travel gear we use - Pitstops for Kids

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!

DeLorme inReach or SPOT Gen3: Which GPS messenger to buy for outdoor adventure

June 5, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

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 observations and recommendations for which GPS messenger to buy for outdoor adventure:

The difference between DeLorme inReach SE and SPOT Gen3:

DeLorme inReach SE in a nutshell:

Our inReach SE and I are very close, because I clung it its updates as our son was hiking on the PCT. He used it for the entire 457 miles. This was the lifeline we absolutely needed with a kid on the trail. The SE does the following:

Emergency service: Your personal locator beacon sends SOS signals with GPS location data to GEOS worldwide emergency response; communicate with GEOS via 2-way text messaging throughout the rescue. We’ve never used it, and in fact, you have to slide a little panel over to activate this button, to prevent accidental activation.
Point-by-point tracking: You can set the SE to track progress as often as every 10 minutes. Progress is shown on DeLorme’s website portal, MapShare. You invite people to MapShare, which is where you follow along at home.
Two-way messaging: Pay attention, because this is inReach’s best feature. You can send both pre-set messages that you customize yourself to friends or family (things like Everything is ok to I may need help) AND you can message free-form, just as you would via text. This means you can have actual conversations with the inReach. Example: Stopping here for the night. From parent: Did you find water? Answer: Yes, great spring here. You can text via the inReach’s key pad (clunky and slow, but it works) or via your phone, if you’ve opted to pair it. For the person at home, messages come through as either emails or texts (you decide). You text back via the MapShare portal, either on your phone or on a computer screen.
Smart phone pairing: Before leaving on your trip, you can pair your inReach with your phone, which allows you to use the included EarthMate app in the field (even when you don’t have cell service). This app gives you a map view, and also lets you text with more ease. Bear in mind: if you do this, you’ll need to worry about keeping two devices charged: your inReach and your phone.

So, does it work?! YES. We loved the inReach, and found it reliable. You can expect delays from five to 20 minutes in some areas (both in tracking and texting), but it literally worked everywhere, with one exception: while hiking through Native American reservation land, it went dark. The MapShare portal was easy to use, too.

Things to keep in mind with inReach:

Battery life is pretty good; we found that when placed in ‘track every 10 minutes’ mode and turned off at night, the inReach had about three days in it before needing to recharge (via USB cable). We charged with a wall plug when possible, and with a solar panel charger in the field.

The inReach weighs about seven ounces, and attaches to any backpack strap via a clip. We liked that it beeped when there was a new message (helpful when it’s not always in front of you) and beeped to confirm messages were sent. You navigate around the inReach with the keypad and up-down arrows. If you remember your old phones of years bygone the ‘up-arrow, left, left, down-arrow, enter’ drill to command it, it’s like that.

You DO need a subscription plan with the inReach: you can opt to do month-to-month (starting at $14/month) or annual plans (around $150 or starting at $12/month). The plan we picked was about $30/month, which included unlimited texting and tracking. The cost of the actual device is $299. Right now, it’s on sale on Amazon for $263.

Can you upgrade? Yes. If, in addition to all the features above, if you also want to have built-in navigation (in which you plan your route, drop waypoints, and then follow the path with arrows on your screen), you’ll want to upgrade to the DeLorme inReach Explorer for an extra $100 or so. We wished we had this feature a few times when in snowfields, when the trail was not visible. It would also be good for anyone who travels off-trail. This said, it’s possible to pair the inReach with your phone, and download maps there. Then you have two things to carry and charge, though.

SPOT Gen3 in a nutshell:

If your explorer in the field doesn’t need quite as much hand-holding (or you’re better at letting go than I am!), the SPOT Gen3 is simpler, lighter, and more streamlined than the inReach. If you want the TL;DR version of this entire review, here’s the difference between them: the SPOT Gen3 does NOT text back and forth, and therefore does not allow for a two-way conversation. But it has other great features. Here’s what it does:

Emergency service: SPOT’s emergency service is the same as inReach; you get immediately connected to GEOS. But there’s a second feature that inReach lacks: there’s also a NON-emergency help button. This button goes out to your pre-set friends and family (NOT to 911), alerting them that you need assistance. It sends your GPS location on a map when it does so. This is a nice feature for if you get a flat tire, run out of food and need a person to bring you some, or hurt yourself but can walk your way out.
Point-by-point tracking: Yes, you get this too…same as the inReach, for the most part. SPOT will track your movements as often as every 2.5 minutes, if you opt for an upgraded plan (more on that below), but generally tracks every 10, 30, or 60 minutes. Family at home can see tracking in almost real time via SPOT’s portal, called FindMeSPOT.
Custom messages: Like inReach, you can create custom messages you want to use with SPOT, which you set ahead of time on the web portal. Think Found our campsite or Having a great time. There’s also a set button for OK. That’s all it will say (with GPS location via a map), but it’s very convenient if you don’t want to hassle with buttons and key pads.

