When Marc Dietz and Dallas Moore set out to create Shred Dog ski and snowboard clothing for kids, they had some big ideas.
They wanted to create outdoor clothing that would allow kids to stay outside all day in the snow and remain comfortable, warm and dry.
They wanted the clothing to be highly-functional, not just cute. While they wanted everything to be visually appealing, performance was first in their minds.
They wanted to encourage families to spend time outdoors together.
As Dietz puts it, “The desire to help get more kids outside stemmed from sharing amazing outdoor activities with my now 9-year-old son, trading outdoor time for screen-time.”
Asking Parents What They Want
As a parent, you probably have a lot of ideas about what works and what doesn’t in terms of your children’s clothing and other outdoor gear. We all do, based on our experiences and trial and error.
In fact, one of the first lessons my husband and I learned when teaching our oldest son to ski at age 3 was that cute coats aren’t necessarily warm coats — what’s insulating the jacket definitely does matter.
(For more on keeping your children warm while skiing, click here)
To ensure that Shred Dog gear would be what parents and kids want, Dietz and Moore initiated what they call a “Co-Design Program” and asked hundreds of parents for their input.
They asked parents to share what they can’t live without in children’s ski wear, what features work and don’t work, and which features they’d be willing to pay for in a new line of premium, technical outerwear.
The results are reflected in this season’s inaugural Shred Dog gear.
What Parents Said and How Shred Dog Responded
Here are some examples of what parents told Shred Dog during the Co-Design Process along with Shred Dog’s response.
“We want our kids to stay warm and dry.”
Shred Dog outerwear is rated 15k/15K for waterproofing and breathability. This is in line with many adult ski jackets and pants. All seams (not just “critical” seams) are taped at 15K as well.
“We want versatile clothing that keeps our kids warm on the coldest days and works for spring skiing, too.”
The Shred Dog system includes bib ski pants, a hardshell and a puffy insulator. The insulator is filled with mid-weight Thinsulate insulation and easily zips into the hardshell for cold days. It’s a good-looking jacket on its own. Additionally, Shred Dog jackets and pants have pit zips and thigh zips to help regulate heat.
“We want pockets!”
Pockets are a perennial issue for skiers and riders of all ages. It’s not just enough to have pockets, the pockets need to work. Each item of Shred Dog outerwear have all the pockets that anyone needs, from exterior zipper pockets, to pass pockets, to chest pockets, to goggle pockets. Go ahead and weigh your kids down with snacks!
Other smart features include a zip-off, helmet-friendly hood, a powder skirt, and waterproof adjustable cuffs on the hardshell. The adjusted bib ski pants have reinforced knees and interior leg cuffs, a zip-off bib and belt loops.
Think about which ski clothing features you can’t live without and you’ll likely find these same features incorporated into Shred Dog gear.
Adjust-A-Fit: My Favorite Feature
Of course, my favorite feature is one that no adult clothing has: a system for letting out the sleeves and pant legs when your child grows.
Shred Dog uses a brilliant button and elastic system (similar to adjustable waistbands) that can be lengthened and shortened time and time again. It’s easy to use — just turn the cuffs inside out and adjust the elastic.
Best of all, it extends the lifetime of the insulator, the hardshell and the ski pants for several seasons. It also makes it easier to pass them down to a younger sibling or friend, starting the Adjust-A-Fit process all over again.
Please note: Shred Dog sizing runs small. Given the ease with which you can adjust sleeves and pant legs, a good rule is to order “age + 1 size up.” If you do order the wrong size, Shred Dog has free exchanges and returns.
Giveaway
We are very excited to be giving away a full set of Shred Dog gear — an insulator, hardshell and convertible bib pants to one lucky winner.
Shred Dog gear comes in sizes 4-6 for younger girls and boys and 8-14 for older girls and boys. All designs are currently available in two colors (they are also currently on sale, if you don’t win the giveaway!).
For more information, visit the Shred Dog website.
Good luck!
Win a Full Set of Shred Dog Ski Clothing for a Girl or a Boy!© 2019, braveskimom. All rights reserved. Any use or publication of content, including photos, requires express permission.
That size adjustment is genius!! It’s always the pits to let out seams and then try making it shrink again when you hand it down. My mind is blown. What’s a simple way to make good clothes last!
I totally agree! Thanks for the comment!
We just got ours, can’t wait to try it this weekend!
Hoping they are everything you expected, plus more!
This sounds great! Love the medium weight layer and all the pockets. There are definitely not enough pockets in my kids’ ski clothing.
Pockets are an underrated necessity!
We will definitely be looking into this brand when the kiddos outgrow their gear! What awesome features for kids who love to be outside in the winter!
Good to hear!
We have been using obermeyer with the grow system. This looks even better.
Same. We have experience with both Obermeyer and Spyder and they’re good, but hard to reverse. I like the versatility of the Shred Dog system.
How durable are the fabrics? Do they hold up well to sliding on bottoms, and occasionally nicking them with skis? Is there a warranty?
Here is the warranty information. Thanks for asking Valerie. https://shreddog.com/pages/shred-dog-warranty-policy
As for the fabrics, the pant knees and ankles are reinforced, so that’s good. I think the fabric on the exterior pieces (hardshell, ski pants) is pretty much industry standard. The soft shell jacket fabric is very soft — which makes it comfortable, but possibly less durable if worn as outerwear. Let’s put it this way — I wouldn’t want my sons to ski the trees in the soft-shell — it might rip. Tree skiing would require the hardshell!
Love the adjust fit system!
Yep! It’s a winner.
Cute doesn’t cut it. I’m all about the utility and if I’m going to ski all day, the kids need to be comfortable or that isn’t going to happen. Having the vents to regulate warmth is a big plus.
I completely agree. Cute is a bonus!
My son will likely need a new ski suit next winter. He’s outgrowing his one-piece one, sadly. We need to check out Shred Dog.
They do grow! Thanks for entering Tanya!
These suits look wonderful and perfect for our skiing weather.
Oh, I am so glad you entered! Good luck
This looks wonderful for a fast growing kid
And aren’t they all, at some time, fast growing kids?
I’ve been thinking of trying them out!
Even if you don’t win, I’ll have a coupon code to share with everyone who entered. Plus, the clothing is on sale now!
Yes to more pockets & size adjustments!! Kids grow so fast- even throughout one season!!
Yes, indeed!
Size adjustments is so simple its genius!
And obvious!
I love all the pockets and the adjustmets is awesome!!!!
Thanks for entering! Good luck!
I love that you can adjust these! My daughter is juuuuusst fitting in her gear still, I don’t want to buy anything new until next season. This would be perfect!
Definitely going Shred Dog next year… we had one season left in my son’s gear so we are eking it out but excited for newness!! I’ve heard awesome things about the product!