Reiff · Kids Mittens
Warm Winter Mittens in Organic Merino Wool Fleece
German-made kids mittens with GOTS-certified organic merino wool fleece, soft cuffs, and attached strings. Sizes for 3 months through 6 years.
Reiff is a three-generation German family business founded in 1939 in Gommingen, near the Swabian Alps. Known as a "fully processing flat knitting company," Reiff doesn't just knit—they also wash and finish their own fabrics, maintaining control over every step of production. In the 1970s, founder Manfred Reiff pioneered washable organic wool clothing years before the natural textile movement took hold, and today the company produces exclusively organic textiles. All Reiff garments are made in Germany or within 50 km of their facilities, and their commitment to GOTS and kbT certification reflects their belief that ecological production and fair labor practices are non-negotiable.
When to Wear Them
These mittens are an essential for winter outdoor play—snow, cold winds, and temperatures below 15°C (59°F). The wool fleece provides insulation without bulk, and the attached string means no more single mittens lost in the snow. They're equally at home on a ski slope, a winter walk, or building snowmen in the backyard. Reiff sizes these to grow with your child, starting at 3 months and extending to 6 years.
Materials & Construction
Fiber
100% organic merino wool
Knit Type
Wool fleece — brushed merino knit for softness and insulation
Certifications
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and kbT (organic livestock farming)
Origin
100% made in Germany by Reiff
Wool fleece is created by knitting merino wool and then brushing the surface to raise the fibers into a soft pile. The result is warmer than standard knitted merino at comparable weight, while retaining merino's natural breathability and temperature-regulating properties. These mittens use fine merino that measures 17–19 microns—soft enough for sensitive skin without the itch of coarser wool.
The merino comes from kbT-certified farms (kontrolliert biologische Tierhaltung, or certified organic livestock farming), where sheep are raised on organic pasture with strict animal welfare standards. The wool is mulesing-free and processed in Europe according to GOTS standards, which cover everything from dyes to finishes. No synthetic dyes, no chemicals, no shortcuts.
Why These Mittens
Attached String
The mittens are connected by a cord that runs through the jacket sleeve, eliminating the lost-mitten problem that plagues parents everywhere.
Soft Cuffs
Flexible ribbed cuffs protect wrists and hands from cold air and snow without restricting movement or adding bulk.
Thumb Design
Separate thumb openings allow children to grip and move more naturally than mittens without thumbs.
Durability
Wool fleece is robust and resilient. These mittens often pass through multiple children and are still going strong.
Sizing
Reiff mittens are sized by age and hand measurements. Use the palm measurement (from wrist to tip of middle finger) as your primary guide.
| Size |
Age Range |
Palm Width |
Thumb Width |
Cuff Length |
| Size 1 |
3–12 months |
3.5 inches (8.9 cm) |
2.5 inches (6.4 cm) |
4.3 inches (10.9 cm) |
| Size 2 |
1–2 years |
4 inches (10.2 cm) |
3 inches (7.6 cm) |
4.5 inches (11.4 cm) |
| Size 3 |
2–4 years |
4.5 inches (11.4 cm) |
3.5 inches (8.9 cm) |
5 inches (12.7 cm) |
| Size 4 |
4–6 years |
5.5 inches (14 cm) |
4.5 inches (11.4 cm) |
5 inches (12.7 cm) |
European sizing runs slightly slim—if your child is at the upper end of an age range or has wider hands, size up. Children's measurements can vary, so if you're between sizes, measure your child's palm and use that as your guide.
Be Honest: Will These Work for Your Child?
Best For
Winter outdoor play, skiing, cold-weather hiking, and everyday cold-season wear. These mittens excel in true winter (below 15°C / 59°F). They're soft enough for sensitive skin—fine merino at 17–19 microns is meaningfully different from coarse wool. If your child has reacted to wool before, start with these and see how they respond; the fleece brushing makes them exceptionally soft.
Trade-Offs
Wool requires hand or delicate washing in cold water. If you prefer throw-in-the-dryer convenience, these aren't for you. They're also an investment at European heritage-brand prices—but they last for years and often pass to younger siblings. The attached string is a feature, not a bug, but some parents find it fiddly to thread through jacket sleeves.
The Investment
You're paying for German manufacturing, organic fiber certification, GOTS and kbT standards, and a product that doesn't require replacement every season. Reiff mittens are built to last multiple children and multiple winters. They hold their shape, resist pilling, and improve with age.
Care & Washing
Hand wash or delicate cycle
Cold water only
Wool wash detergent
Lay flat to dry
Hand wash mittens in cold water with a wool-specific detergent (such as Eucalan or Sonett wool wash), or use the wool/delicate cycle on your machine with cold water. Do not wring or twist. Press water out gently, then lay flat to dry away from direct heat or sunlight.
Wool naturally resists odor and rarely needs frequent washing. A quick air-out between uses—especially after snow or outdoor play—is often enough. Spot-clean stains with a damp cloth and a small amount of wool wash, then dry flat. With proper care, these mittens will last for years.
Why cold water? Merino wool felts and shrinks when exposed to hot water or mechanical agitation. Cold water plus a gentle detergent preserves the fiber structure and keeps the mittens soft. It's a simple habit to learn and a small price for years of durability.
Questions & Answers
Are these mittens itchy?
Fine merino wool at 17–19 microns is soft and rarely causes itch. The fleece brushing (which raises the fibers into a pile) makes them even softer than standard merino knits. If your child has extreme wool sensitivity or has reacted badly to wool before, these are still worth trying—but always start with a small exposure. Some children who reject coarser wool do beautifully with fine merino.
Will they keep my child's hands warm in very cold weather?
Yes. Wool fleece is significantly warmer than standard merino knit due to the brushed pile, which traps air. These mittens are rated for winter play in temperatures below 15°C (59°F) and will keep hands warm and dry even in active snow play. If your area has extreme cold (below –10°C / 14°F), you might layer with a thin silk liner underneath, but for typical winter weather, these alone are sufficient.
What if the attached string breaks or I lose the mittens?
The string is durable, but if it breaks, you can replace it with cord from a fabric store or sew the mittens onto a new string. Many parents also choose to simply remove the string if they prefer—though this means reverting to the classic problem of lost mittens.
Can I machine wash these?
You can use a wool or delicate cycle on your machine with cold water only and a wool-specific detergent. Hand washing gives you more control and is gentler on the fibers, but machine washing on the right settings is acceptable. Never use the dryer; always lay flat to dry.
How do I know which size to choose?
Measure your child's palm (from wrist to tip of middle finger in a relaxed hand). Match that measurement to the size chart above. If you're between sizes or your child is tall for their age, size up. European sizing tends to run slightly slim, and there's no penalty for extra room—your child will grow into it.
Are these mittens certified organic?
Yes. The merino wool is certified under kbT (kontrolliert biologische Tierhaltung), which means it comes from certified organic livestock farming with strict animal welfare standards, no mulesing, and no chemical processing. The finished mittens carry GOTS certification, which covers the entire supply chain from fiber to finished product, including dyes, finishes, and labor standards.
How long do these mittens last?
With proper care, Reiff mittens typically last multiple winters and often pass to younger siblings. Wool fleece is durable and resilient. They do develop character over time—a slight softening and subtle color shift—but this is normal and part of the appeal. These are heirloom-quality pieces, not disposable.
