In her first year of life, Gemma camped in the snow, hiked the Cascades, explored the Colorado Plateau, and visited a variety of terrain from sea level to 12,000 feet above. Through it all, she remained a happy, healthy baby and simply adores being outside, rain or shine.
What's your secret to bringing a baby outdoors? other parents want to know. And while they think my answer will be one of the many pieces of gear we've acquired since becoming parents ourselves (we definitely don't travel lightly!), I always tell them it comes down to one thing: layers.
For as long as I've been outdoors, I've always sung the praises of layering properly with a few quality pieces that pay for themselves over and over again. Staying warm and comfortable is key to enjoying the outdoors, and that holds true for babies as well.
In my view, there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. By dressing in layers, especially well-chosen layers that wick moisture, dry quickly, and retain warmth, you'll be prepared for any type of weather you might encounter year-round, especially if you head up to higher elevations to play.
The formula for a fun day outside = base layer + mid/insulating layer + outer layer. I call this the baby sandwich.
The Baby Sandwich:
Base Layer: Wool (or polypropylene) top and bottom, wool socks, and if extremely cold, a balaclava
Mid/Insulating Layer: Fleece top and bottom (or down/synthetic down jacket) and hat
Outer Layer: Waterproof shell, mittens, and booties/boots
A few of the items may change a little as your child gets older (for example, separate shirts and pants instead of onesies and footies, or gloves instead of mittens), but for the most part, the baby sandwich works for all ages (even adults).
My Favorite Cold-Weather Layers for Kids
Base Layer
It's easy to go down the gear rabbit hole when shopping for kids, and it's especially daunting when they outgrow clothes so quickly at this stage. If hand-me-downs or secondhand items aren't available, the one thing I'd say to spend money on is the base layer.
The base layer is the most important layer on your baby since it sits against the skin. It should fit snugly, wick away moisture, be highly breathable, and feel warm even if it gets wet.
If you can't remember all that, just remember this: it should never be cotton. Cotton is a killer because it holds sweat against the skin. Sweat cools quickly and in wintry conditions, the constant cold moisture can lead to hypothermia. For that reason alone, don't skimp in this area.
Merino Kids Long-Sleeve Pajama Set: I love merino wool because it's soft and thin, hypoallergenic, and naturally odor-resistant. It stays warm in winter yet cool in summer, and excels at regulating body temperature. It's a layer that your baby can wear year-round, which makes its cost more justifiable. Gemma has one set that she'll sometimes wear three or four times before I wash it, since it doesn't soil as quickly as her other clothes. (On laundry day, I toss it in the washer on the gentle cycle with this lovely wool wash that contains lanolin.) It seems to run a little large, which we remedy by rolling up the sleeves and legs. (Another brand I like is Woolino.)
Patagonia Baby Capilene 3 Set: I swap between this polypro set and the merino wool set as our only base layers, and they perform equally well. What I especially love about Patagonia's set are the reinforced knees, since Gemma can crawl around in them all day (and they just look so cute!). The baby Capilene comes in the smallest of sizes to fit a baby from birth, but it does run large — a feature I don't mind, as it means we can wear it an extra season.
Smartwool Toddler Socks: I'm a longtime fan of Smartwool, and was so happy to learn they made socks for even the littlest feet. These are the warmest socks I've found for a baby, and they have the softest, plushest cushioning on the ball and heel. On extremely cold days, you can double up on the socks before you put on booties to keep those toes extra snug. Be forewarned that the sizing is strange, and I don't know if this is true for their infant socks as well as their toddler socks. Gemma had average-sized feet for a 10-month-old, at 4 inches long, and the 3T socks fit her perfectly. (As a bonus, these socks work nicely as mittens for very young babies.)
Outdoor Research Kids' Soleil Balaclava: A lot of balaclavas cover the whole face for maximum wind protection, but for babies, I like this style as it keeps the head and neck warm without obstructing the airways.
Mid (Insulating) Layer
In the grand scheme of things, this is the least important layer to "get right," so save some money here by using what you have (even a simple wool sweater works) or scouring consignment shops and thrift stores. The objective is just to find something that keeps your baby warm. If you have a toddler who's actively running around, you can keep this layer stashed in a pack and only put it on when he stops moving (otherwise you'll end up with a sopping sweaty kid).
