Kids Clothing

[ARCHER11]

What are you guys outfitting your kids with for their hunting/outdoor activities? I've got a 4 year old daughter that loves to get outdoors with me but i'm having a hard time finding clothing that will keep her comfortable without breaking the bank. I'd like to get her setup with a half decent layering system including a warm and cold weather base layer tops, insulating layer (down/synthetic puffy or fleece), a softshell jacket or "performance" hoody and a rain jacket. I plan on just picking up some of the cotton camo at walmart for later in the year when it's warmer out but I need some insulating pieces for these cold early mornings during turkey season. Doesn't necessarily have to be camo either but the bright florescent colors aren't going to work.

Anyway, what are you all using? Any recommendations?

 

[couesbitten]

Kids can be tougher than women when it comes to camo. Cabela's and Bass Pro both sell gear, but have a look at the King's Outdoor website, they offer some decent stuff. If you could find a good camo shell, you could put her in anything to keep her warm/dry and then cover it up. http://www.kingscamo.com/Kids-Camo-Clothing_c_49.html

 

[Grumman]

I've had a heck of a time keeping my boy in camo due to him outgrowing everything. I actually went to Bass Pro just last night and found him a Squaltex jacket and pants set. I figured with the Squaltex he is covered for the rain and can layer in anything underneath if he needs. The pants have a drawstring waistband which will be nice as it should allow plenty of time to grow. For warm weather I just got him a cheap camo cotton t-shirt.

 

[Ray]

friends in the states swear by Gamehide kids stuff for white tails and ducks. All I've ever used of theirs for my daughter are the convertible mittens and fingerless gloves.

 

[ARCHER11]

Thanks for the thoughts so far. I tried Cabelas but didn't find a whole lot that would fit her. She's in a weird sizing stage right now too which also complicates things. I'm going to try the North Face and Columbia outlets near my house and see if I can find a half decent black puffy jacket for the blind and then I think a camo shell and just the cotton walmart stuff will work just fine.

I like the looks of that kings camo bundle too but i'm worried it may still be a touch too big for her. I may just order some with the sale they've got going right now. If it fits, great! If not i'll hold on to it as i'm sure shell grow into it soon enough.

Anyone else?

 

[Tod osier]

We have had very good luck with oaki wear for our son. He has gone through 3 pairs of their waders (2 blue and one camo), 2 rain coats (both blue with black) and 2 pairs of rain pants (black). We have found the stuff to be well made and waterproof and a good deal for the price. He has a marmot down puffy that is very nice.

[/URL]

[/URL]

[/URL]

[/URL]

[/URL]

[/URL]

[/URL]

 

[2ski]

I don't have kids, so I have no experience to speak from, but why do you want to get so technical for a 4 year old that will outgrow what you buy, possibly by the end of the season, not just next year? A puffy is nice, buy you aren't taking a 4 year old in far enough where weight is an issue. I'm sure Walmart has some stuff in camo for kids that is heavier. A cheap rain coat in green should do you for putting it over a heavy coat. A little four year old girl probably can't be warm enough, so outfitting her like you or I would when we are conscious enough to shed layers or tough enough to be a little chilly sometimes, isn't necessary. If she's too cold, you can always take her back to the car to warm up, because, I doubt you are taking her too far away from the truck. I just don't see the point of buying expensive technical gear when it might not fit her through to the fall even.

 

[jmez]

I have 4 little boys. I have two requirements, it comes off of a sale rack somewhere and it is too big when they start wearing it. Sleeves and pants both get rolled up. When you buy oversized you can just layer their regular clothes underneath. I don't spend over $20 on pants or shirt. If it is cold they stay home unless I won't be gone long. Then, they just wear their regular coat and snow pants.

 

[ARCHER11]

Great pictures Tod! I'll check out oaki wear

ski, I don't necessarily want anything technical and definitely not expensive. Like you said, i'll be lucky to get a full years worth of wear out of it. I just want some decent quality items that will keep her warm and dry as best as possible. The more comfortable she is the longer we can stay out and the more she'll enjoy it. A down puffy is generally going to be the warmest option for an insulating layer which is why I mentioned it but a synthetic or fleece insulating layer would be just fine. I really just want a handful of clothes that I can toss in the pack and be on our way. Ultimately, if shes too cold or uncomfortable we go back to camp but if I can extend the time spent out in the field by being a little more conscious of her clothing then i'm all for it.

