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Winter "Go Bag" For Snowy Adventures With Kids
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items The gear that lives in our car all winter, so we can say yes when a snowy trail or a last-minute outing comes up. Spare gloves, hats, traction and the right shoes for both of us, plus a packable daypack so nothing gets left behind. It’s the full vers...
Sections
2
For Mom
For Daughter
For Mom
What I keep ready for myself: liner gloves, a beanie that fits under a hood, gaiters, microspikes, trekking poles for icy trails, and shoes for whatever the trail turns out to be. A few of these I’ve had for 8+ years, so they’re worth buying once. Th...
I have a few versions of this glove and stash them everywhere! They live in my coat pockets and in my “go bag” because you never know when you'll need a little extra protection for your hands!
Winter Liner Gloves
These Saucony trail shoes have been my go-to for years and I love them. They're reliable, durable, and my feet love them. Plus, they come in low-key colors so I can kind of, sort of pair them with a lot of random outfits.
Saucony Women's Excursion Tr15 Trail Running Shoes
I LOVE THESE BOOTS!
I rarely opt for mid-rise boots because my ankles like to breath, but these work for me. I wear them a lot in the winter because they are waterproof and pair well with gaiters.
I rarely opt for mid-rise boots because my ankles like to breath, but these work for me. I wear them a lot in the winter because they are waterproof and pair well with gaiters.
Merrell Women's Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots
Another simple hat that does exactly what I need – it fits my head, it covers my ears, it fits under a hood…perfection.
No Boundaries Women's Solid Ribbed Knit Beanie
Waterproof hiking gaiters are fantastic year round but I do rely on them the most in the winter months.
When it's chilly but not cold enough for full snow pants I will pair these gaiters with leggings to protect my legs and feet from snow.
When it's chilly but not cold enough for full snow pants I will pair these gaiters with leggings to protect my legs and feet from snow.
Hiking Gaiters with Upgraded Zipper, Gators for Hiking Boots
I LOOOVE these spikes and have had mine for many years (8+!). I often kidnap my husband's to share with friends on hikes.
They are pricy but if you're going to use them for more than one trip or hike the cost is definitely worth it.
They are pricy but if you're going to use them for more than one trip or hike the cost is definitely worth it.
Kahtoola MICROspikes Footwear Traction
I have had these BD ZPoles for 8+ years and they have not let me down yet. I don't use them as often anymore (I'm rarely doing extreme trails) but they are handy to have.
These days I toss them in my backpack when I know we're going on snowy trails – they provide a little more control if we're on ice.
These days I toss them in my backpack when I know we're going on snowy trails – they provide a little more control if we're on ice.
Distance Z Trekking/Running Poles
I have a few of these packs that I acquired over the years (I used them for international travel) – one lives in my trunk at all times. It's a great back up bag when we hit the trail.
It isn't the most comfortable backpack when you fill it up but it does help me carry snacks, water, and layers onto the trail for our impromptu, short adventures.
It isn't the most comfortable backpack when you fill it up but it does help me carry snacks, water, and layers onto the trail for our impromptu, short adventures.
Eddie Bauer Stowaway Packable 20L Daypack
This is a very basic first aid kit (you may want/need more) but it gets the job done for 98% of the scrapes we have at camp. Plus, the bandaids hold up to everything! These are my own go-to for any cuts on my hands because the bandaids stick so well!
Welly First Aid Kit
For Daughter
Her backups: plenty of knit gloves plus long-cuff mittens, a beanie, a waterproof jacket sized up to last more than one season, and two shoe options for packed trails or snowier hikes. Kid-sized traction cleats give her more confidence on snow, and a...
We have 2-3 packs of these in rotation at our house! These gloves get stashed everywhere so we always have access to something to keep my daughter's hands warm.
We swap them out a lot of to keep hands dry.
We swap them out a lot of to keep hands dry.
Wonder Nation Boys Knit Gloves, 3 Pack
We have three pairs of these and they've survived more than one winter! The long cuffs with TWO points to secure (wrist and forearm) keep them on hands and keep the snow out.
Long Cuff Waterproof Kids Mitten Gloves For Boys Girls Toddler
This jacket has survived a lot, is very water proof, and helps on windy days too. You can easily buy a bit big and keep it for more than one season. It lives in our “go bag” in the car for an extra layer.
Columbia Girls' Switchback II Jacket
This is our go-to hiking shoe and it stays accessible year round. If we're hiking on packed trails we may use these instead of boots because they are waterproof and more comfortable on the days that are above freezing.
Merrell Kids Moab Speed 2 Low A/C Waterproof (Little Kid/Big Kid)
We love these shoes for snowy hikes that don't require insulated boots (insulated boots get heavy) because they are high tops and water resistant. They also fit kid-sized traction!
Stride Rite 360 Kids' Kamari
This is such a simple hat but it fits our needs perfectly. It's low-cost, it fits well, and it can easily be put under a hood.
We have a few and keep them stashed alongside gloves for our daughter.
We have a few and keep them stashed alongside gloves for our daughter.
Wonder Nation Toddler Ribbed Beanie
Hear me out…these are designed for adult shoes BUT they are very adjustable and fit over the toe of my daughter's 6T hiking boot.
It was only under the toe and it did impact her gait a bit BUT the traction did stay on, it did give her more confidence in the snow, and it is genuinely the only thing I could find to fit my kid's boots without breaking the bank.
I would personally recommend these and we will keep them on hand for many years.
It was only under the toe and it did impact her gait a bit BUT the traction did stay on, it did give her more confidence in the snow, and it is genuinely the only thing I could find to fit my kid's boots without breaking the bank.
I would personally recommend these and we will keep them on hand for many years.
Ice Cleats Mid-Sole Snow Traction Cleats
When my daughter wants to carry her own snacks or water on the trail (and we don't have her full hiking pack) this fits the bill.
It's lightweight and adustable. She will wear it like a sling bag which lets her get access to the snacks without taking it off.
It's lightweight and adustable. She will wear it like a sling bag which lets her get access to the snacks without taking it off.
Eddie Bauer Stowaway Convertible Packable Waistpack
We have a few of these water bottles. They're technically leak proof…until your kid gets a hold of them and finds the air vent. BUT they do stay leak proof in your bag. They are also narrower and fit easily into bike bottle holders. Plus, these water...
Kids Water Bottles – Thermos Brand
Genuinely fantastic rain jackets for kids. They're affordable so you can size up as needed and the hood actually fits (even over helmets if you do up the zipper last).
Kids Rain Jackets | Columbia Sportswear