When heading into the backcountry with kids (that can’t carry much weight in their own packs) you need to make sure you have everything you need, but at the most minimal level. Finding gear that is ultra lightweight is a really good option but can be expensive. You don’t need the best and lightest to get out into the backcountry, but it does make it easier on you. When we first started out we didn’t really pay much attention to how much things weighed as it was just the two of us. Now with our girls in tow we have started to reassess what we have and are starting to switch out some of our heavier things for lighter, when gear goes on sale.
We have things pretty dialed in as to what we need and don’t need when heading into the backcountry with our two girls. After all, everything we bring has to fit in our two packs being an Osprey Aether Plus 85L and a Deuter Aircontact 60+10L. Here is a detailed list of what we bring.
How we all dress for day of hike:
Merino wool T-shirt
Shorts/pants
Underwear
Merino wool socks
KIDS CLOTHING:
***This list is for 2 kids of the same age that wear the same size so can be shared if needed.***
Pants x2
Sweater x2
Underwear x4
T-shirt x2
Mitts x2
Toque x2
Brimmed hat x2
Thermkids – Rain jacket and pants x2
Lamington merino wool socks x2
Pull-ups x2 (wear at night as a precaution, as a wet sleeping bag could end the trip)
SHANNON’S CLOTHING:
Pants – OR Ferrosi
Shorts
Long sleeve Lasting merino wool top
Merino wool socks x2 – Icebreaker hike light cushion
Rain jacket – North Face, and pants
Toque
Merino wool gloves – Icebreaker tech glove liners
Long underwear (shoulder season hiking)
TYSON’S CLOTHING:
Pants with zip off legs to make shorts
Long sleeve Lasting merino wool top
Underwear x2
Merino wool socks x2 – Icebreaker hike light cushion
Puffer jacket
Rain jacket – Marmot minimalist, and pants
Toque
Lightweight gloves
Long underwear (shoulder season hiking)
SLEEP SETUP:
Adults – Thermarests x2
Kids – MEC Reactor sleeping pad x2
Kids – Junior sleeping bags x2
Tyson – Mountain Hardware Bishop Pass -1 sleeping bag
Shannon – Kelty -7 sleeping bag
12L Compression sacks x2 for all sleeping bags/puffer jackets
Seat cushions – double as a pillow
COOKING STUFF:
We all eat our meals out of the same pot/dehydrated meal bag so don’t bring plates/bowls.
MSR heat reflector with windscreen
Lighter
Utensils
Blue scrubbie
WATER FILTRATION:
We bring two types of water filtration as we use the SteriPen while hiking, refilling our water bottles at creeks and streams along the way, and the Platypus GravityWorks once at camp.
ESSENTIALS:
First aid kit, Bactine, chapstick
Medication (Motrin, Advil, Tylenol, Benadryl prescription)
Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, ziplock bags (in dry bag)
Toothbrushes, toothpaste
Tensor bandage
Foldable knife
Fire starter
Battery charger pack
Extra carabiners
Bear spray x2
Thermacell (for the bugs)
Sunscreen
Adults – Julbo sunglasses x2
Kids – MEC sunglasses x2
Wet wipes
Rope
Camera – Nikon
Garbage bag (we usually just use our dehydrated meal pouches as they seem to lock in the smell)
FOOD:
***Disclaimer*** This is what we bring for our multi days. This is just a rough guide more for ideas than actual amounts. This WILL vary for everyone.
Dehydrated meals x the amount of days you will be gone plus 1 extra just in case
***We always do bring a dessert dehydrated meal in case the girls don’t eat much dinner. They hike some much and need the calories and this chocolate Mudslide is loaded with them, plus they LOVE it!***
Snacks – granola bars, protein bars, fruit bars, trail mix, chips
Oatmeal
Wraps, salami, cheese, mayo packets
Bagels
Beef jerky, pepperoni sticks, precooked bacon
Apples, veggies
Lifesavers (keep in waist belt of pack for quick energy boost)
All small items get placed into our Colibri bags to keep organized. They are waterproof bags, made in Canada. Much better for the environment than plastic bags. You can use code Shannon10 to save.
We also bring cheese and salami in Stasher bags as they are leakproof and can also withstand boiling water making them also double as a bowl to make oatmeal if needed.
FOOTWEAR:
Girls – Mountain warehouse Junior drift waterproof hikers
Shannon – Scarpa GoreTex hiking boots
Tyson – Meindl hiking boots
Girls – Native shoes/rubber boots depending on time of year (around camp)
Shannon and Tyson – Crocs
BACKPACKS:
Tyson’s – Osprey Aether Plus 85L mens
Shannon’s – Deuter Aircontact 60+10L womens
Girls’: – Mini backpacks – some stuffies, small blanket, granola bar, fruit snacks (hiking candy)
Trail Magik’s x2 – These we keep hidden from the girls, but they are there for if and when the girls get tired and need a ride. Use code RESTLESSCRUSADE for a discount. This is an affiliate code, and we do get a small kickback when you use our discount code.
And, the final thing we tend to forget a lot…..
Hiking poles x3 – Sometimes the girls want them so we bring one extra pair that we can rotate with.
A few items may be added or removed depending on the season and duration of the hike and weather forecast.
***This gear list is just a guide of what we bring. There may be other things you will need that are not on this list. Please use your own judgement when packing for your trip***
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