Kids clothing can be overwhelming! They grow so fast, and outdoorsy kids in particular are often so hard on clothing. Below is a guide for an outdoor capsule wardrobe for kids, to help you better simplify their closet!
Why a Capsule Wardrobe?
There are so many excellent reasons to want to limit your children’s clothing to only the essentials. Less laundry and bedroom messes, simpler decision-making getting ready for the day, fewer clothing dollars spent long-term, and reduced overall consumption are among them.
Simplify and Reduce
Enter the capsule wardrobe! If you aren’t familiar with the term, it refers to consolidating your wardrobe to just the key pieces, which you then mix and match as needed for daily wear. An outdoor capsule wardrobe for kids means that no matter what outdoor adventures your kids are embarking on, they can draw from the same general collection of pieces.
If your kids have really specialized activities, they may have some unique clothing pieces they also need, but on the other hand, depending on the weather and conditions in your area, there may be a few items you don’t need at all.
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Quality Over Quantity
Choosing a capsule-style wardrobe for outdoor activities means that since you are purchasing fewer items, you may be able to invest in pieces that cost more individually but are higher quality and ultimately end up costing you less due to longer wear and multi-use.
If you have more than one child, or a niece or nephew you particularly like 😉, those quality items can be passed on for even more longevity. Another option is to pursue resale via online marketplaces or local resale shops, a win-win for buyer and seller both!
I have seven kids, and the idea of purchasing more expensive clothing items for fast-growing kids is intimidating to me, even when I know the items are better quality. But when I’ve been able to hand those items down to several kids, both to my own and as gifts to young relatives, it feels so worth it!
Get There Over Time
You don’t have to switch to a outdoor capsule wardrobe for kids all at once. As you work your way through the guide, start with items that are needs. As your kids grow and wear though their current closet, you can replace their clothing piles with a little mini-stack.
The sections below are broken down by age group with recommendations in each category, although there is some sizing overlap in the different ages. For an outdoor capsule wardrobe, one item from each category should round things out well for most!
Babies and Toddlers (Ages 0-3)
Let’s kickoff this outdoor capsule wardrobe guide with our youngest adventurers! It’s really easy to get overloaded with clothing for little ones–it’s just so cute!!–but this is a great age to start simplifying your kids’ wardrobe before it gets out of hand.
Base Layers
This is a key building block for all age groups when creating an outdoor capsule wardrobe for kids, and babies and toddlers are no exception to that. Base layers can double as pajamas or sun and wind protection, as well as their traditional use as a warmth-building layer at the base of other clothing.
For small kiddos, base layers can be their complete outfit in up to three seasons, or you can pair the leggings with an adorable baby t-shirt or the top with a cute diaper cover to get maximum use out of them under a range of conditions.
Here are some of our favorite base layers for babies and toddlers:
- Iksplor Baby Set, sizes 0-24 months
- Patagonia Capilene, sizes 3 months to 5T
- Chasing Windmills Thermal Long Johns, sizes start at 3 months
- Jan and Jul Thermal Base Layers, sizes start at 2T
Kristin from our TMM team also wrote a thorough article about base layers, their benefits, and all the best options for kids, so check that out for even more great brand recommendations!
Mid Layers
This component of a outdoor capsule wardrobe takes apparel to the next level weather-wise, and for many, might be just about all they need most of the year to stay warm where they live. Once the temps dip a little too chilly for base layers alone, add on a cozy mid layer like the ones recommended below.
- First Peak All-Season Sweatshirt, sizes 6 months to 4T
- Columbia Baby Sherpa Bunting, sizes 0-24 months
- Patagonia Baby Reversible Down Sweater Hoody, sizes 3 months to 5T
- Carhartt Canvas Bib Overall, sizes 3 months to 4T
Outer Layers
The main job of the outer layer is to keep out elements like rain and snow, but it also is an additional barrier against temperature. If you are in a particularly cold area, you may want your toddler’s outer layer to be extra warm, but those in warm climates just need to focus on water resistant gear.
