ski gear - Pitstops for Kids

Ski trip planning hack: Using GetOutfitted to rent ski wear

November 22, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Ski and snowboard wear is expensive–very expensive, in fact–and for some families, the cost to outfit everyone for one or two ski trips per season is simply not worth it. Our family skis much more often than that, but with the rate my teens are growing, I never know what will still fit them, even from month to month! Enter an interesting solution: GetOutfitted.

What is GetOutfitted?

It’s a new service that rents outer wear, plus ski gear ranging from ski packages to Go Pros. You select the items you need online, picking your jacket and snow pants a la carte based on the styles you like, or selecting a pre-determined package. I’m very familiar with the latest outdoor wear brands, and they’re all here. Once you’ve made your selections, you input your vacation dates and destination, and GetOutfitted will FedEx your ski wear directly to your hotel, condo, or vacation home. If you opt to rent skis and/or snowboards, too, they’ll be delivered to your door via a local ski rental partner. When you’re done with you vacation, you just put the ski wear in their pre-paid, included package and drop it off at any USPS mail center. You get free shipping both ways.

What can I get?

Premium outerwear packages for women or men include a top-brand jacket, pants, gloves, and googles and rent for approximately $45/day. Standard packages include the same items, with slightly less trendy brands, and cost $30/day. Kids’ packages are $18/day, which is a true deal. As mentioned, you can also shop a la carte, plus can add base layers and socks, which you buy instead of rent. If you don’t have base layers, we highly recommend getting them. They’re listed for approximately the same prices you’ll pay anywhere else.

In the ski gear category, you can rent full ski or snowboard rental packages, starting at just $25/day for adults and $15/day for kids. Rental packages come with helmets as an optional addition (recommended). All ski wear and gear has a three-day minimum rental period outside of Colorado Rockies resorts.

Where is it offered?

Just about everywhere you might go for a destination ski vacation. The company is based on Colorado, but we used the service for a ski trip to Lake Tahoe, California.

Our experience with GetOutfitted, start to finish:

We didn’t need to rent full outerwear packages from GetOutfitted, which is the most affordable way to do it. We still got a good value, however, renting pants for our Pit Stops for Kids’ dad. His pants were $48/3 days. Buying him a pair of pants for the trip would cost $150 at the minimum, assuming we found a good deal on quality pants, and buying the exact pants he rented would have been $299.

Pit Stops for Kids’ dad in GetOutfitted ski pants.

While we were renting pants, we decided it would be fun to rent a Go Pro for the teens to use on the mountain. Merry Christmas to them! The Go Pro rented for $40/3 days, and the chest mount to wear it cost $12/3 days. Is this $52 critical to our ski trip? No, of course not. But it’s a vast savings on buying action camera equipment we’ll only use occasionally, and the kids really loved it.

While on the site, I initiated a chat with a GetOutfitted expert, who answered my questions promptly. What I asked: ‘Can I reserve for fewer than three days?’ and ‘Do you rent helmets’. The latter is not obvious until you select the ski resort or town you’ll be visiting, which pairs you with a local rental company. When I placed items in my shopping cart, I selected the exact dates of rental, and when I checked out, I entered our vacation rental home address. The ski wear and gear were sent directly to our rental.

When we arrived at our vacation rental, the box from GetOutfitted was waiting for us by the front door. Inside, we found the ski pants and Go Pro, plus a large, prepaid return envelope. Included with the Go Pro was a set of instructions, which, combined with a Google search for the Go Pro website, proved adequate for figuring it all out. We were provided with a memory card, USB cable, and the chest mount equipment (which we paid for), plus a few more mounts, which we could use to mount the Go Pro onto our helmets (after buying disposable adhesive mount stickers, which are found at any ski gear store at most ski resorts).

The kids had fun taking video on the mountain, which we downloaded to our computer at the vacation home (use the USB cable). You’ll want to make sure to download all your videos before returning the Go Pro (or pay a fee for GetOutfitted to download it all for you).

The ski pants worked perfectly, and we returned everything at the end of our trip by dropping off the package at a USPS store. Easy-peasy. To rent your own ski gear, start at GetOutfitted.com and go from there!

We tried out GetOutfitted free of charge, for the purpose of review.

Family ski wear checklist: What you need and which brands are best

November 25, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

Ski season is upon us, and if you’re a skiing family, you’re busy cataloguing your gear and checking to see what fits each family member. If you don’t ski often, you may not be outfitted yet at all. If you only ski once a year or so, we highly recommend using a ski wear rental service like Get Outfitted (see our full review), but if you plan to go several times this winter, it’s worth investing in the basics. In this post, I’m not going to list exact items, since that can change in a season or two. Instead, I’ll list quality brands you can trust for each category. Here’s what everyone in the family needs:

Family ski wear checklist

Ski pants:

