We have rented equipment for our kids at Ski Barn for years. We bought boots when their feet stopped growing but continued to rent skis. Currently, my daughter has her boots and is probably in her last ski rental year. Renting equipment for the season has been a no brainer. There was one season when we exchanged boots 3 times for my son (with binding adjustments)and there were no extra charges. We like showing up at the ski area and skiing, not spending time in a sweaty rental room, filling out forms while in the bowels of the ski area.
We also make sure that our kids hold their skis very tightly when they are sitting in the back seat, you know, for safety reasons.