I dream of the day him and I can fish together and have looked into rods that may be suitable for him at a young age. I came to the sport late, really taking an interest in the past couple of years. As a child I’d fish golf course ponds, but without any luck. Fast forward a couple decades and I moved from the 16th green obstacle to mountain streams. For me, it doesn’t get much better than wet wading on a warm summer day several thousand feet above sea level. And one of the best things about fishing is the gear. There is a never ending supply of gear to be had. From rods to fly lines to flies and clothing – you will spend a small fortune to catch tiny fish. Fishing with kids is a much different experience, but there is still gear to be had. The most basic is fishing rod. I like to fly fish, but a young child may be take to that right away. You’re just going to have to judge your child and your patience. But below I list a few rods that may work for your fishing outing.

Best spin fishing rod for a young kid

Zebco 202 Spincast Reel and Fishing Rod Combo

If you want to get to the fishing, this favorite and classic Zebco 202 reel and rod combo is a fantastic choice. It’s easy to use, comes highly rated and even includes tackle. As passionate as I am about fly fishing, this has a good chance of being the first fishing rod I purchase for my son. I want to get him on the water and catching fish as soon as possible. The fact is, it’s much easier to do so with a rod like this. It’s 5 feet 6 inches long, allowing younger fisherman to manage it more easily than longer rods. Line management is significantly easier with the enclosed system. The tackle pack includes 6 hooks, 6 split-shot sinkers, 3 swimbaits, 3 jig heads, 6 curly-tail grubs, 1 spinner attachment, and 2 bobbers. This is a great rod for kids targeting small fish. It is only right-hand retrieve thought. And if you want to have some fun, check out their Star Wars themed fishing rod.

Best fly fishing rod for a young kid

Wild Water Fly Fishing 5 Foot 6 Inch, 4-Piece, 3-Weight Fly Rod Complete Fly Fishing Rod and Reel Combo Starter Package

You can spend thousands on a fly fishing combo. You may have. But one of the best rods for beginners and young kids is the Wild Water Fly Fishing lineup. Their 9 foot 5/6 weight was my first fly fishing rod and several rods later, I still use it. In fact I had bought and “upgrade” rod, but found myself going back to the Wild Water rod because it fit me and my casting style. As I was considering one for child, who is many years from casting a fly rod, I immediately looked to see what Wild Water had available. And I wasn’t disappointed. This Wild Water 5 foot 6 inch three weight fly rod is perfect for the young fly fisher chasing trout in mountain streams or smaller fish near shore.  Intended as a backpacking rod, the short length will give your child a bit more control on when casting and traveling. The line is solid, though could be upgraded if need be. The reel does it’s job and likely won’t be much of a concern for little ones. This set also comes with necessary fly fishing accessories such as flies, fly box, nippers, rod tube and leader. I actually still use wild water nippers several years after purchasing the set. And if you’d like more flies, they have a 60-piece set with a range of them.

Best Tenkara Rod for a young kid

TINY TENKARA CO. Tiny Ten 5 Foot Mini Ultralight Carbon Fiber Tenkara Fly Fishing Rod

I’m not sure if you’ve ever tried tenkara fishing, but it’s a blast. There’s something about how simple it is that is tremendously appealing. You have a rod, a leader and a fly. These rods also collapse down relatively small. So small, that I always have one in my truck, stowed under the seat. My Sawtooth Tenkara Rod from Tenkara Rod Co. extends from 36 inches to 12 feet. But the one I found while searching for the best tenkara rod for kids is less than half that length when extended. At only five feet long once extended, and just barely larger than a dollar bill when collapsed, the Tiny Tenkara Tiny Ten 5 rod would be an ideal fly fishing rod for young kids on small streams. With its short stature it should help reduce the amount of branches and bushes that get whacked. It’s much more controllable for tiny hands and arms. There’s a simplicity to it that’ll kids to focus on fishing and not line, reels, leaders and tippets. A longer rod will allow kids to reach more water, and fortunately Tiny Tenkara makes an 8 foot version.

