Designed to last beyond one season.
Growing kids can outsize their gear seemingly overnight. Grow-With-Me outerwear is designed differently. Some garments include extendable sleeves or legs, while others build extra growing room directly into the fit. Both approaches help children move comfortably now while leaving space for the seasons ahead—giving families better long-term value and more time outside in gear that still fits.
Two Ways Gear Grows
One garment. Two sizes.
Growth spurts in children are wonderful to watch, but they mean outdoor gear gets outgrown faster than we'd like. That is why brands developed Extend Size. These styles have built-in extra sizing, allowing clothing to grow with your child, enabling that favorite jacket or bibs to be worn for another year. With this feature, garments will last longer, giving kids more time to explore, saving families money and reducing waste.
Extra room is already built in.
Unlike garments that use extendable seams, many brands are designed with a purposeful, roomy fit that gives kids space to grow right from the start. Instead of adding physical extensions or let-out seams, they build extra growth room directly into the sizing, add buttons, snaps, and adjustable features that allow many garments to comfortably fit through multiple seasons of outdoor play.
How Extend Size Works
- Hidden red seams allow sleeves or pant legs to be extended.
- Extending the seams adds approximately one full size.
- Designed to help select garments last longer as children grow.
- Better for your wallet—and better for the environment.
Start with the size they are now.
Grow-With-Me gear works best when the starting fit is right. Measure your child’s current height, follow the brand’s size guide, and choose the size that fits now. Buying significantly oversized gear can create excess bulk and make it harder for children to move, climb, and play comfortably.
1. Measure height
2. Leave appropriate room for layers
3. Do not automatically size up
View our Size Guides for details
💡 Tip: These are general guidelines. Always check specific brand size charts when possible, as sizing can vary between manufacturers.
Ready to explore extendable sized clothing?
Shop Grow-With-Me Gear
Answers to Common Questions
Does every product include Grow-With-Me sizing?
No. The feature varies by product and collection. Review the individual product description for sizing, fit, and extension details before purchasing.
How much extra room does Reima include?
Reima commonly builds approximately 2–3 inches, or about 6 centimeters, of growing room into many children’s garments, though exact fit can vary by style.
How does Didriksons & Helly Hansen Extend Size work?
Qualifying garments include red seams that can be carefully unpicked to release additional length in the sleeves or legs, taking the garment up approximately one full size.
Should I buy a larger size anyway?
Usually not. Adjustable outdoor gear is designed with room for movement, layering, and growth. Features such as adjustable straps, cuffs, waists, and hems help create the right fit for your child now and as they grow. Buying too large can make outdoor play less comfortable and prevent the gear from performing as intended.
Can extended garments be passed down?
Yes. Durable garments with adjustable or extendable sizing can make excellent hand-me-downs when they remain clean and in good condition. Once your child outgrows the gear, pass it along, resell it, or trade eligible items through ODSS (Re)PLAY for store credit. This keeps quality outdoor gear in use longer, helps families size up, and reduces waste. Find here: ODSS trade-in program.
How do I choose the right size for my child?
Kids’ clothing sizes are based on height in centimeters because height is the most reliable way to find the right fit. Children of the same age can vary significantly in height, so shopping by age alone isn’t always accurate.
Outerwear is designed around your child’s height, which determines sleeve length, leg length, and overall coverage. We include age as a helpful reference, but it simply represents the average height for that age group.
For the best fit, always choose your child’s size based on height whenever possible. For size guides, visit: outdoorschoolshop.com/pages/size-guide-for-kids