if so, is there still room for easy movement on the playground or in the yard? If not, it’s probably time for a new jacket.

The second challenge is not quite as prevalent as outgrowing a coat. It’s wearing one out. If your child is an outdoor explorer, loves impromptu games or is simply hard on clothes, last year’s jacket may be too worn to be viable for school.

The third challenge is actually getting them to wear a jacket in the first place. Whether it’s too hot, too tight, too uncomfortable or too much of a bother, most days they’d really rather do without.

So what’s a parent to do? How do you keep them warm and dry in clothing they’ll actually wear? From the smallest baby to the kid who’s about to move on into adult clothing, our mantra is quality. Quality means thoughtful design, durable and comfortable materials, and clothing that lasts for much more than a season.

Buying good quality children’s clothing is an investment that pays dividends in the future. Quality kids’ jackets can be handed on to siblings, friends or resold. Patagonia, who pride themselves on the quality of their outerwear, even includes a multiline name tag for their kids’ jackets and encourages hand-me-downs. They will also attempt repairs on their clothing with the hope of reducing the environmental impacts of manufacturing new clothing and waste.

A basic kid’s (and adult’s!) jacket collection ideally would include a rain shell and a lightweight insulation layer. The rain jacket can be worn on wet but not too chilly days, the insulation jacket on dry and cold days, and if you are expecting wet and cold putting the two together will keep your kiddo comfortable throughout their day. 

A rain jacket needs to breathe, be waterproof and durable.  The Marmot lightweight PreCip Eco rain jacket for boys and girls fills the bill. You can pack it into its own pocket and stash it in a backpack ready to be deployed when needed. Made with high quality recycled materials, it’s also easy on the environment.

There are several good choices for a lightweight jacket. Fleece has been a favorite for many years. One of our favorites is Patagonia’s Los Gatos Hoody for girls. Made of a silky high pile, double-faced fleece, you can wrap her in warmth and softness. The fleece has a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish, handwarmer pockets and two interior drop in pockets. Both fleece jackets are made with a combination of new and recycled materials that keep their environmental footprint light.

If fleece isn’t your child’s favorite feel, consider the Patagonia Down Sweater. It’s a lightweight, windproof shell filled with traceable down. The shell has a DWR finish, spandex cuffs to keep out the chill, a high collar and a zipper garage to protect the neck. You’ll find Down Sweaters for babies, toddlers, kids (and adults!) at Whole Earth.

A non-down alternative for boys is The North Face ThermoBall Eco Jacket. It has the cushiony, lightweight feel of a down jacket but uses water resistant, Primaloft polyester “down” to create insulated warmth. The ThermoBall Eco is an excellent choice for the environmentally conscious child or parent as it’s made with 100% recycled materials.

If you are into the idea of one and done, the 4-In-1 Everyday Jacket for boys or girls from Patagonia may be an excellent choice. The outer shell is hooded, waterproof and has adjustable cuffs. The zip-in zip-out jacket is a reversible – a DWR taffeta shell, lined with fleece for extra warmth. Your child can choose to wear the second jacket alone as fleece out or fleece in. The two jackets together will keep a child toasty and dry in any weather.

Cold weather is here. If your kids need new jackets, come see us. We have a carefully curated selection to keep them dry and warm in the wintry months ahead.