Modifying something to fit the Tadpole

[Moondog55]

Again everything in the shops is cut fashion skinny and I need to outfit this 10YO Femme-Fetale in training with some ski clothing. Specifically a LW overparka.
Something with minimal insulation but cut wide in the arm holes and sleeves. Time is in short supply so I just wanted to buy something cheap and if Cecile and I run out of oomph or time to make something, just cut the sleeves off short enough.
I just came back from a quick window shop at Anaconda and Rays/Macpac and while the kids ski gear is cheap and good again this season it is too skinny and too well insulated to work as an overparka for our mild but wet conditions.
So while down is great it won't work for this
If anybody spots something suitable could you please paste a link to it here for me please.
If time beats me I can always make up a lightly insulated poncho with a big hand warmer kangaroo pocket but I was hoping to get something less bulk as it will be carried in my pack

[Moondog55]

Alternatively if somebody wants to offload a Patagonia Nano-Puff bivvy top in a Womens Small or Extra Small I would be very interested. Because that particular garment is exactly what I think is needed Patagonia have DFR'd it and it is no longer available and what s around are mens Large sizes

[Eremophila]

Aldi snow gear coming up on 18 May - might be worth a look.

Depending on how big Tadpole is, you could possibly look at the women's smaller sizes. Aldi's sizing seems to be getting smaller each year (or is it just me???)

Last year they had women's soft shell jackets and a "premium ski shell jacket" which, while more expensive, looks like it would be very suitable.

Also a couple of second hand Aldi items on Gumtree.

[Moondog55]

I may spend a bit of money and buy something that will work for here for a few seasons
Aldi sale is OK for the downhill stuff but camping in the snow needs just a little more warmth and I was thinking of the womens Premium stuff in the smallest size
Macpac have a few of the really good down jumpers left at $200- and while miles too large now she could grow into it
https://www.macpac.com.au/macpac-arrows ... FI-12.html
That is cheaper than a S/H Nano-Bivvy top on eBay

[Moondog55]

https://www.macpac.com.au/equipment/pac ... WS-ST.html

Anybody here with any experience of the kids version ?
My budget is limited but I think something better than the 'Brick with Straps" of the current school rucksack will be needed to allow Widget to carry her minimum kit, especially as the sleeping bag can't be compressed too much and will probably take up 12 litres
I did buy that womens down jumper when the Patagonia bivvy top I was watching went to $110-USD used but it will be too large to do anything in so I am also looking at the Macpac Pulsar in a kids size 12 as her cold weather midlayer. 100GSM Primaloft Silver being what I consider a reasonable amount of warmth if combined with base layers and perhaps a UL fleece top
https://www.macpac.com.au/kids/jackets- ... RI-12.html

[Jayce]

I bought both the Macpac Torlesse jnr backpack and Pulsar jacket for my 9 y.o. nephew's first overnight bushwalk last year. He happily carried 7kg and was a lot more comfortable than his friends who were using their school packs. It was too warm to wear the Pulsar jacket on that trip but he has carried and worn on xc ski day trips and around Canberra in winter. I can recommend both bits of kit. Thay are well made, reasonably light and a good buy on sale.

[Moondog55]

Thanx for that feedback Jayce

[Moondog55]

Do Fox River rag wool mittens shrink?
ANSCO have a special on but they are too big for tiny hands, but if they shrink it might be worth while doing a DIY Dachstein type mitten

[Moondog55]

Well my delivery from Macpac has finally arrived. The kids Pulsar is excellent but no way is the Torlesse Jnr a 30 litre pack, much closer to 18 litres but I think it is the right back size I'll be able to check on Monday