gear review - Pitstops for Kids

Back-to-School products that double for travel

September 9, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

I’m always a bit sad when it’s time to buy back-to-school gear, because it means the long summer travel season is over. However, autumn day trips and weekend getaways are always in our future, so I find I’m still thinking ‘travel’ when it comes to fall purchases and the kids’ school supplies. This year, I’ve found the best new back-to-school products that pull double-duty during family trips!

Back-to-school products that double for travel:

The following products are either already on your back-to-school shopping list, or should be, and you just don’t know it yet! Ready?

High Sierra Modi backpack:

Your kids need school backpacks, but you hate buying a new one each year, right? Unlike cheap big box store backpacks, High Sierra backpacks last multiple years (and multiple kids), plus they’re rugged enough for travel days. The High Sierra Modi comes in color combinations that appeal to both girls and boys, from young kids to teens, and includes both a tablet and laptop sleeve for those long flights. Best of all, High Sierra has it on crazy sale right now. Pick up this $100 backpack for as low as under $20 right now on Amazon!

Matt’s Munchies:

You’re looking for new, healthy snacks for the kids’ lunches, and Matt’s Munchies dried fruit is both the perfect school snack and road trip food. These non-GMO, gluten-free, organic fruit snacks blow their character-shaped, artificial counterparts out of the water. In flavors like island mango, banana coconut, and apple, these fruit snacks are shaped like the thin fruit roll-ups of our generation, but in small squares that are easy to peel off the wax paper. And one package is enough for a substantial snack. Pick up Matt’s Munchies in packs of 10 on Amazon!

Phenom nutritional shake:

Normally, we don’t promote health drinks or protein powders on Pit Stops for Kids, simply because we’re not health experts. That disclaimer said, Phenom’s Young Athlete has been working well for us as a healthy drink between school and practice for our teens, and doubles as a portable road trip food. You can mix Young Athlete with tap water, which makes it easy to bring along on trips, and it has no artificial colors, flavors, or gluten. We tried both vanilla and chocolate and my teens really like the chocolate…like chocolate milk, only with more protein.

SIC Glacier:

I have a new favorite way to sip hot and cold beverages on the morning school commute! SIC cups come in 30 ounce or 24 ounce double-walled stainless steel tumblers, with included clear plastic lids that stay on surprisingly well. Contents in your SIC cup may spill if in a backpack, but in a cup holder of your car, these tumblers are ideal. The first time I used mine, I put ice water in my SIC en route to a local lake on a hot day, then left it in the car for five hours while we enjoyed the lake. When I got back in the car for the ride home, the water was still ice cold, the ice not having melted. I was sold! My SIC Glacier comes on all car trips now! Pick up a 30 ounce SIC Glacier on Amazon for $39.95 (worth the price, I promise!).

CleverCrates:

Perfect for everything from a dorm room to the back seat of the car, CleverCrates by CleverMade are utilitarian crates that hold over 80 pounds of gear each…but collapse to almost nothing when not in use. We keep a few in the car at all times, so we’re ready for gear storage when we go on camping trips, when the kids’ friends pile into the car with their sports equipment, or when I need to stock up on food for a weekend away. It’s great to have the ability to organize stuff in the back of the car, but not have a permanent set of compartments for when we don’t need them. Pick up CleverCrates in 3-packs on Amazon for under $45!

SnapBaskets:

A close cousin of the CleverCrate, SnapBaskets are collapsible shopping bags with a strong, rigid bottom that keeps the bags upright in the car. They come in a variety of sizes, and since they fold down flat, they’re easy to store between uses. I use them every grocery shopping trip at home, but also bring them along on road trips for when I need an extra bag. I’ve put them to use when we’ve visited farm stands or farmers’ markets on the road or bought souvenirs I hadn’t expected. Since they remain upright in the car, they’re also great for organizing seasonal gear you might need on weekend trips, such as warm gloves, extra socks, or swim wear. Pick up SnapBaskets in 30L three packs on Amazon for $39! They also come in thermal versions.

Hot Logic Mini:

Here’s another back-to-school item for your college kid, which doubles for weekend trips! This portable mini oven cooks meals literally from scratch, reheats leftovers and keeps food hot for hours! It’s easy to use (and safe for kids to use after school), with no complicated dials or timers. Just pop a meal in the bag, plug it in and leave it alone. You can eat in a hour, or eight hours, and the food won’t burn. You can make dinner with it and leave it in a hotel room for a budget vacation meal, or college kids can reheat leftovers. Pick up the Hot Logic Mini for $39.95 on Amazon!

Every product above was tested by us personally, and is used by us. This post contains affiliate links; by clicking through to Amazon through us, you help us keep the lights on here at Pit Stops for Kids at no additional cost to you!

