This post contains affiliate links to stores where you can buy some of the products. With affiliate links you pay the same price for the products as you always would, but we receive a small commission on the purchase to help maintain our website.

Infants

Base Layers

Any adventuring parent will tell you about the importance of a good set (or two) of base layers for the littlest adventurer on the trip. However, options are limited and prices are high. We always ask for base layers for our kid’s birthday and Christmas gifts. Grandma and Grandpa love to spoil their grandkids and what better way than to give them pricey, adorable clothing that will be featured in photos all year long! Our top pick for base layers is Wee Woolies, a Canadian company that makes ridiculously adorable base layers from merino wool.

Sun Hat

A solid sun hat is a must for any adventuring baby. Especially when they are at that vulnerable no-sunscreen age.

Even beyond that as you move into toddler and preschool years having a sunhat can mitigate lots of arguments. Our kids both know that their options are a hat or sunscreen. Since Jack doesn’t have the patience for sunscreen he always opts for the hat. Rowan is a bit more independent and will frequently opt for the more difficult, sunscreening path. Either way having a reliable sun hat that grows with a child is very important. We spend a bit more here on the Sunday Afternoons Kids Explorer Cap but, we know these hats are super adjustable and grow easily with your child’s head. They lasted over two years for both of our kids.

Snowsuit

If it’s your goal this winter to continue getting outdoors but you have a newborn and aren’t sure how you are going to accomplish that goal if, like us, you live in a less than warm climate having a really warm snowsuit for baby will make this goal completely achievable. We adore our Patagonia Hi-Loft Bunting and are enjoying our fifth season with this puffy piece of pure warmth and joy.

Not only has it kept our kiddos warm while hiking in a soft carrier, backpack carrier, and hiking on their own it also keeps them warm while skiing. We were so sad when Jack outgrew it but Rowan was thrilled when it was passed on to her as she is our freeze baby. This suit has been around the country, through the desert, the mountains, and so much more and yet years later it still looks brand new. We highly recommend getting the 18-24 month size as it is easily adjustable and fits our tall kiddos well into their third year. It was a little ridiculous when she was just one but she looked so adorable we didn’t care, and she was warm!

Toddler

Camp Chair

So, we got suckered into buying Jack an adorable mini Helinox camp chair before a trip into the Boundary Waters a few seasons ago. We were annoyed that he kept stealing our camp chairs and this one was so tiny and adorable we bought it from the wonderful Piragis store in Ely, MN and spent a ridiculous amount of money that we are still embarrassed about to this day. They are cheaper online, there are numerous knock-off brands but seriously this chair is wonderful and adorable and we are getting one for our Rowan for this Christmas as she was rather jealous of her big brother’s chair on our last BWCA trip.

Ecology Identification Cards

These waterproof, tear-proof, Rowan-proof Identification Cards are available at most all visitor centers around the country. They aid in identifying everything from plants to fish to local wildlife. Rowan loves carrying these on hikes, “IDing” objects around her, and can be a great way to keep her calm in the carrier. It’s also a great way to learn about a new or different ecosystem you are exploring while traveling and a good way to prep a small child for an upcoming trip to a new spot.

Spork

Toddlers love nothing more than being just like the grownups. Giving them their own, mini camping spork helps make them feel like an adult and they love it. Jack loves his so much he even wants to wash it after he uses it! These make the perfect stocking stuffer for any age.

Squishy Bowls

Outfitting your toddler with a solid mess kit will make mealtimes all that much more enjoyable when out camping in the woods. We love our squishy bowl set and Jack and Rowan both look forward to using theirs on every camping trip. They are lightweight, compact, and, did I mention, super squishy? When packing for a backwoods trip with a family; size and weight can be major factors and this is one small way to mitigate that problem.

Preschooler

Binoculars

Grandpa Mike gave Jack a set of cheap binoculars for a recent trip into the Boundary Waters and they have not only become a favorite when in the woods but also when playing “camping” or “exploring” while at home. This is a cheap, easy form of entertainment for many ages.

