Gear That Just Fits: Sensory-Friendly Outdoor Clothing for Kids and Adults

It happened again. I was standing in the kitchen when The Dude came around the corner with scissors in one hand and a vice grip on a tag stitched into the inside of the shirt he was wearing.

“Cut it off, please.” He didn’t even have to say it, though. I knew as soon as I saw the tool in-hand what the request would be. It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last. With a surgical precision and a concerned kid who didn’t want the shirt to be damaged (because he liked it except for that darn tag), it snipped the tag away.

Get the scissors, for the love of all that’s scratchy…!

For a lot of us, the hardest part of getting outside isn’t the trail, the water, or the miles - it’s the getting dressed part. A scratchy tag, a seam pressing across the toes, a helmet strap that pressed around an ear in a weird way, a swimsuit that grips in all the wrong places: any one of these can end an adventure before it begins. And it isn’t only our kids. Plenty of adults quietly skip activities they’d otherwise love, simply because the gear is unbearable against their skin.

Sensory sensitivity shows up often in autistic and ADHD folks and in anyone living with Sensory Processing Disorder, but none of us needs a diagnosis to loathe a bad seam. The good news is that the outdoor and apparel worlds have caught up. There’s a real range of clothing now built to blend in the moment it goes on. Here’s what to look for, along with the brands and specific pieces worth knowing, organized around the activities we love.

What Actually Makes Clothing Sensory-Friendly

Before we get to brand names, it helps to know which features matter. When we can read a product page or feel a garment in a store, these are the green flags:

- Tagless or printed labels. Traditional neck and waistband tags are one of the top offenders. The best pieces print the care information directly onto the fabric so there’s nothing left to itch. If a tag does exist, look for one that’s been heat-pressed flat - or plan on carefully removing it.

- Flat, external, or seamless construction. Raised interior seams rub, especially at the shoulders, underarms, and toes. Sensory-focused brands use flatlock seams, move the seams to the outside of the garment, or knit pieces seamlessly so there’s no seam at all.

- Soft, breathable fabrics. Organic cotton, bamboo, modal, and Tencel are naturally smooth and gentle. Patagonia has Capilene, a silky synthetic fabric. Fine merino wool works beautifully too, and the trick there is fiber diameter. Anything under about 18.5 microns bends on contact with skin instead of poking it, which is why fine merino doesn’t feel like the itchy wool many of us remember from childhood (this still really depends on the person’s sensitivity level, though).

- Simple, gentle closures. Metal buttons, stiff zippers, and tight elastic can all be triggers or even challenges for people with finger dexterity or strength issues. Velcro, magnetic closures, encased soft waistbands, or no closure at all tend to go over much better.

- Solid colors and minimal print. Heavy screen-printed graphics and dye-stiffened patterns can feel rough, or just plain loud. Many sensory-sensitive kids prefer quiet, simple color schemes.

- Compression, when it helps. This one is a bonus rather than a requirement. Snug compression garments provide deep-pressure input that many may find genuinely calming and organizing, and they layer neatly under other outdoor gear. The opposite can also be true - again, it really depends on the person and trying options to see what works.

One note on fit: with swimwear and anything worn wet, buy snug. Suits loosen in the water, and a secure fit often feels safer and less fidgety, not more.

Trail Clothes and Base Layers for Hiking

Hiking is mostly a base-layer-and-socks game, which makes it the easiest activity to solve.

Socks come first and this is a big one. Seams across the toes can cause more discomfort than nearly anything else in the drawer. SmartKnitKIDS seamless socks are knit from the toe up with no seam at all, hug the foot so they don’t bunch, and wick moisture, which matters on a sweaty trail. For the kids (and adults) who genuinely hate socks, FLAT SOCKS take a different approach - a trimmable, no-show insert that sits inside the shoe, so feet feel bare but stay dry and blister-free.

Bamboo-blend sensory socks from CalmCare and Parker & Talia are another soft, moisture-wicking option. For cold-weather hikes, fine merino socks regulate temperature without the itch. Minus33, Darn Tough, and Smartwool all have versions of seamless or “virtually seamless” comfortable wool socks for kids and adults. They also last a long time.

For everyday tagless kids’ clothing, Primary is a fan favorite: solid colors, no logos, no scratchy graphics. Cat & Jack Adaptive at Target offers tagless, flat-seam, soft cotton-blend pieces at approachable prices, and Kickee Pants and Lucky & Me are both beloved for their buttery modal and bamboo blends. We’ve also had luck with Patagonia’s Capilene clothing over the years, though we do end up cutting the tag out of the side seam of the shirts many times.