Best toy fishing rod for a young kid

BESSENTIALS Magnet Baby Bath Fishing Toys

If you only buy one rod for your young child, consider this one. Let’s face, kids will most likely get bored fishing long before they hook one. Giving them some toys to play with while you cast a few lines is a win-win situation. They get to play and you get to fish. What I really like about this fishing rod toy is that it is magnetic versus hooks when securing the fish, the fish (or whales in this case) move in the water without batteries. You can also reel in the fish and net them with the included frog net. It’s also BPA free and fights mold so you can play with this in the tub. Bring this with you when you hit the water and ensure someone walks away successfully. Legos are also a solid choice to entertain kids while parents fish.

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Do you need another stroller? No. Do you need a wagon stroller. Absolutely. Ok, maybe you don’t need one. The wagon stroller appealed to me for its multitool-like capabilities. Classic GearDad.   Wagon Strollers can handle getting off the pavement with ease. The stroller wagon can haul more than just a kid, but gear that goes with that kid. It seems much more engaging for the little ones, who get a different view of the world while on the move. I bought one picturing myself, GearMom and little one rolling down a trail on a hike, with lunch and picnic blankets ridding shotgun in the wagon stroller. It’s perfect. And the fact is most stroller wagons, and I was looking at all-terrain wagons in particular, can go places my regular stroller (which I love) can’t. That’s why you get one. There are strollers that get off the sidewalk and onto the dirt with ease as well, but something about the stroller wagon feels like a perfect meshing of parental and child needs. You go places you want to go with the kid, while they experience the trip in a fashion that is quintessentially childlike.

What are the best stroller wagons?

Like a lot of kid stuff, there are many options that fit a spectrum of budgets and needs. The best will be relative, but several caught my eye when searching for the one that fit my family. There’s the Radio Flyer 3-in-1, which is at a good wagon price point and has two seats. Plus it folds down nicely. The highly rated Evenflo Pivot Xplore All-Terrain Stroller Wagon, which can handle many different terrains and is packed with features. The Jeep Deluxe Wrangler Stroller Wagon by Delta Children allows for various carseats to be used for extra little ones, and comes with a cooler. And you can’t leave out the Veer Wagon, which is a luxurious wagon with a luxurious price tag.

Why I bought the Gladly Family Anthem2 Wagon Stroller

But I went with the new kid on the block, and got a Gladly Family Anthem2 2-Seater All-Terrain Wagon Stroller.  They also have a 4-seater version, which allows you to carry up to four kids, go figure. So why go with the Gladly, which when I ordered, was still waiting to deliver its first batch of wagons? Let me tell you. I planned on buying the Veer. Finally, I convinced that nagging money-focused portion of my mind that spending a significant amount of dough on a wagon would pay for itself in good times. I liked the Evenflo, particularly the price, but it lacked a way to make the inside flat for a quick nap and the shades seemed to offer a lot of coverage, but fell short. I could probably live with those issues. The Veer had solutions to those problems, though. But those solutions came at a price. Out of the box, the Veer leaves a lot to be desired. Namely, comfort. Sun shades, storage basket, nap system, comfort seat, and cup holders all cost extra. When I had all I wanted in my shopping cart, it was well over $1,000. It was a tough price to stomach. Fortunately I stumbled upon the Gladly Family Anthem. I don’t remember how, they weren’t even shipping them yet, but the wagon checked a lot of boxes for me. It comes with two sunshades, that zip together. It has a nap system and storage basket included. All-terrain tires are beefy enough to handle sand, snow and trails. Lastly, it’s $500 – less than half the cost of a Veer stroller wagon. There’s also coupon codes floating out there to get you closer to $400. I was sold, and so was a Gladly Family Anthem Wagon Stroller.

Gladly Family Anthem2 Wagon Stroller Review

I’ve been using the wagon for about a month, once our little one was ready to sit up in it. He was so pumped his first time in the stroller wagon and that has held true. Compared to a stroller, little one has a completely different and open view of the world. It’s a much different perspective, one that my little guy has enjoyed. I bought the wagon as Gladly was getting their initial shipment of wagons to the states. I saw wagons in the hand of a couple of instagram influencers and they looked good. They at least rolled. So I pulled the trigger long before Christmas to ensure it would have a spot under the tree for little one. Why did I buy the Gladly Family Anthem2 Wagon Stroller? It came with everything I wanted in the Veer, for a third of the price. It has a nap system and two sun shades that zip together. The wagon also comes with a brake, storage basket, snack tray, cup holder and three-point harness. As a GearDad, I appreciate well-thought out equipment.

