As a mom of two in Minnesota, who’s spent her whole life here, I’ve been through a heap of snowsuits. While wintertime is frigid, I don’t always look for the toastiest one. Comfort, bulk, and cuteness are other major factors.

What is the best snowsuit?

Best snowsuit is a relative term, but this list has some solid options to explore. The list is based on feedback from 118 moms (in 3 Facebook mom groups) and my own personal experience.

Also, my kids or I have worn or tried garments from all of the brands on the list.

If you’re going for the warmest cold weather gear, any of these snowsuits will fit the bill. All snowsuits featured are Minnesota winter weather appropriate (-12 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit) and an even colder wind chill.

Best Overall Snowsuit for Toddlers and Kids: Patagonia, Polarn O. Pyret

Patagonia

Nothing beats Patagonia for quality and sustainability. Patagonia has the Snow Pile one-piece for sizes 3M to 5T and Infant Hi-Loft bunting for babies.

The Snow Pile is fully waterproof, breathable, and has grow-with features to extend wear. The suit is also made of 100% recycled polyester and sewn in Fair Trade Certified factories.

The Infant Hi-Loft bunting comes in sizes 3M – 18M. This suit boasts all the features of the Snow Pile bunting, but it’s even warmer and made of duck and goose down (100% recycled or reclaimed). Additionally, the nylon shell is made from recycled fish nets.

• Waterproof: Yes
• Windproof: Yes
• Removable hood: Yes
• Reflective: Yes
• Pockets: Yes
• Size range: 3M – 5T
• Price range: $169 – $189 (15% off first order through Backcountry.com, 10% off first order at Dick’s Sporting Goods)
• Sustainable: Made of 89% recycled materials or better
• Where to Shop: Patagonia, Backcountry.com, Dick’s Sporting Goods

Polarn O. Pyret

Polarn O. Pyret has rave reviews from moms. Polarn O. Pyret snowsuits are warm yet breathable and have lots of thoughtful details like reflective trim.

The snowsuit is also eco-friendly. The outer shell is made of recycled materials and the suit’s PrimaLoft vegan insulation is made of at least 60% recycled materials.

• Waterproof: Yes
• Windproof: Yes
• Removable hood: Yes
• Reflective: Yes
• Pockets: Yes
• Size range: 1-2M – 6Y
• Price range: $145 – $234 (5% off first order with email signup)
• Sustainable: Made of 60% recycled materials or better
• Where to Shop: PolarnOPyretUSA.com

Best Snowsuit for Snowboarding: Burton

I’m low-key obsessed with the Burton kids’ one-piece for size 18M to 16 kids. I love the modern aesthetic. It’s colorful, but in a cool, definitely not garish sort of way. If the size 16 ran a touch larger, I’d buy it for myself.

It’s built for active kids and has reinforced knees, elbows, and seat. There are also extendable features for length, waist, and cuffs to extend its wear as your child grows.

• Waterproof: Yes
• Windproof: Unclear
• Removable hood: Yes
• Reflective: Yes
• Pockets: Yes
• Size range: 18M – 16Y
• Price range: $155 – $230 (10% off first order with email signup)
• Sustainable: States snowsuits made of sustainable + Bluesign® materials but no further breakdown of material composition.
• Where to Shop: Burton.com

Best Snowsuit for Gender Neutral Style: Primary

Primary is all about letting kids be kids without worrying about gender.

Primary offers a stylish, budget-friendly puffer suit that’s warm without being bulky. It comes in sizes 0-6M to 18-24M and the suit runs big. Primary recommends sizing down if you’re in-between sizes.

• Waterproof: No (water resistant)
• Windproof: Not specified
• Removable hood: No
• Reflective: No
• Pockets: No
• Size range: 0-6M – 18-24M
• Price range: $58 – $68 (20% off first order with email signup)
• Sustainable: Shell made of 100% recycled polyester and hood lining made of 40% recycled polyester.
• Where to shop: Primary.com

Best Snowsuit for Swedish-Style Loving Babies and Toddlers: Kuling

We’ve owned two Kuling snowsuits and loved them. I adore the Kuling Scandinavian minimalist aesthetic and the faux fur-lined hoods.

Their snowsuits are best-in-class for adorableness. It’s a generous cut without being baggy, and elastic cuffs do an excellent job keeping out snow so kids stay toasty warm. You’ll also appreciate the elastic bootstraps.

Kuling snowsuits are for babies and kids up to size 4Y so Margot is officially out of Kulings. As Henry inherits Margot’s hand-me-down outerwear, this means Henry is aging out of Kuling too.

• Waterproof: Yes
• Windproof: Yes
• Removable hood: Yes
• Reflective: Yes
• Pockets: Yes
• Size range: 6M – 4Y
• Price range: $78 – $110 (10% first order with email)
• Sustainable: Unclear – I have requested additional information.
• Where to shop: Babyshop.com, Alex and Alexa, Melijoe

Best Snowsuit for Stylish and Innovative Style: Reima

Finland-based Reima is a pioneer in snowsuit sustainability and outerwear technology.