When we need a little extra regulation on the trail, a compression base layer can take the edge off. Kozie Clothes (designed by a pediatric occupational therapist) and JettProof both make four-way-stretch compression shirts and undervests meant to be worn under a regular hiking shirt, with external stitching and stamped labels so there’s nothing rough on the inside. JettProof’s fabric wicks moisture too, which matters once we’re moving.

Adults, don’t skip yourselves here. Fine merino base layers from Smartwool or Meriwool are soft enough for next-to-skin wear (look for roughly 16.5 to 18.5 micron and OEKO-TEX certification). Tencel and silk are excellent smooth alternatives if wool isn’t your thing, and both JettProof and FLAT SOCKS make adult sizes.

On the Water: Paddling, Swimming, and Beach Days

Water gear is uniquely tricky. Wet fabric grips, mesh liners scratch, and everything feels more intense against the skin.

NoNetz was created by a mom whose son couldn’t tolerate standard swim trunks. Their suits skip the scratchy mesh liner entirely, use anti-chafe fabric inside, and place seams flat or on the outside. They make kids’ and adult sizes, and their designs are tested with the autistic community before they go into production. For sun protection and a feeling of security, a snug long-sleeve UPF rash guard works well - it gives that gentle all-over pressure many kids find reassuring, and it layers nicely under a paddling PFD. Target carries a sensory-friendly swimwear line too, with flat seams, no tags, and adaptive suits with easier closures. We’ve liked the silky liner inside of Eddie Bauer’s kids comfort liner swim shorts.

If our kids resist water on their faces, Frogglez goggles are worth a look. The soft fabric strap slides over the head without pulling hair, which is a common sticking point with traditional silicone straps. Water shoes are worth adding as well, to protect against rough launch sites, creek beds, and hot docks. That transition from land to water is so often where the sensory friction shows up.

Full wetsuits are a bigger ask. If we’re heading into colder paddling, size for a snug-but-not-crushing fit, look for flatlock or glued-and-blind-stitched seams rather than raised overlock seams, and consider a thin sensory-friendly rash guard underneath as a smooth barrier against the neoprene. Especially for kids whose bodies may have a harder time regulating temperature, a “shortie” wetsuit might be something to consider.

As a side note for days in the sun, a long-sleeved synthetic shirt or rash guard and a wide-brimmed hat can help reduce the amount of skin that requires sunscreen (if that’s an issue for you or your family member).

On Two Wheels

Biking adds a couple of wrinkles: the helmet and the seat.

The helmet can be a battle for some. A good sensory fit is snug enough that it doesn’t rock forward, back, or side to side, with a chin strap that holds without digging. Nutcase and Lazer both come up often for softer padding, adjustable systems, and smoother interiors. The removable pads inside most helmets are our friend here - we can swap or adjust them to fine-tune both the fit and the feel, and wash out the sweat that makes them scratchy over time. One classic occupational therapy trick for helmet resistance: desensitize the head first with gentle massage or vibration before the helmet goes on, and build up wear time gradually rather than all at once. Wear helmets around the house together as a family for a little while as a “silly” activity to take the newness away.

Padded cycling shorts are notorious for seam irritation, but can make a big difference on saddle soreness. A smooth compression base layer (Kozie or JettProof again) worn underneath creates a friction-free barrier. For kids who are still learning to ride, long sleeves and long pants both cushion the inevitable falls and, for many, simply feel more contained and secure than bare skin. Keep the same tagless, flat-seam rules in play for jerseys and tops, and remember that quiet solid colors usually beat loud graphic prints.

And if your kiddo or family member is ready for longer rides, consider Chamois Butter or something similar in those high-friction saddle areas so that they avoid too much soreness. We swear by that stuff!

A Few Shopping Tidbits Worth Keeping

Fabric tolerance is deeply personal. Even the softest merino bothers some of us, so introduce new textures gradually and watch the reaction rather than assuming a sensory-friendly label guarantees a win.

Let our kids have a say. Being able to choose the color or the style, even just between two solid options, turns getting dressed from a fight into a decision they own.

Buy from places with easy returns. Shopping online means we can’t feel the fabric first, so brands offering free, no-questions returns for surprise irritants (several sensory-focused makers do) are worth prioritizing.

And we can always go inside-out. For socks and simple tees, wearing a garment inside-out to escape an interior seam or a loose thread is a perfectly legitimate solution. With solid colors, nobody can tell!

Finally, we bring a set of “regular” clothes to change into when we’re back at the car (or camp). Whether we’re damp from water, weather, sweat, or its simply time to change sensations, we have the comfy clothes to change into and round out the end of the day’s adventure with feeling great in every way possible.

