Hiking with kids can be tough. Some things make it easier, like patience. While you can’t buy that at a store, you can get the following gear. It’ll help your family explore outdoors.

You should know that almost every product listed here is something we’ve purchased ourselves, loved and used for several years. I wouldn’t put it on this page otherwise.

In case you can’t tell, the following links are affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking these links I receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Child Carriers

Hiking with babies is very different than hiking with older kids, mostly because you are carrying them the whole way. The best piece of equipment for that is a good child carrier appropriate for the baby’s age.

The Moby Wrap and Baby Bjorn is great for hiking (and doing anything else) with babies age 0-6 months, especially because you can still wear a backpack to carry water, snacks and diapers. Read a review here.
A framed hiking pack like the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT, Deuter Kid Comfort or Osprey Poco Plus is great for children age 6-24 months, after they can hold their head up on their own.
For toddlers age 2-3 years I prefer the Onya Nexstep or another soft structured carrier because it’s easier to let the kid down so they can walk on their own for a bit.

Hiking Ten Essentials

The Hiking Ten Essentials are a list of emergency items. To get an exclusive download of the Hiking Ten Essentials for Families sign up in the box below.

Navigation: map, compass, altimeter, GPS device, personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger
Sun protection: sunglasses, sun-protective clothes and sunscreen
Insulation: jacket, sweater, extra layer of clothes
Illumination: flashlight, headlamp, lantern and extra batteries
First aid supplies: including foot care and insect repellent as needed
Fire: matches, lighter, tinder and/or stove
Repair Kit and Tools: knife
Nutrition: extra food
Hydration: extra water, water filter
Emergency Shelter: carried at all times can be a light emergency blanket

You should always carry the Ten Essentials every time you hike. Here are some of the items I pack almost every time we hike.

Water is by far the most important and heaviest item you’ll carry while hiking. Except your child. Both a camelbak bladder or the Hydroblu Clear Flow bottle with built-in filter have sip tops that young kids can use without spilling all over themselves or you.
Candy? Yep. I’m not above bribery.
Sun protection includes wearing appropriate clothing, hats, and sunglasses and using sunscreen. Chapstick with an SPF can work as sunscreen in a pinch.
I always recommend wearing layers while hiking (insulation) and having an extra sweatshirt or puffy in your pack. Read this post for more tips on hiking with kids.
In addition to these ten essential items I always have my phone for GPS. And to take photos.

Hiking Day Packs

When you first start out hiking use what you’ve already got for a day pack – any backpack can work. We’ve used a variety of day packs depending on our kids’ ages and if we were carrying them or using a stroller.

Just know that a quality pack can last for years (Mountain Dad used his Camelbak Mule for fifteen years). Here are the day packs we use and love, some are older than my children.

NOTE: Some of our specific styles have been discontinued, in which case I featured the closest pack to ours that I could find.

A diaper bag backpack with changing pad can double great as a hiking pack when baby’s in the stroller on a front carrier.
A toddler toy backpack with a leash can make hiking fun for kids while keeping them safe.
The best hiking pack for preschoolers is the one they will actually wear. This Deuter Kikki pack doubled as a kindergarten school bag at our house.
If you’re babywearing while hiking, you may want a hip pack like the Osprey Tempest 6 to hold other gear like water bottles, snacks and essentials.
I keep a zippered tote bag in my car with a change of clothes for each kid, winter hats, gloves, extra diapers, emergency snacks, sunblock and bug spray. An extra adventure gear bag has saved me SO many times.

Hiking Socks, Shoes and Sandals

Darn Tough lightweight wool socks are the ONLY socks I ever recommend. Made in the USA, they have a 100% guarantee, meaning they will replace your socks if needed for any reason.
I’m not a fan of heavy hiking boots. Leightweight, waterproof, trail running shoes are so much better.
For winter hiking and snowshoe adventures, Bogs and Adidas Terrex sent us some samples that we LOVE. I highly recommend Bogs winter boots, find out why here.
Keen, Bogs and Kamik sent us kids sandals to try out. Watch our reviews on our YouTube channel here.

Additional Hiking Gear

The items listed here are really nice to have, depending on the hike you’re on. Remember that each additional item you pack is more weight you’ll have to carry, so choose wisely.

If I’m hiking with kids on a well established path and you can bet it’ll be less than five miles round trip. That means I may leave some of these items in a gear bag in my car, especially if I’m already carrying a child. I’m not a pack mule!

Monkey Mat gave us a lightweight ground cover that’s great for diaper changes, small picnics and breaks with non-mobile babies that you don’t want to put right in the dirt.
Wag Bags (GO anywhere toilet kit) are the best solution we’ve found for pooping on the trail. They work a lot like cleaning up after a pet.
I buy water bottles second hand at my local thrift store and always look for sippy tops my kids can use without spilling on themselves (or me).
Snacks, snacks and more snacks. Be sure to include snacks kids can open on their own (apples are great for this).

Hiking Clothes for Kids and Adults

First off, just wear what you have for hiking. It’s better to get outside than worry about what you’re wearing. If what you have gets uncomfortable then look at getting some items shown here.

Second, whenever possible buy second hand. It’s better for the environment to reuse perfectly good clothing and gear. Look for lightweight fleece and anything with pockets. I also LOVE hiking in skirts over exercise leggings because I feel more feminine and skirts can double as a ground cover or handkerchief.

The only hiking clothes items I don’t buy second hand are hiking socks and shoes because I think they mold to the wearer’s feet.

There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes, so be prepared with sun protection, rain gear or insulated snow suits and gloves if needed.
When hiking in fall, winter, or spring layering is key. We like merino wool base layers and fleece mid layers. Read more about dressing kids for winter play here.
I received some gear from Adidas Terrex (these leggings and this puffy) and liked them so much I asked to be an affiliate for them.

Backpacking

While I haven’t mustered the courage to go backpacking with ALL the tots yet, we do have some great gear for when Mountain Dad or I go with our oldest or on our own. Check out all of our Backpacking gear here.

Many of the items we use for backpacking, we also use when car camping with the kids. Check out my camping resources page for more.

Have any items you’d add to this list? Let me know in the comments below!

See you in the outdoors,

~Mountain Mom