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.

Osprey HydraJet 12

We have been taking the Osprey HydraJet 12 (also called the Jet 12) out for hikes and bike rides for the past several weeks. It’s the perfect size for young kids’ daytime adventures. The HydraJet 12 is extremely well constructed. There has been great attention to details in this redesign of the previous model Jet. … Read more

Wildhorn Spire Helmet Review

When it comes to picking a child’s helmet, there are several things I considered when choosing the Wildhorn Spire. Is it safe, is it easy to use, and will they wear it. Should they wear a helmet is an important topic that we cover here and here! Bike helmets are easy to draw a hard … Read more

Chaos Fairy Creations Forager Pockets

We have been testing out these Chaos Fairy Creations forager pockets, and they have been an instant hit! While they will really shine in snow-free seasons (UPDATE below for how great they are in the summer!) we’ve been finding a multitude of uses for them over snow gear in the winter, and inside! As a … Read more

A Day in the Life of an Outdoor Mom: Winter in Alaska

The life of an outdoor mom is different for everyone…but being able to be a fly on the wall and see how another family lives is always intriguing for us all! Want more? You can read all our A Day in the Life of an Outdoor Mom posts here! 7:15am: We don’t wake early, but … Read more

Nomadik Box Review

Subscription boxes are a fun way to try new stuff, in this case, gear. The Nomadik Box (“Premium Brands + Functional Gear = Better Adventures”) contains a selection of outdoor products geared towards anyone who loves adventuring. Boxes are sent based on your interests and you can skip any box that doesn’t appeal to you. … Read more

Disana Boiled Wool Jackets

Disana Boiled Wool Jackets are a 3-season staple for us.  They are a very versatile piece of gear as an outer layer or as an inner layer.  In spring and fall they’re a great stand-alone jacket, and in winter they can be layered over or under other pieces. As an Amazon Associate and member of … Read more