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Must have van life camping gear

July 1, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

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 van life camping gear

Tough duffels for organization:

We love our new Patagonia Black Hole duffel, made of water-resistant 100 percent recycled material. They range from 40-100 liters, with or without wheels. For van life, we recommend wheel-less, because these duffels are easy to stack on top of one another, toss around, and set in the dirt. We use one for all our bedding in our van, which keeps us organized and keeps our pillows and blankets clean.

We also like our Big Agnes Big Joe, which comes in 45-110 liter sizing. This one stores our dog gear, their bedding, and their food.

Pick up the Black Hole for under $230 on Amazon.

Comfy bedding for plenty of zzzz’s:

Our Sierra Designs’ Frontcountry Duo bed is amazing. If you’re camping as a couple, this sleeping bag feels more like bedding, with a zipperless design and toe holes so you don’t overheat. It comes in a single option as well, and a backcountry version that’s rated to a lower temperature. We lay our Frontcountry Duo out along our bottom floor bed, which we convert from our passenger bench seat at night.

Pair the Frontcountry Duo with a Thermarest Vela Double Quilt on chilly nights. This zipperless sleeping bag/quilt stuffs down small when you don’t need it, repels dog hair beautifully, and is rated to 32 degrees.

Chairs that invite lingering:

One nice thing about van life is that you can bring along extra weight, since you won’t be carrying it far. We like to relax by the fire in style with our GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker chairs. We’ve set these chairs in creeks, on the edges of lakes in the sand, by the fire pit, on lawns in parks, and everywhere in-between. They’re heavy, but they pack down small, and they are rocking chairs!

GCI’s Spring-Action Rocking Technology allows for smooth rocking while you enjoy your time in the outdoors. There’s even a cup holder and a cell phone pocket.

Power that runs on solar:

If you plan to spend time off-the-grid with your camper van, you’ll want on-the-go power at your fingertips. We have the Jackery Portable Power Station 240, which we can pair with our Goal Zero solar panel to provide power for our camper lights, our phones, our laptops if we bring them, our InReach, and our music. The price of the Jackery depends on the power level you opt for, but can start as low as $99 and go into the thousands. Pick something that meets your needs in the outdoors with a little bit of wiggle room, just in case.

Bear in mind that you don’t HAVE to power the Jackery with a solar panel. You can charge it using a wall outlet before you leave home, as well. We do both!

A lantern that turns your van into a party (or a romantic evening):

BioLite AlpenGlow 250 is an LED camping lantern with so many light and color modes, it takes a bit of a tutorial to take advantage of them all! But once you know, you know, and you can toggle between a very bright LED light, a dimmed yellow light version, solid color lights, half a light (to save power) and a full-on color dance party. You get a USB cord included (we charge this lantern with our Jackery power bank) and the 250 lumen version is small enough to fit in our glove box (there’s also a 500 lumen version).

More must have van life camping gear:

An extra cargo box to bring all your toys:

We love our Thule Transporter Combi cargo box, which is hitch-mounted. Read our full review! We love the design because we don’t have to worry about loading and unloading a rooftop cargo box on our van, and we don’t have to worry about the extra weight on our pop-top. The Transporter Combi fits our grill, our charcoal, our portable toilet, our recycling, and more, so we don’t have to carry any of this inside the van when we travel.

Pillows that can take a beating:

Our Avocado mini green pillow travels in our van, serving many purposes. It’s great to prop myself up to read or work on my laptop on those travels when work comes along for the ride, and it’s small enough to not take up precious storage space. The size is also perfect for small kids and toddlers!

A high-quality auto tool kit:

We hope we’ll never need to use our car and van tool kit (or at least not often!) but having it brings peace of mind.

Reusable propane:

This is a game-changer. The Ignik Gas Growler allows us to refill with propane in a portable form, which saves tons of those green gas canisters from the landfill. Plus, the convenience and cost savings are significant! We use the gas growler to power our stove, but you can use it for anything you’d need propane for.

A truly long-lasting cooler (or two):

Yes, it’s worth it to buy a Yeti. Or a Pelican. Or any double-walled, highly insulated, hard-sided cooler. Our ice lasts for days, our drinks stay cold, and we aren’t afraid to bring food ingredients like raw meat, fresh veggies, and dairy, even though we don’t have any electric refrigeration. Yes, the hype is worth the money. We have a Yeti Tundra 45.

A hot shower (or cooling spray):

Our Helio Pressure Shower from Nemo Equipment doesn’t just offer the welcome chance of a warm shower (thanks to its solar heating capability). Because it’s pressurized, you get a strong sprayer that’s great for getting sand off your feet, hosing off muddy dogs, and even doing the dishes. It’s not a gravity-based solar shower, so you don’t need to find a tree to hang it from. Any sunny patch in your campsite will do!

Safe, portable water:

A Lifesaver Jerrycan will set you back, but you get peace of mind that extends far beyond camping season. Thanks to built-in filters, a Lifesaver is a portable water purifier capable of filtering 10,000 litres/2,650 US gallons of clean drinking water, removing viruses, bacteria, cysts and parasites. Its great for camping, for off-grid living, and for emergencies. We have ours always filled with water and stored in the garage in case of evacuation or loss of power and water.