 

[jmez]

I've also found with a 4 year old, weather and comfort are very rarely limiting factors. Mine have had enough after an hour or so no matter the weather.

 

[Elkfitness]

Speaking of sales, these boots are great for cold weather and snow. They hold up great too! My 7 year old has had these two years and my 3 1/2 year old will have these on this winter. I took my seven year old out in October last year and he work some light hikers for a 40 min climb. Once we got to our deer glassing spot here in Colorado, we changed socks and put these on. For his other clothes, I found pair of techinical pants on sale at cabelas and have a mix match of other clothes pick up on sale and on archery talk. He'll get a few yrs out of them and then my little girl gets them. He did like going to cabelas and pick out his own blaze orange vest.



http://m.murdochs.com/shop/kamik-ki..._term=155401&gclid=CKzam-qn-ssCFc5hfgod-IUFOg

 

[mrbillbrown]

Best thing I found was a leafy suit at basspro. The kids could wear whatever cold weather gear they had handy and still be concealed. Most of our super close encounters have been had wearing our leafy suits.

 

[Elkfitness]

This makes it all worth it.

Don't forget the nerf gun! He got a BB gun for his birthday and will have that this year.

Kifaru sheep tarp is a winner for sun and wind block when you stop!

She was three for this pic taken in some land in Nebraska. Don't worry, we didn't go up without a harness! I threw her in her snow outfit and then threw a sleeping bag on her and we sat on thermarest pads. Lasted about 30 min before it was time to play. She wants me to teach her to climb mountains this year now that she will be 4 and be a big girl (her words).

 

[LandYacht]

I think you are on the right track with the down puffy. I've got 4 kids and my oldest started out with a Patagonia down sweater. It has been passed to two others, and the 4th child will be wearing it soon. The cost is a little higher at first, but if you factor in the lifetime waranty on zippers, seams, etc and the fact that it will last 5 kids before it is retired to the memory box, the price is less than a cheapo jacket from Wal-Mart.

Later up and then know you are going to be out far less time than it took you to get ready. The only time that rule is broken is when my oldest son goes with me, as he'll tough out more than the others.

He really wants some camo, so I've been getting things as I see them on Camo Fire or clearance racks. It doesn't matter to him if it's technical or not, he just wants to be able to hide like dad. I get it big enough to out over anything that it would need to,fo over if it was cold.

Food and beverage is far more important than clothing when it comes to keeping them out there longer!

 

[ARCHER11]

Thanks for all the thoughts guys! Clothing selection is just one piece of the puzzle. I'm sure there's a learning curve and a lot of patience required to make trips with little ones enjoyable for everyone but i'm looking forward to figuring it out.

 

[BOW1144]

Not sure where you live, but if you have a ski shop close by this time of year they are winding down and have most of there stuff on sale or on clearance. I just went through this with my son getting him ready for his first backpacking trip and it was next to impossible to find any kind of kids base layers other than cotton sweats. I was able to pick him up some kids base layers at the ski shop for $20 and a soft shell jacket at big 5 on clearance for $30. REI has fairly inexpensive wool socks in kids sizes, I splurged and bought him a pair of Kuhl Renegade pants (everything a couple of sizes bigger). Just keep them warm and dry and be prepared to carry an extra heavy pack with extra clothes for them when they get wet because they always do.

 

[Tod osier]

Since this is back up, we have had great luck getting kids synthetic base layers at Sierra trading post and nice kids wool socks. Don't always have them, but we have got some nice stuff.

 

[Jimbob]

Rivers west gear makes good kids hunting clothes.

 

[JoshTX]

I'm going to go the opposite direction and say spend the least amount possible for clothing that will work adequately. I have outfitted 3 kids and, frankly...it's a beating. They will outgrow E V E R Y T H I N G..usually in one season, so if I had to do it all over again, I'd probably post a WTB here and spend less as they won't have it long enough for it to matter. That said, I did usually do pretty good at Rei in the off season. In earth tone colors, and usually quite a discount and the gear worked fine. Once they got to be 10-12, then I'd spend the bucks because I knew they would be using it enough during the season to justify the expense.