Want to get the whole clan outside and enjoying the outdoors? Here’s the gear to help make it more fun.
Bote
LowRider Aero Tandem
With the ability to serve as a SUP or sit-on-top kayak, this versatile inflatable is the perfect boat for family camping trips to lakes and mellow rivers. Get two people—kid and parent, two capable kids, even two parents—paddling on it, and you’ll have a blast on the water. The flat bottom with a bit of rocker means the board is easy to control and magnetic attachment points even keep water bottles secure and handy. $899; boteboard.com
MSR
Habiscape
Available in four- and six-person models, the airy Habiscape is easy to set up and offers enough room (62.5 square feet and 72 inches of headroom in the four-person, 83 and 76 in the six) to spread out and play cards and sleep comfortably. Plenty of pockets inside keep necessary gear like headlamps and hats closeby and easy to find when you need to go potty in the middle of the night. $500 four person, $600 six-person; msrgear.com
Therm-a-Rest
Honcho Poncho Kids
This mashup of blanket and jacket is sure to be a campfire favorite for the kiddos. There’s just enough insulation inside to keep you toasty, and the waterproof, ripstop polyester outer lining can protect your little one from the elements when the weather goes south in a hurry. There’s even an adult version for grownups who need some camp comfort. $79; thermarest.com
Fjällräven
High Coast Duffel 36
Hauling kids in the wilds (or at least a campground) requires a lot of gear (and extra gear just in case). Stuff it all in this roomy duffel to make packing easy. You can chuck it in the back of the car and turn it into a backpack thanks to stowable padded shoulder straps and double-duty padding on the bottom when it’s time to hoof it to your destination. $120; fjallraven.com
Deuter
Kid Comfort Active SL (Women’s Fit)
Built for female geometry, this kid carrier is key when it comes to getting that little one out in nature and keeping you on the move. Plenty of padding on the shoulder straps and a highly ventilated back panel keep mom comfy, and a pop-up sun shade is perfect for naps. $280; deuter.com
Breeo
Y Series Firepit
“I hate rabbits!” No, that odd phrase does not shift campfire smoke away—even if you tell your kids it does. Weighing in at 31 pounds, this portable smokeless fire pit will eliminate the problem (and the hassles and potential dangers of a traditional campfire). Ideal for the backyard, too, it can be used on decks and you can beef it up with a smart grilling attachment kit ($150 extra). $495; breeo.com
Born Outdoor
Badger Bed 30 Sierra Bundle
The ultimate outdoor sleep system combines a Badger Bed 30, 650-fill Sierra Down Quilt, Cascade Flannel Sheets, and Therm-a-Rest Mond King XXL pad into one cozy nest for finicky sleepers. Use it in your tent or slide it into the back bed of your vehicle. $825; bornoutdoor.com
Mountain Equipment
Helium 400
Light and easy to stow in that packed trunk, this warm bag is good for car camping or backpacking excursions. Responsibly sourced 700-fill down keeps it cozy and soft, and a breathable recycled shell seals the deal.
$420; mountain-equipment.com
Salewa
Pedroc Pro PTX Mid
Made for speed hiking, this sturdy-but-light boot is just what parents need when they are on the go, chasing kids through the woods or hauling them on their backs. Breathable, it laces up securely, and the Pomoca sole can take on everything from loose rock to hard pavement. $200; salewa.com
Rab
Exosphere 3.5
This cozy, self-inflating pad takes the frustration out of telling your kids to get their sleeping area ready. Once set up, it provides plenty of warmth and comfort for a good night’s rest, thanks to honeycomb foam inside that provides R 3.6 insulation while tipping the scales at just 23.5 ounces. $130; rab.equipment
ENO
DayLoft Hammock
Made of recycled polyester and mesh, the plush DayLoft brings the portable hammock game to the next level, providing all the space of a bigger, more luxurious hang-out in a model that you can set up anywhere. The only problem is deciding who in the family gets to spend time in it. $200; eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com
Denvix
Tire Inflator
This simple godsend of a device will pump up bike tires and balls in a jiffy, but what really makes it great is the ability to add air to your vehicle tires anywhere. That eschews having to find a gas station air machine that actually works while you are on the road. Bonus: You can charge it up in your vehicle. $100; denvix.com
Leki
Khumbu Lite
Trekking poles make life easier and save the knees of parents tasked with hauling extra gear or kids in carriers into the woods. These aluminum poles weigh just 8.6 ounces each and adust between 100 cm and 135 cm, so you can switch them up between parents and pack down in a hurry when you don’t need them. All that functionality means they work great when you are sans family as well. $120; lekiusa.com
Veer
All-Terrain Cruiser
Here’s the wagon we all wish we had as kids. With all-terrain tires that roll over rocks or sand and the ability to pack it down flat and stash in the back of your car, this hardcore kid hauler makes excursions whine-free. Even better, parents can haul it behind them packed with kids and supplies or push it like a stroller down the sidewalk. $700; goveer.com
Kavu
Alderbrooke
Active moms will appreciate these open-toed beauties ideal for kicking it around camp or on short walks. Rope cords keep them sturdy and look the outdoor part, and sturdy rubber outsoles can take on rugged terrain. $75; kavu.com
Astronaut Ice Cream
Experienced parents know that, yes, treats can get the family through tough times on the road or trail. And what surprise goody is better than a freeze-dried ice cream sandwich in a bag? A throwback to the early days of NASA, this stuff comes in yummy modern flavors including mint chocolate chip and cookies and cream. $5; astronautfoods.com
