Best Baby Snowsuits

Wintertime means walks in fresh snow, ski trips and fun outdoor activities — but dressing baby for colder temperatures can be tricky. After all, your little one can’t exactly tell you if he’s warm enough. And with a ton of different products on the market, choosing the right baby snow gear isn’t always easy.

Dressing children of any age in warm, weather-appropriate clothing is important. “Infants and children can lose heat faster than they can make it when it is cold outside,” explains Charisma Garcia, M.D., a pediatrician with the Center for Children and Women at Texas Children’s Health Plan. If children are not properly dressed for the elements, this can result in hypothermia — for which babies are at an increased risk — or frostbite. If you live in a cold or snowy climate, a baby snowsuit is one essential item of clothing to make sure your child is warm and dry while outside.

What to consider before taking your baby outside in the cold

There are two important factors to take into consideration when deciding whether it’s safe to take your baby outside.

• Temperature. When the weather is extremely cold, don’t risk bringing your baby outside, says Dr. Garcia. In general, it’s best to avoid temperatures below -15 degrees Fahrenheit, as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends.

• Wind chill. The wind chill, i.e. what the air temperature feels like thanks to a combination of cold temperatures and winds blowing on exposed skin, matters as well. Wind chills below -15 degrees should also be avoided with your baby, the AAP recommends. However, keep in mind that if it feels cold to you, it may feel even colder to your baby, since little bodies can’t retain heat as well as adults, says Daniel Ganjian, M.D., a pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California.

When going outside with your baby, there are also necessary precautions to take to prevent the risk of hypothermia and frostbite.

• Make sure to remove and replace any wet layers immediately.

• Keep an eye out for white or pale gray coloring on your child's fingers, toes, nose and ears, which can be an early sign of frostbite.

• Take frequent indoor breaks with your kids and set reasonable time limits for being outside to keep winter play safe and fun. 

And remember, infants and children should not wear large coats or snowsuits while riding in their car seats, per the AAP. “This could impede the straps from being tightly secured and, in turn, functioning appropriately,” says Dr. Garcia. “It’s best for them to wear thin layers while in their car seats for maximum safety.”

How to dress baby for cold weather

A good general rule to follow is to dress babies in one more layer than an adult would wear in the same temperature and weather conditions. Dr. Garcia suggests looking for the following features in your child’s gear: 

• Loose, breathable fabrics (like cotton), as well as moisture-wicking ones (like nylon and polyester)

• Multiple layers of clothing, which allow you to easily remove or replace items when needed

• Waterproof fabrics (which can include vinyl and Gore-tex) to keep moisture from lowering body temperature, especially near baby’s core and feet

You’ll also want to make sure you have the right winter gear on hand. This includes water-resistant outer layers to keep them dry, especially if you plan on playing in snow. Other winter outerwear accessories like baby mittens and hats are advised for keeping their hands, head, and ears warm.

Types of baby snowsuits

Many baby snowsuits have a similar look and feel, but there are some differences. These are the main types you’ll see on the market:

• All-over. These snowsuits cover baby from arms to feet, essentially acting as a jacket and pants combo in one.

• Two-piece. Two-piece snowsuit sets consist of pants with a bib to help protect baby’s lower half and a separate jacket to be worn over the top. It’s a good pick if you want the option to use the jacket separately.

In addition to the different baby snowsuit styles you can choose from, there are also a few materials to look for depending on how cold your area gets or what you’ll be doing outside.

• Puffer. These snowsuits are filled with extra lining, like down, to help insulate baby even better.

• Waterproof. Many snowsuits are waterproof, making them better equipped to keep baby dry in actual snow and wet weather.

• Fleece. Although fleece snowsuits aren’t waterproof and typically provide minimal wind protection, they can be effective when it isn’t too cold out. These types of snowsuits are a more lightweight option to give baby an extra layer of warmth when you aren’t planning on spending time outside in low temperatures or for those who live in places that don’t get very cold.

What to look for in a baby snowsuit

Baby snowsuits can serve as an additional layer of warmth over your child’s clothing. The AAP specifically recommends that you dress your child in thin layers before going out in the cold, starting with close-fitting layers on the bottom like tights, leggings and long-sleeved bodysuits. After that, you can add pants and a warmer top, like a sweater or thermal-knit shirt, along with a fleece jacket. Finally, you'll need protection in the form of a hat, mittens, socks, booties and, of course, a snowsuit, Dr. Ganjian says.

When shopping for a snow suit, Dr. Ganjian says to look for the following features:

• Something that is lightweight. “Babies fall asleep often and the latest safe sleep guidelines recommend that children not be in weighted swaddles or blankets — a snowsuit would fall into this category if your child sleeps in it,” Dr. Ganjian says. Given this recommendation, avoid overly thick snowsuits that would add extra weight and restrict your baby’s movements.

• Something that’s easy to take off. You’ll want a suit that you can easily unzip or unsnap when your child comes back indoors, Dr. Ganjian says. And, of course, there are bonus points if it’s easy to get your child into the suit.

• Something that frees the mouth. “You want to make sure that, if your child falls asleep and their head nods downward, their airway will still be clear,” Dr. Ganjian says. 

• Something with built-in hand protection. Little fingers can get frostbite easily in cold conditions, Dr. Ganjian points out. If your child refuses to keep mittens on, having a snowsuit with these built in can be a good option.

If your child will be out in wet conditions, you’ll also want an option that’s waterproof, Dr. Ganjian says. This way, the fabric won’t become heavy and weigh your baby down when it gets wet. Finally, the suit should have a snug fit but still leave room for removable layers underneath.

How we made our picks for the best baby snowsuits

Like a lot of baby gear, snowsuits are not one-size-fits-all. Every family and baby’s needs are different, and factors like your local climate and your child’s size matter. Because of this, we leaned on the What to Expect community to get a better sense of which baby snowsuits worked best for the majority of moms. We scoured dozens of discussion threads and cross-referenced all the things moms said worked best while referencing the expert guidance above. Each of the options we selected has features to keep baby warm and safe. 

Here are the best baby snowsuits to consider if your child is in the market for new winter outerwear.