I’m a fan of the Gladly Family Anthem

The Gladly Family wagon is a solid set of wheels. Assembly was easy enough. The parts feel well made. It rolls so smooth. We haven’t really used out stroller – which we also love – since getting the wagon. Getting baby in and out is a breeze. We are able to hide him from the sun and weather, with both sun shades, and the wagon effortlessly goes from being pushed to being pulled. That allows much more ability when trying not to blast little one with sun. He loves it as well. When he’s fussy, we just strap him into the wagon and go for a walk, he immediately calms down. He can also play with his toys easily while in the wagon. We haven’t tested out the nap system yet, but it is very sturdy. What I love about the wagon, is its ability to go places strollers can only dream of. In the grass? Not a problem. Cruising the trail? Try to keep up. Its larger rear wheels really make this an easy ride. Pushing the wagon takes some getting used to, as it can be difficult to make quick turns, but it’s an adjustment that will get easier with time. Also I love the customer service. I had a question before purchasing and got quick and helpful responses back quickly. And they provide great updates on their Instagram page. The wagon also gets style points. I really like the colors they’ve chosen and purchased the “sand and sea” color before they sold out of that style. Though as of this writing there is one Anthem4 in “sand and sea” on Amazon.

 

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What could be better about the Gladly Family Anthem Stroller Wagon?

Take all these notes, with my opinion that this is a great wagon. And with this being the initial release, I can only imagine the good things that are to come from Gladly Family. But what could be better? I really liked the idea of a five point harness on the Veer. I think all stroller wagons would probably benefit from that, and this is no different. An older kid would like be find without one, but babies and toddlers would benefit from one. If you have a small baby you can get a carseat adapter, which is not a con, but this felt like the right time to mention it. With that said, the three-point harness is great. The seat in which they are connect to and little one sits on is hard plastic. I would love to see a bit more comfort there. It’s slightly larger than the Veer and doesn’t collapse down as neatly. That’s mostly not a problem for me, as I just toss it in the bed of my truck. I did have dreams of gate checking the wagon for a trip to a National Park (I read about someone doing that with a Veer), but it is too large to go through the conveyor belt (the Veer can make it) so it would have to be hand inspected. No big deal. But honestly, it’s probably not a good idea to gate check your expensive wagon. The only other note I have is that I do get wheel chatter on the front two wheels at times. Specifically going downhill quickly.

Conclusion

Stroller wagons are great in that your kid can use them for years and once they’ve outgrown them you can use it in many other ways. If you’re looking for an all-terrain wagon, the Gladly Family Anthem2 or Anthem4 are worth your consideration. They’re well-made, super easy to push and pull, look great and come kitted out. You get everything you need at a third of the price of other competitors. I’m not sure there’s another wagon that gives you so much for your money.

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The Alabama Hills are about six hours from Sacramento, down Highway 395. If you’re coming from Los Angeles, they’re about three hours away. And not to forget about my Central San Joaquin Valley adventures, it’s about four hours from Fresno heading down Highway 99 and dipping around the Sierra to catch Highway 395 north.

If you’ve seen the movie Tremors you’ve seen the Alabama Hills.

via GIPHY

The Alabama Hills are a formation of rounded rocks and eroded hills set between the Sierra Nevada and Inyo Mountains. Both geologic features were shaped 100 million years ago by the same uplifting event. The Alabama Hills area (Payahuunadü) is on the traditional land of the Paiute and Shoshone (Nüümü and Newe) people. It is a visually rich area often used in movies. When we visited in late spring there was a fantastic migration of butterflies.

It can be a harsh and rugged environment, but such a fun one for your family with proper precautions and proper gear. It can get very warm during the day in the summer and very cold at night throughout the year. The wind can come howling down the Sierra. It can also snow at times, which regardless of the inconveniences of roughing it in the snow, would be awesome to see.

