We have one pair of waterproof mittens (same ones from Amazon linked upthread) that we only use for playing in the snow (we live in DC where we don't get much snow, so these usually only get used a few times a year when we visit family in snowier climates). Since these never go to school and we use them for a specific activity, we never lose them. If we did, we'd just order a replacement. They live with the snow pants and snow boots which also only get used occasionally.

Then we have a bunch of mittens from a brand I think called Icecaps? Also on Amazon. I think we got a pack of 3-4 pairs two years ago and they are still going strong. We will lose a pair but then it will turn up (often comes home during bin clean out school or we find a pair in the pockets of a coat that hasn't been worn in a while). In any case, when we lose a pair I just grab another from the closet. They are inexpensive and we've had them for a while so I don't stress about it. I like that they are fleece lined so they really seem to keep hands warm.

Also, I've found that if I make sure my kids have coats with zippered pockets, I can teach them to put their mittens in their pockets and zip them closed when they get to school, and it really improves the retention rate on the mittens. My 5 yr old finally mastered this skill this year, and every morning I unzip her pockets to see if her mittens came home and there they are. It's really nice not to have to go hunting in a backpack.

+1 for the Costco ones.

Work well, price is right, and at least for my upper ES kids, they're really only worn for playing in the snow and occasionally, winter sports.

The magic gloves that come in the ten pack, plus one pair of “real” waterproof mittens that I don’t break out unless it’s snowing

For everyday, the Costco ones. For skiing, Hestra.

Anonymous wrote:We are constantly losing gloves so early each season that I can’t keep track of how many my kids thru. I’ve turned to the inexpensive mittens because it gets pricey over time.

What brand also do you prefer?

Costco has fantastic gloves and mittens for kids. We have 3 pairs of those and 3 pairs of thin cotton ones plus 1 pair of thick snow ones. They have little clips on the non-cotton ones that keep them paired. We use the primary jackets that have the little rainbow pouch on the inside,which is where gloves go when they arent being worn.

I just get them from buynothing groups. Whatever is available.

Toddler gets the 3pack of knit mittens from h&m and I knit a cord so they go through her sleeves and don’t get lost.

The "waterproof" snow mittens from Amazon. I learned my lesson with expensive mittens. Kids don't care and any mitten that is semi waterproof will do. The cheaper the better bc it will be lost at some point.

I get about 3 pairs per kid of these

https://www.amazon.com/Children-Toddlers-Infant-Baby-Mittens/dp/B07QZWC99J/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1UBZECF4U1UJ9&keywords=waterproof%2Bmittens%2Bkids&qid=1671543229&sprefix=waterproof%2Bmitt%2Caps%2C111&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE1NDBSWUFIVDdZRDMmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAwODEzODUxSFFKQlRJVThLUENUJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4MzcyODIxVlBMNDExUUU3MUpEJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1&psc=1

I buy a pack of 12 or so pairs of the cheap knit gloves from Amazon in all one color, so when they inevitably lose one it doesn’t matter. Other than that, they each have one pair of nice ski gloves but I keep those put away until we need them for snow so they don’t get lost.

One each. They lose them, they're done for the season. Next season they can buy their own. They know they have to take care and keep track of their things . No particular brand.

The Head ones from costco. 2 pairs each.

The last few years I’ve bought a bulk pack of knitted gloves off Amazon that are warm enough for walking to school on an average DC winter day. (We have nicer, waterproof gloves for snow days.) They come 3 to a pack and by spring there’s usually one mismatched pair with a frayed thumb left. Their hands are warm and I’m far less stressed over gloves.

In this area the cheap knit ones are plenty warm for 95% of the winter. Buy in bulk and mix and match colors (or buy all one color).

REI or Land's End. We all have small hands, and now they're teens and tweens, it's easier, but when they were in elementary, it was really hard to find non-mitten type gloves that could fit their tiny fingers. I did do the "mittens on a string through the coat" when they were preschoolers - despite the possible strangulation risk.

We are constantly losing gloves so early each season that I can’t keep track of how many my kids thru. I’ve turned to the inexpensive mittens because it gets pricey over time.

What brand also do you prefer?