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!

2021 “No-Box” Holiday Gift Guide

Whether you’re reducing the amount of “stuff” you exchange with family and friends this year, you’re a last-minute shopper looking for something thoughtful for your active or outdoorsy loved one, or supply-chain wonkiness is affecting how you shop, thinking outside the box for holiday gifts can be tough. Time, money, and connection are the main things we’d all like more of, right? And it’s a very personal way to shop, since we each have different ideas about what that time, money, and connection can offer.

Here are some ideas for the intangible gifts we’ve shared over the years.

Plan and execute an excursion. Is there someone in your life who would love to get outside and do more, but doesn’t know how or never seems to have time to plan ahead? Be their guide. You take the lead on the activity, the where, the packing, the food, even the when — all they have to do is show up. That’s a huge relief to someone who’s raring to go but struggles to carve out the planning and packing time.

Repair something for them. Kayak have a gouge? Backpack zipper blowout? Puncture in the sleeping pad? A warranty issue on a favorite piece of gear? Help them out. If you can DIY the repair well (keyword: well), it’s easy. If you can’t, find a reputable person, price it, and get it done. For warranties, make the calls or write the emails we all put off, then package up the item and send it in so their gear is ready for the new season. Sometimes the gift is just managing the details.

Detail their car. Who wouldn’t love this? If you’re detail-oriented, spend a day loving on their car — one of the most expensive things a person buys — and make it look new for the New Year. We spend a lot of time in our vehicles; a thorough inside-and-out cleaning can genuinely improve that space and their outlook.

Gift certificates. Whatever anyone says, we love gift cards — especially when style, size, or bigger items (bikes, racks, etc.) are in limited supply. Give your loved one the gift of choice.

Training or coaching. Are they training, or wanting to get into ultrarunning, triathlon, weight training, or nutrition? If you (or they) know a great coach, gifting a first session or two — or a package if you can splurge — is a great step forward.

Online subscriptions and memberships. Think Masterclass, AloMoves, the Access Fund, American Whitewater, Strava, Outside+, and the like. We used to gift magazine subscriptions; these days everything’s digital, and those subscriptions add up. If there’s one your person has talked about but hasn’t pulled the trigger on, beat them to it.

Personal assistant for a day. “How can I help?” is often asked with little follow-through, or leaves the person wondering what to even ask for. Make it actionable: sit down and ask what’s on their plate. Would a day of housework be the biggest relief? Could you sort unopened emails, make phone calls, or handle client replies on social media? They have to be willing to hand over some control, but with that trust they’ll relish the relief.

National Parks pass. Making travel plans this year? A National Parks pass gets them into more than 2,000 federal recreation areas across the US — and chances are there’s a destination close to them, too.

Local flavors. A tour of the local scene is always appreciated: wine, beer, kombucha, chocolate, coffee, cheese, baked goods, crafts, honey, soaps and lotions. There’s such a wealth of talent and tastiness in most communities — you might be surprised by the gift basket you can put together.

Gait analysis or bodywork. Wanting to start running, fine-tune their stride, or recover from training? A gait analysis can reveal nuances that level up their running. And here’s my favorite: recovery matters even more than training, so treat them to a session with a favorite massage therapist, acupuncturist, or neuromuscular therapist. Massage is good for anyone, whatever their activity level.

Race, event, or course entry fee. Do they have their sights set on a race, conference, or event this year? Cover the entry fee and let them dive into getting ready — it’s something to look forward to, and hopefully you can get out there to cheer them on.

We hope this warms up some alternative gift ideas. While it’s fun to unwrap something (we have a Gear Gift Guide for that, too), the real magic is the time, connection, and flexibility to have these experiences or reach these goals — and it means a lot when someone supports their friends and family in those pursuits. Do you have any outside-of-the-box ideas to add? Happy holidays from Keyword Adventure!

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?

When to Go GoreTex

Chances are you’ve heard the GORE-TEX name sometime in the last 40 years. It’s come to stand for top-level waterproof, breathable performance in everything from footwear and jackets to gloves, pants, and hats.

The story actually started in 1958, when a DuPont employee and his wife (Bill and Vieve Gore) started a company to explore a new material called PTFE. Then, in 1969, a discovery by their son Bob led to the birth of ePTFE — the king of breathable waterproof fabrics. What followed was a wave of improvements that led to better and better products for everyone from astronauts to explorers, and even my kid’s shoes.

