The “My Kids Love Their Sleeping Bags” Review – Kelty Woobie and Big Dipper

When it comes to camping with the kids they have to sleep warm or everyone is going to be miserable. When it comes to kids' sleeping bags Kelty crushes it. The Kelty Woobie 30 Sleeping Bag and the Kelty Big Dipper 30 Sleeping Bag sleeping bags knock it out of the park! Kelty sent me these bags to test and review this summer and after they arrived my girls were so excited that they slept in them for a week on their bedroom floor! That helped bring the stoke when it was time to take them camping.

Kelty Woobie 30 Sleeping Bag Review

The Kelty Woobie 30 Sleeping Bag is quite possibly the cutest sleeping bag ever made. My 3 year old loves hers. Kelty really hit what is important to kids and what's important for the parents. For the kids: good colors. Sure they don't have the rainbow spectrum but simplicity is good, pink for the girls, green and blue for the boys. The inside is cozy and fun. The flannel doesn't feel as cold as nylon when your first get it and plush fleece helps them slide down into the bag. Its also soft on the face so your kids won't mind being zipped all the way up. For the parents: the Woobie is rated to 30 degrees. The coldest night we had was close to 32 degrees and my 3 year old stayed warm and cozy all night. Dual zippers make it easy to help the little ones in and out of their bag, no matter what side you af sleeping on. The bag is well made and will keep up with the use that only little kids have a way of bringing. If you're going to get the Woobie, get it while your child is young. At 36 inches long, they will outgrow it quickly. Next summer our three year old will be too big. The full feature set is included at the bottom of this review. The Good

• Warm and cozy
• Great Price
• My daughter loved having "her own little sleeping bag"

The Bad

• I didn't pick it up sooner!

Bottom Line:

For your small kids, the Woobie is the sleeping bag to get. Buy Now: Pick up the Kelty Woobie 30 Sleeping Bag

Kelty Big Dipper 30 Sleeping Bag Review

The Kelty Big Dipper 30 Sleeping Bag hits the young kids market well. For the young girls (like my five year old) it has a few small touches that made her excited about her new sleeping bag. The faux fur hood gives a little bit of "grown-up" appeal and of course the two-tone pink. For the young boys it's straight, simple blue. Both feature an internal pocket to stash a headlamp or other items. They also include a velcro pillow pouch on the underside to keep a pillow in place. Throw in some loops for keeping a sleeping pad in place and your child is going to sleep comfortably. As a parent my favorite part is the zippered extension. The foot of the bag has a circular zipper. When your child is small, zip it up to shorten the bag by 12 inches to keep her warmer. As she grows taller, unzip it and you'll get a few more years out of the bag. One bag, lasts through a few years of use before they outgrow it. Hands down the best feature. My next favorite feature is the stuff sack. It is sewn to the foot of the sleeping bag so there's no losing it! It also features a carry handle which also hits the "I'm bigger and I can help out by carrying my own stuff" mentality. The Big Dipper is also rated to 30 degrees. On the same 32 degree night my 5 year old was nice and toasty inside with her jammies on. It does seem fairly wide which is good for wild sleepers but could produce cold spots. Keep that in mind. The full feature set is included at the bottom of this review. The Good

• Zippered Extension
• Attached stuff sack
• Good Price

The Bad

• Nothing, this is a great bag

Bottom Line:

Get the sleeping bag that grows with your kids! Buy Now: Pick up the Kelty Big Dipper 30 Sleeping Bag

Kelty Woobie 30 Sleeping Bag Features

• Two-layer off-set quilt construction
• Top baffle collar
• Zipper draft tube with anti-snag design
• Dual-sided locking zips aid in temperature control
• Playful colors and patterned liner
• Stuff sack included
• Temp Rating: 30° / -1°C
• Shape: Mummy
• Fits to: 3' / 91 cm
• Length: 42” / 107 cm
• Shoulder girth: 44” / 112 cm
• Fill weight: 15 oz. / .42 kg
• Total weight: 2 lb. 0 oz. / .9 kg
• Stuffed size: 8"x 15" / 20 cm x 38 cm
• Insulation: Cloudloft™
• Shell material: 66D polyester taffeta
• Liner material: Plush polyester fleece and cotton flannel
• Price: $44.95

