In Scandinavia, there’s a saying that “there’s no bad weather, only bad clothing.” This is quite suitable for countries where temperatures often hit subzero during the winter, where it rains a lot in fall, and where summers rarely get above 70°F.
Having the right clothing is particularly important, and even long before the first frost arrives we start looking for ways to stay warm.
Scandinavian children, from age 0 to about 8-10 years, are most commonly dressed in one-piece snowsuits. It’s a huge business, and you can purchase your one-piece nearly anywhere.
As winter came around this year in the US, we started searching for snowsuits for our children, but couldn’t find what we were looking for. After speaking with a few other Scandinavians, this seems to be a common issue.
Generally, the selection in the US is poor. Most Scandinavians find the quality not up to par. They complain that the colors and patterns are somewhat plain and dull, and the suits are not properly waterproof. This leads many Scandinavians to purchase their snowsuits at home and bring them over, or have family ship one over.
That’s not to say none are available here. In fact, after some online searching and speaking with experienced Scandinavian parents, we have located a few very nice snowsuits in the US.
But, first, let’s take a look at what you need in a snowsuit!
There are three key elements to getting a good snowsuit: It needs to be comfortable, breathable, and wind- and waterproof.
A soft, light, and roomy snowsuit will offer the necessary comfort for your child to run and play in. If you are able to grab a handful of material under the bottom, and your child can stretch his arms straight in front of him and over the head without the material tightening at the sides, you have the right size.
Velcro rather than buttons may be a good option as it’s much more comfortable to rest on. Velcro is also easier for the child to open and close on his own than buttons. A long zipper is also key so the suit is easy to get in and out of, and check if the hood zips off to offer a better peripheral view.
The insulation should be nice and smooth, and some padding on the butt is a plus. Little ones like to sit down just about anywhere, and this offers extra comfort and ensures their bottoms stay warm.
Suit up for the snowy season
by Sara, 11 November 2015
It goes without saying that the snowsuit should be wind- and waterproof. There is nothing worse than a snowsuit that gets soaked through after a day of playing outside. Check around zippers, buttons, and by the seams to ensure that the suit is properly glued together and waterproofed. And make sure the legs are wide enough to be pulled over the boots, preferably with an elastic band at the end to secure under the foot; that way snow and water is prevented from entering the boots.
Also be sure to check that the material is water repellent. Even if a snowsuit is waterproof, it doesn’t mean it’s water repellent. If the material is not water repellent it’ll absorb water in the outer layer making the suit cold.
Finally, check to see if the suit is windproof. It should close tight by the hands and feet. Elastic closure may work the best here, but Velcro also works. Only issue with velcro is that if too much snow gets stuck in it, it may not work as well.
Check out some of our suggestions for good snowsuits.
*Details on what to look for in a Snowsuit gotten from the Danish Magazine “Vores Børn”