What to Look for in Used Kids Outerwear

Children have a reputation for refusing to wear warm clothes in winter. They lose their mittens, take off their jackets, or leave their hats inside. Part of the reason may be fashion; kids have a sense of how they want to look, and a big, puffy snowsuit may not be the "in" thing this year. Part of the reason may be comfort; they do not want to wear a lot of bulky, itchy clothing when playing. A big part of the reason is often that the kids are actually over-dressed. Kids have higher metabolisms than adults are often still comfortable after adults have gotten cold. Unfortunately, kids, like adults, can also get dangerously cold without realizing it, so parents do have to make sure their kids stay warm. This guide covers both what kinds of outerwear kids really need (and are willing to wear) and how to choose used outerwear that is still comfortable and safe.


Choosing Kids' Outerwear
Outerwear includes jackets, snow suits, rain gear, hats, and mittens. Outerwear is the extra layer people put on to stay warm and dry. Kids who do not wear enough warm clothes can get cold and even sick, but kids who wear too much warm clothing can get overheated or even cold, believe it or not. Over-dressed kids sweat, and the sweat makes skin and clothing wet. The atmosphere cools the moisture, making the child colder. To dress kids properly for cold weather, parents need to know what kind of clothing kids need and when kids really need to be bundled up. Warm clothing must be the right size, and it must be appropriate for the kid's activities.

Knowing When Kids Are Cold
Kids sometimes take off their outerwear because they are too hot. Just because the air feels cold to an adult does not mean that an active kid with a faster metabolism needs a coat. Overheating is uncomfortable and it can even be dangerous. A hot kid will either get wet with sweat and then become chilled when he settles down or start taking off layers and end up under-dressed. A test many parents use is to put a hand on the back of the child's neck. If the neck is still warm, the child is warm enough, even if he or she is without a coat in the snow.

But while kids are sometimes right to take off their jackets, they do sometimes need parents, or other kids, to tell them it is time to bundle up. While getting chilled does not actually cause pneumonia, cold temperatures can cause very serious medical problems, including hypothermia and frostbite. Parents who spend a lot of time outdoors in cold weather with their children should earn how to prevent, recognize, and give first aid for cold-related problems and make sure older children know as well.

Layers, Weather, and Other Considerations
To be effective, kids' outerwear must match the weather and match what the child is doing. Bear in mind that one thing many kids do is try to look good. Kids should be allowed to choose their own clothing as much as possible so they are comfortable with how they look. Dressing kids in layers makes it easier to adjust their outfit to the weather conditions. The outermost layer should be waterproof for snow as well as for rain. Outerwear ranges from fashionable coats, to inexpensive insulated play clothes, to kid-sized outdoor sporting gear. The extra expense of performance clothing is worth it for kids who play in the woods or who frequently camp, hike, or hunt. Kid gear should be of the same quality that adult outdoor enthusiasts would choose both for safety and because an uncomfortable first experience could turn a kid off from outdoor activities.

Kids' outerwear is also divided into girls' and boys' styles. While part of the difference is simply size and color, the stereotype that boys are more active than girls means that it can be harder to find girl clothes that truly stand up to physical play. Parents encountering this problem can simply buy boy clothes for their daughters. Active girls who want to look more feminine can accessorize with warm but girlish hats, scarves, and gloves.

Getting the Right Size
Parents often try to minimize the expense of children's clothing by buying large so kids can grow into their clothes. This strategy works well with most clothing, especially for rapidly growing babies and toddlers. But remember that buying large does not always guarantee older children will get two winters out of outerwear. There is no way to predict how much the child will grow over the summer. The coat that is too big one winter could easily be too small the next winter. Improperly sized clothing is uncomfortable to wear and makes free movement difficult.

When trying on outerwear, have the child wear the same number of layers he or she is likely to wear with the garment. Also, have the child move around some to make sure movement is unrestricted and that the child's middle is not exposed when his or her arms are raised. Make sure that the arms of coats and snowsuits are long enough to cover the child's wrists, and check that pant legs are long enough to cover the tops of snow boots. At the same time, make sure that the clothing is not too baggy. Baggy clothing feels bulky and clumsy. Very young children could actually trip over coats or pant-legs that are too long. Boots that are too big are more likely to rub and cause blisters.

Importance of Material
Winter clothing can be made of any of several different materials, including wool, down- or synthetic-filled layers, and synthetic fleece. Each material has different properties. Down fill, for example, loses its insulative properties when wet. An expensive down-filled jacket can be very warm in the snow but dangerously cold and heavy in the rain. Synthetic fill is not as warm, but it does keep most of its warmth when wet. Wool and fleece also both stay warm when wet. Some types of wool are itchy, a turnoff for children. Many outerwear garments, such as Goretex jackets, feature breathable membranes. These materials allow moisture from sweat to escape but do not allow water to come in. Unfortunately, these high-performance materials can wear out easily if not properly cared for, so parents should decide ahead of time how much money and time they are willing to invest in kids' outerwear.

Assembling a Kid's Winter Wardrobe
A kid needs at least one set of warm, waterproof outer clothes for cold, rainy weather. Kids who live in snowy areas also need warmer snow clothes. Remember that however cold the weather gets, kids still need to dress for milder conditions in the spring and fall. Multiple sets of each type of outerwear is better, in case something gets damaged or lost over the winter. Multiple hats, mittens, and other small, easily lost items are even more important.

One-piece snow suits are certainly warm, but they also make it very difficult for a kid to use the bathroom or adjust to changing temperatures. Several insulative layers topped by a two-piece waterproof rain suit is more convenient and more comfortable. Waterproof material is also windproof, which is important for protecting kids from windchill. Adding or subtracting layers, such as synthetic turtleneck shirts and wool sweaters, to match the weather is easy. Remember to use multiple layers on the bottom as well: leggings, long underwear, or simply a second pair of pants can make a huge difference. The only downside to this layering system is that lightweight rain suits can be expensive and wear out easily. Another option is to choose a pair of insulated snow pants and a winter coat instead of a rain suit. Many high-end winter coats can zip apart into two or three separate layers for different weather conditions.