Additional resources:

Need power out in the wilds? Consider trying out portable solar generators for your next trip
The solar living institute
Reasons why solar power will just keep getting better

Travel Gear We Use: Five items I never travel without

June 10, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

On average, I travel twice a month, either by car or plane. I’m in airports at least once a month. This is not as much travel as some people, to be sure, but it’s enough that I’ve pared down my carry-on luggage to include only the essentials. Whether I’m traveling with my kids or solo for work, these five items are always with me.

Number 5: My S’well insulated water bottle

I own and love many insulated water bottles. You can read my most recent round-up of best water bottles here. But S’well wins for #1 travel water bottle, because of its shape. This narrow, thin bottle fits perfectly in every side pocket of every travel backpack or tote I use (and I use a wide variety). I save a lot of cash by not purchasing plastic water bottles everywhere I go, simply refilling at airport water stations. By the way, are these stations more abundant in the Pacific Northwest, or am I imagining things? Plus, S’well bottles are sleek and stylish, too. They have many sizes, but this is the one I own. Pick up your own for about $30.

Number 4: My RFID-blocking travel wallet

Becoming a victim of identity theft sounds like a real bummer. I highly recommend an RFID-blocking wallet, and I travel with this one from Dante Women, because it’s just substantial enough to double as a clutch for those fancier nights out. (Who the heck wants to travel with a full purse on top of a travel backpack or tote? Not me.) The one I use is about $30, but you can find them much cheaper, too. My wallet fits easily into whatever travel tote or backpack I’m using at the time, and if I’m doing something active, like mountain biking or hiking, I can use a much smaller wallet like this one, or leave it all in the safe at my hotel and use Apple Pay.

Read a review of my all-time favorite travel day pack.

Number 3: My Kavu Pretty Poncho

You know how you always wish you had a cozy blanket on the plane or in the car, but you don’t want to lug one around with you? Trust me when I tell you that Kavu makes a shawl-style number for women called the Pretty Poncho that solves this problem and more. This thin, lightweight woven poncho looks great…it drapes in a flattering way and looks elegant. Plus, it serves as that cozy blanket you need, and stuffs down small in your day pack when you don’t need it. I absolutely love mine, and always have it in my bag. It looks nice when you want to dress up a simple shirt and pants for dinner out, too. It costs around $50, and is well-worth it, considering how often you’ll use it.

Number 2: My Bose QuietComfort 35

This is a pricey one, but trust me…it’s worth it. A quality pair of earphones are crucial to a stress-free travel day. Airports are noisy, chaotic places, and isolating myself from the sounds of a terminal or airplane cabin provides me with a sense of personal space. Listening to my favorite classical music (I know, I’m a dork) instantly relaxes me. And since I hate dealing with a tangle of cords, wireless is the only way I’ll go, when I can help it. I can even get a bit of sleep wearing my Bose QuietComfort. They’ll set you back about $350, but are such high quality, they’ll last you a long time. For a more economical pick, I also like my Sol Republic MasterTracks, which are not noise-cancelling or wireless, but only cost about $90.

Read a review of our best electronic travel accessories for kids.

Number 1: My Sleep + Sound MINI

A lot of people have trouble sleeping in strange hotel rooms, and everyone has different ways to combat this problem. My solution has been my Sleep + Sound MINI. This sound machine adjusts automatically to muffle sounds that might disturb you (or your sleeping kids), such as an elevator door opening or people’s voices in the hallway. It has 12 audio programs, with additional settings for a total of 48 unique soundscapes. I’m boring and like the ‘industrial fan’, but you can also set it to play ocean sounds, birds chirping, and rain, just to name a few. Yes, I could use an app on my phone, but guess what? Phones next to your bed wake you up…I want mine charging on the other end of the room.

Do you have a travel item that always comes with you on trips? Let us know about it in the comments!

Van life gear review: Thule Transporter Combi review

March 31, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Much like last summer, most Americans will opt to travel by car instead of air this year, with a big uptick in road trip travel once it’s safe to do so. To kick off the start of the summer travel season, with hopes that travel will soon be part of our plans again, I tested out Thule’s Transporter Combi hitch-mounted cargo box.

For me, this is the summer of #vanlife, during which I’ll be traveling and camping in a Westfalia camper van. While it’s possible to mount a roof-mounted cargo box on a Westy, it significantly increases the weight of the camper pop-top, so I opted for Thule’s hitch-mounted version.

The Transporter Combi comes with everything you need to get going, and I was able to install it on my hitch with my partner in a matter of about two hours. (I’m sure some can install it faster than that!) I love that the cargo box tilts down for partial access to the rear of the van; the tilt feature also makes it easier to get heavy items out of the cargo box. I also love that we don’t need any ladders or step stools to get gear out when we get to our campsite or destination!