Yes, other companies are doing fantastic things with similar products: Pertex, Polartec, Ottertex, BDry, eVent, Eco-Shell, Proflex, Sympatex, and Futurelight. In very simple terms, these are all micro-porous fabrics with varying features that affect breathability, durability, and sustainability. They share the same intention — keep water off you while still letting the vapor your body releases escape, so you stay dry.

When GoreTex is necessary for my jacket, gear, or adventure

So the question is: when do you actually need a GORE-TEX level of protection?

Well, I always keep a jacket in my vehicle because it keeps me dry in the rain. That same jacket comes with me hiking, paddling (not whitewater — that’s a different jacket designed for a specific use), and sailing. By using it and cleaning it about every three to six months depending on use, I get an excellent return on my investment. I’ve used the same jacket for a decade, which makes for a use-per-cost breakdown I really like. Having something you can count on in a wide variety of situations is such a comfort.

Is it a bit of overkill for running into a coffee shop or store in town? Most likely. But it does a great job keeping me dry and happy, and that’s what counts to me.

One of the other benefits of a GORE-TEX jacket is that it’s windproof. On a cold day, that can make a huge difference. Pair the jacket with a fleece or down insulation layer and you’ll find you can stay comfortable in some pretty adverse conditions. One example that comes to mind was early 2021, when the Midwest had one of the coldest winters on record — temperatures dropping into the negative double digits for multiple days. A layering system was mandatory to go outside safely for any length of time, and the jacket that “just kept me dry” became an invaluable part of my wardrobe on those brutal days.

A GoreTex of many faces: new tech keeps improving

Once you go past casual use, you’ll notice a wide variety of products: Pro, Paclite, 2-layer, 3-layer… it really goes on and on. That just means the original product has been improved and specialized for different products — or even for different areas within the same product. It’s all about durability and breathability, and new developments happen every few years.

One of the latest updates came in the cycling world, where you really need something that dries quickly and breathes efficiently. Enter the “Shakedry” feature: you can literally give the jacket a good shake, and because it’s so hydrophobic, the water can’t stick to it. Pretty cool! It’s not something I need daily, but if you’re planning a bikepacking trip or you’re a daily bike commuter, you’d be very excited about it.

So when do you actually need GORE-TEX? Easy: if the weather is going to get wet, cold, windy, or nasty, you’ll be very happy to have it. And when that next adventure comes around, remember — there’s no bad weather, only bad gear.

Outdoor Electronics: Take It or Leave It?

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For many, going outdoors is about leaving it all behind — well, almost all of it. I do take my phone, a flashlight or headlamp, my watch, and, depending on the location and duration, the Garmin inReach Mini. The great thing is that you can feel disconnected even while carrying a few electronics, because the last thing a lot of us want is to be mentally dragged back into the high-speed, always-connected world of modern society. I don’t want notifications, beeps, dings, and chimes. I care what’s happening — but this time is for me to let my mind settle and focus on the path ahead.

But…

I don’t want to get lost while checking out a new trail. I love taking landscape and nature photographs. I don’t want to be late for dinner. I can’t see in the dark if I get a little too far from the trailhead before turning back. And I don’t want Search and Rescue sent out just because I decided to have a quiet moment (or a couple of hours) of contemplation beside a babbling brook — while a loved one panicked because I didn’t answer a text immediately.

So yeah, I stay minimally connected when I’m disconnecting. The trick is to let it make you feel more comfortable and free to roam, not more chained down. Here are the electronics I carry to stay responsibly disconnected when I head out.

Phone. I keep my phone on me because it’s one of the best multi-tools out there. It takes pictures, tracks my hike on a map (even in airplane mode), helps me get back to the car, and has a built-in flashlight if I need one. If I want to know what a particular tree, bird, or flower is, the answer is right at my fingertips. I use it to grow my curiosity and learn about the world around me — not to scroll through whatever app is open — and that’s the key.

Apps. Trail apps like AllTrails and Trailforks are perfect examples: download maps at home and use them off-grid in airplane mode to stay headed the right direction, or to mark where you saw that amazing bird nest to check out later.

