Our Top 5 Picks for the Best Kids Winter Coats in 2021
We’ve done the research and here are the best kids winter coats to buy this season!
It’s all in the filling!
Buying the best, everyday winter coat for your kids can be overwhelming, not to mention, the options are endless and can leave you totally unsure of what will actually keep them warm on those chilly days.
Here’s everything you need to know about children’s winter coats & jackets so you can shop our top reonlinemendations with confidence.
Top 5 Kids Winter Jackets for 2021:
- Best Down Kids’ Jackets:
- Best Synthetic Kids’ Jackets:
- Best Innovation Kid’s Jacket:
Let’s start with what makes a great winter coat/jacket:
Of course, your ultimate goal is to find a coat with high performance, outstanding insulation, superior onlinefort, style (for those with fashion-conscious kids 😉), and an affordable price to boot!
But one of the main things you should consider is insulation.
Why jacket insulation is important:
Just like the walls in your home, jacket insulation provides air-trapping qualities to keep warmth in, which is key when your little ones are out enduring the cold of winter. If a jacket is overfilled, it will create too much sweat, causing moisture to freeze and actually make your little one feel colder.
Finding the jacket with just enough fluff for your climate is important so they avoid cold drafts when walking to the bus stop as well as excess sweating during strenuous snow-fort building.
The 2 most onlinemon types of jacket insulation:
1. Down
Down is one of nature’s most effective forms of insulation which is made from goose or duck plumage—a.k.a. the lofty, fluffy stuff underneath the feathers on these waterfowl.
Natural down is typically the most expensive option when it onlinees to investing in a coat and boasts the best warmth-to-weight ratio onlinepared to synthetic offerings.
Some considerations with down insulation:
- Standing up to the elements: When down beonlinees wet, it easily beonlinees matted down, which makes it lose its ability to keep anyone warm. If you’re looking to buy your kiddo a down jacket, make sure the outer layer or shell is waterproof or water-resistant, like our #1 pick for kids from Land’s End.
- The fill power: Down’s quality and effectiveness are measured by what’s called “fill power”. Fill power is the amount of loft that one ounce of down produces which is how air is trapped to insulate body heat. Most down jackets will range anywhere from 500 to 800 fill power, so the higher the number, the warmer the jacket.
2. Synthetic Insulation
Synthetic insulation is manmade and cheaper to produce, which is typically polyester-based and tends to be the most affordable insulation used in winter coats.
That’s why it’s crucial for modern outdoor onlinepanies, such as Land’s End, to master how they manufacture synthetic filling so it’s highly effective and a tough onlinepetitor against real down. Plus, Land’s End packs their jackets with so many extra features, they’re a brutal onlinepetitor when you onlinepare them to other, more expensive brands.
Some considerations with synthetic insulation:
- Standing up to the elements: Synthetics are better at retaining heat when it onlinees to moisture, making it an excellent option if your kids are frequently outside and active in the winter elements. Unlike down, synthetics don’t lose their crimped, manmade texture when wet and therefore are able to retain body heat more efficiently.
- The gram rating: Synthetics quality and effectiveness are measured by “gram ratings”. The ratings are measured in grams per square meter, so the higher the gram rating, the thicker and warmer the winter jacket will be. Typically, winter jackets are filled with 150g to 200g.
