I have to admit, I'm a total sucker for buying kids' clothes, and it's a win-win for my husband and our family budget. But when it comes to winter gear, I get really picky. I mean, I want that one more snowsuit, and oh, and this one with the cool fur trim, and this one for when it's a bit milder, and this one for when it's freezing cold... And of course, I need both a full-body snowsuit and a separate jacket.
Before, I used to buy from brands like Kerry, Lassie, and Reima, but this time I was on the hunt for something new. I'd heard great things about MOLO snowsuits, but the price was a bit steep, and I couldn't find the perfect color scheme that would make me go 'wow.'
Then, one day, I saw it on my kid at the playground - a neon green snowsuit that looked like a flying saucer on a snowy day. I was sold! I started searching online...
It turned out that those neon colors were part of their 2015 collection, and they might still be available from someone selling second-hand gear or on online marketplaces like Avito.
I checked out Avito and found a seller who had the exact snowsuit I was looking for - the neon green one in the right size!
MOLO PYXIS Space Neon Winter Snowsuit
Price: 7,000 RUBSize: 86 (fits big, with an extra 6 cm of room)
Color: Space neon
I bought it from a girl who runs the business, and she had one of the jackets in the right size for us.
Since it's an older line, it's significantly cheaper than the new collection. Currently, prices start at 10,000 rubles for a model without fur, and you'll have to shell out 13,000 rubles for a jacket with fur.
But during the end-of-season sales, you can grab them for 6-7,000 rubles, depending on the store and color.
✤✤✤ TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS ✤✤✤
SIZE
I got the 86 size jacket.
When choosing a size, keep in mind that Molo runs big by 6 cm.
At the beginning of the season, my kid was exactly 86 cm tall (I guessed it right!), and the jacket was a bit too big. Now, in the middle of winter, they're around 90 cm tall, and the jacket fits perfectly.
We'll make it through the rest of the winter just fine.
I won't be buying a bigger size for next winter, as it's just ridiculous - for the first winter, the kid wears clothes two sizes too big, and for the second winter, the jacket is too small. So, I'll stick to buying the right size and not expect it to last two years.
Difference between PYXIS (Pixis) and POLARIS (Polaris) models.
The only difference is the number of lightning bolts. Pixis, which is marketed as a jacket for babies, has two.
This design simplifies the process of putting it on. The maximum size of Pixis is 98 (next year, I bought this size, hoping I guessed correctly).
The Polaris has one standout feature - its massive size, which can reach up to 140cm. This makes it a sleek and streamlined fit for kids.
The only functional difference, apart from the zipper, is the way the Polaris hugs the neck. The Pixis has some issues with this, which I'll get into later.
The outer layer of the jacket is made from a windproof and waterproof membrane.
The membrane needs a bit of special care, but it's not rocket science. Here's how to wash it:Wash at 30 degreesUse a specialized membrane cleaner (available at sports stores) and avoid using conditioners or other additivesDon't wring it outHang it up to dry, away from heat sources (no radiators, please)The chest area has these protective inserts on velcro.
The inside of the jacket is lined with fleece all around, making it super comfortable to wear - even over your underwear.
The snow guards on the pants are a nice touch, but they can be a bit of a nuisance - I have to wear two straps, one for the snow guard and one for the regular pants.
I love that the jacket has reflective strips on the front and back for extra safety at night. And those MOLO reflective stars are a nice touch.
The silicone strips on the pant legs are genius - they prevent them from riding up. Plus, the strips have three adjustable length settings.
The hood is removable, which is super convenient.
Inside the jacket, there's a tag where you can write your name.
✤✤✤ PLUS ✤✤✤
Flowers. This is, of course, wow. None of the other companies have such top-notch designs. Though, I have to say, I prefer solid colors - they look amazing on MOLO. But, I wouldn't buy the multi-colored ones - they'd get old fast, and it's hard to find matching accessories, which I love, by the way.
Check out this crazy color. It's like a cosmic neon!
My husband said this photo looks like a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie.
The color is super chameleon-like - it goes from bright yellow to greenish-salad in different lighting conditions.
MOLO also has a lot of unisex color options, which is great for us, since my sister will be wearing her brother's clothes, and I don't want her to be the only one in blue.
So, I also got a solid-colored version of this model (Ocean Ice, a super rare color) for next year.
Warm.
Yeah, don't let the thin design fool you! It's all about the Thinsulate insulation inside.
The microfibers in this insulation are 10 times thinner than other synthetic materials. They're designed to trap warm air, reflect body heat, and release twice as much thermal energy as other insulation materials of the same thickness.
No wonder they use this stuff in space suits for astronauts!
The manufacturer keeps the exact amount of insulation a secret, but they do specify the temperature range: +5°C to -25°C.
We started wearing it around +7°C, but I wore it over a t-shirt and shorts. It was a lifesaver when I was trying to minimize downtime with my second kid.
From +5 to -5, we wear it over thermals. MAKE SURE IT'S SYNTHETIC AND ON BARE SKIN. I know, I know, it's been said a million times – you need to layer up for membrane jackets, but some moms still insist on wearing cotton underlayers.
Remember, don't do that with membrane jackets!
The main job of thermals is to wick sweat away from the body. And that's something only synthetic fabrics and certain types of wool can do. Cotton just gets soggy and your kid will chill way faster.
From -5 to -20, we wear a fleece underlayer over our thermals – it's a little onesie for us. At -15°C, we played outside for about 30 minutes, and my kid was warm, not just warm – hot! Just keep in mind that my kid is super active, and membrane jackets are better suited for energetic kids.
Waterproof.
I was blown away by the high waterproof rating - 10,000 mm (with a water absorption rate of 8,000 g/m^3/24h), which is unmatched by any other kids' brand.
I once washed the onesie and hung it up, but I didn't realize that water had accumulated in the hood. It was there for two days - the water didn't seep through the membrane and remained in the hood.
So, you can sit in the mud for two hours - it won't get wet. Now I look down on moms who shout at their kids, 'Don't sit on a wet surface/stop sliding down the hill, you'll get wet!' Just sit, stay seated, slide away.
✤✤✤ Minuses ✤✤✤
Price. Models from the new Pyxis collection cost around 10-14 thousand rubles (depending on whether they have fur or not), Polaris - 16-17 thousand. In the spring, you can buy them on sale for 7-8 thousand rubles. Last year's and older collections from private sellers also cost around 8 thousand.
I was lucky that the desired color was from the old collection. I wouldn't have paid 14 thousand rubles for the onesie, even if it was the best in the world. I'd be happy to pay 8 thousand, considering it's only for one season. The only good thing is that my sister will be able to wear it afterwards.
It's not very comfortable to wear around the neck area.
So, it's best to wear a scarf or a hooded hat. If you don't wear anything around your neck, it'll look pretty awkward.
I'm not a fan of the tiny hood. It's super tight, which might be the point - to keep it from flying off and protecting me from the cold and wind.
Personally, I'd have made it a bit bigger, but I guess that's just my preference.
Rating: 3/5
I've heard people say that once you try MOLO, you're hooked for life. That's definitely true for us. I've lost interest in all those boring, cookie-cutter combos from other brands.
Even in Moscow, these combos are pretty rare, and with the limited color options, the chances of spotting another kid in the same one are slim to none.
Molo for life, I guess.
Thanks for reading!