Lights. I have a love of flashlights — headlamps, handhelds, you name it. I keep both in my vehicle, since they’re easy to carry and recharge via USB, so they’re always ready to go. A tiny handheld like the Anker Bolder LC40 is a favorite to grab even when the sun’s out, and it can easily run all night. For a headlamp, the BioLite HeadLamp 200 is a great one to keep in the car. Both fit easily in a pocket and are priceless when you need them: lightweight, big light output, very packable — two thumbs up.

Watch. I wear a smartwatch. It tracks workouts, steps, heart rate, and tells the time — so why leave it at home? Keeping track of the time helps you get back to the trailhead when you said you would (which keeps you out of trouble with your spouse or partner), and all the other useful info is a bonus.

Communicator. The outlier here is the Garmin inReach Mini, a satellite communicator that can also track your location. It’s small, simple to use, and can be the best tool you have if you or someone else gets hurt. It also lets a loved one know you’re just fine, so they don’t call Search and Rescue just to check on you — they can track your location even when you’re way, WAY off-grid, like middle-of-the-ocean or top-of-a-mountain off-grid. You can get weather updates or call for emergency services if you need it — or, more likely, if someone else does. It’s so small and unobtrusive you’ll forget it’s there, until the moment you need it. (We wrote a full review of the Garmin inReach devices, too.)

Now get out there and enjoy the wilderness. Walk, run, hike, bike, or just sit and look out over a beautiful view while enjoying a perfect breeze. With these tips, you can have all that and still make it home for dinner.

23 Items to Take On Your First Bareboat Sailing Charter

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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!

Review: Deuter Kid Comfort Series Carrier

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The Deuter Kid Comfort series was actually the second backpack carrier we tried in our toddler-hiking days. To be honest, it’s a strong contender for “favorite” — Matt preferred this Deuter while Cristen preferred the Osprey Poco (read about that one here) — but we were equally happy to carry either.

There are five versions within the series.

Kid Comfort Venture. This is their most basic pack, scaled to only the must-have features and at a lower price point. It gets the job done well, no complaints. It has the same hip belt and shoulder strap system as the other backpacks, but not the extra storage pockets and space you might want for longer or solo-with-the-kid treks. The sunshade can be added as an accessory.

Kid Comfort Active. This pack is actually a little lighter than the Venture, which is interesting. They start applying some better tech to the back with ventilation and adjustment abilities, and there’s a bit more storage. It’s a great option for not much more money over the Venture. The sunshade can be added as an accessory.

Kid Comfort Active SL. This is the Active pack, but sized for women. Not having tried this one directly, I’m not sure how I feel about it. Normally I’m all about women-specific gear, because we’re just built a little differently — but unless I knew I’d be the main person carrying the pack, I’d opt for the Active version that adjusts to fit a variety of people comfortably. For much shorter torsos, though, this could be a great option.

Kid Comfort. This pack has all the features of the Active version, but starts to beef up the comfort and add more pockets and storage. The biggest difference is that your little passenger gets a much cushier ride with the squishy pad in front. That can make a real difference for your child: as we hiked with The Dude in a backpack, he’d almost always fall asleep, and having this pad gave him support and a comfortable position no matter what the trail was like under mom or dad’s feet. The sunshade comes standard.

Kid Comfort Pro. This is the big dog of the fleet. It’s slightly heavier, but it adds the most storage for longer hikes, including a detachable daypack. That might not seem like much, but if you’re base-camping and making short, toddler-friendly “feature” hikes, the daypack is a nice bonus when you don’t want to carry the whole rig. It’s the coziest ride for the kiddo with a taller back and headrest, and it has space for a water bladder. Of course, the sunshade comes standard.

Each of these has the standard aluminum kickstand, so you can reach back, pop it into position, and set the backpack down safely on the ground without it toppling or having to keep a hand on it.

Our experience with the Deuter Kid Comfort Pro was that it somehow felt more heavy-duty than the Osprey Poco Plus. Heavy-duty wasn’t essential for his youngest years in a carrier, but this was the pack we reached for when our son was bigger and heavier and we needed a really beefy hip belt and load system. It did the job — we were able to carry him (plus gear) up to the pack’s max load of 48.5 lbs / 22 kg.

As for warranty, Deuter warrants its products against defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the product (this doesn’t cover damage from extreme use, improper care, or the natural breakdown of material over time). If a product is deemed defective, Deuter will repair or replace it, and for damage not covered under warranty, they offer repair services calculated at the time of evaluation. As with any warranty, there’s some gray area around what counts as “extreme” or “natural,” so I’ll let you decide on that — but we’re very glad they offer repair services. Check Deuter’s site for the current, exact terms.