Does it work? Definitely. The Gen3 does what it says it will do, so as long as you know its limitations, you won’t be disappointed.

Subscribe to our Pit Stops for Kids seasonal newsletter, and get an exclusive travel ‘cheat sheet’, free! Click here!

Things to keep in mind with SPOT Gen3:

This is the way to go if you don’t need to download maps (there are lots of other apps for maps, if you want them on your phone separately from your GPS device), don’t need to have back-and-forth conversations with people, and don’t want to mess with navigating through a clunky keypad to do things. We love that one button sends an OK message with a map of location, and that the SPOT is only four ounces and attaches to your pack with a carabiner.

Battery life is longer on SPOT than inReach (they claim 150 hours, but I don’t think it was quite that great). You re-charge it via USB, just like the inReach. I like that both these GPS units have rechargeable batteries; some other devices require you to buy expensive replacements.

The SPOT doesn’t make noises to indicate messages have been sent, but it does light up, which is nice. I just like having some sort of confirmation.

The Gen3 is $150 (half the price of the inReach), so if you don’t want two-way communication, by all means, don’t pay for it. You do still need a service plan, and it will be about the same price as the inReach: $14/month or $150/year. There is NOT an option of a month-to-month plan, which is a bummer.

Can you upgrade? No, but you can downgrade to the $99 SPOT Trace, but it’s pretty bare-bones and designed for car tracking.

Interested in staying in touch when TWO parties are close by in the wilderness? Consider GoTenna: review here!

Travel Gear We Use: GlocalMe WiFi hotspot for travel

May 25, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Let’s get real about WiFi usage and fees while traveling internationally as a family. When we travel, we embrace being off-the-grid most of the time, but we absolutely need wifi at various times. Sometimes, this is due to necessity: we need turn-by-turn directions out of a foreign city, or we need to call the credit card company to check our damage (I mean, balance). Other times, someone needs to download an episode of Parks and Rec, or someone else really wants some quality Instagram time.

Staying connected in Iceland: using GlocalMe to work from locations like this.

We are a family of five, with older kids and teens who all have phones. Therefore, we have five phones to connect when we travel. Usually, we simply don’t connect them: the parents pay for WiFi, and the kids are basically SOOL. Why? Because our cell service plan charges us $10 per day for an international plan. Now, that’s not terrible, until you multiply it by five. $50 per day seems excessive, even for luxury travelers.

What to do? Invest in a WiFi hotspot for travel.

During our most recent trip, which took us through Iceland for ten days, we tried something new: a GlocalMe WiFi hotspot. For an initial investment of about $150-250, you get the hotspot, which you can then load with varying amounts for different destinations. Or, you can rent the device from Roaming Man.

I spent $20 for 3 GB of data in Iceland, which would ‘turn on’ (for lack of a better word) when I got to the country, and expire after 22 days. The hotspot can connect up to five devices (hey, perfect for us!) and you can add data at any time, either by ‘topping it off’ or buying a second package.

As I noted above, we use WiFi sparingly when we travel, preferring to enjoy the freedom from screen time (for the most part). We turned on our hot spot for about 30 minutes each day to check email, upload photos to Facebook and Instagram, and text, plus a few extra times to navigate when we needed directions, and our package of 3 GB easily lasted us 10 days. So instead of $50 per day for unlimited use we didn’t want, we paid $20 total for all of us to have a little bit of WiFi per day.

This is a perfect solution for us, and we plan to use the GlocalMe hotspot on many more trips.

Note: the hotspot is not intended for streaming video or downloading TV (it will, or at least will try, but it uses tons of data quickly).

How to load the hotspot with data:

Once you have a hot spot, go online to GlocalMe and register. It will ask you for your device’s registration number. Once you’re registered, you can add money by scanning the list of countries (I didn’t see any missing that were within the realm of visiting) and choosing a package or pay-as-you-go option. You can monitor your usage and add money with the free app or with the website. The device itself shows your data usage so you can monitor it there, too. The hot spot recharges with a standard USB cable (included) but during our 10 days, we never ran out of battery life.

