If you are ready to get your kids out there on the slopes or the trails, it is crucial to find good-quality equipment. We all know that kids will quickly outgrow clothing, but don’t skimp on their ski jackets. Think of it as an investment in you and your child’s winter fun.
Hi, I’m Christine, and I started this blog to give other skiers valuable information and resources they can use to take advantage of their time in the snow. I’ve researched each of the kid’s ski jackets listed here and know what to look for in the best options.
The Spyder Leader is my pick for the best ski jacket for kids. Spyder makes some great ski clothing, and this jacket will provide your little ones with plenty of comfort and protection from the wind and snow.
I’ll provide you with all of the best models for kid’s ski jackets in this post. If you are going to get them started young, it pays to make sure they stay comfortable. This will help kids develop a lifelong passion for skiing.
Time to bundle up and get going.
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Who Should Get This
Skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports can be great activities for your kids, but you need to make sure they can stay dry and warm. Having a cold child can mean spending lots of time in the lodge drinking hot chocolate or, even worse – cutting the day short.
You can’t blame a kid for getting cold. I can remember when I was a young kid skiing, and If I got too cold, it could take the fun out of the day. It can be hard to concentrate on skiing when you are thinking about how cold you are. Being cold and wet is no way to enjoy a winter outing.
If you take your kid out for any winter activity, especially skiing or snowboarding, you want to make sure you get them a good quality ski jacket that will keep them dry, warm and possibly provide some other nice features.
Kids may indeed outgrow the jacket in a season or two, but it is worth the investment. If you do get a good quality jacket, you may be able to hand it down to the next child or even resell it once your kid outgrows it.
Best Ski Jackets for Kids: Top Picks
Here are my picks for the best ski jackets for kids. Every model here is explicitly built with younger skiers in mind.
1. Spyder Leader
- Best for: Overall
- Key features: Warm, comfortable, durable, good style, waterproof, removable hood
- Waterproofing: Spylon DWR
- Insulation: 140 grams 3M Thinsulate
- Cost: $$
The Spyder Leader is the best overall ski jacket for kids. This is a warm and comfortable option that will let your kids ski all day long without worry.
It is really warm thanks to an impressive 140 grams of 3M Thinsulate insulation. This is sure to keep even the tiniest kids warm and cozy.
An outer layer of Splyon material comes with a DWR treatment to provide excellent waterproofing, no matter how hard it’s snowing.
The Leader also comes with critically taped seams, a powder skirt, and a removable hood.
It’s only available in pretty bright colors, which most kids should love, but some might not.
==> You can also get it on Spyder or Backcountry or Steep and Cheap.
2. Under Armour Girls ColdGear Max Altitude
- Best for: Girls
- Key features: Warm, comfortable, insulated, good waterproofing, grow system sleeves
- Waterproofing: Stormproof Tech
- Insulation: 3M Thinsulate
- Cost: $$
Girl skiers will love the Under Armour Girls ColdGear Max Altitude jacket. This is another very effective option to keep little skiers warm and cozy all day long.
The jacket has a good amount of 3M insulation for added warmth, and Under Armour StormProof technology provides lasting waterproofing.
Another really impressive feature is the Grow System sleeves that make the sleeves adjustable up to 2 inches to accommodate growing skiers.
The Max Altitude is only available in one color, which limits your style options.
3. The North Face Vortex Triclimate
- Best for: Warmth
- Key features: 3-in-1 design, versatile, good insulation, solid waterproofing
- Waterproofing: DryVent 2L
- Insulation: Fleece
- Cost: $$$
The North Face Vortex Triclimate will provide plenty of warmth, thanks to a 3-in-1 design that gives you versatility as well.
A fleece inner jacket provides a solid layer of insulation that can also be removed during warmer conditions.
DryVent 2L in the outer shell makes the jacket very waterproof while also remaining breathable to keep kids comfortable. I also like that the hood is easily removable to adjust to changing weather conditions.
This one has a lot of nice features, but it’s also relatively expensive.
==> You can also get it on Evo or Zappos or Backcountry.
4. Mountain Warehouse Honey
- Best for: Budget Option
- Key features: Affordable, DWR treatment, lots of pockets, snowskirt, adjustable cuffs
- Waterproofing: Polyester with DWR
- Insulation: Fleece
- Cost: $
If you are looking for an affordable option that will still keep your kids warm and dry, consider the Mountain Warehouse Honey ski coat.
This is an affordable option featuring an outer shell with a DWR treatment to give decent waterproofing, alongside a fleece lining for added warmth.
The jacket also comes with plenty of pockets to pack snacks or gear, a snowskirt to keep the flakes out, and adjustable cuffs to provide a customized fit for growing kids.
This isn’t the warmest or most durable option, but it has a very attractive price tag.
==> You can also get it on Mountain Warehouse.
5. Obermeyer Boys Fleet Jacket
- Best for: Durability
- Key features: Strong construction, heavy insulation, snap away powder skirt, goggle pocket
- Waterproofing: 10k polyester
- Insulation: 160 grams
- Cost: $$
The Obermeyer Fleet jacket is a good option to choose with durability in mind. This model can take a beating without wearing down, which is great for kids who really like to ski.
It’s also a very warm jacket thanks to 160 grams of insulation in the body and 140 grams in the sleeves.
Other stand-out features included critically taped seams, a snap-away powder skirt, and a goggle pocket to keep those lenses out of harm’s way.
This one might be too warm for spring skiing, and it’s another relatively expensive option.
==> You can also get it on Moosejaw or DICK’S or Buckman’s.
How to Choose Kids’ Ski Jackets
Here are some essential considerations to keep in mind when looking for the best kids’ ski jackets currently available.
Warmth
Especially for the younger kids, staying warm is the number one priority. Find a jacket with good quality insulation that can keep the wind and cold out.
Waterproofing
Staying dry is one of the keys to staying warm. If your kid gets wet, they will soon get cold. A jacket needs to be waterproof or at least water-resistant.
Comfort
This can be very important. If your child can’t wear the jacket comfortably, they won’t want to wear it at all. Make sure you get them something comfortable enough to wear for at least a few hours straight.
Ease Of Use
This can be very important with younger kids. If you need to help them put their jacket on or if they are learning to put it on themselves, you want something easy to take on and off.
Mobility
Your child needs to be able to move around in the jacket to have fun. Skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and most other winter sports require a lot of movement, so you will need to make sure your kid has the mobility they need in the jacket.
Extra Features
Extra features such as storage, zippers, velcro, and powder skirts are things you will also want to consider.
Style
For younger kids, you may not need to worry too much. But style may be something that older kids are concerned about. They will probably want something that looks stylish and cool.
Useful Tips & Resources
There are some great ski jackets out there, as I have shown above. Before making that investment in your kid’s winter fun, make sure you know what size jacket your child will need. Take a look at this guide which is very helpful in determining your child’s jacket size.
Skiing with a child can be a lot of fun. But it can also be pretty challenging if they don’t know the basics and you don’t have any experience teaching anyone how to ski. Check out the video below for some good tips on teaching kids how to ski.
Final Verdict
The Spyder Leader is my pick for the best ski jacket for kids of the year. This is a high-quality option that will provide plenty of warmth and excellent waterproofing to keep the little ones happy and comfortable as they learn to ski.
Every option that you see here is constructed with kid skiers in mind. You need to make sure that they stay warm and dry, or else they might get a bad taste for skiing before realizing how amazing it really is. All the jackets here will help with that!
