Buying kids' clothes is a guessing game. Your 3-year-old wears 2T pants, 4T shirts and refuses anything with a tag. Add layering and growth spurts and it's easy to get the size wrong.
This guide gives you kids fleece hoodie size recommendations with the actual Tumbler size charts, how to measure in under two minutes, and our rule of thumb for sizing up. Handy if you're buying for a holiday gift.
The Golden Rule: Size Up (Usually)
For kids' fleece, size up when your child is between sizes or near the top of a range. Here's why:
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Growth: a hoodie that fits perfectly in December can be short in the sleeves by March
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Layering: a fleece mid-layer goes over a base layer, so a little extra room helps. (Here's our full winter layering system.)
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Thumbholes and elastic cuffs (on youth sizes) keep slightly long sleeves in place, so sizing up won't look sloppy.
One exception to think about: babies who ride in a carrier most of the time. Extra fabric can bunch under the straps, so if your baby is mid-range on the chart, their current size may sit better in the carrier.
How to Measure Your Child
Grab a soft measuring tape (or a phone charger cord and a ruler):
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Height: barefoot, back against a wall, mark the top of the head.
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Chest: around the fullest part of the chest, under the armpits, tape level and snug but not tight.
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Weight: your pediatrician's last number works fine.
Then compare to the charts below. If height and chest point to different sizes, go with the bigger size.
The two-second hood check: when you size up a toddler, pull the hood up and look at their face. If the hood drops over their eyes, it's too big for now. Kids who can't see trip, and kids who trip refuse to walk.
Baby Fleece Hoodie Sizes
|
Size |
Weight (lb) |
Height (in) |
Chest (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
3M–6M |
12–17 |
25–27 |
16–17 |
|
6M–12M |
17–22 |
27–29 |
17–18 |
|
12M–18M |
22–27 |
29–31 |
18–19 |
|
18M–24M |
27–30 |
31–33 |
19–20 |
Fit tip: Size up for longer seasonal wear, unless your baby spends most of their outdoor time in a carrier. Then go true to size so there's no extra fabric bunching under the straps or creeping up over their face. The Baby Tumbler has a fitted hood and elastic cuff trim, so it stays put even with a little extra room.
Toddler Fleece Hoodie Sizes
|
Size |
Weight (lb) |
Height (in) |
Chest (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2T |
29–32 |
33–36 |
20–21 |
|
3T |
32–37 |
36–39 |
21–22 |
|
4T |
37–41 |
39–42 |
22–23 |
|
5 |
41–45 |
42–44 |
23–24 |
Fit tip: Size up for room to grow and longer wear. Toddlers are hard on gear and grow fast. The Toddler Tumbler has reinforced seams for the first part, and sizing up covers the second.
"Super nice material, my son loves it, looks great… My son sees my Army issued 'Waffletop' and thinks he needs the same thing haha." Thomas C., Louisville (Tumbler, Charcoal / 4T)
Youth Fleece Hoodie Sizes
|
Size |
Weight (lb) |
Height (in) |
Chest (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
XS (6) |
44–50 |
46–47 |
23.5–24.5 |
|
S (7/8) |
51–65 |
49–51 |
25–27 |
|
M (10) |
66–87 |
52.5–55.5 |
27.5–29 |
|
L (12) |
88–105 |
57–59 |
29.5–30.5 |
|
XL (14/16) |
106–125 |
61–63 |
31.5 |
Fit tip: Size up for longer seasonal wear. The Youth Tumbler adds thumbholes and a kangaroo pocket (aka the rock-and-pinecone storage unit).
Sizing for the Whole Family
Want matching hoodies for the family photo or the trail? Here's how the four Tumbler lines connect:
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Baby (3M–24M) → Toddler (2T–5) → Youth (XS 6 – XL 14/16) → Adult unisex (XS–2XL)
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A big 5-year-old may be ready for Youth XS (6). Check chest measurement.
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A teen who's outgrown Youth XL (31.5″ chest) usually fits Adult XS (34–36″ chest) or S. See our adult Tumbler size chart.
Common Kids' Sizing Mistakes
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Buying by age alone. Kids the same age vary by a lot. Use height and chest.
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Sizing up two sizes. One size up is room to grow. Two sizes up is a dress, and the sleeves swallow their hands, so they can't grab a rock or catch themselves when they trip.
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Forgetting the base layer. If your kid will wear a thick base layer underneath all winter, factor that in.
FAQ
Should I size up in kids fleece hoodies? Usually yes. One size up gives room for growth and layering. If your baby lives in a carrier, check whether the extra room bunches under the straps.
My child is between sizes. Which should I pick? The larger one.
What if it doesn't fit? Every order is covered by our Worry-Free Adventure Guarantee: free returns within 30 days (unworn, tags on) and exchanges within 60 days.
Do fleece hoodies shrink? A quality polyester fleece shouldn't shrink noticeably if you wash cold and tumble dry low. The Tumbler is designed to resist shrinking.
Get the Size Right, Then Get Outside
Measure height and chest, check the chart, size up if they're between sizes. That's it.
Shop kids' Tumbler fleece hoodies →
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