Gone are the days of adults-only gear. The bustling aisles of this winter’s Outdoor Retailer trade show in Denver exemplified a big step forward when it comes to our littles. More and more brands are now focusing on kid-specific designs to ensure our smallest humans are geared up for the wildest of family adventures.
We wandered the kaleidoscope of booths to bring you the best of bomber kiddos’ products for 2020. Too cold for your toddler? Not on our watch.
Morrison Outdoors Little Mo 20 Down Baby Sleeping Bag
Any parent will tell you that keeping your infant warm and safe while camping is akin to wrestling a gorilla: It’s really hard to do. But, Morrison Outdoors created a solution with the Little Mo, a 20-degree sleeping bag designed for kids ages 6 to 24 months. Little Mo follows the American Academy of Pediatrics Safe Sleep Requirements. The sleep sack doesn’t have a hood or drawstrings as potential choking hazards, and the arms connect to swaddle the smallest of babes. The featherlight, 800-fill down insulation weighs a mere 9 ounces and packs up smaller than a water bottle, so parents won’t think twice about throwing it into their backpacks. $159.95; currently available on REI.com and in select stores
Elan Jett Quick Shift Skis with Bindings
Kids don’t have the best balance on dry land, so learning to ski is an entirely new frontier. Taking a cue from the running industry, Elan installed sipes (or small grooves) along the length of the entire ski, making it 25 percent softer than its competitors. This extreme flexibility helps our littles stay on their feet since the skis flex and bend to accommodate their wobbly movements. The integrated Quick Shift bindings also boast a softer plate-in-plate design. End result: Gumby-like flexibility that will have your kiddos hucking cliffs in no time. $219.95; the 2019 models are currently available on REI.com and in select stores; the new versions will land in fall
Reima Gotland Bunting
This Finnish brand doesn’t believe in double dipping: They only make children’s apparel. Because of that, Reima has nearly 80 years of experience with kid-specific movements, and it shows in products like the Gotland Bunting. Filled with 160 grams of synthetic insulation (and a little extra on the tush for crash landings), this snowsuit keeps kiddos warm in sub-zero temps. Plus, the Gotland boasts a bevy of features not found elsewhere: silicone foot loops to keep pant legs down, a long zipper for easy access and a detachable hood for added safety. $150; available on REI.com and in select stores beginning in fall
Rossignol Hero J3 Ski Boots
A three-buckle racing boot for Junior? Bring it on. Rossignol knows that little rippers grow into adult shredders and specifically designed these boots with smaller groms in mind. Instead of recreating an adult boot in smaller sizes, their research and development team targeted kid-specific weights (rather than larger adult masses). The result is an anatomically specific boot meant to fit children’s feet while still offering the same technical prowess of the adult versions. The adjustable cuff offers up a more customizable fit, and the aluminum buckles can still take the type of beating only a pre-teen can deliver. $180; available on REI.com and in select stores beginning in fall
PICTURE ORGANIC CLOTHING My First BB Suit
If you’re the gambling sort, here’s a sure thing: Frigid temps will cause whining. Fortunately, you can stave off the inevitable complaints by bundling your babe up in PICTURE’s new bunting. My First BB Suit uses PrimaLoft Eco, a 100 percent recycled polyester insulation to ensure your kiddo enjoys maximum warmth (even with minimal output). A full diagonal zipper calls for easy-on and easy-off dressing which is paramount if you find yourself layering your child up in the backseat of a car. Major win: PICTURE’s GROW WITH ME system uses removable seams to lengthen and expand garments a full size to accommodate the ever-growing youth. $120; available on REI.com and in many stores beginning in fall
Find more Outdoor Retailer trade show coverage here. Read about our favorite skis, boots and bindings, our favorite snow apparel and accessories and our favorite winter-camping essentials.