Backpacking gear for kids

[actionshooter]

When my kids were the age of yours ( which was a while ago) I bought a fair amount of used gear from this site... I'm sure you already know about it, but there are good deals here occasionally.  I have a couple more years but am looking for the same for a couple grandkids

http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewforum.php?f=14&sid=52110b286a8fc2e0b17b80ed879abbaa

[cbond3318]

I will say this year I am switching to a 10 deg quilt that is a bit less expensive then the EE.  If it’s a win, I will be getting my boys the same. At a little over 2 lbs and small pack space expense, they’ll never grow out of it, can pack it themselves, , always be warm in anything and if taken care of should last years and years. They are almost too big for the bags they have now.

Like you said, I’ll probably just get tricky with the extra material while they’re still hobbits.

[444Marlin]

I just upgraded my bag and will hand down my down bag to my kids.  There's only a handful of seasons before they'll outgrow the heavy - bulky synthetic bags.  The extra space in the adult size bag is nothing to worry about.

[Vek]

Deuter Fox 30 is a good one, and the 40 looks like more of the same.  Kids won't need more pack than that until Pubert shows up.   

Boots are whatever you can make work.  Long uphill hikes means you bring light lace-up tennis shoes as well, unless you KNOW they won't blister on their heels. 

Little kids 5-8 sleep pretty warm in my experience.  Have used the little North Face kids mummy bag for them at temps below freezing.  I also stumbled into a junior size down bag by Icicle Creek that's about the same weight as my MH phantom 15, so not a total disaster.  They're out of business so tough luck there!  They still sleep pretty warm at 9-13, and the Kelty Cosmic 20F that I picked up is fine if a bit long.  Gotta watch weight with kids bags.   

Clothing layers are whatever you can make work.  My wife picks up candidate fleece and puffy layers as she haunts thrift stores for low $$$.  It's generally possible to find a name brand breathable raincoat on par with marmot precip for very little dough at the thrift store.  I've had the kids age 5-9 hunt in fleece pants, but now have some amazon softshell pants that work fine but are super swishy. 

Temper your expectations and hedge on weather.  I've been bit a couple times, but the boys are pretty cooperative and they both sleep warm.  A few years back when the opener was really cold, we were out in the tipi at 6800', and I'd lost my bet with the weather.  The younger boy slept under my primaloft blanket, blocked in between his older brother and me.  Would have been better to take the heavier sleeping bag, but he was fine.  They're 13 and 11 now.  The oldest first hunted with me at 5, and then I took them both when 4 and 6.  This out of a backpack.  Success would have been difficult, but they were game to do some walking.  The next year we were awful close on a big wide one at ages 5 and 7, again out of a backpack.  It's like hunting with a mariachi band until they're about 10 or so.

[KFhunter]

"Does anyone make gaters for kids"

No. Just crappy amazon ones, I did find womens small on outdoor research and I think I'll go that route, without the first responder/mil discount it would be spendy!

[Vek]

Ebay "women small" for gaiters and puffy coats.  These will fit fine starting at age 9 or 10. 

[pd]

It's like hunting with a mariachi band until they're about 10 or so.

Thank you.  You have made my day.

[Karl Blanchard]

Ebay "women small" for gaiters and puffy coats.  These will fit fine starting at age 9 or 10.

you haven't seen my midgets 

[BULLBLASTER]

Ebay "women small" for gaiters and puffy coats.  These will fit fine starting at age 9 or 10.

you haven't seen my midgets 

A womens small puffy could double as a sleeping bag tho!

[whacker1]

tagging along

[Karl Blanchard]

Ebay "women small" for gaiters and puffy coats.  These will fit fine starting at age 9 or 10.

you haven't seen my midgets 

A womens small puffy could double as a sleeping bag tho!

  I know Jon's puffy could definitely be a sleeping bag 

[bracer40]

Ebay "women small" for gaiters and puffy coats.  These will fit fine starting at age 9 or 10.

you haven't seen my midgets 

A womens small puffy could double as a sleeping bag tho!

  I know Jon's puffy could definitely be a sleeping bag 

That perspective makes those sleeves look like they fit arms like tree trunks!

[Karl Blanchard]

FYI, Eddie bauer is clearing out some kids coats. Picked up puffy coats for $25 a pop. Not the best time to buy stuff for fall but I sized up on both. A bit of extra room in a puffy layer isn't a bad thing in my opinion.

[highside74]

For a jacket, I'd hit an Eddie Bauer outlet and pick up a puffy or 6. They can be had for $40 if you watch for sales. My kid has had a nice puffy every year since she was probably 5 including this year, all of them under $50.00

Yes for Eddie Bauer affordable puffies. For kids and adults. Bought one for me and my son this last December. Both with hoods for $87 delivered

[fowl smacker]

FYI, Eddie bauer is clearing out some kids coats. Picked up puffy coats for $25 a pop. Not the best time to buy stuff for fall but I sized up on both. A bit of extra room in a puffy layer isn't a bad thing in my opinion.

Just bought the same one for one of my kids