The Best Toddler Snow Jacket | LL Bean

We’re just about halfway through winter over here and so far we’re surviving city living in the cold with these toddlers.

Gone are the days of going from our heated house to semi-warm garage, with a quick dash through the cold into our destination. Now we bundle up, walk down three flights of stairs, head outside, down the path, across a walkway, into another building, down to the garage, into our car, and when we get where we’re going we likely put the stroller together and walk a good distance to the destination (unless it’s church – I’m SO GRATEFUL for a covered attached parking garage at church every week).

I’ve had lots of questions about how we’re dressing for the winter now that we’re in Boston …..and I need to confess, we don’t spend a lot of time outside when it’s below freezing. Unless it’s below fifteen degrees though, we’ll still go to the gym, the grocery store, or my parents. We’ll still walk to the post office if we need to (it’s on campus and about a 6 minute walk with the stroller). And even though it takes a solid five minutes to get everyone bundled up, it’s worth going outside.

When we do go play in the snow it’s usually on warmer days and we don’t last very long.

That said, I’ve been SUPER happy with our winter purchases this year and will be repurchasing some of them for next year if my kids grow out of them (or repurchasing them this spring when they go on sale ;).

Here’s what the kids have been wearing:

LL BEAN: THE BEST TODDLER SNOW JACKET

Lincoln’s Coat : I picked up this toddler snow jacket at the L.L. Bean outlet (in Nashua, NH) at the beginning of the season and it has been the best choice. The coat is thin enough that he can wear it in his car seat (hallelujah!) and it’s really easy for him to play in. It is still their “Warmer” temperature rating so this toddler snow jacket is great for playing outside in the snow, taking long walks, or layering over sweaters for below freezing temps. I started at L.L. Bean because it was a brand I trusted knew what they were doing when it came to cold weather (I can trust GAP to be cute, not necessarily to be winter functional, you know?) and I REALLY LIKE that they rate their coats based on the lowest temperature it will keep you warm in. I know if it’s colder than 15 degrees this jacket won’t cut it for Lincoln (and that’s okay, because I prefer hot chocolate and fires to sub 15 degrees anyway).

Adelaide’s Toddler Snow Jacket: I have a couple of hand-me-down coats for Lincoln that Adelaide can wear if we’re playing in the snow for a long time (but she doesn’t really like that, so she doesn’t wear them often). We have an older version of this puffer coat from GAP and the fleece lined ski jacket you can see baby Lincoln wearing in this post. I picked up this quilted navy coat with a Janie and Jack gift card, not convinced it would last her longer than the fall, and have been pleasantly surprised by how warm it keeps her and how much she likes it. When it’s really cold she wears a sweater under it, a hat, and gloves. Her toddler snow jacket is sold out but this one is almost identical (a few sizes left) and Janie and Jack have a few darling coats on sale too.

Lincoln’s Boots: My other favorite winter purchase are the sperry duck boots for the kids. Lincoln wears these 90% of the time he leaves the house these days because he can step in every snow bank and puddle he wants without me worrying his shoes are going to get ruined. They keep his feet warm and they wear well. Plus, I can pass them down to Adelaide next year or the year after (I hope).

Adelaide’s Crib Boots: I bought these as a token to match Lincoln’s boots, but thinking that because they were crib boots they wouldn’t be suitable for walking outside, let alone through the snow. These have been GREAT for Adelaide this winter. The rubber sole keeps her feet dry when walking in the snow and as long as she isn’t walking up to her calves in snow, she’s fine. They’re also velcro so super easy to get on and off and very easy for her to walk in. They’re secure around her foot and she falls less wearing these than other toddler shoes (except moccasins, can’t beat moccasins but you also can’t wear them in the snow).

Toddler snow gloves: We ordered these off of Amazon last year and still like them. They’re way too big for Adelaide and still a bit big for Lincoln but they’re very warm. I think I’ll always buy mittens for my toddlers because they’re just SO much easier to put on and they keep your hands warmer. For hats, I picked up one at the L.L. Bean outlet and then usually I just have them wear my pom beanies from GAP last year (similar here).

And another 39029 pictures of that fun snow earlier this month: