Kid's Gear: Help Me Clothe The Ladies

[bkrobbie]

Attention, Fellow Parents:

As you're well aware, good gear for kids is not cheap, and my girls (3 and 5 years) are growing like weeds.

I can't quite bring myself to buy new stuff, because it I know it will barely last a season at the rate they're expanding, but there are not a lot of adventure families around here to get decent second hand stuff from.

So, while this is potentially the wrong forum, does anyone have any decent winter gear (specifically, waterproof stuff) for kids that is taking up space in your closet?

If so, contact me and let's figure out some reasonable terms, and I'll relieve you of it. Doesn't have to be "girls" stuff, either, so long as it is functional and good fundamental quality.

Thanks in advance!

[nwoods]

I have some light jackets posted here in the classified section now. Not hard core snow gear. Although, I am quite sure I do indeed have some snow suits and the like that my daughter has outgrown. I'll dig around Sunday evening and see what I have. Here is the link: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48759

And I'm looking for mens small or girls size 8 stuff for my son and daughter (ages 12 and 8, respectively)

[LaOutbackTrail]

What size is the three year old? I think we still have my daughter's old jacket that should be the right size.

[bkrobbie]

Hi guys, sorry about the delay (as ever, work intervenes)...

Looked at the link to your stuff nwoods, what I really need is hardcore snow stuff. In the event you find those snowsuits, pm me.

Also, PM'd you, LaOT...

Thanks for the responses guys.

[rusty_tlc]

Just a suggestion but why don't you start a "kids gear exchange" thread come up with some guidelines, similar to the classifieds, and get a mod to stick it to the top of the forum?

[davidv]

Sportsbasement frequently has Colombia kids gear for about 1/2 of retail. They are in the Bay Area and online also.

[Brian McVickers]

Just a suggestion but why don't you start a "kids gear exchange" thread come up with some guidelines, similar to the classifieds, and get a mod to stick it to the top of the forum?

This is a fun and very useful idea!
Let's work on it over the next couple of days and I'll stick it to the top.

Regards,
Brian

[Moody]

This is a fun and very useful idea!
Let's work on it over the next couple of days and I'll stick it to the top.

Regards,
Brian

I really like the idea.

[clarkarcher]

Very good idea, I have a 4yr old and have a hardtime finding decent quality stuff at a price that I can justify. I will start looking through the closet to see what I can find.

[Awkragt]

We're doing really well with second hand stuff right now. She's 6 months old but probably has enough shoes till she's 5 or so. We just jump anytime someone offers free clothing. Also when we have craigslisted other baby stuff, like a swing, usually they've also got clothes to go with it. My wife sorts in all by size and boxes it up for when she grows into it.

Snow stuff though, not as much of that.

[hillbillyjake]

+1 on the exchange.

[rusty_tlc]

So what are the guidelines?
Each post must include:

Age/size
Gender (if applicable)
Item
Wanted/Available
Price
?location (for large items)

[clarkarcher]

sounds like a good start rusty

[shortbus4x4]

So what are the guidelines?
Each post must include:

Age/size
Gender (if applicable)
Item
Wanted/Available
Price
?location (for large items)


Condition of item? Willing to ship or not?
This is actually a pretty good idea. I know most of the kids clothes I have gotten rid of were in excellent shape, they had just out grown them.

[weezerbot]

I don't know how feasible this is for you parents who are already swamped with kids, your real job, life, etc but I wanted to throw this out there. If someone in your family has the time to work one or two days a week at REI, employees get 50% off all REI brand products and 20% off everything else, plus an extra 10% off whatever is on sale.

I had a friend who worked there with me several years ago and only outfitted her 4 year old son in REI duds. She was a single mom and lived on a shoestring budget, but at 50% off it was cheaper than shopping for kids clothes elsewhere, other than maybe goodwill. You'd also have some great clothes to trade in your exchange here on the expo!

[Zelix]

Condition of item? Willing to ship or not?
This is actually a pretty good idea. I know most of the kids clothes I have gotten rid of were in excellent shape, they had just out grown them.

Hey count me in as thinking this is a good idea. I don't have anything at the moment. I did just buy some thermal underwear & new hiking boots for my daughter. She'll outgrow them soon enough [it seems like she grows a foot taller each week]. I'm sure there will be more items to add to this in the future.

[007]

Good idea guys!

One thing to remember about receiving clothes is the possible spread of bed bugs. When you get them, either put them in the freezer for a couple nights or run them through the dryer on high to kill any possible bugs or eggs.

Pretty simple precaution, and well worth the savings over buying new!

[Maddmatt]

Kids gear exchange is a great idea - and yeah, couple days in the freezer will kill the bed bugs.

Also, do you have a Play it Again sports in your area? We've had very good luck there - waterproof/insulated pants for $10, that sort of thing