Each family member’s ski pants should be waterproof (of course), and ideally, they should grow with your kid. To that end, we love Obermeyer’s ‘I-Grow’ system, which integrates cuffs and hems that are designed to be taken in and then let out to give you more life out of your pants. Young kids will appreciate ski ‘bib’ style pants, which do a great job of keeping cold and snow out, especially if they may spend a significant amount of time on the snow, and older kids will like the ‘cool factor’ of pants with suspenders or strap-free waistlines. Make sure your kid’s ski pants come down over his or her boots, with an inner lining to keep out slush. No matter which style you prefer, these are the brands we love best, based on affordability, value, and quality:

Obermeyer: You won’t lose your kid in the Volt Pant
Columbia: The Bugaboo pant is the best value out there
Patagonia: The Snowshot Freeride is pricy, but will last through several teens

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Ski jackets:

Picking the right ski jacket for your kid is a bit more complex than picking a pair of pants. Style comes into play even more, and since it’s nice to try to get at least two seasons out of a jacket, be sure to go with the style your child prefers. You can opt for a two-part jacket that features an inner fleece layer that zips out for solo use and an outer waterproof shell, or you can get an all-in-one. If you’re only getting one jacket, be sure it’s a waterproof shell with some insulation; otherwise, I prefer to outfit my kids with a ‘puffy’, which is what we call a down jacket or sweater layer, covered with a thin but waterproof shell. That way, they can go with just the puffy on cold but dry days, and have the shell to go over on wet days. If you have advanced extreme skiers or riders, I suggest getting a jacket with a built-in Recco avalanche beacon system. You’ll see the Recco logo displayed on these jackets, which are, as you might guess, more expensive.

Favorite brands for puffy jackets and shells:

Columbia: Try the Powder Lite Puffer
Patagonia: The Patagonia Down Sweater is hard to beat
Helly Hansen: Try the Arctic Puffer for young kids
Craghoppers: The CompressLite packs down to almost nothing

Favorite all-in-ones or two-part system jackets:

Columbia: The Snowcation is a great value
High Sierra: The Frankie is fleece-lined
Craghoppers: We love the NatGeo Oliver Pro shell for our teens, paired with the Liston Half Zip
Free Country: The boys’ Helium is extra warm

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Base layers:

Base layers are so crucial, and so many people neglect to get high quality Merino wool or synthetic base layers! They can get expensive, but in our experience, good base layers will last through a few seasons for each kid, and can be passed down. Look for wool, as it wicks away moisture from the body, but most importantly, find a brand and material that your kids can tolerate. Some kids don’t like the feel of wool. Here’s where to shop:

Hot Chilis: The La Montana is a simple base pant that’s soft and stretchy
REI: You can’t go wrong with their mid-weight offering
L.L. Bean: Can’t beat their Wicked Warm for the value
PolarMax: Our kids have worn PolarMax for years

Gloves or mittens:

This is another ski wear category that centers around personal preference. I love mittens, as they keep my hands warmer (since your fingers are together and share body heat). My kids like gloves. Whichever you prefer, think QUALITY when it comes to hand protection. The last thing you want are soggy gloves. You can always buy a back up pair on the cheap, just in case. Best brands:

Head: Their kids’ ski mittens are colorful…you won’t lose them
Spyder: Try the Mini Cubbies
Outdoor Research: We like Revolution gloves for high quality for a great price for teens
Whatever Costco is selling (we’ve always found them to be good quality!)

Socks:

This is another highly important category…we always want to make sure feet stay dry and toasty warm! Sorry to be repetitive, but go with wool, folks. Make sure you select a ski/snowboard dedicated sock, which will come up to the knee. Otherwise, your kid will be complaining about pain in their shins in no time. Top sock brands for ski days:

Darn Tough Vermont: Go for the Over-the-Calf Junior
Smart Wool: My kids think the Racer Socks look cool
Fox River: The Okemo is stylish for teens

Goggles:

Don’t forget goggles! This is a category of gear that can vary greatly in terms of both quality and price. For newbies to the sport, no need to spend a lot of money for top-of-the-line goggles. Instead, look for used gear at your local ski swap or ski store. But if you’re an experienced skier or snowboarder, you’ll definitely notice a difference wearing quality goggles. What we recommend:

Native Eyewear Upslope: Native goggles have a great anti-fog coating, which really makes a difference in most weather conditions. The lenses also have multi-mirror, hydrophobic, and oleophobic coatings to repel oils and water. The Upslope works well for women because they fit a smaller face.
Native Eyewear Backbowl: The Backbowl has all the same features as above, with a wider frame and wider field of vision. I love the mirror lenses…they just look so cool! These are perfect for the men in your family.
K2 Captura: These women’s goggles are a good mid-price option, with spherical lenses and a smaller frame.
Smith Optics Sidekick: Great for kids, these goggles are a solid choice that won’t set you back!

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Ok, you’re outfitted! All you need now are your ski rentals, a helmet, and a face mask or bandana in case of wind and cold! Have a great ski season!

Travel Gear We Use: One really good shell

August 28, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

With the arrival of fall, now is a great time to talk about one travel gear essential every person should have in their closet: a really good, high quality shell.

A shell is not an insulated jacket, nor is it a rain jacket, though it does need to be waterproof. It goes over a base and mid-layer in winter, or can stand alone over a t-shirt or light cotton layer in summer. Shells pack down small and are very lightweight, making them the perfect travel accessory for your suitcase.