Getting outside should be about the time together, the experience, and the fun - not about a tag someone can’t stop thinking about. Gear now exists to make the outdoors genuinely comfortable for sensory-sensitive kids and adults alike. Sometimes inclusive outdoor access looks like a wide, well-graded trail. And sometimes it’s just a seamless sock.

Sometimes you just have to stop and adjust things for better comfort (and have a tasty snack).

Everybody on the Trail: A Guide to Adaptive Outdoor Gear by Activity

A bike trailer is a great way to get your kid out there with you.

We believe spending time in nature and the outdoors is important for human well-being. And we also believe that nature and the outdoors, in some capacity, should be accessible to everyone, regardless of ability, disability, or for any other reason. 

Around here we talk a lot about inclusive access, and usually that means the sensory side of things - the tags, the textures, the overwhelm. But access has another whole dimension: the equipment that gets people with mobility differences onto the trail, into the boat, and up the wall in the first place, not to mention the way trails are constructed with adaptive equipment in mind.

Hiking and Getting Down the Trail

The headliner here is the all-terrain wheelchair, and a great example is the GRIT Freedom Chair. It’s a manual chair designed by MIT engineers that uses a lever-drive system (think mountain bike parts) to make pushing across dirt, grass, sand, gravel, and snow dramatically more efficient than a standard chair. It breaks down to fit in a car trunk, and it comes in sizes for all ages and bodies - there’s a youth version and a GRIT Junior billed as the first all-terrain kids’ wheelchair, so nobody gets left behind at the trailhead. For riders who want maximum ruggedness, the Spartan trim was originally built for obstacle-course racing.

The technology and engineering of all-terrain wheelchairs has come a long way and new makers and innovations continue to move ahead, making activities and places more accessible than ever. 

One tip applies across every category below: many national and state parks, plus adaptive programs, now loan or rent all-terrain chairs right at popular trailheads. Always worth a call before buying.

Paddling and Getting on the Water

Watersports are some of the most adaptable activities out there, because so much of it can be adjusted piece by piece.

Start with the boat. Sit-on-top kayaks and wider-hulled boats are the usual recommendation, since the open deck makes transfers far easier for wheelchair users and the width adds real stability. A commonly recommended crossover boat is the Wilderness Systems Pungo, though plenty of models work well. But if whitewater kayaking is a dream, do know that there are paddlers out there who do amazing things in creek and playboats, too. 

From there we layer on adaptations as needed. Outriggers - pontoon floats mounted to the sides - add major stability and make getting in and out much steadier. (They reduce tipping risk but don’t eliminate it, so caution still applies.) Adaptive seating replaces the stock seat with adjustable trunk and lateral supports. For simple pressure relief, gel and bead seats like the Jackson Sweet Cheeks or the Hobie Comfort Seat conform to the body and remove pressure points.

Adaptive paddles open things up for limited grip, strength, or one-arm paddling. Angle Oar’s Versa paddle mounts to the boat and pivots, taking the load off shoulders and wrists, and Dillenschneider Designs makes a well-regarded one-arm freedom paddle. A simple wrist-cuff-and-disc setup lets someone who can’t grip a shaft still paddle with real control. And transfer aids - benches, kayak “chariots” with wheels, and in some programs a Hoyer-style lift - make the move from wheelchair to boat safe and smooth.

Cycling and Getting Rolling

Bikes include a much wider, encompassing spectrum than what many of us have in mind. The main families look like this.

Handcycles are powered by the arms, for riders with limited leg mobility. They come recumbent (laid back, low center of gravity, easiest to transfer onto), upright, and in rugged off-road versions for trails.

Recumbent trikes use a reclined seat that supports the back and joints. Two front wheels and one rear (a “tadpole”) tends to be the most stable and is often recommended for riders with balance or visual differences, while one front wheel and two rear makes a “delta.”

Tandems are built for two, so a sighted or stronger captain steers up front while a stoker pedals behind. Side-by-side duets put riders shoulder to shoulder for easier communication, and wheelchair tandems let a chair dock right onto the frame, with no transfer required at all.

Therapeutic trikes for kids and adults come with adjustable supportive seating, foot straps, and steering limiters. They’re a common fit for balance differences, and for many autistic riders who simply feel steadier on three wheels.

E-assist can be added to any of the above, to flatten hills and stretch range when arm strength or stamina is the limiting factor.

When our son was younger, we also had bike trailers, such as the WeeHoo Bike trailer, that we towed everywhere. It took some practice, but once we had the hang of it, we all loved it!

Prices swing widely - a basic adaptive trike might run a few hundred dollars while a specialized handcycle or wheelchair tandem climbs into the thousands - which makes the lending and grant programs below especially worth knowing about.

