Carseat-safe jackets for winter?

[SollysMom]

I hope this is okay to post here. I know bulky coats are NOT safe in carseats, and I'm looking into warm non-bulky jackets for my boys for the upcoming winter (we're in the northeast). They are 5 and (almost) 3. I know fleece is a great option but I'd like to find fleece that is specifically rated for colder temperatures. I was browsing LL Bean's website and it looks like their toddler sizes are 2T-4T but boys sizes don't start until 8?? My 5-year-old is a peanut but I think he still needs a size 5 for sleeve length. If it matters, both boys are in Radians. My other question is, usually the boys would be wearing a long-sleeve tee under their jackets but occasionally will wear sweaters, which I then need to loosen the straps with the added bulk. Is this unsafe? It would be tee + sweater + fleece as opposed to just tee + fleece. Thanks in advance for any replies!

 

[Phineasmama]

I live in Wisconsin

My younger kids have North Face Perrito jackets, they are size 4T and smaller.

My oldest is 5 and she has a North Face Moondoggy jacket, which is pretty much the same thing. I think those start at size 2-3 though and go all the way up to XL 14-16 maybe?

They can buckle into their car seats without changing the straps, and we wear them all winter. In the fall and spring we also have North Face Denali fleeces for them, very heavy weight fleece that is much warmer than your run of the mill, Target/Wal Mart stuff.

The Patagonia Puff Ball or Down Sweater jackets are about the same, maybe a little thinner.

ETA: The Denali fleeces go all the way from infant through adult sizing

 

[ebp913]

I second the North Face fleeces. Super warm and not too thick.

 

[bubbaray]

I use LE squall parkas, unzipped for around town


On the way to the ski hill they wear ski bibs and a fleece with their ski parkas on their laps. They also have fleece blankets for use in the car

 

[SollysMom]

Thank you so much for the replies! I ended up going with Lands End fleece jackets rated for 5-30 degrees: http://m.landsend.com/mt/www.landsend.com/pp/boys-polartec-aircore-200-jacket~241249_1188.html

On the way now and I'm excited to get them! I really like the North Face Denali (kind of want one for myself) but couldn't justify the expense.