Staying Warm Outdoors with the Right Outerwear

Nebraska weather.  You just CAN'T figure it out.  Last week, we had temps near the 70's.  This week we're looking at temps in the 20's with a chance of 5-6 inches of snow!

Since you can't ever anticipate what kind of day it will be, it's nice to have a selection of outerwear on hand for each member of the family to be comfy with any weather forecast.  We have outfitted each of the boys, for example, with a heavy winter coat, lighter fleece-lined jackets, and some kind of fleece long-sleeved top for layering.  They keep them right by the door, each on their own little hooks (and inside a cubby), so that I'm not having to track down all their gear.

This year, like most years, we got most of our gear from Walmart.  It's funny for me to see that most everyone in our community got their outerwear there, too.  (Whenever we shop at Walmart in the winter, I see dozens of kids wearing the exact same coats as mine!)

Here are a few of the items we are loving this year:

The Faded Glory Sherpa Hoodies are the most-worn item at our home.  The boys each have one, and I like that they are simple to slip on when headed outside for a bit.  They have a super soft "sherpa" lining that isn't itchy and that helps keep them warm in temps around 40-55.  These are perfect for days when coats are too much, but the breeze might be a bit chilly. (These are on clearance for $10 online right now!)

The Faded Glory Sherpa-Lined Hoodies also come in Baby sizes (my little guy is seen here in the size 24 months.) They are available from size 12 months to 5 Toddler.

For the extra cold weather, we adore the Faded Glory Hooded Bubble Jackets.  While they are called "jackets", I consider them to be a coat.  They are light, but puffy and fully lined.  They also zip up far onto the face, blocking out the wind.  My kids love them, and I like that they wash up easily. (Available for just $17.97 for boys' sizes!)

Mom and Dad are outside quite a bit, as well, so we have our favorite pieces that we slip on when going outside for a bit (I also like to be layered indoor, too.)  My all-time favorite cozy clothing item is the Danskin Now Women's Sports Fleece.  This is the comfiest active wear piece I own (I actually prefer it over my LL Bean pull-over!)  Note that these are selling out all over stores and are almost always unavailable online; if you see one -- snag it!

Finally, my husband had some pretty worn-looking outerwear pieces in his closet. (Let's just say that his flannel looked more like swiss cheese than clothing.)  We outfitted him with a men's version of my favorite fleece, the Starter Fleece Jacket (in black), and it is one item he wears regularly when we go out and about.  Since it washes up so well and has retained it's new "fleece" look -- even after several wears- I know that it can handle his rough, farm-boy lifestyle.

All of these items help me keep our busy family warm and safe during the colder winter months, and -- because the spring and autumn can be pretty chilly, too -- I know we'll get lots of wear out of these items.

*I am a participant in the Walmart Moms program. Walmart has provided me with compensation for my time on this post. Participation in this program is voluntary. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.