Author: Steve

Shannon Falls: The Family Guide to This Sea To Sky Staple
Shannon Falls is an easy stopover while going up the Sea to Sky Highway. The massive falls are just minutes from the parking lot, and will give you a glimpse of the massive scale of the Coast Mountains up close.

Why Stop at Shannon Falls

The park sits right on the Sea to Sky Highway between Murrin Park and the Sea to Sky Gondola . It’s an easy pit-stop on your way north, as long as it’s not busy. The sound hits you right when you open the car door, and will only get louder as you creep up to it. The best part is that they’re different every time you view them. At 335 metres, it’s the third-highest waterfall in British Columbia, and from the base it’s hard to even see the top.

In the spring snowmelt or the fall and winter rains, it’s a beautiful sight of nature’s power. In the summer it’s a bit more palpable, and the mist can be cooling on a hot day. The walk from the parking lot to the viewpoints is short and mostly flat. It offers a big reward for very little effort, which is exactly the kind of stop this highway is made for.

Especially with little kids, this makes for an easy “hike” on a paved, stroller-friendly path. It’s just enough to offer a bit of challenge, but not too much that the whining starts before they get to see what all the fuss is about.

Getting There & Parking

Shannon Falls Provincial Park is roughly 2 km south of Squamish on Highway 99, on the east side of the road. The parking lot hasn’t been expanded in line with the popularity, so it fills up extremely quickly in the summer months. The lineups to wait for a spot can get a bit rediculous.

There’s overflow parking across the street at Darrell Bay if things are too crazy. Totem Hall is also nearby, where local Squamish Nation cultural events often occur. If anything is going on that is open to the public, it’s well worth a visit.

💲
Free

⏱️
30 min–1 hr

👶
All ages

🚻
Flush toilets

🅿️
Free lot (fills fast)

🐕
On-leash

The view from the upper viewpoint

The Falls Through the Seasons

The falls are never quite the same twice. In spring, snowmelt turns Shannon Creek into a roar and the whole cliff seems to move. In the fall and winter rains it’s nature’s power on full display. Come summer the flow eases off, the falls get more palpable, and on a hot day the mist drifting off the base is the best free air-conditioning on the corridor.

Hiking to the Top: Read This First

You can also hike up toward the top of the falls, but be forewarned. No matter how cool it looks on social media, do not swim in the pool up top — even if you think it’s safe. People have died there, and they will continue to die as long as people keep posting about it. It’s no joke.

This isn’t hypothetical. In 2018, three young travellers slipped at a pool above the falls and drowned. One fell, and the two who tried to help fell after. The granite is slick, the current is stronger than it looks, and there’s no getting back out once the water has you. A photo is not worth it.

The trail itself is tough for little legs, but a good challenge for kids around 8 and up. It’s easily accessible from the parking lot, just look for signs.

Good to Know
- Cost: Free. Day-use only. No camping.
- Washrooms: Flush toilets on site.
- Facilities: Picnic areas and a small seasonal concession/info kiosk.
- Dogs: On-leash at all times; not permitted in park buildings.
- Stroller call: The base path to the lower viewpoint is mostly flat and manageable; the upper viewpoint has stairs. A carrier is the safer bet if you’re going past the first viewpoint.
- Cell service: Reliable
- Best time to visit: Early morning or a weekday. On a summer weekend the lot fills and you’ll be waiting a while to snag a spot.
Make a Day of It

Shannon Falls is best strung together with its neighbours. Combine it with a stop at Murrin Park just to the south, or ride up the Sea to Sky Gondola right next door for the big-picture view of Howe Sound.

Planning a Sea to Sky family day?

Grab the free Sea to Sky Family Navigator app we built for families both local and visiting, who want to get the most out of the corridor. It’s packed with honest, kid-tested stops from Horseshoe Bay to Pemberton. You can browse by activity or map, and save your trip plan for a sweet little trip up the Sea-to-Sky.

Get the free guide

Come Back with the Seasons

This is the type of stop you want to make more than once, especially with little ones. We love being able to show our kids how one spot can change drastically with the seasons. No matter what time of year there is something unique. It’s also one of the few places where it pays to go in the offseason, since the water is usually raging more and the crowds have gone away.

It looks pretty cool in the winter, too!

Shannon Falls FAQ

How tall is Shannon Falls?

Shannon Falls drops 335 metres (1,099 feet), making it the third-highest waterfall in British Columbia.

Is Shannon Falls free to visit?

Yes. Shannon Falls Provincial Park is free to enter, with free parking and flush toilets. It’s a day-use park. There is no overnight camping, but a campground sits a few hundred meters down the road at Stawamus Chief Provincial Park.

How long is the walk to Shannon Falls?

The walk from the parking lot to the viewpoints is short. You can budget about 30 minutes round-trip, which includes some time for pics and some peaceful moments taking it in.

Can you swim at Shannon Falls?

No. Swimming in the pools above the falls is extremely dangerous and has killed several people. The rock is slippery and the current is far stronger than it appears. Enjoy the falls from the viewpoints and stay out of the water.

Is Shannon Falls good for kids?

The base trail is easy and suitable for all ages, including little ones. The steeper hike toward the top of the falls is a good challenge for kids around 8 and up, but keep everyone well back from the water.
August 18, 2026

The Dometic Backpack Is the New Kid on The Block and A Bit Cooler than Others

Once in a while, you get to test a totally new innovation and see how it stacks up to the establishment it claims to be beating. I’ve just spent the past three months testing out the Unrestricted cooler on our family adventures: hiking, camping, and biking around the Sea to Sky region of British Columbia. And while the bag isn’t breaking any ice-retention records, it does its job extremely well for a day trip as a mobile snack station and cool-drink provider. It also stays relatively watertight.

Read on for why this earned a spot in our regular rotation as the best low-bulk backpack cooler we’ve tested for day missions.

Dometic Unrestricted Backpack: The Facts

a studio image of the dometic unrestricted backpack cooler

Price (as reviewed)	~$269.99 USD
Capacity	24 L
Weight	1.3 kg
Dimensions	~53.5 x 34 x 18 cm (21 x 13.4 x 7 in)
Insulation	100% recycled PrimaLoft Gold
Shell	100% recycled 900D CORDURA; 420D TPU reinforcement
Liner	Plastic
Zippers	YKK AQUAGUARD
Carry	16″ laptop sleeve, dual bottle pockets, daisy chain + 4 G-hook cinch straps
Ice system	Connect Ice magnetic packs (sold separately)

Specs verified August 12 2026

Check Price at Dometic

A cooler that doesn’t look like a cooler

The first thing that struck me about the Unrestricted is that it doesn’t present itself as a backpack cooler. No bulky, boxy shell, no “I’m carrying beer to the beach” silhouette. It reads as a normal daypack, right down to the integrated laptop sleeve, and that’s the whole point: it’ll moonlight as a carry-on or a commute bag on the days it isn’t keeping lunch cold.

a man wearing the dometic unrestricted backpack cooler — You can’t tell it’s a cooler from the outside!

Why I trusted the insulation before I packed it

Before I even knew what it was, I brought a PrimaLoft-lined shirt with me on an expedition to Mount Logan while filming for Nat Geo. One of the older crew members was ribbing me for not having a puffy jacket as a midlayer, but he soon got pretty quiet when I’d stand around camp in comfort without a massive parka on. It was the only thing that worked as a good insulating layer where I didn’t feel overheated, and when I did sweat, it didn’t become a soggy mess. So when I saw the same insulation wrapped around a cooler, I was pretty confident that it’d do well.

How it held up from the car to the trail

Over three months we ran it through a proper Sea to Sky gauntlet: a hot summer car ride up to Whistler, lake-to-lake along the Valley Trail with the Chariot in tow, a few nights camping at Porteau Cove, and a string of day missions to Squamish. Through all of it, our food and drinks stayed properly refrigerated. The catch is that the cold only stays put if you keep it zipped. Leave it gaping open at the picnic table and you’ll feel the difference pretty quickly.

Close up of the aquagard zippers — The zippers are robust enough to help seal out the heat, but just make sure you zip them all the way!