- Reima Tihku Rain Suit, sizes 9 months to 6Y
- Reima Puhuri Snowsuit, sizes 9 months to 3T
- Reima Moomin Outdoor Jumpsuit, sizes 0-12 months
- Reima Hete Jacket, sizes 12 months to 5Y
Footwear
Those little piggies need to be well-protected for outdoor adventures! Some comfy wool socks are perfect when toddlers are starting to get their hiking legs, to go inside rain boots or hiking shoes. If you do a lot of water exploration, you may want a pair of adventure sandals for those summer creek stomps!
- Stonz Baby and Toddler Booties
- Smartwool Toddler Trio Socks, sizes 24 months to 3T
- Ten Little Splash Sandals, sizes 4-13
- Merrell Little Kid’s Trail Quest Jr, sizes 5-10
- Reima Waterproof Reimatec Winter Boots, sizes 6-11
Hats
Young children can lose a lot of their body heat through their head, and conversely, on a hot day, a hat can go a long way in keeping the sun’s rays from toasting their little heads.
- Iksplor Lightweight Merino Beanie, sizes 0 months to 12Y
- Jan and Jul Insulated Winter Hats, sizes 3 months to 12Y
- Sunday Afternoon Play Hat, sizes 1Y to 12Y
Check out all our teams favorite Sun Hats and Winter Hats (and don’t forget sunglasses for their eyes).
By limiting their clothing to just an item or two from each of the above categories, you can create a simple outdoor capsule wardrobe for kids starting right out of the gate. And then there will be plenty of room in their clothing drawers for all of the inevitable gifts from grandparents!
Preschool and Elementary (Ages 4-10)
Preschool and elementary–the magical years of changing outfits six times a day and putting all of it straight into the dirty laundry basket. Time to pull out your own magic trick and consolidate that elaborate wardrobe in to a capsule one.
Less clothing = less time on laundry = more time for outdoor adventures. I wasn’t totally convinced that reducing clothing would result in less laundry, but then I tried it, and can confirm it works like a charm!
Base Layers
Back to that essential building block for every wardrobe! As kids get older, they are less likely to wear a base layer set as a complete outfit, but it still works perfectly as a warm underlayer or as sleepwear, and leggings and tops can still be easily interchanged with other clothing pieces to expand daily options.
- Helly Hansen Merino Base Layer Set, sizes 92/2 to 134/9 (European sizing)
- Iksplor Merino Wool Base Layers, sizes 2T to 12
- Reima Thermolite Thermal Set, sizes 12 months to 14Y
- Smartwool Wool Base Layers, sizes 3 to 14
Shirts
Kids can wear long-sleeved shirts in nearly all weather, and according to some of my hot-blooded kids, short-sleeves are also good in nearly all weather. Key things to look for in shirts are quick-dry materials like polyester blends and wool, and a lightweight feel for easy layering.
- Patagonia Capilene Silkweight Hoodie, sizes 5 to 12
- Columbia Tech Trail Shirt for Girls or for Boys, sizes 4 to 12
- Akova Kids Graphene Hoodie, sizes 4-14
Valid for any order at full price (not including Outlet and Renewed items that are already heavily discounted).
Shorts and Pants
In an ideal outdoor capsule wardrobe for kids, you can blend the shorts and pants category into just one. Some pants can be converted into shorts, or leggings can sort of substitute for either. But if you have kids who really love to have both, it doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker.
Quick-dry and lightweight materials are major perks here as well. Your kids can pull pants on over base layers on extra cool days, or tuck them under snowpants for an afternoon on skis. One of my sons prefers to hike with base layers under shorts, even in below-freezing temps.
- REI Sahara Convertible Pants for Boys or for Girls, sizes 4-12
- The North Face On the Trail Shorts, sizes 5-20
- All in Motion Leggings, sizes 4-18
- Patagonia Durable Hike Pants, sizes 5-12
Mid Layers
As kids move out of the toddling stage and into more active stages of childhood, they will appreciate mid layers that are not too bulky and are easy to pull on and off as their body temperature changes. Quick dry materials are fine for this category, but even more important is that they are not restricting.
The mid layer is where a nice cozy temperature layer can develop, so it’s critical that it’s not too tight, which would remove that heat cushion and potentially even limit circulation. So err on the *slightly* big side if you are uncertain about size!
