Every August, I get a sneak peek into the holiday gifting season. Outdoor Retailer is the largest trade show for outdoor and travel gear, and each summer, they have all their new and soon-to-be-available products on display. We curated our favorites here at Pit Stops for Kids, just in time for holiday gift giving. Ready for the scoop on the newest, most innovative travel gear for 2018, … [Read more...]
Must have van life camping gear
July 1, 2021 By
We have been camping in a 1984 Westfalia camper van, and it is epic! That said, space is at a premium in a Westy, and older camper vans, while charming and Instagram-worthy, lack some of the creature comforts of bigger RVs. If you are living the van life, tent camping, or camping in a smaller van, pop-up trailer, or camper, the following must-have camping gear is, well, MUST HAVE. Must have … [Read more...]
DeLorme inReach or SPOT Gen3: Which GPS messenger to buy for outdoor adventure
June 5, 2021 By
Do your teens hike without you? Do you venture into the backcountry as a family? In winter, do you like to snowshoe, camp, or ski off-piste? If you answered 'yes' to any of the above, you've probably considered outfitting yourself or your kids with a GPS device for the field. In our opinion, these two devices are the best on the market for hikers, backpackers, and backcountry skiers. Here's our … [Read more...]
Travel gear we use: Best shoulder season hoodie
April 6, 2021 By
Everyone needs the perfect shoulder season hoodie, whether they travel with kids, adventure travel, camp and ski, or all of the above (like us!). This review, featuring the Appalachian Gear Company's All-Paca fleece hoodie, is the last you'll need to read. What makes this hoodie so great: It's made from 100 percent Alpaca fiber, which makes it super soft, lightweight, easy to pack, never … [Read more...]
Family camping at new heights: Gear for elevated camping
September 21, 2020 By
Have you ever wanted to camp off the ground? Elevated camping is becoming more and more popular, because camping in tents and hammocks designed to be strung in trees allows families to camp on un-even terrain, away from pesky insects, and out of the elements. It's also just super fun and cool. If you want to try elevated camping, here's what you'll need! Kammok Wallaby paired with the … [Read more...]
Best travel water filter system (SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON)
August 22, 2019 By
When traveling abroad and when backpacking or camping in the backcountry, it's crucial to have a travel water filter system you can rely on. The best systems we've found use gravity to do most of the work, but there's an abundance of choice. Which travel water filter system is right for you? Read our side by side comparison! Katadyn BeFree gravity system: The simplicity of a … [Read more...]
Outdoor gear brands that give back
October 1, 2018 By
As a gear reviewer and travel writer, I am familiar with many travel brands and outdoor gear companies. As we head into this year's 'giving season', I'd like to highlight just a few that donate significantly to a charitable cause or program...not just during the holidays but all year long! Outdoor gear brands that give back: Lifestraw: Lifestraw makes filtered straws that make contaminated … [Read more...]
Family mountain biking tips and gear
June 29, 2018 By
Our family loves mountain biking. Many outdoor-focused resorts now offer mountain bike rentals and mountain bike single track, and we discovered the sport while traveling. Right away, our kids wanted to mountain bike at home, too. Here's what we've learned about finding family mountain biking trails (at home and while on the road), how to best transport your bikes, and the gear it's helpful to … [Read more...]
Travel Gear We Use: Best rain boots for kids and adults
April 6, 2018 By
Will Spring Break travel take you somewhere a little soggy? Do you have a road trip or camping trip planned in a rainy climate? Maybe you simply live, as we do, in the Pacific Northwest! Either way, you're probably outfitting your family in rain boots this spring, and we've rounded up the best ones for travel days, camping trips, and all those days in-between. Best rain boots for … [Read more...]
Lowa hiking boots review: Best hiking and travel hybrid shoe
February 2, 2018 By
I give Lowa boots a shout-out in our round-up of best hiking boots for the family, but this brand deserves its own post. Why? I now own three pairs of Lowa shoes, and I never travel without at least one of them. The Lowas I love are not hard-core, heavy boots, nor are they sneakers. They're perfect hybrids, allowing me to travel in comfort and then hit the trails, city walks and biking paths at my … [Read more...]
