KID-FRIENDLY DUFFLE, SLACKLINE, JACKET & CHILD CARRIER
{and, yes, even some super-cute shoes for mom!}
by Melynda Harrison

As I was putting away our family’s ski gear and pulling out the camping equipment, I noticed that there were a few pieces of gear that would make our summer simpler, more organized and more fun. Of course, you don’t really need anything to get in touch with nature, but some equipment has a way of making the experience easier.
My family—my husband, three-year-old Anders, 22 month-old Finn and I—tested a few pieces of recreational gear that has taken our outdoor adventures up a notch.

Binto Hauler 3—Kelty
This is more than just a duffel bag; it’s an organizational system. And I love organizing. Living with two boys, two dogs, a husband and several jobs between us makes organization a necessity, as well as an obsession.
The Binto Hauler has three freestanding rectangular bags that fit within a larger, stand-alone bag. This means that I can pack my stuff in one bag, the boys’ stuff in the other two and they never get mixed up. It’s ideal for car camping, traveling or a weekend at a Forest Service cabin.

Each interior bag is a different color, which is both pretty and helpful in keeping track of who’s whose. There’s also a place to label them if the color-coding isn’t enough. www.kelty.com $71.95

Funline—Gibbon Slackline
You’ve seen those kids in Cooper Park walking on a piece of webbing strung between two trees. Admit it, it looks kind of fun. It’s called slacklining.

Now kids and beginner slackers have their own slackline. Woven to decrease flexibility, the Funline offers a smooth ride with increased stability under foot. Gibbon created “grippy graphics” using rubber-based paint to increase slackline traction.

Hang it near your campsite or in the backyard and tweens, teens and parents will be entertained for hours.
Consisting of two pieces of webbing and a ratcheting tensioner, the Funline sets up in minutes, is twice as wide as traditional slacklines, and can be hung at any height including low to the ground. Even I can (sort of) walk across it. www.gibbonslacklines.com $99.99

Paris—Ahnu
Am I getting old or have comfortable shoes become infinitely cuter? I’m going with the latter. Breathing fresh air into the ballet flat, the Paris is a yoga inspired design that’s both cute and comfortable.

I wear them to work, walking along the river and while traveling (they are quick to slip off at security check points). They look good, people have stopped to tell me so, and I can comfortably wear them just about anywhere.

A part of Ahnu is held in an outdoor trust, permanently committing a portion of their future success to conservation and advocacy work, so you can feel good about yourself while looking good. Available in New Black, Powder Blue and Loden Green. www.ahnufootwear.com $70

Kids’ Torrentshell—Patagonia
We like to keep the kids as comfortable as possible so we can indoctrinate them into loving the outdoors. Around here, that requires carrying a rain jacket on outdoor adventures because the sky could open up any day of the year, soaking kids and parents.

The Torrentshell Jacket is lightweight so it won’t weigh your little explorer down and it easily compresses to fit in a backpack or an adult pocket. The jacket is waterproof and breathable, which is really the whole point. It serves as a good windbreaker, too, and has reflective trim for visibility.

Available in Fusion Sunset, Mineral Springs, Tile Blue and Soft Lilac. www.patagonia.com $89

Kelty FC 3.0—Kelty
At three, Anders can be fickle. We never know if he will be willing to hike four miles or four feet. If we want to plan a day in the mountains, we need to be prepared to carry both boys. Finn fits nicely into our older Kelty backpack, but Anders is a smidge too big.

The Frame Carrier (FC) 3.0 is Kelty’s top of the line child carrier. Comfy for both kids and parents, it features a fully padded, adjustable cockpit for kids and padded, contoured waistbelt and shoulder straps for parents. A five-point adjustable harness keeps kids up to 50 pounds riding safely while the sliding waistbelt torso adjustment easily fits both my 6’6” husband and me.

Like Kelty’s other carriers, the patented auto-deploy kickstand engages as soon as the pack is taken off making loading and unloading easy and safe. The FC 3.0 has 1150 cubic inches of storage space under the seat and in rear compartments. Extras include a sun/rain hood and changing pad. www.kelty.com $249

Melynda Harrison writes from Livingston and can’t wait until she can hike without carrying anyone.