Group Tests and Best Buys

Kids Down And Insulated Jackets | 6 Of The Best Winter Coats For Children 2016/2017

Keep your kids happy this winter by kitting them out in one of these cold weather jackets for children.

Kids, they grow up so fast don’t they? One minute, they’re as tall as a remote control car. The next, they’re as tall as a real adult-sized car. So when purchasing kids’ down and insulated jackets, to keep the young ones warm this winter, you need to approach it slightly different to the way you’d approach the buying of a coat for yourself. For example, how durable is the coat? Will it be able to cope with the unique stresses and strains your child will inevitably put on it?

Kids Walking Boots | 6 of the Best For 2016/17

6 of the Best Kids Waterproof Jackets For 2016/2017

Another thing to consider, and something we’ve already sort of touched upon, is how quickly the fit of it will become useless if your kid hits a growth spurt? You obviously don’t want to fork out £200 on a jacket for them if it’s useless within six months of purchasing as they’ve already outgrown it. To help you navigate this obstacle course, that’s unique to parents, we’ve compiled together this collection of six of the best down and insulated jackets for children. From very young to young adult, from cheap and cheerful to something a bit more pricey, we think you’ll find here something to suit your kid’s needs.

Jack Wolfskin Coat Zenon

Not only does the Jack Wolfskin Coat Zenon come in at a very reasonable £60, it’s also one of the most widely respected insulated jackets for children. Seriously, this thing has racked up more five star reviews than the film director Stanley Kubrick.

Robust, durable, and with extremely good insulation at minimal weight; the Zenon will keep your child warm on even the coldest of winter walks. Getting technical for a second, the insulation is made from two different types of synthetic fibre. It won’t flake out at the first sign of trouble, and it’s insensitive to moisture – meaning that even if it rains, performance won’t be negatively impacted upon. The hood is insulated, for additional head warmth, while the pockets provide great storage solutions for whatever your kids like to carry around with them. It comes in a variety of different styles and sizes.

Back to top

The North Face Youth Snow Quest Jacket

The North Face Youth Snow Quest is guaranteed to keep your kids warm wherever their adventures take them. Offering warmth and protection from cold winds and wintery water, we reckon it’s a great option if you’re planning on taking the young ones skiing and/or snowboarding this winter.

The North Face ThermoBall Micro Hybrid Jacket | First Look

Insulated with Heatseeker™ eco insulation, that’s designed to shield the wearer from the cold while also being light enough for use in conjunction with high intensity outdoor activities, the child you buy this for will be well catered by. Before we move on, huge shoutout for the ‘Find My Size’ feature on The North Face website. Type in your child’s height, weight, and age and it will tell you what size to buy and how many months use your kid will get out of it based on average growth model. Very useful if you’re on the fence about committing to it.

Back to top

Patagonia Boys’ Down Hybrid Jacket

Patagonia, undoubtedly one of the top cats in the big bad world of eco jackets, know a thing or two about producing great down and insulated jackets. The Boys’ Down Hybrid, pictured above, is a fitting testament to that. Getting straight to the crux of the matter, it’s basically everything you could want from an insulated jacket that’s designed to stop your children from going blue with cold this winter.

6 of the Best Eco Waterproof Jackets 2016/2017

Ridiculously high-tear strength means it’s extra durable, a water repellent finish, and jersey-faced fleece panels to reduce bulk are just some of it’s good points. Throw into the mix that the duck down used to make these can be tracked from parent farm to apparel factory, ensuring in the process that the birds aren’t force-fed or live-plucked, means that you’re left looking at an effective ethical winter jacket for kids that will keep your child warm and your conscience clear.

Back to top

Skogstad Kvigtinden PrimaLoft Jacket

Let’s not beat around the bush here, Scandinavia is very cool and not just on the thermometer. Scandinavia is also extremely cool when it comes to the styling of their outdoor gear. The Kvigtinden PrimaLoft Jacket from Skogstad, for example, is one seriously cool jacket and basically couldn’t be more progressively Scandinavian if it tried.

Rather than use down, this product uses PrimaLoft instead. Before that makes you run to the hills in a fit of panic and start grabbing at the first flock of birds you find, PrimaLoft advocates claim that it’s just as warm as down and better value for money.

The jacket is available in sizes suitable for children between the ages of 7 and 14, and scores excellently on windproof, insulation, and breathability. It has an adjustable hood, with chin protector, and nicely sized zip-up pockets on the front. It comes in “Stormgrey”, and “Primary Blue.”

Back to top

Columbia Boy’s Swiss Mister Jacket

The Swiss Mister might sound like the name of the world’s worst ever rapper, but it’s actually a superb insulated boy’s jacket from Columbia. Don’t, whatever you do, let its simplistic aesthetic fool you into thinking it doesn’t have the beans to keep your kid warm. Whether it’s up a snowy hill or down at sea level, this highly technical winter coat can do the business in whatever location the adventure leads to.

The Omni-Heat thermal reflective lining retains body heat, while the Omni-Tech breathable-waterproof membrane shields the wearer from wet weather with all the effectiveness of a purpose-built waterproof jacket. The Swiss Mister is well insulated, and has a micro-fleece lined hood. The reflective detailing on this is also worthy of a mention as it should put your parental mind a little more at ease due to the fact it increases the jacket’s visibility in poor light. The Swiss Mister; bad name for a rapper and, if we’re being completely honest, a bad name for a very good insulated boy’s jacket.

Back to top

Quechua X-Light Boys’ Jacket

Being a parent can be an expensive business, so it’s always a nice if you can bag yourself a bargain. At £14.99, the Quechua X-Light Boys’ Jacket available through Decathlon definitely falls into the bargain category. In fact, this jacket is just another example of the extremely affordable insulated kids’ jackets that are available through Quechua and Decathlon. They might not be as durable, and long-lasting, as some of the more expensive options listed here but they’ll do a job for your kids so long as you’re not planning to climb K2 with them anytime soon.

Affordable Walking Boots | 6 of the Best Under £100

6 of the Best Waterproof Jackets For Under £100

Good value for money, this particular bit of kit offers warmth to the wearer thanks to the “ball fibre” wadding – which is comparable to natural down while offering the benefits of something synthetic. Lined with fleece for additional comfort and warmth, this jacket is also nicely water repellent. A nice option if you’re tightening the belt this winter, and your family outings aren’t going anywhere too extreme.

Back to top

Waterproof Jackets

Best Women's Waterproof Jackets Reviewed | 2016/17

We've tested ten of the best women's waterproof jackets for mountaineering, walking, hiking and biking use to help you choose one that works for you.

Best Women's Waterproof Jackets Reviewed | 2016/17

Group Tests and Best Buys

Trail Running Shoes And Gear | Buyers' Guide 2016/17

Our look at the best trail-running shoes, clothing and equipment available will help you rocket up your local trails, hills and fells in maximum comfort.

Trail Running Shoes And Gear | Buyers' Guide 2016/17