Getting outside during the winter months can be a struggle with children. There’s the initial challenge of convincing everyone that it’ll be fun. Then there’s the act of wrestling on everyone’s winter gear while listening to the high-pitched screams of “I need heeeelp!” and “I don’t like it!”. Dear parents, the struggle is real and after all that hard work of getting outside, there’s the inevitable complaint of “I’m cold!”
Children can’t regulate their body temperature as well as adults; it’s a known fact. However, kids can play outside in cold weather for a very long time, for hours, if they’re dressed right.
“There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.”― Ranulph Fiennes
Getting dressed for playing outside in the winter starts with a good base layer. This is the secret for keeping kids happy, dry and warm for hours, yes hours, of outdoor play and adventure in the winter months.
Base layers are made of a material that stays dry, warm and sit close to the body like a second skin. The most commonly used materials for base layers are merino wool or polypropylene and each type of material has it’s advantages and disadvantages.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Great at keeping in body heat. | Gets stinky. |
| Wicks moisture very effectively. | Synthetic material. |
| Soft and form fitting. | |
| Durable. | |
| Lightweight. | |
| Dries very quickly. | |
| Machine washable. | |
| Less expensive. |
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Great at keeping in body heat. | Not as good at wicking moisture. |
| Soft and form fitting. | Can feel itchy. (usually better after a few washes) |
| Lightweight. | Takes more time to dry. |
| Naturally antibacterial. (not stinky) | Less durable. |
| Natural material. | More expensive. |
I love merino wool, but polypropylene is much more durable, affordable and better at wicking away moisture. I’ve noticed that my kids will wear through merino base layers quickly while polypropylene base layers can be passed down from child to child as they grow out of it. For these reasons, I recommend polypropylene base layers for keeping kids warm and comfortable while being active outdoors.
Disclaimer: Stripes Gear sent me products for the purpose of this review; however all thoughts and opinions are my own. Also, this page contains Stripes Gear affiliate links and I may earn a small commission from your purchases made through them. By purchasing items through these links you will be supporting my work in empowering families to be active outdoors together. Thank you!
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Hi Josée,
I know this post is a year old, but I love what you wrote about layering and all the suggestions for gear. I’m including a link to it in an email to parents in my preschool classroom. We need all the layers here in Minnesota this time of year! Thanks for all you do for families and getting kids outside!!