Kelty Big Dipper 30 Sleeping Bag Features

• Two-layer off-set quilt construction
• Zipper draft tube with anti-snag design
• Sleeping pad security loops
• 3/4-length, two-way locking zipper
• Sized to fit juniors
• Pillow pocket
• Drawcord replaced by elastic for child safety
• Includes integrated compression storage sack
• Internal storage pocket
• Expandable foot section lengthens the bag by 12" (Patent#US 6,073,282)
• Temp Rating: 30° / -1°C
• Shape: Mummy
• Fits to: 5' 4" / 163 cm
• Length: 72” / 183 cm
• Shoulder girth: 56” / 142 cm
• Fill weight: 35 oz. / 0.98 kg
• Total weight: 3 lb. 9 oz. / 1.60 kg
• Stuffed size: 11" x 20" / 28 cm x 51 cm
• Insulation: Cloudloft™
• Shell material: 50D polyester taffeta
• Liner material: 66D polyester taffeta
• Price: $69.95

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Kelty Speedster Swivel-Deuce Double Jogging Stroller Review

Out of necessity, we own two BOB Revolution jogging strollers--one single and one double. We have used them to cart our children all over Utah and everywhere we've vacationed. Without a doubt, both of these strollers have been the staple of our family walks and adventures. That said, I've had plenty of experience with these capable strollers. Comparing the BOB with the Kelty Speedster strollers, I have been anxious to see how they stack up against what are arguably the best strollers on the market. So, the BOB Dualie vs. Kelty Speedster Swivel-Deuce throwdown commenced and in the end, both are awesome and the Kelty surprised us (my better half and I) with its lightweight maneuverability and superior seat comfort. Lets dig into a few more details. Kelty Speedster Swivel-Deuce Features:

• Swivel front wheel, with lockout option
• Easy folding design
• 5-point adjustable harness
• Independent locking rear brakes
• Independently adjustable seats
• Fully padded seat and frame
• Adjustable-height handle (34-45”)
• Quick-release wheels
• Weight: 26 lb 13 oz
• MSRP: $474.95

Kelty Speedster Swivel-Deuce Review

Getting the stroller up-and-running was quick and easy. Slipping the quick-release wheels into place and then attaching the large sun shade was about the extent of the effort needed. Once assembled, the entire package seemed very well thought-out and nice-looking. With double jogging strollers, you've just got to pony up to get the swivel front wheel--believe me, it's worth its weight in gold. With the swiveling front wheel, maneuvering the Speedster Deuce is a breeze while walking and jogging. Oft-times the swivel front wheel experiences speed wobble at a fast running pace on our BOB Duallie, but not so with the Kelty. Only at higher paces is the front wheel lockout needed. Frankly, I have yet to find a pace at which it is required, but maybe at a full sprint (not something I typically do while hauling two kids) it may be required. The Speedster pushes along very smoothly and feels very racy as compared to the BOB. I'd say the BOB is more like driving around a Cadillac while the Kelty is more akin to a BMW. It feels lighter (by almost 6 lbs) while in use and more nimble. With that nimble and race-car chassis, the ride quality may be a little rougher than the BOB, but I don't think the kids have minded. One of the features I really like about the Speedster-Deuce is the 5-point harness and comfortable seats. These are by far superior to the design of the BOB. Buckling is quick and easy with nicely-shaped and padded straps. The seat is more contoured and better padded, so kudos to Kelty on making the kids comfy and helping parents buckle the kids in with ease. The pivoting push handle raises and lowers by pushing two buttons on either side of the handle. This is also a great little feature that my wife and I have appreciated since we can adjust it to our respective heights for a more comfortable running or walking position. Having a single giant lower pocket is great and provides easy access. I also appreciate the dual built-in water bottle holders in the rear for stashing sippy cups or water bottles. Not everything is perfect with the Speedster-Deuce, so here are a few gripes. I'd say the biggest disappointment is the overall width of the stroller. At 34 in., it is over 3 in wider than the BOB Duallie, thus preventing it from entering many exterior doors. With the BOB, we've never once found a door that we couldn't squeeze through, but the Speedster had to wait outside the church on Sunday instead of sitting inside because it just wouldn't fit. We also miss the independently-adjustable sun shades for catered comfort as well as small pockets in the seats for the kids to place toys, books or cups. The Good