Camping (new changes and restrictions) in the Alabama Hills

It’s a popular place and has only gotten more popular. In fact, organizations have now stepped in to help preserve the awesomeness of the Alabama Hills. Though this means some big changes, which include limiting camping areas, establishing day-use areas, and eventually requiring a permit (an informational one similar to a fire permit) to camp in certain areas. There are now six porta potties as well.

I’m writing this in February 2022, and camping is allowed east of Movie Road, which is the main road in the Alabama Hills. To the west is the area where the Tremors rock pole vaulting scene took place, and no camping is allowed there. Soon – and by the look of it, very soon – camping will be limited to a very specific area of the Alabama Hills, which are circled in purple below and available on this map. The area that you often see associated with the Alabama Hills is in the lower right portion, where it says Movie Flat.

There are actual campgrounds nearby, which is where I think these organizations really want you to camp. Here’s a list of campgrounds all a stone’s throw away from Movie Flat: BLM Tuttle Creek Campground, the Inyo National Forest Lone Pine Campground, and the Inyo County Portuguese Joe Campground. 

What gear do I need to camp in the Alabama Hills?

This is the good part. I love gear, hence why I call myself a GearDad. I love camping in the Alabama Hills because it is dispersed camping, meaning that whatever you need, you have to bring. Water, food, storage, shelter, bathroom (bring your own over using a porta pottie). Do you need a big 4×4 to get around. No. A little bit of clearance and good tires certainly helped when looking for a campsite, given we went Memorial Day Weekend and it was jammed pack, but I never engaged 4 wheel drive. If you stick to the main road, you’ll have no problem getting around.

Back to gear. This trip was B.C. – before children – but the basics of what you need are here, and other than our shelter, wouldn’t change much for me now that I have a little one.

Tents for the Alabama Hills

Let’s start with shelter. I wouldn’t call myself an overlander, but I love that a whole industry has exploded to meet the equipment needs of those looking to get off the beaten path with their vehicles and experience the outdoors in a way that most people don’t. There is so much cool gear out there, and shelters/tents are no exception. You can definitely get by with a Coleman nylon tent, especially if it’s a short trip. You have to keep in mind that he weather can be sporadic, with the wind being a large consideration. I saw all kinds of tents out there from canvas tents to rooftop tents.

We used the TopperLift Nomad for our short-bed Tacoma, which adds a tent connected to your topper, over the your tailgate to give you that extra space for sleeping. I grabbed this set up soon after they started selling them, and it was been awesome. Get the insulated privacy panels, not only do they keep you warm and things private, they’re great for hiding all your gear in the back while traveling. I was looking very hard at a similar product on Amazon that allows you to use your topper and tailgate to give you a bit more room, it just didn’t seem like it was going to fit my truck, but that price looks good.

We didn’t have a platform or anything and used a truck mattress to sleep on. That’s not the exact one we have (I don’t think they make them anymore), but that one has great reviews and is a similar idea. If you do sleep in the back of your truck, attach a light to the ceiling to make things way easier when you need to see in the dark.  And that is the Yescom awning in the photo, which I really like and is on my truck year-round. And the levelers are actually Go Treads, which are a great recovery tool to have with you. They take up much less space than others are well made, plus you can see they serve multiple purposes.

When considering what tent/shelter to use when camping in the Alabama Hills, be sure to consider the weather have a plan in your head for various scenarios. With kids, I’d probably lean toward a large canvas tent or quick nylon set up tent, with a cot.

Food and water storage for the Alabama Hills

There is no food truck in the Alabama Hills, so you’ll have to bring your own food and water with you. This really isn’t a departure from what I normally do anyways, so this gear gets used often on outings. There are a lot of opinions on water cans for camping out there, and the prices vary just as much. I have used the Reliance Products 7 gallon cans for a few years and are pretty happy with them. I have two and use one for drinking water and the other for hand washing – though I’ve always wanted this set up for hand washing while camping but just haven’t pulled the trigger.

Coolers may be even more of a debated topic, as brand loyalty clashes with pocketbook sensibilities. The favorites continue to be Yeti, RTIC, Igloo, and classic Coleman. All of those are going to keep your food cold, especially if you precondition your cooler. The question is for how long will they do so. That’s always going to depend on a lot of factors, such as the weather and how ofter you’re opening them. I opted to go with a rotomolded cooler given it’s reputation for keeping food cold for days at a time, but I need to find a deal given I was loading up on gear for this trip.

