Best Winter Coats for Kids (and Toddlers) – Our TOP Picks!

The best winter coats for kids will fit snugly, but not too tight. They should have a flap that covers the front zipper to keep the wind out. The collar should protect the neck and have an attached hood. Cuffs in or on the sleeves are important to keep snow out.

These are our top picks for the best winter coats for kids that keep them warm, and us parents at peace!

The Best Winter Coats For Kids: Our Top Picks

The best toddler winter jacket is one that’s warm and cozy with a print that the toddler will want to wear. There’s nothing worse than having a daily fight over the coat because the toddler doesn’t like the way it looks.

The best winter coats for kids are the ones that keep them warm but comfortable. Plus, the more affordable, the better. So here go our top picks.

1. Our Warmest Find For Boys: London Fog Boys 2-Piece Snow Pant & Jacket Snowsuit

We all want our little boys to be at their warmest when they play in the snow. We love a good winter jacket or coat, but when we can find a set with warm snow pants, we’re thrilled!

The material is 100% polyester so it will keep the wind, the chill, and moisture out. It’s also easy to drip dry in the bathroom after a long day of sledding.

The jacket is fleece lined and comes with a heavyweight filling so it will definitely ward off the chills. This makes it one of the best winter coats for kids. The jacket is designed in sporty blocks of colors with contrasting fleece to look good and bright.

The bright colors make them easy to spot as they play in the snow. The bright colors also came in handy at the corn maze this year.

The pantsuit comes with straps to loosen for easier play. It is also zipped in the front to make it easy for little boys to get in and out of it, and also for ease of going to the bathroom.

The pantsuits match the contrasting dark color on the bottom of the jacket and are also heavyweight-filled to keep the kids truly warm.

The jacket and pantsuit set comes in a combination of six colors. The pantsuit varies in shades of blue, black, and grey while the jackets are bright in red, orange, yellow, blue, green, and silver.

Our only complaint was that the snow pants were slightly tight at the crotch so maybe consider getting a size larger than what you would usually buy.

What We Like:

• Heavyweight filling for warmth
• Contract fleece lining and block colors for brightness
• Comes in a pantsuit combination for added warmth
• Pretty good price for the quality of the set
• The pantsuit is zippered for ease of wear

What We Don’t Like:

• The size can run small
• Available only in only six color combinations
• Does not come in prints

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2. The Warmest Find For Girls: London Fog Girls’ Snowsuit with Snow Bib and Puffer Jacket

The London Fog snowsuit for girls comes in way brighter and more beautiful colors. Like the one for boys, it comes with a jacket, a pantsuit, and a snow bib to keep the snow out.

London Fog offers the same 100% polyester material in the girl’s version of the jacket and pantsuit combination. Both the jacket and the pantsuit are heavyweight filled for maximum warmth. There’s elastic on the ends to keep the snow out as well.

The pantsuit comes with the same straps and zipper for ease of wear but the girls’ pantsuits are not just plain but printed too. Two of the color options have unicorns printed on them while two are plain. Two more have geometric designs on them.

The lining in these jackets is fleece and comes in plain or printed options, while the hood comes with an attractive fur trim to really please the little darlings.

Most of the jackets also have an added design element embroidered in to look fashionable while being warm.

One of our favorite things about these best winter coats for kids is that they are machine washable. When the kids come in muddy we can have the coats and pants washed and dried in a jiffy.

One of our daughters had trouble with the elastic on the sleeves riding up, and the entire set seems to run slightly small. Consider sizing up, especially if your child is a fast grower.

What We Like:

• Fur-lined hood with a fleece-lined coat
• Six beautiful color combinations
• Machine washable
• Perfectly warm for really cold days
• A great price on the set

What We Don’t Like:

• Elastic can loosen so edges ride up
• Size can be a bit small or tight

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3. The Most Affordable: Amazon Essentials Girls’ and Boys’ Lightweight Water-Resistant Packable Hooded Puffer Jacket

One of the best winter coats for kids is, of course, one that’s warm and affordable.

This is why the Amazon Essentials Lightweight Packable Puffer for Girls, and for Boys becomes a must-have for growing kids’ winter wardrobes.

