Everyone wants to see their kids having fun while not having to worry about them getting hurt. Of course, the slopes may not be the ideal place for children to play but they can sure have a great deal of fun sliding down as long as they are properly dressed and well protected. And when it comes to buying kids ski clothing, there are many things that you’ll want to consider and take into account.
To make it easier for you, today we’ll talk about snow pants specifically because, after all, they are probably the first piece of ski equipment you’ll buy for your little one. As is with any piece of ski clothing for children, you’ll want to make sure that the snow pants you choose will fit well, will keep your child warm and dry, are durable and will stand the test of time and endure any falls or tumbles. And although there are different types of snow pants, these buying tips apply to all of them.
Waterproof & Breathability Ratings
• We all know how clumsy kids can be and having their feet and legs protected from the snow and water is well important, hence why you’ll need to check the waterproof rating which is measured in mm. The snow pants that your kiddo wears are most likely to be covered in snow much more often than your child’s upper body. For that very reason, the higher their rating is, the more waterproof the pants will be. These digits range from 1,000 to 20,000mm.
• The breathability rating although being quite a conflicting feature actually works well together with waterproof levels. The higher the breathability, the better the pants will be at allowing sweat and water vapour to escape which can otherwise be unpleasant. Unlike waterproofness, breathability is measured in grams with the optimal numbers ranging from 2,000 to 25,000 g.
Seams
• There are three types of seams that snow pants can have: fully taped, critically taped and welded seams. The critically taped seams are usually on the lower back and around the backside, which in this case are the areas that are most likely to get covered in snow and water. Fully taped seams give you exactly what you’d expect by covering the edge of every seam on the pants. Welded seams are something else as they are not really seams but rather the two materials are sealed (welded) together which makes for the best waterproof protection and lightest design.
Boot Gaiters & Scuff Guards
• Talking about sealing, boot gaiters are designed to do that in order to prevent snow from entering up the pants. This lining goes over the boots and fits tight enough to keep out moisture. The bottom back of the pants can drag around ( this can occur pretty often), hence why most manufacturers have started to include scuff guards. This rubberized part keeps the cuffs from getting ripped and worn down – snowboarders don’t need them but skiers do.
Suspenders
• Although suspenders may give your kid’s outfit a more old-fashioned look, they are actually pretty important. They are better than wearing a belt as they can also keep snow from entering between the jacket and the pants. Although the majority of snow pants don’t come with suspenders, a lot of them actually come with suspender loops.
Additional Featur
• Articulated knees are a great extra feature which will allow for better flexibility and a lighter feel together with a more natural bend. This is due to the pants having additional seems sewn into the knee. Thigh zip vents are an important part when it comes to staying sweat-free when adventuring up on the slopes. Your kid can open the vents when he/she feels that it’s too hot and then zip them up again when it starts to get cold.
• If you happen to get the same brand of pants as a jacket then expect to have a jacket-to-pant link. otherwise, you can always look for some that incorporate this element. This zipper system adds the benefits of a one-piece outfit by making it easy to combine the two pieces together. Side zips will allow your kid to have more room when putting on and taking off his or her boots. They are usually placed on the bottom of the cuff.
• While insulation comes standard with a pair of shell pants, you get no added warmth from them. To avoid layering your kid underneath, go with snow pants that have insulative materials like Primaloft, which is synthetic and fleece. A reinforced seat is always a great addition as sometimes water can enter even through the most protective pants if exposed for enough time. This also goes for the knees since your kid will probably end up falling on his knees and tushie the most.
• Having enough pockets to store gloves and some other things that your kid may need with him/her up on the slopes may seem obvious but a lot of people don’t consider this factor. If your kid typically easily loses his/her gloves, know that there are special glove holders in the form of a pocket or a loop to hang them over. Maybe they want to have their phone with them to take a picture of the beautiful scenery around them.
