Kids Grow Fast: What Ski Gear Should You Rent, Buy Used, or Buy New?
Updated: Aug 31
Kids grow FAST.
Like... how are these pants already too short?! fast.
And if your kid skis, you know how quickly that can turn into an expensive problem.
Ski gear isn't cheap to begin with, and buying a completely new setup every single season for a growing kid can feel pretty absurd.
I'm firmly of the opinion that we should all buy less. And when we do buy something, I try to buy used whenever it makes sense.
But skiing is one of those areas where there isn't a single answer.
Some things are absolutely worth buying.
Some things I'd happily buy secondhand.
Some things I think you should rent every single year.
And then there are the things where I'm willing to spend more because comfort and safety matter more than saving a few bucks.
So if you're staring at a pile of kids' ski gear wondering:
What do I actually need to buy?
Here's exactly how I'd approach it.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Ski Boots: DEFINITELY RENT
This is probably my strongest recommendation.
Rent the boots.
Kids' feet grow constantly, and there's really no reason to buy an expensive pair of ski boots that your child may outgrow before the season is even over.
Most ski shops offer seasonal kids' ski boot rentals, meaning you get a properly sized pair for the entire season and return them in the spring.
Last year, our 4-year-old's seasonal ski boots were $90 for the entire season.
And the other major advantage is that you're not locked into one size.
If your kid has a growth spurt halfway through the season, many shops will let you exchange them for a different size.
Our vote:
🎿 RENT
Skis: Rent or Buy Used
This one depends heavily on how much your kid skis.
If you're skiing:
2–5 days a year: Rent.
10+ days a year: A seasonal rental may make more sense.
20+ days a year:I'd start looking at buying used.
Kids' skis don't need to be brand new.
A good used pair can be an excellent way to save money, especially when your kid is still growing rapidly.
Just make sure you're buying an appropriate size and have the bindings inspected and adjusted by a qualified ski shop.
One thing I wouldn't do:
Buy skis three sizes too big because you're hoping your kid will “grow into them.”
Proper sizing matters for learning and control.
Our vote:
🎿 RENT OR BUY USED
Poles: BUY
Once your kid is ready for poles, this is one of the easiest things to buy secondhand. But they are also not the most expensive thing to buy new if you want to just grab a set online.
They're simple.
They're durable.
Check local ski swaps, used sporting goods stores, Facebook Marketplace, consignment shops and end-of-season sales.
Our vote:
🎿 BUY USED or New
New Kids Poles Start Around $34, These are a great option!
Ski Jacket: BUY USED / New
This can be a good secondhand purchase because often Kids grow out of jackets before they wear them out. But make sure to inspect for:
Waterproofing
Seams
Zippers
Cuffs
Hood
Pockets
Any major tears
Overall insulation
A warm kid is a happy skier...
If the jacket is in great condition, there's absolutely no reason it needs to be new. But if your local gear store doesn't have what you need we have had great success with these brands: Patagonia, Namuk, Hootie hoo
Our vote:
🧥 BUY USED if you can New if you must
Ski Bibs & Pants: BUY Used or New
I LOVE ski bibs for kids.
They keep snow out.
They stay up.
They give kids more coverage.
And they can be worn for sledding, snow play and winter adventures beyond skiing.
We get SO much use out of ours we have generally found it worth it to buy new.
Look for:
Adjustable straps
Room to grow
Reinforced knees
Waterproofing
Durable fabric
Easy bathroom access
And if you can find a quality used pair?
Even better.
I also am a HUGE fan of the onesie for really little kids! Our kid skied in this Patagonia onesie for years!
Our vote:
🥾 BUY USED OR BUY
Base Layers: BUY NEW
This is where I'm willing to spend a little more.
A good base layer isn't just for skiing.
Your kid can wear it for:
Skiing
Hiking
Camping
Outdoor school
Sledding
Snowshoeing
Winter travel
So unlike skis or boots, this is something you'll probably get a LOT of use out of. Plus its a little like buying underwear, you kind of want to just go new on that one.
We're big fans of merino wool because it's warm, breathable and works incredibly well for kids who spend a lot of time outside.
Best Base Layer For Kids IMO: Iksplor, Smartwool, Wild Haven Wools
Our vote:
🧦 BUY NEW
Ski Socks: BUY NEW
Ski socks are another category where I'd just buy them.
They're relatively inexpensive, easy to find and something you'll use constantly.
