elizabethadventuresblogHiking with your toddler is such a fun experience, but winter hiking can bring its own challenges and concerns. Knowing how to dress your toddler for the elements in winter is so important not only to keep them happy and comfortable, but also making sure they are safe.
Toddlers are a lot more active now than they were as a baby, so they will be playing in the snow and cold more. Making sure they are dressed right is key to a successful outing. Below I share all the important layers to have your toddler wear to make sure they are warm enough on trail for winter hiking.
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Layers Are Key To a Warm Toddler While Winter Hiking
Just like you will be wearing layers in winter, it’s important to have plenty of layers for your toddler, especially because they won’t be moving and creating body heat like you are if they are in a carrier. Below are the layers we use on our winter adventures as well as a few extra accessories I pack and use as needed to make sure my son is always warm and dry.
Base Layers
Base layers are such an important part of making sure your toddler stays warm in winter. It’s important to be aware of the type of fabric they are wearing as well. Cotton does not dry quickly so if they get wet from the elements or a diaper leak, it’ll be difficult for their clothes to dry quickly. Stick to synthetic materials or better yet, wool if you can.
We have multiple wool sets from Iksplor that we love and they have kept my son warm through all seasons. Plus he wears them as his hiking clothes when it’s cool but not cold enough to need extra layers. You can shop our set, here, and use “elizabethadventures” for an additional 10% off regular and sale prices.
Another base layer set we have been using is the REI Mid Weight Base Layers. They are thicker than the Iksplor sets and a more reasonable price point if you’re looking for something more budget friendly. They are not wool but rather a synthetic, quick dry material.
Mid Layer
For a mid layer we use fleece clothing most of the time as it’s quite warm on trail, perfect for winter hiking. I use a pant and top fleece set over my son’s base layers, like this one, if it’s really cold. I love that it’s a two piece like the base layers so he can easily go to the bathroom when needed.
We also use fleece jackets for when he really just needs a jacket on and not necessarily extra pants as well. I used this REI Trailsmith Fleece, which comes in a wide range of sizes and fun colors!
Recap of my favorite products:
Outer Weatherproof Layer
Winter hiking can often mean snow adventures. A proper snowsuit is key to keeping your toddler dry and warm on trail. We use the Reima Kurikka Snowsuit and love it! It is designed to grow with their quickly growing bodies, so hopefully you get multiple seasons out of it. It also has great features like foot loops to keep the suit down around their ankles, a removable hood and more! You can use code “elizabeth20” for an additional 20% off!
If you’re looking for a completely waterproof layer, we use this Jan & Jul rain suit over whatever layers are needed for the day. A rain suit is better than a rain set because toddlers love to jump around and get really wet. A rain suit doesn’t have that mid-section opening where water can get in. I prefer this suit because it is unlined, allowing us to have more flexibility in the warm layers my son wears underneath.
If you’re unsure about the waterproof ability of your outer layer, this waterproofing wash is a perfect way to add waterproofing to a shell. It also comes with a wash safe for your child’s shell and snowsuit.
Recap of my favorite products:
Extremities
Gloves are so important for keeping your toddler’s hands warm in the winter hiking months. I had two sets of gloves that I used, a lighter weight fleece pair and a weatherproof snow set. I use these inexpensive yet extremely warm fleece gloves for days where I don’t need to worry about my son getting overly wet or cold. My son uses the Reimatec Mittens for his snow gloves. They are waterproof and extremely warm. They are leather so they will fit him multiple seasons.
Another pair of gloves that would be extremely useful depending on the weather you’re around, temperatures and your toddler’s desire to touch all thing wet is rain gloves. These Rain Mittens will help keep your little one’s hands warm while they splash in puddles.
A beanie is so important at helping keep your toddler warm while winter hiking. So much heat leaves through our heads, so keeping their head warm will help hold in their heat. Any beanie you have will do just fine! This adventure beanie has been a favorite of ours from day one. If it’s colder out or we are venturing into snow, my son wears a Balaclava. This is an amazing way to keep them warm and it covers their neck and head all in one.
Next up are those little toes. Keeping your toddler’s feet warm is really as important as they are farthest from their warm core. I always have my son wear a pair of wool socks, sometimes two if it’s really cold. If it isn’t overly cold or wet out, these fleece booties are the perfect next layer for cover their feet. They snap on rather than Velcro so they stay put so much better. If it was very cold out or wet, a down bootie is my go-to for keeping those little toes warm.
Recap of my favorite products:
Thing to Bring For Added Warmth While Winter Hiking
Hand warmers are a must have when winter hiking not only for adults, but especially for kids. They are such a quick way to get heat to any part of their body should they need it. I have had to put them in my son’s gloves and booties at times and they truly make a world of difference when needed.
Depending on the carrier you are using, a good carrier cover can make a big difference in keeping toddler warm. I use an Ergobaby soft carrier which has both a clip-on rain cover and fleece lined cover you can purchase. Be sure to check out my guide “The Best Baby Carriers for Hiking,” to learn more. When I use my Osprey backpack carrier, I have this rain cover to help block the wind and snow, keeping my son dry.
Recap of my favorite products:
Winter Hiking With a Baby?
If you’re looking for how to dress your baby for winter adventures, I’ve got you covered! You can check out my “How to Dress a Baby for Winter Hiking” guide to learn how I layered my son when he was a baby. His first snowshoe adventure was just at 2 months old. Although it will be similar to a toddler, babies won’t be out playing in the snow and getting wet, so they don’t need the same options a toddler might need.
Dressing Your Toddler for Winter Hiking Reminders
- It’s always better to overpack layers than not have enough. Toddler clothes are so small and lightweight it’s easy to pack all the layers above so you don’t have to worry about them being too hot or too cold on trail.
- Start with short trails close to home until you feel comfortable if you are new to winter hiking with a little. This will allow you to figure out how your setup is working without going too far away from the warmth of your car.
- Dress your toddler how you would dress to feel warm if you went outside and didn’t move around. You will create heat for yourself by hiking, but they won’t (if they are in a carrier that is). If they are out walking on trail they will be able to generate more heat, but still have tiny bodies that need help staying warm.
- Know what to look out for safety-wise when hiking in the winter months. Check out my guide “How to Be Safe Winter Hiking With Your Baby” before you go so you know what to look out for and how to keep kids of any age safe.
I hope this guide helps you with your winter adventures with your toddler. If you have any further questions or want to share your experience after, please leave a comment below!
Happy Hiking,
Elizabeth
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