Outdoor Family Summer Gear Guide

Outdoor Family Summer Gear Guide Overview

We are so pleased to finally release our 2021 summer gear and adventure guide, sponsored by Fenix. This summer we have partnered with these featured brands to help showcase some really great gear that will make your summer adventures just a little bit easier with your family.

Make sure you scroll all the way down so you don’t miss anything – it’s huge and full of ideas! I personally love guides like this because they give me all sorts of items to snag as gifts or just boost our own gear pile.

NOTE: At the very bottom we have listed all our special coupons and special deals on these products (see the table of contents below for an easy link).

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Fenix Lighting

Our motto? You can never have too many camp lights! Fenix has a wide range of great lighting we love and depend on as a family year-round. Note: We recommend purchasing directly from Fenix because of a wide range of counterfeit Fenix products in the US marketplace.

CL30R Lantern

We love this lantern because it is bright, rechargeable and has a USB for charging. It has five brightness levels which means it works great for in the tent, in a cabin or just for power outages.

HL18R-T Rechargeable Headlamp

The HL18R-T is a rechargeable headlamp with an easy-fit SPORT headband fit system that makes adjustments easy. It emits 500 lumens, is lightweight and has separate switches for a spotlight (with 3 brightness levels), a floodlight and a SOS light. It can also be used with AAA batteries if you don’t have easy access for charging.

E28R Rechargeable Flashlight

Of all the flashlights that have come through our home, this is by far my favorite. It packs a big punch for such a small light with a maximum of 1500 lumens for a distance of 656 feet. It is also tough and rechargeable so great for adventures or just a night walk in the neighborhood.

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Iksplor Adventure Blanket

This is hands-down my favorite blankets for kids of ALL ages (and adults too!) The Iksplor Adventure Blanket works as a swaddle (it’s super stretchy), a baby blanket, a towel, and a travel blanket. But, truly the usages are limitless! Lightweight and easy to pack, it’s perfect for car trips too.

Finally, we love the large size (48″ x 48″) so there’s plenty of blanket for covering or rolling up for snuggling. I happen to know they make perfect pillows for airport naps.

Check out our full review of the Iksplor Adventure Blanket here.

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Dude Ranch Vacations

If you have never considered a Dude Ranch vacation, get it on your calendar. I was lucky enough to go on one in high school with my family. Quite honestly, I went kicking and screaming, but it ended up being one of my very favorite family vacations ever.

I then worked at the CM Ranch in Dubois, Wyoming for a few years which is one of the oldest Dude Ranches in the country and one I highly recommend. I am close friends with the managers and it’s my favorite place in Wyoming.

Visiting a Dude Ranch is a fantastic outdoor family vacation that promotes getting outside, teaches new skills (like horseback riding) and is perfect for the whole family or even multi-generational families.

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Oboz Sypes Hiking Boots for Men and Women

I have tough feet to keep comfortable – they are wide with high arches. Therefore I am super picky about hiking boots because I just don’t have time to worry about my feet when we are hiking as a family. I have used and been a fan of Oboz for years as they keep my feet happy even on long hikes. Oboz boots are made for mountain style AND performance on the trail and they do it very well.

Features of the Sypes collection include a proprietary O FIT Insole made with Bloom Algae’s sustainable algae biomass, 100% REPREVE® fibers created from plastic bottles in the laces and webbing, CORDURA® fibers for enhanced durability, and their proprietary waterproofing system, B-DRY.

Check out other Oboz boots we love and hiking boots we recommend for women in this post.

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Sabre Pepper Spray Pepperlight 2-in-1 Flashlight Pepper Spray

Looking for safety on the trail? The Sabre Pepperlight is part pepper spray, part flashlight: one complete safety solution! Sabre has the industry-leading pepper spray (great for bear protection too!), but this product is perfect for hiking solo or just with kids. You shouldn’t have to feel nervous on the trail – this is a great tool to keep in your pack.

The police-strength pepper spray provides maximum security in a powerful stream to reduce wind blowback and protect from a distance with a 10-foot (3 meter) range and 25 bursts (5x more than other brands).

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Glamping Rental

Not a fan of tent camping? Love the campfire, but hate sharing a bathroom or peeing in the woods? Try glamping!

Glamping Hub is a online booking platform that specializes in luxury outdoor accommodations across the globe to find the perfect place for your family. We love the idea of spending the night (or week!) in a treehouse or luxury cabin, but there are tons of different options.

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Shred Dog Gear For Kids

We have been huge fans of Shred Dog for years for their quality, customer service and cut-out-the-middleman pricing. While their focus is on gear for the colder months, we highly recommend the following two pieces for perfect all-season layering. They are our go-to layers for camping.

