As a parent, it goes without saying that keeping my kids protected is one of my top priorities. And right now, with winter finally hitting here in the Midwest (complete with a good share of freezing cold temps and a dumping of snow), that means keeping them protected from the elements.
With that said, buying a children’s winter jacket is not an easy task. As the proud owner of his first snowboard, my son is at an age where he’s can’t get outside enough to enjoy it. And anything my son does my daughter has to do, so she’s outside constantly as well chasing him and trying to steal his ride. Together, they’re outside far more than I ever anticipated them being, and plain winter coats just weren’t cutting it. They both owned multiple normal winter coats, but they all were doing a terrible job keeping my kids warm and keeping the winter elements out.
That’s when I decided to check into my favorite performance winter gear brand – Helly Hansen – to see what they offered for kids. Thankfully, not only do they offer kids gear, they offer kids gear that has all the features that made me fall in love with Helly’s larger adult versions. This means your kids are protected with a combination of Helly Tech PERFORMANCE fabric (that’s waterproof, breathable and windproof) as well as PrimaLoft’s Warmcore insulation, which together form the most advanced cold weather protection on the planet.
Helly Hansen K Riders INS Jacket ($130)
In picking jackets for my kids, I went with the Helly Hansen K Riders INS Jacket for both (green for my son, purple for my daughter). It’s a fantastic coat, and it features all the technology you’ll find in Helly’s adult gear.
Construction wise, the K Riders INS Jacket notes an insulated 2-layer construction with Helly Tech PERFORMANCE fabric and PrimaLoft’s Warmcore insulation. As an owner of multiple coats noting the same construction, I know firsthand that Helly Hansen coats excel at keeping you warm irregardless of conditions, but also allow excessive body heat to escape, meaning you don’t have to worry about overheating. For kids, it’s exactly the construction you want.
From there, Helly added a powder skirt, preventing snow from getting up under the jacket during falls or snow dives; fully sealed seams to keep water out; and adjustable cuffs with reflective elements that fit easily over gloves, then tighten to prevent snow from getting in. The smallest jacket available is a size 1 for the smallest of snow lovers, while the highest size is a size 16 for juniors that aren’t quite ready for adult sizes.
Here’s the full list of Helly Hansen’s K Riders INS Jacket features:
- Helly Tech® PERFORMANCE
- Waterproof and breathable fabric
- Insulated 2-layer construction
- Articulated arms and elbows
- Powder skirt
- Warmcore by PrimaLoft®
- Fully seam sealed
- Detachable, adjustable hood
- Reflective elements
- YKK zippers
- Internal pockets
- Multiple exterior pockets
- Adjustable cuffs
You can learn more about the Helly Hansen K Riders INS Jacket or pick up your own at the official Helly Hansen website.
Helly Hansen HH Warm Kid Set ($70)
Underneath their K Riders INS Jackets I decided to add another level of protection from the cold, employing Helly Hansen’s layering system in the form of the HH Warm Sets for kids. Again, Helly uses the same great fabrics and technology used in the adult HH Warm Sets – a combination of Merino Wool combined with LIFA Stay Dry Technology. It’s so great, in fact, it’s the same combination used by the U.S. ski team. It works by insulating the body and keeping you warm, but as activity increases and sweat is produced, it then wicks moisture away from your body, ensuring you stay dry irregardless of activity level. For kids with nonstop energy, it’s a must.
Sizing starts at a size 2, fitting my very large 18 month old girl perfectly, and it goes all the way up to a juniors size 14, ensuring kids of all sizes can take advantage of the HH Warm Sets. My kids love them, they’re super simple to wash and keep clean, and most importantly, I know my kids have the ultimate in cold weather protection.
You can learn more about Helly Hansen’s HH Warm Kid Set or pick up your own at the official Helly Hansen website.
