Travel Gear We Use: Abiie Huggs baby carrier review

Reviewed by our baby and toddler gear tester, Karyssa Booth.  Time for a baby carrier review! I received the Abiie Huggs carrier in the mail a couple months before my daughter could fit into it. I waited until she was about five months old before I used it. On initial inspection, I was a little overwhelmed by how many buttons, clips, and snaps it had. I am still figuring out new functions of the … [Read more...]

Aventura Clothing fall leggings and jeggings for travel days

I'm back with this travel season's Aventura Clothing picks! Listen, I continue to promote this brand as an ambassador because when I travel, I'm wearing Aventura about 80% of the time. Why? Most pieces are organic cotton, which are comfortable and dont' wrinkle, plus so many of their items are versatile. I can travel carry-on only without a hitch when I pack a lot of Aventura leggings and … [Read more...]

Outdoor gear brands that give back

As a gear reviewer and travel writer, I am familiar with many travel brands and outdoor gear companies. As we head into this year's 'giving season', I'd like to highlight just a few that donate significantly to a charitable cause or program...not just during the holidays but all year long! Outdoor gear brands that give back: Lifestraw: Lifestraw makes filtered straws that make contaminated … [Read more...]

Stitch Fix for fall travel: wardrobe planning tool or indulgence?

So I finally tried Stitch Fix. Yes, I know I'm behind the times. I decided to take the plunge because I needed some fall travel clothing, and wanted to expand my style range a bit, and try a few new options. I'm not much of a shopping fan, and I'm not terribly concerned with style, so I wasn't sure if it would be for me. Here's what I learned. Stitch Fix for fall travel: Everyone who signs … [Read more...]

Best food containers and bento boxes for the road

One of the best ways to save money and stay healthier on road trips is to pack your own food. Almost every road trip we take, we pack lunches and drinks, whether we'll be on the road a few hours or a few weeks. Since we banned plastic baggies and disposable plastic containers in our house years ago, the best food containers for our car include the following. Bonus: For a list of road trip friendly … [Read more...]

Best essential oils for travel

Like everyone else (it seems), I've recently started using essential oils in my home and for my family. While I don't deem them lifesaving (gasp!), I do believe essential oils add to our family's well-being and overall health. Why not take this show on the road? We have a round up of the best essential oils for travel (and when to use them): Three best essential oils for travel: Motion … [Read more...]

Family mountain biking tips and gear

Our family loves mountain biking. Many outdoor-focused resorts now offer mountain bike rentals and mountain bike single track, and we discovered the sport while traveling. Right away, our kids wanted to mountain bike at home, too. Here's what we've learned about finding family mountain biking trails (at home and while on the road), how to best transport your bikes, and the gear it's helpful to … [Read more...]

Joovy Qool review: travel-ready stroller

UPDATED FOR 2018 The Joovy Qool lives up to its name. With a sleek design and luxury features that mirror those of the most expensive brands on the market, the Qool makes it look easy. Which is definitely the point, for those of us wanting our strollers to go the distance while traveling.   Our baby gear tester Karyssa tested to Qool in 2014 with her son, and is back with an updated … [Read more...]

Summer sandals for kids: shoes for summer travel

It's that time of year...time to go through the closets, size kids' feet, and buy shoes for spring and summer travel! We're parents too, and we know it can be frustrating to buy summer sandals for kids only to have them discarded: maybe they're too hot or too pinchy or too...something. Luckily, we review travel shoes all the time, taking the guess-work out of the process for you. When it comes to … [Read more...]

Five foundational Aventura Clothing pieces for spring trips

Spring travel brings all types of weather, making packing a challenge. If you want to pack carry-on-only this spring but need to bring along outerwear, boots, and other 'just in case' items, it's crucial to plan your main wardrobe carefully. What you need to do: identify core clothing pieces that provide you with a packing foundation: a few pairs of neutral pants, layering tanks and tees, and … [Read more...]