How to buy:

The actual GlocalMe device is a one-time purchase of about $130-150, depending on where you buy. We recommend Amazon for the best deal.

Disclosure: We were given a GlocalMe hotspot device for the purpose of review. We paid to use it at our own expense.

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Travel gear we use: Best shoulder season hoodie

April 6, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

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.

Best shoulder season hoodie: Appalachian Gear Company All-Paca hoodie review

What makes this hoodie so great:

It’s made from 100 percent Alpaca fiber, which makes it super soft, lightweight, easy to pack, never wrinkly, and breathable. This hoodie can take a beating…so far, I’ve traveled with it to rural Mexico where it endured dirt road travel, sandy beaches, and salt water, and into the mountains of Oregon, where it kept me oh-so-warm during shoulder season camping.

Because it’s so warm, despite being fairly thin and lightweight, the All-Paca fleece hoodie saves you all kinds of room in you day pack or carry-on. You won’t need to layer as much as usual; just toss the All-Paca into your backpack, and feel confident you can hike, explore, or bike in just a t-shirt.

The knit structure provides natural wicking, allowing perspiration to escape easily. I usually change out my seasonal outdoor gear and clothing twice a year, but the All-Paca hoodie will be one of those items that stay with me in winter AND in summer. It’s ideal right now, during the shoulder seasons in the Pacific Northwest.

The All-Paca is made in the USA, in Charlotte, NC, and even though it’s made from Alpaca wool, you can machine wash it. The good news: you don’t have to wash this hoodie after every wear. And while you can put it in the dryer, I opted to air dry mine (babying it a bit!) to ensure zero shrinkage. It dries super fast! The All-Paca tends to run a little bit large, so take that into consideration, but it’s nice to have a little extra room to play with, for layering.

Pick up this shoulder season hoodie in XS-XL in four colors for $153. It also comes in men’s sizing, and once you’re sold on the hoodie, you may want to check out Appalachian Gear Company’s alpaca tees and crews.

Discover other travel gear we love!

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!

Travel Gear We Use: Must-have products for road trips

March 23, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

The family road trip really is where the rubber meets the road. And this year, summer road trip travel will be bigger than ever. When it comes to the best products for road trips, we prefer useful items to flashy ones, the tried-and-true over the new-fangled. There are many, many items to bring on your next road trip, but these must-have products for road trips are ALWAYS in the car.

1. A full-sized first aid kit:

This is crucial, folks. You can assemble your own first aid kit, or you can opt for a quality pre-made kit, like we do. We just tried out Surviveware’s large first aid kit , which comes with over 200 essentials, with room for your own additions. (Tip: remember to add an emergency ration of any over-the-counter or prescription meds you or a family member needs regularly.)

I am impressed with the organization of the Surviveware kit; every item has a place, and is tucked away in water-resistant compartments. There’s even fever strips, sting relief pads, and gloves. A smaller section can be removed to come with you on shorter excursions, and the main pack is designed to fit over your car seatback if desired.

The Surviveware kit is also great for boating (it floats!), camping, and RV life. It will come with us in our camper van this summer.

2. Car emergency kit:

We assemble this ourselves, packing jumper cables, a flashlight, road flares, winter gloves, and an emergency blanket in a duffel we always keep in the back of the car. During winter, we add chains.

3. Reusable ‘dining out’ ware:

We love United by Blue’s ‘Everyday Reusables‘ collection, including their straw kits, grocery bags, and utensil kit. We usually grocery shop and eat our own food for breakfasts and lunches while road tripping, and this way, we save on plastic waste every time we eat.

4. Small-item storage:

We always have an organizer over the back seat to reduce clutter (it can also stop your little one from kicking the back of your seat)! Want a low-cost alternative to the products you can find online? Buy a cheap hanging closet shoe organizer and hang it from the back of the seat. It may need to be cut to fit. Store smaller items, plus water bottles, books, and snacks within reach of older kids (and out of reach of babies and toddlers).

5. Water bottles and a water filtration system:

You can find our favorite bottles listed in our best water bottles for kids post, but really, as long as every family member has a water bottle they love, that’s the most important thing. Staying hydrated on the go can be challenging, but bringing your own bottles reminds kids (and grown-ups) to sip often. Plus, you can save serious dough at restaurants and attractions if you have bottles to refill.

