Reima Review: A Trail-Tested, Parent-Approved Report on the Iconic Sustainable Kids Outerwear Company

As a parent of 10 years and product tester for 15, I‘ve researched, tried and vetted hundreds of clothing options for my kids. When it comes to keeping little ones warm and dry during months of outdoor play, qualitygear stands apart.

So when Finnish brand Reima reached out asking me to test and review their sustainable winter apparel for kids, I jumped at the chance. From base layers to snow pants and jacket sets, my twins Esteban and Elena put these pieces through three straight weeks of rugged adventure.

Spoiler alert: Reima passed with flying colors! Their 75 years perfecting sustainable outdoor wear shines through in both form and function.

Keep reading for a comprehensive parent-to-parent guide on whether Reima’s celebrated kids clothes live up the hype. I’ll cover everything from cost and sizing to styling and performance so you can decide if their investment-level prices deliver enough value for your family.

Overview of Reima: Heritage Brand Focused on Sustainable Innovation

Back in 1944, a small Nordic outerwear company was born in Finland. Today from their headquarters in Vantaa, Reima employs over 500 staff churning out cutting-edge tech to create their beloved kids clothes, shoes and ski gear.

While many brands throw around “sustainable” as a trendy marketing term, Reima embedded environmental stewardship into their ethos from the early days. They launched one of the first biodegradable jackets back in 1996 made of plant-based fibers like corn and wheat.

Since then, they constantly challenge themselves to develop groundbreaking materials and responsibly-sourced production methods. Why? In the words of their CEO:

"We believe companies can do good while making stylish, high-performance clothes families love.”

Let’s look at what sets Reima’s sustainability initiatives apart:

Reima‘s Sustainability Highlights

• Recycled Materials: Over 50% of their clothes utilize recycled polyester made from post-consumer plastic bottles
• Responsible Sourcing: Stringent policies ensure raw materials come from ethical factories with fair labor practices
• Save the Sea Initiative: Partnerships help recover ocean plastic for use in their recycled polyester
• Sustainability Standard: Reima meets the respected Bluesign criteria for safe, environmentally-friendly manufacturing
• Toxic-Free: Their gear stays free of hazardous PFC chemicals commonly used for waterproofing
• Made to Last: With reinforced knees and stitching, Reima clothes withstand generations of rough-and-tumble kids
• Reima Rescue: Take-back program gives used items new life by recycling them into new collections

Beyond materials and manufacturing, the brand’s commitments permeate outward through their supply chain, retail channels and even company culture.

But as great as all that sounds…does it actually hold up in practice?

As a seasoned product tester and picky parent, I cared most about how their clothes handled real-world adventures with my equally spirited and messy kids.

Putting Reima Winter Gear to the Test: A 20+ Day Trial Run

To see if Reima lived up to their eco-friendly claims without compromising on function, my twins Esteban and Elena road-tested their apparel for three weeks straight.

We picked out a variety of their best-selling coats, base layers, snow pants and accessories across sizes for testing in wet, freezing conditions.

Here’s my in-depth feedback after over 20 cumulative days enjoying winter adventures fueled by Reima‘s warmth:

Top Pick: Stavanger Snowsuit Review

This snowsuit comes loaded with awesome features like reinforced knees, a two-way front zipper for easy diaper changes and zipper guard to prevent scratched chins.

Both twins could splish-splash in puddles and traipse through icicle-covered trees without a hint of dampness thanks to the waterproof seam-sealing. And after an epic 8-hour snow fortress construction gig, the padded knees saved them from bruises.

With room to layer underneath and a smooth jersey lining, this suit earns top marks for comfort on marathon play sessions. The detachable hood and reflective details add safety bonuses.

Esteban’s Take: “It’s my favorite because I can flip on the hood when the wind blows but take it off when I get hot. And the green camo helps me sneak up on bad guys!”

Coziest Pick: Moomin Winter Jacket

While winter coats plastered in flashy colors or characters often win over parents more than practical kids, both my twins instantly adored this puffy Moomin jacket. The cute prints appeal to their wild imaginations while the cozy sherpa hood and soft fleece lining keep them toasty.

Bonus points for all the thoughtful details like inner cuffs to block wind and machine washability to withstand messy hot cocoa spills. This jacket even won over their skeptical friend Leah who insisted her pink unicorn coat was warmer…until she tried this on!

Elena‘s Take: "It‘s like a big fluffy cloud wrapped around me! When I spin around really fast with my arms out, I look like a snow princess."

Most Versatile: Reimatec Base Layer Set

As an avid skier and hiker myself, I know firsthand how quality base layers can make or break your winter activity time. Where cheap cotton blends leave you damp and chilled in minutes, Reima‘s merino wool and recycled polyester fabric warmed up fast and wicked away moisture during hours of snowballs and sledding.

We loved the crossover neck styling, extended sleeve length with thumb holes and flatlock seams banishing scratchy tags. Both kids stayed remarkably dry and comfortable over 8 hours fully immersed in blizzard conditions.

These base layers also worked wonders under rain suits in early spring, keeping them dry and preventing post-puddle chills. Definitely a four-season staple!

Esteban’s Take: “It feels like I’m wearing a soft sweater from Grandma! I had to take off my coat and hat eventually because I was too hot even in the freezing snow.”

The Downsides: Areas for Improvement

While Reima passed my rigorous testing protocols with flying colors, no brand is absolutely perfect. After 25 cumulative days enjoying winter adventures fueled by their jackets and snowsuits, here are a few downsides to consider:

Limited Color Selection: With neutral tones and basic color blocking predominating their designs, parents seeking flashy prints or unique color combos have fewer options to choose from.

Occasional Stock Shortages: As a smaller brand focused on sustainable production methods, popular items often sell out quickly. So move fast on those sale finds!

Expanded Sizing Coming Soon: Currently their size range spans 12 months to 8 years old. But based on positive feedback, they are expanding both up and down to meet demand.

Price: There’s no doubt their $100+ price tags exceed run-of-the-mill fast fashion winter gear. But remember – you’re paying for high-performance materials, ethical factories with fair wages, and quality construction that withstands generations of wear vs a single season.

For us, prioritizing fewer thoughtfully-made staples over piles of poorly-made junk ultimately saved money and headaches. And thanks to smart features like roomy fits, extension cuffs and reinforced knees, we’re confident these pieces will last multiple kids.

The Verdict: Is Reima Worth the Investment?

In my decade as both a parent and product tester, I rarely come across gear that excels aesthetically and functionally while matching my strict sustainability standards.

But I can confidently say, for active families prioritizing ethically-conscious construction methods and materials over decorative bells and whistles, Reima delivers.

Their unwavering dedication to both quality and sustainability shines through across decades of Nordic-tested, kid-approved outdoor wear. Combining legacy construction techniques (think reinforced stitching and durable fasteners) with cutting-edge tech (think nature-based waterproofing and temperature-regulating wool), Reima defines a new echelon of conscious innovation meeting practical design.

Are they the most affordable choice out there? No, but methanically-produced fast fashion comes at an alarming environmental and human cost over time.

My wholehearted take after months of first-hand testing: Reima justifies every penny of their elevated price tag through materials, quality, and consciousness – creating not just another ubiquitous disposable kids brand, but an icon synonymous with sustainability.

Next time you’re gearing your little adventurers up against the elements, I hope this honest review helps you consider investing in the type of ethically-minded, performance-proven kids outerwear built to pass through generations – not just seasons – of explorers.

Head to their website to browse their full range of jackets, snowsuits, ski pants and more tested and approved by this picky parent!

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