Sailing and Feeling the Wind

Sailing is a very inclusive and adaptive sport that allows a person to be as relaxed or as active as they want to be. Few things rival the feeling of catching the wind and letting the water carry you, and adaptive sailing makes that feeling reachable for people with a wide range of physical abilities. The gear that opens this door starts with the boat itself. Purpose-built adaptive keelboats and dinghies—like the Hansa (Access) series, the Martin 16, and the SKUD—are weighted to be nearly impossible to capsize, so a sailor can focus on trimming the sail and steering rather than balancing. 

Many pair with seating systems that add trunk support, swivel seats that make transfers easier, and dockside hoists or transfer boards that get you from chair to cockpit smoothly. For sailors with limited hand or arm function, servo-assisted and "sip-and-puff" control systems let you steer and adjust the sails using breath or a joystick, turning the whole boat into something you can pilot with the movement available to you.

If you're new to it, the easiest first step is finding a local adaptive or community sailing program (US Sailing keeps a directory), where trained volunteers and specialized boats are already waiting to get you out on the water.

Climbing and Getting Up the Wall

Climbing is more accessible than it looks, partly because gyms have exploded in number and partly because of one organization. Paradox Sports is a national nonprofit that runs adaptive rock and ice trips and, through its Adaptive Climbing Initiative (built with The North Face), has trained staff at gyms across the country to run inclusive programs. They also literally wrote the book: the first Adaptive Climbing Manual, pooling techniques from dozens of accomplished adaptive climbers.

The practical upshot is that if we’re new, we usually don’t need to buy anything at all. Head to a gym with an adaptive program, where trained instructors provide the harness, rope, and technique. Amputees often climb using an everyday prosthesis, a specialized climbing limb, or simply a protective sleeve over a residual limb. The systems exist to get an enormous range of bodies safely on and up that wall.

How to Actually Get the Gear Without Buying It All

This is the part that changes everything, because adaptive equipment is expensive and highly individual. Before spending:

Try before buying through an adaptive program. Local chapters, gyms, and recreation departments keep fleets of chairs, bikes, and boats specifically so people can test-ride and get a proper fitting.

Look for gear-lending libraries and trailhead rentals. Parks, nonprofits, and some outfitters loan all-terrain chairs and adaptive kayaks by the day.

Chase the grants. Foundations that fund adaptive equipment exist precisely because the sticker prices are so steep. Veterans can sometimes fund an all-terrain chair or handcycle through the VA, and several nonprofits will help with the paperwork.

And get a consultation for complex needs. For significant or complex disabilities, a fitting assessment (many paddle and cycle makers offer them) saves both money and frustration compared to guessing.

The Organizations Worth Bookmarking

A few names come up again and again, and they make wonderful starting points. Move United is the national umbrella, formed in 2020 from Disabled Sports USA and Adaptive Sports USA, with a huge network of local chapters, an equipment resource page, and sport-by-sport guides. Paradox Sports runs adaptive climbing programs, trips, and gym trainings nationwide. The Challenged Athletes Foundation offers grants, equipment resources, and clinics across many sports. Twin Cities Adaptive Cycling is a Minneapolis nonprofit running an adaptive bike share with a forty-bike fleet and fittings. And Heroes on the Water and Wasatch Adaptive Sports focus on paddling and multi-sport programs respectively. Also, don’t forget the Wounded Warriors Project.

The equipment to get almost any one of us outside already exists. The harder part is usually knowing it’s out there and finding the program that will let people try it. Even more so, you can be a part of someone’s supportive experience to adventure outside. Learn from the organizations mentioned, go with them, be a teammate to the person who’s embracing adaptive outdoor experiences - you’ll both learn from the adventure and have fun, too.

20+ Essential Items for Your New RV

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You just got home with your new RV, and now you’re wondering about all the items you should add — but not too many! — to be officially set up for your first camping trip. It can be a little overwhelming to realize that outfitting an RV or camper is a lot like outfitting a new home. Rest assured, though: you don’t need nearly as much “stuff” in your RV as you have in your house. Better yet, a great goal is to lean toward the minimalist side.

We do our best to pack a week in advance, and then we sit with it. That may sound strange, but it gives us time — as we stock the fridge and put clothes away — to admit that we don’t need four seasons of clothing and 25 books for a week-long trip. In fact, we keep a laundry basket on the sofa that, little by little, gets loaded with the items we’ve changed our minds about, and those go back into the house before we leave. It helps with both weight and clutter.

With our tendency to overpack acknowledged from the start, here are 20 items that have become essential from the moment we take off — plus a few bonuses.

Tire blocks. No one wants to roll away just as they’re getting ready to make dinner.

Drinking-water-safe hose. Always bring your own and keep it clean — this is where the water you drink, cook with, and bathe in travels.

