This isn’t my first winter with kidz. It is, however, my first winter with the right gear for my kidz. Cub’s thermal booties when he was tiny were impossible to put on him due to a sewn-in lining (I could never get his uncooperative toes into the foot of the boots) and his first “I can walk and it’s the winter” boots were a twice-daily struggle. (I feel badly for his day care mama, since she was stuck shoving his feet into them, too, and she had five other kids to dress!)
This year, I knew exactly what I wanted to take some of the pain out of the endless Canadian winter with children to dress: Stonz Wear.
Stonz Winter Bootz are made in Canada and start at just $60. They’re waterproof and wind-resistant, slip-resistant and lightweight. They are rated to -50 C and feature a moisture wicking, removable felt Radiantex inner lining. Besides all that awesome, what sets them apart for me are the three features that give them a perfect fit AND make them ridiculously easy to put on my kid: adjustable drawstring and Velcro-closure at the cuff and a buckle-closure at the ankle.
We loved our Stonz Mitts last year. Stonz Wear products are clearly designed by parents like me: parents who have zero patience for messing around with winter accessories.
Cub is still rocking his Mittz, and now he has a pair of Bootz to complete the set:
His Bootz are the only boots he can put on himself. I am working on my patience, because I know he can learn to do the buckles up himself if I would just let him practice. My husband, who has decidedly less patience than me, is in love with our Bootz. Generally neutral to negative (“Is that another baby carrier?!) about products I review, he has voiced his opinion multiple times about Cub’s boots. “Give these a good review. They’re so easy to put on!”
Easy to put on, plus, they don’t come off!
Not on the playground…
Or when sliding without a sled…
Or when dangling in the shopping cart…
Once hat, neck warmer, mittens, snowsuit and sunglasses are on, it’s a huge relief to get to that final step… and have your kid step into his boots without having to wrestle with a narrow opening, finicky laces or a boot liner that shifts around. By that time he probably has to pee, but at least he can take his boots off on his own, right?!
Little Miss won’t be walking in any winter wonderlands this season, but her toes need to be toasty, and there’s a chance she’ll be crawling around by the end of what I’ve heard is a very long winter here in Calgary.
Stonz Booties can be worn with or without their Linerz (sold separately). This means you get extra mileage, since used alone, they’re great for milder fall and winter weather, and together you’re ready for Canada anywhere east of Vancouver.
I love that I can get her feet into her Booties even once she’s up in the carrier. The toggle closures mean they stay put even when she’s kicking madly, and that they open up wide enough to easily slide her uncooperative feet in.
Stonz Booties are made with a water and wind-resistant coated nylon upper with fleece lining. They feature soft, skid-resistant soles recommended for developing feet (they have the Canadian Podiatric Medical Association’s seal of approval) and are machine washable.
Shop Stonz Products at The Baby Footprint
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