ESCAPE
KOKATAT ARIES PFD This simple PFD is well designed and durable, and it even survived one raccoon attack. (Don’t leave food or wrappers in your kayaks at night in the San Juans; those bandits are amazing with their little paws!) The low-profile back allowed you to sit upright, and its adjustments and overall fit were spot-on for sea kayaking. $99
A calm drift in San Juan Channel
The gear
BIG AGNES SLEEPING SYSTEMS - LITTLE RED & WOLVERINE These Big Agnes bags are killer. Rated to 15 degrees F, the mummy bags kept the kids toasty, and the integrated pad sleeve kept them on the mattresses throughout the night. The pads are insulated and super light. I foresee these traveling well into the backcountry, now that our kids are ready for backpacking. $99-109 AVEX BRAZOS AUTOSEAL
As this trip was a mix of camping, kayaking and hotel stays, it was essential to take just the right gear, and nothing extra. The most important items were those that kept the kiddos happy, dry and warm, making the trip more enjoyable for everyone. Here is a list of some of our favorites. – Brian Ladd
NEMO BUGOUT SCREEN ROOM TARP This shelter falls smack dab in the middle of keeping kids happy, dry and warm. As we opted to travel without a camper, we needed a dry respite from the weather, and this easily packable, 12x12-foot shelter was the perfect crossover – and a huge upgrade from my normal MacGyver tarp setup. For those uninitiated to tarp shelter art, the BugOut could be a bit complicated, but with a few trees or oars it makes an awesome home base for northwest camping, keeping water and bugs at bay. $249.95
OUTDOOR RESEARCH AIRPURGE DRY COMPRESSION BAGS Waterproof and breathable, these lightweight bags are a huge upgrade from the ordinary stuff sack. Use them to pack your sleeping bag and clothes in smaller loads that fill a kayak’s nooks and crannies, even purging air as you push them in. My old stuff sacks are now relegated to carrying kitchen gear. $33.50
OUTDOOR RESEARCH VISION DRY BAG Not only do the Vision Dry Bags roll up into a small package when not in use, they feature a slippery and slightly stretchy exterior that made them easy to pack in the sea kayak chambers – anyone who has busted their knuckles cramming gear into a fiberglass boat knows what I mean. Lightweight, and with a clear window showing the contents, they make my old drybags look antiquated. $21
86 MOUNTAIN
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