Mostly Toasty

Layering for winter sports is an art. Part of being good at it is making sure the pieces all fit well on their own and as a unit. We have already addressed how the base layer should fit so now we can move on to the thermal layer. The thermal layer includes sweaters, fleece, fleece pants and vests. A child’s thermal layer may actually include more than one piece but for this discussion we will considered it as one layer.

Fleece tops and sweaters should fit essentially the same. They should have enough loft to take up some of the space within the jacket. Small spaces are easier to heat up so a sweater or fleece can help to break down any gaps within the jacket into several smaller spaces to be easily warmed. The neck of a sweater or fleece should be comfortable. Regardless of whether it is a turtleneck, scoop neck or v-neck comfort will be the key aspect of the fit and this will vary from child to child. Sleeve length is important since some sweaters and fleeces are bulky at the wrist. It is imperative that the cuff of the layering piece does not interfere with the fit of the jacket cuff. The shoulder seem of the sleeve should hit at the point of the child’s shoulder and there should be enough room under the armpit to pinch a bit of fabric. This is incredibly important because there is a major artery running down the inner part of the arm and if it is even slightly tight there it will impinge the flow of blood to the fingers and cause the child to be extremely cold. How the garments fit around this shoulder and underarm area is the most significant aspect of perceived comfort for a child. If they feel too bulky or constrained in this area they will feel uncomfortable and restricted in their movements. How the fleece or sweater fits around the torso is mostly personal preference. The cut of each piece will vary with style and it is ok to choose the style the child likes best but make sure the waistband fits well with the pants and the jacket. The layering pieces can either help or hurt the fit of the other pieces so it is important to check how they work together.

A vest is a great addition to layering pieces. It helps to keep the torso warm without adding bulk to that very sensitive arm/shoulder area. Vests should fit loosely around the arm area and the torso even with the other layers underneath. The waistband of a vest should not interfere with the fit of the pant or the jacket.

Fleece pants are like sweaters for your legs. The ‘tights’ style is the least bulky but if the child insists on the sweat-pant cut make sure that the length does not interfere with the fit of the boot or the cuff of the pant. In either case it is important that the waistband does not add so much bulk around the waist to cause discomfort under the outerwear pant. Pants should be snug without being tight. Any extra bulk in the rise may hinder the fit of the outerwear pant in the rise causing the waist to fit too low around the hips. If the pant is to be tucked into the boot it should have a thin, flat seem and should be worn over the sock for added shin protection.

When your child is getting ready before heading to the hill take a few extra minutes to help them adjust their layering pieces so they aren’t twisted up and so that the base layer pieces are in their proper places. Most fit problems for children come from the displacement of apparel pieces because of the friction that builds up as they get dressed. Properly fit and properly placed layering pieces will help to keep a child both warm and comfortable for a day on the slopes

The snow should be flying soon so...I'll see ya on the slopes!

Kjerstin