Adjustable water pressure regulator. This small gadget saves us from big headaches when a campground’s water pressure is too forceful for typical plumbing.

In-line water filter. This sits between the spigot and your drinking-water hose. It keeps most particulate out of your RV lines and improves the taste.

Disposable gloves. Because handling the sewer hose isn’t always an art form.

A separate rinse hose (not drinking-water safe). This one hooks to your black-tank cleaning port. Just to be safe, keep it separate.

Surge protector (30-amp, or 50-amp if your rig requires it). RVs have a lot of electronics and appliances these days — not to mention the ones you bring — so protect them from unexpected power surges.

Rechargeable LED flashlight. At some point you’ll want to go outside at night to check on something, and a good light (with rechargeable batteries to cut waste) is just a good idea.

Welcome mat. This might not seem essential until your first rain. As you track in sand, mud, and leaves, you’ll think back to this list and say, “ah, I get it.”

Nesting pots and pans. “Nesting” is key. The first time we traveled, we just grabbed pots and pans from the home kitchen. Nesting sets saved weight and precious space we could then use for other kitchen items.

Unbreakable dinner plates. “Unbreakable” is key here. Melamine is a great option, and we also love reusable wheat-straw plates that act like plastic but are earth-friendlier.

Ceramic knife set. We like these so much we’re planning to replace our kitchen knives at home with them. They hold their edge incredibly well and won’t rust.

Flexible plastic cutting board. Talk about space-saving — we now use one at home, too. Easy to clean and can be stored anywhere.

Can opener. Yes. Because we’ve forgotten one before and spent a whole weekend opening cans with an old military-style survival opener.

Shelf and drawer liner. This goes with all the “unbreakable” items but adds another layer: things stay put on this non-slip, non-adhesive mat. It’s important in cabinets and on shelves, and we’ve even left a basket on a piece of liner on the counter — hundreds of miles later, it hadn’t moved.

Electric water kettle. We love our coffee, tea, and cocoa. Nearly-instant hot water in the morning — at the temperature you want, with auto shut-off — while you feed and walk pets and cook breakfast feels pretty luxurious. Ours is insulated, too, even when the dogs take their time.

Synthetic towel set. Damp, stinky towels are unpleasant, and in humid places it happens fast. Synthetic towels are still soft but dry quickly, so they avoid that stale smell.

Black-tank toilet pods. If you don’t use these, you’ll understand why people do after a couple of weeks. Black tanks get smelly with use, and these pods help.

Wine opener. We did say these are essentials, right? A screwdriver just isn’t the same.

Unbreakable wine and water glasses. See above.

And a few bonus items:

Small hand vacuum. Tracking in dirt is inevitable, spills happen, and indoor life is more compact in an RV. This little vacuum helps keep your sock bottoms clean.

Hanging laundry basket. Unless you have a washer/dryer on board, laundry has to be mobile. This basket stays out of the way and is easy to carry to the laundromat.

Reusable shopping bags. These become more multi-use than almost anything else in your RV: groceries, picnics, the post office, dirty things — it’s good to have spares.

First-aid kit. We always hope we never use it, but it’s nice to have a basic kit on hand. More often than not it’ll be a neighbor who needs a bandage, but at least you can help.

RV toilet paper. We all have a favorite brand, but things will… flow… better if you use paper that starts to break down while it sits in the tank. Think of it as a safeguard.

Did we miss anything in this round of essentials? What would you add for your travels?

23 Items to Take On Your First Bareboat Sailing Charter

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A well-prepared sailor is a happy sailor!

You’ve booked your first bareboat charter — that’s awesome! Now for the packing, and it can seem like there’s a lot to consider and to take. We’ve compiled a list of items for your trip, assuming you’re headed to tropical waters. Don’t worry: most of these are small, and planning now will save you money and space in your luggage.

Bareboat charter sailing has become a popular way for a small group to explore tropical places. It’s called “bareboat” because you’re hiring the yacht without a crew — that’s where you and your friends and family come in. These trips are normally booked by sailors with experience (though not everyone on board has to have any), and there’s also the option to add a skipper, a hostess, or a combination of the two.

The sailboat or catamaran typically comes fully loaded with sheets, towels, and kitchenware, but you’re responsible for provisioning food, beverages, and other personal items. Gear for fishing, diving, paddleboards, and more is sometimes negotiable for a price.

The big difference between a day sail — or even a weekend trip — and chartering a boat for a week or more is that you’ll be living and playing closer to the elements than you do at home. Sun, humidity, heat, rain, sand: they all become part of your daily movement, and a few comfort items will make the trip more enjoyable all around.

