Making sure you and your baby have quality gear can make getting outdoors more enjoyable for you both. This post contains some of our teams favorite hiking with a baby gear items!
There were many “cheap” gear purchases I’ve made as a mom for myself and my children only to have to replace them later. As moms, we tend to make sure our kiddos have all the best gear while we “make do” with our old, falling-apart things. Don’t put yourself last! We’ve included all our favorite gear for us moms too so you can find your next upgrade.
Gear can be expensive but there are awesome tips to get the most for your money. Check to see if you can snag some secondhand, especially for the tiniest sizes when babies grow fast and don’t wear through clothing. Start by checking Facebook Marketplace, thrift stores, and REI’s Used Gear. If you do buy new some places like Patagonia Worn Wear have a buyback program when you’re done with your gear.
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- Hiking with a Baby: Modes of Transportation
- Clothing for Hiking with Baby
- Hiking Gear for Mom
- Best Bras for Hiking
- Nursing Bras for Hiking
- Women's Underwear for Hiking
- Best Base Layers for Women
- Women's Hiking Tank Tops
- Best Hiking Shirts for Women
- Women's Hiking Sun Shirt
- Best Shorts for Hiking
- Best Hiking Pants for Women
- Best Hiking Leggings
- Best Mid-Layer for Hiking
- Best Hiking Jacket for Women
- On Your Feet
- What Mom Should Carry
- What to Bring For Feeding on the Trail
- Let the Adventures Begin
- Hiking With Baby Gear
Hiking with a Baby: Modes of Transportation
There are lots of different options to choose from when taking your little one on a hike. Younger babies need to be close to your chest until they develop head control so a soft carrier or wrap would be best, while older babies might like to see out and sit more upright so a framed carrier might work best. Some trails are wide and maintained enough so that alternate modes of transporting a baby such as a jogging stroller or a multisport trailer would work well.
We love all forms of getting babies and moms outside and most of our team has different carriers for different ages/stages and different trails. Look through the list below at our favorites in each category to find the best fit for you and your kiddo. Check out our full list of baby carrier reviews here.
Soft Carriers and Wraps for Hiking
These are perfected for the littlest babies up to toddlers. They do tend to keep baby and mom warmer so while that would be an awesome bonus in winter it may become uncomfortable in summer.
- Moby Fit Hybrid Carrier – Feels like a wrap but slips on like a shirt
- Kinderpack – Sizes for babies all the way to child!
- Tula – Sizes for babies to preschooler
- Boba Air – Perfect for warmer weather
- Trail Magik – Clips to your hiking backpack for no extra straps
Framed Backpack Baby Carrier
Great for babies ages 6 months and up, framed carriers offer a more comfortable way to carry your baby plus gear. They also keep your baby off your body so they are a much cooler way to babywear during warmer months. Check all our Kid Carrier Reviews here!
- Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL – Specially designed for the female body
- Deuter Kid Comfort – My personal favorite and the team voted “most comfy fit”
- Deuter Kid Comfort Pro – More storage plus a detachable day pack
- Osprey Poco Plus – Largest gear capacity
- Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite – Best budget pick
Best Strollers for Hiking and Multisport Trailers
Stollers and multisport trailers are great for neighborhood paths and hiking trails that allow wheels. Perfect for the first few weeks after birth while you fully recover from childbirth and future trail runs. Learn more about our favorite multisport trailers here and our favorite jogging strollers here.
Best Hiking Stroller
With air filled off road tires, these jogging strollers are perfect for hitting the trails. Under the seat storage baskets allow you to store more gear while taking the weight off of your back. Use your stroller during colder or wetter days by getting a weather shield for it! Thule, Bob, Bumbleride, and universal covers are available!
Single Hiking Strollers
- BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 – extra-large storage basket and a special cell phone pocket by the handle
- Bumbleride Speed Jogging Stroller – ecofriendly choice with PFAS free, recycled materials
- Thule Glide 2 Performance Jogging Stroller – integrated handbrake for quick, safe stops
Double Hiking Strollers
- Thule Urban Glide 2 – side ventilation windows for comfort in warm weather
- BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 Duallie – 10 different storage pockets
Jogging Stroller Bike Trailers for Hiking
Get more bang for your buck with a multisport trailer. These are so adaptable and can be used for strolling, jogging, biking, and skiing. A favorite feature of the trailers is the built in weather shield! This is great for colder or windier days and helps keep baby warmer.
Note: Some trailers recommended the use of an infant insert or sling to help support baby until they are a little bigger. (Burley infant insert pictured below)
- Thule Chariot Multisport Trailer – our favorite for all season use and the best for infants with the infant sling
- Burley Encore X – best budget option still loaded with features
Clothing for Hiking with Baby
Making sure the baby is dressed appropriately for the weather is essential to keep your baby safe and comfortable. Choosing layers that can be added or taken off as temperatures change is the most effective way to do this. Make sure to also bring extras in case of blowouts or spills.
