A note from my family to yours: Hi friends! Every November comes around and I find myself with less time for outdoor pursuits, and overwhelmed by the impending business of the holiday season. I also find myself looking for unique but also useful gifts, realizing that truly my family doesn’t really NEED anything. So below…

Big Agnes has long been a trusted brand for our family when we are in the backcountry. The Air Core Pads have been our favorites for the last 5-6 years, as well as their integrated sleeping systems and kid’s winter jackets. In fact, their gear is of such high quality, I would trust it across…

A good pair of water shoes is one of our “family essential items” in the summertime. Whether wearing them just to the pool or waterpark or using them on the trails and lakeside, we are always looking for water shoes that have good traction, durability, and comfort for our kids. M.A.P. Footwear, a children’s shoe brand…

We are eeking out of the bunny-hill years but honestly the most questions we receive regarding teaching kids to ski is about how and when to teach your young kids. We started all our kids when they were 2 years old, something I was comfortable with, having also been taught to ski when I was…

Other than aquiring the gear needed to adventure with kids, the largest obstacle for most parents people is organizing it. Or packing it. Or both. So naturally we are up for trying out every “good idea” of a travel bag that we find. Granite Gear Packable Duffles Tested in: Road Trips, weekend travel, gear organization…

“In The Open 2015” consists of the gear we choose, use and abuse every time we step out the door, winter or summer. It is the gear we love and need. The gear we’d recommend. This is by no means a comprehensive list, and we have by no means tested or tried every great piece…

Kai is my best running buddy.  No matter how slow I go, he is always there with a cheerful smile. He doesn’t push or pull. He doesn’t nag. He doesn’t complain. Running with your dog really is a blast. Now only for the annoyance of the leash, eh? If I had a preference, I’d be…

A few months ago I became acquainted with Skida through the Instagram photos of many of my favorite female skiers, boarders and mountaineers. I guess you could say marketing through influential athletes works because I immediately checked Skida out. Skida Skida hats and headbands are homegrown with a passion for taking a fresh perspective on…

A good approach shoe will quickly become your most used shoe in your arsenal. Great for easy climbing and scrambling, they [usually] are also great for urban adventures, hiking, backpacking and for wear in the winter or shoulder seasons. After previously wearing out my Camp Four approach shoes by Five Ten, I’ve been on the…

For the last few summers (and winters) we’ve collected our crew and headed to the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake. The fun part is seeing all the friends you’ve made along the way. Think huge outdoor block party. The part I hate? So much stuff… for supposedly being a group of people who love…

Ok, I should straight up say this review isn’t going to be unbias. First, I haven’t used any products similar to Lifestraw, with which to compare. But secondly, a Lifestraw came as close as I want to get to saving my life last summer while summiting two fourteeners in the Sangre de Cristo Range of…

As our kids get older, we have gotten bolder. Our adventures have migrated from family car camping to multiple backpacking trips a summer. But always the gear… sleeping bags that are heavy and bulky. So we jumped at the opportunity to try out backcountry quilts by Enlightened Equipment. And I must say, we’ve been won…

There are so many great kid carriers on the market. But when it comes to cargo space, the Kelty Pathfinder 3.0 is one of our favorites. Tested in: Nearly everything; hiking with child 25-35 lbs, summer and winter conditions. Cost: $300 Best Use: A kid carrier for long distances and/or hikes where you need lots…

Tested in: Hiking, walking, & swimming with 20 lb. Toddler and 40 lb. Preschooler Cost: $65 Availability: Boba provided by GoTikesGo.com Best Use: Short hikes, around town use, in the water, backpacking (to pack along for day hikes). For children 3-48 months and 15-45 lbs. Selling Points: The BobaAir is ultra lightweight, ergonomic, & machine…

A good kid carrier is a must-have for any outdoor family. And having one that suits your needs might not be as straight forward as you think. So we jumped on the chance to review the new Deuter Comfort Air. Deuter Kid Comfort Air Tested in: Hiking, snowshoeing with 35 lbs toddler. Cost: $239.00 Availability: Exclusively…

As a family we haven’t been much into trekking poles. But this last winter my husband invested in a pair and has loved having them, especially when there is tricky footing and he has a kid on his back. So we began wondering how poles would work for our kids. And so far, especially on…

It seems fitting to write this review of the Canada Goose Moraine Shell on National Polar Bear Day. Canada Goose is largely known for their high quality down outerwear. Gear for arctic expeditions. Gear for the highly committed. Gear for the cold, from a country where cold weather is a part of their national identity….

Last week we went to the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. And while we only spent a brief afternoon at the show (other more important things to do, like skiing) we cruised the floor looking for gear that pertains to adventure parents. Below is a brief list of what to look for in the next year….

Better late than never, right? Well, that is my theory for this post. A week and a half ago we scavenged the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City. What was so fun this trip was that I got to try out a bunch of gear, that ended up being awesome. (Yes, we’ve tried…