Gearing up for your next big trip? We’ve curated a selection of the best adventure travel gear to help you explore mountains, waters, wildlife, and extreme terrains with confidence. Every product below is something we’d actually pack ourselves — no fluff, just gear that earns its space in your bag.
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Adventure Travel Gear for Families
Good adventure travel gear does not need to be expensive — it needs to be light, tough and easy for the whole family to use. This page collects the hiking, water, safari and outdoor gear we recommend for trips with kids, grouped by the kind of adventure you are planning.
Use the quick table below to see what matters most for your trip, then jump to the section you need. Each product links to Amazon, where you can check the current price, sizes and reviews.
What to Pack by Type of Adventure
| Trip type | Must-haves | Nice to have |
|---|---|---|
| Mountains & hiking | Backpack with hip belt, hydration pack, headlamp, layers | Trekking poles, compass, packable daypack |
| Water & beach | Snorkel set, water shoes, power bank in a dry bag | Kids’ swim fins, water filter bottle |
| Safari & wildlife | Binoculars, sun hat, insect repellent | Large duffle bag, bug discovery kit for kids |
| Active & sports | Sports sunglasses, locking carabiners | Kids’ swim goggles |
How We Pick Adventure Gear
- Weight first. Every item has to earn its space in a family bag, so we favour packable and lightweight options.
- Kid-friendly. Where it matters (fins, goggles, repellent, headlamps), we look for sizes and formulas that suit children.
- Well reviewed. We only list products with a strong track record of customer reviews on Amazon.
- Airline-friendly. Power banks and batteries go in hand luggage, so we choose sizes that are easy to carry on board.
Mountain and Hiking Gear
Choosing a backpack? See our guide to the best travel backpacks for families in the UAE, with carry-on picks that fit flydubai and Emirates cabin limits, plus kids’ and hiking daypacks.
For mountain trips and family hikes, the essentials are a comfortable backpack, enough water and light for early starts or late finishes. Trekking poles take pressure off knees on steep descents, and a packable daypack is handy for short walks from your base.
Made with high quality water & tear resistant 30D nylon material. ZIPPERS : YKK sealed with silicone for water resistant / Fine nylon lines stitching provides durable strength / Adjustable Shoulder Straps.
Travel Partner – Sandwich Size: ZOMAKE 20L small ultra lightweight foldable backpack can easily fold up into small pocket (Sandwich size: 17 x 17 x 5 cm); So you can easily pack it in your suitcase for use at their destination as an extra bag for the trip.
Why choose an ordinary woven bag when you can choose an EVA box that is cooler, more portable and easier to store your towel? Not to mention that this box can better protect the towel and save space for the backpack and pocket.
See this gear in action in our Kyrgyzstan family itinerary and Georgia with a toddler guides.
Water and Beach Adventure Gear
Snorkelling, island hopping and beach days are where the right gear makes the biggest difference for kids. A good-fitting mask and fins, water shoes for rocky beaches and coral, and a power bank to keep phones charged for photos cover most trips.
Planning a beach trip? Our Zanzibar family travel guide covers snorkelling trips and beaches that work with children.
Safari and Wildlife Gear
On safari and wildlife trips, a pair of binoculars is the one item everyone will fight over, so consider a pair the kids can use too. Add sun protection, insect repellent and a soft duffle bag, which fits into small safari vehicles and light aircraft far better than a hard suitcase.
Active and Outdoor Sports Extras
For active days — cycling, climbing walls, kayaking or swimming — a few small extras make things safer and more comfortable: sports sunglasses that stay put, heavy-duty locking carabiners to clip gear to bags, and goggles that actually fit children.
Frequently Asked Questions
What travel gear do adventurers need most?
A comfortable backpack, a way to carry water, a headlamp, layered clothing and a power bank cover most adventure trips. Then add activity-specific gear such as snorkel sets for water trips or binoculars for safari.
What size backpack do I need for a hiking trip?
For day hikes, a 20–30 litre daypack is usually enough. For multi-day treks where you carry your own clothes and gear, most adults look at 50–65 litre packs with a proper hip belt.
Can I take a power bank on a plane?
Power banks generally have to travel in your hand luggage, not your checked bag, and airlines set limits on battery capacity. Check your airline’s rules before you fly.
What adventure gear do kids need?
Start with properly fitting basics: water shoes, swim goggles or a snorkel mask, a sun hat, child-friendly insect repellent and a small backpack they can carry themselves.
More Family Travel Gear
- Family Travel Shop — the gear we pack for every trip with kids
- Carry-on essentials for flying with kids (Amazon list)
- Cold-weather family packing list (Amazon list)