Nature School Gear Guide: How to Dress a Kids for Fall & Winter Outdoors (Colorado Tested!)
Updated: Sep 15
Updated for 2026! We learned a few things after a full winter of Forest School in Colorado, so we made some changes to our gear lineup. Colorado winters are no joke when you’re spending 100% of your school days outside, but after putting this gear through rain, snow, mud, cold, and everything in between, we truly found the pieces that helped us make it through the season comfortably. These are our tried-and-tested favorites for keeping kids warm, dry, and outside all winter long.
Quick Guide:
Cozy Barefoot Shoes 
Kids Backpack 
Kids Mittens 
Kids Thermos 
Warm Fleece Layers 
Best Ever Kids Rain Boots
Backpack & Supplies
All the kids carry their own backpack and basic supplies.
Backpack: We started with a Patagonia kids’ pack for her, and many classmates have the similar REI version. Honestly, it looks exactly the same and is a lot lower in price. So next time around, I would probably make that choice instead (although we love our Patagonia pack and support the company's ethics wholeheartedly).
Inside, we keep backup base layers: extra socks, pants, shirt, and gloves. We keep these backup items in a 'drybag' aka large ziplock bag.
Water: She carries her own water bottle/s we use Hydro Flask. In the summer and fall our daughter loves using the CamelBak bladder, but I worry the tube may freeze in winter weather so we stick to water bottles in the colder months.
Lunch: She also brings her lunch and snacks. We use a lightweight bento some days and a thermos on others. I also use silicone snack bags and pre packaged snacks. Usually, I would avoid plastic, but I don't want to make her backpack too heavy.
On very sunny days, we toss in a pair of sunglasses she can choose to wear.
Kids Hiking Pack Kids Leather Mittens 
Kids Utensils 
Snack Bags 
Kids Hydroflask Kids Thermos
Fall Clothing Essentials
This fall has been unseasonably warm (amazing), but we still dress her in layers because mountain weather does whatever it wants. It can be 20° at drop-off and hit the 60s by early afternoon.
Base Layers
We always start with merino wool. It keeps kids cool when it’s warm, warm when it’s cold, and super comfortable either way. Even if she sheds all her other layers, she’s totally happy running around in just merino.
We love Iksplor kids’ merino layers. For socks, we use their merino socks as well as Smartwool. Wool is key because socks are the most likely to get wet, and wool still insulates even when damp.
PRO SOCK TIP: Thicker does not always mean warmer! I thought layering 3 pairs would keep her feet warm but it actually cuts off circulation and makes them colder! One pair of socks and a nice set of toe warmers in a larger pair of boot is the trick!
Mid Layer
Usually, we opt for a cozy sweatshirt or fleece. Anything works, but I love the Patagonia fleece layers and our Columbia fleece. There are lots of great options here.
Cute and Cozy Fleece 
Warm With Sun Protection 
Zip Off Pants 
Canvas Bibs 
Layering Hoodie 
Rubber Rain Gear
Outerwear
We rotate between insulated (flannel lined) Carhartts, full rain gear and snow bibs depending on the weather.
On dry, sunny days, the Carhartts are incredible! They are durable enough for tree climbing, dirt rolling, and general chaos, and surprisingly warm. She’s often coat-less at pickup because these keep her toasty.
If it’s wet, we use Reima's full rain gear: bibs, coat, hat, waterproof mittens.
If its cold and wet, we use ski bibs to keep her dry while still warm.
Warm Outerwear and Coats
We top it all off with her Patagonia puffy coat. We bought it a little big and have been using it for 2 years! It doesn't even have any holes in it magically and has kept our daughter super warm in all conditions.
Hats
We switch between a ball cap for sun and a warmer insulated winter hat. I just grabbed a North Face hat that does both, and I’m excited about it.
We also have a thin merino beanie for layering (also good for under a helmet when we go skiing!).
Shoes
We try and use barefoot style shoes as much as possible to allow the natural development of her feet. Barefoot shoes have a wide toe box and thin, flexible soles that let her feet move and grip the ground the way they're designed to, building strength and balance instead of being restricted by a rigid, cushioned shoe.
For warmer fall weather we use Vivo Barefoot's velcro sneaker like shoe.
On colder fall days the Wildling insulated wool shoes are amazing.
For wetter days, we switch to a more water-resistant rain boot. Our daughter loves these rain boots so much that we often end up wearing them every day, even in the summer.
For winter, we have to switch from barefoot shoes to a warmer, more insulated boot. The best we've found so far are Bogs boots, they've kept her feet warm even on the coldest days.
Barefoot Hiker 
Barefoot Rain Boot Insulated Barefoot Shoe
Winter Clothing Essentials
Winter is where the big upgrades happen, mostly in outerwear and footwear.
Outerwear
For super cold days, we use a full Patagonia snow suit. It’s cozy, waterproof, and keeps her comfortable all day long.
Shoes / Boots
We switch from fall shoes to full winter snow boots. I prefer barefoot shoes for my kid, but we tried using Xero Shoes for winter and it was a disaster. On one of the first truly cold winter days, we got to pickup and our daughter was crying, saying how much her feet hurt, they were so cold.
We immediately upgraded to Bogs boots and never had any more problems. It's good practice to buy larger than you need, use thin socks (NOT super thick ones, which cut off circulation and actually make feet colder), and pop in foot warmers (the disposable ones work just fine).
Gloves & Mittens
We use insulated waterproof mittens, and we always have an extra pair because even the most waterproof mittens end up wet eventually. Two pairs always go in her backpack."
Neck & Face Protection
We use an Iksplor merino neck gaiter and a balaclava for the bitter, windy days.
Backups
Always, always pack extra socks, mittens, and a full outfit change. These kids dig, splash, roll, climb, and occasionally fall face-first into mud, backups are non-negotiable.
Conclusion
That about sums it up! I’d love to hear any suggestions you have or answer any questions — we’re still learning, but this setup has worked beautifully for our outdoor kid so far.
Whether you're gearing up for a day in the snow or just enjoying the crisp fall air, having the right gear makes all the difference. Let's keep exploring and making memories together!
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