• Lightweight design is easier to stash and carry than comparable BOB Duallie
• Really appreciate the swiveling handle to adjust height to different people
• The seats and harness are superb (we had several sleepers, so it's kid-approved)
• Easily-accessed lower stash bin
• Feels quick and nimble
• Front wheel doesn't suffer from speed wobble
• Runs well and tracks well
• Built-in strap keeps things together when folded
• Over $100 cheaper than the BOB Duallie

The Bad

• Too wide for some doorways
• No dual sun shade
• Pivoting the sun shade back blocks access to your children
• No small seat pockets for the kids
• Brake engagement could be smoother

Bottom Line

I'm very impressed with the Speedster Swivel-Deuce. This is an efficient kid-moving machine, just watch out for narrow doorways and you'll be just fine. Buy Now: Search for Kelty Spedster Strollers...

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Performance Kids Balance Bike Review

When it comes to teaching your kids how to ride a bike without training wheels, all kinds of images come to mind of scraped knees and elbows and hours of trying over and over again. As my kids have gotten older and have started riding their own bikes with training wheels, I didn't want to doom myself to an all-day bike riding event--instead I opted for the balance bike strategy. Balance bikes come in different shapes and sizes with some of the first ones on the market being made of wood. Yeah, you could just buy a kids bike and remove the crankset and chain, but at some point you'll have to re-assemble it. And, in my case that would mean disassembling and re-assembling 4 times over the next 4 years. So, I ordered up the Performance Kids Balance bike because it's built solid, yet lightweight and it's white with boy or girl sticker options so my boy won't have to ride around with a pink bike with tassles. Getting the bike out of the box and ready to ride was easy. Just insert the stem and bars, put on the front wheel, pump up the tires and then insert the seatpost/saddle combo and that's it.

The First Few Rides

For the first few days, my 4-yr-old daughter would keep saying, "Daddy... the bike is broken... can I ride my other bike? The other bike had pedals and training wheels, so I talked her out of it saying, "This is your new bike... it's fun, right? Get back on it and you'll soon be scooting all over the place." To this, her response was always, "OK, Daddy." and off she went struggling her way along the sidewalk. After a couple of days, she began to get the hang of it and could at least keep the bike upright. After a week, she was comfortable enough to lift her feet off the ground for a few feet at a time and just coast. And, after two weeks, she was pushing herself around so fast on that bike, it was crazy. She'd put her feet on top of the forks and just coast for 50 feet or more.

The Transition to Big Kid Bike

Once she became all-to-comfortable with the balance bike and could steer and coast without a problem, it was time to remove the training wheels of her 12"-wheeled bike and have a go at it.  Of course, I talked it all up and helped her feel confident she could do it. The moment of truth came and all it took was one lap around the neighbors houses with me holding onto her seat, then she was pretty much off on her own. It took a few days for her to get the whole stopping and starting processes dialed in, but she learned how to ride without training wheels in 2 weeks--almost completely on her own. I highly recommend the use of balance bikes to teach your kids how to ride. They are fun, lightweight and teach them balance in a non-threatening way. The bike feels very sturdy and is actually built by Raleigh Bicycles, so the welds and construction is a billion times better than any Huffy or Murray bike on the market. It feels lightweight too, which is a plus for kids who will have to pick it up and push it around. The $79 price (current price may be lower or higher) is also reasonable--especially for me since I'll have 4 kids using it in the coming years. Buy Now: Search for the Kids Balance Bike from Performance Bike...

