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Hiking & Outdoor Gear for Kids and Families
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items Getting outside with your family is so important! Here are my favorites, whether going hiking solo or with your kids!
Sections
5
Hiking and Camping Essentials For Kids
Winter Hike Gear For Adults
Backpacking Gear
Canoe Camping Gear
Women’s Hiking Clothing
Hiking and Camping Essentials For Kids
Whether your kiddo is doing basic trails or backpacking overnight on the mountains here are my favorite picks for my kids who do it all.
We use this for short hikes or day hikes when the kids need quick access to water in order to stay hydrated. This backpack is a lightweight, kid-sized hydration pack with a built-in water reservoir. Keeps water easily accessible so kids can stay hydr...
CamelBak Backpacks | REI Co-op
Perfect for hiking and backpacking with little ones. Great choice for families who want to bring toddlers along on longer hikes.
Deuter Kid Comfort Child Carrier
Great backpack designed for longer hikes or overnight trips. A great choice for kids that are ready to carry their own gear on backpacking adventures.
Kids Hiking Packs: Hiking Backpacks for Kids
High quality child carriers from a brand that is known for their backpacks
Child, Toddler, & Baby Carrier Backpacks
Always safe to pack a First-Aid kit! You will never regret it!
First-Aid Kits | REI Co-op
My favorite sock to keep kiddos feet warm! Love the Wintersport sock for skiing and the hiking sock for when the kids are on the trail. You can't go wrong with smartwool!
Smartwool Kids' Socks | REI Co-op
Keen is a great Hiking boot for kids! They aren't to heavy, durable and great on the trail
Kids' Hiking Boots & Trail Shoes
My kids love to carry these while on a hike! Especially the animal track guide! They find it fun to look for animal tracks while hiking and they love to try and identify what they find!
Pocket Guides Publishing Camping and Hiking Instructional Books
These pants are thin and easy to move in! They provide sun protection and are water resistant! They are great for outdoor play or hiking but honestly my son has worn them just as pants in the past because they are comfortable!
Kids' Hiking Pants | REI Co-op
These shirts are great on days when you are under the sun and need extra protection! They are SPF 50+ My Kids use these on hiking trips, canoe trips or near the water and need extra protection
REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie - Kids'
Great hiking shorts that are stretchy and comfortable! They are quick drying and SPF 50+
REI Co-op Mountainmaker Shorts - Kids'
You never know when the weather is going to change on a hike, these are great rain jackets for kids who need to stay dry
Columbia Watertight II Jacket - Boys' | REI Co-op
You never know when the weather is going to change on a hike, these are great rain jackets for kids who need to stay dry
Columbia Arcadia II Jacket - Girls' | REI Co-op
Great waterproof kids hiking shoe! Solomon is a great brand!
Salomon XA Pro V8 Waterproof Trail Shoes - Kids'
Great for for rough terrain! Comfortable right out of the box and easy to lace up!
Salomon Speedcross Waterproof Hiking Shoes - Kids'
These are great water bottles to have with you while hiking. If hiking in the winter, put a wool sock over it and it will keep it from freezing
REI Co-op Nalgene Bottles
Great for kids to use around camp or if your run out of sun light on the trail. Kids love having their own headlamp and it is hands free
Black Diamond Wiz Headlamp - Kids
Winter Hike Gear For Adults
Everything I use when going out on a winter day hike, whether on a short trail or on a mountain in the whites
These are great for winter hiking when you aren’t wearing snow pants but don’t want snow to kick back! Keeps your legs nice and dry!
Leg Gaiters | REI Co-op
These are a must if you are interested in winter hiking! Or if you need extra security when on an icy area!
Kahtoola MICROspikes Traction System | REI Co-op
Trekking Poles Save my joints when hiking and gives me some balance when doing some hard hiking
Black Diamond Trekking Poles | REI Co-op
I have used this brand of snowshoes for years and have always had great luck with them!
Tubbs Women's Snowshoes | REI Co-op
This can keep your neck and face warm but also can block out the bite of the wind. There are so many ways to wear it.
