Reima Snowsuits Review

My son just threw a shovelful of snow all over his twin sister’s neck and back, and not only did she not throw a tantrum, she didn’t even notice.

That’s thanks to Reima Lappi (available at Reima) , a waterproof head-to-ankle one piece snowsuit with a voluminous fur-lined hood and a gorgeous eye-catching pattern. A Finnish company with over 75 years experience, Reima makes sustainably-designed outdoor clothing for kids from infancy up to age 14.

Reima’s snowsuits are designed to let kids play throughout all seasons in quality, durable materials and well-thought-out features. The single-piece snowsuits make it easy to zip wriggly toddlers into their winter wear. The warm padding and waterproof material ensures kids can stay comfortable while sledding or throwing snowballs.

The company has also made a shift towards more sustainable materials, using recycled polyester from used plastics and recycled polyamide in more than 80% of its outdoor apparel. This year, they’ve begun using 100% organic cotton and animal-friendly standards for wool and down.

About the Reima Lappi and Gotland snowsuits

Reima’s snowsuit collection comprises roughly 10 models (if you don’t include the ski suits), with small distinctions between them.

The toddler snowsuits are all one-piece garments that feature a button flap to cover the front zipper. Because they’re a single piece you only have to keep track of—and wash—a single item and the flap over the zipper helps ensure no snow or moisture sneaks inside.

The legs feature silicone foot loops which slide underneath the arch of the foot to keep the pant legs tucked firmly into boots.

Both the Lappi and the Gotland models feature an ample faux-fur-lined, detachable hood with a Velcro adjustment on the back.

Each also has a single zippered pocket with a protective flap, and Play Layers snap buttons on the interior that allows the Reima innerwear to attach. The exterior of the suit has small stripes of reflective material accenting zippers and pockets.

The wrist and leg cuffs are elastic, the seams are all sealed to be waterproof, and the seat is insulated. The lining material is a smooth polyester, and the main material uses a Bionicfinish Eco finish to repel dirt and water.

The inner and outer materials and insulation are all Bluesign approved, which means the textiles used have been certified as healthy and safe materials.

Each suit, the Lappi and the Gotland, are available in sizes 12 months to 3T (though the suits run large and the company recommends sizing down).

The Lappi comes in seven different striking patterns like Cold Pink, which has foxes, trees, and reindeer, or Amber Yellow, which has a flowery pattern on a golden background.

The Gotland comes in six solid colors including green, blue, and magenta.

Lappi

• Price: $150
• Sizes: 12 months - 3T
• Colors: Light Oak, Amber Yellow, Cold Pink, Deep Purple, Navy, Blue, Cold Mind
• Style: One-piece

Gotland

• Price: $150
• Sizes: 12 months - 3T
  
• Colors: Cinnamon Brown, Black, Radient Orange, Magenta Purple, Navy, Green Lake
• Style: One-piece

What we like

They work in all types of cold weather

My 3-year-old twins each wore one of these snowsuits every time we went out to play for several weeks. During that time span, the weather in Vermont varied between fluffy snow, icy layers covered by snow, icy snow and rain, over 5 feet of packed snow, and slushy piles of snow, water puddles, and mud.

Reima indicates that these suits will both work in temperatures ranging from 35°F to -5°F, are waterproof enough for either heavy rain or wet snow, and are breathable enough for kids to stay active in.

Indeed, both twins stayed warm and dry no matter what type of underlayer they were wearing, or how long they were out playing. I tested these suits in temperatures ranging from 19°F to 45°F and the kids helped by crawling over snow drifts, sledding, having snowball fights, making snow angels, and stomping in every puddle I let them.

Only on the last occasion did I ever see so much as a hint of moisture on the interior of the Reima snowsuits.

They’re large enough to grow into

Reima’s website recommends sizing down when ordering, so I tested the Lappi and Gotland in a 2T size—down from the 3T my kids usually wear.

Even still, both snow suits were plenty roomy for both kids. This meant that I could layer as much as I liked underneath, or that I could throw the suits on quickly over whatever they were wearing. And both suits stand a chance of still fitting next snow season, which is a huge bonus.

While the wrists were a little loose, they didn’t slide around much and since both kids were layered up with Reima’s Reimatec fleece mittens, their wrists weren’t exposed at all anyhow.

The foot stirrups fit better after I adjusted them down a hole, and despite looking a little baggy, the size in no way impeded the twins’ playing.

They are quality both in materials and in features

Reima has made a strong commitment to durable, sustainable materials. This combined with the company’s experience in designing kids wear for all varieties of outdoor weather makes for a high-quality snowsuit.

The Reima materials feel durable but not rough, the lining is functional but not puffy, and all the various features of the snowsuit make sense. The zippers are easy to pull, the reflective material is in high visibility places, the foot straps and hood are both adjustable, and the pocket is easy to access.

The Bionicfinish Eco on the outer material did repel an impressive amount of mud and dirt, but I also found the snowsuits easy to throw in the wash when necessary.

I removed the fur hood and foot straps and followed the instructions, and the Lappi came out as good as new—no dampness, crinkling in the material, or other indications that it had suffered in the wash.

They’re easy to put on and take off

Getting two impatient or complaining toddlers into thermal tops and bottoms, thick socks, snow bibs, jackets, scarves, hats, and mittens takes enough time to deserve a Benny Hill-style soundtrack.

Getting the kids zipped into a single-piece Reima suit was significantly easier—the generous size made it easy to put on over any clothing and the head to toe coverage meant I could skip a scarf and hat. The zippers never snagged, the hood was easy to take off and on, and the foot straps were never tangled.

What we didn’t like

Despite incredible value, they still are not cheap

Though currently on sale, the Lappi and Gotland usually run $150 each—as a twin mom, this is a price tag I would usually balk at.

It’s easy to find snowsuits from reputable clothing companies like London Fog or Carter’s for half of what the Reima suits cost. However, those are almost always two-piece options with a bib and jacket, which means two pieces to keep track of, two pieces to take on and off and two pieces that need to get washed. Additionally, with a two-piece design, snow can still sneak in under the jacket.

Outdoor-based companies that make ski and snow wear like Burton and Columbia sell one-piece snowsuits at similar prices, so if you’re looking for a single piece, you should expect to pay more regardless of brand.

The buttons are hard to fasten

The buttons are ever so slightly fiddly to button, as you need to grab behind them to get the appropriate amount of pressure to snap them, which can be awkward given their positioning.

Another, minor quibble: Both my kids were initially fussy that there was only a single pocket (don’t worry, they got over it).

Should you buy a Reima snowsuit?

Absolutely, for anyone who lives in snowy climes

If you live where there’s snow on the ground for several weeks out of the year, a Reima snowsuit is versatile, easy to put on and take off, durable, and may even last you two winters in a row, or multiple winters if you have children of differing sizes.

My kids were able to stay warmer, play longer, and stay safer in a range of inclement weather. However, if you’re just looking to visit a snowy area a few times a year—or have a kid going through a growth spurt—you may not want to spend quite so much.