In addition to water bottles, make sure you have:

Extra water in the car, perhaps in gallon jugs
A filtration system for emergencies (at very least, a Lifestraw, and at best, a Lifesaver jerry can)

What items are must-brings on your family road trips? Read about more travel gear we use!

Travel Gear We Use: All-time favorite healthy travel snacks

August 14, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

Today’s Travel Gear We Use segment isn’t exactly gear, but does help us as we travel: we’re rounding up our favorite healthy travel snacks. There are many, many products out there that claim to be wholesome, organic, and tasty. We’ve tried almost all of them. Yet, this list is short. Very short. Why? Let’s be real: most so-called healthy travel snacks are gross. Even my kids, who know their way around a natural foods store, go to schools that are GMO-free, and live in hippie-friendly Oregon, have their limits. Here are the winners that are kid-tested and kid-approved in our house. Buy these snacks for your next road trip or air travel day, and you won’t be wasting your money.

SunRidge Farms mixes:

OMG, you guys. If you want to ensure everyone in the family has a healthy, delicious and dare I say, downright exciting trail mix to call their own for your next trip, check out SunRidge Farms. Their many, many trail mix varieties can be bought in 6-8 ounce bags, but also come in bulk. I love this option, as we bring our own containers and bento boxes when we travel to cut down on waste. You can create your own trail mixes by looking through their many nut, seed, dried fruit, and organic chocolate offerings, but save yourself some time and check out their pre-packaged ones. We love the Berries and Chocolate. You can also get square protein chews that my kids gave a thumbs up: the peanut butter power chews are a favorite. I love that SunRidge Farm’s production facility is powered by solar energy and that their foods are GMO-free, organic, and much of the chocolate and coffee offerings are Fair Trade. Yes, SunRidge Farms’ trail mixes are more expensive than average, but we found them on Amazon and if you buy in bulk, you’ll get high quality snack food for a reasonable price! You can even get gummies for a treat on the road you don’t have to feel guilty about!

Kate’s Real Food:

Haven’t heard of Kate’s Real Food bars? I love these all-natural, organic creations originating in Jackson Hole, WY. Kate’s bars have been embraced by serious hikers, mountain bikers, climbers, and skiers all over the West, so you know it’s good enough for road trip noshing, too. We love that these bars are made from locally-sourced ingredients whenever applicable, and they never freeze…even when skiing or in the cold car. My kids quickly tire of the usual protein bars and granola bars, but Kate’s are just wholesome enough that they taste like, well, real food, instead of chalk or powder. And bonus: they’re on Amazon in bulk, too!

Nut butters from PB Crave

This high energy, high protein food is perfect for road trips because it can survive just fine without refrigeration and doesn’t melt (too much) in a hot car. Kids find peanut butter to be boring? They won’t if you try PB Crave. These peanut butters come in super fun flavors, like Cookie Nookie (chocolate chips and cookie dough flavor) and Razzle Dazzle (dark chocolate, white cocoa butter drops, and natural raspberry flavor). They taste very sweet (maybe too sweet for grown ups), but all PB Crave flavors are sweetened with wild honey, and their more affordable than ‘gourmet’ nut butters. We put a jar in the car and toss in crackers, bread, or apple slices to eat with it.

Matt’s Munchies

Forget about any other fruit leather or fruit roll-up, and definitely forget about those artificial fruit snacks. My kids LOVED Matt’s Munchies dried fruit strips, and I loved that each package could feed two hungry kids…no skimping here! We love the tropical flavors with real strips of coconut blended in, but get a variety pack to start with and discover your favorites. For picky eaters used to basic flavors, try the Apple-licious.

As a peanut butter alternative, you can also try an almond butter. It could also be used as a good travel snack. Here’s a review on the best almond butter from Kitchenistic.

Bottom line: can you supply your family with travel snacks for less money? Sure, we know that. And our family can’t realistically buy these types of snacks every day. But eating healthy, wholesome, naturally sweetened snacks while traveling can enhance every part of your vacation. Kids will feel better, be better behaved, and have more energy to play and explore. And the truth is, so will you!

Subscribe to our Pit Stops for Kids seasonal newsletter, and get an exclusive travel ‘cheat sheet’, free! Click here!

