Best Ski Jackets For Kids: The Definitive Guide

The temperature is slowly dropping and snow will be here soon. If you and your child expect to be out on the slopes you may be looking for the best ski jackets for kids.

I’d like to show you what to look for when making you selection and my top picks for both boys and girls for the 2016-2017 season.

Sound good?

How To Pick The Perfect Ski Jacket For Your Child

Staying warm and being comfortable is very important if you want your boy or girl to have a fun day while skiing. There’s been a few times when being cold almost ruined my time on the mountain. So from firsthand experience I know the importance of picking good gear. When selecting a coat, consider the following:

  • Type of jacket
  • Breathabiltiy and waterproof rating
  • Smaller factors like type of hood, pockets, storm flap and powder skirt

There are three types of jackets that you will likely come across and they are:

  • Insulated Jackets: These are the most common and have a very warm insulation on the inside. Also, they are waterproof and will protect against typical winter elements.
  • Shell Jackets: Shell jackets have excellent waterproof and excellent breathability ratings; they don’t come with insulation though. These types of coats offer maximum maneuverability because they are lightweight and are perfect for spring skiing. During the cold months your child will need to wear layers under the shell to stay warm.
  • 3 in 1 Jackets: These jackets come with an outer shell that protects against water and winter weather and an inner insulation to keep your boy or girl warm; they can be zipped apart and worn separately (you can wear just the outer shell on warmer days).

After, you need to look at the breathability and waterproof rating of the product you select. Obviously, skiing is a hobby that can get you wet and the last thing you want to be is cold and damp at the same time. A good ski jacket can keep all moisture out and leave you dry. Also, you want a coat that isn’t constricting and suffocating; that’s where breathability comes in. A breathable jacket let’s moisture and excess heat out.

Lastly, there’s a bunch of small factors to consider. You may want to look at how many pockets the ski jacket has (where are they located and does it come with a media pocket for your child’s phone), whether or not it comes with pit zips to let out excess heat, wrist closures and things of that nature. These aren’t overly important and most quality jackets will come with all these little essentials.

So now that you know what to think about, let’s take a look at my top picks for the year (the first half is for boys and the second half is for girls).


The North Face Boys Boundary Triclimate

north face boundaryCompany: The North Face

Price: $$

Sizes: Small to Extra Large

Rating: 4.8/5

The North Face is one of the most popular apparel brands in existence; you will see their products and clothes on and off the mountain. Their Boys Boundary Triclimate is one of the warmest and mosr waterproof ski jackets available. The outer shell is made from HyVent technology that keeps coldness and moisture out completely. Additionally, it features:

  • Heatseeker insulation made from synthetic materials (can be zipped off)
  • Media pocket that keeps your child’s phone and electronics safe and protected
  • Zip hand warmer pockets for frigid days
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This product is fairly priced too and you can find it for around $180. That is an excellent value when you consider all that you’re getting.

Here’s a video that goes a little more in depth on the product:

Take A Closer Look At The North Face Bounday Triclimate Boys Jacket


Spyder Boys Challenger Jacket 

spyder boys challengerCompany: Spyder

Price: $$

Sizes: All

Rating: 4.8/5

Spyder is an excellent company and they make some of the best ski gear on earth; your child will be lucky to wear the Spyder Boys Challenger Jacket. Besides offering a very sleek and stylish look, it comes with:

  • The cery popular and well liked 3M Thinsulate that will keep your boy very warm
  • Xt.L membrane that leaves your little skier very dry and won’t weigh them down
  • Spylon technology that fights against stains and keeps the protective material in tact, even after 20 washings

Also, there are 9 different colors and patterns so your kid can pick the style they like the most; they can match it to their helmets, gloves or skis. This is another product that won’t break the bank and it generally costs around $120.

Take A Closer Look At the Spyder Boys Challenger Jacket


Karbon Merlin Boys Ski Jacket

karbon merlinCompany: Karbon

Price: $$

Sizes: All

Rating: 4.8/5

The Karbon Merlin is another excellent jacket that will keep your boy very warm; it comes in multiple colors so they can pick the exact one they like too. Some of the best features include:

  • Thermik 1 Insulation that gets one of the highest warmth ratings on Skis.com
  • Removable insulated hood and back warmer panel
  • Alouva lined collar

A product like this could easily cost over $300 but luckily for you, your kid and your wallet, it’s priced around $170. The only drawback for the Merlin is it has a low waterproof and breathabilty rating.  It will keep water out and remove excess moisture but won’t do it to the degree of the previous two coats.