Deuter has been around since 1898, proudly making adventure gear for all manner of pursuits. They’re also quite committed to the planet and have been a bluesign system partner since 2008.

Finally, when your child has outgrown the carriers, Deuter offers comfortable, adventure-ready backpacks for them to get excited about carrying all by themselves.

Review: Osprey Poco Series Kid Carrier Backpacks

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When it comes to longer-ranging kid carrier backpacks, it’s hard to beat the Osprey Poco family of packs. The Osprey Poco Plus was one of the main items on our “desired” list, and I’m going to tell you why. As soon as our son was big enough — and his neck muscles strong enough — to sit in this pack, we were adjusting and fitting it to him to head out on hikes.

First, let’s talk about our reasons for this pack, then we’ll get into features. I had a sling and a front baby carrier to begin. They were wonderful when The Dude was teeny tiny, but as he grew, so did my back discomfort. I was already toting more weight on my chest than usual (cough, cough…), and adding another front-focused carrier just added to posture strain and muscle aches. For short periods — say, going to a farmer’s market — these worked fine.

Once he was big enough for the Poco carrier, though, there was no looking back. We were never fans of strollers, for many reasons, and we wanted something multi-use, regardless of where we were or what we were doing (you’ll see that’s a theme with us). So while we used the Poco for hiking and backpacking, we also used it in place of a stroller when we traveled: on the beach, in shops, through historical sites, you name it. We can’t even count how many times people stopped — even pulling their cars over — to ask what the backpack was because they wanted to find one.

Let’s talk about the Poco features and pros.

It’s adjustable for everyone. Both of us could use the same carrier, adjusting the torso length, shoulder straps, and hip belt to fit (Cristen’s 5’6”, Matt is just under 6’). It’s also very adjustable for the kiddo riding along, with foot stirrups and shoulder straps for them, too. When he was very little, we’d tuck a small blanket or stuffed animal around him to fill the space and create a comfier ride. The seat and straps also adjust for your child as they grow, accommodating a range of ages and sizes. From six months to three years old, this was a necessity in our gear packing — we were all sad when it was outgrown.

It’s lightweight. There are three options in the Poco family: Poco LT (lightweight), Poco, and Poco Plus. I’d look at Osprey’s site to compare the three and see what fits your needs best. Each has a different price point and is geared toward different levels of use — the LT is lighter, but the suspension system for back support is a bit heavier-duty in the Poco and Poco Plus. One note: take their Trip Length (Volume) measure with a grain of salt… it’s a kid carrier. Storage in the pockets is great compared to other carriers, but lacking compared to a standard multi-day backpack. If you’re backpacking with a baby or toddler, one person will focus on carrying the child and some essentials while the other carries most everything else. That’s just the nature of it.

Great warranty. Osprey has always been known for their “All Mighty Guarantee” — one of the reasons we look strongly at Osprey when we need a backpack. Wouldn’t you rather repair something that’s served you well than add to a landfill? The guarantee is adjusted a bit for their child carriers (safety standards necessitate different guidelines), yet it’s still quite generous: Osprey will repair any damage or defect for any reason free of charge during the first seven years from the date of manufacture, and if they can’t perform a functional repair, they’ll replace it. Check Osprey’s site for the current, exact terms.

Longevity. Did you catch that seven-year guarantee? Seven years, on a product that’s typically heavily used and still has life in it. When our boy outgrew the Poco, we gave it to friends having their first child. The thing is tough, hiked hundreds of miles with us, and still had more to give.

Special features. Some of this depends on which Poco you choose (these would all be on the Plus version): built-in sunshade, removable/washable drool pad, mesh side pockets for easy kid access, dual grab handles, external hydration sleeve, zippered hip-belt pockets for mom and dad, ventilated back panel, a collapsible kickstand (push it out for a stable base when you set the pack down, push it in to stay compact on the move), and lots of storage pockets.

Comfort. Truly, this thing is comfortable. The way it sits on your hips — just like your larger backpacks — distributes the weight off your shoulders and onto your lower body, so your center of gravity feels good and you’re not tempted to lean forward. You can hike miles and miles in this pack and still feel good at the end of the day. We strongly recommend hiking with trekking poles, because you have a baby strapped to your back and stumbles can happen.

