Family Gear Guide

High Adventure with the Whole Family Starts with the Right Gear

Nothing beats time spent outdoors with the family. It’s the perfect time for bonding, connecting with nature, and disconnecting from everything else. Whether it’s sharing stories around the warmth of a campfire, hiking in nature, or teaching the kids new skills, the time spent in the great outdoors can provide life-long memories. If you’re car camping or simply enjoying quality time with the family, having the right family gear will help during both the car ride and the time spent in the outdoors.

Overlanders are accustomed to being prepared for the trails ahead, often customizing their rigs with a plethora of aftermarket parts. Just like preparing the vehicle itself, getting your family ready for the adventure ahead is also key to a successful trip. For those that travel with young ones and even furry members of the family, there’s a few things that can be brought along to enhance the trip. We selected some key items that caught our attention and should make your next adventure the best..

Diono / Radian Q Series

Highlights: A quality car seat is the first priority in keeping the young ones safe and comfortable while in the vehicle. The Diono Radian Q Series is a collection of three car seat models, which are suitable for kids from 4 to 120 pounds. The seats are built around a steel frame and have earned
numerous awards due to their safety features. For those with a larger family, the seats were designed to fit three seats across. To complete the system, pair the seats with Diono’s car seat protectors and, for more storage, their car organizers. As a bonus, the car seats are modern, stylish, and are available in multiple colors.

Product Height: 28.5 in.
Product Width: 17 in.
Seat Weight: 31.3 lbs.
MSRP: starting at $399
URL: diono.com

CamelBak / Kids Water Bottles

Highlights: Staying hydrated is one of the many important lessons that parents can teach their kids. A good water bottle will be a child’s companion during the commute, at school, and for outdoor adventures. We like these water bottles, as they fit easily in both a car seat’s cup holder or kid’s pack. The handle is easy for even the smallest of hands to grip onto and carry, while the designs are fun and friendly. The straw lid is convenient and easy to use. These bottles are also simple to clean. CamelBak offers environmentally friendly options that are BPA-free from plastic bottles made from recycled materials to reusable insulated stainless steel. To top it off, these bottles are budget-friendly.

Volume: 12 oz. and up
MSRP: starting at $15.00
URL: camelbak.com

Gregory / Nano 20

Highlights: A lightweight pack can prove to be useful while traveling with the family. If you have younger kids, the pack can hold items such as diapers, wet wipes, and other kid necessities.  It’s a great place to store a first aid kit, flashlight, and other practical and useful gear that you may need quick and portable access to. The Gregory Nano 20 is a lightweight pack that can hold ample gear with its 20-liter capacity. It’s comfortable with its padding, breathable backpanel, and ultra lightweight construction. Organization is provided by a front stuff pocket, a zippered main compartment, dual side mesh pockets, and a quick-access zippered front pocket with a key hook and organization sleeves. An independent zippered pocket can hold a tablet or a water reservoir with routing to the harness. Available in multiple colors.

Dimensions: 20 x 10 x 8.5 in.
Weight: 1.1 lbs.
MSRP: $74.95
URL: gregorypacks.com

namuk / Spring Collection

Highlights: Personal style is important, not only for your overland rig to help stand out from the crowd but also with the apparel that you and your kids may wear. Namuk is a Swiss brand that focuses on quality and functionality with their sustainable clothing. The brand believes that children develop best when they get a chance to be outdoors. We believe the same and also appreciate clothing that is thoughtfully designed with features such as hidden pacifier holders, reflective seams, and multiple name tags for passing down to younger siblings. Each piece is constructed with premium materials that are over 70 percent recycled. Their Spring collection includes jackets, shorts, pants, and more.
We particularly love the Scrab bike shorts and the Dash lightweight ripstop pants. The shorts are constructed from cotton blend that is stretchy and abrasion resistant. They also feature a hook for a house key and reflective details. The pants are made from a cotton blend and Cordura, which is an ultra-durable material that ensures the pants will last. The pants are temperature regulated with Coolmax fibers and provide movement with minimum weight for ultra comfort for the kids as they run around and explore.

Sizing: 12 months to 13 years
MSRP: starting at $99 for the shorts
URL: namuk.us

Therm-a-Rest / Argo Blanket

Highlights: Whether it’s on the way to the destination or around the campfire, a good blanket can come in handy to keep warm. The Therm-a-Rest Argo blanket is a light, durable, and extremely comfortable two-person blanket. The blanket utilizes eraLoft insulation to provide warmth under the soft-touch polyester construction, while a DWR treatment gives water-resistent protection. It is large enough for two people with a draw cord at the bottom that can cinch to keep the blanket in place and reduce drafts. Extremely portable, the blanket compresses into the built-in pocket for convenience while on the go. Available in five unique prints/colorways.