For short outings on milder days when no wind, rain, or snow is expected, dressing your baby in just a base layer and mid layer should be sufficient (but you should always try to pack an outer layer if you can).
Halo SleepSack Micro-Fleece Swaddle: In those early months, a fleece swaddle was a lifesaver (especially one that transitioned easily from arms-in to arms-out). We used ours on every camping trip until four months old, and would have continued using it had the weather not turned so warm. Hands down, it was one of the most useful items we purchased.
Hatley Fuzzy Fleece Bundler: For infants and toddlers, one-piece suits are where it's at. It's so quick and easy to zip your kid up in a single piece of clothing when you're trying to get out of the car and wrangle all your gear. I got this Hatley suit at a steep discount (and not being picky about the pattern, as it was 70 percent off!) by buying it in summer. It's extra roomy to allow for layers underneath, and is so luxuriously soft that I wish it came in my size too! (The Columbia Baby Snowtop II Bunting is another great choice.)
Patagonia Baby Synchilla Fleece Cardigan: Our first Synchilla cardigan was a baby shower gift, and we loved it so much that we bought another one (secondhand) a couple sizes up, and hope to continue buying more as Gemma gets older. What can I say, we're a Patagonia-loving family because the brand never fails us. (For a budget-friendly option, the Columbia Baby Benton Springs Fleece Jacket is highly rated.)
Zutano Cozie Fleece Cuff Pants: These pants are soft, cozy, and can be worn with or without a base layer underneath. Since I prefer to put Gemma in a zip-up one-piece if she has to wear a mid layer at all, I usually save these for slightly warmer days when she needs thicker pants but not a full suit.
The North Face ThermoBall Full Zip Jacket: This synthetic down jacket is super warm, incredibly lightweight, and highly compressible, making it very easy to stuff into your pack. I love the fold-over mitts on the sleeves, which we always use (sometimes with mittens underneath for extra warmth). It comes in a range of sizes to fit from birth, and is one piece you should consider buying at every age once your child starts spending significant time outside.
Hat: Any thick, warm hat will work and as usual, avoid cotton. The North Face Baby Faroe Beanie is our current favorite since it's lined with fleece and covers the ears so well.
Outer Layer
This crucial layer in the baby sandwich protects your little one from the elements. It fends off whatever wild weather that winter throws at you — be it rain, snow, or hail — and keeps it away from the body and the insulating mid layer so your baby stays dry and warm. Look for quality materials that offer water repellency and wind blocking.
Skip Hop Stroll and Go Three-Season Footmuff: This footmuff attaches to our City Mini GT stroller (as well as other strollers) and keeps the baby warm without the need to bundle her up in bulky layers. I can just dress her in a base layer (and maybe a fleece suit if it's especially cold out) and tuck her into the footmuff. The great thing about this style is the bottom zipper that lets dirty shoes hang out and extends its useful life for taller kids, so you can get two or three winters out of the toddler version.
Patagonia Baby Torrentshell: If it's raining, you're better off suiting up your infant or toddler in a one-piece waterproof shell than futzing with a separate rain jacket and pants. The key to any good outer layer is breathability, as you need to let body heat escape to keep your baby from overheating, and the Torrentshell doesn't disappoint. For extra warmth on chilly days, I layer this over a one-piece fleece suit.
Columbia Baby Whirlibird Bunting: This is a great system because it's actually two layers in one: a synthetic insulated liner and a waterproof windproof shell that can be worn separately as well as together. It's not as bulky as most snowsuits but doesn't sacrifice warmth either.
Columbia Baby Frosty Freeze Bunting and Roxy Rose Snowsuit: I like to call this the marshmallow suit! (Or the Michelin Man suit.) For snow play, a one-piece snowsuit is indispensable. I have both of these in different sizes, and find them to be similarly featured. The fold-over cuffs on the hands and feet are brilliant and function to keep all the cold and moisture out. Both suits are insulated, so you only need a base layer underneath. This is what we dress Gemma in for a day on the slopes since it's one less article of clothing to adjust (or accidentally leave behind).
