Everything on my Backpacking Gear List as an Outdoor Adventure Mom: Backpacking Mom Gear List for backpacking with kids

My Gear Locker as an Outdoor Mama and Founder of Kids Who Explore

There’s something magical about heading into the wild with your kids. I live right beside the Canadian Rockies and have been exploring, hiking, and backpacking through my pregnancies and all the way through babyhood and toddlerhood. I had only done about five trips backpacking before taking my kids so I was relatively new to it and have learned a lot of lessons along the way. My backpacking gear list has been a very popular ask amony my community and I am so excited to provide you with it! I have been collecting my gear for many years through brand collaborations or shopping sales during the off-season. My gear closet is something that I take a lot of pride in and I share a lot of behind the scenes of my gear recs on my Youtube channel. Please subscribe!

I pack everything I need on my back and now my kids help carry a couple items too. After years of family backpacking trips (complete with trail snacks, tent snuggles, and diaper changes under the stars), I’ve dialled in the gear I truly love and trust.

This is my go-to packing list and the items I use on every adventure with my boys. Whether you're just starting your family backpacking journey or you're deep into your wild mama era, I hope this list helps you feel confident, prepared, and excited to hit the trail.

Every item is linked below using my affiliate links—if you choose to shop through them, it supports my work and helps fuel more adventures for the Kids Who Explore and Adrianna Adventures communities. Thank you for being here! In some cases, I have linked up multiple items as it depends on the length of backpacking trip and size of my group that I am with.

My Camp Setup

MSR Elixir 4 Tent Spacious enough for a family of four, yet compact enough to carry. It’s our tent of choice for backcountry overnights when the whole family joins.

Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL Tent For lightweight solo or mom-and-kid adventures, this one’s my dream tent. Ultralight and reliable. It is a 3 person size and I can sleep perfectly in it with my two kids.

MEC Silicone Scout Tarp A lifesaver for extra rain coverage and in some cases for shade. We hiked through five thunderstorms in banff and needed it to get through the trip.

Helinox Chair Backpacking luxury. This lightweight chair packs small and gives my back a break at camp. Sitting lakeside on the chair with my kids is the most relaxing feeling.

My Sleeping Gear

Therm-A-Rest Z Lite Sol Foam Pad A durable, no-inflation-required pad. Great for kids or as a backup sit pad.

Therm-A-Rest Foam Pad Another solid option I use for toddler-friendly comfort and insulation plus, I used this with babies a lot.

MEC Reactor Junior Sleeping Pad Perfect size for little explorers! They're warm, cushy, and compact.

Klymit Insulated Double V Sleeping Pad A cozy double pad for mama and baby (or siblings!). Insulated for cooler nights.

MEC Delphinus -9C Sleeping Bag - Women’s My go-to for warmth and comfort on cold nights. Plus, it was purple haha!

Morrison Baby/Kids Sleeping Bag A game changer for little ones. Safe, cozy, and designed for backpacking and camping families.

Kids Gear I Always Bring

Trail Magik Carrier A genius front-carry system that clips to your backpack. It can sometimes be uncomfy on the shoulders if you are using it for many hours. Backpacking isn't always about perfect comfort though!

Osprey Jet 18 & Daylite Kids Packs Lightweight and sized for kids, these packs help them carry their own gear like little pros.

Patagonia Baggies for Kids Quick dry, indestructible, and cute. Love the patterns!

Kula Mini Runny Nose Cloth Reusable nose and wipe cloths—lifesavers for messes.

Kids Camp Crew Cozy, fun, and our community staple. My boys wear them everywhere.

Layers + Clothing

Iksplor Base Layers Merino wool magic for the whole family. We wear these to sleep and on chilly mornings.

Patagonia Hi-Loft Down Sweater Hoody - Infants Keeps baby warm without bulk.

Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoodie - Women’s Sun-protective and breathable. My hiking top of choice.

Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody - Women’s Lightweight and warm, packs down super small.

Patagonia Women’s Baggies Tried and true. The only shorts I wear in the wild. Haha! I won't take them off.

Navigation + Safety

Garmin InReach Mini Peace of mind when we’re out of service.

SOL Scout Survival Kit Compact and packed with essentials. One lives in my pack.

Adventure Medical Kit Ultralight .9 Perfect balance of size and function. Covers everything from scrapes to blisters. I add baby tylenol and bug bite cream too.

Sea to Summit First Aid Dry Bag Keeps our medical kit dry no matter the weather.

Kodiak Bear Spray + Holster Essential for wildlife areas. Quick-draw style makes it extra safe. Always pack bear spray while backpacking in the Canadian Rockies.

Water + Hygiene

Platypus 4.0L Gravity Filter So easy to use. Set it up and let gravity do the work. It is ideal for families because it lasts for your entire trip sometimes. It nice to not have to hike to a water source all the time to get water for kids that seem always be thirsty.

LifeStraw Peak Series - Single + Family on-the-go hydration you can trust. I also add treatement tabs to my water and boil.

KWE Nalgene Explorer Bottle Our go-to bottle for every trip. Durable, colorful, and kid-tough. It’s the one bottle that clips to my backpack for every trip. You can add hot water and put at the bottom of your sleeping bag during cooler nights.

Sea to Summit Wilderness Wash One bottle for dishes, hands, clothes. Biodegradable and safe.

Caboo Tree-Free Toilet Paper Sustainable and soft. Always in my hygiene kit.

Trowel Toilet Kit For responsible backcountry bathroom breaks.

Huggies Natural Care Wipes Still my top pick, even after the diaper years.

BOGI Microfiber Towel Fast-drying, lightweight, perfect for camp or glacier dips. Love how it folds down small and I can clip to the outside of my pack.

Watch my Youtube to see all my gear prep from my gear locker space.

Camp Kitchen

MSR Pocket Rocket + Isopro Fuel Boils water fast, even in wind. My trusty setup for hot meals on the trail. Plus, camp hot chocolate with kids is a must and I roast marshmellows for the kids on it too when we can't have campsfires.

MSR Pocket Rocket Stove Kit Comes with cookware that packs down small.

Sea To Summit Cutlery Set Light and durable.

GSI Java Drip Coffee Maker Yes, I make real coffee in the wild. This drip system is ultra-packable.

BIC EZ Reach Lighter The reach helps to light the camp stove. Plus, the bright colours are easy to find in the pile of gear.

Tools + Extras

Leatherman Surge Multi-tool I use it every trip—tweezers, pliers, mini scissors, the works.

Black Diamond Headlamps for kids and for adults. Reliable light for every night. We keep one per person.

Black Diamond Women’s Trekking Poles Helpful for steep climbs and carrying extra kid weight.

Osprey Aura 65L Backpack My main pack. Carries everything without hurting my hips.

Trail Tether This little strap is my not-so-secret weapon. I use it to clip toys, bottles, even shoes to packs and carriers—no more dropped gear on the trail!

Footwear

Salomon Speedcross 6 - Women’s The grip I trust most when the trail gets slick or steep and having them Gortex on the trail in the Rockies is a must.

Birkenstock EVA Sandals Great for camp lounging or creek crossings and just everything in motherhood.

Kids Crocs Easy on/off and quick drying. My boys love them and the croc buttons that they style them with.

Whether you’re planning your first family overnight or looking to dial in your current setup, I hope this guide makes your packing a little easier and your trips memorable and fun. Every single item here has earned its place in my kit and many have carried us through some of our most beautiful memories in the wild.

Happy backpacking, wild mamas and dadas!!