Toddler winter jacket recommendations?

[rhian]

Anyone have recommendations for toddler winter gear? Is it worth spending more on a brand like L.L. Bean or is something cheaper from Cat and Jack or Carter's fine? We live in southern New England, so it gets reasonably cold, but not completely frigid. As long as the temperature is above freezing, my son will go outside twice a day for about an hour each time at daycare. Thanks!

[waverly]

I feel like cheaper coats are fine as long as they are heavier for New England weather as opposed to lighter coats.

I've gotten coats from Costco, London Fog (off Amazon) and from Target where it might have been Cat and Jack or might have been something different, and they were all fine. We also like the coats that squish down, but they might not been warm enough for an hour outside in cold weather. Car seats may factor into the type of coat that you choose.

I think I liked the London Fog on the best but it wasn't the toddler cut. He was 7 at the time.

[noodleoo]

I wouldn’t spend the money on LL Bean until they are old enough to get more than one season out of it. For toddler years, we did the 3 in 1 jackets from the Children’s Place. They’d just wear the inner fleece in the car seat and put the outer layer on if they were outside for more than walking to/from the car. They had matching snow pants and boots too so we did the whole getup for daycare.

[VillainV]

Do you have a Costco? They always have good coats for kids, at very good prices.

[sparty04]

Anything $$ for toddlers I try to find secondhand. They usually don't have much wear between outgrowing and kids not loving cold weather. Fb marketplace, resale shops, etc. We do have a fair amount of Costco winter coats as well.

[heygrey]

I had a few of the Oshkosh coat/snow pants sets from Carter's when DS was in daycare and was happy with them. I think waterproof is more important than warmth because we can add an extra layer on really cold days. No one is happy when they are wet and cold. The Oshkosh sets kept him warm and dry and were good enough to pass on the next year.

I don't shy away from spending $$$ on outerwear, but I live in western Canada and we spend a lot of time outside regardless of the weather. I always look secondhand first, either thrift stores or marketplace. Kids outgrow stuff so fast that it's still nearly new. If I do buy something new, I know I can sell it when DS outgrows it.

[beerlover]

We're in PA with similar weather. DS has had coats from Gap Factory and Amazon Basics and those have held up completely fine. I think when he was very little we had a coat from Walmart. I was always hesitant like you to spend $$$ on LL Bean and such. I'll do that for me, but not a growing kid, lol.

[osulori]

I've always liked the 3 in 1 coats from Children's Place. The inner (fleece) is great for a decent amount of our Ohio cold, the outer part with hood is better for the really cold stuff, and the two parts together is a great option when it's really freaking cold or we're playing out in the snow.

Costco and Target/Cat and Jack have always served us well too.  Not that my 10 year old will wear coats anymore, but at least the 4 year old will!

[shauni27]

we have always done the patagonia down sweaters or nano puffs as they are carseat safe. Pricey but you can resell for a good value or buy used to start with. They also do an annual sale (already happened this year) that is greatly reduced pricing.

[nicolewi]

Coats are something I tend to go a little higher-end on, b/c we live in Wisconsin and my kids are outside a lot in cold/wet weather.

I really liked Gap for toddlers, but my youngest is 8 so I don't know if they are still any good. I wanted actual down and water repellent at least. and that was hard to find without spending a fortune. I got some great coats on sale at Gap.

Costco has some nice options.

As my kids got older, I did mostly Lands' End for several years, b/c the kids are outside a lot and really need a durable warm coat that is also waterproof or at minimum water resistant.

Last year, I got a Columbia for one kid that worked out awesome.

I usually get each kid a lightweight down (or down alternative) puffer for dry, mid-temp days, and also a more substantial winter coat for playing in snow or very cold temps.

ETA: If you buy Lands' End, make sure it's at least 40% off. They run a lot of sales.

[rhian]

Thanks all! I was already planning to pop in to our local secondhand kids' clothing store this weekend, but if I don't find anything there, I think the Children's Place 3 in 1 will work well for us. I also wanted to get a late fall/early spring jacket, so great that it all comes together and can be layered together easily.

[noodleoo]

Oct 5, 2023 8:37:29 GMT -5 rhian said:

Thanks all! I was already planning to pop in to our local secondhand kids' clothing store this weekend, but if I don't find anything there, I think the Children's Place 3 in 1 will work well for us. I also wanted to get a late fall/early spring jacket, so great that it all comes together and can be layered together easily.

Not sure if you can wait, but the Children's Place usually does a good sale right before Thanksgiving or on Black Friday on their coats/outerwear.  I used to buy everything right around Thanksgiving.

[rhian]

Oct 5, 2023 8:59:23 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Oct 5, 2023 8:37:29 GMT -5 rhian said:

Thanks all! I was already planning to pop in to our local secondhand kids' clothing store this weekend, but if I don't find anything there, I think the Children's Place 3 in 1 will work well for us. I also wanted to get a late fall/early spring jacket, so great that it all comes together and can be layered together easily.

Not sure if you can wait, but the Children's Place usually does a good sale right before Thanksgiving or on Black Friday on their coats/outerwear.  I used to buy everything right around Thanksgiving.

I don't think we'll be able to wait that long this year, but good to know for the future! They're actually running a sale now, so the 3 in 1 jacket is about $35! 

[Susie]

Oct 5, 2023 8:02:13 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

we have always done the patagonia down sweaters or nano puffs as they are carseat safe. Pricey but you can resell for a good value or buy used to start with. They also do an annual sale (already happened this year) that is greatly reduced pricing.

+1

This probably isn't helpful now, but I used to buy my kids Patagonia coats around Feb in their web special sale for the following year.  They're still pricey, but toddler size Patagonia is way more reasonable than youth size.  I've pivoted to other brands (Lands End) as my kids got into youth.  LE does significant sales pretty frequently.  Never pay full price!

I also spend a lot of time on my local Buy Nothing board.  I recently got a Lands End coat for my 4 yo.  One free coat in the mix really brings down the average price I've paid over the years!

[thebreakfastclub]

Same advice I gave for kids coats on ML holds for toddlers.... go to Costco. I'm all good with buying a $20 coat and then donating it to a coat drive next year.

[shauni27]

Oct 5, 2023 9:29:46 GMT -5 Susie said:

Oct 5, 2023 8:02:13 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

we have always done the patagonia down sweaters or nano puffs as they are carseat safe. Pricey but you can resell for a good value or buy used to start with. They also do an annual sale (already happened this year) that is greatly reduced pricing.

+1

This probably isn't helpful now, but I used to buy my kids Patagonia coats around Feb in their web special sale for the following year.  They're still pricey, but toddler size Patagonia is way more reasonable than youth size.  I've pivoted to other brands (Lands End) as my kids got into youth.  LE does significant sales pretty frequently.  Never pay full price!

I also spend a lot of time on my local Buy Nothing board.  I recently got a Lands End coat for my 4 yo.  One free coat in the mix really brings down the average price I've paid over the years!

S just transitioned to youth sizing and I could cry, lol.

[UMaineTeach]

www.llbean.com/llb/shop/125599?page=kids-warm-up-insulated-jacket-kids&bc=&feat=toddler%20warm%20up%20jacket-SR0&csp=a&searchTerm=toddler%20warm%20up%20jacket&pos=1

This is my favorite winter coat. It’s thin for car rides, works parking lots, quick walks downtown, things like that.

They are discontinuing it, so limited colors and sizes. I don’t like the color options in the size I need. It’s sad.

You need a different set up to play in the snow. I’ve been getting a one piece snowsuit.