Extras. Osprey also makes a rainfly for this pack that allows ventilation and visibility for your little one, plus a carrying case if you want to protect it as a checked bag on a flight.

Now, our limited list of cons.

It could be considered bulky. Yes and no. Compared to other backpack carriers, it’s no different, and we think it’s less intrusive than a stroller. Of course it’s not as small as a sling or front carrier, but your back will thank you for sacrificing the space in your car for the Poco.

It’s pricier than other carrier backpacks you might find at box stores or online. But those carriers aren’t going to have the kind of engineering Osprey has put into the Poco series. As always, find what works in your budget — but if you plan on using this carrier most of the time, try to find a Poco that fits you. You might even get lucky on one of the pre-owned or discount sites we talked about in our “8 Places to Save Money on Outdoor Gear” post. The other backpack carrier we’ve had experience with is the Deuter Kid Comfort series — read that review to compare!

The Osprey Poco Plus was our first child carrier backpack, so it stays dear to our hearts. We often think fondly of the long hikes we used to do with The Dude strapped in, singing along and asking to touch the trees as we strolled. Like many parents, we’re happy to see our boy growing strong enough to join us on his own two feet — but we have great memories of pulling the Poco out for a new adventure. Hopefully you’ll have the same experience if you decide this carrier is right for you. And when your kiddo is big enough to hike independently, have them help carry, too — Osprey makes a wide range of kid-sized backpacks for them to begin adventuring alongside you.

Review: Garmin inReach Devices

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We’ve owned and used the Garmin inReach satellite communication system for several years now, and it’s been a game changer for staying safely in touch while traveling in remote places. Straight from Garmin: with inReach satellite technology and an active subscription, you can send and receive messages, navigate your route, track and share your journey, and — if necessary — trigger an SOS to a 24/7 global emergency response center over the worldwide Iridium satellite network. It’s amazing.

It’s now something we don’t start an adventure without. We’ve used it many times (fortunately never to call for help) — most often just setting up the tracker so family and friends can follow along and check in when we’re otherwise unreachable: offshore, in the mountains, or on a remote gravel road in the woods. A few times we pulled weather forecasts while sailing, which was a real help when we were second-guessing conditions.

Think of it as a backup to your skills, preparation, and intuition — something that can help emergency personnel find you if things go very wrong, while giving your loved ones peace of mind when everything’s going right. Cristen loves her solo adventures, and we all feel better when she heads out with the inReach Mini clipped to her hydration pack: safer for her, and we can see where the pedaling takes her.

Garmin is building inReach into more and more of their devices, which is great. Which one is right for you depends on your needs and what you do (and don’t) want to carry — more features usually means more size and weight. Nothing is huge, but it’s worth considering. We mostly use the inReach Mini for its small size and easy pairing with our phones via the app, which unlocks a lot of features. If you’d rather not carry a phone into the field, a rugged unit like the Garmin Montana 700 series — big screen, onboard maps — might suit hikers and hunters better.

Not hiking or hunting? Garmin also makes inReach-equipped devices for boaters (with waterway charts) and even for aviation. The hard part isn’t finding options — it’s choosing just one.

Once you pick a device, you choose a subscription. Plans are month-to-month (pause or cancel when you’re not using it) or annual, from the simplest level up to an “Expedition” plan with faster tracking and unlimited texts. We leave ours running, because it doubles as a backup when a natural disaster takes out land-based communications: family in Florida have used it during hurricanes, we use it during tornado season in Missouri, and family in Oregon reached us during wildfires when cell towers were down. Not bad insurance, with plans starting around $12 a month — we keep it in our emergency kit even when we’re not actively adventuring.

We get a lot of questions about what we use for safety communication, and we hope this helps. Whether you want a great adventure communicator or a way to stay prepared when regular comms fail, Garmin inReach adds real peace of mind. Questions? Reach out anytime.

10 Diverse, Multi-Purpose Outdoor Gear Items We Love

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Let’s face it: outdoor gear can be pricey. But a piece of gear with long-lasting, timeless qualities evens out the expense over time — and that makes it a worthwhile purchase in our eyes. One way we spread out the cost is to look for items we can use lots of different ways, in lots of different settings. Whether we’re camping, sailing, or at home, here are ten of our favorite multi-purpose gear items and how we actually use them.

Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants. Honestly, just about anything in the Ferrosi line stands up to the test. It’s a more technical pant with a water-resistant DWR finish that even handles some abrasion. Super flexible — they move with you on the crag or as you chase a toddler — and they still look great at work, dinner, or the brewery. I’ve had a pair for over six years.

Solar lanterns. Ours are inflatable MPOWERD-style lights, and they come with us almost everywhere. They’re compact, a full charge lasts up to 50 hours, and they double as a backup phone charger with several lighting modes. We use them as tent lights, picnic-table lights, nightlights, sailboat cockpit lights, and backyard-BBQ ambiance. Ours lasted nearly four years of hard use before the adhesive finally gave out — pretty good, considering.

Buffs. Headband, balaclava, sweatband, hair-tie, washcloth, and a dozen other uses. Such a simple thing to throw in a pocket or loop around your wrist and go.

Osprey Poco Series Kid Carrier Backpack. This one’s specific to a season of family life, but it covers so much ground we had to include it: backpack + stroller + baby sling + water carrier + sunshade + semi-high-chair. It adjusts to fit mom, dad, grandma, grandpa — anyone. Still doubtful? Go try one on at your nearest gear shop.

A good rain jacket. Ideally something GoreTex, because it works. A solid, well-priced example is the REI XeroDry GTX Jacket, available in men’s and women’s plus tall and plus sizes. A truly waterproof jacket becomes your go-to for both rain and wind, in any sport or setting.

A travel bed. We love the KidCo PeaPod Portable Travel Bed — basically a hoop tent that folds into itself and its own little bag. For us it was a bed, sun-and-insect protection, and playpen in one. We brought it to family gatherings as a secure place for The Dude to nap, and he had just as much fun filling it with toys.

Patagonia Capilene. Its original job is as a base layer, adding lightweight warmth under your mid-layer and shell — but it also looks good, washes easily, doesn’t wrinkle, travels well, and lasts forever. We run, relax, bike, and sail in it, layer it, and wear it as sun protection. There are options for the whole family, right down to the little ones.

A hammock. ENO (Eagles Nest Outfitters) is the well-known name, but we also love Kammok. Lightweight and packable, a hammock works for naps, a place to sit, a swing, part of your sleep system, or somewhere to bundle up while you wait your turn at the crag. With a few tricks it can even replace a tent and a camp chair — all you need is a couple of trees (or a tree and a post, or a vehicle and a tree).

A tech blanket. We’ve tried a bunch; Rumpl and Therm-a-Rest are two favorites. A tough blanket that won’t hold odors, washes easily, packs down small, and is surprisingly warm for its size. One blanket to rule them all: picnic groundcloth, diaper-changing pad, dog bed, RV comforter — and it just keeps going, plush and ready for more after a run through the washer.

We know this is a mishmash of gear, and the list could go on forever. It’s easy to justify a purchase but hard to decide what’s worth it on a budget — especially for a growing, changing family. Hopefully a few of these help you find what counts as “multi-purpose” for your own needs. Anything you’d add that we missed? We’d love to hear it.

8 Places to Save Money on Outdoor Gear

We are gear heads — outdoor gear, that is. Our garage is filled to the brim with backpacks and shoes, paddling gear, and bikes, gathered over years, even decades. When our son grows, something wears out, or the tech changes so much that one item can do the work of five, we go hunting for replacements and sales — because gear can be expensive.

We like to find deals and save money, too — that savings can go straight toward the adventures the gear is meant for. After a while we realized that chasing sketchy coupon codes wasn’t paying off, so we started shopping smarter and finding consistent, reliable places to get what we’re looking for. Here’s our list of favorites when we need a break on outdoor clothing and gear:

Steep and Cheap. Many people know its bigger sibling, Backcountry.com, but fewer realize this off-shoot is home to some deeply discounted gear and clothing. You might find obscure sizes or last-season colors, but when you find something that works, it’ll be at a great price.

Facebook Marketplace. If you don’t live in the heart of the sport you love — say you’re in the Midwest but love snow sports — widen your search radius and be willing to pay for shipping. You may be surprised what turns up to fill the gaps in your gear closet.