I ended up going with the Monoprice Emperor 50 Gallon cooler, which is a darn good deal for rotomolded coolers. I’ll do a review just on the cooler, but I have to say I got my money’s worth with and more. It’s heavy duty – and very heavy, especially loaded up – but has great features like bottle opener, rope handles, drain plug and measuring markers. It held ice for the three days we were camping and a few more sitting in the garage at home afterwards. Do yourself a favor and get the version with wheels though.

For cooking we use a Snowpeak Baja Burner, which we got after having the Snowpeak backpacking stove. The Baja Burner is great, but I would be just as happy with a Coleman stove. We brought the big Coleman barbecue with us on this trip too, but could have easily got by with the regular stoves. The problem with being a GearDad is you want to bring all the gear.

Going to the bathroom in the Alabama Hills

I was admittedly a little concerned about going poop in the Alabama Hills. There were no bathrooms and you needed to pack it all out. But it was life changing to find a solution that worked, as we use it all the time when camping now. We got the Reliance Products Fold-to-Go portable toilet because it has a high weight limit and solid reviews. I’m not pushing 300 pounds, but I also don’t want my toilet to collapse mid-poop. We got Eco Gel to go with it and the Reliance Double Duty bags. For privacy we got this little pop up tent. Be sure to watch a video on how to fold it before leaving. I spent so long trying to fold it back up, there’s a reason this video on how to fold a pop up privacy tent it has over 300,000 views.

This set up was amazing and I’ll never use a vaulted toilet again if I can help it. Pro-tip, use some gloves to seal the bags. We actually have gloves, toilet paper, wet wipes and hand sanitizer in an ammo can (great storage options) that stays with the toilet kit.

Camping in the Alabama Hills

If you’re thinking of going, just go. It’s absolutely worth seeing and it’s such an awesome place to spend a few nights in. The stars are absolutely amazing as they fill the night sky.

The post Adventure Guide: Camping in the Alabama Hills appeared first on The best baby, toddler, and parent gear for family adventures - GearDad.

Anyways, back to the buntings. I love that for a young baby, they wipe away all the baby winter accessories that you think you may need. No jacket. No boots or gloves with the fold-over feet and hand features that lot of baby buntings have. A hat? Psh, there’s a hood channeling up and holding the body warmth from the little heater that is your baby. And some have super cute ear features, that are just adorable.

Buntings are great for adventuring! They’re easy to wear, keep baby warm, are only one piece of clothing to clean after a messy adventure, and look really fun. They can make a critical difference in extending an outing or being forced to cut one short.

One of the biggest selling points with buntings is how quickly they go on. With an infant, you only have so many minutes before they’re back asleep and fighting with them to put on mittens they’re just going to tear off once you’re done isn’t a good way to spend those precious minutes. With the bunting, you just gently plop the baby down and move as quickly as possible to slide them in there before they twist away.

These days my little one smiles when he sees me reach for one of his many buntings. He knows he’s going outside and he knows he’s going to be comfy. He was so comfy, in fact, little one would nap for longer periods in his bunting than not. If you’ve had a 20-minute napper, you know how amazing I felt when the clock was an hour later and he was still snoozing. Your only regret was not sleeping as well.

I want to highlight three buntings I’ve personally used. What I look for in a baby bunting is the inclusion of those fold-over hand and feet ( I can’t say how critical this is for at least the feet), appropriate level of warmth, zipper quality (fighting with a zipper is asking for a fight with a baby that will end up with a half-zipped up baby and GearMom shaking her head at you), how the bunting will handle the elements, can the baby move in it, and style. Here are the three I’ve owned and really liked:

Best baby Buntings for winter and cool seasons

• Columbia Baby Boys’ Tiny Bear II Bunting
• Simple Joys by Carter’s Unisex Babies’ Fleece Footed Jumpsuit Pram
• L.L. Bean Infants’ Ultralight 650 Down Bunting

There are a lot of buntings out there of all different price ranges and uses. I live in Northern California where temperatures are mostly mild in the winter, though the mountains and snow are a relatively short drive away. So while warmth is on my mind, I’m not dealing with sub-freezing temperatures. Usually the baby is just in a regular clothes and bunting, without the need for much other layering. Also it’s not super wet. So water isn’t a huge concern either. If you’re looking for a baby or toddler rain suit, I’ve had this one recommended to me and the reviews look good. But let’s get to the reviews!