The size-to-insulation sweet spot

Let’s be honest about the cold retention: it doesn’t match something like the IceMule Boss, or even a Yeti backpack cooler. But both of those are cumbersome. The Unrestricted has a better size-to-insulation ratio, which makes an excellent sweet spot that’s good for a day, but not so good for a week, if that makes sense. For the kind of day-tripping a family actually does, that trade is the right one, and the compact package is exactly why it ends up coming along.

The ice pack situation

The clip-on Connect Ice pack isn’t that exciting. I usually just used gel freezer packs instead, which did the job for less. That said, if you’re in a pinch and don’t want to pay five bucks for a bag of ice that’s far more than you need, the system is a tidier option than dumping raw cubes in. Just know it’s sold separately, so factor that into the price.

Buy it if you want a day-trip cooler that carries like a normal pack and doesn’t have the bulk of a Yeti or an IceMule. It’s the right call for hikers, bikers, paddlers, and beach-bound families who value a smart size-to-insulation ratio. If genuinely recycled materials matter to you, the PrimaLoft story here is the real thing, not a sticker.

Skip it if you need ice to survive a multi-day trip. This is a day cooler, full stop, and a hard-sided chest will serve you better for car-camping a week out. Ultralight backpackers counting grams will find it heavier than they’d like for the volume, and bargain hunters will balk at the premium price. And if you assumed the cooling packs came in the box, know up front that they don’t.

Final Thoughts

The Dometic Unrestricted is the soft cooler that finally solved the problem of looking and carrying like a soft cooler. For day missions a little further out of reach, it’s a fantastic mobile snack station and cold-drink provider. It’s versatile enough to double as an everyday pack, built from materials I’m happy to stand behind, and watertight enough to trust. It won’t win an ice-retention contest against a hard cooler, and the separately sold ice packs aren’t anything special, but for a family that wants one civilized way to keep food and drinks cold on the trail without the bulk, this one earns its spot on trips a little further out.

Check Price at Dometic

a close up view of the dometic unrestricted backpack cooler with the water bottle pocket on the side — The water bottle holders are a nice touch, and not something you see on many backpack coolers.

August 12, 2026

Is the New Heights/OluKai Flip Flop Collab Worth the Premium Price Tag? A Review of the Mea Ola Nu’u

Heads up: This review contains affiliate links. If you buy through one, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it helps keep these reviews free to read. It never changes my verdict. Read my Gear Review Policy. — Steve

I’m not as big of a football fan as I once was. Family life has certainly cut into leisure time. So when I heard that OluKai, a brand known more for the waterman’s ethos of Hawaii, was collaborating with NFL stars Travis and Jason Kelce, I kinda went “meh,” and wondered if this collab was genuine.

Then I tried the sandals out. And whatever the reasoning behind the collab aside, the reality is that it’s a damn fine pair of flip flops. The leather is what you’d expect with OluKai, but the big difference is the footbed. Maybe having some of the top athletes in a sport that has them abusing their feet designing some leisure footwear wasn’t such a strange idea, after all.

As a dad, comfort is key, and so is quality, although both come at a premium. So were they worth the $160 price tag? Read on to find out!

New Heights x OluKai Mea Ola Nuʻu: The Verdict

Bottom line: It’s a lot to spend on a sandal, but the full-grain leather and rugged outsole mean it’ll last. It’s the type of sandal that gets better with age, as long as you aren’t the amphibous type.

Pros

✓ Full-grain leather that softens and shapes to your foot instead of wearing out
✓ The footbed is noticeably more supportive underfoot than a flat foam flip-flop
✓ Grippier than it looks: rubber traction pods set into a leather-wrapped outsole
✓ The football details stay subtle, but is a nice touch.

Cons

✕ $160 USD is a lot of money for a pair of flip flops
✕ It’s a beach sandal you shouldn’t swim in. OluKai builds the Mea Ola for dry sand and shorelines, not soaking
✕ Sizing guidance conflicts between OluKai’s own page and its Amazon listing (see The Facts, below)
✕ Limited edition, men’s sizes only, one colorway

Check price on Amazon

The Specs

Price	$160 USD
Colourway	Dark Java / Tan (single limited-edition colourway)
Sizes	Men’s US 7–15, whole sizes
Upper	Full-grain leather
Lining	Soft microfiber
Toe post	Handsewn
Footbed	Contoured leather footbed with laser-etched New Heights artwork and embroidered logo accents
Midsole / outsole	Compression EVA midsole, with spotted rubber outsole on top of leather.
Fit	OluKai’s product page lists it true to size, standard width, standard arch. OluKai’s own Amazon listing for the same sandal says it runs small and narrow with a high arch, and recommends sizing up. See the sizing note below.
Weight	17 oz (pair)
Water use	Built for dry sand and shorelines; prolonged water contact can damage the leather
Warranty	1 year from date of purchase
Availability	Limited edition, while supplies last

Specs verified August 3, 2026. Prices drift — check before you buy.

A note on sizing

OluKai gives two different answers depending on where you shop. The product page on olukai.com says the Mea Ola Nuʻu fits true to size with a standard width and arch. OluKai’s own Amazon listing for the same sandal says it runs small and narrow with a high arch, and tells you to order a size up. I found it to be fairly standard for me, and ordering a size up would have been way too much underfoot. As someone who oscillates between a size 10 and 9.5, the 10 was actually slightly big, but a 9.5 would probably have my toes creeping over.

How I tested them

I’ve been wearing these over the past few months in a classic west coast summer. I’m not taking them hiking or anything, but wearing them on the day-to-day when it suits. I try to not

Notable Features of the Mea Ola Nuʻu

Full-grain leather upper. It breaks in rather than breaks down, and darkens where your foot touches it. OluKai says the leathers here nod to vintage pigskins and old-school helmets. It’s a nice touch.
Contoured footbed with real arch shape. This is what separates it from a $20 rubber flip flop: there’s structure under the arch, so your foot isn’t doing all the work. The result? I can wear these all day without the usual foot pain from cheap sandals.
Leather-wrapped outsole with rubber traction pods. The outsole truly is grippy and a step above (no pun intended) a cheap, flimsy plastic outsole. But the sporadic use of it means you still get some flex in the step, and it doesn’t feel clunky. It’s a great compromise.
Handsewn toe post and microfiber lining. The toe post is the first thing to fail on a cheap sandal. This one is stitched, not glued, and lined so it doesn’t saw at your foot.
The New Heights details. Laser-etched footbed artwork, stitching that echoes football lacing, gold foil signatures from both brothers, and a “New Heights Equipment Co.” stamp. Subtle enough that nobody at the beach is going to clock it as merch. But it’s there for the fans who appreciate some details.
One-year warranty, and a B Corp behind it. A portion of every purchase goes to Hawaiian nonprofits through OluKai’s Ama foundation.

the olukai mea ola nu'u sandals in the sand — The pigskin stiching on top is the big standout feature that separates this version from the standard Mea Olua Nu’u

Drawbacks

The price. $160 USD buys a lot of sandal, and it also buys a lot of other things. This only makes sense if you’re the kind of person who keeps footwear for years and takes care of it along the way.
It’s leather, so it needs care. Rinse it in the ocean all summer and you’ll get a fraction of the life out of it. OluKai is explicit that the Mea Ola is made for dry sand and shorelines, not swimming.
Sizing is a coin flip online. Two official sources, two different answers. Order from somewhere with free returns, just to be safe.
Limited edition. One colourway, men’s sizing only, and when it’s gone it’s gone.
Not vegan, not synthetic. Leather upper, leather footbed, top to bottom. The only rubber is at the very bottom of the outsole.

Who This Is For

Buy them if you want a sandal that will still be in the rotation in five years. This isn’t the typical “dad shoe.” It’s a notch above and is perfect for a gift to show you really care about a guy. If they’re a football fan, and especially a fan of the Kelce brothers, it’s a no-brainer. If they aren’t the type to change out of their workboots… even better, and maybe this set of premium leather slippahs will help them do the trick.

Yes, it’s expensive, but a lot of things are these days, and it’s got more utility than a fancy golf shirt that probably costs around the same.

