Best jackets for kids to wear in Alaska

[AMB1]

We will be crusing to Alaska in July. I've read threads that recommend dressing in layers, with a waterproof layer on top.

Does anybody have any specific recommendations for jackets for kids (ages 7 and 4)? I've been looking at sites like LL Bean, Land's End and Moutain Equipment Coop and now I'm overwhemled!

What worked for your children? Did you just take a lightweight, packable rain coat, or did you get them versions that were lined?

While we're at it -- what did they wear on their feet? Did you pack rainboots?

Thanks!

 

[jilljill]

This isn't just for kids but for anyone, we used windbreaker jackets with hoods and wore a sweatshirt if the extra layer was needed.
Keep an eye on the weather before you leave as you never know what it will be. I was looking at pictures from Ketchikan from a week ago and it was 70 degrees and people were wearing shorts/t-shirts.

 

[texasgirl29]

We had lightly lined windbreakers from LL Bean. The day we were at the glaciers we were a little cold outside and needed sweatshirts in addition to the windbreakers (and hats) but even in port, a light windbreaker over a t-shirt and jeans was fine. We wore tennis shoes.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I bought a fleece jacket and a waterproof shell from Columbia for my DD for our Alaska cruise next year.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Since you live in the Toronto area, you probably know more about jackets than most people here on the DIS. Other than getting up close and personal with a glacier, we really haven't needed more than a leather jacket.

We've been really lucky with the weather and haven't needed rain boots. If we encountered a downpour we'd stay indoors as much as necessary.

 

[AZMermaid]

I bought my kids a 3 in 1 jacket. I bought them off ebay since I live in AZ and we have little need for anything more than a sweatshirt here! I don't plan on getting them boots, but I may use the waterproofing spray on everyone's shoes before we go.

 

[Phil'sFrontier]

I live next to Alaska in Yukon. A lot of people have good solutions on here. I like a fleece and a windbreaker myself. If your kid likes to wear a vest, they are a great way to keep your core warm on a chilly Alaskan morning. A jacket with a hood is also a good idea as it can get very windy.
Also realize that in July up here there is going to be sunlit all the time you and your kids are awake(unless you are up between 1:30am-3:00am). So if you get lucky and get mainly sunny weather you will hardly need a jacket at all.

 

[summerblue]

My suggestion would be something along the lines of a north face jacket. they are warm but not too heavy ( which is especially helpful if the day warms up and you need to ditch the jacket, it is not heavy to tote around), when we went I wore light weight sweaters and would throw a jean jacket over if it was chilly, we never unpacked our heavier jackets, my husband wor a leather jacket and would sometimes use a scarf ( he gets colder quicker than i do), this was ten years ago, we are going back on DCL this July too, I plan on packing north face jackets for all of us and no other coats, maybe a couple of scarfs and hats for the kids just in case. Most days though you should be more than comfortable in a long sleeve shirt or light sweatre and in July the weather can get quite warm, it is rather unpredictable.

 

[AMB1]

My suggestion would be something along the lines of a north face jacket. they are warm but not too heavy ( which is especially helpful if the day warms up and you need to ditch the jacket, it is not heavy to tote around), when we went I wore light weight sweaters and would throw a jean jacket over if it was chilly, we never unpacked our heavier jackets, my husband wor a leather jacket and would sometimes use a scarf ( he gets colder quicker than i do), this was ten years ago, we are going back on DCL this July too, I plan on packing north face jackets for all of us and no other coats, maybe a couple of scarfs and hats for the kids just in case. Most days though you should be more than comfortable in a long sleeve shirt or light sweatre and in July the weather can get quite warm, it is rather unpredictable.

Thanks. My husband swears by his Northface shell and fleece combo, and that is what he will be taking. My girls don't have 3-in-1 jackets and there aren't many available at this time of year in their sizes (not that will ship to Canada at least). I wish I'd bought them that style this past winter!

I think I've settled on jackets from LL Bean for the girls, but I keep flip-flopping between the unlined Trail Model Jacket and the lined version. Either way I'll need to bring them sweatshirts/fleece for layering.

 

[CruznLexi]

On my first Alaskan cruise it was cold and rainy the whole time. Only sun we saw was in Vnacouver the day we got there and they day we left. The next cruise had great weather and was 75 in Juneau and brought mostly long sleeve clothes and rarely used them. We actually got sun burned on the cruise! This time I am bringing a few long sleeve t's jeans, and Fleece vest, and I just got a nice all weather jacket at Disney. Will be great to use if it rains.

 

[emilyann415]

Ok...so I was planning the sweatshirt and windbreaker type combo but what if we plan on doing the dogsled glacier excursion. Will we need something warmer than that? I hate to bring a big bulky coat for just one excursion that is two hours long.

 

[AMB1]

Ok...so I was planning the sweatshirt and windbreaker type combo but what if we plan on doing the dogsled glacier excursion. Will we need something warmer than that? I hate to bring a big bulky coat for just one excursion that is two hours long.

I know! I over pack for even simple trips, so I'm already sure I'm going to use my entire luggage allowance on this trip.

I think you can still do layers for the expedition, but I would go for a warm fleece, instead of a sweatshirt, and make sure your outer layer is wind and waterproof. We're not going on any excursions onto the glacier, but I've seen photos in trip reports and people seem fairly bundled up on those excursions.