The cargo box comes pre-wired with tail lights (4 pin) and a license plate adapter (with light). It installs into 2 inch and 1 1/4 inch receivers with no additional adapters or tools needed.

Like many Thule boxes, the lock system is designed for safety (and is idiot proof!): the key can only be removed if all the locking points are closed and secure, so there’s no chance of driving away and having the box lid fly open. You get two keys, so now we have one on the van key chain and the other stashed away just in case.

You get 13 cubic feet inside (dimensions are 50.5 x 23.5 x 24.5 in). It’s so roomy! We joked that we could put the teenaged kids inside. The weight of the box is 55 pounds and the capacity is 150 pounds. We use ours to store those bulky items that don’t pack well into the back of the van, such as firewood, the portable bathroom, and the material for our awning…nothing too heavy, but certainly bulky.

We had no trouble with weight or driving the Westy with this cargo box, though if you have a similar van, keep in mind that the engine is also in the back, which can mean you need to balance the weight be placing heavier items inside the van near the front.

During our close-to-home camping trip, we used the cargo box even once it was unloaded, storing dirty laundry, dishes, and garbage away in a secure location.

The Transporter Combi is $679 on the Thule site, and as of this posting, their operations are going so you shouldn’t have any delay in ordering and receiving. Enjoy the #vanlife!

Best subscription boxes for holiday gift giving

December 16, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

Subscription boxes make for excellent holiday gifts! If you’re looking for the perfect subscription boxes for the traveling family in your life, we have you covered. We’ve curated a list of what we consider the best gift box subscriptions for holiday gift giving:

Local Box:

As much as I’m a fan of outdoor gear, Local Box has risen to become my favorite gift box subscription for travelers. Why? This subscription focuses on local products, artwork, food, and music in specific U.S. cities. When you open a Local Box, you truly get a sense of place, and isn’t that what’s at the heart of travel? I’ve tried the Nashville Local Box, Portland Local Box, and Boston Local Box, and each has transported me to that city (or in the case of Nashville, which I hadn’t visited yet, gave me a sneak peek of what I could expect). My favorite feature: it’s possible to buy one-time boxes from Local Box, which is a great way to thank someone for hosting you in their city or treating a friend who loves a particular place. Subscriptions start at $35.

Cellar 503:

Give the gift of wine, but also knowledge of a specific, emerging wine region: Oregon. Cellar 503 is a wine club subscription that celebrates Oregon boutique wine (and most of the wine in this state is of the small batch, boutique variety). Learn about the various Oregon wine regions, from the Willamette Valley already celebrated for its Pinor Noir to Southern Oregon and the Umpqua Valley, where the dry, hotter temperatures produce amazing Tempranillo and even Chardonnay. Urban wineries are featured as well, and each month has its own wine theme, tying selections together in innovative ways. Subscriptions start at $45.

Cairn:

We’ve talked about how great Cairn is before, and this subscription box just keeps getting better and better. They are partnering with stellar brands now, like Cotopaxi and HydroFlask, and since I am very familiar with current outdoor gear, I can tell you with certainty that you get well over the $29.99 monthly box price. In fact, most are closer to $50 in value. I like how Cairn combines valuable items you have already heard of (like the Cotopaxi Luzon) with brand new items you’ve yet to discover, and would never think of trying (like the organic high-energy snack bags I’d never heard of that came in my last box). Subscriptions start at $29.

Blue Apron:

While not a traveler-specific subscription box, I place Blue Apron (and other food delivery subscriptions like it) in this category because they make a traveling family’s life easier. When I return home from a trip, my least favorite chore is restocking the pantry, grocery shopping and cooking. I can schedule a Blue Apron delivery to coincide with my return, and viola! Instant ease back into real life! I like that Blue Apron’s default family meal setting will deliver two meal choices (out of four), but this is customizable: you can now add meals if you know you’ll need more than the usual on a particular week, and you can skip meals as many times as you’d like. Subscriptions start at $69 per delivery, for a family of four.

Bonus: Twist Travel Magazine subscription:

While not a subscription box, gifting a fellow traveler with a Twist Travel Magazine subscription will provide the gift of getting away…from their own living room. As the managing editor for Twist, I know the quality of the content of this magazine for adventurous traveling families to be absolutely stellar: we handpick contributors who really know the destinations and know what traveling with kids can look like. In other words, yes, it can include fine dining, wine tasting, boutique hotels and epic adventure. Gift a Trwist Travel Magazine subscription here.

Family camping at new heights: Gear for elevated camping

September 21, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

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 Dragonfly net and Kuhli tarp

Gear for elevated camping:

Start with your hammock:

The first step to gear up for any elevated camping situation is to select your hammock. You don’t have to get fancy, but you will want to consider your various hammock options. Below, we’ve listed some of our favorites, and why we love them.