Columbia Baby Boys’ Tiny Bear II Bunting

This was the first bunting I bought, when little one was just a few months old. I knew he didn’t need anything super heavy given we were heading into fall and he would likely size out of this infant bunting before the cold weather came along. I’ve always been a fan of Columbia gear and was glad to see that they have ample baby gear to go along with the adult gear that I’ve used for years. They have several other options of fleece buntings as well, and a couple insulated versions. I was so happy with the Tiny Bear Bunting, I ordered another when he outgrew the first.

What I love about this Columbia baby bunting

This is a bunting that checked all the boxes for me. It is warm. It is well constructed. It has the fold-over features. It is easy to slid the baby into. It is fleece so it doesn’t soak up water right away, giving you time to wipe it away. I bought the first color in the “spruce” color, which is similar a forest green. That was my favorite color and I somewhat regret not getting that color for his second one. There are 20 colors to choose from, so you can find one that’ll work for you. I really enjoy the fleece buntings because the baby can move easily in it, and that was true with this baby Columbia bunting. Also, I love the bear ears.

Any drawbacks?

The sizing is a bit weird for us. It always worked and the baby was always warm, but he never grew into the arms. The hood was also a bit big for little one and sometimes dropped down over his eyes or he could turn into it.

Is the Columbia Baby Boys’ Tiny Bear II Bunting worth it?

You can find these for around $30, which is less than what you’d pay for all the accessories this helps replace. But I mean I’m a GearDad so you know I bought those accessories too. Nonetheless, for three Alexander Hamiltons (he’s on the $10 bill), you have the peace of mind of having a warm and comfy baby who is ready for all adventures. Baby could absolutely wear this bunting in the winter and be warm. If there was an adult bunting out there, this is the one I’d get for myself.

Simple Joys by Carter’s Unisex Babies’ Fleece Footed Jumpsuit Pram

This was a gift from a friend who’s daughter had outgrown it. True to its name the bunting was unisex with white on the outside and polar bear accents. While the Columbia bunting jumped from 3-6 months to 6-12 months, this Carter’s bunting has a 6-9 month size that really helped us bridge the two Columbia infant buntings.

What I love about this Carter’s baby bunting

It’s warmer than the Columbia Bear Bunting. That timing actually worked out well, as he outgrew the Columbia one as temperatures began to drop and sported this one as cold weather moved in. I also liked that it felt like there were multiple pieces of fabric to it, where the Columbia bunting is just one piece of fabric. I’m not sure what sort of impact that has, but it felt comfy in my hands. I thought white would be a tough color for a baby to where for more than a few minutes, but it was fine. The hood also fit snuggly on his head, leaving little room for too much play. I love the ears on the hoods and the bears on the feet of the white one. The other styles look great as well.

Any drawbacks?

I was bummed to see they stop at 6-9 months. I may have seriously considered it over the Columbia bunting if there were larger sizes.

Is the Carter’s Bunting is worth it?

There’s about 8,000 reviews on Amazon that average out to five stars. For $20, it’s absolutely worth it.

L.L. Bean Infants’ Ultralight 650 Down Bunting

As a self-admitted GearDad, I always knew I was going to splurge on a bunting. I can’t help it. Literally, I would sit in bed way past the time I should be up and surf the web jumping between this L.L. Bean bunting, Patagonia bunting and Columbia bunting. I wanted something that would be water resistant, was down or similar and still light enough so the baby could move in it. So I went with the L.L. Bean Infants UItralight 650 Down Bunting for a trip to the snow.