Take A Closer Look At The Karbon Merlin Boys Jacket


Spyder Vail Boys Ski Jacket 

spyder vailCompany: Spyder

Price: $$$

Sizes: All

Rating: 4.9/5

The last jacket had some waterproofing and breathabiltiy issues but that’s not the case with the Spyder Vail Boys Ski Jacket. It has one of the highest ratings for both as well as a high warmth rating. Like I said before, Spyder is an excellent company and this is one of their premiere products. Some of the best features include:

  • Primaloft Infinity insulation made from very effective synthetic materials
  • Core ventilation system to dump heat and sweat out
  • Lifetime warranty

You know you are getting a well made and quality jacket when it comes with a lifetime gurantee. Your child may want another coat at some point but they certainly won’t need one because of ripping or wear and tear.

Take A Close Look At The Spyder Vail Boys Jacket


Obermeyer Axel Boys Insulated Ski Jacket 

obermeyer axelCompany: Obermeyer

Price: $$

Sizes: Small to Extra Large

Rating: 4.8/5

I’ve owned Obermeyer equipment before and can tell you from experience they are an awesome company. The Obermeyer Axel Boys Insulated Jacket is a sharp looking product and your child will want to wear it everywhere; to the slopes, to school, and every time it’s cold out. Some features include:

  • Control Zone ventilation system
  • Well placed pockets that will hold all your kids stuff, including their goggles
  • Detachable goggle cloth
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It comes with a windproof chin guard that will help protect your boy’s face when it’s extra windy out. This is another jacket that has a lifetime warranty too.

Take A Closer Look At The Obermeyer Axel Boys Insulated Jacket


Spyder Boys Leader Jacket

spyder leader boysCompany: Spyder

Price: $$$

Sizes: All

Rating: 4.9/5

The last Spyder Jacket for boys on the list, the Leader, is another great product from this ski giant. I really like the design and is another coat your child will be happy to wear. Besides offering superior warmth with its 3M Thinsulate Insulation, it comes with:

  • An internal mesh goggle pocket
  • Critically taped seams that keeps moisture out
  • Lifetime warranty

Like the Karbon jacket you saw earlier, the Leader doesn’t have the highest waterproof and breathabilty rating; it does a good job but it’s not the best.

Take A Closer Look At The Spyder Boys Leader Jacket


Obermeyer Ryker Boys Ski Jacket

obermeyer rykerCompany: Obermeyer

Price: $$

Sizes: Extra Small to Large

Rating: 4.8/5

The colors on the Obermeyer Ryker Boys Ski Jacket are very sharp and fashionable. You’ll be happy to know this product is fairly priced (around $190) and gets high ratings in warmth, breathability and waterproofing. Also, it comes with:

  • A RECCO rescue reflector which is used to find a skier that is lost or trapped in an avalanche
  • Control Zone Ventilation System that cools your boy down very quickly
  • Allows for maximum movement

This is a well made and functional ski jacket. If your child is a high performer they will enjoy this product very much.

Take A Closer Look At The Obermeyer Ryker Boys Ski Jacket


Orage Girls Simone Jacket

orage simoneCompany: Orage

Price: $

Sizes: All

rating: 4.7/5

The first girls jacket on this list is a very affordable option; the Orage Simone Jacket will cost around $90. This product scores very high on the warmth chart and will easily keep your little girl comfortable in frigid conditions. Besides offering a really nice design, the Simone features:

  • Stretch fabrics that won’t hinder movement
  • Mesh goggle pocket
  • Hood that is compatible with helmets

The only downside is this Orage jacket doesn’t have the best waterproofing or breathability. It does a decent job but not as well as it could.

Take A Closer Look At The Orage Simone Girls Jacket


Obermeyer Girls Sara Jacket

obermeyer saraCompany: Obermeyer

Price: $

Sizes: All

Rating: 4.8/5

The Obermeyer Sara Jacket has a lot in common with the Orage product you just saw. They both aren’t overly expensive (under $100), they have extremely high warmth ratings and are very stylish; however they aren’t the most breathable or waterproof. It still has some amazing features like:

  • A detachable goggle cloth
  • Snap away powder skirt
  • Interior electronic pocket that will protect your child’s phone (comes with a wire port too)

This jacket won’t hinder performance either. It’s very flexible and relatively lightweight.

