How to Choose a Snowsuit for My Kid?
The mere sight of snow-covered landscapes outside your window makes your little one tremble with anticipation: it's time for some fun in the snow!
Before heading out, kids need the right snow gear from head to toe, whether you're outfitting a newborn for their first stroller ride or a toddler ready to build snow forts in the backyard. Comfortable, warm, and waterproof clothing is what lets them make the most of every snowy afternoon.
Here's everything a parent needs to know about how to choose the right snowsuit for kids of every age.
Article Summary
Choosing a snowsuit comes down to a handful of essentials: waterproofing, insulation and breathability, ergonomic and adjustable features, the right cut, and the right size for your child's age and activity level. This guide walks through each of these criteria, then answers the layering, sizing, and care questions parents ask most when shopping for baby, toddler, and kids' snowsuits.
Table of Contents▾
5 Criteria for Finding the Right Snowsuit for Kids
Scratching your head in bewilderment at your local store's "winter sports" aisle? We understand! It's hard enough to find the right outfit for an adult, let alone a toddler or a baby, whose needs are a little more specific.
So, to make your life easier, here are the 5 main criteria to keep in mind when shopping for snowsuits.
Shop our collections
Effective Waterproofing
First criterion: waterproofing. Whether it's a two-piece or one-piece snowsuit, your child's outfit must be completely waterproof.
In wet weather (snow, rain, hail), a good snowsuit keeps your little one dry from the inside out. Look for a shell treated against moisture, ideally a polyester or polyurethane-coated waterproof fabric that sheds water instead of soaking it up.
At Deux par Deux, for example, our snowsuits range from 10,000 mm of waterproofing on the CHILL and DISCOVER lines up to 15,000 mm on TEKNIK, so parents can pick the level of protection that matches how much time their kids spend outside.
Warm Insulation and Breathability, Whatever the Activity Level
The second criterion is insulation, and it matters just as much for a newborn snowsuit worn on stroller rides as it does for a toddler running through the snow. A snowsuit needs to keep children warm even when the thermometer drops, to help avoid chills and frostbite. In many parts of Canada, temperatures can easily reach -20°C, so cold air is not something to underestimate.
A fleece lining, especially around the back and head, does a great job of trapping warmth, and a fleece suit worn as a mid-layer adds another buffer against the cold. You'll also see snowsuits described as an infant fleece bunting or a baby fleece snowsuit: both simply mean the garment is lined with soft, brushed fleece rather than just a plain shell.
Some snowsuits on the market use a down fill for extra warmth, but a baby down snowsuit needs special washing and loses its loft when wet. Deux par Deux snowsuits use polyester insulation and fleece linings instead, which perform just as well in the cold without the extra care. Our CHILL line is built for milder days, insulated to -5°C, while DISCOVER, PLAY, and TEKNIK are rated down to -30°C for real winter conditions.
Warmth isn't only about how thick the insulation is, though. A snowsuit also needs to breathe: if sweat gets trapped against your child's skin during active play, it cools them down as it evaporates, which can leave them colder than if the suit had let that moisture escape in the first place. That's why our fabrics are built to stay waterproof from the outside while still letting moisture out from the inside, so kids stay warm and dry whether they're standing still or running full speed at a snowball fight.
Ergonomic and Adjustable Features
Active play alternates with quieter moments during a day in the snow, so look for a snowsuit with ergonomic features that protect your child and make life easier for you too.
Elastic sleeves and ankles that stop snow from creeping in, snaps for quick on-and-off, and zippered pockets for storing small treasures: these little details make a real difference on a cold day. The hood matters too: look for one that's deep enough to cover the ears and cheeks, adjustable so it doesn't slide down over your child's eyes, and roomy enough to fit over a winter hat rather than replacing it.
Because kids grow fast, it's also worth choosing a snowsuit that adapts with them. Adjustable straps, an elastic waist, and adaptable sleeve and pant lengths mean the same suit can fit comfortably for more than one season, which is easier on your child's comfort and your price point alike. Deux par Deux builds this into a "grows with your child" system across its snowsuits, with extendable cuffs and hems designed to cover two winter seasons in the same suit.
The Right Cut: One-Piece, Two-Piece, or Bunting Suit
For babies and very young toddlers who aren't walking yet, a one-piece snowsuit, sometimes called a bunting suit or a baby puffer onesie, is usually the easiest option: no separates to zip together, and full coverage from neck to toe. For a newborn heading out for the first time, an infant bunting suit built for the car seat is another practical choice for stroller walks and errands.