Why did I settle on the L.L. Bean? It came down to a couple things. I liked that it had a lot of fill, but still looked like the baby could move it in. I really liked the single zipper that ran down half of one leg. Two zippers on the Patagonia bunting didn’t really appeal to me, and I may be wrong, but it seemed like it would be more of a challenge to slide both of baby’s feet into that bunting at one time versus placing him on top and just sliding the limbs in individually. Maybe not much more, but I’ll take anything to make life a little easier. I also just liked the look of the L.L. Bean one much better, as the fill pockets looked a little slimmer. I do like the sherpa lining in the hood of the Patagonia bunting though. Lastly, I liked the price of the L.L. Bean bunting. It was $50 cheaper, so I got a baby moisture-wicking base layer from L.L. Bean as well, and still paid less than Patagonia. I also have my eye on an L.L. Bean Rain Bunting. But let me say this, you will enjoy whichever bunting you splurge on, I am sure. The point is get outside once you get one.

What I love about this L.L. Bean baby bunting

It is so light. It weighs less than the fleece buntings listed above. The baby can move in it. It’s also super warm. The hood fits great on baby’s head, and it fits true to size. This is the perfect winter bunting when you have low temperatures or will spend some time in the snow. Your little one will also look adorable in it. Guaranteed.

Any drawbacks?

It’s $100 for a bunting you’ll use for half a season.

Is the L.L. Bean Bunting is worth it?

I pulled the trigger because we were going to the snow. To maximize that experience I felt like it was worth it to get a bunting that was up to the task, and this one absolutely is. It’s warm, lightweight and stylish. This bunting will hold up its end of the bargain and help extend those family adventures.

The post Best baby buntings for keeping warm and dry in the snow and on cool days appeared first on The best baby, toddler, and parent gear for family adventures - GearDad.

• Best sock – You’re getting the best, and you’re paying for it
• Most bang for your buck
• They’re cheap and you get a lot – which you’ll need

I’m not sure you need more than three options for a pair of socks. I have spent and unconscionable amount of time looking at socks and testing some of the ones you shouldn’t buy. They are scattered throughout my house, car and neighborhood. Everywhere but my kid’s feet. Why are socks one of the first things I’m talking about? Because every second you spend wondering where the sock went instead of experiencing your adventure is a complete waste. But let me tell you about the sock you should buy if it’s feasible for your family.

Bombas Baby Gripper Socks

These are the socks I want to buy myself . I want to my feet to slide into luxury and never worry about holes or heels slipping. I want the same for my little one. I want to know that when they put on a sock, it’s got a good chance of staying on as long as I, the parent, want it to. I also want warmth in my baby’s socks. I want traction in my baby’s socks. I also want some style in my baby’s sock.

If you want all that too, then buy your kid Bombas and sneak in a pair for yourself to get you over the free shipping threshold. I have no doubt that the quality will hold for toddler socks, kid socks and parent socks. 

What I like about them

These are made to last and grow with your kid. Do infant socks really need to be of the best of quality? They’re not running marathons with them. But you do want to know that as your kid grows a bit and starts moving, they’re going to hold up for a while. Bombas  has great colors for their socks that are fun and generally match your child’s outfit. Or not. But that’s a thing too, right?

These socks stay on. That’s probably what I love most about them. As a parent who always had one sock in his pocket and the other just hanging onto Little One’s toes, I really appreciate putting them on and not having to worry. They will get lost in the laundry just as easy as others though. No escaping that. I also like the thickness of Bombas socks. If your baby is just in socks a lot (baby shoes are such a pain to put on), their feet will have a fighting chance at staying warm in these. The grippers on the bottom are solid, but I’m not sure how much of a difference those really make on any sock. 

I do like that for every pair of socks you purchase, one pair of socks is donated to a homeless shelter.  Here’s what Bombas says about the program:

One Purchased = One Donated

Socks are the #1 most requested clothing item in homeless shelters, so we donate 1 pair of socks for every pair purchased. From the beginning, the Bombas mission has been to contribute to the homeless community and encourage others to get involved.

So instead of buying one expensive sock, you could think of it as purchasing two socks, and just giving it away to someone who really appreciates it. 

Any drawbacks?

Nothing. But they’re expensive as far as baby socks go. Eight socks will cost you a whopping $62. That’s $7.75 a sock. Parent socks run about what you’d pay at REI for fancy socks. I purchased a pair for myself and GearMom to get the free shipping. So far so good. 

