What do you use or recommend?

During warmer months I've generally use zip offs for my older kids as they can pass them on to the younger. But they're not cheap.

Cool weather months they have their base layer and fleece pants. I've found those on campmor or passed down from friends.

Same here.

We were fortunate and my wife walked into the Columbia Outlet store while they were putting out kid's zip offs for $4. She wishes she had gotten a couple pair of each size. Went back the next day and they were all gone. Haven't seen that deal again :(. She did get them big enough that each daughter used their pair 3 summers and the bigger ones can now be passed down.

Amazing deal for sure!

Thankfully my two oldest, ages 11 + 14 are now in adult small. I think I can milk that for a couple years, but my daughter keeps growing taller and taller. My son hasn't hit puberty so he could fool me as well.

The 8 yo reaps all the spoils.

Problem with Zip offs are unless you find a deal (Which Ducks did), they are expensive if the kid hits a spurt and you only get one season out of them. IMO


I found some nylon pants at Meijer for $8 last year that did a good job.

Once you kids get a bit older you can also look at the local thrift stores. I look through the pants aisles and just focus on looking at the pant legs for zip offs. I have been able to find pants for myself as well as the 2 older boys for under $10 each.

I have found deals (not $4!!! Wow!) on Sierra Trading which is great for the harder to find smaller size of my youngest son.

I like once upon a child to pick up some pants/shorts/capris for my girls. Last winter, I found $7 Khaki trail pants w/ bug repellant/spf built in at the Columbia outlet. I stocked up so we are set for the coming seasons. As mentioned, Sierra is a great source as well.

One word:

REI

100% satisfaction guarentee, when they grow out of them return them for bigger pair, no questions asked!!

quote moose664788: "One word:


REI


100% satisfaction guarentee, when they grow out of them return them for bigger pair, no questions asked!!


"

Yes, and only the guilty mark left on my conscience. :)

No guilt here for the amount of use they hardly get like brand new and hey it's their guarantee not mine

The REI Guarantee
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We stand behind everything we sell. If at any time your REI purchase doesn't meet your expectations, you can return it for a replacement or refund.