Both backpacks and boots are best when they are well-fitted. If you foresee many family camping trips ahead it’s worth going to your local outdoor gear store and allowing their experts to measure your camper and advise you. You can also go to an online dealer, find a good pack for under 100$ and try it around the house before camp. Some good makes in a reasonable price range are Kelty, Teton, LL Bean, and REI.
When asked: “How big a pack should I buy?
My answer would be “How big a pack can he carry?” Your campers’ height and build will determine the size, but anything less than 2700 cubic inches may be too small while packs about 5000 cc will only be needed for the longest of trips. Most Timberlake hiking, canoeing and rock climbing trips this summer are four days and three nights, with one-two trips of five or six days for 13 to 14-year-olds.
I am going to steer you away from conventional external frame backpacks and classic stiff leather hiking boots. The former is good for most hikes and distribute the weight well but internal frame packs do a good job of that now and they are better for your balance on the trail. Boots that are made to last a lifetime can take awhile to break in, while lighter and more comfortable hiking boots will provide ankle support and good traction.
As a parent of three, I know that footwear is important and also can be expensive. Perhaps the most important is that they are willing to wear these boots. Many activities may only be done in closed toe shoes, so we want campers to wear their boots around camp as well as the trail.
Boots with ankle support will be needed for hiking. They can be lightweight and ideally are comfortable and popular enough with your son that they will wear them around camp.
A solid pair of leather boots are wonderful things, so if your son has a pair that is already broken in, by all means, bring them.
Crocs would be wonderful except for the fatal flaw of really lousy traction – which can result in a twisted ankle or even a fracture when trails are wet. You can pack these as your fair weather pair.
Mesh shoes with a good sole that are designed to get wet are handy.
Sports sandals (like Tevas) are nice for the afternoon or evening but not mornings: All AM activities require closed toe shoes.
And then there is your classic running shoe, always a good all-around item.
Finally, don’t forget the socks. If you can find a deal on inexpensive wool socks, they work much better at camp than cotton socks. Except for the hiking pair, these can be thin and worn every day.
And mark/label everything.
As a parent, I know that when packing with your camper there’s a narrow path between asked to do it all for them and being told that “I can do it myself!”. Feel free to gently remind them that Tulio requested it be a collaborative effort.
Thank you, parents, for helping get ready for camp… and for just being parents!