Travel Gear We Use: 30 Road Trip Products

June 11, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

I know, your car is already packed to the gills for your family road trip. But trust us, you need these 30 road trip products and ideas to make your travel day run smoothly. We travel every month of the year, and test new road trip products every time we hit the road. Check out our list of road trip gear, updated to include new gear for 2017, and see what you’re missing!

Road trip safety gear:

1. My Bucklemate: This innovative little piece of plastic makes it easy for young kids to buckle themselves into their seats more easily…without mom or dad needing to crawl into the back seat to dig the seat belt clip out of the seat crease! Pick up Bucklemate on Amazon.

2. Cardiff Booster Seat Headrest: By far, the best headrest we’ve seen for toddlers and preschoolers. No more floppy heads when kids are trying to nap!

3. Bubblebum: This portable booster seat goes everywhere, from your own car to taxis to theaters. We guarantee you’ll use it in at least three ways on any road trip!

4. Adventure Medical Kit: There are several pre-made first aid kits to choose from when you browse the offerings at Adventure Medical Kits. Our favorites are listed here!

5. AAA Emergency Road Assistance Kit: Pick out a pre-made kit like this one, or design your own, ensuring you have flares, chains, and the gear you need to change a tire.

Car organizational gear:

6. Seatback car organizer: Every family needs at least one of these organizers that fit on the seat back, for storing books, DVDs, games, and cups. Don’t want to spend much money? Check for a hanging shoe organizer at your local dollar store. Pictured above: Prince Lionheart Backseat Organizer.

7. Trash bags: Yep, good old-fashioned trash bags. Don’t forget them! You’ll need them for the obvious purpose, but trash bags also pull double-duty as wet storage for swimsuits or soggy gloves and hats, storage for muddy shoes, and, unfortunately, as a much-needed receptacle if someone gets car sick.

8. Packing cubes: Used by our family for so much more than packing, packing cubes are ideal during road trips as carry-alls for kids’ gear. Give each child a large packing cube to fill up with his or her items for the ride. Packing cubes are easier to stow under the seat than backpacks, take up less room, and are easy to open and close. Here are our favorites.

9. Mesh laundry bags: Go ahead and use these cheap, lightweight laundry bags for their intended purpose once you arrive at your destination, but while on your road trip, use them to store boots and jackets the family will want at pit stops in winter and sandals or swimsuits in summer. Grab one bag when you reach your pit stop, and off you go.

10. KIDS ‘N’ PETS All Purpose Stain & Odor remover: You might need it. Ok, you’ll probably need it. Fine. We always need it. If you want something more portable than the liquid version, try their new Stain and Odor Remover wipes! We keep a tube of these in one of the car’s drink holders.

11. Refresh your Car: These car freshener products are the only ones my kids will tolerate. Plus, you can use these products to clean your dashboard, too. Here’s our full review.

In-car and rest stop entertainment:

12. SOL REPUBLIC headphones: These are the only headphones we use now, because they’re nearly indestructible. Kids can twist them, step on them, or toss them into a bag, and they keep on delivering high-quality sound. Check out more info in our best electronics picks for travel.

13. Splitter for headphones: Don’t forget one of these! When kids want to listen to a DVD or CD together, they need a splicer for their headphones. Forget it, and you’ll be listening to the entire soundtrack of Frozen too, Mom and Dad. Pair with the screen of your choice. Don’t forget about Kindles!

14. Brunton Revolt: This power cube is worth the investment. Even with in-car chargers and USB ports, everyone needs more power at some point. The Brunton can go from the car to your hotel room, offering an extra place to plug in. Plus, it comes with lots of built-in cables, so there’s no need to bring a tangle of your own.

15. Family puzzle and coloring books: Guess what? It turns out you’re never too old for Where’s Waldo. Candlewick Press’ Where’s Waldo: The Totally Essential Travel Collection includes hundreds of pages of Waldo illustrations, all in a compact, durable book. Like to color instead? ColorIt sells adult coloring books also ideal for kids. Try the Greatest Adventure Adult Coloring Book…it’s packed with pages suitable for kids or adults, and is in a durable spiral-bound notebook ideal for the road. Keep it in the car…you won’t be sorry!

16. Redbox movies: Don’t want to (or can’t) stream movies en route? Get the Redbox movie app, and find Redbox kiosks en route via your car’s entertainment system or a portable DVD player. We like to utilize Redbox because we never have to pay late fees (we find another Redbox to turn movies into down the road) and we have a constant supply of new movies without needing 4G.

