Winter Gear Review

Review and Photos By Melynda Harrison

Another winter, another round of gear to buy for our kids. They seem to keep growing. If we want to get them on skis or sleds, we have to keep them warm and dry. Here are a few of my favorite ways to keep kids toasty this winter.

Signature Stripe Shell Jacket

& Zip Shell Pants

–Polarn O. Pyret

I like my kids to look cute, but I really want them to stay comfortable outside. This PO.P jacket and pants do both.

The wind and waterproof jacket keeps kids dry, and when worn with a fleece, keeps them warm, too. It’s made out of durable, breathable material so they don’t get too hot playing in the snow. Soft material around the chin prevents chaffing and the hood adjusts to fit any head size. It’s a perfect layering piece since it’s fitted with a universal button solution, allowing it to attach to any PO.P wind fleece jacket.

Made of the same wind and waterproof material, the shell pants are a perfect compliment to the jacket. Zippers on the legs make getting them on and off over boots a breeze. Elastic loops under the feet keep the pants down during vigorous snowball fights.

$114 (jacket), $85.50 (pants) www.polarnopyretusa.com

Galaxy/Cosmos Jr. Combo Pack

—Smith Optics

This handy little package protects your little one’s noggin and their eyes. The goggles snap right onto the helmet, so they fit perfectly.

This new system ensures convenient, fully adjustable, and fun goggle-helmet attachment. Combining an auto-locking magnet with secure slide-release buckle technology, this great fitting, fully integrated goggle and helmet system stays together long after the kid has taken them off.

While the helmet and goggles work great together, they stand on their own. The helmet is lightweight with good airflow, but still toasty warm. The goggles are fully adjustable with dual thermal lens and Fog-X anti-fog treatment.

Now we spend less time adjusting (and looking for) goggles and more time skiing.

$80 www.smithoptics.com

Mini Harness Journey Suit

– Spyder

Teaching a thirty-pounder to ski requires a lot of lifting on the parent’s part. With Spyder’s new snowsuit all that lifting just got easier.

A built-in harness securely wraps around the body and travels through the garment to an external handle located on the back. Adults can easily pick up little athletes after a fall, help them onto a chairlift, or guide them down the slope.

The Journey suit also has glove attachments on the sleeve (two less things to lose in the lodge) and a removable hood. A big nose wiper on the sleeve keeps up with the runniest noses.

One of the best features is the “small to tall” grow cuff, so you’ll get a couple years of skiing and snow play from one snowsuit. There is a girls’ version, too, called the Bitsy Harness Sassy.

$200 www.spyder.com

Indy—K2

The Indy is a great pair of skis for the beginning skier who is just getting hooked on the sport. The ski’s Catch-Free Rocker profile will hold firm through turns on hardpack and its 70mm waist will keep the ski light and nimble. This elevated tip and tail assures effortless initiation at slow speeds, stability throughout the turn, and a predictable release from the turn.

Not that your kid will notice - he or she will be having too much fun ripping it up. Good luck keeping up with them.

$160 without bindings, $285 with Fastrack2 4.5 binding, $300 with Fastrack2 7.0 binding www.k2skis.com