Who Should Skip This

Skip them if your sandals live in the water. If you’re spending the summer at the lake, launching a boat, or handing them to a kid who will absolutely wear them into the ocean, buy something synthetic and stop reading. Leather will lose that fight to water, especially over time. Skip them if you don’t use animal products, because there’s no synthetic version of this sandal. And skip them if you’re the kind of buyer who replaces flip flops every June for twenty bucks and is perfectly happy doing it: the whole argument for the Mea Ola Nuʻu is longevity, and if you don’t care about longevity, you’re just paying for leather.

Final Thoughts

I went in skeptical about a celebrity collab and came out with a sandal that gets more comfortable with each wear. The Kelce details are probably something peole will eithe gravitate to or avoid, but they’re not the reason to buy it. The leather, the footbed and the outsole are and those are all OluKai’s, collab or not. Make no mistake, it’s a lot to spend on a sandal. But the quality craftsmanship and rugged outsole means it’ll last.

Leather isn’t for everyone, but it’s the type of sandal that will only get better with time, and should last for a very long time if you know how to take care of them.

Check price on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the OluKai Mea Ola Nuʻu sandals worth the money?

At $160 USD they cost roughly eight times a drugstore flip flop, so the math only works if you keep them for years. The full-grain leather, contoured footbed and stitched toe post are built to be kept. If you’re hard on sandals or you swim in them, you won’t see that value.

Do the OluKai Mea Ola Nuʻu run true to size?

OluKai recommends sizing up, however I found them to be pretty true to size, or even a hair larger than usual. Shopping for foot sizing is always a bother, but if you can’t try them out in person before buying, make sure you can return them. Amazon is a clear winner here for that reason… love ’em or hate ’em, their return policy allows you to give them a try.

Can you wear OluKai leather sandals in the water?

Not really. OluKai describes the Mea Ola as built for dry sand and shorelines, and warns that prolonged water contact can damage the leather. If you want an OluKai you can soak, look at their synthetic or water-ready models instead.

Did Jason and Travis Kelce actually design the sandal?

It’s a collaboration, not a ground-up design. OluKai built it on its existing Mea Ola platform. It’s a sandal Jason Kelce has worn for years, and they reworked the materials and detailing with football references: vintage pigskin leathers, lacing-style stitching, gold foil signatures and a “New Heights Equipment Co.” stamp. The comfort underfoot is OluKai’s, not the Kelces’. Like any collab, it’s more just a way for a brand to reach a new market. Whether or not it’s enough for you to want to pony up dough for depends on if you like the style or not.

Is the New Heights x OluKai collab still available?

It launched in June 2026 as a limited edition, sold while supplies last, in one colorway and men’s sizing only. Check current stock before you get your hopes up.

August 4, 2026

The Best Travel Bags For Families on the Go

Heads up: This guide contains affiliate links. If you buy through one, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it helps keep our guides free. It never changes our picks or their order. Read our Gear Review Policy.

Traveling with kids is a special kind of madness. No matter how many times we do it and how prepared we may think we may be, something always goes wrong. We’ve been puked on when the seatbelt sign is on. Luggage has been lost, connections missed, and snacks forgotten.

But somehow, we always come back to do it again. Not because it’s easy, but because the experiences will leave lasting imprints on our kids (and us) to help form good character throughout life. One hack we’ve learned is to have a good travel bag. And after receiving and testing dozens of bags the past few years, we’ve found a few that really stand out.

Take a look at these bags and give them a try. We’re confident that there will be one to suit your need, whether the tiny and packable to the extra large and premium.

Bottom line: If you need only one bag, the No Reception Club Hideaway Duffel is the premium piece of equipment that will keep you organized and build better packing habits.

How We Tested The Travel Bags

These bags have been taken on planes, trains and automobiles; to sandy beaches, and to cold mountain cabins. Since having kids we have spent most of our time at home in British Columbia, home to the coastal rainforest, west coast beaches, and the mountains of the Sea to Sky. We’re also fortunate enough to have friends in Hawaii that we house-sit for, so we go there at least once a year — sometimes two or three (with gratitude). So the bags we take along the way have been through pretty much every climate except arctic and desert.

Our Picks for the Best Family Travel Bags

Pick	Best for	Price (USD)	Capacity
No Reception Club Hideaway Duffel	Organization	$295	42L
Gregory Border Carry-On 40	Weekender carry-on	~$180–200	40L
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 100L	Large hauls	~$225	100L
Matador ReFraction Packable Duffle	Packable day bag	~$55	25L

Specs verified July 2, 2026 against manufacturer pages. Prices vary by retailer and region — check before you buy.

Best Overall: No Reception Club Hideaway Duffel

Bottom line: Thoughtful design that made us better at packing. You learn how to be more organized just by using this bag.

Pros

✓ Organizing is a breeze
✓ Bag is durable
✓ Removable laundry sack keeps dirty clothes separate

Cons

✕ It’s pricey

At a glance

Price: $295 USD [VERIFY: CAD price — you listed $340 CAD; confirm on noreceptionclub.com]
Capacity / weight: 42L · 3.3 lb empty (~5 lb loaded with straps + organizer)
Best for: Families with multiple smaller children (babies/toddlers)
Good to know: Water-resistant recycled polyester, removable Cubby organizer, insulated pocket, lifetime warranty

a studio image of the no reception club hideaway duffel

Check price at No Reception Club

You don’t get many mom-and-pop brands out there making game changing equipment these days, but that’s just what Gemma and and Daniel Ng have done with No Reception Club. As parents themselves, they were frustrated with what the current market offered for a diaper bag on the go. Several years later and their bags have been a huge success.

It started with the backpack-enabled Getaway bag, which made taking kids on the plane a whole lot more bearable and organized. Their latest offering, the Hideaway Duffel, expands on that success by offering more space for longer adventures.

Our favourite feature is the removable laundry bag that allows you to separate the filthy from the flawless. While the price is up there, the time saved is well worth it.

We dove a bit deeper into No Reception Club in this in-depth review if you’d like to know more.

Best Weekender Carry-On: Gregory Border 40

Bottom line: Easy to stash a bunch of clothing into a backpack, hang it up, and compartmentalize.

Pros

✓ Holds more than it looks
✓ Extra space for laptops / small items
✓ Durable handles for quick unloads

Cons

✕ Inside pockets are large enough to get disorganized

At a glance

Price: ~$180–200 USD [VERIFY: Gregory MSRP $199.95, often on sale ~$150; REI listed $239.95 — confirm current price on your link]
Capacity / weight: 40L · ~2.9 lb
Best for: Quick getaways
Good to know: Exterior laptop + tablet sleeves, ActiveShield wet/dirty compartment, AirTag holder, luggage pass-through, PFAS-free DWR

a studio image of the gregory border 40 carryon travel backpack

Check price at Gregory

Check price on Amazon

Gregory makes some excellent backpacks for overnight hikes, so I was curious to try out a different offering of theirs. The Border is a travel backpack is well thought out, allowing you to stash a bunch of stuff in a carry on and open it up in a hotel room without things going everywhere.

The pockets have a good flow to them, from the two large main ones on either side to the multiple smaller item zips that attach to the outside. It’s great for speedy packing on the go, which seems to always happen to our family as we rush to beat the checkout time.

It’s not necessarily family-sized, but will suit the parents, at least, or do well in warmer climates when less clothing is needed. Either way, it’s durable and easy to pack quickly, which is why it earned its keep on this list.

Best Large Travel Bag: Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 100L

Bottom line: If you just want to toss everything in and go, this will do it for you.

Pros

✓ Packs up for easy storage
✓ Super durable
✓ Now PFAS-free [VERIFY: confirm current DWR/PFAS status for this exact model on patagonia.ca]

Cons

✕ Can be awkward to carry if you have other bags too

At a glance

Price: ~$225
Capacity / weight: 100L/56.3 oz
Best for: When space or weight isn’t an issue
Good to know: 100% recycled polyester ripstop with recycled TPU laminate, stuffs into its own pocket, removable backpack straps, Fair Trade Certified

a studio image of the patagonia black hole duffel bag

Check price at Patagonia

Patagonia needs no introduction, but most people know about their clothing and outerwear. Their bags are no slouch either. This duffel is the go-to for big family adventures when we want to pack it all. We have even made it a traveling beach getaway in one kit.