Why Bombas baby socks are worth it

Often parenting feels like you’re throwing money at a problem, in a desperate attempt to make life easier. Socks may not be at the top of your problem list, but here, the money is much better spent than that sixth sleepsack you’re praying works as you rock your kid to sleep for the sixth time tonight … Maybe not, that extra sleep sack brings hope, which is all you have during those long nights. 

But the fact of the matter is, Bombas socks stay on. They provide ample warmth around the house. They look damn good.

Primary Baby Stripe Socks

When I got serious about finding baby socks for the little one, I started with Primary Stripped Socks. At that point in time, I had some frustrations with other socks that barely slipped passed the itty bitty heels of my six month old. So I was immediately attracted to the calf-length socks from Primary. If you are unfamiliar with Primary, you should check them out. I’ll definitely be featuring them more on the blog as I have been blown away by their gear, particularly at the price point it is offered. I got a couple pairs of baby socks on sale during the winter holidays (and great jackets and vests which are no long in stock, but some are on Poshmark). 

What I like about them

I love the length of Primary baby socks. These are in no way, no how sliding off on their own. I got the 6-12 months for my six month old baby, and they went halfway up his calves. Loved the idea of another layer for his legs. The colors are a lot of fun as well. I got a two pack, white and black with stripes. They go with everything, choosing to stand out rather than complement an outfit. I was really happy with how well they stayed up. With a kid that is learning to move they do slip down a bit, but that’s the just the name of the game. The material, which is 80% cotton / 18% polyamide / 2% elastane, felt really nice and soft. These aren’t fuzzy warm socks, but they still seemed like they would hold up for a while. 

For the price, it’s a pretty good deal. If you get the seven pack of the Primary Baby Stripe Socks, which runs $32, it comes out to $4.57 a pair. That’s a little more than 40% less expensive than the Bombas. 

Any drawbacks?

As you may have noted, we ended up getting Bombas and really enjoying them. But that isn’t to say Primary socks aren’t good. For me it was a matter of warmth. The primary socks are thinner, and during the winter months we noticed that the baby’s feet were just as cold with the socks as without them. I suspect in warmer months, these socks would be particularly fantastic, or if your baby, toddler or kid wore them regularly with shoes. 

Why Primary baby socks are worth it

It’s hard to argue with the quality of sock for that price. Not to mention, you can find them on sale at times, making them especially worth it. Plus they look awesome. You won’t regret picking up a pair. 

Hudson Baby Unisex-Baby Cozy Fleece Booties

Okay, these aren’t socks. But they’re also not shoes. I guess you could call them slippers. Either way I absolutely love these. I’ve bought three pairs for the little one in various sizes and designs. My favorite were the orange fox ones and we did get moose ones which are a lot of fun, though I do appreciate the gray versions on those days I would like his outfit to somewhat match. But these are so much fun! So much so that during a recent trip to the zoo, little one wanted to look at his booties more than the giraffe right in front of him. But these baby socks/slippers are fantastic for their warmth, ease of putting on and style only a baby can get away with. 

What I like about them:

I like that they are very warm. They are the warmest sock on this list. That was my main motivation for getting them. I also like that they’re relatively easy to put on. They have a wide opening that allow you slip your baby’s foot in, and the velcro straps are well designed and placed, so that you can close it all up before your baby kicks out of them. They also stay on as long as you secure them. I absolutely love that there are 61 designs you can choose from.

And the price is great. They are as low as $10.99. 

They also have a ton of reviews on Amazon – over 50,000 reviews – that somehow manage to average out five stars. How many products on Amazon have five stars with that many reviews? For me, they are absolutely five stars. 

Any drawbacks?

Not that you can really complain about, given what they are. They aren’t socks, so your kid is only wearing these on outings. They’re probably not great for walking outside with, if your kid is doing that. They’re also probably best when the temperature dips. 

Why Hudson Baby Booties are worth it

It’s tough to beat the combination of warmth, ability to hold on to baby feet, and price with these booties. They won’t work for every occasion, but when they do, they’ll work great. 

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