Small Boys Outerwear

Small boys outerwear comes in a wide range of materials. Occasionally little boys winter outerwear will have a soft shell and lining. These shells of cotton, cotton blend, fleece or flannel can be a nice choice for comfort. But, these aren't water-resistant shells so for spending time outdoors in the wet or snow having a water resistant nylon shell may be a better choice.

The soft shells also aren't as color fast or stain resistant as nylon type shells. But they do come in a wider range of colors and prints for boys.

Little boys are very susceptible to the cold! Small children have a proportionatly larger surface area to keep warm in winter or cool in summer than adults so little boys are more prone to temperature stress. The very nature of little boys compounds this - They are at an age when they love to spend more and more time outdoors, they don't care about how they dress, and being absorbed in their fun they often don't know when they're getting too cold. Or they just don't verbalize it!

The basic principle for keeping warm in winter is to wear layers. Insulated winter outerwear typically comes with 3 layers:
- outer shell for wind and water resistance
- insulation
- and inner lining.

Shells: The outer shell should be a breathable material often described as "water resistant" rather than "water proof" like a plastic or rubber rain coat would be. All the soft shells will be breathable too. The breatheable material allows steamy body moisture to evaporate. If steamy conditions build up inside the clothing, that moisture will get cold which then forces the body to work even harder to maintain its body temperature. Now the boy is working to keep himself warm AND his layer of moist clothing - meanwhile the winter elements are continuously working to chill that moisture. Moisture, which turns cold quickly and does the most to rob body temperature, is the #1 cause of discomfort or hypothermia. Also, a tremendous amount of heat can be lost through the head so always wearing a hat is very important for keeping the rest of the body warm.

Since little boys spend a lot of time crawling, climbing and sliding it is nice to get their outerwear with a strong durable shell. Some makers even add extra durable material to the knees and seat which are the typically first areas a little boy will wear out on his clothing.

Special attention needs to be paid to hands and feet. Multiple layers of clothing on hands and feet can be fine as long as everything fits loose! If the clothing gets even a little bit tight it will constrict around fingers and toes reducing blood flow and ultimately leading to very rapid chilling. Throbbing fingers or toes in the cold can be a sign of clothing fitting too tight.

Insulation: Most of the insulation layers nowadays are forms of polyester. Some have fancy proprietry names like "Thinsulate". Down is also a premium insulator but can be a little tricky to wash and dry. Also, many people are allergic to down feathers. But it is an excellent insulator. Whether the insulation is polyester or down it works by trapping lots of air close to the body. For the insulation to be most effective the clothing should not be allowed to become matted down. Every once in a while give it a tumble in the dryer to puff up the insulation again.

Lining: The lining holds the insulation in place, and since it is breathable it also helps wick moisture away from the body.

Some winter outerwear comes with just a shell and lining but no insulation. On its own it's most ideal for cool fall or spring weather but this type of clothing can still be very warm and practical even in winter. When it's cold just wear an extra layer with it to provide that needed layer of insulation.

Look for clothing that seems easy for your little boy to get in and out of. Chunky zips, snaps, buckles, straps or anything else that can get him in out of his clothing with ease are nice features to have in little boys outerwear. Also consider pockets! Little boys like to have lots of pockets for carrying their treasures. With that in mind you might want to have clothing with lots of pockets or as few as possible!

Megabrat Small Boys Clothing