Backpack

Preschoolers are reaching that magical age of being able to carry a little bit of their own weight. On a hike we now give Jack (age 4) his own small backpack to carry with his water bottles and snacks. It usually gets heavier throughout the hike as he adds sticks and rocks to his outer pockets (don’t worry we always leave them there in the end). The smaller the pack the better because, inevitably the adult along will end up carrying it. We love Deuter’s small kid backpacks with adorable designs and small capacity they make the perfect gift for the adventurous hiking preschooler.

MtnGLO

Anybody else have a preschooler who has an overactive imagination which then leads to an intense fear of the dark?!? WE DO!!! Jack’s room is basically lit to daylight levels at night with twinkle lights and a nightlight. Why should our tent be any different?!? The MtnGLO LED Tent and Camping Lights by Big Agnes make worries about the dark while camping a thing of the past. They string merrily inside your tent, have two levels of brightness and a long lasting battery which makes them our new go-to camping tent accessory. It also makes late-night diaper changes or searches for lost pacifiers or lovies all that much easier without needing to scramble for a headlamp and inevitably shining your beam into everybody’s faces while trying to be quiet and subtle.

Elementary

Trekking Poles

An elementary-aged student is capable of so much more and should be trusted to do more exploring with longer, more difficult hikes. This past summer, while hiking with nieces and nephews in Glacier National Park who were of the elementary/middle school ages it was amazing to watch them hike that much better when they had at least one trekking pole in hand. I think it must make them feel more daring or cooler or something but we defeated some serious cases of the wines with the simple action of handing kids a trekking pole.

Headlamp

I imagine the days when we’ll have a child who is capable of getting out of the tent all on their own in the dead of a chilly night and go pee. A headlamp gives them the freedom and the opportunity to do just that. Also, headlamps are just plain fun to mess around with at a sleep over!

Knife

One of the magical things about camping is the skillset and tools that kids learn how to utilize that they wouldn’t normally get in a more urban setting. Handing a child a saw, a knife, or an axe is scary but necessary for their education into becoming a functioning member of society with a unique and broad set of skills. Trusting them to be cautious and responsible with a pocket knife is just one small way to help a child know that they are growing up.

Lightweight and strong aluminum stakes kept the blanket on the ground even on windy days in the Boundary Waters

When the blanket arrived we were initially disappointed by how large the bundle was and weren’t sure if it would be worth it to haul it into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) with us for an extended trip over Labor Day weekend. But, we promised we’d give it a thorough test and some honest feedback so we loaded it into our portage pack.

We had three crazy kids, 5 similarly crazy adults, and one German Shepherd along on this four day, three night canoe expedition in the BWCA. It rained a couple of the days and was generally a damp trip. Camp was a busy, high energy space with lots going on at all times.

Our first campsite was spacious and woodsy and had the perfect spot for our Nemo Bugout 12×12 tent. Along with a couple of camp chairs for adults we spread out our brand new StayPut Connect Picnic Blanket under the protective canopy of the screen tent. The kids were immediately drawn to the space and began setting up toys and playing games. The day was soggy and it was a nice reprieve for them to get out of the drizzle and onto something not nearly as filthy and damp as the forest floor or themselves.

By the time bedtime came around and we were prepping camp for the night’s slumber the blanket appeared to be filthy. We shook it off well and it was suddenly clean. Despite three kids and one dog running over and around this thing with wet, muddy feet and paws it cleaned up amazingly well.

We moved campsites the following day, going deeper into the wilderness and the only campsite available to us was slightly smaller and less magical but still a great spot for the kids to explore and enjoy living in the wilderness. We once again set up the StayPut Connect Picnic Blanket as a place for the kids to play on, dirt free when they felt like it. They transformed the blanket into a safe space to draw, play cards, read books, and play with action figures.