We’ve spent a lot of time on our boat in many different conditions, and here’s the list we pack to make our sailing adventures more comfortable and more fun. If you have room to bring these from the mainland, they’re much more affordable than buying them in the islands. Here we go.

Body/shower wipes. Fresh water is a limited commodity and showers become short. For getting by with a quick wipe-down after an easy day, a good body wipe (we like Yuni) is a lifesaver — and they smell great, too.

USB rechargeable fan. Many charter boats have air conditioning; some don’t. Even on a pleasant night, it’s nice to have some air movement in a humid environment. There are lots of small, travel-friendly options.

Travel towel. Microfiber towels hold many times their weight in water, dry quickly, pack very small, and don’t hold onto the musty smell as easily as cotton (OlimpiaFit is one option).

Reef-friendly sunscreen. A given any time you’re in a sunny locale — but choose a reef-safe option if you’re getting in the water. Sun Bum is easy to find, and many smaller companies make reef-friendly sunscreens now.

A sun shirt with sleeves and a hood. Check Title Nine or REI for great options, or any similar cover-up. Actually, make that two — even when you plan to live in a swimsuit, you’ll likely reach a point each day when you’re ready to give your skin a break from the sun’s intensity.

Motion-sickness medications and ginger treats. You just never know, and why suffer while hunting for these in a new place while feeling less than chipper? Dramamine, Meclizine, Bonine, acupressure wrist bands, or even a Scopolamine patch prescription from your doctor (if you tend to get seasick) are all options. The medications help prevent motion sickness; the ginger items help relieve symptoms if they occur.

Sunglasses — maybe two pairs. Give your eyes a break. (Backcountry has a great variety and good deals.)

Hydration tablets or powder. Something like single-serving Propel pouches or Nuun tablets to help you rehydrate on the really hot days. Water comes first, but you’re likely more active than usual in the tropical heat and humidity, and your body will crave that sodium, potassium, and magnesium — plus something besides plain water tastes good.

Lotion, after-sun moisturizer, and lip balm. You’re rehydrating on the inside; don’t forget the outside. No matter the humidity, sun and salt will start to dry your skin out, and adding wind makes a little daily self-care worthwhile.

A Buff and/or a hair clip. Speaking of humidity… your hair will take on a new level of freedom out here, especially with the wind. Keep it out of your eyes and off your neck — these also help avoid the dreaded, painful part-line sunburn.

A ball for your feet. Why, yes. This is purely a pamper item. If your feet have been in shoes and socks for months, transitioning to full-time sandals or barefoot onboard takes some getting used to. We keep a couple of tennis balls onboard to roll out our feet during that first sore week (a dedicated foot-massage set works, too).

A packable bag. We love our ChicoBags. We use them for everything: groceries, the shower house, the beach, souvenirs, laundry day. One packs down smaller than a baseball and hides in a purse or pocket.

A USB battery pack. Charters can charge the electronics you bring, but it’s nice to have a backup in case something doesn’t go as planned — which happens when you travel. With this small item, you stay adaptable.

Bug wipes. Mosquitoes are always a possibility, and no-see-ums are their aggravating little cousins. Lemon-eucalyptus spray is great, but if traveling with a liquid is tricky, OFF wipes work well.

Swimsuits — bring two. That could be two one-pieces, two bikinis, a combo, or one of those plus an alternate with more sun coverage like swim shorts and a long-sleeved rash guard. Plan not to get sunburned while snorkeling, but prepare for the chance that you do and still want to get in the water the next day.

A dry bag. Sea to Summit’s lightweight dry bags are our go-to. They pack small and keep things dry as a bone during the splashiest, rainiest dinghy rides.

A rain jacket. It happens. Depending on the season, you can almost time the brief daily shower — and a rain jacket is also a nice break from the wind when it feels cool. If a cold front rolls through, throw on an extra layer under your shell and you’ll be perfectly comfortable. Outdoor Research’s Helium series is affordable and very packable.

Body Glide. Lots of people have body parts that rub — thighs, underarms, and more. Body Glide helps them slip past each other without the friction that sweaty, humid conditions add. No more thigh rash in that cute skort, no more sore spots on the hike to the beach bar. Endurance athletes swear by it.

A hat. This could be a purchase on your trip — one of those nice, wide-brimmed straw hats would be lovely. Or something packable from Outdoor Research that tucks into small spaces and shades your face.

A sarong. Another option to buy on your trip. Sarongs are wonderfully versatile: a cover-up, something to sit on at the beach, a lightweight wrap-skirt, even a carry-all. If you’d rather come prepared, Back From Bali makes ethically produced ones through women- and family-owned businesses in Bali.