Everyone in the family should own a quality shell to wear in all seasons, and while a good shell will set you back, they are used year-round. We definitely get our money’s worth out of ours, using them in ski season as an outer layer, during summer as a backpacking rain layer, and in fall and spring as a precaution (often, our shells are rolled at the bottom of our backpacks or roller bags). Here’s our pick for adults and kids:

Adult shell: Arcteryx Zeta LT

Arcteryx has long been a favorite brand of mine due to its high quality. Make no mistake, the price is high too, but as noted above, a quality shell will be highly used and will last many seasons. The Arcteryx Zeta LT stands out for me because it’s not just made for winter. It’s flexible and breathable, which makes it shine during hiking and backpacking season, too. It’s only 10 ounces, and folds or rolls very small. The storm hood is adjustable, so you can fit it over a helmet in winter or a beanie hat during summer camping trips when the weather turns on you. You also get an internal laminated pocket for your smart phone, and seamed pockets on the outside. The ‘lip’ at the back of the jacket is longish, which means it covers below your waist, and the cuffs at the wrists are adjustable to keep out sleet, snow, and rain.

My Zeta has been on ski trips, camping trips, autumn weekends away, and will soon head to Europe when we visit in winter. It has kept me dry while kayaking in the San Juan Islands and while skiing in Utah. Pick one up at Arcteryx for $399 (a one-time investment you won’t regret), or look on Amazon for a deal.

Kids’ shell: Marmot Southridge

This shell is a solid choice for kids, and even better yet, it’s currently on sale. The Marmot Southridge is fully waterproof and sealed, but still breathable, and like the Zeta, it’s lightweight enough to stash in a backpack when not in use. The cuffs at the wrists are elastic (we wish they were adjustable) and the hood is oversized. Pick one up for less than $60 or look on Backcountry.com.

Want something a bit simpler? The Columbia Trail Trooper is a waterproof outer layer that retails for even less. It’s less breathable than the Southridge, but every bit as waterproof and just as light.

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What about ‘soft shell’ jackets? They’re just fine..for winter sports. It’s a matter of preference during the winter; one of my kids vastly prefers his soft shell jacket (also waterproof) to his Goretex shell. However, for four-season use, soft shells are too bulky and not breathable enough for travel or trekking.

Read about more Travel Gear We Use!

Travel Gear We Use: Ski day accessories

January 23, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Today on Travel Gear We Use, we’re talking ski accessories. The following ski gear items are products we use either to make ski days more fun or more affordable. Both are high on my list when planning ski trips!

Goggle Graffiti:

Haven’t heard of Goggle Graffiti, or seen it on the slopes yet? Neither had we, until we tried it out. These fun labels attach to your kids’ goggles, and add both personality and practicality to your ski day. With various messages, kids can customize their sayings to suit their interests and personalities, which make the labels fun conversation starters on the ski lifts. (We have one that says Ski Happy, plus additional ‘tags’ with logos from some of our favorite ski resorts.) Plus, Goggle Graffiti make it easy for kids to identify their goggles in a pile, and help to keep them from being lost. You can even add an ID tag to your Goggle Graffiti, so you can write in your kid’s contact information. Buy at GoggleGraffiti.com for $8.95 each, or find a deal at Amazon by following the button below.

Turtle Fur Clavas:

There are a lot of different face masks and bandanas out there, and it feels like we’ve tried them all. For the best fit and least amount of adjustments/hassle/discomfort, Turtle Fur clavas win. These fleece neck gaiters feature a lighter weight full hood as well, which means kids’ heads stay warmer in their helmets and the ‘scarf’ portion of the clava doesn’t fall down off their faces. Pick one up for as low as $12.

Hand warmers:

Don’t buy them at at the slopes! Do yourself a favor and buy hand warmers by the box before your ski trip. We never–ever–go skiing without hand warmers at the ready in everyone’s jacket pocket. On days we don’t need them…yippee! But we’re always ready for when we do. And my kids’ attitudes while skiing are greatly heightened by this small addition to their ski day ‘wardrobe’. We’re not partial to any particular brand, but HotHands seem to be the most widely available. Where to buy: you can pick up hand warmers (and boot warmers) at most outdoor stores and even Costco, or buy on Amazon for as little as $19 a box (expect to pay $2-3 a warmer on the mountain).

Darn Tough Vermont socks:

Do yourself a favor, and don’t skimp on the kids’ ski socks. Darn Tough Vermont socks outlast all our others, and are the coziest and warmest for the kids. They are priced compatibly with other high-end wool sock brands designed for ski days, such as SmartWool (also good). Darn Tough socks are made in America and are Merino wool with a bit of stretch, which kids appreciate. Buy them for as low as $16 on Amazon.

Punkrox Fohawx

Never lose sight of your kids on the ski hill again when they’re wearing these easy-to-attach helmet accessories. Comes in mohawk, dreadlocks, and crown, and they’re easy to take on or off. We get more compliments and questions about fohawx than ANY other travel or outdoor gear!