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New Kelty Kid Carriers for 2010 – REI Exclusive

If you've got kids and you like to go hiking, there's no doubt you've seen Kelty's kid carriers. They are without a doubt the most popular kid carriers on the market (though Deuter also makes great ones). I've got one and have used it for years with my kiddos. For long trips, nothing beats it for both my comfort and my kids comfort. Heading into the Holidays, REI has an exclusive on the upcoming 2010 models from Kelty. Other retailers will follow, but if you want the latest styles and models, head over to REI. Each model has a bit more bells and whistles, but most notably, the 3.0 includes the sun/rain visor, which is a must for warm or foul-weather travel with kids.

Kelty FC 1.0 Child Carrier

• Auto-deploy kickstand extends and retracts smoothly thanks to an internal spring-loaded system
• 5-point, adjustable harness system is anchored directly to frame and features an easy-to-use central tensioning system similar to car seats
• Curved, molded foam shoulder harness with sternum strap and padded hipbelt evenly distribute load
• Mesh back panel with sliding torso-length adjustment allows easy fitting changes between short and tall parents
• Padded, fixed cockpit offers a reclined position, allowing child to sit naturally and comfortably
• Double-hook seat height adjusts quickly and easily
• Under-seat storage compartment accommodates small toys, snacks and a change of clothes
• Carrier also features hipbelt storage pockets and toy loop attachment points
• 3M reflective tape accents provide 360° of visibility
• Manufacturer recommends a maximum weight limit of 50 lbs. for child and gear
• Made from durable 600-denier polyester and brushed nylon
• MSRP: $149.95

Kelty FC 2.0 Child Carrier

• Auto-deploy kickstand extends and retracts smoothly thanks to an internal spring-loaded system
• 5-point, adjustable harness system is anchored directly to frame and features an easy-to-use central tensioning system similar to car seats
• Curved, molded foam shoulder harness with load-lifter straps, sternum strap and contoured, padded hipbelt evenly distributes the load
• Padded, molded back panel with sliding torso-length adjustment allows easy fitting changes between short and tall parents
• Padded, removable and washable cockpit offers a reclined position, allowing child to sit naturally and comfortably
• Double-hook seat height adjusts quickly and easily
• Zip-off diaper pack with shoulder straps stores toys and essentials
• Under-seat storage compartment accommodates more diapers, toys, snacks and change of clothes—enough for a day's outing
• Carrier also features hipbelt storage pockets and toy loop attachment points
• 3M reflective tape accents provide 360° of visibility
• Manufacturer recommends a maximum weight limit of 50 lbs. for child and gear
• Made from durable 600-denier polyester and brushed nylon
• MSRP: $199.95

Kelty FC 3.0 Child Carrier

• Auto-deploy kickstand is internally spring-loaded (no bungees) for smooth deployment and retraction
• 5-point, adjustable harness system is anchored directly to frame and features an easy-to-use central tensioning system similar to car seats
• Curved, molded foam shoulder straps with load-lifter straps, sternum strap and 2-layer contoured padded hipbelt evenly distribute load
• Padded, molded back panel with sliding torso-length adjustment allows easy fitting changes between short and tall parents
• Padded, removable and washable cockpit offers a reclined position, allowing child to sit naturally and comfortably
• Double-hook seat height adjustment is fast and easy to change
• Included sun/rain hood protects your little one from the elements and also helps guard against unruly bushes and branches
• Removable diaper pack with shoulder strap lets you bring along toys and essentials
• Under-seat storage compartment accommodates more diapers, toys, snacks and change of clothes—enough for a day's outing
• Includes changing pad for those unexpected diaper changes while on the go
• The Kelty FC 3.0 Frame child carrier also features hipbelt storage pockets for small essentials for mom and dad and toy loop attachment points for the little one
• 3M reflective tape accents provides 360° of visibility
• Manufacturer recommends a maximum weight limit of 50 lbs. for child and gear
• Made from durable 600-denier polyester and brushed nylon
• MSRP: $249.95

Buy Now: Visit REI for Exclusive Deals on 2010 Kelty Kid Carriers...

