Arizona Backpackers

AZ Backpackers goes mountain biking.

Some of our backpackers are very accomplished mountain bikers. If you have any mountain bike related questions, feel free to drop us a line.

Hiking With Kids: 10 Things

Part of our mission as moms and dads here at AZ Backpackers is to create a love of the outdoors for our kids. There are so many incredible places to see, and some of the most incredible places can be tough to get to. The struggle adds to the majesty of the destination and creates a deeper appreciation for nature. Here are a few observations and tips to get these youths out on the trails and into the backcountry.

1) And this might be the most important thing. Kids CAN do hard things, despite their best efforts to convince us otherwise. Don't underestimate what your kid can do. Go for it!

2) That said, you know your kid better than anyone. You have to know the difference between pushing past the natural youthful resistance to pain and fatigue to dig deep, and pushing your kid right into a medical emergency. Be mindful of real physiological things that grit and determination just can't overcome; heat exhaustion, altitude sickness, asthma, or muscle cramps are a few examples.

3) Be positive. Busting out the "I did this when I was half your age carrying a pack twice your size" stories are not going to help. Nor will pointing out how much better some other kid is doing. Talk about how much you loved a particular hike as a kid, or how much fun other kids are having. Invite them to enjoy the process.

4) Be an example. You better not bonk or start up with the negative nancy routine. If you are tired or hurting, suck it up. Show your kid that a positive attitude can make all the difference.

5) Which leads to hike selection. Make sure both you and your little one can succeed on the trail. Choose some smaller hikes to test the waters and give them a sense of accomplishment.

6) Delicious trail snacks can be powerful motivators. You control the flow of snacks and push them a little further up the trail before dishing them out. Give them a goal, two more switchbacks for another Hi-Chew, next shady spot for some beef jerky.

7) Hydration and energy is key. Have your little guy carry his own water (small trail running hydration packs work great). But make sure you are carrying enough for yourself and extra to supplement what your kid is carrying. Make sure they drink the water! Even if they say they are not thirsty, consistent hydration is key. Have a solid snack to eat at the destination before turning back. Some kind of fruit and granola snack work great (clementine oranges or applesauce squeeze pouches pack well).

8) If you care about the gear you use, care about the gear your kid uses too. I'm not saying deck them out in the best outdoor gear available. I am saying make sure they have good shoes, decent socks, and that any packs they wear are the appropriate size and weight. Make the journey as comfortable as possible.

9) Bring some friends. It is amazing what kids can do when they are just genuinely having a good time with a good buddy. They will talk and goof off and before you know it, another mile is done.

10) Have fun and make sure to celebrate after a hard hike. Grab a treat or fun meal. This can be simple and cheap, but it leaves kids with some final positive mojo associated with the whole experience.

There are no perfect, one-size-fits-all tricks to hiking with kids. But there are a lot of good ones that will get you on your way. Feel free to share what's worked for you.

It seems like fancy coolers are all the rage. If you are looking for a rotomolded super-cooler, then chances are you have watched all the videos. And there are some good ones. This post isn't about ice retention, I think all of them are fine for keeping stuff cold for a couple days. This post just outlines what my thought process was during my cooler hunt.

I looked at Yeti, Orca, Rtic, Ozark Trail, Lifetime, and Kysek. I wanted something that would allow 2-3 days without refrigeration on overland excursions and road trips. It was a real three bears situation for me.

I wasn't about to drop $200 on one of these things, so Yeti, Kysek, and Orca were out from the start. Next, I wanted a smaller cooler, but the 20 from Rtic seemed a little too small.

I liked the Ozark or Lifetime from (Oh the Horror) Walmart. I didn't like that the Ozark 26 didn't have a drain, and I wasn't a fan of the Lifetime 28 general size and shape. One thing I did really like about the Rtic was the ability to have a basket in it. The lifetime does not have the internal lip to accommodate a basket.

Then I stumbled across the Monoprice website that sells Pure Outdoor branded outdoor equipment. And sure enough they have coolers. I settled on the Emperor 25. It hits the sweet spot for size, has a drain, and allows for a basket. I picked up the Kysek 25L internal basket, which fits perfect. Under $100 for a cooler that is just right for my needs.

https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=311&cp_id=31102&cs_id=3110202&p_id=15638&seq=1&format=2

https://kysek.com/collections/new-accessories/products/internal-basket-new