- Iksplor Adventure Jogger Set, sizes 2-12
- Akova Essential Fleece 2.0, sizes 4-16
- The North Face Fleece Hoodie, sizes 2-20
Valid for any order at full price (not including Outlet and Renewed items that are already heavily discounted).
Outer Layer
Despite kids’ frequent claims that they “don’t need a coat”, a water-resistant outer layer actually is a useful and important item to have. For a capsule wardrobe, you want to consider whether you need just a light rain jacket, a thicker rain/snow shell, or a heavier lined coat.
If your kids live in a climate or participate in activities that regularly have them outside in below freezing temps and snow, the latter might be best for them, and they may also need a lighter rain jacket for summer. But if you live in a more temperate climate (like I do in the Ohio Valley), a sturdy rain shell is perfect for most of the year, and my kids can layer underneath it on the rare snowy days we get.
- Columbia Watertight II Jacket, sizes 4-20
- REI Rainier Rain Pants, sizes 5-18
- Akova Kids Elevated Hardshell 2.0, sizes 4-16
- Reima Waterproof Jacket-Suojala, sizes 4-14
- Reima Stavenger Waterproof Snowsuit, sizes 2-10
Valid for any order at full price (not including Outlet and Renewed items that are already heavily discounted).
Shoes and Socks
Shoes at this age can start to become tricky, because as kids get older and bigger, they may start to prefer different fits of shoes and the range of options is extremely wide. It’s ideal to go into an outfitter and try on a few brands to see what feel comfortable to them, even if you order online later.
You can read all about our favorite hiking shoes and our favorite water shoes!
- Darn Tough Micro Crew Socks, sizes 9 Kids to 6 Youth
- Chaco Z/1 Sandals, sizes 10 Kids to 6 Youth
- Keen Big Kids Targhee Waterproof Shoes, sizes 1-7
- Kamik Snobuster Winter Boots, sizes 3T-7Y
Hats and Accessories
Depending on where you live and adventure, accessory needs can vary quite a bit. Hats of different types can be helpful in most climates, as well as neck gaiters, which are a fun way to let personalities shine!
- Smartwool Merino Cuffed Beanie
- Sunday Afternoon Trucker Hats
- Buff Junior Neckwear
- Reima Ote Mittens, sizes 1-10
Tweens and Teens (Ages 11-17)
Now that the first decade of your child’s life has flown by, you have reached the point where it is both easier and harder to maintain a capsule wardrobe. Kids in this age group generally have stronger opinions about style (although some toddlers have strong opinions too!), but they are at least closing in on a stretch of time where they aren’t growing *quite* as fast.
Setting up an outdoor capsule wardrobe for kids of this age bracket can actually really free them up to get creative with their look if they want to! Provide some basic building blocks for them, and then they can have fun with some wacky sunnies, a Buc-ee’s swimsuit, or just their winning personality.
Base Layers
These are still important for teens (and for you, too!). As for slightly younger kids, they can be worn interchangeably with other tops and bottoms to give more variety to their wardrobe, and continue to work great as PJs and under heavier layers.
- Helly Hansen Junior Merino Base Layers, sizes 8-16
- 32 Degrees Crew and Legging Set, sizes 4/5-16/18
- Iksplor Adult Base Layer Top and Bottom, sizes XS-2XL
Shirts
There are so many great quick dry shirt options for kids in this age group. With that as the priority factor, you can look at natural or synthetic fibers and otherwise let kids have fun with a style choice. Below are some ideas, but this is one of the easiest categories to fill at just about any store! Lots of shirt choices that have a UPF rating as well.
- REI Sun Shade Hoodie, sizes 4-18
- All in Motion Girls Athletic Tank Top, sizes 4-18
- All in Motion Boys Explore T-Shirt, sizes 4-18
Shorts and Pants
I have a few kids who are allergic to pants, and a few that are allergic to poison ivy, and after any backpacking trip, it’s easy to see who is allergic to both. 😉 Pants are so versatile for just about any activity, especially if they are lightweight and quick-dry.
