If you live in Canada, you already know that winter clothing is not optional. And when you have kids, choosing the right winter gear can feel like a whole job by itself.
Because not every winter day is the same.
Some days we are heading out for school and errands. Other days the girls want to spend hours outside playing in the snow. Then there are the days when winter becomes an actual activity, whether that means tobogganing, skating, or simply letting the kids burn off some energy outside.
And that is why I have learned that there isn’t necessarily one perfect winter coat for every situation.
As a mom of three girls, I have to think about what each child is actually going to be doing that day before I decide what winter gear they are wearing.
Are we going somewhere where they will mostly be walking around? I’m reaching for a winter coat.
Are they going to spend a significant amount of time playing in the snow? That’s a snowsuit situation.
Are we doing something more active where they will be moving constantly? I want something designed for that kind of movement.
This winter, I partnered with GUSTi to try pieces from three of their winter collections: Snowsuits, Tech Jackets and the Winter Metro Collection.
And what I like about looking at the three collections together is that they aren’t really competing with one another. They are designed for different kinds of winter days.
So instead of asking, “Which winter coat is best for kids?” I think the better question is:
What is my child actually doing outside today?
Winter Gear for Kids Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
Having three children has made me very aware of how different kids can be.
Even when they are going to the same place, they might not experience the day the same way.
One child might spend a simple outdoor outing running around and looking for an opportunity to play. Another might be perfectly happy standing around talking to her friends. Another might decide that the snow is basically an invitation to lie down and roll around in it.
And if you’ve ever dressed a child for Canadian winter, you already know that the moment you think you’ve figured it out, they find a way to prove you wrong.
That is why when I’m choosing winter clothing, I’m thinking about warmth, movement, weather protection, comfort and what we are actually doing that day.
That’s where the three GUSTi collections make sense to me.
1. Snowsuits: When Your Child Is Actually Going to Be in the Snow
My youngest daughter is wearing the GUSTi Izzy Girls Snowsuit in Midnight, size 6.
And this is the type of winter gear I think about when I know my child is going to be spending serious time in the snow.
Because let’s be honest: children do not simply “play” in snow.
They sit in it.
They kneel in it.
They fall in it.
They slide down hills.
They build snow forts.
They somehow manage to get snow into places I didn’t know snow could get.
So when your child is going to be spending a lot of time on the ground, having winter gear designed for that makes a lot of sense.
The GUSTi snowsuit collection is designed as an everyday deep-winter option, with features such as an 8,000 mm waterproof rating, a Bionic Finish coating, critical seam sealing and reinforced areas around the knees and seat.
Those reinforced areas are especially practical for younger kids because, again, they are going to be on the ground.
The Izzy is a two-piece snowsuit, which I actually appreciate because sometimes you don’t need the full snowsuit experience.
If we’re heading outside to play in the snow, she can wear the jacket and snow pants together for full coverage. But if we’re going somewhere where she’ll be going in and out, having two separate pieces gives us a little more flexibility.
And let’s be honest, with kids, being able to take off the snow pants without completely undressing them is a small thing that can make a big difference.
It also makes the pieces a little more versatile. The jacket can be worn on its own for those colder days when we’re out and about but not necessarily playing in the snow, while the snow pants can be paired with the jacket when we’re expecting a serious snow day.
So for me, the two-piece design is less about convenience and more about flexibility. It’s winter gear that can adapt to what we’re actually doing that day.
When would I choose a snowsuit?
For my family, this is the option I’d reach for when I know my daughter is going to be playing in the snow, tobogganing, spending a long time outdoors or doing anything that involves significantly more sitting and crawling around than standing.
It’s the “we are going outside and I already know you’re going to get covered in snow” outfit.
And honestly, sometimes that is exactly what you need.
2. Tech Jackets: For Kids Who Treat Winter Like a Sport
Then there is the Tech Collection, and this is where winter gear starts to feel more performance-driven.