Patagonia Baby Puff Mittens: I ordered several kinds of mittens from different brands at the start of winter, and ultimately kept these ones because they're water-resistant, windproof, and well insulated. I got them one size larger because for a baby, we didn't bother with the thumb and just slipped Gemma's hands into the main mitten part. They fit fine that way, especially since we use the foldover cuffs on her one-piece suits and jackets for extra warmth. (The extremities is where warmth is easily overlooked, since you may not realize that a baby in a carrier is not working up a sweat the way you are.) If all you want are simple fleece mittens, my favorite of the few I've tested are the Patagonia Baby Pita Pocket Mittens because of the longer cuffs.
Stonz Mittz: For more active babies who love to play in the snow, these thumbless waterproof mitts are the way to go. They slide over the sleeves, not under, to help keep snow from sneaking inside your child's layers.
Zutano Cozie Fleece Booties: Gemma wore these all through winter, and I'm planning to buy a larger size for next winter too. They're soft, warm, and most importantly, stay on those happily kicking and busily exploring feet. On very cold days, I add a pair (sometimes two pairs) of socks.
Stonz Three-Season Baby Booties: If you have an early walker, these soft-soled booties allow your baby to wander through the snow without getting his socks or feet wet. They make a special fleece liner that you can layer underneath, but a pair of warm fleece booties works just as well.
Sorel Toddler Snow Commander boots: For more active adventurers (and steady walkers), a sturdy pair of waterproof insulated boots with grippy bottoms is essential for keeping them safe, dry, and warm. When it comes to outfitting a baby, I tend to gravitate toward brands I use and trust for my own outdoorwear, and Sorel is one of them.
Baby Banz Retro Banz Oval Baby Sunglasses: This isn't a layer per se, but I wanted to include this because protecting your baby's eyes is just as important as keeping him warm. If your child doesn't already have goggles for snowsports, a well fitting pair of sunglasses is a must. These have a comfortable wraparound Velcro strap that helps them stay on, and I like how adjustable they are so we can get a couple years of year-round use out of them. (Baby Banz offers other styles if you aren't cheesy like me and want your child to wear matching "Mommy and me" sunglasses.)
Tips for Saving Some Dough or Getting Your Money's Worth
Pass it down. If you have or plan to have more babies, it makes sense to buy new so you can pass it down to the next child. For certain items that can be generously sized without affecting performance, such as snowsuits, you can likely get two years out of them, giving the family four (or more) years of use from one investment.
Resell outgrown clothing. If you're buying new, this is a good reason to buy new and name brand: resale value. There's certainly nothing wrong with buying from Target, but quality brands like Patagonia and The North Face are priced on the higher end because they're known to last. You can fetch a fairly good price for these items on eBay, Craigslist, or your local Facebook "garage sale" or "mom swap" groups.
Shop consignment or thrift stores. I've learned that thrift stores in mountain towns are especially good for finding gently used winter wear for kids. While passing through Leadville, Colorado, on a road trip last year, I found a Patagonia Synchilla jacket, size 2T and still in great condition, for only $8!
Shop off-price department stores. Deeply discounted chain stores like Ross, Marshalls, and T.J. Maxx can be hit or miss when it comes to name-brand winter wear, but when they hit, they are a big hit. Example: I stopped in to a Ross in Bend, Oregon, one day and found The North Face ThermoBall jacket, size 12M, for $30! (The same style and color retailed for $80 online.) I don't have quite as much luck shopping these stores in the Los Angeles area, so like my advice above, I think mountain towns or communities focused on outdoor recreation will be your best bet.
Buy off-season. This is my personal favorite tip for buying baby clothes on the cheap. Winter wear goes on sale after February, and by June, I've stocked up on last season's fleeces and woolens when everyone else is shopping swimsuits and sun hats. I've been able to score high-quality staples from the likes of Patagonia and Columbia for 30 to 60 percent off this way.
Size up for snowsuits. Since snowsuits have a shorter season than other items in your baby's cold-weather wardrobe, it's best to buy them as big as possible without looking ridiculous or hindering movement. They tend to be generous in cut to allow for layers, so it's possible to get two winters out of them. Gemma was 9 to 12 months old during her first winter and wore a 12-18M snowsuit. The arms were a little long but helped keep her hands warmer, and she'll still fit the suit next winter.
In general, I think Patagonia and The North Face excel at outdoorwear for infants and toddlers, and Columbia is a quality brand with a reasonable price point. The babies' selections at Backcountry and Moosejaw are the best, but I also find some great deals at Sierra Trading Post!
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