Grand Trunk: You can’t go wrong with a Grand Trunk hammock, in our opinion. We’ve tried many, from the lightweight single parachute nylon model for just $59 to the Skeeter Beeter Pro, which has integrated mosquito netting built in. You can get a double or single hammock in all kinds of fun colors and patterns at Grand Trunk.

Kammok: We love the Kammok Wallaby, which is just $65 and comes in multiple colors. Pair the Wallaby with Kammok’s Python Straps for $30 more, which make any hammock easier to suspend from just about anywhere. Either Kammok or Grand Trunk options would make for a great base hammock.

Sea to Summit: Sea to Summit makes an ultralight hammock that’s an absolute must if you’re purpose for elevated camping is to go light. It’s very thin, so you’d definitely need to pair it with a hammock pad (see below) to protect yourself from cold temperatures at night.

Kammok Wallaby

Add your pad layer:

Klymit Hammock V pad: If you’re serious about sleeping above the ground, you’ll want the protection of a sleeping pad. Not only does the right pad help your hammock keep its shape (so you don’t roll up like a burrito) but it keeps you warm…without a pad, you’re exposed to the cold night air directly. Klymit makes a specialized hammock pad that’s shaped to fit. The Hammock V pad comes in an insulated version or non-insulated, and while it will set you back $169, we recommend the insulated if you’ll be doing a lot of camping.

If you use a regular sleeping pad instead, pick one that’s small and narrow to fit the hammock, and consider covering it with a specialized pad sheet, to reduce slippage. Klymit makes one of these too…the Quilted V Sheet will work, and it’s oh-so cozy!

Add your rain and bug protection:

Kammok Kuhli tarp or Grand Trunk Air Bivy: Both these items give solid protection from wind and rain, serving as a shelter/rainfly for your hammock. Of course, they don’t cover 100% of the space, so you’re still going to get wet if the rain comes in sideways. The Kuhli tarp and the Air Bivy are both extremely versatile and lightweight, making them a great addition to your camping gear whether you sleep elevated or not. We’ve used both for BBQs, car camping, and the like.

Sea to Summit Bug Net: For 13 more ounces, you can be protected from flying insects while sleeping in your hammock…worth it in my book! The Sea to Summit bug net works with all Sea to Summit hammocks. We haven’t tried it with other hammocks.

Grand Trunk Mozzy Net: The Mozzy Net is a good option because it’s versatile…it stands alone, so can be used with any hammock or even around a picnic table or kitchen area. The downside: it’s a bit clunky to set up; the multiple guy lines that make it adjustable to any situation also make it complicated to get the right shape until you’ve had practice.

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Add-on: Portable microscope

You’re up in the trees, so what can you see? When going camping with kids, it is always a good idea to pack some devices that can provide entertainment even though their primary purpose is educational. Such a device is a handheld microscope as it is an easy-to-use product that lets children explore the world around them, and even more, the world they can’t see with the naked eye. Usually, a handheld microscope connects to one’s smartphone, tablet, or laptop in order to provide magnified images of leaves, fruit, and a myriad of insects that one might discover at a campsite. This way, your trip with the kids can be both instructive and fun, as you’ll spend some time gathering items and bugs that you can look at in-depth.

Want to go big? Try a tent-hammock combo!

Kammok Sunda: If you want your hammock to actually be a tent, and vice versa, the Kammok Sunda is a two-person tent and hammock hybrid. It’s very pretty, but even better, it can convert to a stand-alone tent or a stand-alone hammock, depending your needs. This is a great feature, as there will be times you want to set up your tent-hammock in the air, but cannot find the suitable trees to do so. The Sunda is on pre-order right now, for $349.

Tentsile Flite

Tentsile: We’re currently testing a Tentsile Connect, and have packed it a few miles into a lake in Northern California’s Trinity Alps. It’s heavy enough to relegate it to car camping and short backpacking trips, but oh-so-cool! It sets up with a ratcheting system for suspension that has a learning curve but is easy once you’ve tried it a few times. In our experience, a couple teenage boys armed only with the YouTube tutorial video were able to set it up in about 10 minutes on the first try. There are many sizes and styles of Tentsiles to choose from (some, but not all, get quite expensive). Tentsile tents come with rainflies, which can be pegged on the ground, though the tents themselves are not meant to be on the ground. The two-person Tentsile we like best is $350.

Tentsile Connect, set up in Trinity Alps CA

Note: the downside of elevated tents is their weight. Even hammocks can get heavy, once you add the rope you need, your tarp or cover, and a mosquito net. If you want to travel light, be sure to add up the weight of your elevated camping system before committing!

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Travel Gear We Use: Abiie Huggs baby carrier review

November 29, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

Reviewed by our baby and toddler gear tester, Karyssa Booth.

Time for a baby carrier review! I received the Abiie Huggs carrier in the mail a couple months before my daughter could fit into it. I waited until she was about five months old before I used it. On initial inspection, I was a little overwhelmed by how many buttons, clips, and snaps it had. I am still figuring out new functions of the carrier each time I use it. For example, the flap that serves as support for the back of the neck and then folds down so the baby can look around. Who knew? The only thing I haven’t mastered is nursing while she is in it, but I’m pretty sure it is not possible.

