The Little Red House Essentials

These are ALL tried and true favorites--everything on this list is something we own and love.
If you have a question about our favorite gear ask it here.

Check back often--I will continue to add to the list.

I work with Amazon, Backcountry , and Steep and Cheap as an Affiliate--this means if you buy something I recommend.....I make a few extra pennies--so thank you! I chose these websites because they are where I do almost all of my shopping. We live far from any good stores, and I'm a sucker for a bargain so these are my favorite. You can't beat the free two day shipping for Amazon Prime Customers and they carry a little bit of everything which I love. Backcountry has every outdoor brand you'll ever need, and they have killer sales. Steep and Cheap is constantly changing their inventory--every day there is something new and it's impossible to beat their prices. I won't be linking specific products from S&C on my blog because they sell out so quickly, but be sure to find me on Facebook and I promise to show you the best deals.

CHECK OUT MY FULL REVIEWS ON BACKCOUNTRY HERE

*items are newly added!

WINTER MUST HAVES
*Neff Daily Beanie. Grab a few colors (there are so many!) These are super lightweight and not what I reach for when it's icy and windy, but they are perfect for day to day wear when I don't want to do my hair (most days). Great for guys/gals/kids.
*Smartwool Socks  My FAVORITE socks--all of them. I won't run in any other brand, and I love their daily socks and ski socks as well.
*Ahnu Octavia Boot. Cute, well made, beautiful leather, and a sturdy rubber sole to keep you from slipping and sliding. Read my full review on Backcountry.
*Bern Baby Bern Boot . Read my full review on Backcountry.
*Prana Viola Infinity Scarf. Round and round it goes.....and so so warm.
*Merrell Haven Redux Jacket. Extra warm--I've loved this coat for the past few years.
Sorel Women's Joan Of Arctic Boot. I have loved these snowboots the past four years!
Sorel Men's 1964 Premium T Boot. Get these for your man.
Minnetonka Slippers These are the BEST slippers.They are so cozy and very well made--I've had mine for 2 years.
*Willow Creek Leather. This is my sister's new little shop--go NOW and check out her stuff. I love her leather cuffs and her journals are GORGEOUS.
*Prints!! My prints are for sale HERE. Let me know if you have a request--I'll see what I can do to add it.

 Outdoor Basics

Chacos . Hands down, best sandals.
I have hiked miles and miles and miles in mine and wear them year round.

CamelBak M.U.L.E. Great for mountain biking and day hikes.

Patagonia Down . A must-have, year round jacket for anyone who loves the outdoors. It's a great jacket for fall and spring, it packs down super small and light to throw in your pack for summer trips when the evening temps drop, and it layers well under jackets in the winter. This is hands down my favorite layer that I own.

Bern Helmets. Robby and I both use our helmet for biking and snowboarding.

Jetboil Flash Personal Cooking System. A must have for backpacking.

Patagonia Trucker Hats . I have a thing for these hats.

Guys
Patagonia Down Sweater
prAna Stretch Zion Shorts.
Men's Prana Zion Pants. Robby LIVES in these pants. Hiking, climbing, everything--they are his favorite.
*Vasque Hiking Boot .
*Patagonia Bivy Vest

Gals
*Patagonia Down Sweater  
Ahnu Sandals.  Gone are the days when I can wear cute sandals all day and be ok with my feet hurting. I was determined to find something cute, but also something super comfortable with a little arch support. THESE sandals fit the bill perfectly! Super cute with jeans or a long skirt and they make my feet so happy.
Billabong Skirts. So happy to find such a cute selection of long skirts (my summer uniform) on Amazon.
Prana Swimwear  My favorite! Super comfy and stays put--even when your out hiking around the lake.
Ahnu Sugarpine Hiking Boot. Comfortable. Waterproof. And super cute.
Sorel Joplin Boot.
*United By Blue  Check out this new company! For every product sold, they remove one pound of trash from our water. Their bags are gorgeous and so well made (I have the Margo Daybag and LOVE it). 

Kids Gear

Kids Keen Sandals. Best summer shoes for your kids--promise.

*Kamik Stomp Rain Boot. These boots are the best for rain, mud, and muck. They are super durable and will last forever, and they hose down to look like new. 

Kid's Camelbak. A must have for hiking with your kids. They can carry their own water and lunch/snacks.

The North Face Kids Snow Boots. Warm, comfortable, durable.
Kids Salomon Running Shoe. My kids have loved these shoes! I hate the lacing system (good idea, poorly executed) but I put regular laces in and the shoes are great for hiking all day.
*Boys Columbia Snow Pants  
*Girls Columbia Snow Pants
Patagonia Base Layers (Bottoms) These are impossible to wear out. I bought them a bit large and my kids have worn these for almost 3 years now. They ski all winter in them, and use them for camping pjs every time we go camping (LOTS). They have been washed and washed and washed and they are still in tip top shape.
*Patagonia Baselayers (Top)
*Boys Patagonia Fleece  My kids live in these jackets year-round. Have you seen how dirty kids get camping? Campfire smoke, dirt, s'mores, more dirt, more sticky stuff. They have put these jackets through the wringer and they come out of the wash like new every time. I can't recommend these enough.
*Girls Patagonia Fleece

Kitchen

Breville Compact Juice Fountain

KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer

Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Great for cooking + skin and hair.
Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar. Great for skin care and cooking! A spoonful a day is so good for you--I buy this by the jug!
KIND Bars. I have recently discovered this brand and love that they are REAL ingredients and super tasty. They are great to stick in a backpack for a hike or long run.