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TEKO Introduces Eco-friendly Socks for Kids… say Ba-a-a-a-a

Looking to keep your kids toesies comfy and covered in sustainable Merino fibers? Check out the latest offering from TEKO for the little ones. I dig Merino wool-blends for their moisture and odor management and I'm sure my kids will also appreciate the benefits of this natural fiber. Well, maybe I'll appreciate their non-stinky feet after a summertime hike. TEKO introduced two new socks for kids made with Merino wool. Here are the details.

Summit tekoMERINO™ KID's Midweight Hiking

• The Summit Series offers a more relaxed fit and chlorine-free, undyed, organic tekoMERINO™ wool next to the skin. Teko kid's socks have all the performance features that our adult socks have.
• Great for backpacking and extra warmth while hiking.
• Medium cushion throughout the entire sock
• Seamless toe
• Arch band
• Y-heel gore
• Style #3994 Kids sizing Small: shoe size 9-11.5 Medium: shoe size 12-2.5 Large: shoe size 3-6
• MSRP: $10.95

tekoMERINO™ KID's MiniCrew

• Organic, chlorine-free tekoMERINO™ wool wicks moisture.
• Teko kid's socks have all the performance features that our adult socks have.
• Seamless toes, arch brace, articulated Y-heel.
• Strike-zone cushioning in footbed.
• Comfort-stretch zones.
• tekoMERINO™ Wool: From Argentine farms that have been practicing environmentally-sound techniques for hundreds of years. The wool is shrink resistant and dyed with non-toxic dyes.
• tekoPOLY™ Recycled Polyester reinforced heel and toe for durability.
• Machine wash, tumble dry (or air dry).
• Style # 3902 Kids sizing Small: shoe size 9-11.5 Medium: shoe size 12-2.5 Large: shoe size 3-6
• MSRP: $10.95

More Info: Visit TEKOSocks.com...

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BOB Revolution Jogging Stroller Single & Duallie – Gear Review

Once the kids arrive, you've got to figure out a way to stylishly transport them around the neighborhood, at the grocery store, on bike trails and, of course, on mountain trails. When considering how you'll haul Junior around, there's really only one... BOB Revolution strollers. Honestly, they are the bomb. We own two of them in our family: A BOB Revolution Single and a Duallie Stroller. They are the finest jogging strollers around because they have packed the best features all into one, sturdy package. And, unlike most jogging strollers, the front wheel of the BOB Revolution strollers can be in either a fixed or swiveling position. This allows you to take the Revolution stroller shopping and not feel like you're steering the USS Missouri around the produce section. When jogging, you can easily lock the front wheel to prevent the dreaded "speed wobble syndrome". I don't know why that happens, but at a certain speed, the swiveling front wheel inevitably goes into "speed wobble" mode, prompting a quick slowdown and easy lock engagement before continuing on your way. What I haven't tried yet is to power on through the "speed wobble". Hmm...maybe the high-speed vibrations caused by the wobbling front wheel would help put my daughter to sleep for her nap... OK... back to the review. All BOB Revolution strollers feature a shock-absorbing system and a nifty folding design. In fact, the Single stroller will fold down compact enough to fit into airport X-ray machines (our daughter is a world traveler). You've got to lock it down with a Velcro strap or something, but it squeezes right though! You can't quite do that with the Duallie though, so now that we have two kids, quick flights will no longer be possible. The overall package is sturdy and relatively lightweight. Pockets abound and the seat seems comfortable for our daughter--she hasn't complained yet. You can even buy the infant car seat adapter and put your infant car seat into the stroller. The infant seat adapter works great on the Single stroller, but is a bit of a tight fit on the Duallie. A bit of a bonus on the Duallie is that the infant car seat adapter also gives the 2nd passenger a nice little snack tray and bottle holder. Everywhere we go, everyone comments on how cool our strollers are. The most common comment is on the swiveling front wheel. If you enjoy the outdoors, and you have kids, the BOB Revolution Duallie and Single Strollers are by far the best overall jogging strollers on the market.

What I like about the BOB Revolution Stroller

• The swivel front wheel
• The suspension design keeps the kids ride nice and smooth
• Solid construction and secure buckle system keeps the kids in place
• Ability to accept infant seats
• BOB quality

BUY ONE: Search for BOB Strollers ...

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