Tested + Compiled By Cameron Martindell
Winter + Spring 2023-24
Little hands mean little gloves, which means not much insulation to ward off super cold days. To keep my crew going, we only use these gloves on the coldest days. But, the kids have learned they can be comfortable even though it looks nasty outside. In fact, they love it. The gloves have three levels of heat and offer enough dexterity for them to wear these while riding bikes to school mid-winter.
$200
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Despite the spring-loaded moving parts, this insulated bottle has withstood being bonked around over the last few months of use. The unique feature of the Free Sip line is the sip or chug spout. My kids only use the sip feature, but the option to chug or dump without removing the lid is nice. The spring-loaded top pops right out of the way and is easy to put back to keep the bottle spill and leak proof. The powder coated exterior has resisted the bumps of life, and we don’t have any dents (yet).
$23
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My kids go back and forth if they want to wear sunglasses, but I know their little eyes need protection, and I want to have something available for them when they are ready. Optic Nerve has a nice range of options, but my 9-year-old daughter has taken to the bright and fun Tag model in orange. My 6-year-old likes the Homerun style. But at this price, I got a few extra pairs since kids are pretty good at losing or scratching things.
$20
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We had an oddly wet spring and early summer this year, and these boots were great for those soggy days. The easy cinch laces minimized grumbles when getting them on, and the mid-ankle height kept water from shallow puddles out — especially when paired with a good pair of rain pants (we have the Reima Kaura). And, like most of Reima’s gear, we love having the reflective hits in the design.
$90
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This pack holds about 20 pounds of gear and is best suited for 9 to 13-year-olds. We tested it on a 6-year-old, and it was pretty big, so we just filled it with lightweight things like pillows and stuffed animals. But for older kids, it can work as an overnight pack, or it cinches down to be a good, albeit large, day pack — great for true full-day hikes where the weather is variable and you want to bring a few extra items. The kids found it (relatively) comfortable, and it has a built-in emergency whistle.
$130
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Parents and kids often shy away from wool base layers. The parents because they aren’t very durable and the kids because they’re itchy. Both of those concerns are assuaged with the super soft, comfortable yet durable merino wool used by Iksplor. Our kids used this set all winter, and even after après ski and hut trips playing in these base layers, the knees have not developed holes (yet). Also, they come in a wide range of fun colors!
$109
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These skis were released last season, and our 6-year-old put them through the paces both in-bounds and on backcountry hut trips. The Air Core and Fiber Tech construction keeps the core strong but less dense, so it’s lighter weight. It also helps soften the flex, so our little guy could take advantage of the On-Piste Rocker for easier turn initiation. Float was only marginally sacrificed, but we recognize most kids this age are sticking to groomers.
70-150 cm.
$299.99
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With the big pull handles, a hook-and-loop power strap and zippered front, my 6-year-old was able to get these boots on and off himself. Fisher realized these little skiers don’t need a bunch of buckles and hard shells to ski. In fact, comfort is king when getting kids started with skiing, and this boot delivers from the pliable ankle to the cozy toe box which isn’t so tight it cuts off circulation and helps keep toes warm. 15.5-20.5 mondo.
$220-$230
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With a scouting background, I’m a fan of being prepared, and that includes keeping some sort of extra layer handy. While this jacket is not totally waterproof, it does have a DWR finish and is windproof, so it will certainly help on a quick dash home in an after-school rain shower. Also, it packs down into its own pocket, so it doesn’t get unruly at the bottom of the kids’ school packs.
$100
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The wet spring this year brought a pretty sizable hatch, but that didn’t stop us from getting outside. Fortunately, we were able to manage the itches nicely with these tea tree oil-based patches. The patches are clear, so they blend into any skin tone, and the tea tree oil soothed as promised. The self-adhesive hydrocolloid polymer material is easy to apply and proved to last through continued adventures.
Starting at $17
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Ah, kids and technology, a constant conundrum, but that’s a different story. After a few years with the Garmin Vivofit Jr., we’ve swapped that out for the Bounce for our 9-year-old. The Bounce has built-in GPS for activity tracking and optional LTE cellular service for messaging and tracking the watch itself. The messaging is through pre-set text messages or audio messages through the Garmin Jr. App and is restricted to parent approved contacts.
$149 + $10/month or $99/year
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Our 6-year-old has taken this bag on ski-in hut trips in Colorado and to summer sleep away camp in Maine. It easily stuffs into the included stuff sack and can be compressed down even further if space is at a premium. The synthetic fill, cozy interior fabric and durable nylon shell are all machine washable for easy care. The internal pocket is great, and the cinch hood is perfect for those slightly cooler nights.
$50
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