*Epic Bars  It's a bar.....of meat! My body craves protein after a long climb up a mountain and these are an awesome snack to refuel as you sit and take in the view. Our favorite it the Beef.

*Kodiak Cakes I have talked these up before. They are so easy to throw together when you need a quick meal (or hiking snack!) and they are 100% whole grain with ingredients you can read. 

Beauty

DevaCurl Hair Products. The absolute best products for curly hair.

*LASHEM Double Trouble Mascara. I have searched and searched for a natural mascara that I like and this one is it. It makes my lashes look great, it's water resistant, and it scores a 1 on Environmental Working Group's database (the lower the better!)

Bare Minerals

Yes To
Loma Organics Hair Care
Burt's Bees

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay. I have loved this mask and it lasts SO long.
Primal Pit Paste Natural Deodorant. I have tried lots of natural deodorants over the past little while. This one is hands down the BEST. I love the lavender scent, and it WORKS even better than I hoped it would.
Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Tinted Moisturizer. Perfect and light for summer.
Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream. I love this on my face before bedtime.
*Pure Black Soap. Love this all purpose soap.

Health

CamelBak Insulated Bottle. We take our water bottles wherever we go. Drink drink drink!

Jade Yoga Mat. This mat takes a few sessions to break in.....and then you'll love it.

Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Dumbbells. Perfect weights for a small space.
Wellness Formula. I swear by these vitamins this time of year.
Traditional Medicinals Tea
NOW Foods Super Enzymes
Garden of Life Primal Defense Probiotic Formula
*doTERRA Family Physician Kit. I am still fairly new to essential oils, and don't recommend one brand over another. I went with this kit because I got a screaming deal on it and thought it was a good introduction to oils.
*  Modern Essentials Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils

Trail Running
*Pearl Izumi Trail Shoe  . My Brooks have finally been dethroned. I have been running in these shoes and LOVE how they feel. They fit better and feel lighter than my Cascadia and I have been loving my trail time with them.
Brooks Cascadia 9. This is my 4th pair of Cascadias. Another great shoe! The toe box is a little wider this year so when I first took these out they felt a little big. I'm used to it now, but even if you've wore Cascadias before, maybe go try them on just in case.
The North Face Better Than Naked Shorts . I have put 100s of miles on these shorts and they have always been my favorite. Super light and super short--it really feels like nothing.
Patagonia Women's Strider Shorts  I have taken these out for a few runs already and I have fallen in love. They are giving my North Face shorts a run for the money. They are so comfy and light and feel amazing after a few hours on the trail. For me they are more flattering than the North Face shorts.
Saucony Running Tank  Comfortable, no rubbing, and a little bit longer so it doesn't ride up under my pack.
Moving Comfort Sports Bras 

UltrAspire Surge Race Vest

Smart Wool Running Socks . My favorite socks.

Nuun

EFS Liquid Shot

S Caps

Garmin Forerunner 110

Honey Stinger Energy Gel
ZICO Coconut Water. Stop drinking Gatorade and start drinking this post run.

Pets

Chaco Dog Collar. The BEST collar for your dog--especially if they are constantly in and out of the water. It lasts forever and doesn't get gross and stinky like cheaper collars do.

Chaco Dog Leash

Sport Dog Electric Invisible Dog Fence

Heated Base For Poultry Fount. I had to get something to keep the water thawed when we leave town--this has worked great!

Kids Toys/Books

Snap Circuits . My 9 year old plays with these for hours.

Doodle Books

Legos

The Dangerous Book for Boys

The Daring Book for Girls

National Geographic Kids Books. We love anything by NatGeo! 

Kid's Passport to Your National Parks. If you love to explore our National Parks, pick up this little book for your kiddos. They can stamp their books at each park and it acts as a little journal collecting all the places they've been.

Lincoln Logs
Harry Potter Book Series
Narnia Book Series
Q &A a Day for Kids: A Three-Year Journal
Smithsonian Handbooks
Ed Emberley Drawing Books
*Art Sets My girl asks for art supplies every single year for Christmas and I have loved this brand. They have tiny sizes up to giant sizes and the cases have been sturdy and held up to her daily use.
*Big Dig Dino Model: T-Rex HUGE hit with my kids. You dig the dino out like a real paleontologist and then put the pieces together!

Books-just a couple of my all time favorites

The Family Flavor Cookbook

The Book Thief

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

The Poisonwood Bible

Born to Run