Legs typically can handle cooler temps than other parts of the body on adventures since they are generally performing a lot of the activities and stay warm through motion. But put on base layers underneath to quickly convert regular pants into lined ones.
- Patagonia Kids Quandary Pants, sizes 5-18
- REI Women’s Activator Pants, adult sizes XS-3XL
- Patagonia Everyday Outdoor Pants, sizes 5-18
- The North Face Never Stop Shorts, sizes 6-18
Mid Layers
Every teenager has that sweatshirt they can’t live without–my teenage daughter even wears hers in the summer. They can breathe a sigh of relief that there is a place for it even in an outdoor capsule wardrobe for kids. And now they are actually being encouraged to wear it a lot!
- Akova Kids Essential Fleece 2.0, sizes 4-16
- The North Face Half Dome Hoodie, sizes 6-16
- Patagonia Fleece Joggers, sizes 5-18
Valid for any order at full price (not including Outlet and Renewed items that are already heavily discounted).
Outer Layer
It’s an exciting–and bittersweet–time in our house when kids reach a point where we can say, “This is your last ______ we’re getting for you, you won’t grow out of this one!” Coats are maybe the first item on that magical list, since you can usually get one a size or two up anyway.
- REI Rainier Jacket and Pants, sizes 5-14, adult sizes as well
- Akova Elevated Hardshell, sizes 4-16, adult sizes as well
- Patagonia 4-in-1 Everyday Jacket, sizes 5-18
Valid for any order at full price (not including Outlet and Renewed items that are already heavily discounted).
Shoes and Socks
As mentioned for the elementary kids, with shoes, it’s a great idea to go into an outfitter and try on various shoes before purchasing. In my backpacking family, some kids prefer boots, some prefer wide toes, some prefer low tops, etc. It’s less convenient to go into a physical store, but may save you some time in the long run. You can also compare kid and adult sizes–sometimes large kid sizes are larger than small adult sizes and you can save some $$!
Footwear choices certainly matter for young children, but as kids get bigger and heavier, they are putting more impact on those feet with every step. Good shoes AND good socks are critical in maintaining the ability to enjoy those longer adventures!
- Darn Tough Wool Socks
- Smartwool Crew Wool Socks
- Keen Terradora II Hiking Boot, adult sizes 5-12
- Salomon Speedcross Trail Runners, kid sizes 13-7, adult sizes available
Underwear
This is a pretty versatile category as well, and for most adventures, your kids can likely roll with what they have. But if you’d like to upgrade to more adventure-specific undergarment for older and more adult-sized kids, here are some great options!
- Branwyn Wool Bralette, adult sizes XS-XXL (review here!)
- Hanes Period Underwear for Teens, sizes 8-18
- Smartwool Mens Boxer Briefs, sizes 29″-44″
- Yonderwear Women’s Mid-Rise Briefs, adult XS-3XL (review here!)
Hats and Accessories
Definitely let loose in this category! Teens love to jazz up neutral ‘fits with a pop of color or an eye-catching print. I love the Appalachian Trail-themed neck gaiters from Buff, and we plan to give those to our teens as Christmas gifts this year as we work them toward a complete outdoor capsule wardrobe.
Living the Capsule Life
It can seem intimidating and maybe risky to reduce the number of clothing items that kids have available to them, but once you try it, you’ll be thankful! It’s so easy to end up with way more than we need, and it ends up making our lives harder, not easier.
So create that outdoor capsule wardrobe for kids and enjoy all the side benefits, like less time reminding your kids to clean up their clothes or folding laundry only to have them stuff it into packed drawers.
Try it for Yourself!
You can also create an adventure capsule wardrobe for yourself! We adults like to think we are not that far past being teenagers (I wasn’t in high school over 20 years ago, was I???), so just look at the headings for teenagers and go for it for yourself too! Many of the listed brands come in adult sizes.
You can also check out more of our team favorites for hiking clothes for women and hiking shoes for women!
Now go enjoy those outdoor adventures!
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- Best Hiking Backpacks for Kids
- Layering Kids for Cold Weather
- Keeping Dry in the Backcountry for Kids
- Leggings for Hiking in Cold Weather
Outdoor Capsule Wardrobe for Kids
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