Take A Closer Look At The Obermeyer Sara Jacket


Spyder Project Girls Jacket

spyder projectCompany: Spyder

Price: $$

Sizes: All

Rating: 4.8/5

The Spyder Project Girls Jacket gets the highest warmth rating possible and comes with 140 grams of 3M Thinsulate insulation. You won’t have to worry about your little skier being cold when wearing this product. Besides protecting against winter weather, the Project will:

  • Prevent snow from getting in with its velcro cuffs and powder skirt
  • Protect your child’s goggles with its internal mesh pocket
  • Keep your daughter’s chin from getting cold with the Brushed Microfiber Inner Collar

This isn’t the only girl’s jacket from Spyder you will see on this but it is one of the best.

Take A Closer Look At The Spyder Project Girls Jackets

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Obermeyer Aisha Insulated Ski Jackets

obermeyer aishaCompany: Obermeyer

Price: $$

Sizes: All

Rating: 4.9/5

The Obermeyer Aisha Insulated Jacket is a really, really sharp looking product. This is one of those coats your child won’t mind wearing all the time – skiing, sledding, school, anywhere. It has a very feminine look to it and comes in several different colors so your daughter can choose her favorite. The real question is will it protect when skiing and in the cold winter winds? Yes, it will. It comes with:

  • Fiber down insulation that does a great job in the warmth department
  • Detachable goggle cloth
  • Good waterproofing and breathability

The Aisha is known to fit exceedingly well too. It won’t constrict and it won’t be too baggy either. It has a more classical feel to it.

Take A Closer Look At The Obermeyer Aisha Insulated Ski Jacket


Spyder Girls Lola Jacket

Displaying Image-1.pngCompany: Spyder

Price: $$

Sizes: All

Rating: 4.8/5

The Spyder Girls Lola is described as a kid’s jacket with all the features you’d expect for an adult. That means you get top of the line performance and insulation if you select this product (it comes with the same Thinsulate Insulation you’d find in Spyder jackets for older people). Some of its best features are:

  • A detachable google wipe
  • Brushed Microfiber inner collar for added protection against cold winds
  • A removable hood and detachable fur trim

This is another high performing and very functional ski jacket that looks stylish as well.

Take A Closer Look At The Spyder Girls Lola Jacket


Obermeyer Grayson Girls Ski Jacket 

obermeyer graysonCompany: Obermeyer

Price: $$

Sizes: All

Rating: 4.8/5

The Obermeyer Grayson is a sharp looking jacket. It gives off a high performing vibe and if your girl is a competent skier, this is a product you should consider. It has exactly what you are looking for in terms of warmth, waterproofing and breathability (it scores well in each department). It has all the little features you look for too, like:

  • A pocket designed specifically to protect your child’s phone and goggles
  • Helmet compatible hood
  • Soft fleeced lined collar

This a very durable and flexible jacket as well. For serious girl skiers, this is probably my top pick on the list.

Take A Closer Look At the Obermeyer Grayson Girls Ski Jacket


Spyder Girls Tresh Jacket 

spyder treshCompany: Spyder

Price: $$

Sizes: All

Rating: 4.8/5

The last jacket on the list is the Spyder Tresh. It’s high performing and has a very high warmth rating (breathability and waterproofing is average). My favorite features for this product are:

  • 3M Thinsulate insulation that you find in adult coats
  • Internal mesh pocket for your child’s goggles
  • Removable hood

This jacket isn’t priced too high either and you can find it for around $180. That’s not that bad when you consider all that you are getting.

Take A Closer Look At the Spyder Tresh Jacket


You Child Will Love These Coats

Skiing is a fantastic hobby and sport but it can get cold. If you don’t pick the right equipment for your kids, it can really ruin it for them. A quality jacket is essential to staying warm and for an enjoyable day. The products you saw on this list are the best of the best and your boy or girl will get a lot of use out of them.

If you have any question about what you read here, comment below and I’ll make sure to respond as fast as possible. If you want your friends and family to see, share on social media.

Don’t you think skiing will be less stressful if you know your child is going to be warm and protected?