Foundation Base Layer Top

My kids all wear their Foundation Base tops for layering for colder weather and for evenings around the fire. They are stretchy, soft on the inside and have great thumb holes too. They are also moisture-wicking so perfect for cool mornings and evenings biking, hiking or camping.

Essential Mid-Layer Fleece

Thicker than the base layer top and with a full zip, my kids prefer these fleeces to any others we own. The grid fleece on the inside helps not only retain heat, but also wick away moisture. They are great for laying with other Shred Dog pieces for added warmth too.

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Stanley Insulated Legendary Camp Mug

Our family each has one of these Legendary mugs from Stanley and we love them especially for around the campfire. They’re made tough with Stanley’s double-wall vacuum insulation, so our favorite drinks stay hot or cold longer.

While they are a little big for tiny hands, the secure press-fit Tritan™ lid also prevents splashes, which makes them perfect for kids. We also love that they’re big enough for oatmeal for kids.

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Ravean Portable Power Bank

This eco-conscious, cork-wrapped device packs a significant amount of heat and power that works for charging devices AND as a hand warmer in the winter. Designed with a 5volt, 2-amp USBA charging port, it’s powerful enough to charge a phone and other on-the-go electronic devices. I love that it weighs only 5.1 ounces so totally works for backpacking too.

The outside cork material repels moisture, is easy to grip and has over thirty percent more heat conduction than other hand warmers.

Ravean products are also available at Amazon.

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GCI Outdoor FirePit Rocker

I have used and loved my GCI Rocker for years now and get comments on it from everyone we camp with. I love the lower seat height for a relaxing fit and the mesh back on the FirePit rocker.

Their patented spring-action rocking technology means smooth rocking on just about any flat surface, making it perfect for camping.

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Absorbits Wet Rescue Pouch

Outdoor activities are often rough on our mobile devices, especially when we depend on them so much for safety, communication and taking great photos of our family. Having an Absorbits moisture remover pouch on hand can save you time and money when dealing with a wet phone.

The patented Bone-Dri Technology removes moisture from your mobile device in a matter of hours and can be dried and used again. We love that it fits nearly every smartphone out there.

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Disc-O-Bed Bunk Beds and Duvalay

We are so excited about these portable beds for kids that bunk to help consolidate sleeping in small spaces. They are very high quality and will last for years and years. Check out the comments in this Facebook post (and join the Outdoor Family Chat group if you haven’t already!) for some great photos on how they are used by different outdoor families.

Kid-O-Bunk with Organizers

The Kid-O-Bunk is perfect for families on the go! Use it as a bunk, a bench, or 2 single cots to make the most of the space you have. Assembling the Kid-O-Bunk quick and easy with no tools, and it packs away into two easy to carry bags so they can be used together or separately. Available in three colors for kids and in adult sizes too!

Disc-O Bed Duvalay

The Duvalay is our luxury sleeping bag that is the perfect accessory to our bunks. The memory foam sleeping pad with attached duvet improves sleeping comfort anywhere. The Duvalay is offered in 3 sizes and 4 unique patterns. Take the comfort of home, wherever you go. I love that they fit the bunks perfectly and are truly so comfortable.

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Tactica Gear Hex Drive Toolkit

The Tactica M.250 is the ideal toolkit for keeping the tools you need handy for when you want them most….and our family could use three of them! It packs all your driver needs with 12 unique hex bits and a 2″ extender, all in an ultra compact size. Perfect for keeping in the car and in the camper.

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Reima Washable Footwear for Kids

We love the quality of Reima shoes and they have some great styles this summer that are washable (yep, even in the machine), breathable and durable.

The Reima Mukavin Sneakers are the lightest sneaker style they have, which my kids love. They are also easy to pull on and off and have great cushion for running and playing.

Their Rantaan Sandals are especially flexible, have great grip and don’t cause blisters because of the soft material they are made of (yay!) They are also vegan and fluorocarbon free.

Note: Reima footwear does run slightly big so size down if between sizes.

Reima Swimwear for Kids

Reima continues to impress us each season with their comfort and durability. The whole swim collection is rated UPF 50+ and made from recycled plastic bottles to keep both the kids and waters protected.

My girls love their two-piece suits and the boys are comfortable in their sun shirts and swim shorts.

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Jelt Belts for the Whole Family

Jelt Belts makes belts for the whole family that are designed to work for outdoor activities or just with your everyday jeans. We love that they have no metal parts for traveling and are flat and not bulky for comfort.

The best part? They’re made from recycled plastic bottles and a portion of every belt goes to organizations supporting veterans, kids and the environment.

