Winter Gear for Adults

“There’s no bad weather as long as you’ve got the right gear.” For the most part, this is true. But with snow flying in much of the northern U.S., what is the “right” gear? Even for some of the most seasoned outdoor people, getting outside in the winter with your babies and toddlers can present a challenge. Some of the age old advice ring true. Wear layers. Avoid cotton as a base layer. But the gear you consider essential to a safe, fun adventure will likely change when your little ones are along for the ride. And even more so if you’re newer to hiking, let alone adventuring in winter weather. So let’s break it down. Here's essential gear for getting outside with your littles this winter. LAYERS First – a note on layers. The rule of thumb for layering is that you want three main layers: a non-cotton base layer, a warmer insulating layer, and a wind- or water-proof layer. The makeup of these is up to you, and largely contingent on the severity of your winter weather. Adults If you’re a nursing mama, you’ll want to factor this into your adventuring layers. Lots of moms like to have a stretchy or nursing tank, a great wool or fleece layer and an oversized coat to wear over their carrier. If you’re wearing your little one in a carrier like the Onya, keep in mind that the carrier will provide quite a bit of insulation/heat. See also: 5 Comfy and Cozy Winter Carriers for Babywearing Kids Layers for your kiddos follow the same basic rule of thumb as for adults. However, fleece sleepers make a great base layer for those not doing a lot of walking just yet. Consider wool as a great insulating layer. Luv Mother has some awesome wool clothing layers for kids that you’ll definitely want to check out. (Want to know why wool is so awesome? Read more here!) Or if you prefer to avoid wool, Boody Eco Wear has some fantastic options for you and your kids alike. Infants Layering ideas for infants include those fabulous fleece-footed sleeper pajamas as a base layer, old wool socks with the feet cut off (after you’ve worn through them) as leg and arm warmers (or, of course, Luv Mother or Boody Eco Wear) and a nice fleece bunting. (The carrier will often serve as the top layer, here.) See also: Winter Hiking - How to Layer for Infants OUTERWEAR Adults What you need will depend largely on your winter weather severity, but a great winter jacket that has side vents to help release excess heat will come in handy, especially if you’re wearing your child in front. Lots of retailers carry these in a variety of sizes. Remember as you shop, you’ll want to size up if you plan to zip your child and carrier inside your coat or if you have a baby bump to cover. Not wearing your kiddo inside your coat? Get one that fits well and allows for a few layers underneath without being too tight. Snow pants come in handy too, whether dropping to your knees to help build a snowman or finding a lost treat in the snow. A great alternative is a snow skirt like the Skhoop  – they provide insulation, but offer a different look and fit. Kids You’ll want to make sure your kids have quality outerwear for playing in the snow. Oaki is a brand we love! They have some awesome jackets  and snow pants  that fit the bill for just about any climate. FOOTWEAR Adults Great winter boots with awesome traction like Keen are an absolute must. If snow and ice are a consideration, consider ice grippers like Yaktrax, which fit over your boots and provide additional traction in less than optimal conditions. Kids As with adults, great footwear is essential for kids. And again, Oaki wins here with some awesome winter options. For those who need a great snow or winter boot, you’ll want to check out their selection! However, if you live somewhere where winter isn’t as long or as harsh, or where there’s a longer shoulder season, you’ll also love their neoprene snow/rain boots, which, as a bonus, come in fabulous patterns your kids will love! Infants A bunting may suffice, but some soft booties to help block the wind may also come in handy! HEAD AND HAND WEAR A warm hat that covers your ears and a nice pair of gloves are key. Mittens may be easy-on/easy-off, but gloves will allow you to avoid fumbling with buckles and zippers. Plus, for the adults, some gloves have a special pad on the index finger to allow smart phone use, critical for those spontaneous photos and selfies! Hand warmers can also be a great help! EXTRA ESSENTIALS Adults Adults on trail will want to have some additional gear. A soft-structured carrier like the Onya is great for a variety of body types. But if you prefer the fit of a hard-frame pack or want something with a bit more room to fit your kiddo’s layers in, Deuter makes some much-loved hard-frame carriers and covers. You may also prefer to use a stroller, and we love BOB. They have several models of all-terrain strollers, which offer kiddos a great ride whether on pavement (be it ice-covered or not) or off. One of the bonuses of BOB strollers is the variety of pockets where you can stash your kid's – and your own – snacks, drinks and other essential items. Anyone carrying their child will also want to consider hiking poles. Even if you’re not planning any significant winter