The 5 Best Snowsuits for Kids, Tested by Real Tykes in the Cold Snow

Name: Primary Baby Lightweight Puffer
Brand: Primary
Price: 42 USD

Stay warm out there

By Dara Katz

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Published Dec 3, 2024

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Getty Images/Dara Katz/Jillian Quint/Candace Davison

Things no one tells you before you have kids: how much time you will spend thinking about purchasing seasonal gear. When I had my first kid, I messaged like five different friends just in hopes of understanding what a "bunting" was and if it differed from a snowsuit. Spoiler alert: it does, but not really...I digress. We're talking snowsuits here. And so you don't have to text five of your friends trying to source the best options for your kids this winter, I've polled parents at PureWow to see which winter snowsuits for kids they've opted for and whether they would recommend them to other parents. Below, the five best of the best snowsuits for kids—as well as alternative options like snow bibs and sets—from itty bitty infants to big kids hitting the slopes. Stay warm out there.

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What I Looked for in Kids' Snowsuit

Of course I took into account the obvious things like do the snowsuits keep kids warm and insulated in cold temps? (No? Buh-bye.) Does the gear have good reviews from real people? Does the gear hold up to inclement weather like wind and sleet? And how much is this seasonal gear gonna cost me? If we play in the snow one time this year, should I really be spending over $100 on a snowsuit? At the same time, if my family is ski-resort bound, I want to make sure we're primed and ready to get the most out of the snow—I also want to make sure the gear is light-weight and allows for movement.

Then there's the all-encompassing "kids" term. Kids meaning....what, exactly? In this case, "kids" refers to gear for baby to grade-schoolers. And finally, can the winter gear grow with my kids? Who wants to be buying snowpants every year? No one. The picks below take into account: weather, insulation, movement, age-range, price and grow-with-me factor.

Best Kids' Snowsuits at a Glance

Best Value Kids Snowsuit Overall

Arctix Kids' Insulated Snow Bib Overalls

from $17 at Amazon

Best Toddler Snow Pants

Carter's Ski Bib

$22 at Carter's

Best Snow Pants for Mixing & Matching

Cat & Jack Solid Snow Bib

$18 at Target

Best Activity Snowsuit

LL. Bean Cold Buster Snowsuit

$99 at L.L. Bean

Best Snowsuit for Baby

Primary Baby Lightweight Puffer

~~$70~~; $42 at Primary

Two children on a bunny hill wearing Arctix snowsuits for kids.

Jillian Quint

Best Value Kids Snowsuit Overall

1. Arctix Kids' Insulated Snow Bib Overalls

What We Like

tons of colors and patterns
adjustable straps
not bulky, allowing for good mobility
fleece-lined hand warmer pockets

What We Don't Like

customers have found sizing to be inconsistent sometimes

Jillian Quint, Editor in Chief of PureWow, and mom of two grade schoolers, has sported both of her kids in these snow bib overalls by Arctix. And apparently, she's not alone. These are an Amazon best-seller for good reason. With over 26,000 ratings and an average 4.7 stars, the Arctix kids snowpants are a great value, keeping kids dry as they play around in all types of snow without breaking the bank. Says Quint: "The thing I like most is that they're cheap, and the kids can use each pair for like three years since they are so adjustable." As for kids, they'll love getting to pick out one the 27 colorways.

Fast Facts:

Colors: 27 colorways including solids like black, purple, yellow and patterns like ombre, alphabet and camoflauge
Size range: kids x-small to x-large and kids-husky x-small to x-large
Material: 94% Polyester, 6% Spandex
Waterproof: water resistant

from $17 at Amazon

Angela Pares

Best Toddler Snow Pants

2. Carter's Ski Bib

What We Like

adjustable straps
runs large
great price point
machine-washable

What We Don't Like

not many color options
bulkier

Carter's

"The little cuties in this photograph," says Angela Pares, VP Design and Branded Content, "are wearing the Carter's toddler ski bibs w/ Land's End jackets. The snowpants run big, which is great because my son got two seasons out of them." Another great thing about Carter's outwear for kids, I've found, is that they package really fun two-piece sets. Since my 3-year-old daughter grew out of her winter snow jacket this year, I'm going to be purchasing a jacket and snowsuit set like this two-piece dinosaur one. (She's been practicing her "roar," after all.)