My daughter is wearing the GUSTi Raya Girls Tech Winter Jacket in Bright Rose with the coordinating snow pants.
And Bright Rose is definitely not a subtle colour.
Which I actually love.
But underneath the fun colour, this collection is really about movement and weather protection.
GUSTi describes its Tech Collection as being designed for kids who are more active outdoors, with a focus on performance, breathability and protection from wind and moisture.
And I think that distinction is important.
A winter coat can keep a child warm while they are walking around.
But if your child is going to spend hours moving, playing a sport or participating in a winter activity, you want to think about more than just warmth.
You need something that allows them to move.
The Tech collection uses multi-layer protection designed to retain body heat while helping block wind and moisture. The jackets also feature detachable hoods that are helmet compatible, which is particularly useful for kids who are participating in winter sports.
That makes this the collection I’d be thinking about for things like skiing, snowboarding, outdoor lessons or a child who simply refuses to come inside once they get outside.
And I have one of those kids.
If your child sees snow and thinks, “Excellent. An opportunity to run around for the next four hours,” you probably want to think about performance-oriented winter clothing.
When would I choose a Tech Jacket?
If we’re doing something where my daughter is going to be actively moving for an extended period, this is the type of outerwear I’d reach for.
It’s less about simply getting from the house to the car and more about being prepared for an actual outdoor adventure.
And that’s what I appreciate about having different options.
Not every winter day requires the same level of gear.
3. Winter Metro: When You Need an Actual Winter Coat
My eldest daughter is wearing the GUSTi Portia Girls Metro Coat in Dove, size 10.
And this is probably the closest to what most of us picture when we say “winter coat.”
The Winter Metro Collection is designed for everyday city and suburban winter life.
Think school drop-off.
Running errands.
Walking around the neighbourhood.
Waiting for the school bus.
Going to church.
Going out for the weekend.
Basically, all of the normal things we do during winter when we’re not intentionally participating in a winter sport.
The Portia has a longer, more polished silhouette, which is what makes the Metro Collection different from the more technical pieces.
Sometimes I don’t need my daughter dressed like she’s about to climb a mountain.
Sometimes I need her to be warm while looking like she’s wearing an actual winter coat.
And that’s where this collection makes sense.
The Portia in Dove is also a really easy neutral.
I like pieces that can work with whatever else my kids happen to be wearing because, once again, I am not trying to create a runway show at the front door every morning.
I’m trying to get three children out of the house.
The Portia is designed with insulation for cold weather, and GUSTi lists it as suitable for temperatures ranging down to -30°C. It also offers water resistance, which is important because Canadian winter isn’t always a nice, dry blanket of snow.
Sometimes it’s snow.
Sometimes it’s slush.
Sometimes it’s freezing rain.
Sometimes it’s all three in the same day.
When would I choose a Metro coat?
This is my everyday winter coat category.
If we’re heading to school, running errands, going to an appointment or spending a day around town, this is the type of coat I’d reach for.
It’s warm and practical, but it still has that more polished winter-coat look.
And for an older child who is starting to care a little more about how her clothes look, that’s a win for both of us.
How I Decide What My Kids Wear on a Winter Morning
This is probably the biggest thing I’ve learned from having three kids:
I don’t choose winter gear based on the temperature alone.
I choose it based on the temperature plus what we’re doing.
For example, if we’re just getting into the car to run errands, I’m probably not putting everyone into full snow gear.
If the girls are going outside for an hour of playing in the snow, that’s different.
And if we’re heading somewhere where they will be actively participating in an outdoor activity, I want the gear to be able to keep up with them.
So my thought process is basically:
Are we going to be in the snow?
→ Snowsuit.
Are we going to be moving constantly?
→ Tech Jacket.
Are we mostly doing regular winter life?
→ Metro Coat.
It sounds simple, but having those categories in my head makes getting everyone dressed much easier.
And Yes, I Think About Their Hair Too
If you’ve been around my blog for any amount of time, you know I talk a lot about natural hair.