The Huggs carrier excels in comfort for the parent and baby:

There is a seat that supports the baby’s rear and allows movement for its legs and hips. Other baby carriers seem to have the legs spread too far apart or facing the baby out which seems awkward to me. My baby has never been in the Huggs and appeared or acted uncomfortably. She can usually sit in it for a little over an hour with no complaints. Even after wearing her in the carrier for a long time it doesn’t hurt my back.

Unfortunately, the seat that makes the carrier supportive for the baby also is its downfall. I recently took a trip and opted on a stroller that I could check in at the gate instead of the carrier because I didn’t have enough room to store it under my seat with my carry on and diaper bag. It’s too bulky for the plane with limited space. If I was also traveling with my husband, I’m sure I could have made it work. Traveling with a baby solo, it wasn’t happening.

My favorite aspects of the Huggs is the quality and support. It is obvious that a lot of thought and planning went into the creation of the Huggs. The base zips off and when I need to get the baby out quick or she is asleep, it’s really handy. The Velcro belt works really well and once I Velcro and snap the belt around my waist I rarely have to readjust. The sun/rain cover with multiple snaps to fit many different size heads or fit as baby grows. The pockets….who doesn’t love a plethora of pockets? I can easily fit my keys and phone it the belt pockets, baby toys in the large front pocket. I also like to clip a pacifier or toy to keep her happy while babywearing.

Putting on the Huggs:

I recently wore the carrier to a family function and all of my cousins with small children commented on how nice it was. The joke was that whenever anyone tried to use a front pack they can’t seem to reach behind and do the back buckle without some difficulty. Where the buckles are positioned on the Huggs, I am able to reach around and buckle the back myself fairly easily. I can also secure the waist belt and put my head through, sit baby on the seat and buckle the straps on the sides under my arms.

Overall, I would rate the baby carrier as excellent and recommend it to friends and family that were looking for a comfortable well-designed front pack. If someone is looking for a pack that had a lot of features this is the pack for them. My only caveat: if one criteria is to be able to pack the carrier down small for travel, I would look for another option.

Pick up a Huggs on their website for $129! Readers have also found on Amazon. Sell your own products using a Amazon marketing agency.

Karyssa was sent a complimentary Huggs for the purpose of review. All opinion remains her own.

Outdoor gear brands that give back

October 1, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

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 water safe to drink. You can buy them solo, or as part of a full water bottle in the Lifestraw GO. They’re great for travel to countries where the water is not potable, or for backcountry hiking and camping trips.

How Lifestraw gives back: For every LifeStraw sold, one school child in a developing community also receives safe drinking water for an entire school year. So far 1,015,652 students have been given safe water. 1621 schools reached. The LifeStraw Safe Water Fund is also working in Haiti, Kenya and India. More information of the Follow the Liters program can be found here.

Cotopaxi:

Utah-based Cotopaxi makes one of our favorite backpacking packs, the Taboche. I love the bright colors and flare they bring to all their backpacks, totes, and outdoor clothing. This season, their new day pack, the Luzen, is perfect for every type of traveler…and perfect for under the tree.

How Cotopaxi gives back: Cotopaxi and the Utah Refugee Services Office have come together to launch a skills-based volunteer program in Utah called the Refugee Coding Project. Started in partnership with the Bhutanese refugee community, the coding program has been so successful, community leaders and youth from five other key refugee communities in Salt Lake City requested the program and Cotopaxi met that demand.

Aventura Clothing:

Aventura Clothing is a lifestyle and travel brand for women. You can see us review many of Aventura’s organic cotton pieces here.

How Aventura gives back: They give back to Uncommon Threads, a boutique-style clothing program where survivors of domestic violence receive styling services and new clothes. Aventura donates new clothing quarterly, which enables women in need to feel the self confidence and empowerment they need in their daily lives.

Toad & Co:

Toad&Co is a lifestyle brand inspired by a love of the outdoors. I have loved them for years, especially their travel and hiking pants that flex, resist stains, and fit my body in a way that makes me feel good about myself.

How Toad & Co gives back: As of this fall, 98 percent of the line is sustainably-made with at least 80 percent sustainable fibers and/or fabrics that are third-party certified for responsible manufacturing. And as always, a portion of every Toad&Co purchase goes toward supporting people with disabilities.

GoLite:

This brand makes exercise and outdoor clothing that’s breathable and practical for travel, the outdoors and running (including trail running).

How GoLite gives back: GoAid is a program that promotes health support and community empowerment, while sister pillar GoResponsibly commits to ensuring that 80% of the introductory GoLite product line is developed from environmentally preferred and low energy production materials. What does this mean? For example, their ReGreen Windshell is made of 100% recycled green bottles, in partnership with eco-organization Tzu Chi.