Reima has a number of toddler and baby snowsuits in sizes 9-12M to 3T and bigger kids snowsuits from 4T – 10Y. All suits are warm, waterproof, water and dirt repellent, and breathable. Suits also boast a detachable hood, insulated seat, and elasticized scuffs.

Do not size up when buying Reima. Reima garments run big – about one size bigger than traditional US sizes. This means ordering your child’s size is already like ordering one size up for room to grow.

• Waterproof: Yes
• Windproof: Yes
• Removable hood: Yes
• Reflective: Yes
• Pockets: Yes
• Size range: 9M – 10Y
• Price range: $60 – $195 (10% to 15% off with email signup)
• Sustainable: 36% to 100% of each Reima garment is made from recycled materials.
• Where to shop: Reima.com, Maisonette, Alex and Alexa, Nordstrom, Backcountry

Best Snowsuit for Beautifully Understated Style: Liewood

Liewood offers the best baby snowsuits for moms who love understated, cold weather style. The Sne Snowsuit comes in a range of beautiful colors and fits sizes 1Y to 8Y.

Design-wise it has lots of thoughtful features for extra style and practicality. This includes adjustable shoulder straps inside the suit and detachable foot straps. Liewood also has an especially adorable line of accessories, like wool hats and balaclavas with bear ears.

• Waterproof: Yes
• Windproof: Yes
• Removable hood: Yes
• Reflective: Yes
• Pockets: Yes
• Size range: 1Y – 8Y
• Price range: $184 – $188 (10% to 15% off with email signup)
• Sustainable: Shell made of 100% recycled polyester and hood lining made of 40% recycled polyester.
• Where to Shop: Babyshop.com, Alex and Alexa, Scandiborn, Selfridges, Harrods

Best Snowsuit for Budget Friendly Toasty Warmth: Land’s End or L.L. Bean

Land’s End

Land’s End offers quality children and toddler snowsuits that keep kids warm. And their frequent sales keep this snowsuit affordable. The Squall winter snowsuit is warm, rugged, and built for heavy play.

For babies, L.L. Bean offers the Squall fleece bunting in sizes 0-3M to 12-18M. The suit has fleece lining throughout, cuffs that convert into mittens, and a fleece-lined hood. The bunting is waterproof and windproof. You’ll love how this zipper sack converts to legs. The bunting sack to walking snowsuit feature makes it about the best fleece baby snowsuit I’ve seen.

• Waterproof: Yes
• Windproof: Yes
• Removable hood: No
• Reflective: No
• Pockets: No
• Size range: 0-3M – 6 kids
• Price range: $90 – $130 (30% to 60% off sitewide sales common)
• Sustainable: No – 100% non-recycled and non-organic materials (polyester)
• Where to Shop: Land’s End

LL Bean

LL Bean has a number of warm and waterproof snowsuit options for snow play. The LL Bean Cold Buster Snowsuit has thin insulation for warmth without bulk and light wind and water-resistant fabric so kids can move about comfortably. The suit has zip vents to go over boots, an elasticized waist, and reinforced knees.

• Waterproof: No (water resistant)
• Windproof: Yes
• Removable hood: No
• Reflective: No
• Pockets: No
• Size range: 6-12M – 7 kids
• Price range: $99 – $129 (15% off with email signup)
• Sustainable: In part – the polyester shell is made of Bluesign fabric (reduced environmental impact)
• Where to Shop: L.L. Bean website

Best Snowsuit for Style: Mini Rodini

Mini Rodini has super high-quality, beautiful snowsuits. Keep your baby warm and adorably dressed in imaginative prints and colors. Designs are bold, playful, and unisex – making them easy to pass on to younger siblings or sell on a used clothes app.

Mini Rodini can handle the coldest of cold days. Snowsuits are warm, waterproof, and breathable and are reinforced with taped seams and water repellent finish. Legs and arms have reflective stripes that give visibility in the dark. There are snap buttons to seal legs over boots, and sewn-in snow locks at cuffs to keep out snow and wind.

And Mini Rodini is just as eco-friendly as it is stylish. Mini Rodini is obsessed with sustainability and ethical production. Garments are made in fair trade factories.

• Waterproof: Yes
• Windproof: Yes
• Removable hood: Yes
• Reflective: Yes
• Pockets: Yes
• Size range: 1-4M – 6-7Y
• Price range: $140 – $260 (10% to 15% off with email signup)
• Sustainable: Yes – Made of 100% recycled materials
• Where to shop: MiniRodini.com, SSense, Farfetch, Babyshop.com, Alex and Alexa, Saks Fifth Avenue

Which is better: snowsuit or coat and bibs?

Up to age 18 months, snowsuits are better – in my scientific mompinion. It’s easier to change little ones because there’s only 1 garment zipper to deal with and no straps to adjust. Additionally, snowsuits usually come with fold-over cuffs for mittens and booties.