climbs, a set of hiking poles will come in handy to provide extra support and help prevent falls while your little one is on board. Additional gear essentials may include snowshoes and sleds to make the most of the snowy season! FOR EVERYONE Stay warm with those self-heating hand warmers! (Hint: Crack them open before you get to the trailhead to ensure they warm up in time!) These also come in handy to drop inside the bottom of your infant's bunting to help generate heat for their small toes. If it’s especially chilly and you’re wanting to get out, stave off chapped cheeks by applying a layer of cold cream to create a barrier between sensitive skin and the cold air! And don’t forget your snacks and drinks for on trail! READ MORE: Winter layering options for moms Winter hiking – How to layer for infants Easy baby snacks for the trail  Have any great winter hiking gear we haven’t shared here? Please tell us what you love in the comments! Photo credits: Kendra Reeder, Jennifer Campbell, Ashley Scheider

In the hunt for all things winter, I perennially spend an exorbitant amount of time looking at clothing. I obsess over details like sleeve length, jacket skirting, layering, base layering, gloves vs. mittens and how warm it all is. Luckily for me, we love wool clothing and base layers. Which means one less decision on my plate. Some of the things that I've really come to love about wool layers They are so customizable. Wool clothing literally comes in multiple weights from featherweight to heavyweight. This makes it easy to throw on a wool T-shirt for a day at the beach or a thick wool base layer for extended snow play. No smells! Kids don't sweat in the same way adults do, so unless the item gets caked in mud (which does happen), I can go multiple times without washing. I've found that in mild weather, all my kids really need is a wool base layer plus their rain suits. It's warm when wet, unlike cotton or polyester. They're next-to-skin soft. My kid hates scratchy clothes. Weird seams. Tags. Really anything that isn't his definition of "cozy." My wool layers never bother him and I love that. It's a naturally sustainable fabric. Merino wool continues to grow each year after the annual harvest of fleece. Wool for the Beach I know it's almost winter in the Northern Hemisphere, but somewhere there's a warm beach with my name on it. One of the reasons I adore wool for the beach is how breathable it is. Plus, sand shakes right off, which is a major bonus in any parenting book. Additionally, the nice thing about wool, as opposed to cotton, is that it will keep you warmer on those cool nights, even if your child happens to get wet. But my all-time favorite story about wool clothing for the beach? My son got drenched. Head to toe. We laid out the shirt while he played in the sun, and by the time we were ready to leave, the shirt was dry. That's kind of magic. Especially if you have a kiddo who doesn't like his clothes being wet. Lightweight wool layers like T-shirts work great year-round as a layering piece or as a stand-alone option for summer. Wool for the Winter Wool is perhaps most famous for its winter applications. After all, I usually deck myself out head-to-toe in wool. Everything from socks and undergarments to hoodies and leggings. Because winter usually means an increase in snow or rain, depending on where you live, wool's ability to keep you warm when wet is key. I've also found that our wool base layers and hoodies tend to have less bulk than our polyester base layers, which makes for a more mobile kiddo. It also lets them help themselves get dressed, which is huge in my book. There's really been an increase in the amount of wool clothing available for kids. And it isn't all just long underwear-looking either. Companies like Luv Mother carry everything from leggings to skirts to sweatpants–all made from the magic of merino. As I've mentioned before, wool layers also come in multiple weights, making it great for kids who need a heavier layer on top but a lighter layer on bottom (or vice versa!). These types of outfits make it easy from the classroom to the trail. Wool as Sustainable Fabric With all the recent headlines about plastics in the ocean from our laundry, wool starts to become a more sustainable choice of fabrics. Merino wool is grown in New Zealand and Australia from Merino sheep. Since the wool can be harvested year after year, it makes this a sustainable resource. Another great point is that merino wool is biodegradable. The proteins in merino wool will eventually break down into organic carbon (it takes a long time, so don't worry about that!). Luv Mother and other similar companies are taking the extra step by minimizing the fabric waste. This is another sustainable practice and puts less clothing waste into landfills. Read More Find Your Best Trail Shoe Photos courtesy of Ali Chandra and Kim Ives. This post is sponsored by Luv Mother. Hike it Baby received compensation in exchange for writing this review. All opinions are our own. Luv Mother is generously offering a discount to our Hike it Baby Readers until November 1, 2017. All our community specific discounts can be found on this page.  Tell us what you love about merino wool below!