What down coat are you buying your child this year

[Anonymous]

I usually buy the gap's "warmest coat" but the colors are horrible, and they barely have any sizes.
I do not like the lands end/ll bean ones...they are lightweight, and don't seem warm at all.
I like a coat with 100% down.
Any ideas.
It is for a 6 year old.

[Anonymous]

We got a great one for our toddler at REI; they have sizes for older kids as well.

[Anonymous]

lands end tends to be heavy fabric but good for extremes.
it is easier just to go to macys or nordstrome or jc penny and just pick what is there though.

[Anonymous]

Find a previos year Gap coat in a color you like on eBay-- you can usally find them there pretty easily.

[Anonymous]

I like the Miniboden puffy coats.

[Anonymous]

land ends down coat. I've bought them the last few years and they last and look great at the end of each season. They regularly have sales (got my kids' coats for $40.)

[Anonymous]

I won't get a down coat for my kid b/c down loses its insulating powers when it gets wet. Probably fine most of the time, but not ideal for long periods in the snow or in DC's nasty sleet/rain mixes (although the outer shells are probably much more waterproof than when we were kids). The LL Bean ski jackets--not the fleece-lined jackets, but the Katahdin parkas and similar--are quite warm. Our DD has been wearing this style for several years now, and it keeps her toasty warm. I like the temperature rating system they have to indicate the different levels of warmth; helps you compare the different parkas.

[Anonymous]

OP, lightweight is not a good gauge of warmth. There are a lot of newer fabrics that have excellent insulation, are waterproof, and are quite thin and light--perfect for active children. If you look at the LL Bean website, for example, they will give you a temperature rating for their fabrics. I would look at these, rather than at how heavy a coat feels.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I have a very thin child who tends to be cold a lot - the LLBean coats which seem thin, but are actually warm, work well for him - PLUS they are waterproof and work well for playing in the snow.

[Anonymous]

Please think twice before purchasing down-filled products. Here is only a short taste of why -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVtkZGsEzhs

There are many, many jacket fillers that are as warm or warmer than down but don't entail such torture.

[Anonymous]

another NP who agrees the light-LOOKING ll bean jackets are actually quite warm. we always use those. and they're so much more comfortable for the child when strapped into a booster chair.