Dimensions: 72 x 78 x 1 in.
Packed Dimension: 14 x 17 in.
Weight: 1 lbs. 10 oz.
MSRP: starts $74.96
URL: thermarest.com

Cake / Ready, Steady, and Go Kids Bike Collection

Highlights: Learning how to ride a bike is a huge accomplishment for any child, which can lead to countless memories being made with the entire family. Cake has released a handsome trio of bikes for any ability of young riders. The entry-level Ready is a 12-inch balance bike that can help kids build confidence on two-wheels. As they progress with their riding ability, the Steady is a 16-inch, single-speed mountainbike built for off-road rides.  The Go kicks it up a notch as its first electric off-road motorcycle. These bikes are well-designed using premium materials.

Recommended Ages: 2-8+ years
Capacity: 650 ml.
MSRP: $225 – $3,500
URL: ridecake.com

Dermatone/ Mineral Sunscreen Collection

Highlights: We all love being outdoors, but the elements, including the sun, can have unhealthy effects.  To help fight harmful UV rays and keep the entire family safe, a quality sunscreen is needed. Dermatone’s Mineral Sunscreen lotion and lip balm provide broad-spectrum SPF 30 sun protection as it also moisturizes. The Mineral Sunscreen Stick has an SPF 50 rating and is water resistant up to 80-minutes. The sunscreen products are reef-safe, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and fragrance-free, so you can feel good about using the product. They are made from natural ingredients and are free from oxybenzone and octinoxate, which have been shown to cause other issues. The Sunscreen’s 2-ounce size makes it travel- and TSA-friendly.  Each product is made in the USA.

Capacity: 2 fl.-oz. for the Sunscreen, 0.5 fl.-oz. for the sunscreen stick, and 0.15 fl.-oz. for the lip balm
MSRP: starting at $4.79
URL: dermatone.com

Miraflora / CBD Dog Chews

Highlights: Traveling and being away from home can give our four-legged members of the family anxiety and stress. Pets can benefit from the mood-balancing, joint-supporting power of CBD. Made from scratch, Miraflora CBD dog chews are infused with 100-percent organic, full-spectrum hemp flower oil and come in flavors that your dog will enjoy. Additionally, CBD has been shown to reduce inflammation and pain, increasing mobility and flexibility.

Quantity: 30 count
MSRP: $30.00
URL: miraflora.co

Ruffwear / Camp & Hike Collection

Highlights: Dogs can be the perfect travel companion and an extended member of the family. The new Ruffwear Camp & Hike Collection features a few accessories that can bring some function and fun both at camp and on the trail. The collection consists of a pack, a leash, hitching system, and a couple of toys. We particularly like the Approach Pack and the Knot-a-Hitch.  The Approach Pack is designed as a saddlebag built for hiking adventures with your pup. The comfortable pack features a breathable chassis and is made from lightweight materials with a streamlined design. The pack allows your pet to bring a few lightweight items such as toys, treats, and water, while staying organized and keeping items separate. The Approach Pack is available in several sizes and two colors.
The Knot-a-Hitch uses climbing-inspired components and hardware to allow your dog to roam around camp while remaining on a leash. This is great for car camping to ensure your pet is safe and within view while you’re setting up camp, cooking dinner, or building a fire. It comes in a convenient and durable stow bag.

MSRP: starting at $24.95
URL: ruffwear.com

Decathlon / Quechua Fresh Base, Living Area Camping Shelter, 10-person

Highlights: A good shelter is a key element while in the outdoors. Whether you’re camping with a tent or in a vehicle, you’ll need protection from the elements and from insects while spending quality time with the family. The Decathlon Quechua Fresh Base is a large-area camping shelter that has enough room for the entire family. It is constructed from a heat-resistant fabric to ensure the interior stays cool while filtering out harmful UV rays. The shelter is also waterproof to keep people and contents inside dry. The shelter packs down for portability and is easy to assemble and dismantle.

Capacity: Sitting space for 10-people at a table
Living Area Dimensions: 9 ft. 10 in. x 9 ft. 10 in.
Packed dimensions: 35 x 8.7 x 11.8 in.
MSRP: $299.00
URL: decathlon.com

If you’re still looking for more options for great family gear, check out our latest gift guide for pets and kids!