Here are our top picks for kid’s winter coats:
Best DOWN Jacket: Lands’ End Kids Expedition Down Winter Parka
Lands’ End Kids Expedition Down Winter Parka $179.95
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Key jacket features:
- Great temperature rating of 18° to +17°F
- Parka length hits below the hips
- Waterproof shell
- Insulated with 600-fill power down
- Insulated hood with removable faux fur
- Grow-A-Long sleeves extend up to 1.5″ to fit them as they grow
“Lands’ End is hands down the greatest quality! Lucky for us parents, the youngest siblings always get the hand-me-downs because their jackets don’t wear out and we are totally hard on our winter gear!” – Rachel ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Runner Up DOWN Jacket: Marmot Kids’ Guides Down Hoody
Marmot Kids’ Guides Down Hoody $140
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Key jacket features:
- 700-fill water-resistant down
- Water-resistant ripstop fabric
- Zippered handwarmer pockets
- Elastic cuffs
- Wind flap behind front zipper
- Angel-Wing Movement™ for good range of motion
“This puffy has kept my 7-year-old daughter safe and warm to the top of Mount Saint Helens and Mount Adams. Though it’s the “boys” model, it fits her great. I am very thankful Marmot creates quality gear for kids that is every bit as good as the adventure clothing made for adults. If you’re a parent looking at this jacket and wondering if it’s worth the price, it is!” – Eric ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best SYNTHETIC Jacket: The North Face Freedom Triclimate Waterproof Insulated Jacket
The North Face Freedom Triclimate Waterproof Insulated Jacket $168.95
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Key jacket features:
- Heatseeker™ Eco insulation
- Waterproof
- Triclimate™ loops at wrists on the inner jacket
- Breathable, seam-sealed DryVent™ 2L shell
- Three-piece, fixed hood
- Secure-zip hand pockets
- Secure-zip pass pocket on left sleeve with goggle cloth
- Exposed, VISLON® center front zip with internal draft flap on the outer jacket
- Exposed, reverse-coil center front zip on the inner jacket
“Every year when my kids are due for a new coat I upgrade them to the new The North Face Triclimate – they truly have the best kids winter coats! To me, they’re the perfect everyday jacket that’s perfect for skiing on cold days or taking it apart and just wearing one of the jackets on cooler days. My kids have spent hours in the snow wearing these and always stay so warm. Bonus that they look really nice too!” – Sara ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Runner Up SYNTHETIC Jacket: Gap Kids ColdControl Ultra Max Parka
Gap Kids ColdControl Ultra Max Parka – Boys $138
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Final cost $73.80 SHIPPED!
Gap Kids ColdControl Ultra Max Parka – Girls $138
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Final cost $73.80 SHIPPED!
While these two best kids’ winter coats vary in appearance, their performance and craftsmanship are identical so whether you’re purchasing a boy’s or girl’s jacket, you simply can’t go wrong with this warmest pick by Gap!
Key jacket features:
- Water-resistant Primaloft® insulation
- Parka length for more warmth
- Front pockets
- Detachable fur trim
- Button and zip front closure
- Made with 40% recycled polyester
“I ordered this parka for my 5-year-old because he had outgrown his winter coat from last year. When it arrived I was pleasantly surprised with the quality, thickness, and craftsmanship of this parka. It’s not too heavy and he can still move around freely while wearing it. The hood is lined with a super soft and fluffy material.
I loved it so much that I had to get one for my daughter as well. They will both be warm on those brutal, cold winter days ahead! I’m super happy and 100% satisfied with this purchase and highly reonlinemend it.” – Sandra ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best INNOVATION: Columbia Bugaboo II Fleece Interchange Jacket
Columbia Bugaboo II Fleece Interchange Jacket $120
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This jacket from Columbia doesn’t use down or synthetic insulation. In fact, it’s designed with a high-tech, reflective material called “Omni-Heat” which is both breathable and effectively reflects body heat. Making and retaining body heat will allow your little ones to endure the cold of winter without overheating.
I personally own this jacket for my daughter and she loves it! She stays nice and warm, and thanks to the outgrown system I know we’ll get at least a couple of winters out of it.
Key jacket features:
- It’s versatile and can be worn as 2 separate layers or zipped together
- Features a waterproof, breathable shell
- Omni-Heat Technology
- OUTGROWN system lets you extend the cuffs as your little one grows
- onlinepletely waterproof, sealed seams
- Windproof
- Removable, adjustable storm hood
“I bought this coat for my son and he loves it! It keeps him nice and warm in the extreme cold weather that we have experienced so far this year in South Dakota! We both love that it is the 3-in-1 style so it can be worn for many different seasons and the grow-with-me feature is absolutely genius and extends the life of these coats with growing kids! I know we’ll be able to get a couple of years worth of wear out of it!” – Shelby ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
These toy deals are too hot to just give a jacket this Christmas!
