Kristin Katoski

Kristin grew up in Western Massachusetts but moved north to Alaska in 2008 in search of more snow and bigger mountains. She homeschools her three children and tries to spend as much time as possible learning outside. Kristin loves hiking, camping, puddle stomping, laughing, igloo building, reading, science, baking, photography, and watching the sun go down from on top of a mountain; and is passionate about sharing her enthusiasm for the natural world and her knowledge of the gear that can get you out there in every kind of weather. She works part-time from home as an Environmental Scientist and technical editor.

How to Keep Hands Warm

How to Keep Hands Warm and How to Keep Feet Warm So often the limiting factor in spending time outside in the winter (for adults and children!) is cold extremities. It just stops being fun when you start getting cold! But we have some tips on how to keep hands and feet warm and products … Read more

Best SUP for Beginners

Best SUP for Beginners and Families Stand up paddleboarding (SUPing) has become increasingly popular over the last several years, and with good reason. It’s FUN. I’ve been a passionate kayaker for years but I’ll have to admit I rarely choose my kayak anymore. I love the view I get from the SUP; you can look … Read more

Waders for Kids

Waders for Kids Waders are a gear item I wanted but resisted buying for my kids for years. They aren’t cheap (though our discount code helps: use MTNMAMA for 15% off Oaki!) and I wondered if we’d really get enough use out of them. We’ve now put them to the test for a year, but … Read more

Wild Ice Play with Kids

Wild Ice Play with Kids Spending time on wild ice is always an activity that carries risk. There is no such thing as safe ice, and you should always be prepared with some safety essentials. But the times we spend out on the ice are always some of my favorite, and with some simple steps … Read more

Winter Ski Skirts

Ski Skirts for Winter Adventures Winter ski skirts (not JUST for skiing) are extremely functional and are one of my favorite pieces of winter gear. They are great for running, nordic skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, skating, and just generally keeping your behind cozy in cold weather. They’re also a great extra layer to have in your … Read more

Barefoot Winter Boots

When many people think winter footwear the images that come to mind are big thick clunky boots. For footwear minimalists, luckily there is an alternative “barefoot” option: the mukluk. And these zero drop winter boots excel in the harshest environments. Mukluks are available for adults and there are a few options for kids. Every year … Read more