Fast Facts:

Colors: black, grey, blue
Size range: 2T to 5T
Material: 100% Polyester
Waterproof: water resistant

$22 at Carter's

Alyce Tassoni

Best Snow Pants for Mixing & Matching

3. Cat & Jack Solid Snow Bib

What We Like

adjustable straps
reinforced knee
great price point
machine-washable
extendable legs

What We Don't Like

some confusion as to whether it's Target’s Warmer or Warmest weight

Cat & Jack

Under $20 for top-rated snow pants? Not bad, Target, not bad. My daughter's closet is already 90 percent Cat & Jack (iykyk), so I'm not surprised my colleague, Alyce Tassoni, also equipped her son with Cat & Jack snow gear. And per Tassoni, despite the low price tag, the gear has held up through many a wash cycle. Another perk of going with the beloved Target brand is that you can easily mix and match with one of their many solid puffer jacket option, like this kids one ($30), which comes in black, navy, pink or violet. Tassoni says she goes with the 3-in-1 Snowplay jacket (from $40) that takes care of business for all types of cold weather.

Fast Facts:

Colors: black, navy blue, blue, magenta
Size range: 2T to size 6
Material: recycled polyester fabric and filling
Waterproof: NA

$18 at Target

L.L. Bean

Best Activity Snowsuit

4. L.L. Bean Cold Buster Snowsuit

What We Like

hidden "grow" cuffs lengthen 1½" to accommodate growth spurts
wind- and water-resistant
Thinsulate insulation for warmth without bulk
fun colorways

What We Don't Like

pricey

L.L. Bean

"I have only bought an infant snowsuit, but Lands End goes up to kids' sizes," shares V.P. of Editorial Content, Candace Davison. "I loved how warm it was and how well it kept the cold/dampness away without adding a ton of bulk, making it easier to pack." One L.L. Bean customer wrote: "I have purchased these in every size for my girls. They keep them nice and warm, as well as dry for playing in the snow. They work great for ice skating lessons as well. I love them and they last so well. I have handed them down to each of my kids and still look newer when done. They do run a little big which means more years of wear and lots of room for layers underneath."

Fast Facts:

Colors: pink berry/raspberry, deepest blue/teal shadow, bright sapphire/deep periwinkle
Size range: 6 months to 4T
Material: 100% polyester dobby with 100% nylon taffeta lining
Waterproof: water-resistant

$99 at L.L. Bean

Dara Katz

Best Snowsuit for Baby

5. Primary Baby Lightweight Puffer

What We Like

foldover feet and mittens on sizes up to 12 months
bold colorways
easy on and off
lightweight
runs large

What We Don't Like

not adjustable

Primary

I knew that I'd need a snowsuit for my June baby since we would not be able to resist plopping her 6-month old tush in fresh powder. So, the moment it snowed, I was very happy to have this Primary lightweight puffer on hand. Though still pretty immobile, baby stayed warm and toasty during our *very* necessary first snow photoshoot. I'm also happy that it runs quite large, since my second kid (now 12 months) is on the taller side, so it will still fit him just right for this winter—especially since the optional fold-over footsies can be removed. Time for another photoshoot.

Fast Facts:

Colors: navy rainbow stripes, peony, evergreen
Size range: 0 to 24 months
Material: 100% recycled polyester ripstop shell and 100% recycled polyester filling
Waterproof: water-repellent

~~$70~~; $42 at Primary

Dara Katz

Executive Editor

Lifestyle editor and writer with a knack for long-form pieces
Has more than a decade of experience in digital media and lifestyle content on the page, podcast and on-camera
Studied English at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

read full bio

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PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.