And maybe eat a few campfire treats…

As I said previously, going into this product review I was skeptical. Would a blanket ever really be worth the $40 price tag? My answer is Yes. It cleaned up so well despite some serious use and abuse, only one stain appeared all weekend (when Rowan peed on it…). Having a clean space in the wilderness for play, food, and diaper changes was incredibly nice. It is a fairly bulky so, probably not a great product for backpacking families but for car camping and even canoe camping I highly recommend this product. I wish we would have had it when our kids were younger babies. Having a space for them to sit, or do tummy time in camp was always an issue for us. We would put a blanket down but they would quickly make a mess of it with tiny, kicking feet and busy hands. The stakes keep this blanket comfortably in place and the waterproof backing keeps tiny rumps dry (even after a serious thunderstorm and soaked campsite).

For those with animals that go camping or paddling with them this is a great option for a soft, clean spot for pups to relax in while at camp. Lily (the German Shepherd) had a bed along but due to the intense rains we endured it never fully dried out. This blanket, with the waterproof backing, was a much better solution for a clean, dry space for those necessary puppy naps.

If you’d like this blanket for  your family you can buy it on Amazon: StayPut Connect Picnic Blanket

Jack paddling on Kawishiwi Lake, BWCA

During the two trips we made to the BWCA this summer we borrowed Bobby’s Dad’s canoe. After coming to the agreement that canoe camping was something we knew we wanted to do more of we immediately began researching canoes and shopping for the perfect one for our growing family.

The canoe we used this past summer is 17.5 feet and it worked well with two adults, one toddler, and a whole lot of gear. Our daughter was born at the end of October so we now need to plan for two kids, more gear, and our 80 lb golden retriever, Latigo. We knew we would be needing a bigger canoe. We also like to buy locally made, handcrafted items so we did our research and discovered that Northstar Canoes are made about 60 miles from our home, in Princeton, MN. Coincidentally, it’s also really close to where Bobby grew up!

Northstar Canoes was founded by Ted Bell and Bear Paulsen in April 2013. Prior to Northstar Canoes the duo operated Bell Canoe Works. We were fortunate enough to get an up close and personal view of the canoes by getting a tour of their workshop.

The care with which these boats are created is remarkable. The kindness of the workers, their extreme attention to detail, and the obvious pride they take in every boat they build is truly astounding.

Eli putting the ash rail on

Ted and Bear run a small operation that creates a couple of boats every day. They offer 12 different models, six solo and six tandem. The size of boat varies from single canoes and a canoe/kayak hybrid to the enormous Northwind 20 (20′ 5″) that can have up to 4 seats.

Rowan was a fan of the Rob Roy canoe/kayak hybrid

After much debate between the Northwind 18 and 20 we opted for the 20 as our canoe.

Jack got to try out the new seat they put in for him!

This canoe will be perfect for these early trips with two kids along and all the gear that a baby and toddler need. As our kids grow we won’t need to worry about getting a new, or second, canoe. We can simply add a fourth seat somewhere down the road when Rowan is old enough.

The Northwind 20 may come in at slightly over 50 pounds but when Bobby gave it a test run on his shoulders he was greatly surprised by how light it felt.

No Problem!

The difficulty of portaging a canoe of this size is that if there’s any wind it could be more difficult to handle as it’ll act like a giant kite. But, we have heard from others that this length of boat glides like a dream in the water and that the added storage space is perfect when traveling with small children.

One of the most fascinating things to learn while taking the tour of the shop is the fact that all the canoes are made of fabric. Aramid (Kevlar) starts off as a lightweight, flexible fabric! This may not be news to you, but it definitely was to me!

StarLite, Northstar Canoe’s proprietary yellow and black Aramid fabric on the left and a roll of their signature BlackLite carbon fabric on the right

The material is then fitted into a mold that was made using a wooden canoe as a template. The Aramid is then impregnated with a lamination and reinforced with foam core.