Costa:

Long loved for their high-quality sunglasses, we love to travel with Costa during both beach season and ski season. These sunglasses wear well, don’t break easily, and always come with protective bags and cases so we can protect our investments.

How Costa gives back: TheirUntangled Collection is created by recycling fishing nets that are at the end of their lives. These nets go into each pair of the polarizes sunglasses in this line.

Ecoths:

The men’s line of Aventura Clothing, Ecoths makes organic cotton and lifestyle pieces ideal for men who are active and busy…both at home and while traveling. The Pit Stops men in my life love the Xavier Shirt for warm-weather travel destinations, and they now also offer travel-ready pants and hoodies.

How Ecoths gives back: When you purchase clothing from Ecōths, you feed the hungry. As part of their Good Sam program, Ecōths feeds one person for one day with each garment sold. In just over two years, they have donated over 200,000 meals across the US.

DownTek:

You may have heard or seen the name DownTek in regard to your outdoor gear: this sustainable, water-repellant down company is the supplier of choice for big names in the gear industry, including L.L. Bean, Big Agnes, and more. One of my favorite travel products with DownTek is the Big Agnes Shovelhead Hooded jacket, which is extremely lightweight but warm enough for deep winter adventures.

How DownTek gives back: Sustainable Down Source, creator of DownTek, participates in three programs that give back to children including, Ronald McDonald House Quilts for Kids, Parks4Kids and K.I.D.S. / Fashion Delivers. Down pillows created by SDS have been provided to K.I.D.S. / Fashion Delivers, and SDS has also donated to outdoors programs through Parks4Kids, encouraging exploration, appreciation and understanding of natural environments and resources.

Mountain Khakis:

Mountain Khakis is one of our favorite travel wear brands for outdoorsy men and women. Their khakis are their signature pant, but we find we love their sweaters and pullovers most. This year, MK is debuting a new line of luggage, which will compliment their canvas totes and bags.

How MK gives back: Each year, Mountain Khakis offers a limited-edition design which supports the mission of Protect Our Winters (POW), the leading climate advocacy group for the winter sports community founded by professional athlete/artist/environmentalist, Jeremy Jones. This year’s offering is the Men’s POW XVI Sweater.

Parks Project:

Parks Project is an outdoor lifestyle brand that funds various national park projects through their apparel and accessories. Parks Project is an official partner to the National Park Service, serves as a supporting business partner to the National Parks Foundation and is carried in over 100 retailers around the nation. We especially love their tees that serve as reminders of our trips to favorite national parks.

How Parks Project gives back: As a for-profit business, Parks Project supports 22 individual park groups around the nation. Every product sold carries a story and contributes to habitat restoration, animal conservation, educational initiatives and visitor services across America’s parks, promoting Parks Project’s ethos, Leave It Better Than You Found It.

Travel Gear We Use: best hiking boots for the family

July 7, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

We’re continuing our Travel Gear We Use series with a category I’m asked about a lot: hiking boots. Need guidance on buying the best hiking boots for the family? The following picks for kids hiking boots (as well as adults) come from brands we use and trust to be sturdy, highly-functional, and affordable. All have been worn by us on our own backpacking and hiking trips.

Best hiking boots for kids:

This infographic is created by GoFindMe GPS Tracker.

Merrell Chameleon 4 Mid Ventilator Hiking Boot :

The Merrell Chameleon comes in a range of styles, from low-top hikers to high top boots with full ankle support. You can also opt for mesh ventilation or more water resistant models. Find the style that your child likes best. What we love about the Chameleon is how comfortable this shoe is on, and how easy it is to get on and off. I know it sounds simple, but these features can make or break a hiking shoe for our kids. The Merrells are well-constructed but still lightweight and flexible, and the low-top version can certainly pull double-duty as a school shoe. The mid-height Ventilator linked here is only $55, which means that if you kid wears them out in a season, you won’t cry.

KEEN Gypsum Hiking Shoe:

Like the Merrells, the Keen Gypsum retails for under $60, but it offers a lace capture system for even easier on-and-off (and a better fit while on the trail). They’re not too heavy (we really don’t recommend stiff, heavy boots for kids), and will flex with the soles of kids’ feet. They’re breathable, and they have the toe-protection that Keen does so well: no stubbed toes here! pick up a pair for $60

Vasque Breeze WP 2.0 Hiking Boot:

If you need something a little more technical for multi-night backpacking trips, we like the Breeze from Vasque. Kids get full ankle protection and a very rugged sole with strong grip, but also a nice ventilation system so they don’t feel like their feet are in an oven. They weigh in at 2 pounds, and feature a very ‘grown up’ lacing system and toe guards. They’ll set you back more than the other shoes, but might even survive to be handed down! Buy the Breeze for $79.

