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Complete Winter Gear List for Kids in Colorado
25
items The winter gear we’ve actually used on our kid from her first winter until now, sorted by age. It’s a mix of store brands and a few pieces worth spending more on, because some of it gets outgrown in one season and some of it lasts for years. We live ...
Sections
4
All Ages
Infant (0-1)
Toddler (1-3)
PreK+ (3-5+)
All Ages
The small stuff that keeps a snow day going: warm socks, a hat that fits under a hood, a neck gaiter, a base layer, and a bulk pack of hand warmers. We keep spares of most of these stashed around the house and in the car.
I prefer to have a lightweight neck gaiter (vs a fleece one) because they dry out faster and are easier to adjust without extra bulk. We got this style for the winter but actually use it year round for chilly camping nights or bike rides.
Kids Neck Gaiter Warmer Winter
This is one of our base layer sets. Its cozy and comfortable without being too thick to layer. I personally like the wider neckline so we can layer a gaiter and jacket/hood without restriction.
2T-5T Toddler Thermal Underwear Set, Kids Base Layer
…because who doesn't love a pair of socks with unicorns!
These were one of the few good quality socks that I could find in very small sizes (my kid has tiny feet!).
My daughter loves these and I think it's only 97% because of the unicorn. We do not get complaints about the feel of socks in her boots or cold toes when she's wearing these.
These were one of the few good quality socks that I could find in very small sizes (my kid has tiny feet!).
My daughter loves these and I think it's only 97% because of the unicorn. We do not get complaints about the feel of socks in her boots or cold toes when she's wearing these.
Darn Tough Vermont Ski Socks
Smartwool has never failed me and these socks are another win. They come in a lot of colors and designs which is not just fun, it helps get my kid involved in the process of getting gear ready.
Smartwool Kids Wintersport Full Cushion Socks
Yup…I buy hand warmers in bulk. I didn't use them at all until I had a kid but now they're very useful to have stashed in pockets. We activate them, put them in one of her jacket pockets, and remind her to warm up her hands. They're also helpful to h...
HotHands Hand Warmers Bulk Pack, 40 Pairs
This is such a simple hat but it fits our needs perfectly. It's low-cost, it fits well, and it can easily be put under a hood.
We have a few and keep them stashed alongside gloves for our daughter.
We have a few and keep them stashed alongside gloves for our daughter.
Wonder Nation Toddler Ribbed Beanie
Infant (0-1)
For the carrier and stroller stage. A warm one-piece bunting does most of the work, and fleece pajamas fill in as an extra layer underneath. Footless pajamas make it easy to add socks and check toes.
My daughter lived in buntings during her first winter. The TNF Thermoball was our go-to and we got nearly two winter seasons out of it before passing it on.
This was a time in her childhood that I was focused on getting the best gear options. I was nervous about her comfort and had not yet learned how to mix and match gear.
This is a more expensive item but the quality is there and this age the kids don't wear through their clothes yet so they hold value for resale!
This was a time in her childhood that I was focused on getting the best gear options. I was nervous about her comfort and had not yet learned how to mix and match gear.
This is a more expensive item but the quality is there and this age the kids don't wear through their clothes yet so they hold value for resale!
Baby THERMOBALL™ One-Piece
This buniting doubled as her Halloween costume and was just so fun all winter! We bought a size up and would have definitely worked for two Halloweens in a row…but I stuck to just two winters.
This is a thick fleece and a very warm bunting. If she wasn't going to be in the snow (just in the cold) we tended to use this vs the Thermoball (was worried I'd damage the TNF bunting, I never did).
This is a thick fleece and a very warm bunting. If she wasn't going to be in the snow (just in the cold) we tended to use this vs the Thermoball (was worried I'd damage the TNF bunting, I never did).
Columbia Baby Foxy Baby sherpa Bunting
Footless PJs and two-piece PJs were our go-to for layers. They worked as the main outfit and extra warmth in the winter. I liked having her feet free so we could layer socks and easily check her toe temp.
Gerber Baby 3-Pack Fleece Footless Pajamas
Toddler (1-3)
Simple, inexpensive pieces that work more than one way. A puffer and a rain jacket can be worn on their own or layered together. Keep two pairs of snow bibs if you can, because toddlers soak through everything.
This was our first ski/snowboard helmet for our daughter. She's grown out of it but it was a great option when she was younger. The insulated ear covers were great and she seemed to accept the fit.
Giro Crue Ski Helmet
These boots are lightweight and have decent insulation. We used them for my daughter when she was younger and wasn't tromping through the deep snow but did need some snow protection and warmth.
Kids' Haynes Waterproof Winter Snow Boots
This is a great option for a little extra insulation. We used it on the warmer days or to layer with a rain jacket on colder days.
This combination of puffy jacket + rain jacket helped us keep our daughter warm while having a LOT of versatility in her jackets (vs buying even more layers).
This combination of puffy jacket + rain jacket helped us keep our daughter warm while having a LOT of versatility in her jackets (vs buying even more layers).
Toddler Girls' Puffer Jacket - Cat & Jack™
This is the rain jacket we used as an outer layer. We often layered it over a puffy jacket but it also worked great as a rain jacket.
