It’s cold here. Really cold.
When I grew up, in North Carolina & Virginia, we didn’t know cold like this. Sure, winter was colder than summer, but all that meant was we didn’t go to the beach every day. I’m not sure I even wore gloves.
But here, way up in the cold north–almost Canada for goodness sakes!–it’s different. I realized just this weekend that I’m still reacting to the cold like a girl from North Carolina. It makes me run into my kids’ closets, giving them layer after layer, afraid that without three pair of socks, their toes will freeze and fall off during sledding.
But my kids don’t fear the cold at all. They don’t know anything else. Winter, to them, means cold and snow days and sledding and skiing and hot chocolate with marshmallows. And kids who grow up here shouldn’t walk around looking like the Michelin man just because their mom is dreaming of warmer climates.
So I need cold-weather clothing advice.
Warmest boots?
Best socks?
Gloves?
Least bulky, warmest snowpants?
Coats?
Toasty socks?
Should I just go for LLBean, because after all, they’re located in Maine, their stuff must be warm? I don’t know…it seems like I bought their boots for my kids years ago and they all came home with cold, red toes. But maybe I didn’t buy the right kind. I need to embrace some new gear myself, so please, any and all comments are welcome. If you never commented before, but know what I need, please! Tell me!
We need your help so we can live like northerners, not southerners who somehow got stuck way up here.
I like the Lands End boots, but then my kids are littler than yours.
I'd like to know about non-bulky sweatpants too. My daughter was really irked when she put hers on this morning and transformed into a total bubble-butt.
I've finally learned after living here for most of my life that when it comes to cold-weather gear that is functional and comfortable and not so bulky you need to go with ski-gear. Under-armor is super thin and so warm! It's an amazing layer for under your normal clothes for staying warm. Coat and snowpants are really up to personal preference – and down is definitely the warmest although not always what you want. it's important to stay warm, but you don't want to sweat! Boots need to be waterproof (rubber bottoms work best) and need to be not so bulky too. The less bulky they are, the easier they are to walk around in. Socks don't slip as much, snow doesn't get in them, etc…
My girls are all geared up in columbia gear now and seem to stay pretty warm and dry. I just need some tips on how to keep snow from getting in between the cuff of their gloves and the cuff of their coat sleeves.
You know me well. Suffice to say that my feet are always cold. Just bought some Columbia boots for preschool, and my feet were toasty!!! Check out sierratradingpost.com; great deals! I agree with the Under Armour recommendation, as well. And you know that I am a North Face girl!
I swear by the Lands End wool socks — they have a bit of nylon in them so they are machine washable. But they cannot be beat for keeping out the wet and the cold. Because no matter how waterproof your boots are, snow is going to get in there someway, somehow. Yeah, they are bulky… but oh so warm.
Also, you need a great pair of snow pants. Snow pants really hold the heat in. When I am really cold, I wear my snow pants around the house.
Boots are tough — I would think the ones you bought should have been fine. Those should be good boots. Plus, they offer a guarantee, so send those back and ask them what they would suggest instead.