This coat is as affordable as you can get and nowhere does it skimp on quality or warmth.

The polyester down insulation keeps the kids warm and cozy while the nylon lining is smooth and non-irritating.

On relatively warmer days when hell isn’t trying to freeze over, this jacket can be paired with a tee or a cotton jumper. On colder days, pile it as a top layer with thermal wear, sweaters, and sweatshirts.

For really cold days, you can add a layer of something warmer on top of this jacket, making it one of the best winter coats for kids on the whole.

The cuffs are elasticized to keep the warmth in and once winters are all done, you can pack it away in the included sack for safe storage.

The thing our kids love most about this jacket is the amazing range of colors. There are 18 colors for girls, including a navy blue jacket printed with stars. There’s a whole range of basic blues, blacks, and all shades of powder colors that girls love to flaunt.

And you can get this for the boys too, in 13 amazing shades, including a camo print that our sons think is awesome.

What We Like:

• Warm with down filling
• Machine washable
• Comes in many color options and two print options as well
• Is very affordable
• Packs neatly into an attached storage bag

What We Don’t Like:

• The down is not heavyweight so this coat would not work alone for cold winters
• The size may be on the smaller side
• It is a plain and serviceable jacket, nothing too fancy

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4. The Best Money Can Buy: Columbia Whirlibird Li Interchange Jacket

Have you ever wished for a jacket the kids could wear both in the mildest and the coldest of winters? Well, the Columbia Whirlibird Li Interchange Jacket is just that with its three-in-one combination.

For the coldest of days, this jacket is best worn fully assembled. The coat is waterproof and has a wind-breaking shell on top of an insulated inner jacket. When worn as a set, this can be the best winter coat for kids in just about the severest of winters.

The outer shell can be worn alone on milder but rainier days as wind and wetness protection.

Of course, when the skies are clear but the cold is chilling; the inner jacket acts as a warm puffer coat since it comes filled with synthetic down.

Another great thing about the inner jacket is Columbia’s patented Omni-Heat Reflective system which features an array of metallic dots on a thermal, reflective liner that radiates heat back towards the body, but keeps it all breathable.

Basically, this is one of the best winter coats for kids because is warm and cozy minus any bulkiness. This makes it one of our favorites, and we know it will last far longer than the cheaper jackets we’ve tested.

The boys’ prints head into adventurous territory while the girls’ wear prints are floral and bright.

The jacket is really pricey, but it will keep them snug as long as they fit into it. Sizes come from babies just a month or so old, all the way to sweet sixteen.

What We Like:

• One set can be used all winter in all kinds of temperatures and skies
• Plenty of pockets for kids to keep their hands warm
• Can be worn as a set or separately depending on the weather
• Can be worn three ways

What We Don’t Like:

• It’s really expensive
• Some consumers have complained about the zipper quality going down, but ours have been fine

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5. The Best Pick For Fashion Friendly: The North Face Reversible Mossbud Swirl Insulated Parka for Girls / The North Face Reversible Mount Chimborazo Jacket For Boys

The best thing about these jackets is that the lining is so soft and cozy; the kid may never fight you about wearing a jacket ever again!

Because while the cold should ideally make kids wear their warmest on their own, more often than not jackets feel itchy, scratchy, and uncomfortable. Our younger kids would rather freeze to death than wear a scratchy coat.

The fleecy softness of these reversible jackets from The North Face means that most children love to wear them. The fleece side also has two welt pockets, making it ideal for kids to feel snug in these on severe winter days as well.

This parka is an expensive buy, especially the girls’ version. But if it finally makes your little princess or prince steps out in the bitter cold in fashionable warmth, it may even be worth it.

The cuffs of the sleeves are elasticized to keep any larger size issues at bay but most have found this jacket roomy enough to last a couple of years.

The fleece side works for cold but dry winter days since it cannot keep the water out. The waterproof taffeta or polyester side works on wet, snowy days and the inner fleece can then keep the kids doubly warm and cozy.

