Your Kids' Ski Jackets Buying Guide
Posted
by
WinterKids
on Tuesday, November 10, 2015
If memory serves, kids actually do care about the clothes they wear, and ski jackets in particular can make or break a season on the slopes. I learned to ski when I was three, and my Depression-era parents offset the expense by having me wear my older (by six years) brother’s hand-me-downs. While I finally put my little foot down around age five over having to wear his tattered tighty-whiteys, I was still schussing in his ski jackets in middle school. It was then I demanded a girl’s jacket, in a girly color (purple) and fortunately, my hardcore-skiing mom acknowledged I’d indeed reached the age at which it was important to have a new, “high-tech” parka.
Growth spurts are a key reason why buying a ski or snowboarding jacket for your kids is a challenge- why spend a lot of money on something that won’t fit by next season? The answer, while not necessarily wallet-friendly, is because the function of a jacket is to provide ventilation as well as warmth and protection from the elements; an ill-fitting garment will accomplish none of those.
How much you spend on a kid’s or teen’s jacket depends upon your budget, and how often and where you’ll be hitting the slopes, but a general rule of thumb in the soft goods industry is that you usually get what you pay for. I consulted with Tom Gordon, the founder (now retired) of Mountain Stuff, a Denver-based specialty outdoor gear repping agency and longtime mentor of mine from when I worked at a mountaineering shop in Telluride, and with Robert Yturri, SVP of Global Sales, Product and Brand Management at Obermeyer.
Follow the below guidelines before you hit the brick-and-mortar or online store to ensure you get the right jacket for your kid’s needs, and provide a warm, happy snow season.
Fit and Gender: The average child or teen doesn’t have the dramatic proportional diversity of an adult, so there’s less variation than seen in men’s and women’s winter garments. Boy’s and girl’s jackets differ only by color and basic design, and superficial disparity by brand. Teen jackets, however, are their own category. Says Yturri, “Kids nine-13 is a range Obermeyer calls ‘Teen,” which is separate from ‘Kids,’ which is for ages two-eight. We take the fit of our Teen garments very seriously, because they want to differentiate themselves from other age groups, and they’re concerned about fashion as well as fit and features. As the parent of two daughters, I can personally attest to the varying measurement points of a Teen versus Adult jacket- proportionally askew longer arms and legs, skinnier hips and waist, etc.”
Ski jackets have a more tailored fit, while snowboarding designs are looser: what matters is size. Avoid purchasing a jacket that’s too big so your child can “grow into” it. A garment that’s too roomy won’t provide the insulation they need, although some brands incorporate a “Room to Grow” feature into their design. This is usually seen in jackets for toddlers and juniors, and means there’s a different-colored thread inside the sleeves that when cut, allows its length to extend up to two inches.
Ventilation: “Proper layering and ventability is the key to staying warm in both exercise and rest or recovery mode,” says Gordon. Take into account the perspire-and-chill-down cycle that occurs between activity and sitting on the lift. “Jackets with underarm zippered vents or diagonal chest vents promote the exchange of warm, moist air inside your jacket for cooler, drier air.” Full-zip jackets are a better choice than pullovers, especially for kids, as they can be difficult to wrestle on-and-off.
Down insulation vs synthetic: “Down insulation is the finest material available,” says Gordon. It’s also the lightest, warmest, and most compressible. Adds Yturri, “Consumers tend to think the puffier, the warmer, with regard to jackets, but actually, there’s a specific combination of proper fill (insulation) type, weight, and placement that’s most effective. For example, a higher amount of fill in the front body, and less in the back panel and arms, allows for maximum freedom of movement, yet optimizes warmth for the active skier or rider.
If you’re headed to a wet climate such as the Pacific Northwest, “Consider down insulation, with a waterproof shell that breathes,” advises Gordon. “This gives your child the most comfort while protecting the insulation from warmth-robbing moisture.” Note that some brands use a rating system to rank warmth, but it varies between companies. Instead, think about your child’s needs: do they usually spend all day on the mountain? Do they need a garment with more versatility, so it can be used for winter and spring skiing (i.e. a tri-climate jacket that acts as removable layer)?
Shell materials: All “waterproof/breathable” shell fabrics are waterproof- the differences are in their levels of breathability. Kids who tend to work up a sweat or run hot should be wearing Gore-Tex, which is the most breathable fabric of this type. Prevent at-rest chill by having your child wear layers.
Features: Hood or no hood? Since helmets are de rigueur these days, hoods aren’t crucial to keep the head and neck warm. If a jacket is also for off-the-slopes use, look for a detachable or tuck-away hood. Pockets are crucial for kids and teens, who need places to stash everything from cell phones and iPods/Mp3 (look for jackets with interior pockets specifically designed for these, including headphone cord storage/ports) to snacks, goggles, liners, and ski pass. Powder skirts are optional, and most jackets that include them have a zip so they can be removed. Other bonus features may include attached goggle wipes and ID labels.
Some of WinterKids' picks:
Girls of all ages gravitate toward the on-trend, fun designs from Roxy and Sunice, while boys like the fashion-forward looks by DC and Burton.
Many brands offer a Room-to-Grow feature on jackets for toddlers and juniors. The Room-to-Grow option features a different colored thread on the inside sleeve of the jacket that when cut, allows the sleeve to extend up to 2 inches. This feature is fabulous for kids who experience a growth spurt mid-season, and can even allow a jacket to be worn for two seasons in a row.
What's the feature that you look for the most when shopping for a kids ski jacket? Let us know in the comments below!
Categories:
Skiing & Snowboarding
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