Kids ski suits - a warm and practical choice for small skiers
Kids ski suits really are a must-have piece of clothing for children during your family ski holidays. They keep your child warm and snug and have our vote for being a practical choice.
What age are kids ski suits suitable for?
They’re especially suitable for younger children (less garments to manage in the morning!), but are a comfortable garment for any age. We’ve been so impressed with the ones our children have worn that we’d definitely recommend them up to the age of seven or eight. After that age we found our children preferred to wear a jacket and ski pants comination.
Why choose kids ski suits instead of a two-piece combination?
With younger children it all comes down to practicality. A one-piece won’t ride-up around the waist and let let snow in when your child falls over or decides to roll around making a ‘snow angel’. There’s only the one garment to deal with in the mornings, so that’s definitely a bonus.
What’s special about kids ski suits?
They’re made from different layers of fabric that have different jobs to do. First is the hard-wearing waterproof outer layer. Better quality garments are made from fabric that is both waterproof and breathable. Next comes a layer of insulation, followed by a lining, that could be either a breathable wicking fabric designed to draw moisture away from the body, or could be a fleece material.
What size should I choose?
We always buy as large as possible. That’s so there’s plenty of room for movement and layering garments underneath. Plus on the practical side, something that you buy on the large side this year will more than likely still fit next year so you’ll really get value for your money.
What technical features should I look for in a kids ski suit?
A couple of zipped pockets for tissues and lip salve are a must (and if your children are anything like ours, space for a few sweets too!). If you’re not planning to secure your child’s lift pass in his helmet then you might consider using a zipped pocket on the arm of his suit, or even tied into a zip puller.
Kids ski suits that have integral gaiters are another must-have. Or at the very least the legs of the suit should be elasticated to fit over your child’s ski boots. Our children find the integral gaiters more convenient because they can easily slip them over their boots even with their gloves on. Anything that makes life easier during ski vacations has our vote! Without gaiters it’ll be no time at all before your child has a bootful or two of snow. Believe us, children moaning because their legs and socks are wet is no fun at all.
How much should I expect to pay for a kids ski suit?
You certainly don’t have to spend a fortune to find a good quality ski suit. If you’re buying new, a bit of planning will save you money. If buying from ski clothing specialists, buy at the end of the season for the following season – in a size larger than you child currently wears. You can get good savings simply by planning ahead. Now, we don’t believe in spending money unnecessarily, so you won’t find us buying the most expensive suit (sorry to all you famous brands out there!). The maximum we’ve paid for a good quality suit during the season is £40, but we usually buy them for much less in the sales.
Good prices can also be found in mail order clothing catalogues and some high street chains. Don’t forget that online auction sites often have a good choice of suitable ski suits for all ages. Last season, we bought a suit very cheaply from an online auction site. It wasn’t made by a fashionable ‘name’ and had certainly seen some use. But it was warm, comfortable and has plenty of life left in it – all for £6.49! Our daughter’s ski instuctor even commented on what a good suit it was, so we were pleased.
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