It’s large, durable, and even packs up to stash away when you don’t need it. It’s nothing fancy, but that’s the point. It’s a big duffel bag to toss in as much as you can, and won’t easily rip. Plus, you can add shoulder straps to lug it on the back. Not the easiest solution, but its better than one of those massive suitcases that takes up space in the closet when not being used.

Best Packable Bag: Matador ReFraction Packable Duffle

Bottom line: A perfect day-tripper that packs to practically nothing and weighs a few ounces, but still holds 25L of essentials.

Pros

✓ Really packable — folds into its own pocket
✓ Strong straps

Cons

✕ Easy to stain — we prefer the black for this reason

At a glance

Price: ~$55 USD
Capacity / weight: 25L · 7.9 oz (225 g)
Best for: A day bag that packs into your luggage when travelling
Good to know: 100D recycled nylon, PFAS-free, YKK zippers, 3-year warranty

Check price at Matador

We all need a day bag, but packing an empty one can waste some precious cargo space. Matador makes some excellent travel bags that are easy to pack,a nd we found the ReFraction to be in a sweet spot for carrying a good amount of gear during the day, and packing up to a tiny size when in transit.

There’s nothing special about how its organized, but we can attest to its durability, having been a diaper bag tossed in the car, a mobile beach diaper bag, and a snack kit that always held up over the past few years.

How to Choose a Family Travel Bag

Choosing the right travel bag for your family depends a lot on your style. Are you already super organized? Do you have some extra cash or are on a budget? Do you need compartments, or just one big place to stash and spray out when getting to your rental? Answers to these questions and more will help you narrow it down.

Pockets: Is there a good mix of large and small?
Wet/dirty space: Is there a spot for wet or dirty clothes and/or diapers?
Material: Is it water/mud repellent? And how will it look with some rogue marker artwork by your toddler? Black is usually best — unless you enjoy a bit of DIY design from your kid.
Sanity space: Can you fit a book/tablet/laptop in as well, for when you need some time to yourself?
Space for valuables: Is there a small pocket for keys/wallet/phone that’s easy to access when needed — and safe from a stray hand?
Attaches to other bags: Can it fix onto a pull handle for rolling luggage? Can it be worn as a backpack?

FAQ

What size bag do we need for a family trip?

Rough rule of thumb: a 40–42L carry-on covers a few days for one or two people, while a 100L duffel swallows a full family’s clothing for a longer haul. Many families run one big bag plus a packable day bag.

Carry-on or checked?

The odds are you’ll need both. Kids require so many accessories. We fought it for a while but realized that it’s not an easy task to pack light. But a carryon is essential when you need to entertain kids, keep them fed, and have spare diapers. If you can travel with only a carry-on, please reach out so we can interview you and hear your secrets for the world to hear!

How do you keep dirty or wet clothes separate?

Some bags have special compartments or features. The Hideaway Duffel has a laundry sack built-in that has saved us numerous times. Gregory’s Border bag has

The Final Word

If you want one bag to rule them all, go for the Hideaway Duffel. It has literally made us better at organizing things by its layout. But each bag in this review stands out in its category, and we use them all for their specific reasons, going as far as packing them all on long-haul flights. We’ve tested others, but these ones rose to the top.

Whatever the best bag for your family is, make sure it’s built to last. They will get punished over the years, if everything goes to plan. Hopefully this guide helped you narrow some choices down a bit further. If you need any help, please get in touch, we’re happy to answer any questions and help families navigate the beautiful chaos of traveling with little ones.

July 15, 2026

The Best Family-Friendly Beaches in and Around Vancouver BC
Believe it or not, Vancouver has amazing beaches.

Locals may not want this known, but it’s not exactly a secret. We’re on the coast, after all. And while our summers aren’t long, we they do get hot: It’s not uncommon (and getting even more common, for better or for worse) to have 30 degree days in the summer.

With an array of beaches and only so many good days in the summer, it might seem daunting to figure out which beach is best to take your family. These our our favorites due to the ability to park the car, nearby amenities, beauty, and aren’t too city-fied where you worry about what the kids might find underneath the sand.

Our Favourite Beaches: The List
Second Beach

Every dad has at least one “Lion King” shot… right?

English Bay is probably the most popular beach in Vancouver due to its proximity to downtown and west-facing sunset views. But that also means that it’s incredibly busy and noisy, which doesn’t make it the best to have small kids playing in the sand.

But just a little further down the road—or more preferably, the seawall—Second Beach provides a much more mellow experience. Housed inside Stanley Park, this beach has southwest views of Point Grey The beach itself isn’t much in comparison to the size of English Bay but it’s all the other amenities nearby that really entice the kids, such as a pool, two playgrounds, a giant field, and concessions.

Third Beach

Just a little bit further down the seawall (or closer on the right hand, if you’re driving on Stanley Park Drive) is Third Beach. This is the farthest west you can go on the downtown Vancouver peninsula, and thus, the best place to watch the sunset. In the summer the sun stays out late into the evening, giving Third Beach a warm vibe and great destination to kick off the warm summer nights.

Tuesday nights are home to the legendary drum circle, which is kid-friendly although a ceremonial flower is burned and consumed often. And while its legal in Canada, some visitors might still be taken with surprise at its prevalence. But the smell of weed aside, the drums are a fun way to collectively and spontaneously groove with a large number of people. This is something that needs to happen more often in day-to-day life, in our opinion. But once a week in the summertime is a good start.

Ambleside Park

The Squamish Nation hosted a salmon cookout on the beach for Indigenous People’s Day.

Just across the Lions Gate Bridge from Stanley Park is Ambleside Park, which borders the Squamish nation’s Capilano reserve (or “rez” as the locals call it). In fact, teh border between the two lands is nonexistent on the beach, hopefully signifying a bit of a metaphor to our ongoing reconciliation efforts between nations.

The beach extends from 13th street in West Vancouver to the Capilano River on the rez. The water will fluctuate between calm mornings and windy afternoons with associated waves. Nothing is too big though because Vancouver Islands blocks any open ocean swell. Still, you might not want to wear loose hats on a day in the sun.

The playground here is good for various ages, although sometimes the merry-go-round can get a bit chaotic in numbers. If the big kids outnumber the little kids you might want to opt for the group swing that might be a bit more mellow for the crew.

The park also has a really fun pitch and putt course where the smaller kids can at least have a few putts while the big kids and grown ups take their shot at this par-3 seaside classic.

There is also a cafe nearby as well as a skate park, basketball court, and soccer fields that are only busy on weekends and pretty mellow the rest of the time.

Caulfield Park

This one is a bit hidden and off the radar, and risking getting a wincy eye from the people who live nearby, we have to recommend this beach for something different. It’s hidden away on a tiny turnoff from Marine Drive in West Vancouver, and opens up a park with some nice seaside shore-walking trails. On one end is Caufield cove which has a nice sandy beach that fluctuates in size with the tides.

It’s nice and quiet (most of the time) and gets excellent afternoon sun, but peak times mean parking is impossible. Taking a bus is probably the best option for the least headache.

Hot Tip: For situations like these we have a whole list of the best beach bags so that riding a bus to the beach doesn’t seem like a chore.

Whytecliff Park

At the far end of Marine Drive, past the village at Horseshoe Bay and winding past some quite impressive estates, is La Fin Du Monde… the end of the North American continent, the Coast Mountains, and Whytecliff park. This municipal park has a forested area on the far side of Marine Drive and a seaside area as well.

There are so many good things to say about this park, not only because it’s close to home for us and we are regulars, but because it truly is a gem. Many people know this though, and it gets quite busy on summer weekends—so much so, that Marine Drive gets blocked off for residents only to help control the traffic. So get there early, if you can.

The beach itself is fairly rocky but has perfect southern exposure to the Salish Sea and Vancouver Island. Whyte Islet is a fun little excursion that becomes an island at high tide, so plan accordingly. It’s also a popular scuba diving spot that excites our kids.

If you’re really lucky, you’ll spot whales right from the beach. Orcas, Humpbacks, and Gray whales are often sighted here.

