Kids' Winter Jackets for Vancouver Rain or Ottawa Cold: Shell, Fleece-Lined or Insulated

In Vancouver, choose a waterproof jacket with taped seams first and warmth second: a fleece-lined rain jacket, or a shell with a fleece underneath. In Ottawa, choose an insulated, waterproof winter jacket, worn with snow pants. If your child spends long days outside in both rain and cold, or you travel between the two, a 3-in-1 jacket with a shell and a separate warm liner covers both. The reason is the weather.

Two very different winters

These are Environment and Climate Change Canada's 1981–2010 climate normals for Vancouver International Airport and Ottawa's Central Experimental Farm. November is even wetter in Vancouver, with about 186 mm of rain. In Vancouver, the jacket's main job is keeping your child dry. In Ottawa, it's keeping them warm through recess on a typical January morning.

The four types of jacket

Rain shell

A waterproof outer layer with no insulation. It's the lightest and most flexible option: wear it over a fleece on cold days and a T-shirt in spring. The The North Face Kids' Antora Rain Jacket ($99.95, sizes 2T to 7Y) has a waterproof, breathable shell with sealed seams and a mesh lining.

Best for: Vancouver, with a fleece layer for colder days.

Fleece-lined rain jacket

A waterproof shell with fleece sewn in, so there's one jacket to put on. The Jan & Jul Cozy-Dry ($79.95) has a 10,000 mm waterproof rating, fully taped seams and a full fleece lining, and Jan & Jul rates it to −5 °C. The MINI A TURE MATALGEA fleece-lined jacket ($239.99) is rated 12,000 mm with taped seams, in sizes up to 14Y. Our MINI A TURE jacket guide explains the rest of that line.

Best for: Vancouver's whole winter for most kids, and fall and spring in Ottawa.

Insulated winter jacket

A waterproof shell plus insulation, built for below zero. The Kidorca Cypress ($118.95) has a 12,000 mm shell, sealed seams, fleece lining and insulation, and Kidorca rates it to −25 °C. The hood detaches, and thumbhole cuffs keep wrists covered. The The North Face Kids' Freedom Insulated Jacket ($169.95) adds a powder skirt to keep snow out, a hood that fits over a ski helmet, and Good to Grow cuffs that release extra sleeve length. Our comparison of the Rossignol Siz and North Face Freedom covers ski days.

Best for: Ottawa from December to March, and ski trips from anywhere.

3-in-1 or 4-in-1

A waterproof shell with a separate insulated liner that zips in or out. The The North Face Perrito 4-N-1 (from $215.96, sizes 7/8 to 14/16) has a waterproof shell and a reversible synthetic-insulated liner. Wear the shell on rainy days, the liner on dry cool days, and both together in the cold.

Best for: older kids who need one jacket for everything, and families who travel between Vancouver and Ottawa.

Prices are in CAD and were current when we wrote this.

Reading the tag

• Waterproof rating (mm). A higher number means the fabric holds out more water. Our jackets above range from 10,000 to 12,000 mm.
• Taped or sealed seams. Water gets in through stitching. A high rating with untaped seams is water-resistant, not waterproof. For Vancouver, this matters more than the number.
• Temperature rating. This is the brand's own guide, not a standard test. Both Jan & Jul and Kidorca say warmth depends on layers, activity and weather. A child running at recess needs less than one waiting at a bus stop.
• Breathability (g). How well sweat escapes. It matters most for active kids in mild, wet weather.

Fit and layers

Size by your child's height and the brand's body measurements, not age alone, and leave room for a fleece or sweater underneath. The Canadian Paediatric Society suggests dressing children in one more layer than an adult would wear, and a neck warmer instead of a scarf for young children. A good hat matters as much as the jacket; our guide to beanies and balaclavas helps you choose. For toddlers who sit in the snow, our snowsuit or jacket and snow pants guide covers one-piece options.

In the car, take puffy jackets off before buckling up. Transport Canada says bulky coats and snowsuits may not work well with a car seat. Our winter car seat guide shows how to keep kids warm over the harness instead.

New to Canadian winters? Our first winter checklist and guide to dressing a baby for winter stroller walks cover the youngest ones.

Jacket fit is easiest to judge in person. Call our Richmond, Burnaby or Ottawa store ahead of your visit to ask which sizes and styles are in, and bring a sweater for your child to try on underneath.