A headlamp. Anytime we travel out of the norm, we take a small headlamp (BioLite makes good ones). It’s nice for reading after the rest of the crew has gone to bed, and walking new streets at night is much easier with a little light.

Snacks. Pack ‘em if you’ve got ‘em! You’ll have plenty of chances to buy food, but if there’s a favorite chocolate you want to enjoy with a glass of wine one night under the stars, do it. Food and drink run higher out in the islands — it’s a necessary part of island life, and also an adventure in new culinary opportunities (try some guava treats!).

Bonus: a good book. Or a notebook and pen, a Sudoku book, or a pack of cards — how about a good story about sailing? Bring something to pass a quiet moment without electronics. Let your mind relax and enjoy the setting, the sounds, and the multi-sensory bath you’re getting to dip into without much distraction.

Throw in some clothing and a toothbrush and you’re nearly packed! How does our essentials list fit for you — is there something you’d add for your own sailing adventure? Fair winds and following seas on your journey!

2021 Gear Gift Guide

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Do your friends have the tie-down straps they need to get that tree home? Read on for more stocking-stuffer ideas.

A spectrum of our favorites, collected and coddled through the year: here’s our Gear Gift Guide. These are items that really stood out to us or made our adventures better in some way. If you’re looking for something that isn’t a tangible item wrapped in a box, check out our “No-Box” Holiday Gift Guide, too.

Minus 33 Midweight Merino Wool Beanie. We met these folks at the Outdoor Media Summit, and — wow — their merino is amazing. They brought these beanies as swag, and it’s the softest wool we’ve ever felt. Well-made, with a great family start-up story behind the company.

REI gift card. Such an easy, no-brainer gift. Write a heartfelt message and let them choose from the candy store of outdoor gear. (For the women in your life, a Title Nine gift card is a great option too.)

MPOWERD solar lanterns. We talked about these in our multi-purpose gear post, and they’re back for the holidays. They shrink, glow, float, clip on, travel, and self-charge by solar. Tent, backyard, boat, or elsewhere, these will light the way.

Sea to Summit hanging toiletry bag. This was given to us a couple of years ago, and Cristen commandeered it — she hasn’t looked back. It has a ton of storage for its compact size and lots of organization, from hotels to sailboats to campground showers.

Kammok Roo Double camping hammock. We love hammocks and take them everywhere. If you have an outdoor lover who hasn’t yet enjoyed the bliss (and usefulness) of a hammock, this is a great one to stick under the tree.

Rab Dispatch 50L duffel. This duffel will get you there — and get all the souvenirs back, too. It’s sharp-looking on the baggage carousel, has thickly padded shoulder straps for the trek to your hostel, and is heavy-duty and water-resistant.

Osprey Transporter bags. We’re thinking of their commuter-style, laptop-carrying bags for folks getting back to the office or telecommuting from home or the local coffee shop. Padded laptop and tablet pockets, tons of nooks for pens, notebooks, and cables, and comfy straps that cinch close if you’re riding a bike to work.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite sleeping pad. We touched on these in our podcast episode about camping sleep systems. Your sleeping pad can mean the difference between a night and a great night — and Therm-a-Rest has led the charge on pads for decades.

Thermacell MR300 portable mosquito repeller. Our caveat: we use this on our sailboat, anchored near mangroves along the Florida coast in spring. If that’s not endorsement enough, it’s the size of a flashlight, lays on any surface, and works.

AeroPress coffee maker. We drink plenty of coffee — if you’ve listened to the podcast, you know local coffee shops are one of our favorite things to seek out in new towns. Our brewing evolved from an electric maker to a pour-over until we found the AeroPress. Now we can make coffee or great espresso, and it packs tight and goes everywhere. We’ve added a reusable metal filter and a USB-rechargeable frother over time.

Hiker’s Brew sampler and an insulated mug. While we’re on coffee, let’s complete the kit. Hiker’s Brew focuses on sustainable coffee in a small, multi-use, compostable package that keeps it fresh for the trail — and it’s some of our favorite. Add a two-cup insulated mug (we don’t mess around in the morning) and you’re set.

A clip-on safety light. A small clip-on that glows or flashes — perfect for a late run or trick-or-treaters, but we love putting one on our dogs’ harnesses when we walk them at night in campgrounds or marinas, so others can see them coming.

Upcycled bicycle-tube jewelry. Delicate designs made from discarded bicycle inner tubes — weightless, waterproof, upcycled jewelry, hand-drawn and laser-cut. Earthy accessories with unique flair, for bike lovers and beyond.

Sea to Summit Stretch-Loc straps. These. Are. Amazing. In lengths from 12 to 30 inches, they secure almost anything — bikepacking gear, SUP paddles, even roof racks. Talk about multi-use; it never hurts to have a couple in a pinch.