Eddie Bauer Gear Rentals. Eddie Bauer’s rental program covers the basics of a backpacking or camping trip and keeps adding items — shoes, tents, pants, packs — at a reasonable price per day, shipped to wherever you are. On vacation and don’t want to haul a tent for one overnight? Rent it and have it sent to your hotel. It’s also a great way to try gear before you buy.

Used / Consignment Gear Stores. We discovered these on a long road trip out West. Obvious if you live in Moab, Eugene, or Colorado Springs — but we don’t have them where we live. We hit the jackpot on kids’ jackets and winter gear, and loved it so much that now we sometimes take a box of gear to consign when we head West.

Gear Shop Sale Racks. More and more new-gear shops keep an evergreen sale section year-round, not just during a seasonal event. Poke around — it might be hiding upstairs, downstairs, or in a corner.

Patagonia Worn Wear. One thing we love about Patagonia is its commitment to environmental stewardship: long-lasting gear, solid warranties, and repair options. Worn Wear lets owners pass along gently used gear to buyers looking for exactly that — at a good price.

REI Outlet. Just as Steep and Cheap sits within Backcountry, REI Outlet lives within the REI site and app. Find last season’s clothing, coats, panniers, harnesses, goggles, and packs for much less — and REI’s return policy is generous if it doesn’t work out.

REI Garage Sales. No longer a hush-hush secret. It’s other REI members’ returned gear at a steal — get there early, because regulars know exactly what they want. You must be a member (worth it for the 10% annual dividend). Update: in-person mega-sales paused during the pandemic, but stores now sell used gear you can browse anytime, you can shop used online, and you can even trade in gently used gear for REI gift cards.

We love our time outside and the adventures that reliable, high-quality gear makes possible — finding savings here and there just extends the exploration. What are your favorite ways to save when you’re hunting for gear? We’d love to hear your tips.

Review: Mad Rock Mountain Mama Maternity Climbing Harness (UPDATED)

This is a throwback review from 2014, originally from our old blog. It was well-received, so we’re keeping it here. This post contains affiliate links — if you buy through them, we earn a small commission that helps fund our work.

UPDATE: A lot has changed since this first aired in 2014. Skip to the end for the newest info on this (and another) maternity climbing harness.

The Arkansas Climbing Coalition holds a bouldering competition at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, near Ponca, Arkansas, every year. Great turnout, beautiful weather, and tasty BBQ — you just can’t lose. It was the perfect chance to put the new Mad Rock Mountain Mama maternity harness to the test and usher in the third trimester with a little top-rope climbing.

At 28 weeks pregnant, and knowing a little harness adaptation would help everyone involved, I was ready to go. Holding the webbing up by the shoulders, the shape made sense and it was easy to see how it’s worn — leg, leg, arm, arm, done. The women in our group were enthusiastic; the men were encouraging but a little leery (“why not just take a few months off?”).

The price point of about $120 is very reasonable given the specialty design and extra material. The webbing is wide and comfortable, with no cutting in. My biggest tip: take plenty of time to adjust the straps — it’s going to feel different. Make the obvious adjustments, then fine-tune, because half an inch makes a real difference. Being anchored from the chest is a very different sensation than from the pelvis, so I spent time hanging on belay to get used to it and dial in the fit. (A DIY belt-style chalk bag works just fine.)

At roughly six months, I climbed up to a 5.8. Everything stayed in place, felt secure, and the materials and seams are high quality. Coming down, there was a moment where my belly felt ever so slightly pinched between the two side webs — and “pinched” is too strong a word; more fine-tuning would likely fix it. After a while I stopped noticing the chest tie-in entirely. It just felt good to climb.

The bottom line: the Mountain Mama is big on adjustability and simple on features — but what more do you need to get on a wall and feel good doing it? I’m secure, mobile, and Kiddo isn’t being smashed by a belt. For pregnant climbers who want to keep up their chalky pursuits, I definitely recommend giving it a try.

UPDATE (2021): The Mad Rock Maternity Harness isn’t available right now — a huge bummer, but, well, pandemic. A great and very similar alternative is the Petzl full-body harness, which has excellent reviews. I’d actually love to try it with the disabled community in mind, too: for some folks, a full-body harness can feel more secure and comfortable than a traditional belt-style one.

Please note: while we love adventure, climbing while pregnant may not be for everyone. Talk with your doctor before taking on any activity during pregnancy. You do this at your own risk, and our review isn’t responsible for your decisions. Thank you for understanding.