From age 18 months to 2 years, a coat with bibs (or snow pants) is easier for parents for a number of reasons.

• Many brands offer fewer snowsuit options (or stop carrying them altogether) around 2Y or bigger.
• With more shopping options, you can find better prices and style options.
• It’s more convenient for potty breaks.
• It can be easier and quicker for temperature regulation. You can get sweaty outdoors when you’re shoveling a driveway or skiing. Plenty of kids take off their jackets and wear their bibs, hats, and mittens while playing outdoors – I did!
• Bibs have adjustable straps which means you can get more wear out of them. (Bibs are better than pants since they keep snow from getting in at your child’s waist.)

Some daycares and nature schools actually require that kids have a one-piece snowsuit. When dressing dozens of kids to go outdoors, snowsuits are much quicker.

What is the warmest snowsuit for a toddler?

There is no one warmest snowsuit option for a toddler, but Patagonia, Canada Goose, Reima, REI, and The North Face all offer toasty options.

While some brands will tout their brand is “rated” for certain temperatures, those ratings are just a lot of swagger. Yes, brands can use 3M insulation or test products for warmth in their labs. But there is no certification process to give you 100% assurance. Temperature certifications are directional, at best. Even Patagonia, a premier, ethical outfitter brand, opts out of publishing temperature certifications because they don’t mean that much.

When shopping for a warm snowsuit, look for:

• Snowsuits designed specifically for winter (not just puddle suits for rain or mud).
• Insulation – Look for down or synthetic insulation like Thinsulate (3M’s brand), Thermoball, PrimaLoft, or Heatseeker. Synthetic insulation is scientifically engineered for warmth and is often made of recycled single-use plastic bottles.
• Waterproof outer shell – waterproof is better than water-resistant.
• Hidden grow cuffs – these are hidden cuffs you can cut to extend the garment’s length by a couple of inches or more. (These don’t necessarily make a snowsuit warmer, but typically this feature comes with higher-quality, well-designed garments.)
• Elasticized cuffs at the feet and wrists – this helps retain warmth and keep out snow and moisture.

Should I buy a snowsuit for my baby?

For young babies, a snowsuit is probably not needed and I say this as a Minnesota mom who has experienced -40 (yes, that’s negative 40) wind chills. Not to mention the many winter days each year when it’s too cold to snow. That’s a regular occurrence.

Snowsuits are often thicker and not carseat-safe. Young babies aren’t walking. And even if they are, they probably lack the mobility to stumble through snow drifts.

For car rides, you can get a car seat cover. Underneath, dress your baby in long-sleeve garments, a hat, mittens, and warm booties. Most winter car seat covers can fit any model and have zippers for easy on and off.

For outdoor play, a snowsuit may be worth it if you are actually going to play with your baby outdoors in the winter or take them for walks outside in a stroller. It could also make sense if you’re a winter sport sort of family.

What is the best snowsuit for cold winters?

The best snowsuit for cold winters will be well insulated for winter (synthetic lining engineered for frigid weather offers excellent durability and warmth), waterproof, hooded, and have elasticized wrists and cuffs.

Nice-to-have options can be removable hoods, grow-with-me cuffs, attached or detachable mittens, reinforced knees and elbows, pockets, reflective trim, and gender-neutral prints and colors.

There are many moms who think that warm, high-quality base layers are far more important than outerwear. They take the approach of getting warm long johns (I love wool) and then getting Cat & Jack or similar outerwear.

What is the best snowsuit for toddlers?

The best snowsuit for toddlers is a tie between Patagonia and Kuling.

Patagonia is the gold standard when it comes to sustainability. Patagonia uses eco-friendly materials and offers a lifetime repair guarantee. If your snowsuit gets ripped or damaged, you can send it in and Patagonia will repair it or replace it for free or at a very minimal fee.

Additionally, Patagonia has excellent resale value. Patagonia will help you resell your used snowsuit (on the Patagonia website), or you’ll find you can sell it on clothing apps like Poshmark, Kidizen, or Mercari.

Kuling shines in the areas where Patagonia doesn’t. Stylish moms love the Kuling aesthetic. It’s soft, beautiful colors and minimal prints. I also love all their little details – for style and practicality – like the detachable hood and decorative trim you can remove from the hood, elastic straps, reflective trim, and front pockets.

Kuling is less sustainable than Patagonia in terms of materials used (only some are recycled) but much more affordable. With markdowns, you can find Kuling snowsuits from $30 to $50. Full price, a Kuling snowsuit is only half as much.

What is the best snowsuit for boys and girls?

The best snowsuit for boys and girls (school-age and older) is, according to the moms I’ve polled, L.L. Bean, Polarn O. Pyret, or Land’s End.

I don’t have school-age kids so I have no first-hand experience, but I’ve talked with moms about why they like these brands.

They’re more budget-friendly than other high-end labels (you can find excellent clearance and sales deals), durable, waterproof, and warm. Most importantly, kids like wearing them. There’s a kid-friendly assortment of colors and prints to choose from.