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Wolf ‘Em Roasting Sticks

We discovered Wolf’Em sticks this year and they have been a super fun s’mores alternative. Simply wrap a piece of biscuit dough around the wooden cooking end and roast until golden brown. Then fill the biscuit cup with your favorite dessert or dinner filling. Product includes rotary handle, detachable hot dog/marshmallow roaster PLUS biscuit cup attachment.

We love ours with a little ice cream and whipped cream on top when we are camping in our camper (and have access to a freezer).

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Kids Full Wetsuit from Mountain Warehouse

Wetsuits are a must-have gear item for summer play. Not only do they keep kids warm and protected from the sun and abrasions, but that extra buoyancy skyrockets confidence for water sports.

The Full Wetsuit from Mountain Warehouse is available in sizes 3T – 16 and comes in seven different colors. We love that it has different levels of thickness around the body for the best comfort, flat seams and a close fit. Plus it’s affordable!

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Road Trip Survival Guide

Have a road trip planned this summer? The Road Trip Survival Guide by Rob Taylor is the one-stop-shop for planning and navigating road trip travel with your family.

Features include road trip planning tips and tools, road trip themes and prompts, packing, roadside safety, snack recipes, easy on-the-road meal prep/planning, and 18 road trip itineraries around the USA (10), Canada (5) and Mexico (3). Don’t miss the forward by Samantha Brown of Samantha Brown’s Places to Love.

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Road Trip Auto Supplies from Pep Boys

What is summer without some sort of road trip….and subsequent need for auto parts. Pep Boys specializes in auto parts and accessories at a discount.

Use them for keeping your car running well, keeping it clean (think mud mats) and helping you pack it all in (check out their travel accessories!)

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Saris Bicycle Rack Swing Away Accessory

The Saris Swing Away Accessory turns your favorite Saris hitch rack into a swing away to make loading and unloading easier. Featuring 90° of pivot, the Swing Away Accessory gives you free and clear hatch access without removing your bikes. Perfect for having complete access to storage for your family.

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Stonz Gear for Kids

We have used and loved Stonz mittyz and Stonz boots for years. More recently they have come out with a line of gear to keep kids safely outside in the summer months.

Stonz Sun Suits

Stonz full body sun suits are chemical free and have 50 UPF UV protection uniquely woven directly into the fibers. Because of the way they are made, they won’t fade from sun or chlorine so you can worry less about what your kid is wearing and more about enjoying your time with them.

Stonz Kids’ Sunglasses

Stonz sunglasses or babies and kids up to age 6 have polarized lenses, unbreakable frames, and 100% UVA/UVB 400 protection. We love that they fully cover little eyes keeping out all direct sunlight.

Stonz Diaper Bag

Finally! A diaper bag really made for outdoor families. This highly functional bag has a wet pocket, a change pad, insulated pockets, zippered pockets and bottle pockets and removable/adjustable stroller straps.

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Wanderwild Kids’ Explorer Backpack

We believe experiences are everything and having the right gear goes a long way. Wanderwild agrees.

Wanderwild created backpacks with great features, fun prints, and the right fit for kids. They feature pockets where you want them, adjustable straps, and details made for kids’ fingers for easy use. Wanderwild packs are perfect for school, sports, trips and hiking.

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Folding Kayak from Folding Boat Company

The kayak folds down and can be stored and transported in an included backpack. It’s also super lightweight – 21lbs – and can hold a parent and kid, making it ideal for family adventures off the beaten track.

Also – funny story. I was given this photo by the brand to share and realized it is a guy I went to high school with and his family. Small world! Hi Adam!

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Bind Buddy

If you’re like me, you often have gear hanging off everywhere as you try to carry it all. BindBuddy helps! It is a simple and strong device that easily attaches to any bag strap (backpack, purse, stroller, etc.) It firmly holds any garment or soft goods, keeping them close and secure at all times so you can enjoy a hands-free adventure. Perfect for kids (or you) shedding layers as you go.

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>>>Special Deals for you on these products!<<<

• Absorbits: Go here and Use code “MTNMAMA” for 20% off Absorbits products
• Disc-O-Bed: Go here and use code “MTNMAMA20” for 20% off.
• Iksplor: Go here and Use code “mtnmama20” for 20% off
• Reima: Go here and use code “mtnmama” for 20% off
• Shred Dog: Go here and use code “TMM25” for 25% off or “TMM35” for 35% off orders over $400
• Wolf ‘Em: Go here and use code “mtnmama” for 5% off when you buy direct from Wolf’Em (cheaper than Amazon!)

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