Lions Bay Beach

This beach is just a 10 minute drive from Horseshoe Bay at the beginning of the Sea-to-Sky Corridor, which is a region straddling highway 99 up towards Whistler and beyond. It’s easily one of the most beautiful drives on Earth, and we are lucky that it is also in our backyard.

Lions Bay beach is a gem of a location and while the sand is trucked in, the views are au natural and oh-so inspiring, especially late in the afternoon. This beach was recently renovated with upgrades to the bathrooms and acessibility, making it even easier to make a nice setup for several hours while the kids have a safe place near the water to play in.

Like everywhere else, it can get pretty busy on the weekends so get there early if that’s all you can swing. But mid-week it’s pretty mellow, especially in the mornings or early afternoon.

If you are exploring more of Howe Sound, check out our free app, the Sea to Sky Family Navigator.

Spanish Banks

Image credit: Jester7777 on Wikipedia

Way out on the northwestern end of Point Grey, past the more popular (and more crowded) Kitsilano and Jericho beaches, is Spanish Banks. Space is the name of the game here with an expansive beach that ends up being pretty vast when the tide is out, thanks to the shallow tidal flats that extend several hundred meters from where the water comes in at high tide.

This is the beach you want to get to for large gatherings, or just to post up a shade tent, barbecue, and make a day out of it. The shoreline is safe and shallow for kiddos to play around in without fear of getting swept out. Although, that said, please use caution if it’s really windy out, which can happen!

White Rock

Image courtesy Explore White Rock

If long, expansive tidal flats are your thing, then White Rock is the place to go. It’s about an hour south of downtown Vancouver next to the US Border, which makes it a perfect first-stop for those coming up from the states. The little beachside village vibe is worth a stroll and a few scoops of ice cream, of which you’ll have several options. The pier makes for a nice part of the walk too, as is the barefoot squish out into the distance when it’s low tide. Just don’t go too far lest the border guards from the USA take interest in your whereabouts! It’s pretty clearly marked, though.

Practical Tips for Visiting Vancouver Beaches

Get there early

We really don’t get a ton of summer months in Vancouver, so when the sun shines, people flock to the beaches. So it can get crowded, which is why you want to get there early, post up, and make a day of it, if possible.

Avoid driving if you can

Ideally you will want to take public transit, because parking is always an issue in Vancouver (not to mention expensive). So if you can pack a good beach bag, all the better for getting around.

Water shoes are handy

Because we don’t get open ocean swell, many of the beaches truck in their sand. This means that below the tide line, the sand disappears quickly and the shore becomes rocky, so it can be a bit of a danger on the feet. Water shoes solve this problem. We love the ones from Native shoes for the kids. They stay on pretty easy and are great both in and out of the water.

Keep Exploring!

We have a ton of other great recommendations for families who want to get the most of adventuring in and around Vancouver. Check out some of our favourite posts for hiking with toddlers in the Sea to Sky, driving up further to visit Whistler, or camping at Porteau Cove. Whatever you do, remember to be excellent to each other!
June 10, 2026

Olukai Moloa Slippers Review

Some things in life are worth paying a premium for. If you told me a few years ago as a dirtbag subleasing a basement in Whistler that I would find value in a pair of slippers that cost more than a fancy dinner, I would have thought you were crazy.

Well, two kids, two cats, and an upgrade to a house later, and here I am, telling the world about how much I enjoy OluKai’s Moloa slipper. I have been testing travel slippers for several years now, and these slippers quickly went to the top of the rotation for their packability, comfort, and the way the sole shapes to my foot. And the best part is, they seem to just get better with time.

Read on to see why I rated this the “Best Travel Slipper” after wearing out dozens over the past decade.

OluKai Moloa Leather Slippers: The Facts

a studio image of the olukai moloa leather slipper

Price (as reviewed)	$140
Weight	30 oz (pair)
Upper	Heavily waxed nubuck leather
Lining / footbed	Soft genuine shearling lining; washable wool footbed
Outsole	Non-marking gum rubber
Heel	Collapsible Drop-In Heel (wears as slipper or slide)
Fit	True to size
Warranty	1 year from date of purchase

Specs verified May 28, 2026. Prices drift — check before you buy.

Check Price on Backcountry

Check Price on Amazon

First impressions out of the box

It was clear on the unboxing that these weren’t your run-of-the-mill travel slippers due to what stood out right away: The smell. I say that in the best way possible, as the leather denotes a sense of quality that one simply can’t get from polyester or cotton, or any other material that is used for slippers these days.

How the footbed breaks in over time

The gum rubber outsole is the unsung hero of the Moloa slippers. As comfortable as the inside is (and believe me, it really is), the way the outsole molds to the foot is unlike anything else I’ve tested. It’s a perfect balance of support and the ability to feel the ground underneath you.

It’s not without its drawbacks, though. If you have toddlers at home, the outsole will pick up anything on the floor, and stay there. Trying to scrape it off is a chore, and I’m yet to find the right solution to work with it. I might need to upgrade to an industrial solvent or something to get whatever my kids leave behind on the floor off of it. Better than stepping on it with bare feet, I guess.

the outsole of the olukai moloa slippers — If anyone knows a good way to scrape off the gunk without ruining the outsole, let us know!

The case for keeping them indoors

I wish these slippers were more acceptable to use out of the home because they are the pinnacle of at-home comfort. They would wear out too soon though and the wear is part of the journey to perfectly shaping your foot. It’s amazing how well it forms and how good it feels.

So keeping them inside will extend the life of them. The same gum rubber that shapes to the foot over time is also incredibly soft, and any gravel or foreign objects would definitely shorten the lifespan.

Buy them if you travel often and want a packable slipper that only gets better with time. It’s the pinnacle of comfort, and will soon become a must-pack item, whether for a weekend getaway or a

Skip them if You’re vegan. The whole thing is made from animals… the leather, the shearling lining, and the wool footbed. But millions of years of evolution kind of knows what it’s doing for comfort and warmth, so sorry to those who don’t use animal products… but synthetic material simply doesn’t mold to the foot the way leather can.

You probably also don’t want it if you spend the majority of your travels camping. There are plenty of camping slippers available that are more rugged, these slippers definitly work best when they are kept inside as much as possible.

Final Thoughts

I really don’t have enough good things to say about the Olukai Moloa slippers. I’m wearing them now at home, I pack them for flights and wear them on staycations to the Nita Lake Lodge, and they just get better with time. OluKai knocked these out of the park and if you value comfort and don’t mind paying a bit extra, these slippers are a fantastic choice.

Check Price on Backcountry

Check Price on Amazon

showcasing the collapsible heel on the olukai moloa slippers — The collapsible heel is the chef’s kiss to these slippers.

June 9, 2026

Plan Your Family Trip in the Sea to Sky Corridor With Our Free App

Simplifying Family Adventures on the Sea to Sky Highway

Exploring the Sea to Sky corridor in British Columbia is in our family’s blood. Dad grew up close by on the North Shore, and moved to Whistler as a young buck out of college. He met mom when she took some time away from city life to recalibrate… and the rest is history.

Now with two little ones, we try to get out as much as possible. We love exploring the BC outdoors and sharing our love of hiking, biking, and general outdoor adventure with our kids, hoping some of our passion rubs off on them. By all measures, it seems like it has.

The Problem With Planning Family Travel in BC

We started Excellent Family Adventures to help families explore the outdoors, find the best kid-friendly places to go, find outdoor gear that lasts, and to instill a heart that goes beyond the self; helping to preserve the planet for future generations.

Along the way, we found out that planning a day out to explore can be overwhelming, even when it’s in our own backyard. Between endless blog posts, conflicting trail reviews, and unpredictable mountain conditions, finding reliable family itineraries is tough. We wanted to get something out to the world to help other families explore the Sea to Sky without the travel planning overwhelm.

Our Solution: The Sea to Sky Family Navigator

So we built the Sea to Sky Family Navigator. It’s a free digital guidebook and interactive planning app designed specifically for parents looking to explore from Horseshoe Bay to Pemberton, including Squamish, Whistler, and everywhere in between.

How the Family Navigator App Works

Whether you are looking for a stroller-friendly walk, a rainy-day stop, or a full-day family bike ride, the Navigator simplifies your weekend. You can filter by activity type, duration, and kid-tested effort level to show only what interests your family. Browse by map if you’re a visual planner, save your favourite hidden gems, and build a custom day-trip planner in seconds.

