snow pants for the 18-24 month crowd

[CloudBee]

I'm trying to decide if we'll need true snow pants this year. DS is 19 months, and turns 2 in mid March.

We have snow on the ground for much of the winter.

I have fleece Patagonia bibs (overalls) and also a full fleece suit. (Similar to a snowsuit but merely fleece, so a step up from a bunting.)

My gut says he would probably be fine in either of those (offer the same leg protection) when paired with a winter coat, hat, mittens, and boots.  The fleece would go over his normal pants.  Not waterproof, but he probably won't spend extended periods of time actually sitting in the snow, right?

Should I bite the bullet and buy snow pants, or wait it out and see how he does with the fleece?  I'm not going to do a full snowsuit as we already have a Patagonia Down Sweater for him.

What have you done in the past?

[brooklyn]

I bought snow pants, but we're also spending a week and a half in Wisconsin in December where there is guaranteed to be snow

[Deleted]

We have had "proper" snow pants for DS in winters since he could walk, but he hated the snow at 1.5. Freaked out if we tried to make him play in it. Those suckers got worn a handful of times and wet less than that. Other kids are more into winter.

We do have a one-piece water resistant snowsuit for DD this year, but we'll only use it for outdoor play. Might come up more than it did with DS, might not. I tend to get these hand-me-downs for free, so it's not a big deal to me to have and not use them.

[mswax]

We go sledding and skiing with the boys at that age, so we go for "real" snow pants.

[CloudBee]

Oct 20, 2014 9:58:54 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

We have had "proper" snow pants for DS in winters since he could walk, but he hated the snow at 1.5. Freaked out if we tried to make him play in it. Those suckers got worn a handful of times and wet less than that. Other kids are more into winter.

We do have a one-piece water resistant snowsuit for DD this year, but we'll only use it for outdoor play. Might come up more than it did with DS, might not. I tend to get these hand-me-downs for free, so it's not a big deal to me to have and not use them.

Say you didn't get them for free.  What would you do?  WHAT SHOULD I DO?  Let's pretend he's ok in the snow, but neither of his parents (or sitter) care to have him in the snow for more than 30 minutes.

And can you give me more insight on Stonz?  I'm also unsure if I should be buying "regular" snow boots.  The Stonz website says they shouldn't be worn excessively on pavement.  But really, I don't care if they wear out over one season.

[schrodinger]

Could you buy a Tuffo suit to go over the fleece bibs? They are pretty roomy, so you're likely to get a few seasons out of those.

[CloudBee]

Oct 20, 2014 10:04:00 GMT -5 schrodinger said:

Could you buy a Tuffo suit to go over the fleece bibs? They are pretty roomy, so you're likely to get a few seasons out of those.

Link? Never heard of that brand.

[Deleted]

Oct 20, 2014 10:03:37 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

Oct 20, 2014 9:58:54 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

We have had "proper" snow pants for DS in winters since he could walk, but he hated the snow at 1.5. Freaked out if we tried to make him play in it. Those suckers got worn a handful of times and wet less than that. Other kids are more into winter.

We do have a one-piece water resistant snowsuit for DD this year, but we'll only use it for outdoor play. Might come up more than it did with DS, might not. I tend to get these hand-me-downs for free, so it's not a big deal to me to have and not use them.

Say you didn't get them for free.  What would you do?  WHAT SHOULD I DO?  Let's pretend he's ok in the snow, but neither of his parents (or sitter) care to have him in the snow for more than 30 minutes.

And can you give me more insight on Stonz?  I'm also unsure if I should be buying "regular" snow boots.  The Stonz website says they shouldn't be worn excessively on pavement.  But really, I don't care if they wear out over one season.

Well, I'd go to OUAC and buy something fairly cheap and not care if it was ugly.

I don't think that's what you're going to do.

For boots, my kids haven't been at a "going to wear boots out on pavement" stage of walking that first walking winter. I'm using DS's Stonz on DD, or Robeez boots. When DS was 1.5, I did buy real boots (plastic bottom). He walked, though, and DD does not so far. I can't see her being a confident walker outdoors until spring.

[schrodinger]

Oct 20, 2014 10:04:48 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

Oct 20, 2014 10:04:00 GMT -5 schrodinger said:

Could you buy a Tuffo suit to go over the fleece bibs? They are pretty roomy, so you're likely to get a few seasons out of those.

Link? Never heard of that brand.

Link

Tuffo Muddy Buddy suit.  We have one for DD that we use for playing outside in crappy weather.

[thebreakfastclub]

Snow bibs are 20% off at Target this week. I bought DS one for $15. At that price, I am not worried if he doesn't use it much, and if he outgrows it for next winter, I will just donate it.

[CloudBee]

Oct 20, 2014 10:07:04 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

Oct 20, 2014 10:03:37 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

Well, I'd go to OUAC and buy something fairly cheap and not care if it was ugly.

I don't think that's what you're going to do.

For boots, my kids haven't been at a "going to wear boots out on pavement" stage of walking that first walking winter. I'm using DS's Stonz on DD, or Robeez boots. When DS was 1.5, I did buy real boots (plastic bottom). He walked, though, and DD does not so far. I can't see her being a confident walker outdoors until spring.

I've actually checked our local consignment shop twice, and they haven't had snow pants in his size.

