Make sure you have the best toddler hiking gear when you set out this year. Hiking with toddlers is a hoot. They are just hilarious human beings at the best of times but hiking together brings out something even more special in them. I am not sure if it is their natural curiosity or their wonder and seeing amazing sites or animals for the very first time.
Naturally, as it is with children they require a lot of “stuff”. However when you are hiking you only want to bring with you what is really essential. There is no point carrying a bunch of pointless gadgets and gear up a hiking trail unless it is absolutely necessary, no matter how awesome it may be.
Clothing
The first place to start when it comes to toddler hiking gear is clothing. You want to look aim for dressing your toddler in layers. We have written a fantastic post about how to dress you kids in winter here which goes in depth on how to layer clothing most effectively.
Lightweight Jacket
A simple light weight and preferably waterproof or resistant jacket is necessary. Layers are an important factor for hiking with kids. You want to have multiple light layers rather that one or two heavy layers. The temperature while hiking can change quickly so being able to easily adjust is a must.
I really like this jacket from HiHeart. It is 100 percent practical and meets the requirements of being lightweight and water proof. Light weight also means it can be work year round. I really love items of clothing like this because it means I will get a decent amount of wear out of it before my child outgrows it. I am all about getting as much out of my money as possible.
Hats
Depending on the season you will need either a sunhat or a warm winter hat. These don’t need to be anything fancy, just practical.
When looking for a sunhat I recommend purchasing one that has a wide brim around it in order to provide all round shade and protection for their little face, neck and ears. They will probably not like to wear it. Be persistent. When they take it off put it back on and repeat over and over. After a day or so of this they eventually give up and forget about it. It’s worth it trust me.
Winter hats are there to provide warmth. Choose a hat that is made of natural fibres such as wool or merino. Personally I love merino because it is a much lighter weight but still provide excellent warmth. This one here is adorable and I love that it has ear flaps to keep the chill out of their ears. Every parent knows how horrible ear infections are in little ones!
Pants
For children I would hesitate to recommend shorts while hiking for several reasons. The first being that they are much closer the ground and get into a lot more “nature” than adults do. They are therefore much more susceptible to bites, scratches and things of that nature. Toddler hiking gear needs to be comfortable but also practical.
The second reason is that if you are planning to put your child into a hiking carrier it can sometimes rub on their legs a little. Having a bit of extra protection for them is just nice. You want their ride to be as comfortable as possible.
In summer plain tights or other similar light weight pant will be suitable. There is really no need to go out and purchase anything specific. I am sure you can make do with what you have in the closet already.
In winter, especially if it is quite cold it can be a really good idea to invest in either a water proof rain suit if you are planning on letting them run around and jump in muddy puddles. I really like the all in one types of suits like this one here. The reason being, they aren’t going to become untucked and get a cold back or belly while they are playing.
Fleece lined pants are beautifully cozy for those long winter hikes. Successful hiking with toddlers rest solely on their comfort. If they are not comfortable you are going to know about it. Keeping them warm is paramount in the winter hiking season. You can find a great range of fleece lined pants for toddlers here. The bonus with these ones is that they are actually water proof too!
Hiking Carrier
This is the ultimate have to have when hiking with toddlers! They aren’t yet capable of walking long distances on those two little legs yet. Not to mention they are they most distractible little creature you will ever encounter. You likely wouldn’t even make it out of the carpark with them walking.
If you are an avid hiker or you want to be one then buy a hiking carrier. A good hiking carrier is the ultimate in toddler hiking gear. The one I will always recommend is the Osprey child carrier. They have two options available at the moment both are great just choose the one you can afford. They have a life time warranty and come from a well known and highly regarded company so you know you are getting the best. They are priced well, you can check out current prices here.
Be wary of cheap imitation knock off carriers. They are likely to be uncomfortable for you to carry and for your child to sit in. It is always better it invest in a quality name where and product where you know you will have a well designed carrier with great customer service should you need it.
When you no longer need the carrier they have a fantastic resale value so you can recoup a lot of your investment.
A hiking carrier will let you go on longer hikes as well as cross more challenging terrain not even remotely possible if you have a toddler leading the way. Like I said you will probably never leave the carpark!
Shoes
For your toddler normal sports shoes will suffice at this age. If you are planning on getting out in the mud or water have them wear some rain boots. They aren’t going to be doing a lot of walking and their feet grow at such an insane rate you may only get a use or two out of specialised hiking boots. Save that investment until they are a bit older.
These Croc’s rainboots are my absolute favourite. They are just so plain and simple in their design but I think that is what makes them so perfect.
The more important shoes belong to whoever is going to be carrying the hiking carrier on their back. You will want to be wearing strong and sturdy purpose designed for hiking boots. Regular sports shoes are just not going to cut it with the added weight and balance…or not so balanced issue that comes with carrying a toddler on your back through a hiking trail.
You need to have a solid footing at all times and a firm grip on the ground below. If you accidentally slip or take a tumble your little one is going right along with you. Regular shoes don’t have the traction required, nor the support for your ankles should you trip. Hiking boots reduce slips, falls, and twisted or sprained ankles.
I recommend Keen hiking boots. They have a great range you can check out here. There is a colour and design for everyone. I love that they are waterproof and a long lasting. Even if you are an avid hiker you can get several years at least out of a pair of these shoes if not many years more. That makes for a great investment.
Food and Drink
Toddlers need snacks and lots of them to keep them occupied, and tummies full. If you need some ideas of what types of food to make for your toddlers head over to this post.
Drink Bottle
On long hikes and especially in summer and insulted drink bottle is a must. These ones from Contigo are the best. They keep the water cold for 14 hours but in my experience its more like 24 hours. The hook on the lid allows it to be easily attached to the hiking carrier for easy access for your child. That way you don’t have to be stopping of fumbling around every 5 minutes to get it. One mom went a step further and actually tied the drink bottle to the carrier with a bungy cord so if her toddler threw it, it didn’t go far. Ingenious.
Food containers
In all honesty, you can just use little zip lock baggies. Fill them with snacks and have them easily accessible to pass up to your toddler throughout the hike.
One clever invention we have really enjoyed is food pouches. These are just like the ones you buy at the store but they are reusable. Fill them with yoghurt, apple sauce, custard or what ever your child prefers. Freeze them the night before and then pack them up ready for hiking. By the time you go to give it to your child they have defrosted but are still icy cold and fresh. No one likes warm yoghurt! As a bonus they can act as ice packs to keep other food cool. Love these adorable animal shaped ones!
There are probably a million and one other items you could take with you on a hike with your toddler. These are what are on my essential toddler hiking gear checklist and what I would always be sure to take with me. They are also items that I would spend a little more money on and invest in.
