As we continue to explore fitting children for winter wear we need to look at how to check the fit of a garment once you have found something you like. Checking the fit of a jacket for a child is easy when you break it down into the key components. Keep in mind that if any single one of these components isn’t right it simply isn’t the jacket for the child – it will always be something you settled for instead of a quality fit that will perform on the slopes.
The first step is to put the jacket on and zip it all the way up. Yes, all the way to where the zipper ends. You need to be able to check how tight the neck is because this varies greatly. It also changes the way the jacket fits across the chest and back. You may get an immediate “I don’t like it!” but don’t ditch it for good, they may change their mind when they realize that all of the jackets have that feeling when zipped all the way up – when they are warm and cozy in the store it is hard to imagine that they may want it zipped all the way up in the dead of winter. With the jacket zipped all the way up check the neck, especially the base of the neck where the chest of the jacket is sewn to the collar. Make sure that there is a little bit of space so it is comfortable and there is no constriction. There shouldn’t be too much of a gap though. While some space can be taken up by a neck gaiter a jacket that is too big around the neck will let all the warm air from around the body escape.
To check the fit across the chest and back try to take a handful of fabric into your hands just behind the shoulders. If you can get two good handfuls of fabric and pull the jacket away from the child’s body then it is way too big. If you can’t do more than pinch a bit of fabric it is too small. Too much space in this area of the jacket will interfere with the child’s ability to warm up the air space around their body. Jackets work much like a wet suit, holding air instead of water. What keeps a wetsuit warm is the water that is trapped inside is warmed by body heat and then stays at a constant temperature. A jacket that is too big has too much air to warm effectively so cold air constantly re-circulates around the body. If the jacket is too small there is not enough warm air trapped to keep the body warm.
Next check the waistband. The length of a jacket should be dictated by the style of pant the child will be wearing with it. The key is to make sure that there is no skin exposure. The waistband must come well below the waistband of the pant. It is also important to make sure there is not too much space or any gaps around the waist. Most jackets have a cord that can tighten the waistband snugly around the body. This will help warm air from escaping.
The sleeves of the jacket are the key to both comfort and longevity. Most companies add features like Grow-Cuffs and Velcro adjustable cuffs to aid in properly fitting children through a growth cycle. Grow-Cuffs are a specially designed internal hem that can be released to gain another 1-2 inches in length in the sleeve when necessary. The Velcro adjustable cuffs can make a sleeve that is on the long side fit comfortably by tightening it down in place on the wrist instead of allowing it to hang low over the fingers. A sleeve that fits well should provide for a full range of movement and be free of both bulk and constrictions. Proper sleeve length is just below the break in the wrist but no longer than the base of the thumb. There must be no skin showing between the sleeve and the glove and the cuff must not be too loose or too tight. If the sleeve is too long it will hang down over the glove or material will bulk up around the arm and be very uncomfortable and, like around the torso, hold too much air to warm effectively.
Always keep in mind that the jacket will feel different over school clothes then over winter layers so try the jacket on over different pieces to get a good feel for how it will fit in a variety of conditions.
So in summary - Too much space around the body means that the air can’t be warmed up enough to keep the child warm. Too little space means there isn’t enough air to warm up to keep the child warm. Gaps cause warm air to leak out; cold air replaces it and will make the child cold. Body heat is lost through exposed skin so make sure the jacket covers everything. Check the neck for gaps and constriction, check the chest and back for proper amount of space, check the waistband for gaps or constriction, check the sleeve length, it should hit just below the break of the wrist but not past the base of the thumb. The sleeve should allow for easy range of motion with no constriction or bulk.
See? You are an expert already!
See ya on the slopes,
The first step is to put the jacket on and zip it all the way up. Yes, all the way to where the zipper ends. You need to be able to check how tight the neck is because this varies greatly. It also changes the way the jacket fits across the chest and back. You may get an immediate “I don’t like it!” but don’t ditch it for good, they may change their mind when they realize that all of the jackets have that feeling when zipped all the way up – when they are warm and cozy in the store it is hard to imagine that they may want it zipped all the way up in the dead of winter. With the jacket zipped all the way up check the neck, especially the base of the neck where the chest of the jacket is sewn to the collar. Make sure that there is a little bit of space so it is comfortable and there is no constriction. There shouldn’t be too much of a gap though. While some space can be taken up by a neck gaiter a jacket that is too big around the neck will let all the warm air from around the body escape.
To check the fit across the chest and back try to take a handful of fabric into your hands just behind the shoulders. If you can get two good handfuls of fabric and pull the jacket away from the child’s body then it is way too big. If you can’t do more than pinch a bit of fabric it is too small. Too much space in this area of the jacket will interfere with the child’s ability to warm up the air space around their body. Jackets work much like a wet suit, holding air instead of water. What keeps a wetsuit warm is the water that is trapped inside is warmed by body heat and then stays at a constant temperature. A jacket that is too big has too much air to warm effectively so cold air constantly re-circulates around the body. If the jacket is too small there is not enough warm air trapped to keep the body warm.
Next check the waistband. The length of a jacket should be dictated by the style of pant the child will be wearing with it. The key is to make sure that there is no skin exposure. The waistband must come well below the waistband of the pant. It is also important to make sure there is not too much space or any gaps around the waist. Most jackets have a cord that can tighten the waistband snugly around the body. This will help warm air from escaping.
The sleeves of the jacket are the key to both comfort and longevity. Most companies add features like Grow-Cuffs and Velcro adjustable cuffs to aid in properly fitting children through a growth cycle. Grow-Cuffs are a specially designed internal hem that can be released to gain another 1-2 inches in length in the sleeve when necessary. The Velcro adjustable cuffs can make a sleeve that is on the long side fit comfortably by tightening it down in place on the wrist instead of allowing it to hang low over the fingers. A sleeve that fits well should provide for a full range of movement and be free of both bulk and constrictions. Proper sleeve length is just below the break in the wrist but no longer than the base of the thumb. There must be no skin showing between the sleeve and the glove and the cuff must not be too loose or too tight. If the sleeve is too long it will hang down over the glove or material will bulk up around the arm and be very uncomfortable and, like around the torso, hold too much air to warm effectively.
Always keep in mind that the jacket will feel different over school clothes then over winter layers so try the jacket on over different pieces to get a good feel for how it will fit in a variety of conditions.
So in summary - Too much space around the body means that the air can’t be warmed up enough to keep the child warm. Too little space means there isn’t enough air to warm up to keep the child warm. Gaps cause warm air to leak out; cold air replaces it and will make the child cold. Body heat is lost through exposed skin so make sure the jacket covers everything. Check the neck for gaps and constriction, check the chest and back for proper amount of space, check the waistband for gaps or constriction, check the sleeve length, it should hit just below the break of the wrist but not past the base of the thumb. The sleeve should allow for easy range of motion with no constriction or bulk.
See? You are an expert already!
See ya on the slopes,
Kjerstin
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