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Hiking with a toddler gear guide
26
items *This list is still being updated, save for the future updates, hope to have it completed in the next few days.
I spent the majority of my life in Colorado and don't remember much before Colorado except a few years we were in Oregon and I am now li...
Sections
4
The 10 hiking essentials
Fun for toddler
Carriers
Shoes
The 10 hiking essentials
I made sure to make this section because it is the most important. Gear isn't necessarily needed to get outside but these are important for safety reasons. The fancy gear and clothes are fun but they are not required to get outside.
For sun protection sunscreen is an obvious one but I also make sure we both have sun hoodies in case I don't want to reapply or we run out plus it helps as an extra layer.
Toddler REI Sahara Sub hoodie
This is the same sun hoodie as the toddler one just in the adult women's size. They have a few cute colors too.
REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie - Women's | REI Co-op
For summer in GA the only extra layer I need is a rain jacket. I like this one from REI for my toddler.
REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket - Infants'/Toddlers' | REI Co-op
For my extra layer in GA summer I just bring a rain jacket. I have had this black diamond one for years and it held up in Monteverde costa rica so I like to think it works pretty well.
Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Rain Shell Womens - Backcountry.com
For illumination you can obviously use your cellphone flash light but I try to avoid that to make sure I can save the battery as much as possible. I like this headlamp for any time I might need extra light.
Petzl Tikka Headlamp | REI Co-op
For first aid I like this brand they have different sizes for amount of people and days. I get this size so I can have extra just in case.
Mountain Series Backpacker Medical Kit
For fire starting I bring a few options starting with a lighter, I try to get a bright color so it's easier to find.
Windproof Lighter
This is another fire option I bring I like to have several methods in case one doesn't work and these are waterproof.
Stormproof Match Kit
This is the third option I like to bring for fire starting. Have I ever needed to use these while hiking, no, but it's better to have them just in case.
Mag Striker with Tinder Cord Lanyard
I have this for my repair kit. I luckily have never needed it but it's something I like to keep.
Camp and Trail Repair Kit
I like bringing this as a multi tool for whatever needs might come up on the trail.
Swiss Army Huntsman Knife | REI Co-op
There are so many good nutrition options for hiking. These Clif bars are good and pretty well rounded. I also love candy for quick carbs, dried fruit, protein bars, oranges, bananas, granola, jerky and other dried meats.
CLIF BAR - Nutrition & Energy Bar - Crunchy Peanut Butter - 12 bars x 2.4 oz
For hydration I always like to bring a water bladder cause it's easy for both of us to drink out of while moving, it can carry a lot of water and is fairly lightweight l, I still like to bring a couple water bottles just in case there's a leak that h...
Hydraulics Reservoir - 3 Liters
I typically avoid plastic water bottles but for hiking these are a lot lighter than stainless steel, so I will bring these full of extra water just in case.
Nalgene Stained Glass Water Bottle
For emergency shelter this is a good option. I have the 4 person option in case my husband is ever with us, but you can also use a normal tent as well.
RAB Lightweight Hiking Camp Gear — ORA One-Size
While this is not technically part of the 10 hiking essentials it is extremely important to have if you are in bear country to keep yourself safe. Make sure to always have easy access to this in bear country. Keep it on your person, not in your pack.
FRONTIERSMAN MAX 7.9 oz. Bear Spray & Mountain Lion Spray with Belt Holster
For navigation I have several options that I use but I try to make sure I always either have a paper map or a compass in case I can't get a signal.
A-10 NH Compass
Fun for toddler
I like to bring a headlamp for my toddler so she can feel included even though if it's dark enough to need it I'm most likely going to be carrying her anyway but we can also use it outside if we aren't hiking if she wants.
Black Diamond Wiz Kid Headlamp - Kids' | REI Co-op
I got my toddler this little backpack for her to keep her snack and other things in, she can also feel included because she has her own backpack which makes it more fun. I definitely keep this as light as possible.
REI Co-op Tarn 12 Pack - Kids' | REI Co-op
Carriers
I got a bigger backpack for my daypack because I wanted to make sure I had enough room for my toddlers stuff and my stuff and also because the trail magik carrier needs a backpack over 30L. This one has very pretty colors.
Arenal 32L Backpack
This carrier is the best thing ever for kids who will want up and down a lot, I love it so much and there are so many cute colors.
Trail Magik Kid Carrier
Before my little one was able to walk a lot on our hikes I loved this carrier and also you can use it as your backpack and it is pretty spacious.
Osprey Poco Premium Child Carrier | REI Co-op
Before my little one was a toddler and when she was still too small for the osprey carrier I would just front carry her in my wildbird carrier and it was plenty comfy.
Mariposa - Aerial Carrier
Shoes
I love these hiking boots and they have a lot of cute options. I usually wear boots on more uneven and rocky hikes.
Women's Moab 3 Mid Waterproof
Since I Iike the boots so much I got the sneakers as well. I prefer these on easier hikes that are more flat and not rocky.
Merrell Moab 3 Hiking Sneakers
These are the only hiking shoes I could find in my toddlers size and I wanted to make sure she had good traction on the trails. She is absolutely obsessed with these, they are her favorite shoes.
KEEN Kids' Knotch Peak Sneakers