When it comes to kids’ winter gear, parents usually face a frustrating choice: performance or style.
Technical ski wear tends to look overly sporty or utilitarian, while stylish pieces often lack the durability kids need for real outdoor play. That gap is exactly what inspired entrepreneur and mom of four Kristin Rude to launch Northern Classics, an elevated children’s outerwear brand designed to perform on the mountain while still looking beautiful.
On the latest episode of the Momtrends Podcast, Kristin shares the story behind her fast-growing brand, how motherhood inspired her design philosophy, and what it takes to build a clothing company from scratch with no fashion background.
Listen to the full conversation below.
Meet Kristin Ruud, Founder of Northern Classics
Kristin Rude’s path to entrepreneurship didn’t start in fashion.
A graduate of the University of Michigan business school, her career began in financial consulting before moving into hedge fund management and commercial construction. But during the COVID pandemic, life shifted dramatically.
Kristin suddenly found herself home with three children under 18 months old. That intense season of motherhood sparked an idea that would eventually become Northern Classics.
While dressing her own kids for winter activities, she noticed something missing in the market.
“There was technical gear that worked really well, and there were really cute options,” Kristin explains. “But nothing that truly did both.”
So she decided to create it herself.
A New Standard for Kids’ Ski Clothing
Launched in Fall 2022, Northern Classics blends timeless style with high-performance technical outerwear designed specifically for active kids.
Kristin describes the brand simply:
“I always say I’m selling — I am my own customer.”
That mindset shapes every design decision.
Because she’s also a parent navigating snowy days, ski lessons, and playground adventures, Kristin understands what kids’ outerwear actually needs to do.
The result is a collection that combines classic aesthetics with real mountain-ready performance.
Technical Features Parents Will Love
Northern Classics garments aren’t just stylish—they’re designed with serious technical specifications that rival adult ski gear.
Key features include:
15K Waterproof Shells: Keeps kids dry in snow, slush, and winter storms.
Primaloft Insulation: Lightweight warmth without bulky layers.
Articulated Knees: Allows kids to move freely while skiing, sledding, or climbing.
Signature Mitten Attachment System: A genius solution that keeps mittens from disappearing halfway through the ski day.
Kristin admits the mitten system is one of her favorite innovations. If you’ve ever spent half the morning searching for a lost glove, you’ll understand why.
Built for Kids, Designed to Last
Beyond style and performance, Kristin also prioritizes longevity and sustainability. Instead of fast-fashion winter gear that lasts a single season, Northern Classics pieces are designed to hold up through years of wear. And often, multiple siblings.
“If we get away from fast fashion and really focus on designing this high performing product that will keep up with kids and not be tossed a year later — there’s really a core sustainability piece in that.”
The idea is simple: buy better, buy once, and pass it down. One of Kristin’s favorite moments as a founder is spotting Northern Classics jackets and snow suits on the slopes. Seeing kids wearing her designs—sometimes halfway across the country—is a reminder that the brand is resonating with families. The feedback from parents has also played a huge role in shaping the brand. Without a traditional fashion background, Kristin relied heavily on community insight, customer suggestions, and real-world testing.
That collaboration has helped Northern Classics evolve quickly.
A Mom of Four Designing for Real Life
Today Kristin is raising four young children: twins (almost 7), a 5-year-old, a 3-year-old; her kids remain the inspiration behind the brand.
“I try really hard to keep my kids at the forefront. I mean, they were the inspiration behind this brand.”
From ski lessons to backyard snow days, they’re also her most honest product testers.
Where to Shop Northern Classics
Northern Classics has quickly expanded beyond its direct-to-consumer launch and is now available through several premium retailers.
You can shop the collection at: Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom and ski shops nationwide. Explore the full collection at northernclassics.com.
The post The Mom Behind Northern Classics Is Reinventing Kids’ Ski Wear appeared first on Mom Trends.
​Â