I really focused on gear that could be used in multiple ways. This allowed me to buy the right size and pack fewer items while still being prepared for more weather options.
It also kept my costs down because I wasn't too focused on the technical aspects of the gear; I could mix/match and layer as needed.
I really focused on gear that could be used in multiple ways. This allowed me to buy the right size and pack fewer items while still being prepared for more weather options.
It also kept my costs down because I wasn't too focused on the technical aspects of the gear; I could mix/match and layer as needed.
Toddler Girls' Rain Jacket - Cat & Jack™
At this age (1-3yo) we kept our snowpants very basic and inexpensive.
Our daughter spent most of her time crawling, sitting, and flopping into the snow…no level of waterproofing could keep her outer layers dry! So we opted to own two pair of basic snowpants that we swapped out for each outing vs panicking because they ...
This Cat & Jack bib fits well and holds up to the chaos of a toddler.
Our daughter spent most of her time crawling, sitting, and flopping into the snow…no level of waterproofing could keep her outer layers dry! So we opted to own two pair of basic snowpants that we swapped out for each outing vs panicking because they ...
This Cat & Jack bib fits well and holds up to the chaos of a toddler.
Toddler Snow Bib - All In Motion™
Yes, just knit mittens…
My daughter was terrible about keeping mittens on at this stage so we improvised with a few packs of these knit mittens and hand warmers in her pockets. She wanted to touch everything and thick, insulated mittens got in the way.
My daughter was terrible about keeping mittens on at this stage so we improvised with a few packs of these knit mittens and hand warmers in her pockets. She wanted to touch everything and thick, insulated mittens got in the way.
Toddler 3pk Mitten Set - Cat & Jack™ Green
PreK+ (3-5+)
The stage where gear starts lasting more than one winter. This is where it can be worth spending more on bibs, a jacket and a base layer, since they hold up through years of play and can be handed down. Plus the extras that make snow days smoother: l...
These snowpants have lasted us years! They are durable and take well to re-waterproofing with Nikwax.
Burton Kids’ Skylar 2-Layer Bib Pants – Waterproof
We like these for a few reasons – they are fairly lightweight for a winter boot, they have an ankle strap, and they have a top strap. This gives us some versitility and helps keep snow out when my daughter isn't wearing snow pants.
Kamik Rocket Kids Snow Boots | Warm Waterproof Insulated Snow Boots
We keep our goggles very simple…my daughter does not like having goggles or sunglasses on her face, but sometimes they're necessary.
OutdoorMaster Kids Ski Goggles Anti-Fog OTG Snow Goggles for Winter Sports | Multi-Layer Foam, Impact Lens, Lightweight Frame, Anti-Scratch, OTG Friendly, Wide View, Air Vents, for Snow Sports
This was our go-to winter jacket for two years (until she outgrew it!). I bought it because I remember the 3-in-1 from my own childhood but I was honestly surprised when we used it as three different jacket combos over the years!
It didn't break the bank and it survived a lot of play ground use!
It didn't break the bank and it survived a lot of play ground use!
Toddler 3-in-1 Winter Snowplay Jacket
Our merino wool base layer set is used a bit more intentionally than our others (my choice overrides my daughter's choice on cold days!). It fits well and helps kee her warm, exactly what we need.
It is more expensive but we balance that out by using it year round as a PJ set while camping.
It is more expensive but we balance that out by using it year round as a PJ set while camping.
100% Merino Wool Base Layer Thermal Set
We have 2-3 packs of these in rotation at our house! These gloves get stashed everywhere so we always have access to something to keep my daughter's hands warm.
We swap them out a lot of to keep hands dry.
We swap them out a lot of to keep hands dry.
Wonder Nation Boys Knit Gloves, 3 Pack
We have three pairs of these and they've survived more than one winter! The long cuffs with TWO points to secure (wrist and forearm) keep them on hands and keep the snow out.
Long Cuff Waterproof Kids Mitten Gloves For Boys Girls Toddler
We have had a few Patagonia puffy jackets over the years and they hold up well. This is the style my daughter is currently wearing.
We always opt for a hood for extra wind protection (either on the head or around the neck).
We always opt for a hood for extra wind protection (either on the head or around the neck).
Patagonia Kids' Reversible Down Sweater™ Insulated Hoody
Hear me out…these are designed for adult shoes BUT they are very adjustable and fit over the toe of my daughter's 6T hiking boot.
It was only under the toe and it did impact her gait a bit BUT the traction did stay on, it did give her more confidence in the snow, and it is genuinely the only thing I could find to fit my kid's boots without breaking the bank.
I would personally recommend these and we will keep them on hand for many years.
It was only under the toe and it did impact her gait a bit BUT the traction did stay on, it did give her more confidence in the snow, and it is genuinely the only thing I could find to fit my kid's boots without breaking the bank.
I would personally recommend these and we will keep them on hand for many years.
Ice Cleats Mid-Sole Snow Traction Cleats
Great rain pants for kids. We even use them for post-rain play so the kids can sit in the sand/grass.
Feel free to size up a bit, the waistband is stretchy but also tight enough to size up.
Feel free to size up a bit, the waistband is stretchy but also tight enough to size up.
Kids Pants | Columbia Sportswear