How to Choose Long Underwear for Your Child

Even if you have a nice coat, gloves, hat and bibs for your child, you run the risk of an abbreviated ski day if you don't remember long underwear.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Long Underwear

1. Consider a synthetic fabric such as polypropylene or capilene. These fabrics wick moisture from the skin to keep your child dry.

2. Decide on a pair of long johns that are snug rather than loose-fitting. You'll have to buy another pair of long underwear sooner than expected, but the loose ones don't serve the purpose of insulating the body as well.

3. Find a cotton/nylon blend if it fits into your budget better. Having an underlayer is better than not having one, and it doesn't need to be fancy.

4. Think about investing in some wool long underwear if you can afford it or have younger children in line for hand-me-downs. Long underwear that is not itchy is now available and may be the best for keeping your child warm.

Tips & Warnings

• No matter what the fabric, give your child a layer of long underwear. Your child will stay warmer longer when outside. Even when you send your child out with shirt tucked and bib cuffs pulled over boots, the moment he or she bends down for a ski, you've got skin exposed without long underwear.

• Secondhand stores (sporting goods and children's shops) tend to offer a selection of long underwear.