When selecting a gunwale trim option you can choose between wood or aluminum. The wooden gunwale is exceptionally beautiful, but does require a little more maintenance on the owner’s part. The aluminum is less maintenance, lighter, and slightly cheaper. Since the kids take up all of our free time we decided the low maintenance aluminum was the way to go for us even though the ash was gorgeous.

One of my favorite parts of the canoe are the beautiful wooden seats (made of either ash or walnut). While not made by Northstar Canoes, they are handmade by a family-operated shop just north in Canada.

Northstar also offers a variety of color options for your boat. We chose the black carbon fiber finish as opposed to their more common, yellow/black finish. While the carbon fiber does make the canoe slightly heavier (and more expensive) the additional durability of the carbon fiber material is well worth it, in our opinion!

It was definitely hard to pick up our new canoe in subzero temperatures and having to explain to Jack multiple times that we wouldn’t be canoeing just yet, due to the water being frozen. He has been asking me daily since we brought the canoe home, “Where ‘new? Water frozen?” Don’t worry little man spring and summer and water-filled adventures are just around the corner!

Ready to roll outside of Northstar Canoe’s shop in Princeton, MN!

If you’re interested in a Northstar Canoe there are a couple of shops near the Twin Cities which sell them:

• Midwest Mountaineering
• Hoigaards
• Joe’s Sporting Goods

Check out their full list of retailers and outfitters for outside of the Twin Cities.

Let us know in the comments what your favorite canoe is and why you picked it!

After moving back to Minnesota, blogging about our trips, and giving clinics on various kid-friendly outdoor adventure topics at Midwest Mountaineering people began asking us if we had ever taken Jack, our 2 year old son, on trips up to the canoe area. In all honesty, I’m not a water person. I wasn’t raised on the water like so many Minnesotans I know and I am actually a little uncomfortable swimming in lakes. It’s not that I’m a bad swimmer, but, ok this is a little embarrassing, I’m afraid of fish. As a child one nibbled on my leg while swimming in a lake and I’ve never exactly gotten over it. I’m a good, strong swimmer but I prefer clear water where I can see what is lurking beneath.

For Bobby, he has always been more of a backpacking, rock climbing, mountain biking, land-lover. He too, never really had a desire to go to the BWCA. However, being one of only 3 wilderness areas in the state, upon our return to the land of 10,000 lakes he began to get the BWCA itch. With over a million acres of wilderness containing over 1200 miles of canoe routes it’s hard to ignore.

This summer I have enjoyed the woes and wonders of my second pregnancy which meant that backpacking was out for us for the summer. But, I’ve been yearning to have a wilderness experience. So, I finally decided that a trip to the BWCA would be a smashing idea! Some friends of ours had had a successful trip with their two-year-old son along and I was inspired by their story and wanted to give it a try myself! (Thanks Matt and Erin!)

We began reading guidebooks, blogs, forums, asking questions of our friends who are regular visitors to the BWCA and got lots of gear and advice from Bobby’s dad, Mike. He was extremely helpful in lending us everything we’d need from the canoe to portage packs to paddles. He had several paddles for us to chose from that he has acquired over the years and all were Bending Branches paddles. The few times I had canoed when growing up we just had the cheapest plastic paddles, but these wooden paddles were beautiful to look at, smooth under my hand, and made me feel like a voyageur. They are so lightweight and the slight bend in the paddle really gives you a lot of extra oomph over a straight paddle.

Jack took my paddle to “help” Daddy

The paddle I had on that first trip into the BWCA on Kawishiwi Lake was slightly too long for me and Bobby’s was slightly too short. We knew after that first magical trip to the wilderness by canoe that we would return many many times and that we’d be needing paddles of our own that were sized properly.

We turned to Bending Branches for several reasons when looking to get paddles of our own. First off, the guy we know who is passionate about researching the best gear out there, who attends clinics by some of the most experienced BWCA explorers, and who loves to pass on his knowledge highly recommended Bending Branches to us. That was Bobby’s dad.

