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Rosesinsummer
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| Posted: Oct 12 2009 at 10:13am | IP Logged
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The slipper thread got me thinking about snow suits. We just moved to a very cold climate (Minnesota) and it's snowing already!!
I want to get a quality snowsuit so the kids can actually spend some time outside this winter. I know the winters are very cold and very long.
My in-laws, bless their hearts, gave us a Clockwise snow bib from Aldi's. Does anyone know about the quality of this snow suit? Can it hold up to a Minnesota winter and still be handed down? If not, I have friends down South I could send it off to, or donate it to someone in need. Honestly, I really want something sub-zero rated and very durable since both my girls will eventually wear this.
Any thoughts or recommendations?
Thanks!
Lyda
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Maria in WI
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| Posted: Oct 12 2009 at 10:37am | IP Logged
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Lands End carries good quality winter outerwear, I think the knees on them are reinforced (which is where most snowpants wear out first) I don't own any, though, so I can't speak first hand. My kids were snowpants from thrift shops and discount stores, and they keep them plenty warm. If it is especially cold, they were long underwear under a pair of sweats or jeans, then the snowbibs. If it is super cold out (we are in Wisconsin), they are going to come in because their hands or faces are cold long before there legs are cold. Your kids are probably not going to be going outside if the temps are below zero  , unless they have some seriously heavy duty other clothes on (face masks, etc).
I would highly recommend good warm boots, paired with warm socks, though. My kids wear there boots every time we leave the house in the winter, except to church, and then they usually wear dress boots.
Good warm mittens or gloves are also a good investment- We usually go through at least 2 pairs per kid, because they fall apart. For younger kids, I like the kind the go up the arm, like these.
I hope you find what you need for your first Minnesota winter! 
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Oct 12 2009 at 11:12am | IP Logged
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Columbia is wonderful.. we buy on sale/clearance retail.. which means their warranty covers everything.. we had a jacket that in the third season of wearing it, had the base of the zipper crack.. so you could zip it up but it would pull apart from the bottom and unzip upward.. I sent it to them and they replaced the zipper and sent it back.. the only thing I paid was the initial cost of shipping it to them. 
Mostly I don't buy the expensive snowpants though.. we may not be quite as cold as MN here.. but even the good snowpants are more likely to get ripped and worn out than the jackets.. and I can buy 3 pairs of cheap snowpants for the cost of one pair of the good quality snowpants.. and that one pair may not last that long anyway because of the harder use. So we use cheap snowpants and high quality jackets. and high quality boots (also bought on sale/clearance) a few layers of clothing under the snow pants and they work just fine and I'm not out a huge investment if they get torn from a fall or whatever.
I agree on the good gloves too.. my kids use mittens until they're at least 5.. before then putting gloves on them in a definate exercise in patience plus little hands stay warmer in quality mittens than in even quality gloves.
Ease of getting the things on and off is a big thing as well.. when it gets really cold you may find that the kids only go out for short bits of time.. but those bits are welcome here.. I'd rather send them out for 10-15 minutes in really cold temps than deal with them bouncing off the walls.
Lots of the good outdoor stores have outlets or sale areas like REI, Cabelas, Campmor is another good one.. and Sierra Trading post.
SMARTWOOL socks are wonderful.. there may be other good ones now.. but even I can wear these (and I won't wear most wool) and they make such a difference in keeping your feet warm.. I've had to chase down a kid and strip the socks from their feet to get them into the laundry.. mine will keep them on day and night and I have to make sure they get changed occationally 
And there is nothing wrong with wearing your snow boots to church 
I like the land's end hats and gloves because they come in so many colors.. I can get the kids more or less matching things (makes it easy on me to know who's are which) They also have an overstock area to check out before you pay full price.
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Mimip
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| Posted: Oct 12 2009 at 12:15pm | IP Logged
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Lyda,
Just wanted to second everything these ladies said so far. I lived in MN for 6 years after growing up in S. FLA for most of my life and I learned very quickly about the wonderful world of snowsuits.
I don't know how old your kids are, but I would only get the full snowsuits for the younger set, under 5. You can get a better deal on really warm jackets and pants for the older kids. I found that I would use the two seperate things A LOT more. It really is a matter of ease of use, like Jodie said.
If you are in the twin cities, there is a Lands End Outlet off of 494 in Bloomington that had some great deals when I was there. (I'm sure some of the MN moms can ring in on that )
The hats, gloves (and mittens) and scarves are essential for both you and them. I would totally go with Jodie's idea to match so that everyone knows who's is who's (wish I thought of this idea when I lived in MN) Oh and the socks, really, really important. We had those socks that wick moisture away from the feet, those were awesome.
For the youngest kids, try Once Upon a Child. There are a ton of them around the cities and they sometimes carry really good boots and snow gear for cheap.
Good luck on that MN winter. They are tough but great cuddle times too!
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Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Oct 12 2009 at 12:59pm | IP Logged
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Oh yeah, I forgot that.. I use a single piece snowsuit for my 3 and unders.. AND keep a second winter jacket for them as well.. I don't necessarily want them in a full heavy snowsuit to go to the grocery store or church you know.
And I use bib snow pants for as many of the others as I can.. which is usually everyone though this year I have one daughter who asked for a gift from grandparents to be the matching snow pants for her jacket.. and those are just pants not bibs.. but we're letting her give it a try.
and for those who might be wondering.. I'm on the Eastern side of Oregon.. higher elevations, colder temps, low moisture (desert really).. so not your stereotypical oregon climate.
