Need Help with Selecting LL Bean Jackets for Baby & Toddler

[photini_@yahoo.com]

I've lived in LA for 4 years, and it never gets very cold. DS got through all of last year with a sweatshirt hoodie from Gymbo. This year we'll need real jackets. We'll be going to Mammoth Lakes for a week in early October. Daytime temps in the high 60s but around freezing at night, Thanksgiving in S.F. and a week at Christmas in St Louis ( temps will probably be between 30-42 degrees--if its colder kids won't be outside except to run between warmed cars).

DS is very active. I want to keep him warm, but he will resist anything bulky. My youngest will be 9 months in October, but she's at the 3% for weight and currently wears size 3-6 months. I will need a coat or jacket for her that runs small.

Online, I love the look and prices of the LLBean toddler outerwear, but I have no idea what would work best for us. I think that the trail modal might not be warm enough but don't know if the Casco Bay jackets would be too warm. Any experience with either? Any other brand i should be looking at?

Christine
mom to John 11.19.05 and Kate 1.25.07

[bluestar2]

You might think about layering so that each piece can be worn again, separately, for LA weather when you are not traveling. Consider long underwear or a turtleneck as a base layer, then a mid-weight fleece jacket such as the Trail Model one, then maybe some kind of a light windproof or waterproof shell on the outside. Add a warm fleece hat which covers the ears, mittens, and wool socks for the colder weather and you may be set. That way, if you head indoors or your DS gets too hot, you can just take off a layer or two. HTH!

[Gena]

Until recently we lived in Michigan (and are now in Southern Ohio), and I am a huge fan of the LL Bean outerwear. Their Trail Model fleece is wonderful! It's Polertec 200, so it is warm, soft, and cozy. It's also great in a carseat because it compresses and lets you still get the harnesss nice and tight.

If you are going to have the kids out when it is below freezing, I would recommend getting them the Trail Model Fleece Coveralls instead of just the jackets, especially for your younger child. We has 2 of these for my son's first winter and they were great. The infant sizes have fold-over cuffs to protect little hands and feet from the cold.

If you don't think your son will be cooperative with coveralls (many 2 year olds aren't) and he he will be active outside in the cold, I would go with something like the Warm-Up Jacket. This jacket is well insulated but without being bulky.

I think you might want to err on the side of getting something too warm rather than getting something that is not warm enough. 40 degrees on a bright sunny day can be great for going out in just jeans and a sweatshirt. But 40 degrees when it's wet and windy can be cold and miserable. Also your kids aren't acclimated to cold weather, so they will probably be more sensitive to it.

Hope that helps.

[94bruin]

If you still have questions, you should utilize the Live Help function on their website. I did this last night, and it was of great help.

I was debating between the Casco Bay jacket and the Colorblock one. I live in the SF Bay area, and the person recommended that I get the Casco Bay jacket because it is windproof and not too bulky. The LLBean help person said that it's more likely that wind is what is going to make you cold. Like a pp mentioned, it's probably better layer up a 2yo rather than put them in something bulky.

HTH!