Older kids who are already walking, climbing, and playing tend to do better in a two-piece snowsuit: a jacket paired with snow pants or a bib. Splitting the outfit into two pieces makes it easier to add or remove a layer as the weather changes, and lets active kids use the bathroom without a full change of clothes.
Whichever cut you choose, the fit should be loose enough for free movement but not so loose that your child trips over their own snow pants.
The Right Size
To make sure you choose the right size for your child's snowsuit, here are a few tips to follow:
- Choose a half size or a size larger than your child's age, especially if you're shopping early in the season.
- Opt for an adaptable garment, with adjustable straps, an elastic waist, and adaptable sleeves. All Deux par Deux snowsuits are designed to be scalable and adaptable as your child grows.
- Let your child try on the suit and zip it up. Ask them to keep their arms at their sides: only their fingers should peek out of the sleeves.
- Roll up the bottom of the pants by about 4 inches: if they reach the bottom of the ankles, they're the right size.
- The snow coat should cover the buttocks but not be too long.
- Ask your child if they feel comfortable moving around without being "eaten" by their snowsuit.
- Think about their favorite winter activities, then browse our snow outfit collections: DISCOVER, PLAY, TEKNIK, and CHILL, whether you're shopping our girl snowsuits or boy snowsuits picks, or our baby girl snowsuit and baby boy snowsuits styles for younger ones. You're bound to find the perfect outfit for the snow, and you can compare them all using our comparison chart.
What to Wear Under a Snowsuit
Before the snowsuit even goes on, it helps to think of your child's whole winter outfit as a system of layers. This is the easiest way to build out baby snow gear that actually keeps up with a busy toddler or a napping newborn alike.
- Layer 1, the base layer: a garment that sits close to the skin in a breathable material that doesn't trap moisture, like thermal underwear.
- Layer 2, the mid layer: this layer's job is to hold in heat. A fleece jacket or a knitted sweater does the trick on milder days.
- Layer 3, the outer layer: this is where the snowsuit comes in, protecting your child from wind, snow, and wet weather.
Round out the outfit with the winter accessories that cover the extremities: a warm hat, mittens, and wool or wool-blend socks. For babies who aren't yet on the move, warm booties and a footmuff work well over winter baby suits, closing the gaps a snowsuit alone can't cover.
For more on building out this layering system season by season, our winter dressing guide goes deeper on choosing each layer, from base layer fabrics to picking between a coat and snow pants or a full snowsuit.
Snowsuit FAQ
At What Temperature Should a Toddler Wear a Snowsuit?
There's no single cutoff, but Canadian pediatric guidelines are a useful benchmark: consider reducing outdoor time once the temperature or wind chill drops to about -15°C, and keep young children indoors once it reaches -27°C, since exposed skin can start to freeze at that point. Babies and toddlers are at higher risk of frostbite because they move less and can't always tell a parent when they're cold, which is exactly why the extra layer of a snowsuit matters so much.
What Is the Best Snowsuit for Kids?
A one-piece snowsuit is usually the better choice for babies and toddlers who aren't running around much yet, while a two-piece snowsuit works better once your child is walking, climbing, and playing hard. Beyond that split, the right pick depends on your child's age, their activity level, and how cold your winters get. A newborn who spends most of their day in a stroller or car seat does well in a warm one-piece or bunting suit, while an older kid who's building snow forts and sledding all afternoon needs a two-piece snowsuit that moves with them and that you can layer up or down. Our comparison chart lines up the DISCOVER, PLAY, TEKNIK, and CHILL collections side by side, so you can match a suit to your child's needs and your price point.
What to Wear Under a Child's Ski Suit?
For kids old enough to hit the slopes, the same layering approach above applies, just make sure the base and mid layers don't hold onto sweat. Thermal underwear under a fleece sweater works well, and the sweater can come off easily if your young skier warms up during their run. For more tips, see our guide on how to dress a baby for skiing.
How Do I Wash My Child's Snowsuit?
A few simple rules keep a snowsuit in good shape all season. Always wash cold, by machine or by hand, to avoid heat damage or shrinkage. Choose a natural, chemical-free detergent that's gentle on both the fabric and your child's skin. Then air-dry the snowsuit, flat or hanging, since a trip through the dryer can damage the waterproof coating.
Now you know how to choose a snowsuit for kids of every age, from a newborn's first snowy stroller ride to a toddler's afternoon of tobogganing. All that's left is to bundle up and head outside!