Winter Boot Review

Hey, Winter Weather Warrior!

Here is your weekly dose of inspiration and drive to shake-up early childhood as we know it. Check out the goodies I have for you this week all about winter GEAR.

We made it! It's week 5 of our Winter Gear series! I've shared with you my top 5 pieces of gear for the winter season.

The truth is gear is an investment. I feel this. My hope is that this series of emails will bring insight as to where to get quality gear without breaking the bank while supporting small businesses. If you are a program director, perhaps this has been a helpful series to begin the process of building a lending library to breath another element of equity to your community program(s).

As promised, I have a special bonus for all of you who have been along for the ride the last 5 weeks.

I've put together a comprehensive guide that breaks down what gear to procure/buy for every season for both children and adults.

The Ultimate Gear Guide is the perfect place to start your gear journey. If you can't find the answers there, please - message me on the 'gram. This is truly, my favorite thing to talk about!

Today, I gift you The Ultimate Gear Guide for FREE. Click below to download.

👌Ade's Top 5 Winter Gear Picks for Kids

For the next five weeks, I'll deep dive into each piece of gear listed below, and share links to get these go-to items on sale or divulge tips on how to score them discounted.

1. Fleece-lined rain gear (full set)

2. Wee Woolies Base layers

3. Fleece lined rain mittens

4. Merino Wool Balaclava

5. BOGS insulated rain boots.

Buy a pair for ALL seasons and save your hard-earned dollars.

1. BOGS Insulated Rain Boots - When it comes to winter boots, there are two camps. First (and my personal preference) are insulated rain boots (Bogs). When temps start to get chilly wear with toe warmers and wool socks. Cotton socks will not keep toes warm. Bog style boots are MUCH easier to take on and off for young children. One of the most important parts of selecting gear is the element of independence. Another perk of the rain boots is that you don't have to buy two pairs of boots for one child, they last through both seasons and are rated to -30°F/-34°C. If you prefer a more traditional snow boot, I recommend Kamik or Sorel. The drawback of this boot is that the hard, shell toe quickly makes kids' toes chilly in colder temps (even with wool boot liners). Other noteworthy details to note here are that the Velcro closure becomes un-sticky after a while (a corded closure has longer life) and the soft fabric can absorb melty snow more quickly than the neoprene on BOG style boots.

🛍️My Favorite Small Biz for Gear is...

Outdoor School Shop - The ladies at ODSS saw was that gear was one of the greatest challenges for both parents and teachers alike. They realized that the success of the outdoor curriculum depended in part on students having the correct gear. Without legitimately waterproof outerwear, children would be uncomfortable and potentially blame their discomfort on the program rather than the gear. Cheers to this women-owned business who has ALL you need when it comes to outdoor gear for any season/region.

Check out Outdoor School Shop's Layering Guide! When layers are not well-thought out, the clothing won't exactly do its job... this guide walks you through how to layer, and why it matters.

Check out Outdoor School Shop's Regional Checklist to make sure you're covered (literally). Whether you're a fellow New Englander, or a West Coster - it's all there!

OH! And I almost forgot to mention - they have ADULT RAIN MITTENS!?!?!?!? I've got a pair myself and love them, they are comfy, come in two sizes, and are fleece-lined! Praise the Gear Gods, the day has come! Get yourself a pair today.

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