Hi-Tec Altitude Lite Jr:

We love Hi-Tec hiking boots for adults, so it stands to reason that the kids’ versions would be a great ‘fit’ too. Always affordable without sacrificing quality, Hi-Tec boots are our first pick for down-to-earth outdoorsy families who don’t care about having the absolute trendiest brands on their feet. Give Hi-Tec a try! The Altitude Lite Jr. is rugged, with full ankle support. Opt for the waterproof version to save your kid from wet feet after creek crossings and muddy trails. Pick them up for under $70 on the Hi-Tec site or Amazon.

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Oboz Sundog:

For teens who say they don’t like hiking boots (and think they can hike in flip-flops) the Sundog is the next best thing, that will still make mom and dad happy. Extremely lightweight and in a fun citrusy color, the Sundog wears like a tennis shoe. It has a rugged outsole and laces tightly, so there’s some control amid the feeling of ‘I just have my sneakers on’. Win-win.

Best hiking boots for parents:

I’m going to say something radical here: 90% of the time, you don’t need a full-fledged hiking boot, even for multi-day backpacking trips. I LOVE to wear my LOWA Innox Evo shoes, both when I’m traveling and when I’m hiking, camping, and backpacking. For me, and I know it varies by person, this is the most comfortable trekking shoe out there. Check out a full review here. Buy the LOWAs, be happy, don’t worry about hiking shoes ever again.

BUT, if you need fuller protection for a seriously epic trip, read on:

GoLite Women’s XT89:

I love GoLite shoes, and their XT89 for women are lightweight while still offering full support and great traction. Plus, they’re comfortable enough to want to wear around camp, too. I found I needed to order a half-size up (as they run small), so definitely try these on before ordering online. For men, GoLite’s GoLite Men’s Quest Lite Hiking Boot is a great pick.

KEEN Terradora:

For women, it’s hard to beat the KEEN Terradora if you need the protection of a full-fledged hiking boot. (It does, however, come in a lightweight hiking shoe, to). The Terradora is made of knitted fabric that’s completely waterproof but still soft and flexible, and has a padded ankle support section to help with the discomfort of the usual stiff ankle coverage. Pick it up for $130 on Amazon.

Oboz Mystic Low BDry:

I love a lightweight, low-cut hiking shoe. (If you don’t, try the Oboz Bridger instead.) The Mystic is fully waterproof, yet light enough to be considered a sneaker, should you slide them on for a mid-week soccer practice, as I have. They’re substantial without being stiff, and responsive yet firm on the outsole. They’re my go-to backpacking shoe when I won’t need full-scale ankle support, and they’re competitively priced, too.

Need more shoe ideas? Check out more gear at gearweare.

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More Travel Gear We Use:
Best carry-on luggage for kids
Best overnight backpacks for kids and youth
Best packing cubes and TSA bags for the family
Best point and shoot camera for vacation photos
Best iPhone cases for travel

Adventure and travel subscription box gifts for dads and grads

June 7, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Have a dad in your life who loves travel? How about a recent graduate who is ready to start exploring the world? If you want to give something more original than cash this June, consider the following gift subscription boxes and experiential gifts that promote adventure both across the US and abroad.

Travel subscription box gifts for dads and grads:

Cairn subscription box:

We’ve reviewed Cairn in the past, and it’s just as great a value now. Each Cairn subscription box comes with new and innovative outdoor adventure gear, food, and supplies that you probably haven’t seen before. I love learning about new gadgets. Also included in each Cairn box is what I’d call a ‘big ticket item’, worth $25 or more. In the past, the big ticket item has been a hammock, a lantern, or a high quality water bottle. Cairn subscriptions are $27/month.

Explore Local subscription box:

If you have a dad or grad who loves the idea of exploring the country but can’t quite get everywhere (yet), OR, if they’re planning a trip to a US city, an Explore Local box is a great way to learn about the country. Each Explore Local box is packed with local products from a particular US city, allowing you to get to know that location better either before a trip, after, or in case you can’t make it there yourself. We tried the Nashville Explore Local box, which was filled with artisan brands of popcorn, honey, soap, and cards all locally made. Plus, you can include a kid add-on if dad will be bringing kids along on the journey. Explore Local subscriptions are $35/month, or $45 with the kid add-on.

Try the World subscription box:

Have a foodie dad or grad? They’ll love the Try the World box, which features a different country each month, with gourmet goodies and unique food items ready for tasting. We tried the Korea box, which included Somyeon noodles and kimchi, plus suggestions for how to prepare them (essential!). There are also boxes for Greece and India currently. Try the World is available for $35/month.

NatureBox:

If dad or grad will be hitting the road and exploring this summer, NatureBox has subscriptions boxes of several sizes to keep them fueled with healthy snacks. This is a great box to keep giving to grads after they leave for college, too. We tried the medium-sized box, which lasted us about a day with teens in the household, but SHOULD last through a long weekend road trip. Each box has a selection of nuts, dried fruit, snack mixes, and trail mixes. We’ve liked everything we’ve tried. NatureBox starts at $30/month.