https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:40:21 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/two-questions-about-winter-coats#post-2292448 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:54:10 +0000 Rockies11 2292448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't get the Gap coats as a true winter coat for Minnesota - they work fine for fall but they're not warm enough for actual play outside in the winter. For a walking toddler who is outside a lot in the winter, the best is a bib overall and coat combo, and we buy ours from sporting goods stores so we know they're properly lined and waterproof, etc. This year our favorite was Columbia's snowsuit, but there are always a range and price range as well at a sporting good store like MEC or Sport Chek. We have Bog boots for out and about, and Sorels for playing in the snow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/two-questions-about-winter-coats#post-2292446 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:49:41 +0000 Foodnerd81 2292446@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: yeah we couldn't actually play outside that much because the snow was way too deep for her! The playgrounds weren't shoveled or anything so all we could do was walk on the shoveled sidewalks or streets! But she was in carrier on my back and ton- probably the body heat from me helped too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/two-questions-about-winter-coats#post-2292445 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:49:34 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2292445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: Not sure about comparison to Columbia, but we get hand me downs from my nephew, and my SIL's parents love LL Bean, so they've lasted through two boys of hard play, and I'm saving them for this boy - they barely look worn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/two-questions-about-winter-coats#post-2292442 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:47:27 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2292442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2PeasinaPod: sounds like those two are winners and worth the extra cost then :)</p> <p>Any idea how they compare to columbia? That was his last winter coat, which I was satisfied with, but he was too young to tell me if he was cold/warm. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/two-questions-about-winter-coats#post-2292438 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:45:24 +0000 lamariniere 2292438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son had the Gap warmest puffer for the last two years and it seemed warm enough. I don't think it gets as cold here as it does where you are though, we also didn't much snow the last two winters, so not sure how water resistant it really was. That said, for our needs I was satisfied and he was warm. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/two-questions-about-winter-coats#post-2292435 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:43:36 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2292435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: thanks - that is helpful! He is outside a lot, either for daycare, or playing with DH outside on the weekends. Minnesotans tend to be pretty tolerant of the cold so unless it's in the negatives, kids are outside playing ;) You did get A LOT more snow than we did FOR SURE! But we had some record breaking low temps, which were miserable. </p> <p>Also, what we've done when we know he'll be outside for awhile is use the baby leg warmers as an extra layer under his jeans, and his arms. </p> <p>@Charm54: thanks for the rec! I am looking at them now and they look great - I love when companies provide the ratings for warmth, that is so helpful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/two-questions-about-winter-coats#post-2292431 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:40:08 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2292431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: Lands End and LL Bean are our go to for winter coats. We've had a few from the Gap and they aren't as warm (but really cute). Lands End and LL Bean are just super warm, and incredible quality. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/two-questions-about-winter-coats#post-2292428 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:35:05 +0000 Foodnerd81 2292428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a Gap puffer coat last winter for C and it seemed plenty warm- we are in boston and had record snow fall but probably wasn't as cold as MN. And she was under 2, so we weren't outside for that long at a time and just stayed in on the coldest days. I didn't notice that sleeves weren't lined but maybe it's because we weren't outside for that that long? She always seemed plenty warm when we came in. It did hold up really well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/two-questions-about-winter-coats#post-2292426 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:32:57 +0000 tinyperson 2292426@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Charm54: Good to know - I was looking at those! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/two-questions-about-winter-coats#post-2292423 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:28:32 +0000 Charm54 2292423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in Canada and my friend got a gap suit for her son last year but wasn't overly pleased with the quality in our freezing winters. I buy LL Bean for DD and the quality is amazing... the price is even cheaper than the Gap! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/two-questions-about-winter-coats#post-2292421 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:27:27 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2292421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: fixed - sorry! Yeah, I think MN and Buffalo winters are similar (though you had a lot more snow than we did last winter!) and I agree - who wouldn't line the sleeves of a winter coat? Weird.</p> <p>@looch: I'll check there - thanks!</p> <p>@tinyperson: yeah that would definitely be an issue then. It gets pretty wet here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/two-questions-about-winter-coats#post-2292420 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:25:18 +0000 tinyperson 2292420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: I have heard that Gap coats tend not to be very waterproof, so if your snow is on the wetter side, they might not be the greatest option...but it is supposed to be warm (the prima loft especially). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/two-questions-about-winter-coats#post-2292419 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:24:46 +0000 looch 2292419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have bought my son coats from Lands End for the last 4 years, I have been so happy with them. I buy them at year end in the next size up, I am not picky with colors, and they have a fabulous return policy if I make a mistake. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/two-questions-about-winter-coats#post-2292418 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:23:11 +0000 regberadaisy 2292418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: your links aren't working. Probably because of the periods? I was just looking at a warmest puffer coat for M and the reviews said the sleeves aren't lined. That would be a no go for our winters! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/two-questions-about-winter-coats#post-2292406 Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:12:04 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2292406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What is a decent price for a winter coat for LO? I happen to have gap cash so I could get one of the coats below for $45-ish.</p> <p>And:</p> <p>Also - are gap coats warm enough? I live in Minnesota. In Jan-Feb we typically have negative temps so he needs something WARM. </p> <p>(this is the one I'm looking at: <a href="http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1039764&#038;vid=1&#038;pid=547075012" rel="nofollow">http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1039764&#038;vid=1&#038;pid=547075012</a> or would this one be better: <a href="http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1039764&#038;vid=1&#038;pid=474190002" rel="nofollow">http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1039764&#038;vid=1&#038;pid=474190002</a> ) </p>