Backpacking with Kids and New Gear with Brad Brooks of Argali
Brad Brooks and I recently reconnected for what has now become a familiar ritual—an hour or two of honest conversation about outdoor adventures. This time, we talked about taking our kids backpacking for the first time and explored Argali's new lineup of tents, which just so happen to be perfect for family adventures in the backcountry.
Key Takeaways:
Balancing Adventure and Comfort: When introducing kids to backpacking, it's important to find the right balance between adventure and comfort. Choose manageable routes that offer a sense of challenge without being overwhelming.
Involving Kids in Preparation: Letting kids be part of the planning process—choosing meals, looking at maps—builds excitement and confidence. This involvement helps them feel more connected to the experience.
Simplicity is Key: Keeping things simple can lead to the most memorable moments. Kids often find joy in things we overlook, like exploring a pile of rocks or experiencing basic camping tasks.
Building Confidence: Backpacking is a great way to help kids build confidence. Letting them make small decisions during the trip shows them they can handle challenges, and gives them ownership of the experience.
Gear Innovation with Argali Tents: Brad uses high-quality polyester for his tents, chosen for its durability and resistance to water sagging. Small brands like Argali are willing to innovate where larger companies might not, making outdoor experiences more practical and enjoyable.
Importance of Disconnecting: Outdoor experiences are more essential than ever in a tech-heavy world. Taking kids backpacking helps them appreciate nature and teaches them the value of disconnecting and facing challenges in a meaningful way.
Image courtesy of Argali
First-Time Backpacking with the Kids
Both Brad and I had taken our kids on their first real backpacking trips last year, and it was an eye-opening experience for both of us. Brad took his eight-year-old daughter, and I brought my girls. We found ourselves rethinking all the small details—gear, food, comfort levels—that usually come second nature when we’re packing just for ourselves.
Brad talked about the importance of finding the right balance between making the trip feel like an adventure while ensuring it wasn’t overwhelming. For him, that meant finding the perfect lake—about a mile and a half in, with minimal elevation gain, but still rugged enough to give his daughter a real taste of backpacking. He also wanted his daughter to carry her own small pack, to help her understand the discomfort that comes with carrying weight—a rite of passage for any backpacker.
For my family, my wife could tell something was different about me during the preparation phase. She asked why I seemed nervous, which made me realize I was essentially re-learning how to backpack, this time from a beginner’s perspective—thinking about what kids need rather than just myself. It took me back to those early days of figuring everything out for the first time.
The Joy of Simplifying
One of Brad's biggest takeaways was the beauty of keeping things simple. He involved his daughter in planning the trip, showing her the route on Google Earth and letting her pick meals. “The excitement starts with the preparation,” Brad said, and involving his daughter in the process built a lot of anticipation and confidence. It worked—when dinner time came, his daughter was genuinely excited to eat the meal she had picked out.
I had a similar experience with my girls. They surprised me by wanting to explore more than I expected. They were fascinated by what I thought was just a pile of rocks—a massive boulder field near our campsite. It was a reminder that, often, the simplest things can become the most memorable moments for kids.
Building Confidence in Nature
A big part of these trips, we agreed, was about building our children's confidence. The goal wasn’t just to complete a backpacking trip but to show them that they could handle things they thought were hard. This confidence-building started before we even hit the trail—letting the kids make small decisions, like what gear to bring or what to eat. These little things made a big difference in how they approached the trip.
Gear Talk: The Importance of Design and Materials
No conversation with Brad would be complete without diving into gear. We spent a lot of time discussing the challenges of finding the right tent for these trips. I took Brad's four-person Absaroka tent—a pyramid-style shelter with an insert—on our family outing, and I was genuinely impressed by how easy it was to set up and how well-designed it was for a family.
We also talked about materials—specifically, the debate between nylon and polyester. Brad is a big believer in polyester for his tents because it doesn't absorb water vapor like nylon does, which means no dreaded tent sag. During our trip, I saw this firsthand—despite the dewy conditions, the tent stayed taut, which made a big difference.
Brad's tents use a blend of high-quality polyester fabrics, specifically chosen for their durability, UV resistance, and water repellency. Unlike traditional nylon, polyester has the advantage of being less susceptible to stretching and sagging when exposed to moisture, making it ideal for unpredictable backcountry conditions.
With many big brands hesitant to innovate, it seems the tent industry has stagnated. It’s the smaller companies like Argali that are willing to take risks—whether it’s using new materials or focusing on practical designs that make camping more enjoyable for real people, not just meeting gear specs.
The Bigger Picture
We ended our conversation reflecting on the future of outdoor experiences, especially for our kids. As technology continues to advance, the temptation to stay inside will only grow, making our time outdoors even more important. Backpacking offers a break from the constant distractions of everyday life—a chance to experience something real and unpredictable. We hope that our kids will come to appreciate that and seek it out in the future.
Taking our kids backpacking for the first time reminded us why we do this. Whether it's a short hike to a lake or a longer, more challenging trek, these experiences matter. They offer opportunities for adventure, growth, and connection, and they remind us that even in a fast-paced, tech-heavy world, there is real value in keeping things simple and embracing the challenges of the outdoors.
Show Notes and Links
Planning and Preparing for Backpacking with Kids
The Challenges and Rewards of Backpacking with Kids
Building Confidence and Creating Lasting Memories
The Design and Functionality of the Absaroka TP Tent
Polyester vs Nylon: The Debate in Tent Materials
The Importance of Functionality and Simplicity in Tent Design
The Demands of the Hunting Community for High-Quality Gear
Balancing Weight and Functionality in Gear Selection
Encouraging Innovation and Creativity in the Outdoor Industry
Emory, By Land
Thanks for stopping by! If you have any questions for me or want to connect, you can leave a comment below or shoot me a personal message at emory@byland.co.
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