The best part… it’s all 100% free!

Check Out the Family Navigator Here

June 8, 2026
Murrin Park: A Short, Sweet Taste of Hiking the Coast Mountains
Right off the bat, let’s say it: if you want to do a most excellent hike in Squamish and you have the stamina to go up and down 800m in a single session, The Chief is bar none the best route around. But this is a page about family adventures—and more specifically, families with little ones. This hiking guide is for those who want to get the taste of a good coastal BC hike but either don’t have the time or the wherewithal to get too gnarly.

But if you want righteous views, bodacious groves of old-growth trees, and just enough sweat to remind your heart that a little exercise is most excellent, then may we present to you Murrin Park, just a few kilometers south of Squamish. It’s located right at the top of the hill between Shannon Falls and Britannia Beach, making it a must-stop spot along the Sea to Sky highway.

Why This Trail Builds Resilient Kids

Living in the Sea to Sky corridor for nearly two decades, I’ve found that getting kids stoked on the outdoors is about finding that perfect reward-to-effort ratio. Taking our kids out here has proven that short, punchy trails followed by a world-class view are the best recipe for building resilience. They get to scramble over roots, navigate varied terrain, and learn the basic life skills of foot placement and pacing, all without the exhaustion that leads to meltdowns.

It’s also an incredible place to introduce a culture of mountain safety early on. As a backcountry guide, I treat these summer hikes as foundational training. We practice staying together, observing our surroundings, and making smart decisions on uneven ground, which hopefully will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

The Route & The Rocks

Rock climbing is regarded as religion in the park. As long as the kids keep a safe distance, there is usually a friendly climber who will happily answer questions from curious minds about their gear and what they are doing. It’s a fantastic way to expose little ones to different outdoor pursuits.

The loop trail offers excellent panoramic views of Howe Sound, but a quick heads up: if you’re not used to hiking, the way down can be a bit steeper than expected, especially if the kids are tired and want to be carried. It’s not impossible, but it does take some slow, deliberate walking to ensure safety. Strollers are fine at the lake, but you’ll soon want to ditch them for a hiking backpack if you want to get anywhere good.

The Hard Data: Logistics & Amenities
- Distance & Elevation: The loop is roughly 1.8km with about 160m (524 ft) of elevation gain. Expect it to take 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Amenities: There are no running water or food facilities here, so stock up before arriving. There are standard pit toilets located right by the parking lot and halfway along the loop trail.
- Post-Hike Vibe: There are plenty of picnic tables next to Browning Lake right at the base. Bring snacks or a lunch and make an afternoon of it.
- Parking: Parking can get pretty nuts on the weekends. Your best bet is to come before noon midweek. (Note: Do not park on the highway shoulder; you will be towed).
View More Of Our Adventures

Murrin Park is just one of the many locations that we’ve featured in Toddler-Friendly Hikes in the Sea to Sky.

If you want to make a day of it, the park is just down the road from Shannon Falls and the Sea to Sky Gondola.

We also have a ton of gear reviews to help you explore in comfort and practicality, and love to hear from other families who are out there doing it. Or learn more about us where you can also get in touch.

Visiting the Sea to Sky? Check out our free app

We made an app to help families visiting the Sea-to-Sky corridor plan their trip more efficiently. Filter by activity, location, and your kid’s age and effort level. Check it out and let us know what you think!

Sea To Sky Family Navigator App
June 5, 2026
The Zero-Fluff Father’s Day Gift Guide for Outdoorsy Dads (Tested by a Dad)
We care about the recommendations we make. We sometimes (not all the time) use affiliate links to help keep the site running. Every item here has been hand-tested through years of professional outdoor work and surviving weekend trips with my own toddlers.
Learn more about our Gear Review Policy here.

Being a dad is the greatest privilege I’ve had in life. There is no ifs, ands, or buts that could come close. But that said, it’s a hard, mostly thankless job that usually ends up being the one with all the dirty work: taking out trash, cleaning up the puke, and mastering the harmony in Moana’s “How Far I’ll Go”.

Well, aside from another octave, there is no limit to how far our love for our kids will go. And if the dad you’re shopping for is anything like me, we appreciate a little bit of thought and kindness to recognize just how much we are loved and valued through all the chaotic noisy moments.

As someone who tests gear for a living, I’ve been lucky to be able to take a look at some of the latest and greatest gear out there. A lot of it is same-old, same old, but once in a while I’m sent something that becomes part of the regular rotation. Here’s what I’ve been liking lately, and are some quality items for fathers to make the most of their time outside.
- Free Fly Seawool Flannel Shirt — for the dad who wants to look good in the woods
- Combat Flip Flops AK-47 Leather — the only flip-flops that get better with time
- OluKai Moloa Leather Shearling Slippers – Like slipping your feet into a John Coltrane album
- Victorinox Swiss Tool X Multitool — a multitool with sophistication
- Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight 60 — sub-2-lb backpack that doesn’t sacrifice function
- No Reception Club Getaway Bag — the bag that organizes you
- Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio — for the dad who’d rather radio than text
- Vallon Ski Aviators — wildly impractical, perfectly cool
- Spy Rebar ANSI Polarized — More Deftones than Ace of Base
- Purist Keeper 14oz Mug — for the dad who reads the label on his water
For the Outdoorsy Dad Who Values Comfort

Even if dad likes to get after it, he still wants to look and feel good in the process.

Free Fly Seawool Flannel Shirt
Price: $118

Materials: 57% cotton / 40% recycled Seawool polyester / 3% spandex

The hook: Fabric made from upcycled oyster shells + recycled plastic bottles

Performance: Temp-regulating, quick-dry, anti-odor

Bottom Line: Comfortable, warm, more breathable than most.
I have a few flannel shirts, yet nothing is really made of pure flannel these days. A lot is polyester and it gets hot and sweaty without the comfort. Cotton flannel is good but it’s both expensive and no good when wet.

Freefly is a great apparel company that is making a foray into a new type of yarn called Seawool, which mixes polyester with oyster shells to give a bit more circular type of material to the standard outdoor fare. Add in a majority of cotton, and the result is a fabric blend that feels soft but can handle the rigours of outdoor use. It’s my go-to when I’m wanting to have a bit of warmth while camping or hiking, but still have a classy look that keeps mom whistling.

Check Price at Free Fly

Combat Flip Flops AK-47 Leather
Price: $79.99

Materials: Premium leather, tubular nylon, proprietary rubber sole

Footbed: Ergonomic, with injection-molded arch supports

Warranty: Lifetime (against manufacturing defects)

Heads-up: Metal hardware can corrode near salt water

Bottom Line: The most comfortable flip-flops I’ve worn, that only get better.
I’ve been wearing these flip-flops for two years, pretty steadily. While other flip flops wear out pretty quickly, these have held up and only get better with time. The secret to them is in the midsole and outsole; and the cushioning is a step above any other premium flip-flop I’ve tried. The only issue is the small emblem on top corrodes in salt water, so if you’re going in the ocean a lot, keep that in mind. Otherwise, it’s as solid as they come for a premium flip-flop at a more-than-reasonable price.

Check Price at Combat Flip Flops

OluKai Moloa Leather Shearling Slippers
Price: $140

Materials: Leather/shearling upper, Gum rubber outsole

The hook: It shapes to your foot, no joke

Performance: Best for Sunday mornings and long-haul flights

Bottom Line: Pricey for a pair of slippers… but totally worth it.
If you really need to give the dad in your life a gift that he will remember, this might be it. It has been hard to find anything else that has come close to the comfort my feet have when slipping the Moloa slippers by Olukai on. They really are that good.

The only downside is that the rubber on the outsole is so soft, they are best suited for indoors. If it were a bit sturdier, I’d probably take them everywhere…. but then it would lose some of the magic.

If there is anything bad to say about these it’s that the soft rubber attracts anything that it touches and for a dad of two toddlers, that’s quite a lot. So aside from scraping off thrown food and hair from the cat… I guess it’s better than stepping on it with bare feet.

