Choosing a Snowsuit Size: How to Get the Fit Right

A snowsuit has to fit over the layers your child really wears, let them climb and sit in the snow, and stay in place at the wrists and ankles. The age on a label is only a starting point. The useful questions are how tall your child is today, what goes underneath, and how the suit moves once it is on.

What should you measure before choosing a size?

Measure your child's height barefoot, back against a wall, from the floor to the top of the head. Measure the chest at its fullest point, just under the armpits, with the tape level, and note the weight. For a two-piece suit, also measure the inseam, from the crotch down to the ankle: the jacket and the pants can fall into different sizes. These are the measurements described in the snowsuit size guide published by JuniorKids, the supplier of the OSNO suits we carry.

Compare those measurements with the size information for the exact model rather than with another brand's sizes. If the listing doesn't give the dimensions you need, ask for them before ordering. The OSNO set shown here comes in numbered sizes from 2 to 16. A size number is not an age, and two children of the same age can need different sizes.

Should you size up?

The JuniorKids guide recommends going up a size when your child falls between two sizes, because the extra room makes layering easier and lets children move freely. That is different from buying several sizes ahead. A suit that is far too long bunches at the knees and ankles, and sleeves that cover the hands get in the way of mittens.

Keep the decision simple: choose the size that fits your child now, over winter layers, and take the larger one only when the measurements land between two sizes.

How do you check the fit at home?

1. Dress your child in what they will actually wear outside: a base layer, a warm middle layer and winter boots.
2. Ask your child to squat, raise both arms overhead and move around. Following the guide's test, they should be able to do this without the suit pulling.
3. Check the wrists with mittens on and the ankles with boots on. The cuffs should meet the mittens and boots without gaps.
4. Close every zipper and snap. A suit that only feels comfortable when left open is too small.

What does a two-piece suit change?

A two-piece set includes a jacket and pants. The OSNO Vicky set shown below is one example. Check the exact model’s measurements and the selected variant’s availability on its product page before ordering.

Vicky — OSNO jacket and snowpants set

For layering and warmth, our guide to the warmest winter clothes for babies and kids in Quebec goes further.

Frequently asked questions

Can one snowsuit last two winters?

Sometimes, but we can't promise it: it depends on how your child grows and how the suit is worn. Choose the size that fits now over layers, and size up only between two sizes.

Is the size number the same as my child's age?

No. Use your child's measurements and the size information for the exact model rather than age alone.

Can my child wear the jacket on its own?

The Vicky set shown here includes a jacket and pants. Check that the jacket worn on its own suits the conditions of the outing. When your child bends forward, the jacket should still cover the lower back.

Can my child wear a snowsuit in the car seat?

It's best to take a bulky snowsuit off for the car seat. The Canadian Paediatric Society advises against bulky clothing or snowsuits in a car seat because they can interfere with proper harness tightening and placement, and Transport Canada notes that bulky snowsuits can affect the harness. Follow your car seat manual, and check with the manufacturer for ways to keep your child warm in winter.