[Redpoppy]

Target often has ones for $15ish. I know I had 3T and 4T ones from there. They need to be layered for warmth. I find that snow sticks to fleece, though depends on the snow. They were fine for playing in the snow for a bit.

[hski2349]

I bought a pair of snowpants for DD last year at goodwill. They were probably $3. DD wanted to go out in the snow once, went out and realized she hated it. She wore the pants one. If you do decide to buy something, go for something that is not expensive, because you never know if they will like the snow.

[justjen]

L is a little older (currently 26 months), but we have proper snow pants. I KNOW she's going to want to play in the snow when DH is out shoveling. They were cheap during a Carters sale.

[Deleted]

We had a bib/full snow suit last year that was worn maybe 3 times.

So far I have purchased some fleece lined wind pants from TCP that may work out. I'm still stalking a couple of consignments though - just in case.

[bearbaby]

Oct 20, 2014 10:07:04 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

Oct 20, 2014 10:03:37 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

Say you didn't get them for free.  What would you do?  WHAT SHOULD I DO?  Let's pretend he's ok in the snow, but neither of his parents (or sitter) care to have him in the snow for more than 30 minutes.

Well, I'd go to OUAC and buy something fairly cheap and not care if it was ugly.

This is what I did.

Bought a proper full snow suit very cheaply on consignment (like - $15?)

My DS is the same exact age and I figure he loves being outside now, I'd spend a bit of money to be prepared.

I may have waited it out had I not gotten such a good deal. 

We're in the Northeast, and NOAA is predicting a mild winter as of last week so this may all be moot, but if we get snow we'd like to be able to try taking DS sledding in the park nearby.

[water*drop]

DD definitely needed a proper snowsuit with proper boots last year (18 months), but she was outside a ton at daycare, and we took her outside nightly. We actually get her two snowsuits so we don't have to take one back and forth to daycare. I get them at consignment sales or consignment stores.

[dcn]

Yes get waterproof snow pants. A wet cold child is a miserable child. Ds was 18 months at the end if last winter and we used ours all the time, we had an ll bean hand me down pair and a pair from target.

[dancingirl21]

I just bought a pair of 18 month at Target for $16.99. I figure it will be hard to find them here when it actually snows, so I'd rather be safe than sorry.

[sixtwelve]

My kids didn't like playing in the snow a that age. I would probably try what you have and get something later if you need it.

[karinothing]

I mean you can get snow bibs on amazon for like $20. I would just do that.

[CloudBee]

Thanks! If I can find a good deal, I'll snag a pair. Otherwise I'll try out the fleece, first, and see how he actually likes snow.

I didn't think of sledding. We'll definitely be doing that, and fleece probably won't be adequate.

[marclovesme]

My kid didn't like playing in the snow until she was 3, and we are serious outdoorsy people. I bought cheapo bibs at Target at 1 and 2 and they were never used. We knew we were going skiing when she was 3, so we bought last year and definitely got use out of the bib. Re snow boots, we bought at Costco, but this year will probably get something that's a slight step above.

We like Obermeyer: obermeyer.com/ The kids stuff has a string that you can cut to lengthen jacket arms and pant legs so they'll last another year.

[ijack]

target has cheap snow pants, I'd get a pair.

[aspentosh]

We bought DD 2T snow bibs and jacket from Target last year and they will still fit this year. She loves playing in the snow, so it was worth the ~$25 bucks for the set. It would be worth buying, just to see how he responds.

ETA: DD was born in Jan 2012, so she was in 24mo clothing when we bought them.

[Deleted]

We're in VA and got a ton of snow last winter when DS was 18-22 months old. We were out there 3-4 days a week. He LOVED IT. I was very very glad we had a full snow suit (snow pants/bib, matching jacket, snow boots, hat, and mittens).

ETA: we were lucky to be handed down a snowsuit, but if we hadn't I would have bought one. The window of time where snow is MAGICAL is so short IMHO. I agree with PPers that snow will stick to fleece. No bueno. Have you tried the BST board for a real snow suit/pants?

[huskymom]

Target or Carters for a cheap set. It's supposed to be a very snowy winter!

[rikki]

Oct 20, 2014 9:57:00 GMT -5 brooklyn said:

I bought snow pants, but we're also spending a week and a half in Wisconsin in December where there is guaranteed to be snow

Where in WI are you going?

[brooklyn]

Oct 21, 2014 16:59:37 GMT -5 rikki said:

Oct 20, 2014 9:57:00 GMT -5 brooklyn said:

I bought snow pants, but we're also spending a week and a half in Wisconsin in December where there is guaranteed to be snow

Where in WI are you going?

Tiny little village in Southern WI.  My mom grew up there.  Will you be around? We're flying into Milwaukee!  I can PM you my grandmother's exact location if you'll be in the area. I have family in Chicago too so I wouldn't mind a detour during that week.

[rikki]

Oct 21, 2014 23:10:22 GMT -5 brooklyn said:

Oct 21, 2014 16:59:37 GMT -5 rikki said:

Where in WI are you going?

Tiny little village in Southern WI.  My mom grew up there.  Will you be around? We're flying into Milwaukee!  I can PM you my grandmother's exact location if you'll be in the area. I have family in Chicago too so I wouldn't mind a detour during that week.

Is this the week around Christmas? We will be either in Chicago or Wisconsin for sure! We will probably be there most of the end of December.  Let's definitely talk!