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

Waterproof/Breathable Fabrics

I have been getting a lot of questions recently about waterproof/breathable fabrics - I will get into the subject in more detail in a future post but thought it might be helpful to see what I shared in Snowboarding Forum when asked about how weather protection is measured. Follow the full thread here.

Keep in mind that how dry you stay on the hill has to do with the fabrics and coatings used in your outerwear as well as what you layer with. Together they create a Moisture Management system to keep you dry in all conditions.

Until then .... See ya on the slopes!

Kjerstin

The Icing On The Cake: Fitting Winter Accessories For Children

No discussion on fitting winter wear is complete if it doesn’t touch on accessories. To simplify things I am considering accessories to be everything except outerwear – jackets, pants and suits. These are the pieces you layer with, add style with and ultimately moderate your body temperature with. Accessories are the final solution to all fit and warmth issues and should not be considered an after thought. A child can easily adjust their own body temperature by simply taking off their hat, adjusting their neck gaiter or removing their gloves for a while but will only work to keep the child warm and comfortable if they fit properly.

It is important to keep in mind that what matters most is how things fit together, not individually. Typically this is not a issue if you are putting a new outfit together and can choose from a wide range of sizes – it is more of a challenge when you are looking through your gear from year to year to see what still works and what your child has grown out of. Try items on together and judge how they work as a unit before making your final decision. Over the next few entries I will be sharing with you how to check each item on the Check List For The Slopes to make sure that your child is both comfortable and warm for a day on the hill.

We can start with the inner most layer called the base layer. The base layer includes socks and thermal underwear. It technically could include glove liners and helmet liners but I’ll save that for when we discuss the extras since these layers are not used in all conditions. Check to see that thermal underwear fits properly on its own first but keep in mind that other items will go over it. It should lay comfortably next to the skin without gapping or bunching nor should it feel tight or constrict the child’s range of motion. The sleeves should reach at least to the lower part of the forearm but not be so long as to hinder the fit of the sleeve or glove cuff. For thermal underwear bottoms the fit of the rise is most critical thing to consider, as a day on the slopes with a wedgie is no fun what-so-ever. The waistband should be able to stretch to fit 1-2 fingers and is definitely too small if it leaves deep marks in the skin around the belly. The length of the pant leg is also important because if it is too long it may interfere with the upper cuff of the boot but if it is too short it is not as big of an issue because a properly fitting sock should cover the area effectively. The pant cuff should come at least below the belly of the calf but no lower than the anklebone. How it fits with the sock and the boot will be the ultimate deciding factor on length.

The fit of the sock is critical because it affects the fit of the boot. The fit of the boot is critical because it affects the boots performance, warmth and comfort. While performance may not be as big of an issue for some children warmth and comfort most certainly are. Quality winter sports socks are shaped for a form fit that pads and protects while it enhances the fit of the boot so it is vital that it is neither too big nor too small which will cause miss alignment of the various darts and pads of the sock. These sport specific socks are manufactured with a flat seem, padded toe box for extra warmth around the toe area and for padded protection in an area that tends to take a great deal of abuse. The toe of the sock should fit up against the child’s toes without a lot of extra fabric. Extra fabric will bunch up and may cause blisters or bruising in the forefoot. The constructed heel should fit right at the child’s heel. If you can’t quite pull the sock up high enough for the heel to sit in the pocket it is too small. If, on the other hand, the heel pocket is up around the Achilles’ tendon the sock is too big. The sock should be long enough to come past the upper cuff of the boot and all skin below the knee should be covered either by the sock or the thermal underwear. The sock should not come above the knee. This is sometimes a challenge for pre teen boys because their feet often grow to adult proportions before the length of their leg catches up but take the time to find a properly fitting sock so they are comfortable through out the season.

Next we’ll talk about how to evaluate the fit of the thermal layers that go over the base layer. Until then I’ll see ya on the slopes!

Kjerstin

Fitting Children For Winter Sports Pants

Fitting children for ski and snowboard pants is not nearly as difficult as fitting them for a jacket but is equally important to get a good fit. Layering properly is one of the corner stones of winter comfort. This is particularly true when it comes to layering under ski and snowboard pants. It isn’t even worth having a discussion about ski and snowboard pants without discussing the layers that should go under them. It is important to keep in mind that children are particularly susceptible to the discomfort of bulky layers. It is also important to remember that children do not develop the ability to sense cold properly until they are physically mature. This safety mechanism can cause problems for parents who hear their children say “I’m not cold!” when they really mean to say “Excuse me mother, the clothing you have chosen for me feels bulky and awkward and restricts my movement making me feel hindered and uncomfortable.” The key is to choose layers that provide warmth without bulk. It is important to have quality thermal underwear (no, cotton waffle weave underwear dose NOT count) and the option of a fleece pant to layer under an insulated pant. Shell pants should be reserved for teenagers and adults as even in the spring children can get quite cold even if you are overheated. Plus it is easier to decrease layers for the torso to maintain body temperature than it is to increase layers under a shell pant when it is cold.

To properly fit insulated winter pants it is not necessary to have the other layers on but do not try them on with street wear pants. Street wear pants will fit entirely differently under a ski or snowboard pant then any thermal layers will. It is better to try the insulated pants on with regular underwear, if the pant fits properly there will be plenty of room for thermal underwear and a typical fleece pant.

With the pant on there should be 1 to 2 fingers space around the waist regardless of the style of pant. Some styles have Velcro or snap side size adjusters. This feature is worth its weight in gold as it will help to accommodate a variety of layering options. The pant should fall loosely around the buttocks and thighs without being baggy and there should be room in the rise to pinch about and inch of fabric. The length of the pant is critical as if it is too short you will not get much time out of it but if it is too long it will be damaged possibly beyond repair. The cuff should hit just below the anklebone without hitting the ground. If the pant is a bib or suspender pant make sure that the straps can be adjusted for maximum comfort in the rise and the appropriate length in the leg. Many children’s pants come with grow cuffs which, when released will give as much as 1 – 2 inches more length but you don’t want to buy a pant knowing you have to release the cuff right away. Some pant styles can be easily taken up to be let down later but this should be done by a tailor experienced with skiwear as working with performance fabrics presents unique challenges.

There have been so many advances in fabrics and insulation that gone are the days when your little one has to be round as a snowball to be warm. Invest in a quality pant with a good fit, reduce bulk by layering with thermal underwear and/or a fleece pant depending on the weather and your child will have enough freedom of movement to generate the heat they need to stay warm on the hill.

See ya out there!

Kjerstin

Fitting Children: Winter Sports Jackets

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,

Kjerstin