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SusanJ
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| Posted: Oct 12 2009 at 1:50pm | IP Logged
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We lived in Minnesota last year and, yeah, I don't think you're going to be out much in sub-zero. The days when it is that cold but not windy were few--at least last winter. It's just dangerous to go out with 40 below wind chills which were pretty common last winter. There's also a Land's End outlet (they call them "Inlets", I think) in Woodbury at the Tamarack Village Center and they do have great deals.
And if you are in the Twin Cities I highly recommend a Chilrden's Museum membership (downtown St. Paul) to help you survive the next six months. Wish I'd found that place sooner!
Susan
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Waverley
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| Posted: Oct 12 2009 at 2:04pm | IP Logged
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Lyda,
You've gotten some great suggestions so far. I live in St. Paul (MN) and have lived here for the last 15 years. But I grew up in MS so those first MN winters were an adjustment. A couple of things (most of which have already been mentioned):
1. I do not buy full snowsuits for my kids. Like Jodie said, there are times when a jacket is best. For example, snowsuits get very hot and if we are going to the grocery or Target or the mall, I don't want a full snowsuit that I have to take off and put back on.
2. Instead of a full snowsuit we get bib overall snowpants instead of snowpants that stop at the waist. The bibs are warmer (cover more area) and keep the snow from getting down their pants. I know the Land's End snowbibs for toddlers used to be made with a zipper in the legs so you could change a diaper without having to take the whole thing off (they may still be made like this). It is my experience that the bibs last longer per child because I can make them shorter or longer by adjusting the overall straps.
3. I only buy black snowbibs. They go with all the different colored jackets, boy or girl.
4. We are very devoted to Lands End outerwear. We love their boots. If you lose a mitten, you call them and they send you a replacement. Their items are very warm. We spend a lot of time outside and have been very pleased.
5. There are several Lands End inlets in the Twin Cities area and a really cheap Not-quite-Perfect shop in Roseville (north of St. Paul). There are also Land's End shops in some of the Sears (including the one in the Mall of America Sears). I have found the best deals however on-line. The items on sale on-line are usually just last years colors. Sign up for their email and you get some good offers including lots of free shipping offers.
6. I agree about the warm socks. We too love Smart Wool socks. Each child has 2 pairs and they make it to be handed down. I have gotten some great deals on Smart Wool socks at REI. REI has an on-line outlet and they also frequently have sales. If you order on-line and have it shipped to a store and not to your home the shipping is free. There are several REI stores in the Twin Cities. As an aside, at the store in Bloomington (just down 94 from the Mall of America) you and the kids can rock climb on their indoor climbing tower for free.
7. As much as I love Lands End we have also purchased several Columbia coats and have been pleased with those as well. In the Twin Cities, Herbergers carries Columbia and all Columbia products are currently 30% off.
8. I also agree about assigning a color hat/mitten/scarf for each child. I usually coordinate the color with the jacket they are wearing. This makes easy for them (they know which things are theirs) and it also makes it easier for me because I know which mittens/hat/scarf go with which jacket when I'm getting out the hand-me-downs.
Well thats it. I hope you love living in MN. It really is a great place to live. Don't forget to get yourself a nice pair of snow pants too! I bought a pair from Land's End 10 years ago and am still wearing them. I love being out in the snow/cold with my kids. Also, so many of the nature reserves around here have great open houses/festivals in the winter and its fun to go as a family.
Paula, anything I forgot?
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Kristie 4
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| Posted: Oct 12 2009 at 2:14pm | IP Logged
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We go for the snowpants at second hand stores. But for the jackets (if we can't find the kind we want at the second hand store) we buy at Mountain Equipment Co-op, a canadian company. They are a very concientious company and their stuff is very good quality. Our Toddler Toaster one piece snow suit went through our 4 kids, a neighbour's child, and we passed it on looking basically new to a friend last year (read 4 kids x 2 winters each plus 2 other children= $80 Canadian ). With the exchange rate it might be a good choice down ther (however, I don't know about shipping).
BTW, their one piece rainsuit for the littles can't be beat- my kids sat right in puddles with theirs and never got wet! Oh, and they are also great about their warranties- I brought the rain suit back quite a while after I bought it because of a bad zipper and they replaced it no questions asked.
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Kristie in Canada
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Kristie 4
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Oh, and we live in Manitoba- a few blocks from the coldest spot in North America!!
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Kristie in Canada
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Waverley
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| Posted: Oct 12 2009 at 2:30pm | IP Logged
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I'm going to check out that one piece rain suit! That sounds great!!
Thanks.
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Waverley
wife to Dh for 19 years, dd (16), dd (11), dd (8), ds (6), dd (4), dd (9-13-1996)
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sewcrazy
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| Posted: Oct 12 2009 at 4:32pm | IP Logged
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My 5 year old is wearing the same Land's End squall parka and bib snowpants that my 16 year wore 12 years ago! The set is on its 6th child! 5 years ago the zipper gave out, and Lands End put in a new one for free!
14 years ago my in-laws were at a Land's End outlet and they bought one squall parka and a pair of snow pants in every size from 2t to children's extra large for us. Major blessing! I have never bought a winter coat for a child. My eldest was so bummed when he out grew the last one. He is still growing, and I haven't been able to justify the $110 an adult parka costs.
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cheesehead mom
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| Posted: Oct 12 2009 at 9:45pm | IP Logged
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You have great suggestions here but for fun make sure you read the book, "Recess at 20 Below" to appreciate those cold winters:)
Laura from WI (all ready to pull out my warm socks and flannel sheets:)
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Rosesinsummer
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| Posted: Oct 13 2009 at 11:00am | IP Logged
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Wow-- lots of good info and suggestions. Thank you, ladies.
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Snow Suits for kids