You can read more about the moloa slippers in my in-depth review, or if those aren’t his style, I tested a whole lot more when searching for the best slippers for camping, travel, and home.

Check Price at Backcountry

For the Dad Who Gets ‘er Done

This will be used at least once per day. Multitools are saviours, and this one is sleek as well as functional.

Victorinox Swiss Tool X Multitool
Price: ~$155

Functions: 26, all lockable + outside-accessible

Build: Swiss-made stainless steel

Size / weight: 115mm · 290g

Includes: Leather storage pouch

Bottom Line: It looks good, performs well, and stands the test of time.
Every dad should have a multitool. This one is a step up in detail, quality, and looks compared to your average Leatherman or Home Depot special. The swiss know how to do things right and Dad will feel the sophistication, whether or not he earns it. The bowed shape makes for extra leverage and all the knives are a premium quality. It also comes in a snazzy leather case.

Check Price on Amazon

Check Price at Backcountry

For the Dad Who Needs to Escape

We all need to get away. When I do, everyone benefits. Help make the quick escapes a bit easier with some of these items.

Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight 60
Price: $275 (Carbon model)

Capacity: 60L (49L main + 15L external)

Weight: 31.5 oz (size M) — under 2 lbs

Max carry: 40 lbs

Build: Spectra/Robic ripstop nylon · CARBONFLEX suspension

Bottom Line: Lightweight, yet durable, and functional.
Ultralight gear is rad, but sometimes sacrifices functionality. This is the first pack that I’ve tried that is less than 2 lbs that actually feels like a normal pack. The carbon stays help keep the frame solid while not weighing you down.

While we may not be crushing major thru-hikes at this point in life, it’s still important to maximise the time you do have to get away, so getting lighter gear will help you go a bit deeper before needing to turn around. This pack checks so many boxes in convenience, ease, and well-thought out engineering to make it a great getaway pack. I wrote a deeper review on another site I write for, Alpine Islands, check it out if you’d like to learn more.

Check Price at Outdoor Vitals

Easy access is the name of the game with this pack.

And if that escape needs kids, then don’t let that stop you.

No Reception Club Getaway Bag
Price: $235

Capacity: 24L

Dimensions: 19.7″ H × 10.2″ W × 6.5″ D

Weight: 2.7 lbs empty

Features: Customizable shelves, water-resistant/odor-proof compartment, luggage pass-through, stroller straps

Bottom Line: The bag that makes anyone automatically become more organized.
I’m a throw-it-in-a-duffel type of guy, and that came at odds when having kids. When a kid’s snack from last week’s ends up sitting with an emergency change of clothes, you learn fast that bags like the No Reception Club Getaway Bag are worth their weight in gold. My life is significantly easier when this bag is well-packed for spontaneous road trips and missions to the beach or park.

The bag evolves with kid’s ages, and we’ve had this since the infant stage with no end in sight. The sidekick fanny pack fits into one of the side pockets and is used even more often due to how small it is. But the backpack makes any travel situation from road trips to overseas flights remarkably easier with enough compartmentalization to endure several days of chaos.

Check Price at No Reception Club

It’s not the prettiest photo, but hey, its proof that we actually use the bag to help us keep things neat while flying.

For the Dad Who Hates Texting But Loves Playing Spy Games

If you’re like me and want to leave the phone in your pocket whenever possible, communicating by radio when on adventures adds a whole other element of family fun.

Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio
Price: $110 USD each / $220 per pair

Service: FRS — license-free, ready out of the box

Range: 35+ mi line-of-sight; 1–5 mi in mountains; ~1 mi in town

Battery: 3–5 days, USB-C rechargeable, cold-tolerant to −20°F

Waterproofing: IP56 (splash and snow, not submersible)

Heads-up: IP56 handles snow and splashes, not whitewater — if you’re packrafting or kayaking hard, the 5-Watt Expedition ($180) is the one

Bottom Line: These radios are reliable, can take a beating, and are some of the best performing 2-watt radios I tested over the years.

It’s endless fun with the kids while hiking or at the campsite, and they are fun to take on adult missions into the backcountry as well. You don’t get many useful tools that can work in both worlds very often.
Check Price at Rocky Talkie

I like to stash the Rocky Talkie on the outside of our YETI beach bag for easy access.

For the Dad Who Is Cooler Than He Looks

These sunglasses will give him a few style points if/when it’s needed most.

Vallon Ski Aviators
Price: $129

Frame: Handmade eco-friendly acetate

Lens: V52 (ABBE 52, Cat. 3 mirrored), 100% UV400

Weight: ~20% lighter than comparable lenses

Warranty: Lifetime (purchases after Nov 1, 2023)

Bottom Line: They stand out in a good way.
These glasses are so wildly impractical that it works. Designed for the retro aprés ski scene, they stand out like a radical relic in other circumstances. If the dad you’re buying for doesn’t give a damn what people think and sets their own standard of cool, these glasses are the ones to get. I love how they feel on the face, the optics, and the smiles people give me when I wear them in more square environments.

Check Price at Vallon

Spy Rebar ANSI Polarized
Price: $160 MSRP (often on sale — see note below)

Frame: Grilamid (lightweight, flexible)

Lens: ARC polycarbonate, polarized (99%+ glare block)

Rating: ANSI Z87.2+ (impact resistant)

Extras: Happy Lens tech, rubber nose/temple grips, Scoop venting

Bottom Line: Great wraparound protection for long summer days
It stays on your head, it’s polarized, and it protects you. What more do you want? These have quickly become a staple due to their reliability, good vision when it’s really bright out, and a timeless style that takes me back to before skateboarding and snowboarding went mainstream.

Spy optic just seems to give me the good nostalgia and if the father in your life grew up in the 90’s, this will be a good reminder of the counterculture part of the era in contrast to the mainstream pop. More Deftones than Ace of Base. So for that, it’s a good purchase.

Check Price on Amazon

For the Dad Who Strives to Be Their Best

You go to the trouble of choosing better water, better coffee, better everything you put in your body. Then you store it in a bottle that leaches into it. The dads I know who care about this stuff have all eventually arrived at the same conclusion: the vessel matters too.

Purist Keeper 14 oz Mug
Price: $68 USD

Lining: Silicon dioxide — a glass-like, non-porous surface fused to the interior

Body: 316 surgical-grade stainless, double-wall vacuum insulated

Insulation: 12 hr hot / 24 hr cold (lid-dependent)

Lid options: Element (carry handle, screw-off), Union or Scope (drinking lids)

Heads-up: Only the Scope lid is dishwasher safe

Bottom Line: Coffee tastes like coffee. Water tastes like water. The mug stays out of the way.
I just received this as a sample and am thoroughly impressed. I’m enjoying coffee from it right now. The spillproof lid doesn’t splash out all at once when you open it, and the external handle gives dad better ergonomics than holding the whole girth of the cylinder.

There’s a silicon dioxide coating on the inside that apparently blocks impurities from latching on, such as the dreaded coffee stain on most stainless coffee mugs. Time will tell if this is for real or just a gimmick, but they are standing behind their claim for now and even without that fact, It’s a handy upgrade from a coffee cup without a handle or spillproof lid.

Check Price at Purist

Compact, spill-proof, and easy to hold. All signs of a great coffee mug.

This list comes from spending the better part of the decade as a journalist covering outdoor gear and getting all kinds of pitches; big and small. Everything here has been tested to its full extent as a dad who needs things to hold up to abuse by both myself and my toddlers. It’s all good stuff that I use daily.

I usually take more photos, but it’s been a busy time around the household. If you’re reading this far though, just know that I wish I could have had the time to take a bit more shots in the wild, but my M.O is to enjoy my time, not doing it for likes from strangers.

And although the father in your life doesn’t need anything fancy, it’s nice to give him something that lasts and serves its purpose well. A more relaxed dad means hitting those high notes for the big solo on the sing-alongs, so really a good gift for father’s day will just make for a better singing partner in the long run.

If you want to shop for mom too, check out our Mother’s Day Gift Guide.
June 3, 2026
Your Honest Guide to Camping At Porteau Cove
The reservation process can be stressful. Setting up is never easy. Weather can be hit-or-miss. But that first cup of coffee sitting by the water at low tide while watching the kids turn over rocks and view the life underneath makes every bit of work involved in coming to Porteau Cove worth the effort.

