Some of you may already be familiar with the convenience and versatility of our Roo Rain Gear waterproof poncho, but for those of you who aren’t we put together a fun video of how to pack down your poncho after a fun jaunt in the rain.
How to Stay Warm this Winter
A big concern for parents and kids alike is keeping warm during the winter months. Whether you are standing outside watching your child play football in the rain, or playing outside in the snow with the kids, how you dress can directly affect how much fun you have.
Below are a few tips to help you stay warm and enjoy the winter months.
1. Wear Silk or Wool
Many people think of silk only as a summer fabric, but the truth is it should be a staple in your winter wardrobe. Silk actually regulates your body temperature keeping you cool when it is hot and preserving your body heat when it is cold. It also has moisture wicking properties to help keep you dry and warm. Since it is soft and light-weight it is comfortable to wear under your clothing so you don’t feel like the Michelin Man all winter. You can often get silk in different weights for lighter or more extreme temperatures. (pictured above is a long sleeve silk top from Bella di Notte)
Similar to silk, wool has the same ability to keep you warm when it is cold outside and cool when it is hot. It can also absorb up to 30% of it’s weight in water without feeling wet. Wool undergarments can usually be found much cheaper than there silk counterparts. I still wear my Italian undershirts that my mom made me wear when I was young, which I hated, under almost everything in the winter because it keeps me the perfect temperature throughout the day. (Pictured above is a wool undershirt from Grace Textile)
2. Avoid Cotton on the Skin
Cotton absorbs moisture like a sponge and takes a long time to dry. Cotton will absorb any sweat and keep your body cold, which is why if you are playing sports, or doing any physical activity it is best to keep cotton away from the skin. It is much better to wear a moisture wicking fabric as a base layer such as silk, wool, or polyester.
3. Wear a Waterproof Layer
While silks and wools are good layers to keep close to your skin, your last outer layer should be a man made waterproof layer to keep you dry from the elements. There is nothing worse than standing outside watching your kid play sports in the rain while trying to balance a camera, coffee cup and umbrella. That is why our Roo Rain Gear waterproof poncho, made from recycled plastic bottles can help to save the environment and you from becoming a wet mess.
4. Keep your feet Dry
Investing in a good waterproof shoe/boot will keep your feet dry and warm. Don’t underestimate the sock either. As mentioned above, stay away from cotton and try wool or fleece on your feet. (Pictured above are Sorel waterproof snow boots, available in kids and adults)
5. Wear a Hat
A large amount of your body heat leaves your body through your head so it is important to capture that body heat by wearing a winter hat. I personally love winter hats, and they are my go to fashion accessory in the winter.
Hope these tips help you to stay nice and cozy this winter. Comment below or tweet us (@rooraingear) if you have any other great tips to staying warm during the winter season.
Sources:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Why-Cotton-Will-Kill-You
http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/hiking/wool-when-wet1.htm
http://www.bigskyfishing.com/snow-boots/keep-feet-warm.php
http://gocanada.about.com/od/canadatravelplanner/tp/keep_warm_in_winter.htm
Funny Dog Products
We took a long time to think of a simple yet practical design for our Roo Rain Gear dog ponchos. The product had to make sense for the dog, as well as the owner, and had to take into consideration the daily routines of both. Not to mention style and the environment had to be considered. We are happy to be able to bring you a product that does all of the above. 
For a video on how the dog poncho works click here
Here are some other dog products that may have struggled with the challenge.
The Puppy Purse
The Tread Wheel
The dog Umbrella
The Poo Trap
Hope we inspired a laugh, or two. Happy Thursday!
Guest Blogger Kid Hike Series – Lincolnia Hill Neighbourhood, Alexandria, Virginia
Many of you may have made it your New Year’s resolution to get outside and be more active with your children, which we think is great! We have partnered with some great brands from around North America to bring you some outdoor kid hike locations that you can enjoy with your children. Today we are featuring a neighbourhood location in Alexandria, Virginia from Sarah W. of Sarah Wells Bags.
Location: Lincolnia Hills Neighborhood (Alexandria, VA) (aka Our Own Backyard!)
Best Time of Year to Visit: Beautiful in the Spring and Fall
What To Bring: On this rainy day we brought our Roo Rain Gear for Maddy and an umbrella for mom!
Points of Interest: We are lucky to have forest areas in our neighborhood, which gives us tons of places to explore nature.
About our Hike/Walk: Maddy and I decided to take a walk through our own neighbourhood for a new perspective on where we live, viewing it during a rain storm. We made a point to stay away from most of the paved areas where we usually play and trekked through the banks of trees and around (well, into!) the muddy puddles. Maddy loves jumping in puddles! She loved her Roo Rain Gear poncho because it makes a really fun flapping feeling when she jumps up and down, like she has butterfly wings. It was interesting to see where the rain collects during a storm and we discovered a spot near our house where you can find the biggest of all mud puddles. Usually on a rainy day, we stay inside; this time, it was awesome to change it up and say “hey, it’s raining, let’s go out and play!”
Thanks Sarah for the Kiddie Hike Location, the great pics, and the excellent write up!
Check back soon for another guest blogger’s outdoor hike location, and don’t forget to visit Sarah’s website for discreet and stylish breast pump bags.
Roo Rain Gear 