Towel Pants & Parkas: excessive or necessary?

[Anonymous]

I’d wait a bit and see how your kid feels. Mine never wanted anything other than a towel, flannel pants, and hoodies.

[Anonymous]

Parkas are expensive, but last a long time. DS got it in 8th grade and is still wearing it as college freshman. He also wore towel pants until this year. I think they are both worth the investment.

[Anonymous]

Definitely a parka

[Anonymous]

Definitely a parka! My 13 yo DD refused one when he was younger. We moved to a cooler place and had AM practices. He begged for one. Bought one (think he was 9) and he’s now 5’8” and still wears the same one all the time when it’s cold. Sometimes comes out to the car in a towel during the warmer months. Definitely uses the parka during meets to keep muscles warm (venue temps will vary widely). Croc and even lined fuzzy crocs are also a great idea! As poster above stated…LABEL EVERYTHING, reapply sharpie labels to fins and kick boards every couple months as they wear off. Embroidery that swim bag and parka too!

[Anonymous]

Just a towel and sweats. PLEASE do not go the bathrobe route it's so strange.

[Anonymous]

We just got larger swim parka so it can cover the legs ( especially for colder months, sometimes pair with wide leg cotton/fleece pants). Speedo parka is thinner while Tyr is thicker.

[Anonymous]

100% on the Parka. They will use it every day, at Winter meets and even some of the "cooler" summer swim meets (which seem to happen at least once a summer).

I have found that Speedo wicks best.

[Anonymous]

My kid has thus far declined the parka in favor of what is basically an extra-thick fleece Snuggie (this will be our 3rd winter of club), but she loves her towel pants and they are used year-round. We get them at Metro Swim in Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

Funny to see all the responses saying no to the towel pants. Both my kids (9 yo boy and 12 yo girl) got towel pants at the beginning of last winter swim season and wore them for every single practice and meet. BUT I would agree that they're definitely not necessary and worth waiting to see if they'd actually want them or be find with sweats or PJ pants.

Mine also got parkas but surprisingly use those less. They're more likely to throw on a hoodie with the towel pants.

[Anonymous]

PP - my kids use their towel pants (and towel shorts) year round as well. Summer swim plus summer trips to the pool. Theirs are from Etsy.

[Anonymous]

I ask my teen every year if she would like a parka and every year she says no. Pre-COVID she changed after practice. Since COVID she’s just thrown on sweatpants/pajama pants over her bathing suit and a hoodie or winter coat.

[Anonymous]

Love the parkas. Keeps the kid warm and for the younger swimmers, the booster seat dry. We bought a cheap one from Amazon in an enormous size. $60 and it will be good for at least five years.

[Anonymous]

My kid wore a hooded bath robe to come home in in the winter months.

[Anonymous]

I bought a $75 parka from Swim Outlet 4 years ago and it’s still going strong. It fits both of my kids, who swim on different days, so they share it. I did not get one with a team logo nor did I get a name embroidered on it. Might be the most bang for the buck out of all the sports gear purchases we have made for several different sports.

[Anonymous]

Parkas make a great holiday gift if you can hold out that long. And yes, buy them a size up.