And please don't put your kid in three pairs of giant fluffy socks because you think more socks = warmer feet.
It can actually make their boots too tight and restrict circulation! Thin is often better for warmth.
A properly fitting ski boot + one good ski sock is the way to go.
Our vote:
🧦 BUY NEW
Mittens: Buy Used or New
Kids' mittens are basically consumables.
They get lost.
They get wet.
They get buried in snow.
One mysteriously disappears on the drive home.
So I'm not precious about these.
If you find a great used pair, buy them. But I find these are hard to get used.
You want a WARM pair and for little kids definitely go mittens. I never go without a backup pair, even the most waterproof mittens seem to get soaked (my child is crazy) and you really cant live without something on those little hands.
Our vote:
🧤 BUY USED And/OR NEW (and get 2 pairs!!!)
Gear Trade is a fabulous resource for buying USED online, take a peek at used ski mittens/glove here
Goggles: BUY New
Goggles are one of the pieces of gear where I'm more inclined to buy new.
A good pair can last several seasons, especially if your kid isn't growing out of the actual goggles.
You want:
Proper fit
Good visibility
Anti-fog performance
UV protection
Compatibility with the helmet
And if you ski regularly, I LOVE goggles with interchangeable lenses.
One pair can work for bright bluebird days and stormy flat-light days.
Our vote:
Helmet: BUY NEW
This is my hard line.
I don't want to buy a ski helmet secondhand unless I know exactly where it came from and its complete history.
You don't know whether a used helmet has taken an impact.
Damage isn't always obvious.
And when we're talking about something whose entire purpose is protecting your kid's head, this is not where I'm trying to save $30.
Our vote:
⛑️ BUY NEW
Ski Bags & Gear Bags: BUY USED
A ski bag does not need to be fancy.
You need something that:
Fits your gear
Is durable
Is easy to carry
Can handle wet equipment
This is another fantastic secondhand category.
Our vote:
🎒 BUY USED
Après-Ski Boots: BUY USED
Here's another place where secondhand makes SO much sense.
Kids' winter boots get outgrown quickly, and you don't necessarily need a brand-new pair just because they're coming off the mountain.
If you find a quality pair that still has plenty of life left?
Grab them. But used shoes for kids are so hard to find! So we usually just end up buying some.
The warmest boots we ever bought for our daughter were Bogg Boots.
Our vote:
🥾 BUY USED if you can...
What About Hand-Me-Downs?
YES.
Please.
If you have friends with kids slightly older than yours, create a ski gear hand-me-down system.
Kids' gear is PERFECT for this!
Where to Find Used Kids' Ski Gear
This is where I'd look first:
Ski Swaps
Colorado has some fantastic ski swaps before the season starts.
They're often a goldmine for kids' equipment.
Consignment Stores
Look for outdoor and ski-specific consignment shops.
Facebook Marketplace
Especially useful for:
Skis
Poles
Jackets
Bibs
Boots
Gear Trade/Resale Sites
There are increasingly more outdoor-specific resale platforms where people sell lightly used gear.
The Best Time to Buy Kids' Ski Gear
If you're trying to save money, don't wait until the week before your first ski day.
That's when you have zero leverage.
Instead:
Spring
This can be an excellent time to buy discounted gear after the season.
End of Summer
Retailers start clearing older inventory.
Early Fall
Great time for ski swaps and used gear sales.
End of Season
Start shopping for next year's sizes.
And if you're buying used?
Start looking before everyone else realizes ski season is coming.
Other Ski Accessories We Love
Clipstic: ski clip that keeps your skis and poles together and make it so much easier to carry (especially when juggling kids skis and your own)
Neck Gaiter: Keep the neck cozy with a gaiter
Hand Warmers: On super cold days these can be a game changer
Over-Helmet Baklava: Keeps them warm and they are so fun!!
Edgie Wedgie: a ski tip connector that helps kids learn
Ski Harness / Leash: Great for beginners and its nice to have a handle to help your kid on and off the lift
More Family Ski Resources
One Last Thing...
If there's one thing I hope you take away from this, it's that getting your kids into skiing doesn't have to mean buying an entirely new wardrobe and equipment setup every year.
Ask around.
Shop used.
Rent.
Borrow.
Hand things down.
Buy quality when it actually matters.
And put the money you save toward more days on the mountain.
Because that's the part your kids are actually going to remember.
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