17. SOL REPUBLIC Punk Speaker: Want to listen to audio books or podcasts as a family on the road, but don’t have the capability of plugging a smart phone into the car’s audio system? Use a Punk speaker! This little portable speaker packs a big punch. It’s also good for small kids who don’t like to use headphones.

18. Outside Inside Adventure Games: Have you ever stopped at a rest stop so the kids could stretch their legs, only to find nothing to do? We absolutely love these portable games for kids! Some are best for the campsite or fire pit, but others are ideal for grassy spaces, playgrounds, and even hotel rooms. Plus, they all pack down for easy transport. The magnetic darts are our favorite for the hotel room, and the bocce ball set and ladder ball/cornhole games are our favorite for rest stops.

19. Wipe board and dry erase marker: Don’t underestimate the power of a simple board and marker. Kids can play classic games like ‘hangman’ or ‘tic tac toe’. No need to invest in expensive versions of these games!

20. Magnetic Fun: Can’t go wrong with these tried-and-true car entertainment kits! Magnetic Fun is ideal for the toddler and preschool set, but older kids will play too.

Road trip snacks and food:

21. Yeti cooler: A Yeti is a big investment, but if you road trip often, it’s well worth it to have this top-of-the-line cooler. Foods will stay cold in a Yeti far longer than in standard coolers, allowing families to stop and drain it less often and eat more meals on the road. We have the Tundra 45. Can’t swing the cost of a Yeti? Try Mountain Khakis’ new rugged Compass Cooler.

22. BooginHead Pack ‘Ems snack bags: We only use reusable snack bags. BooginHead are our current favorite, because they wipe down easily, are washable, and stand up on their own when packed. Plus, they velcro open and closed, making it easy for little hands to open them. They’re very affordable, too.

23. Sea to Summit Seal ‘n Go: We’ve long been fans of Sea to Summit’s bowls and cups for backcountry camping, and now they have a product perfect for families on the go, whether you’re on a road trip or simply serving kids a snack in the car on the way to school. The Seal ‘n Go comes in multiple sizes, and is a collapsible container with a threaded lid for secure food carrying. They pack down small when you don’t need them, and are virtually accident-proof. Of course, you can take them camping, too! Each piece is around $20.

24. Patagonia Provisions: Bet you haven’t heard of this! Patagonia (yes, the brand that brings you ski wear and down vests) also makes road trip-ready food. You can buy their energy bars, or better yet, get their breakfast grains to make in hotel rooms for an easy and healthy breakfast (just add hot water from a coffee maker). They also make healthy soup mixes for in-room dinners.

25. GSI Outdoors macro camp table: Made with camping in mind, the GSI Outdoors Macro Table is also excellent for road trips. It collapses completely for easy transport, is lightweight, and opens up for an instant table anywhere. We love it on road trips for pit stops at parks where we’re setting out a snack or lunch, in addition to a meal prep space at campsites. It comes in a micro size, too!

26. Jelly Belly candies: You have to have some candy on your road trip, and Jelly Belly candies entertain with their many flavor options while kids (and adults) snack on them. If you’re driving through California, take a Jelly Belly tour at the factory in the San Francisco Bay Area!

Miscellaneous items:

27. Water bottles: Everyone needs to stay hydrated on a road trip, and personal water bottles help families save money when they stop for food, too. We love HydroFlask bottles, because they’re insulated and stainless steel. For a lighter weight bottle, go with Camelbak Eddy or Chute.

28. Duct tape: We won’t judge parents on how duct tape is used, especially at the end of a road trip, but here are our ideas: use it to designate ‘territory’ within the car, to keep kids in their own space, or allow kids to create art with it. Ours like to make their own wallets or frisbees.

29. Paper maps: Go old-school when you stop at gas stations or welcome centers, and pick up paper maps of the region you’re road tripping. Allow kids to follow your route by themselves, or enlist their help navigating. Older kids can pick out pit stops en route, or calculate distance.

30. Pillows and blankets: Make your road trip a slumber party with small pillows and lap blankets to make the drive more comfortable. If you don’t have room for full-sized pillows, opt for travel pillows. We love Rumpl’s travel blanket, which packs down small and is waterproof against spills.

Need kids’ gear for the road and want to shop online? Find great deals on essential baby and child gear.

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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.