Secondly, it’s a local midwestern company. They are headquartered in Osceola, WI where all the paddles are handmade, and have been since 1982. We love having local companies to support that make the highest quality of products, who supports our local outdoor industry, and is passionate about protecting our wilderness.

Thirdly, they are breathtakingly gorgeous. Seriously, it’s hard not to look at these paddles without saying, “Oooooo!” and wanting to touch them.

For ourselves, we chose to get the Java 11 paddles ($149.95). Typically Bobby needs to have the very best of everything when it comes to gear so he was originally leaning towards Bending Branches’s top of the line paddle with a carbon shaft – the Sunburst 11 ($224.95). Knowing that we are new to canoeing and not expert paddlers we decided to save money, but still get a wonderful, premium paddle. The Java is very lightweight at just 19 ounces and has a Rockgard edge that protects the wood from those pesky rocks. Additionally, the paddle’s blade is covered in a 2oz fiberglass wrap to protect the wood. It has an 11 degree bend from the shaft to the blade (hence the 11 in the name) to allow the blade to pass through the water more squarely throughout your stroke which provides more forward momentum than a straight shaft. One important detail–there is a proper way to hold a bent paddle. It’s embarrassing to admit, but we held the paddles backwards for our first trip! Make sure the blade is bent forward towards the bow of the boat, not backwards.

Bending Branches has your kiddos covered too! Their one-sized Twig paddle for kids is beyond adorable.

Jack and his Twig in the BWCA

While you may think that $59.95 is a little much to spend on a paddle for a 2 year old believe me when I say you won’t be sorry. Most kids, and our Jack is no exception, want to be like the adults around them. They want to help. Giving them their own paddle entertains them and makes them think that they are helping. It is a must on any canoe trip with a young child! It’s 42″ long so it’s big enough that he’ll be able to grow into it for several seasons to come as he gets older and begins to paddle himself. Plus, it’s only 14oz so it’s easy for him to hold onto and we don’t have to worry about him dropping it into the lake, since it floats! Just like our bigger paddles, it also has a Rockgard tip so it can deal with the abuse a toddler is sure to put it through (we still try to stop him from shoveling rocks with it as he’s prone to do!).

Helping us paddle on Brule Lake with his Twig

Bending Branches paddles have now become a Marko family tradition and it was so fun to get to go on a short trip to the BWCA with Grandma and Grandpa and for all of us to have a Bending Branches paddle of our very own!

Three generations with their paddles!

We hope to continue making regular treks, not only to the BWCA, but all around with our canoe and can’t wait for all the adventures that lie ahead of us on the water! Who knows, maybe I’ll even become brave and swim in a lake again!

Three generations of Marko Men and their paddles.

Disclaimer: While Bending Branches generously provided us with our paddles to make this review possible, all thoughts and opinions are our own. If we didn’t believe in their products, we wouldn’t partner with them.

All packed up with room to spare!

It was amazing that while I was packing I didn’t feel like I had to pick and choose what to bring with us. I knew we had plenty of cargo space and was able to bring along pretty much everything! Extra toys for Jack, extra pillows for us so we could camp in luxury, and plenty of clothes, toiletries, and extra snacks that I would normally cut back on for a camping trip. I even considered bringing along the stroller simply because I had the room! I didn’t because it wouldn’t have been used but it was great to know that I could have!

Jack definitely approves!

This is a short little trailer that some may have difficulty backing up. I spent two years working as a Forestry Technician driving a large pickup with a wood chip box on the back and a chipper towed behind it. So, luckily, I’ve had ample experience backing up shorter trailers. For those that don’t know, the shorter the trailer the trickier it is to back up. I struggled initially at backing it up, simply because it has been several years since I’d backed up any trailer. I soon found my groove and had no issues. However, when I was struggling during a trip to Gooseberry State Park here in MN I was getting really flustered and frustrated. Bobby reminded me of how lightweight the trailer is (only 550 lbs) and that we could just unhook it and move it. He was right! It was a breeze to disconnect, move, and hook back up. It took a lot less time then I had originally taken in my epic fail of trying to back up! The SPACE Wheel Jack worked amazing and I was so glad we had it on the tongue of the trailer!

