Question Jacket in car seat - How about shell over fleece?

Athena · Jan 4, 2011

I normally use fleece jackets, but sometimes it gets really cold and I'd like to be able to use a jacket with fleece and nylon, like the squall jackets from lands end, especially for my forward facing 4 year old who doesn't get to ride in a stroller bag. Even though they don't compress in the same way as puffy jackets, I worry about the bulk. Anyone else in this predicament? What do the experts say? (And just in case this is a really bad idea I feel I should say - Don't worry, I'm currently still using the fleece.

I don't want to worry anyone.) Thanks! Happy New Year!

joolsplus3 · Jan 4, 2011

I've been using Squall-type jackets for years now, I figure the fleece and nylon shell are as compressed as they can get after I buckle the kiddo up and give the harness a good tightening tug. For smaller kids it seems proportionately too thick, so we just unzip it and put the harness on the clothing/shoulders and rezip if necessary (there's a youtube video someone here made of that, but it's just like it sounds). We also have fleece blankets in the car, since my kids will strip their jackets as soon as they get in, more often than not, no matter how cold it is (!).

Minnesota · Jan 4, 2011

I think the thinner nylon and fleece coats are usually just fine. The ones with hoods seem harder to buckle in properly because it creates too much bulk under the shoulder straps, which I'm not comfortable with, so I prefer a separate fleece hat. I also look closely at the hip area to make sure it isn't bunching up under the straps, but I do that with the fleeces too, so it's really not much different.

Baylor · Jan 4, 2011

chimpmandee said:
I think the thinner nylon and fleece coats are usually just fine. The ones with hoods seem harder to buckle in properly because it creates too much bulk under the shoulder straps, which I'm not comfortable with, so I prefer a separate fleece hat. I also look closely at the hip area to make sure it isn't bunching up under the straps, but I do that with the fleeces too, so it's really not much different.

I have noticed the same thing.. So I give them hats too now instead of hooded options.
I use a good fleece or sweatshirt and then have down vests for my kids to wear to and from the car. With hats and mittens they are plenty warm in the car and it just takes a minute for them to zip on the vest leaving the car.

zactayaus · Jan 4, 2011

I have two fleece jackets that have a nylon outer shell for my LO. One is by Oshkosh and one is by Zero Exposure. I bought them both at Kohl's. They both work awesome in car seats. They are very thin yet extremely warm. They do both have hoods on them but I just make sure I pull the hood up and that the harness straps are right on the shoulders

gigi · Jan 4, 2011

My son has a lands end squall coat and I think it is way too bulky to buckle into the straps, even when unzipped. Maybe try the winter coat test to see how loose the straps are with your kid and seat, maybe the result will be different from my experience.

I have my son wear the coat to the car and take it off bf I buckle him in and then when we're at our destination I have him put it back on inside the car before I open the doors. The only coat I've ever been comfortable buckling in is the patagonia puffball.

cookie123 · Jan 4, 2011

The big grandkids remove their coats no matter what the weather. They're rarely dressed in anything but a long sleeved T and jeans. They rarely have hats and mittens with them either. They've grown up this way, so I guess they're used to it. It's not like they ask not to take them off.

Matthew has the sense to cover up with his coat. The big kids won't. He's often wearing a fleece jacket when it's in the 20s and 30s out, then keeps it on.

kandamom · Jan 4, 2011

I use both the Land's End Squall jackets and L.L. Bean warm-up jackets. The L.L. Bean warm up jacket is thinner, but the Lands End jacket is better for sub-zero temperatures. I don't change the harness tightness between the two, but it is easier to buckle ds in when he is wearing the LLBean jacket. If you decided to go with a squall jacket, I would highly recommend going with the shorter style sport squall jacket. I find that the parka-length squalls don't work well at all under a harness.

I brought the LLBean jacket to a seat check with a tech from this board, and she said it was fine.

One more note - I think the Land's End squall jacket works better now that ds2 is taller and ff. Last year, he ended up wearing the L.L. Bean warm-up jacket most of the time.

An Aurora · Jan 4, 2011

Yep, we do a fleece with a shell over it in the car

Baylor · Jan 4, 2011

You know it has been so stinking cold here I have just been opening their winter coats harnessing them or buckling then rezipping.. It is just as easy now..

Athena · Jan 4, 2011

Thank you for all the feedback! I don't think I'd feel comfortable with more than fleece for my RF DD because she is more scrunched up and as it is, I spend time pulling out any excess bulk and straightening her fleece. I was thinking more for my 4 yo forward facing DD, but i agree that those squall jackets are bulky (and warm, why we got it

). Good point about the parka (ours is the jacket). Unfortunately, it does have a hood and I appreciate the suggestion to consider an unhooded jacket. Even on our fleece hoodies, I tend to pull up the hood behind their head or put it on. I seem to have a preference for jackets with hoods, because they look warmer to me, but half the time they wear a hat instead of the hood anyway.

We bought her a warmer fleece so I'm hoping that helps. Otherwise, you've given me a lot to think about and try. Thanks. (I'll be checking back in case anyone else has more input.

)

Question Jacket in car seat - How about shell over fleece?

Athena

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joolsplus3

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