Best Winter Jackets for Kids

What To Look for in a Kids Winter Jacket

When looking for a kids’ winter jacket for your little one, there are a host of factors to keep in mind. Primarily, you want to choose the right jacket type for your child. Depending on the weather conditions, a rain jacket, parka, or snow jacket may be appropriate. 

Secondly, consider how much insulation your child will need for where you live. If you experience wetter winters, you’ll also want to look for an outer shell with weather protection. Some other features to watch out for are the hood, pockets, zippers, and cuffs. 

1. Jacket Types

Midweight Insulated Jackets

A midweight insulated jacket is lightweight with plenty of insulation. Midweight insulated jackets are perfect for exploring snowy towns but not as appropriate for the mountains. It can be used in place of a hard shell when the weather isn’t as harsh. 

Snow Jackets

If your little one is hitting the slopes this winter, you’ll want to look for a snow jacket. These heavy-duty jackets keep snow out with a waterproof outer shell, and usually have elastic cuffs, waist and sometimes even hood trim for more help sealing out the elements. They’re also generally made of breathable material to allow excess moisture to escape the jacket. Other features include sealed seams, high durability, and a snow skirt. Some snow skirts are removable, have loops to attach to pant legs, or snaps to secure it when not in use.

Puffers

Puffers, or down jackets, are known for thick baffles filled with down insulation. They are versatile enough for both urban and activewear. The down or synthetic insulation helps with heat retention, which keeps your child warm in frigid temperatures. Not for rainy winters though, unless tucked behind a waterproof shell fabric.

Parkas

Parkas are winter coats with hoods for the extreme cold. While jackets usually come down to your waist, a parka will typically be nearly knee-length. The hood is also lined with faux or real fur to fight frostbite. They’re also incredibly well insulated with either natural or synthetic down. Perfect for deep cold.

Rain Jackets

Rain jackets can serve as hard shells over warmer jackets, especially if you live in a cold, wet climate. Wearing a raincoat as an outermost layer can help protect the down material in your inner layers. They often feature Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating to keep off rain, snow, or sleet. For kids, this means versatility: if it gets too warm, they can slip their rain jacket shell off.

2. Insulation

Down

Down insulation is made of goose or duck plumage. The clusters of feathers help increase the heat retention of the jacket. Recently, there has been a move towards down that is ethically sourced, indicated by the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certification. 

Synthetic

Besides ethical reasons, some people prefer synthetic down because it doesn’t lose its’ heat-retention capacity when wet. If you’re on a budget, synthetic down jackets will also tend to be less expensive than real down. And if you’ve got kids running around all afternoon in the snow…

3. Shell Material

Water Resistance

It’s common to see outer shells made out of weather-resistant materials. Some waterproof materials include a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating, taped seams, and waterproof and breathable fabric. Instead of adding a rain jacket, these waterproof shells can serve as a 2-in-1 winter coat. 

4. Features

Hood

Some people might prefer winter jackets without hoods because they are more lightweight. Many hoods are removable or come with fur insulation for added warmth. If you’re anticipating an icy winter, it’s best to find a winter coat with an insulated hood for your kids. 

Pockets

More pockets can mean more convenience, but it can also increase the jacket’s weight and price. Many of the best kids’ winter coats have magnetic, zip, or snap closures, making opening and closing pockets easier. Essential pockets are a zip security pocket and handwarmer pockets (lined with fleece or some such material) for your little one’s hands. 

Cuffs

Most winter jackets for kids have adjustable cuffs with velcro tabs or knit ribbing. Velcro tabs ensure that the wrist fit can be adjusted to keep in body heat. Elasticized or rib-knit trim can be more comfortable, but might not trap in heat as well. 

Snow Skirt

Snow skirts or waist gaiters are commonly seen in ski and snow jackets to keep out the powder. They’re made for when your child takes a fall skiing or snowboarding. Some snow skirts are removable, have loops to attach to pants, or snaps to secure it when not in use. 

5. Fit

When finding a winter jacket for your child, you want to ensure it fits snugly enough to keep the little one insulated. However, it should also provide some ease of movement for building a snowman or playing on a winter sled. The sleeves should be slightly longer than the arms, and the hem should be slightly longer than an everyday shirt.