Winter Gear for Babies
When taking your baby outside in the winter it is important to make sure they stay warm. Babies who are being carried exert much less energy than you do hiking and therefore get colder much quicker. Make sure to stop and check your baby’s body temp often, especially toes and fingers. Learn more about cold weather hiking with babies in our posts here and here.
Base Layers for Babies
The base layer is the most important layer for keeping your baby warm and dry during cold hikes. To read more about all our favorite kids base layers check out this post. For your wool base layers make sure to check out this post to make sure you care for and wash them properly.
Mid-Layers for Hiking with Baby
Mid-layers help give your baby the extra layer of warmth on cold winter hikes. Remember babies that are carried and not exerting energy need an extra layer than you do against the cold.
- Ella’s Wool TUBES
- Columbia Baby Fleece One Piece
- Patagonia Baby Fleece One Piece
- Baby Deedee Baby Bear Furry Bunting
- Reima Wool Jumpsuit
- Reima Fleece Jumpsuit
Outer Layers for Babies
These one-piece suits are the final layer to keep your baby warm. These three are our favorite and all run large so they will fit your fast-growing baby for a while.
Winter Accessories for Babies
Tiny toes and fingers are the first things to get cold while hiking. Make sure they stay warm with our favorite accessories below. Pro-tip – you can layer wool socks over baby hands for an extra layer of warmth under mittens.
Baby Booties
Warm Baby Hats
Warm Socks for Baby
- Iksplor Wool Socks
- Smartwool Infant Socks – these run small, order a size up
- Baby Wool/Polyester Socks – we own these and love them
Mittens for Baby
Hiking with Baby Gear for the Shoulder Season
Shoulder seasons can be unpredictable. Make sure to pack extra layers in your pack so that you and your baby are covered in case of a sudden temperature change or rainstorm.
Baby Carrier Covers and Babywearing Cover
Carrier covers are an easy way to protect baby from the elements! Carrier covers vary by type, but are great because your baby won’t outgrow them as fast. As long as you are using the carrier, you can use the carrier cover.
- Jan & Jul Babywearing Rain Cover – for all types of soft structured carriers, very versatile and highly recommend!
- Osprey Poco Child Carrier Rain Cover
- Deuter Kid Carrier Rain Cover
Baby Rain Suit
Keep your little one dry with a one piece rain suit. Layered properly underneath, these are great for a wide range of temps.
- Stonz Rainsuit
- Reima Baby Rainsuit
- Jan & Jul Rainsuit
- Oaki Trail suit – You can size way up with these due to the waist cinch
- Infant Critter Jitters Rainsuit – has sizes starting at 0/3 months
Summer Hiking with Baby Gear
Keeping your baby’s delicate skin protected from the sun is so important. We love using framed carriers with sun covers and wearing protective clothing to keep the sun off. Check out all our favorites below.
Babies Sun Protection Gear
The best form of sun protection is always to cover the skin and stay in the shade as much as possible. These are our favorite gear to keep your baby’s skin safe from the sun’s harmful rays.
Sun Shirts for Babies
One Piece Sun and Swim Suits for Babies
Baby Sun Hat
Check out our team’s recommendations for the Best Sun Hats for Kids!
Sun Protection Blankets
Not your typical blanket, this one is a super lightweight material designed to be worn over your baby to protect them from the harsh sun. I love it when my little ones are really tiny and carried in the front.
Sunscreen for Babies
Covering up is always the best option, especially for little ones under 6 months old. When covering a baby’s skin isn’t an option, these are the sunscreens we love.
Hiking Gear for Mom
It is just as important for mom to be comfortable while hiking as it is for baby. Having good gear can keep you feeling more comfortable and confident while out with your baby. Remember when your baby has those blowouts and spit up they might also get on you. Don’t forget to bring yourself backup clothing as well.
We broke down our favorites in each category. If you are looking for more details about our picks make sure to check out our Best Hiking Gear for Women post.
Best Bras for Hiking
Breast size changes during pregnancy and postpartum. Make sure you have a correctly fitting bra to prevent any uncomfortable rubbing or chafing during your hikes.
Nursing Bras for Hiking
For our nursing mamas, we included our favorite sports bras for breastfeeding. For more detail check out this post.
- Big V Racer Back Bra – Small Bust
- Hotmilk Vitality Nursing Bra – Large Bust
Women’s Underwear for Hiking
No one enjoys a sweaty swamp crotch or undies that won’t stay where they are supposed to. These two are our favorites that stay in place, wick away sweat, and don’t get stinky.
Best Base Layers for Women
Just like for your baby, these are the most important layers. Make sure that when you are doing the hard work of hauling a baby your baselayers work hard at keeping you dry and warm while you sweat.
Bottoms
Tops
Women’s Hiking Tank Tops
Sometimes we want a breezes tank in warmer weather. Plus you need the perfect shirt to show off those new muscles you have from lifting a baby all day.