What We Like:

• Completely reversible
• The fleece side is very soft
• Is warm and cozy
• Looks good
• Is machine washable

What We Don’t Like:

• Is really expensive

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How To Choose The Best Winter Coats For Kids

What do we parents look for in the best winter coats for kids? We want coats and jackets to be warm, comfortable, stylish, long-lasting, wear-resistant and of course, economical as well.

Quite a lot to ask from a garment, right? Here are the things we look for to pick the best toddler winter jacket.

1. Be Warm, But Adaptable: The weather is never a constant. The temperature and frigidness of winter can vary a lot between the morning, noon, and evening. So you need a coat that is adaptable and can be built up or down in layers when need be. The best winter coats for kids should be the kind that can multitask effectively between mild and severe winters, along with keeping them dry when it rains, hails, or snows. To keep kids healthy, winter warmth is essential and good winter wear provides just that. And there are always the caps, winter gloves, and scarves to layer the kids with.
2. Be Comfortable And Cozy But Not Bulky: Children move a lot and are pretty action-oriented, especially in their younger years. The best winter coats for kids have to be the ones that keep them warm and protected from the elements but at the same time let them have freedom of movement too. What good is a warm coat that feels like a straitjacket, binding and uncomfortable? Or lets the wetness of rain or snow in?
3. Be Long-Lasting And Washable: Now that’s another thing about kids’ wear, be it winter or summer. Kids’ wear has to be pretty high quality to last. Kids lead a far more active life than us, so they need clothes that can take all their rough and tumble with ease without showing age and wear. The best winter coats for kids will need to be tough, long-lasting, and washable.
4. Be Stylish And Smart: Winters already make us all feel dull, drab, and dreary. Winters are better in bright colors and happy outfits to cheer up the kids, and their parents, so we look for options with fun colors and prints.
5. Be Easy To Wash, Dry, And Store: The best winter coats for kids are the ones that are machine washable and dryable so that spills and stains can be taken care of in a jiffy. This way, a snowy-muddy day doesn’t tell on their clothes, and you can dress them in the same comfortable warmth the next day round as well. Also, coats and jackets that are easily storable are an added plus.
6. Have Room To Grow: The best kids’ coats should be a little large, but not loose. The idea is to have space enough for the kids to grow into the coat and then grow out of it. A size larger generally works better as long as it does not hang loose. This also gives you a chance to layer more beneath the coat in frigid weather!
7. Not Too Expensive: Affordability does become a big factor while shopping for growing-kids clothes. Sets, layered jackets, and reversible coats will be more expensive on the whole but they can pay off in versatility. We don’t mind spending more on quality garments especially when we know someone who can use them when we’re done.
8. Down Fill Vs. Synthetic Fill: This is often another thing to consider while buying coats and jackets because each comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Down is all-natural and so better for the environment, while synthetic fill is cheaper and quicker to dry. Down jackets are also more expensive, as is anything natural vs. anything synthetic. However, they may not work so well in humid and moisture-rich conditions, unless its hydrophobic down (down enriched with water-repelling properties).

Brands With the Best Winter Coats for Kids

While most kid and toddler brands have their winter style division, some brands are more winter niche and ready than others. Here are the best of the best brands that sell dependable winterwear for kids and toddlers.

• The North Face: Founded by two hikers who understood the need for non-bulky clothes, The North Face brand’s mission remains unchanged since 1966. They want to provide the best gear for the modern-day explorer and keep people in touch with nature. And the more the children remain outdoors, the more they will care about nature preservation, once they grow up.
• Patagonia: Once, Patagonia was a small company that made tools for climbers. And till today, it makes plenty of stuff for the people with alpine love at heart. In doing so, it also manages to churn out really warm clothes perfect for being outdoors and indulging in winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, and trekking in the snow.
• Columbia Sportswear: Columbia Sportswear was founded in 1938 in a bid to let people enjoy the wintry splendor of the Pacific Northwest. The idea was to make clothes that are warm and keep the wearer dry.  Their ingenuity has carried to making rugged and warm kids’ clothes too.
• London Fog: In 1923, London Fog was founded as Londontown Clothing Company by Israel Myers, and they soon started to make waterproof coats for the US army. Later, they partnered with DuPont to create a waterproof fabric and in the 60s, the London Fog brand was launched.
• Amazon Essentials: Need we say anything about Amazon? The brand Amazon Essentials is all about the basic stuff, made with affordable prices and top quality. The idea is to make clothes that last long, look great, and function well without costing a fortune.

