KOMBI Gear Review: Our Go-To Gloves & Cold Weather Essentials for Family Adventures
After four years of winter adventures with kids, we’ve learned one thing the hard way:
Cold hands can ruin a perfectly good mountain day.
Our first experience with KOMBI actually happened by accident. We were at the top of Whistler in the middle of summer — completely unprepared for the alpine chill — and ended up buying Aspen her first pair of KOMBI gloves inside the Roundhouse. They worked so well that we never looked back.
Since then, KOMBI has quietly become a staple in our winter gear bin.
This winter, we had the chance to test more from their line — including kids’ mittens, ski socks, toques, and the Climate Series 7-in-1 Modular Gloves — during real family adventures at Manning Park Resort over the entire season.
Here’s our honest review after snowboard lessons, tubing laps, cross-country skiing, and full campground snow play.
Tested In Real Conditions: Manning Park Resort
Over three full winter trips we used this gear for:
Kids’ snowboard lessons
Snow tubing
Cross-country skiing (several kilometres each day)
Campsite snow play and evening walks
Temperatures ranged from mild alpine days to colder mornings and shaded trail systems — exactly the kind of mixed conditions most Canadian families experience throughout winter.
This wasn’t a staged shoot. This was real winter use.
Crazy Cariboo Mittens with Clips
If you’re a parent, you already know: mittens disappear.
The built-in clips on the Crazy Cariboo mittens are such a small feature, but they make a big difference. They stay attached when kids pull them off between runs or toss them in the snow while building a fort.
What we loved:
Easy-on design for independent kids
Secure wrist coverage that overlaps jacket sleeves
Warm without feeling bulky
Durable outer shell that handled repeated snow contact
Most importantly? No complaints about cold fingers — even after extended tubing sessions.
And yes, the colourful patterns were an immediate hit.
Children’s Drop Rain Mittens (aka the “Elsa Gloves”)
We actually bought these long before this partnership.
Last fall, when Aspen started Forest School, we needed something that could handle cold mornings, wet playground equipment, steady rain, and those in-between slushy days that aren’t quite winter but definitely aren’t dry.
We chose the Children’s Drop Rain Mittens in Arctic Blue — and Aspen immediately named them her “Elsa gloves.”
They’ve since become one of the most-used pieces of gear in her entire fall and winter wardrobe.
These mittens are:
Fully waterproof
Insulated enough for cold days
Flexible enough for climbing and playground play
Easy for kids to pull on independently
The real testimonial though?
After a few weeks of wear, Aspen’s daycare actually sent a note out to all families recommending these mittens — because her hands consistently stayed the driest and warmest during outdoor play.
That’s the kind of real-world performance we pay attention to.
If you live somewhere with shoulder-season weather (hello, British Columbia), these are an incredibly practical investment. They bridge that tricky gap between fall rain gear and full winter mittens — and they’ve held up beautifully.
Kids’ Ski Socks
Ski socks are often overlooked, but they can absolutely make or break a day in ski boots. I would also argue the warm feet are just as important as warm hands!
The KOMBI kids’ ski socks stayed up, stayed warm, and didn’t bunch inside snowboard boots. After full days of activity, feet were warm and dry.
That’s exactly what we’re looking for.
Toques & Cold Weather Accessories
Not every winter moment involves helmets.
A lot of our weekend at Manning was spent walking through the campground, playing in fresh snow, wandering between activities, and slowing down after full ski days — and that’s where these pieces really shone.
River wore the Mont Blanc Infant Hat – Faux Shearling, and I honestly can’t get over how adorable it is. It’s warm, soft, and has that classic alpine look that makes strangers stop and comment. I also loved the name — after visiting Mont Blanc in the French Alps, it felt like a full-circle winter moment. Aspen is incredibly jealous of this one, I wish it also came in her size.
For myself, I’ve been wearing the Caprice Fully Fashioned Headband in Moonstone, and it has quickly become one of my favourite winter accessories. It’s incredibly cozy without flattening my hair (a small but real win), and perfect for active days when I’m moving between skiing, helping with lessons, and walking the campground.
Matt chose the Four Seasons Light Toque in Tropic Green, and it’s been his go-to ever since. Lightweight but warm, simple, and easy to throw on for everything from morning coffee outside the trailer to evening walks after tubing.
If I’m being honest? I wish we had ordered more of the toques. We’ve loved every single one.
They’re the kind of pieces you reach for daily — not just for big mountain days, but for real life winter in Canada.
Climate Series 7-in-1 Modular Gloves (Adult)
These were the most technical piece we tested this season — and the one I was most curious about.
For the past 10 years, I’ve worn a different modular glove system from another brand for resort days and splitboarding. I’ve sworn by it. Recommended it to anyone who asked. It’s been my gold standard for winter.
So I didn’t take this test lightly.
The Climate Series 7-in-1 Modular Gloves might just take its place.
The modular system allows you to adjust layers depending on conditions — which is ideal for changing mountain weather. On high-output cross-country ski days, we pared things back for breathability. During slower tubing laps, lift rides, and cold campground evenings, we layered up for added warmth.
What stood out immediately was the reduced bulk. They feel slimmer and more streamlined than my previous system, but on first impressions deliver the same level of warmth — which is saying a lot.
For parents juggling kids’ gear, buckling boots, adjusting bindings, and digging snacks out of pockets, dexterity matters. These gloves strike a strong balance between warmth, mobility, and practicality.
Best for:
Variable winter conditions
Multi-sport family days
Anyone who doesn’t want separate gloves for every activity
After a decade of loyalty to another system, that’s not a small endorsement.
What Makes KOMBI Stand Out for Families
After years of use, here’s what keeps us coming back:
1. Thoughtful Design
Clips, extended cuffs, adjustable wrists — these details genuinely make winter smoother with kids.
2. Kid-Friendly Fit & Sizing
Proper sizing means warmth. Their kids’ gear feels designed for actual movement, not just scaled-down adult gear.
3. Durability
We’re hard on gear. Between ski hills, snowy hikes, and campground adventures, everything has held up well.
4. Warmth Without Bulk
Kids can move freely — which means they’re happier and more confident when learning new winter skills.
Final Thoughts: Is KOMBI Worth It?
If your family spends real time outdoors in winter — whether that’s ski resorts, backcountry trails, or everyday snowy play — quality handwear and layering systems are worth investing in.
After four seasons of use, KOMBI continues to deliver reliable warmth, thoughtful features, and kid-approved designs.
It’s gear that fades into the background — which, honestly, is exactly what good winter gear should do.
When kids are comfortable, they stay outside longer.
And longer outdoor days? That’s what we’re here for.