So obviously, as a mom of three girls with natural hair, I have to consider what happens when winter gear meets their hair.
Because Black girls’ hair doesn’t always cooperate with winter accessories.
We’re talking hats over twists.
Hoods over braids.
Trying not to completely flatten a puff.
And then there is the friction.
Winter already brings dry air, so I’m mindful of how often we’re putting hats and hoods on their hair and how those accessories interact with their hairstyles.
It’s not necessarily the first thing I think about when I’m shopping for a winter coat, but it is something I consider as a mom.
Because the best winter gear isn’t just about whether it works on paper.
It has to work with your actual child.
Which Winter Collection Is Right for Your Child?
If you’re trying to decide what type of winter gear your child needs, I’d start with their lifestyle rather than the product itself.
Choose a snowsuit if your child:
- Loves playing directly in the snow
- Spends a lot of time on the ground
- Goes tobogganing
- Needs an easy all-in-one winter outfit
- Is younger and benefits from a simple, no-fuss option
Choose a Tech Jacket if your child:
- Participates in winter sports
- Spends long periods actively moving outside
- Needs more performance-oriented weather protection
- Wears a helmet for outdoor activities
- Needs a more athletic fit
Choose a Metro Coat if your child:
- Walks to school
- Takes the school bus
- Spends most winter days in the city or suburbs
- Needs a coat for errands and everyday activities
- Wants something that looks more like a traditional winter coat
And honestly, your family might need more than one category.
That’s kind of the point.
What I’ve Learned About Buying Winter Gear for Kids
Before having kids, I probably would have thought of winter clothing as one big category.
You need a winter coat.
You buy a winter coat.
Done.
Now that I have three daughters, I realize it’s much more nuanced than that.
The “best” winter coat depends on what your child is doing.
A child who spends every Saturday skiing has completely different needs from the child who mostly walks from the house to the car.
A five-year-old who spends recess sitting in the snow has different needs from an older child who spends recess talking with friends.
And a child who wants to be outside all afternoon needs different protection from the child who is coming home after school and heading straight inside.
That’s why I like looking at winter clothing in categories rather than trying to find one magical coat that does everything.
My Canadian Winter Mom Rule
If I had to give another parent one piece of advice when shopping for kids’ winter clothing, it would be this:
Buy for how your child actually lives, not how you imagine they’ll use it.
If your child is constantly outside and loves playing in the snow, invest in gear that can handle that.
If they’re active and into winter sports, look at performance features.
If they’re mostly going to school, running errands and doing regular everyday activities, an insulated winter coat may be exactly what they need.
And if you have multiple kids?
Don’t feel like they all need the same thing.
My three girls don’t have the same personalities, and they certainly don’t use winter gear in exactly the same way.
So why would they need identical winter wardrobes?
Final Thoughts
Canadian winter is long.
There is no getting around it.
And when you’re dressing kids for months of cold weather, having the right winter gear can make the entire season a little easier.
What I like about trying these three GUSTi collections is that each one has a very different purpose.
The Snowsuit Collection is the dependable option for kids who are going to be deep in the snow.
The Tech Collection is for the kids who are going to turn winter into an activity.
And the Winter Metro Collection is for everyday Canadian life when you want warmth, comfort and a coat that still looks like a coat.
For my family, having three daughters means I can see the differences pretty clearly.
My youngest in her Izzy Snowsuit is ready to get down in the snow.
My daughter in the Raya Tech Jacket and snow pants is ready to move.
And my eldest in her Portia Metro Coat is ready for regular winter life without looking like she’s heading to a ski hill.
And honestly?
That’s what I want from kids’ winter clothing.
Not just something that looks good hanging in the closet.
I want gear that makes sense when we’re actually living our lives.
Because winter is going to happen whether we’re ready for it or not.
Might as well make sure the kids are dressed for it.
This post was created in partnership with GUSTi. The products featured were provided to my family, but the opinions and observations shared here are my own.
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