FAQs About The Best Toddler Winter Jackets

Q: What size of winter coat would be best for my child?

A: Always check the size chart of the particular brand you are ordering from. Not all brands sizing is compatible. Use a fabric tape measure to take the measurements required by the brand’s sizing chart and use it to get the size your child needs.

Q: What kind of winter coat or jacket would be best for my child?

A: This is pretty subjective to your child’s age, the kind of winters you face, and the child’s comfort as well. When it comes to dressing your children warmly for the winter, one has to keep many factors in mind.

• As a basic rule, babies and toddlers need one more additional layer than older kids and adults for complete protection.
• It’s better to layer children rather than slip them into a bulky outer coat. Layering will give them more warmth and yet be breathable as well so as to not overheat them.
• While it’s important to keep the kids warm, remember to dress them in the kind of winter coat you yourself would be able to wear. Too bulky a coat could hamper their movements and make them irritable as well.
• There are many combination sets available in the market today. These have the advantage that they can be built up or down in layers, and so can be transformed according to the demands of the weather. These become the best winter coats for kids because of their ease of wear for just about any degree of cold.

If you live in an area with light or rainy winters, opt for a waterproof light or medium-weight jacket. If your winters get below freezing for months, opt for a thick parka and a lighter base layer for warmer days.

Q: Are reversible winter coats and jackets any good?

A: The reversible coats and jackets available today have been designed in mind keeping the comfort and coziness of the little ones as a top priority. And they are fully reversible as well, making sure that the styling of the jacket or coat does not go for a toss.

Both sides have pockets for little ones to snuggle their hands into. Both sides also carry the brand’s logo as well, as well as other embroidered areas and patches for the style.

The reversible coats do make sense because one side is often waterproof for wet winter days while the other side (usually fleece) is for dry winter days.

Q: What sort of money should I shell out for the best winter coats for kids?

A: This varies greatly depending on the kind of down in the jacket as well as the size of the coat or jacket. Of course, the brand you want to buy winter wear from also matters when it comes to price.

Natural down will be more expensive than synthetic fill, so that’s one point to consider.

Expensive brands like The North Face and Columbia will give you the best winter coats for kids but range from $70 to a whopping $200. The jackets are definitely worth the price, but for kids on a growth spurt – they may just last a season!

Amazon Essentials is another great and affordable brand, even if the clothes tend to be simpler and less durable. It does boil down to budget as well. As long as you buy a winter coat that keeps your kids warm, comfortable, and happy in the freeze – then it is the best choice for you.

Q: Do puffer jackets keep you warm?

A: Yes, they do keep you warm. The quilted stitching keeps pockets of a down or synthetic insulating material in place around your body. These little pockets of tufts get warm and make a thick yet lightweight insulated layer between your skin and the weather.

Verdict: The Best Winter Coats For Kids

If all you plan to buy for winter is that one coat, we suggest you go for the Columbia Whirlibird Ii Interchange Jacket. Here’s why.

• It’s a coat that can be built up in layers for intense cold and slowly built down for milder winter days.
• The outermost layer also works for mild but wet winter days in keeping the kids warm and dry.
• Now this winter coat is expensive, but you get three jackets out of it instead of just one.

If budget is an issue, then the Amazon Essentials Puffer Jacket works great. It comes in an array of colors and is perfect for not-so-cold days. And on days the chill doesn’t seem to go away, you can always layer this very affordable jacket with a waterproof windbreaker.

The London Fog coat and pantsuit work great for days children want to play in the snow. It can keep them warm from top to bottom, and also has a snow bib.

The North Face fleece will keep them warm and cozy while the other taffeta/polyester layer will keep the moisture out. So while it’s expensive it’s also fashionable, comfortable, and will last them until they outgrow it.

Ultimately, the best winter coat for kids is one that your child loves and wants to wear that doesn’t break the bank.