Buff Hiking Clothing | REI Co-op
An easy and lightweight water bottle that you can use for hiking. In the winter, throw a wool sock over it to keep it insulated
Nalgene
I use the AllTrails app because it helps me plan routes, track my hikes, and stay oriented on the trail. It also provides trail conditions and reviews that help me prepare more safely.
AllTrails
Backpacking Gear
We try to go overnight backpacking through the summer. Usually my husband and son go together or I will go with a friend. Here are some of our favorite things to pack.
Headlamps are great to have with you in case you run out of daylight on the trail. I love Black Diamond and they have never let me down
Black Diamond LED Headlamps | REI Co-op
ultralight and great performance tent great for backpacking/multiple night hiking
Mayfly OSMO™ Lightweight Backpacking Tent
A great all-around Mens backpacking packs that has great comfort, ventilation and gear organization!
Atmos AG 65L - Light Technical Comfortable Multi-Day Pack
I love this backpack! It has great support and comfort when carrying weight on the trail.
Deva 60
Ultra-light weight and packs small while still adding warmth when sleeping
NeoAir XLite NXT Ultralight Sleeping Pad | Therm-a-Rest
a Great budget alternative that is simple but reliable
Z Lite Sol - Closed Cell Foam sleeping Pad | Therm-a-Rest
MSR camp stoves are lightweight, dependable backpacking stoves that make it easy to cook meals and boil water on the trail. They help me pack efficiently while staying fueled and comfortable during overnight trips.
MSR Camping Stoves Legendary Reliability & Performance
Canoe Camping Gear
We love canoe camping in the Summer time here in New England! Here are some of our favorite things we bring on the river.
We love our old town canoe and use it to canoe camp in the summer time throughout different rivers in New England.
Discovery 158
Dry Bags are so important on a canoe trip to keep all of your gear and clothing from getting wet!
Dry Bags: Waterproof Bags & Backpacks | REI Co-op
This stove makes meals easy to cook while spending time outdoors after paddling for hours.
Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 Camp Stove | REI Co-op
This bug spray is my favorite to avoid black flies and ticks! Bug stress is real on the river, especially at camp. This helps so much and is my favorite
Murphy's Naturals Insect Repellent | REI Co-op
We LOVE coffee and its a must for when we are camping. This is what we bring to make great coffee in a fast and easy way. The best part is that it is easy to pack because of its size.
AeroPress | REI Co-op
This is a nice option when you want to put your feet up and rest at camp without being in your tent
DoubleNest Hammock - Two Person Portable Camping Hammock | ENO
Crocs are great for canoe camping because they are lightweight, quick-drying, and easy to slip on and off around the water. Great for around camp too!
Crocs
Women’s Hiking Clothing
Some of my favorite outdoor clothes and layers I wear on the trail or if I'm spending time outside
These Prana Zion pants are a go-to for hiking because they’re lightweight, stretchy, and actually comfortable for long days on the trail. Durable enough for rocks, breathable enough for warmer hikes, and they move with you.
The Bestselling Stretch Zion™ Collection | Women's Bottoms
Wore these pants on a winter hike in the white mountains in NH with a base layer underneath and they kept me warm for the whole hike! Even when we reached the summit where the temps were in the negatives!
Insulated Women's Hiking Pants | REI Co-op
My go to base layer! Thin but still keeps you super warm
Women's Merino Wool Bottoms: Pants, Shorts, & More
My favorite base layer to stay warm during winter activities! Thin, comfortable and keeps you warm
Smartwool Women's Base Layer Tops
My favorite rain jacket for when the weather turns on a hike, or just for use on a rainy day!
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacket - Women's | REI Co-op
Great fleece for all kinds of activities!
Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover - Women's
Super warm midlayer!
Patagonia Better Sweater Quarter-Zip Fleece Pullover - Women's
Great mid-layer or standalone jacket in cool conditions. Packs down small, is comfortable and provides dependable warmth
Patagonia Nano Puff Jackets, Vests, & Hoodies | REI Co-op
This is a great Layer when winter hiking! you can put a hardshell or rain jacket to block wind
Patagonia Down Sweater - Women's | REI Co-op