Eddie Bauer Kids CirrusLite Down hooded jacket. It’s tough to buy solid (and necessary) gear for kids when they grow so fast, but cold weather is nothing to mess with. Eddie Bauer’s kids’ winter coats fill that gap, and the CirrusLite has become our son’s favorite. It doesn’t hurt the wallet either, and there are lots of colors.

Therm-a-Rest Stellar tech blanket. Packable, fast-drying, warm, and lightweight, this one made our multi-purpose gear list, too. You might think you have enough blankets at home — but we daresay this replaces at least three of them. It’s so nice, even our dogs try to steal it.

Ruffwear Knot-a-Hitch dog tether system. We can’t leave the pets out. Our tail-waggers go almost everywhere with us, but many places require leashes, and a campsite can become a tangled mess. String this between two trees, clip on the lead, and the pups can move around camp safely while you set up and make dinner.

A cat travel tent. We can’t leave out the cat, either — he travels with us too. He’s not cooperative on a leash, so we make his RV life as interesting as possible. Seeing tiny dome tents made for cats finally hit the market makes my heart happy; now your cat can have their own basecamp on the road or at home.

Stasher reusable silicone bags. Sick of disposable plastic bags? Reusable silicone bags are our go-to at home, at school, on the road, and in the boat. They save money and landfill space, wash easily, and are easy for little fingers to open and close. We use them for food, crayons, magnets, and small toys.

REI Multi-Towel Lite. Once, we had a water leak in a small space and grabbed the nearest towel — this one. It holds eight times its weight in water, wrings out nearly dry, and goes back for more. It’s also so soft it nearly feels like a blanket, whether you use it for camp showers, hair, the beach, or hot yoga.

Hydro Flask Cooler Cup. Our quick-grab item this summer. It looks like a metal koozy for a can, but it also switches into a cup for hot or cold drinks. Every trip to the lake or pool, we stuck a cold can inside and that refreshing temperature lasted much longer.

Zippo HeatBank 9s rechargeable hand warmer. A winter item. Many of us have used chemical heat packs that last eight hours and get tossed. Now there are USB-rechargeable hand warmers (and versions that run on lighter fluid). For anyone who wants to get out on winter trails or slopes, having one in a pocket warms you up fast on the chilliest days.

Minus 33 merino socks. Beanies for your feet. Like the head version, Minus 33 didn’t skimp on quality or softness, and the padding under the heels and toes really stands out — perfect on hikes or while staying cozy on the couch.

Outdoor Research Gripper sensor gloves. Grab these on the way out the door and your hands stay warm all the way to school or the office — and you can still scroll, text, and check email with them on. Windproof and water-resistant, too.

Outdoor Research Kids Adrenaline mitts. We can’t leave the kiddos out. The snowball-shaping palm seems made for snow, as do the insulation and waterproofing. A longer collar and two cinch points keep them where they belong and the elements out, so the adventure lasts. (At least two candy canes fit in each mitten, safely, when hung by the chimney with care.)

Buffs. We’ve always loved Buffs for hair control, sweat control, style, and function — and shaping one into a balaclava makes even more sense than it used to. Stick one in a stocking and your loved ones will stay stylish and warm on runs, rides, hikes, and while shoveling snow.

Nemo Moonlite reclining chair. Imagine enjoying a lunar eclipse or a summer meteor shower from a steady camp chair that reclines — or kicking your feet up at a backyard fire ring with friends. Nemo makes a very comfortable chair. Pair it with a warm blanket and a hot drink and you’ve got a cozy night ahead.

Nemo Helio pressure shower. We don’t talk about this one enough. If you kayak, SUP, sail, take pets on trails or water, get muddy or dusty, mountain bike, rock climb, or van-life and boondock — anywhere it’d be nice to rinse feet, face, hands, or body without running water — you’ll love adding this. Even with the stickiest sand or dust, the pressure behind the spray gets you, the kids, and the pets clean enough to feel great before a long drive or turning in.

Ruffwear Highlands dog sleeping bag. Our dog, Jack, believes his body was made for soft things. Like the cat tent, this may be indulgent, but it makes us smile — and makes the dog feel special with his own matching, squishy bed. He’s one of the pack, after all.

MyMedic medical kit. Update those first-aid kits and keep them ready for the backcountry. There’s a size and arrangement for every activity, from road trips to day hikes to expeditions.

We hope our Gear Gift Guide helps! It’s always fun to put together — both to help with your holiday shopping and to look back at the creativity the outdoor industry keeps coming up with to make getting outside more comfortable and fun. All the best in your gift gathering, and happy holidays from Keyword Adventure!