Jack was helping me pack!

Our only critique of the product was that 20 or so miles along dirt roads did result in a small amount of dust getting inside along the front section of the trailer. However, we drove through rain and the trailer sat out in the weather and nothing got wet. We were also amazed that it didn’t affect our gas mileage at all! I was sure we would lose some fuel efficiency but I was very happy to be proven wrong! Plus there’s no added road noise like you get with boxes on top of your car. The bars on top are a bit wider then the trailer itself (depending upon what length you get) so it was important to remember that as we drove. The bars will come in very handy when we go on biking and canoe adventures in the future! We won’t have to figure out how to arrange the top of the car!

It was so perfect to have along at a trailhead for a hike we did. We had arrived at the trailhead late, right at lunch time, so we stopped and had a picnic before hitting the trail and the tailgate worked as a wonderful kitchen area where I was able to prepare lunch for everybody without dog hair everywhere (like there is in the back of our Explorer).

A great picnic lunch in the parking lot of a trailhead!

Overall, purchasing a SPACE Trailer is a pretty hefty investment. Ask yourself, how much easier will this make my life? Is it worth it? For us, the answers are, it will make our lives immensely easier and YES it is sooooo worth it! If you’re concerned about having storage space for the trailer, you can store it on end to take up less space. If you aren’t sure if SPACE is a good fit for you and you are local to MN consider renting one and trying it out first (which is what we did). Todd at SPACE is awesome, super helpful, very friendly, and a joy to work with! Thanks to him this amazing product is on the market! The trailers can be shipped to anywhere in the lower 48 so check out their website and start enjoying an easy, hassle-free packing process for your next outdoor adventure with the whole crew!

Our transition to this dog food from Latigo’s old brand was absolutely seamless. We can’t get over the change in his attitude when meal time comes around. Latigo has never shown much enthusiasm for food but when we fill his measuring cup with Merrick Backcountry he begins to dance around and a big smile spreads on his face as he hears the kibble and raw food clatter into his bowl. I know that may sound a little corny, but we have honestly seen a huge difference in his attitude during meal time! Latigo has never had canned food before now and he gobbles it up quickly! He seems to like the beef recipes a bit more then the others but he doesn’t turn his nose up at any of it!

Our trusty pup is almost 5 years old and has joined us on numerous backcountry adventures. Keeping him fed, hydrated, and safe during these trips is very important to us. Merrick Backcountry is the perfect brand of food to bring along for all your backcountry trips. The ancestral diet offered by Merrick Backcountry provides Latigo with added energy that allows him to keep up with us on adventures and recover more quickly once we’re back at home. After our latest adventure he didn’t have big bags under his eyes (as he usually does) the day after which I attribute to this exceptional dog food.

Watch our site for our Merrick Backcountry sponsored trip report soon! Here’s a little teaser: we visited one of the most famous wilderness areas of Minnesota!

Sneak peak of our Merrick sponsored backcountry adventure!

Merrick Backcountry is available for purchase at Petco, independent pet supply stores, and online (where a coupon for $3 off on any bag is available if you scroll pretty far down!).

While this post is sponsored by Merrick, all thoughts and opinions are our own. If we didn’t believe in the product or the company we wouldn’t partner with them.

Bear Vault Solo 2 lbs 1 oz

We had read online reviews of the Bear Vault Solo that had complained about how difficult it is to open. The instructions for opening the canister are on the lid and it is extremely straight forward and not complicated in any way. In the morning when we would retrieve it, the morning dew and our cold hands made it difficult but we always got it open without too much of an incident!

How to Open/Close instructions on the lid.