Where is Porteau Cove?

Porteau Cove is a popular stop along the Sea-to-Sky Highway 99 between Vancouver and Squamish. But most people just use it as a quick stopover on the way to other places, use the bathroom, maybe unpack a snack, and then move on.

Camping there, however, is another story altogether. It’s difficult to get a campsite if you don’t book three months in advance, sitting on your computer at 7AM hitting refresh until a spot comes up. This filters out most of the riff-raff, leaving those who know how special the place is to have one of the best waterfront campgrounds in British Columbia, and perhaps even the entire Pacific Northwest.

The Reservation System

Porteau Cove has exploded in popularity over recent years, and as a result, you can’t just waltz in there and expect to get a campsite. Most of the prime real estate gets gobbled up the moment it becomes available, three months in advance. Booking a site is a semi-stressful process, but thankfully everything else about the experience is pretty straightforward and simple.

The key is to know what dates you want to go, and be ready to reserve through the BC Parks online reservation system. Make sure you have an account set up before the system opens up to bookings at 7AM, three months before the intended date. Because once 7AM hits, you’ll be battling it out with everyone else trying to get the same spots.

Not all campsites at Porteau Cove are created equal. The best sites are along the water’s edge, with south and southwest facing views across Howe Sound for ideal evening light. This makes it even more limited for getting the site you want. Summer months are obviously more competitive; as are the weekends. So our tactic is to book for Sundays or the Monday of a long weekend where the highest chances of people leaving are.

The Best Campsites at Porteau Cove

Don’t always trust the green circle…

Once you have settled on dates, the hard (and perhaps most stressful) part of the booking process begins: finding the right campsite at 7AM online. You first need to choose which zone you’d like: A has the nicest sites by far, but are also the most popular. B has good drive-up views for RV’s. The Walk-in area is pretty good all around but there is a waterfront row, and a non-waterfront row. So if you want the best of the best, go for section A.

The one green circle for the entire zone is only available for one night.

Then, you have to hope that the site you want is the one you’re choosing. Each campsite also has an availability calendar so that you can see if someone is checking out the day you want to check in. Then it’s a game of chance if you can beat someone else to booking at the right moment.

Campsites #13-22 are probably the best due to their southerly exposure and size. 18 and 19 are double campsites, so larger parties will want to book there for a quality setup. But really, it’s hard to go wrong with anything near the water.

We are partial to campsite #31 because it has waterfront access, but is also shaded with a nice large spruce tree, which also acts as a wind buffer. And it’s worth noting the wind here, which picks up like clockwork every day around midday. While the oceanfront campsites are nice, they are also exposed to the wind, which is important to keep in mind if you’re staying in a tent.

Speaking of tents – if you have a large tent that needs staking, the ground in the powered campsites can be incredibly hard. It was a chore staking in our Kodiak 10×10 tent in the hard ground with a heavy mallet. But well worth it once it was in!

Campsite #31 with the shade and beach access.

The Water

You don’t get many chances to have a fully serviced campsite next to the ocean, so it’s wise to make the most of it by investing in some sort of watercraft. People bring everything from fishing boats (there’s a boat launch in the public lot) to inflatable paddleboards. Whatever the vessel, it’s worth it to spend some time out on the water.

We went in springtime where there are massive schools of herring shimmering right beneath the surface. The kids loved seeing them sparkle and move en masse. With the herring comes other species that like to feast on them, so the wildlife viewing while out on the water is quite unmatched.

Porteau Cove also has a big yin and yang aspect to it with the water conditions. Mornings are generally calm; but by the afternoon the wind can pick up and make smaller boats unenjoyable. So we recommend getting up early and making sure you have some time on the water before it gets too choppy. When it does, there’s the namesake cove at the far end of the walk-in campsites that make it a bit easier to manage with children.

The biggest thing you’ll realize when you touch the water—but is worth a fair warning before you do so—is that it’s cold. Summer can be a bit better, especially from the cove where its a bit more shallow. But with the tide constantly moving and glacier runoff coming from the Squamish River, it’s not a pool in Vegas. It’s more one where you’d want to get in and get out fairly quick.

The other important fact about the “beach” at Porteau Cove is that its rocky, and in some spots peppered with barnacles. So a good pair of water shoes will go a long way to increasing enjoyment both above and below the tide line.

Speaking of tides—it can fluctuate quite a bit here. While it may be tempting to set up shop at low tide close to the water, make sure you can be light and able to move quickly. It’s not so quick that you’ll have to panic, but enough where if you leave the gear unattended for a few minutes, there’s a chance it’ll be floating by the time you get back.

The Vibe

If I had to give the camping experience at Porteau Cove a tagline it would probably be something like “The Most Accessible Nature Experience Near Vancouver”. It really is something special to be only a half hour from the city and feel like a world away. Aside from the highway sounds (which isn’t totally negligible, but the mind does begin to filter it out), you feel pretty remote despite being along a major thoroughfare.

At night is where it really stands out as a special place to visit. When the ocean is calm and the starlight flickers on the surface, you almost feel like you can touch the sky. The light pollution is minimal, especially when looking north. And speaking of looking north—it’s a fantastic spot to view the northern lights with the coast mountains silhouetted along the jagged horizon.

But daytime has its own special feeling to it, especially with kids as they explore the campground in relative safety. Our little ones love the flat grade of the road where they can zip up and down without fear of getting run over. Cars do still go along the road, but it’s so infrequent (especially in the afternoon) that we give our kids a bit more leeway to explore than when at home in the neighbourhood.

A Luxurious Bonus: Renting a Sauna

And if you really want to improve the vibe for the campsite (and make friends with your neighbours) we recommend a bit of a splurge and getting a sauna delivered. This is dependent on if there’s a fire ban, but if not, there is nothing like stepping out of a hot sauna and into the ocean… and then rinse and repeat. Our friends as The Finnish Sauna Co. would be happy to get you sorted. This is also something you should book ahead for, especially over the weekend. But it’s well worth the effort, especially if you have a few people to pitch in for the costs.

Important Facts About Porteau Cove

There are a few things to know if you do end up having the luck to get a campsite:
- As of now, the water is unsafe for drinking/cooking, so pack in your own water.
- There are showers available but they get busy in the morning, so plan on a shower in the early morning or late afternoon.
- Campfire bans do go into effect when it’s dry. Be sure you check ahead of time to avoid disappointment, or bring a propane fire pit along if you can’t go without a campfire.
- You can buy firewood and ice at the welcome station, but you’ll have to drive to Britannia Beach (only 5-7 minutes north) to get anything else, or further to Squamish if you really need to stock up properly.
- The animals here love human food, so be sure to stash any unattended food in the car. Racoons are particularly daring at night and will wait for the right opportunity. Birds and squirrels will hover around during the day. The staff will give you a warning if you leave food out, and reserve the right to kick you out if you don’t follow the rules.
The classic Trash Panda

To Sum it Up…

There aren’t many places where you can camp so close to the ocean where you have 3 million people only a half-hour away. It’s easy to see why it’s so popular. Although it can be a bit of effort to reserve a campsite, I promise it’s worth it.

Porteau Cove is well worth the journey, no matter if you’re coming from just down the road (like us) or are an international visitor renting an RV and touring around BC. It’s well worth the advance planning and hopefully you’ve found this guide in enough time for you to play campsite roulette at 7AM, 3 months before your stay.

There is much more to see and do along the Sea to Sky Highway, and we’ve got more great guides for you to check out. First thing you should do is check out our Sea to Sky Family Navigator web app which can get you the lowdown and help you plan a trip a bit more easily. Then maybe check out all the wonderful hikes for toddlers available in the Sea to Sky. We also have a free Wildlife Bingo for the kids if you would like to keep them occupied while travelling.

We will see you out there!

Want to Find More Great Spots? Check Out Our Free App

We made an app to help families navigate the Sea to Sky corridor a bit better. Check out the Sea to Sky Family Navigator app to plan your trip and find spots based on map, activity, location, and more! The best part, it’s free!

Sea To Sky Navigator App
May 25, 2026