Weather!

In moving from CA to CO dressing for the weather has a steep learning curve.
Here is what I found works best.

WOOL FOR UNDERLAYERS

Wool materials are great, it keeps kids dry (socks), and warm (underpants & shirts). Took me some time to find the wool underlayers that are not scratchy to start with. Wool can be high maintenance - you can’t put them in the dryer! They shrink and become even more scratchy. My trick - I get all wool underlayers in the same color, forest green and pink, so I can find them easily in a load of laundry, and fish them out before transferring all to the dryer.

1. Wool socks don’t feel wet when they get wet and dry fast. There is a day & night difference between cotton and wool socks on a cold day.
   My favorite wool socks are from Darn Tough and Paccas. This is the discount wool sock shop I found: High Sierra

2. Wool underlayers. Tried Smartwool and Rei brand wool baselayers and they were too scratchy. Winner: Kuling, Swedish clothing brand has the softest warm wool baselayers: Kuling baselayers.
   I hear Helly Hansen wool baselayers are good too.

CAN’T BE BOTHERED BY THE FINICKY WOOL STUFF?

I hear you. Cuddl Duds, 32Degree Heat, Hot Chillys worked well for us.

OUTERWEAR

I was surprised to find out that snowsuits are not waterproof. They are water-resistant to a point, but they do get wet.

I love love looove Kuling and Reima brands. Their snow gear stays dry for a long time and it comes with very convenient extendable arms and legs by 1-2 inches so kids do not grow out of it for 2 years. Just easily loosen the seam and the kid has a suit one size up!
Those Swedes man. They know a thing or two about battling the elements and about extending the usable life of things.

Here is the Kulig snowsuit we LOVE.

In fact, I often buy the winter gear on this Scandinavian website. All northern European brands from Norway, Finland, Sweden - weather tested! The shipping is fast. Prices are great for the quality: www.babyshop.com. Reima and Kuling brands have worked really great for us! 

The school recommends Oaki Suits for rain. I did get one for the snow too but the kids found their snow suits too bulky and not breathable.

You can’t go wrong with Helly Hansen playsuit either or Rei Rainwall Rainsuit.

SHOES

Do not waste money on department store boots. The kids will be cold, wet and miserable. You’ll have to buy a new pair halfway into the season. Get a quality shoe like Sorels, Hunter, Reima, Viking or Kamiks. Again I like my Scandinavian friends at babyshop.com for their weather-tested, sustainable, and affordable options. Kuling rainboots and snowboots are less pricey than the above-mentioned brands but are just as good quality and will keep the little feet of the fruits of your loin toasty and dry.

What are your cold weather resources? Lessons learned? Would love to learn more!