The Bear Vault Solo claims to have a 4 day capacity… I believe this to be a bit of an exaggeration. We were just able to fit 10 tortillas, two breakfasts, two lunches, one dinner, and snacks for two people (all the meals were Mountain House or Backpackers Pantry freeze-dried meals) and it barely fit. We had to do a lot of squishing. Latigo’s kibble (about 6 cups for the three meals he would need) wasn’t able to fit and we had to fashion a bear bag for a tree using his backpack and his leash as a rope…. Thankfully it wasn’t disturbed and on our second night we had eaten enough that his food was able to fit no problem.

Bobby carried the canister, which fit snugly at the base of his Gregory Baltoro 65 liter pack. If going on a longer trip we would most likely invest in the Bear Vault BV500 for the added storage capacity and probably a larger backpack to accommodate for the larger canister. However, for the weekend trips we generally take, I believe we made a good choice in the $66.95 Bear Vault Solo.

Our Bear Vault Solo’s home for the night a few hundred feet from our campsite.

When initially researching the Gaiter options available to us at our local REI store we were at once impressed by the obviously higher-quality materials the Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters were made with when compared with some of the other more affordable options. Primarily, we were impressed with the material chosen to create the bottom attachment of the gaiter. Unlike other gaiter bottom attachment instep straps which are made up of varying materials, depending on the brand, like replaceable webbing. The Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiter bottom attachment instep strap is made with urethane-coated nylon. Since this portion of the gaiter is strapped on the underside of the boot I would only want to get a gaiter with an instep strap that is going to be able to standup to a lot of use and abuse.  And since urethane-coated nylon is often used in other outdoor waterproof gear that need to withstand a great deal of wear and tear, such as tent rain flies or pack covers it seemed like a good, strong choice for the instep strap of a waterproof gaiter.

The material that makes up the gaitor is Gore-Tex, a waterproof material that has existed since 1976. I always like investing in a product that comes with a good guarantee and Gore-Tex provides just that. According to the Gore-Tex website they offer a guarantee of satisfaction, “If you are not completely satisfied with the waterproofness, windproofness, or breathability of your GORE-TEX® product, then we will repair it, replace it, or refund your purchase price. No matter which of our trusted customers makes the product, if it has the GORE-TEX® label on it, we have certified that it is durably waterproof, windproof and breathable for its intended use.”

As of yet, this product has yet to let us down. The only negative comment I can think of is that during more taxing hikes the gaiters lack of breathability can become a tad uncomfortable at times. However, I would take mildly sweaty ankles over soaking wet ankles any day!

The Salomon Aura Air helmet seemed like the perfect fit. It’s lined interior kept my noggin plenty warm throughout the day. I am prone to getting headaches when I have hats or helmets on for an extended period of time, this helmets plush interior and snug fit without being overly tight provided me with a comfort that is not comparable to any helmet I have ever worn. I wore it for over five hours and I never got a headache.

I fell repeatedly throughout the day but my helmet was never a necessity as I was able to keep my head up. However, it did save me from a nasty blow when a fellow snowboarder accidentally whacked me on the head while turning over with his snowboard. We were at the top of the run and were sitting down, strapping in when he decided to turn around on the ground and miscalculated his proximity to me. Thankfully, my helmet completely protected me and I barely felt a thing. Had I not been wearing it I wonder how painful that blow would’ve been. My pearly white helmet didn’t even have a scratch on it after the encounter!

The helmet is equipped with a custom air fit. You can pump up a small air pouch within the helmet that will tighten the fit of the helmet. Thankfully, the plush liner inside the helmet is both removable and washable which will definitely come in handy! The helmet also has great ventilation that allowed a good amount of adjustable airflow that assisted in keeping my head at a desirably cozy temperature.

It is also a good looking piece of equipment. It comes in three different colors; Light Blue, Black Matt, and Pearl Matt. I chose the Pearl Matt which easily matches my snowboarding attire, and it’s neutral color scheme makes it compatible with most colors. I really couldn’t ask for anything more in a helmet! If only my climbing helmet was as soft and comfy as this!