Best Hiking Shirts for Women
These are our favorite tees for hiking or for every day. Breezy and flattering these are perfect for any occasion.
- lululemon Lightweight Cinched Hem Hiking T-shirt
- Helly Hansen Life Active hoodie and t-shirt
- Nui Organics Plunge Tee
Women’s Hiking Sun Shirt
If you had having to put on sunscreen, like me, but want to protect your skin a sun shirt is the perfect answer. These are our favorite and they all have hoodies to keep the sun off the back of your neck.
- Kuhl Engineered Hoody
- Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoodie
- Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie – this is mine and my husbands’ favorite shirt because it is super breathable but it does snag easily
- Ridge Merino Sun Hoodie
Best Shorts for Hiking
When the weather is warmer and the trail is clear shorts are the perfect option for hiking. We love the extra pockets and high raise of all these shorts below.
- lululemon Multi Pocket Cargo High Rise Hiking Short
- lululemon Wunder Train High Rise Short
- Shredly Shorts
Best Hiking Pants for Women
When the trail evolves more climbing or if there is brush to hike through make sure to protect your legs with hiking pants. These are also great over your base layer pants in cooler weather.
- Mountain Hardwear Dynama Pants
- Switchback Ultralight Hiking Joggers
- Title Nine Recycled Clamber Pant 2.0 – a nice wide waistband is great for many waist types!
- Iksplor Women’s Wool Jogger
Best Hiking Leggings
Those of us who enjoy the security and hold that leggings provide have no fear, you can hike in them too. The leggings below are sturdier than your typical legging and are meant for outdoor adventuring.
Best Mid-Layer for Hiking
Mid-layers are perfect for shoulder season hikes and layering under jackets in winter weather. We love the choices below.
Best Hiking Jacket for Women
For your hiking jacket look for a waterproof lightweight jacket that won’t snag on tree branches. The ones we list below are our favorites for blocking the wind and keeping us dry.
On Your Feet
With the weight of both you and your baby on your feet, they take a real beating. Make sure you are supporting them the way they deserve with comfortable and warm socks and shoes.
Wool Socks
Women’s Hiking Boots and Shoes
What Mom Should Carry
Make sure you have all the essentials packed so you are prepared for anything during your adventures. Start with a good pack; either your framed baby carrier or a day pack that you can pair with your soft structured carrier. Next, fill it with all the baby and safety essentials listed below.
Day Packs for Hiking
If carrying baby in a soft structure carrier rather than a framed carried you’ll need a day pack to store all your gear. Check out our favorites below.
- Cotopaxi Batac 24L Pack – Del Dia
- REI Co-op Trail 25 Pack – Women’s – Plenty of room for all the essentials and the pack fully opens to make finding that one item easy.
- Osprey Tempest 34 Women’s Hiking Backpack
Toys and Binkies Hooked to Carrier
If your baby takes a binkie make sure it is secured so it is not lost on the trail. While toys are not essential, they can help keep older babies entertained while riding in a pack.
Blanket for Play Pit Stops
Not essential, but it’s nice to have a dry place for your baby to lay and stretch when you take breaks on the trail.
Wipes and Diapers
When it comes to diapers while hiking this is the time to splurge and size up so your baby feels as dry as possible and you can go longer between changes. Wipes are versatile for all sorts of baby messes. I like these XL ones so I can tackle big messes with one wipe.
Check out this post for more info on dealing with diapering in the outdoors.
Plastic Bags for Soiled Diapers and Clothing
To keep our wilderness clean and to keep your bag from getting stinking and messy, bring these plastic dirty diaper bags to contain all the mess in one place
Safety while Hiking
Whenever you hike make sure to always carry the 10 essentials. Hopefully, you never have an emergency on the trail but always make sure you have the right gear to stay safe if something ever does happen.
- First Aid – First Aid Kit
- Multitool – leatherman Multitool
- Fire Starter – Emergency Fire Starter
- Emergency Shelter Emergency Bivvy
- Safety Whistle – Safety Whistle
- For backcountry travel – Garmin InReach
- Drinking water
What to Bring For Feeding on the Trail
Breastfeeding, formula feeding, pumping mamas, older snack-obsessed babies, and everything in between need different gear when taking your baby on a hike. We tried to include gear for everyone!
Bottles with formula storage
Portable Bottle Warmers (or use an insulated water bottle to store warm water)
Insulated Bottle Bag
Hand Breast Pump
Lots and Lots of Snacks
- Raspberries
- Halved blueberries
- Puffs
- Peanut Butter Puffs
- Pumpkin Puff
- Yogurt/Smoothie melts
- Shredded Cheese
- Reusable Pouch for Yogurts, Apple Sauces, or other Purees
Let the Adventures Begin
Before you hit the trails with your baby, it’s important that you are prepared for what lies ahead. With the right gear for yourself and your baby, hiking with a little one can be fun and comfortable. Babies are unpredictable so be patient with yourself and remember any time outside together is amazing.
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