Rave & Review

Deuter Fox 30 kid's pack fosters a love of the outdoors from tot to teen {Review & Giveaway}

My daughter likes nothing more than to match hubby and me.  While this is completely adorable, it makes shopping very difficult as I have found that it’s almost impossible to find matching items for us that we both really like.  In her size we find cartoon characters and excess amounts of pink, and adult sizes don’t go small enough to fit her. 

Thank goodness there are companies like Deuter that specialize in both adult and kid’s gear that is the real deal.  No frills, no cartoons.  But, that doesn’t mean they scrimp on features, in fact quite the opposite. 

We got to review the Deuter Fox 30 backpack for our little explorer this month and she was beyond thrilled.  She had been eyeing it at REI for quite a while and talking of all the reasons she needed it, so it wasn’t surprising that she was jumping up and down excited when she realized she got to try one out. 

While our next serious camping trip is still a few weeks away, we’ve already gotten a ton of use out of this amazing bag.  From weekend trips to days out, the Deuter Fox 30 has been a lifesaver carrying the kids gear, their toys, or just the large amount of stuff we seem to require for all-day excursion. 

Whenever we can, we let my daughter pack her own stuff in the bag and then she can help carry any gear we have, any souvenirs {AKA rocks, sticks and other treasures} she picks up, and can access her stuff whenever she wants.  We also went out and got her a Camelbak hydration pack that can fit right into the Deuter Fox 30 so she can drink through the straw secured at her shoulder all along the trail instead of having to stop for each sip.    

Since my daughter is young and we only get a chance to camp a few times a year, one might think it would be silly to buy her such a serious bag.  But that’s where the brilliant design of Deuter backpacks comes in.  Like their adult bags, the Fox 30 features the Vari Quick adjustable shoulder harness system.  While in the adult packs this allows you to fine tune your bag and get the most precise fit for your body, on the children’s pack it has the added bonus of allowing it to grow with your kiddo. 

In fact, the bag grows so much that it can properly fit my 5 year old as well as my 8 and 13 year old nieces with just a quick adjustment of the Vari Quick shoulder harness.  It was mere moments and the bag was the perfect fit for each of them and the straps adjusted so that they hit in all the correct spots. 

Besides the ability to grow with your child throughout adolescence, I love all the features they crammed into this pint-sized bag to make it comfortable, practical, and fun to use.   

With a fully padded hip belt, padded shoulder straps, and Deuter’s Alpine Back System for ventilation, it looks just as comfortable as the adult version that I covet.  Trekking pole and ice axe storage loops, lashing straps on the exterior, top and bottom access points, a valuables pocket on the top of the pack, internal pocket for hydration pack, sternum strap with built in whistle {or wizzle, if you’re talking to my daughter} as well as external pockets and multiple attachment points all add to the functionality.

You’d expect that all these features would weigh down the pack and make it hard for little ones to carry on their own, but the strong hip belt that transfers weight off your shoulders goes a long way towards lightening the load.  Add in the side compression straps for stabilizing the weight into the center of the pack, and it’s surprisingly easy for even our 5 year old to wear with her essentials in it. 

In fact, all three girls were raving about how comfortable the Deuter Fox 30 was, which goes to show how awesome the padded straps and weight distribution really are.  Even my niece that hates backpacks said she was really excited about how the Deuter pack felt and was asking to use it on her next camping/hiking trip.    

Of course, my pocketbook also loves the fact that this one pack can grow with my daughter from beginning hiker to experienced trekker.  Since it can last all the way until my daughter is ready for an adult backpack, it ultimately saves us a ton of money because we won’t have to replace cartoon backpacks each season.    

Because real outdoor gear shouldn’t have Dora on it.

Whether your little explorer is a hiker, an experienced traveler, or going away to sleepaway camp this summer, the Deuter Fox 30 is a great investment at only $99.  Anywhere you’d prefer to carry your load instead of dragging it behind you, the Deuter Fox 30 makes perfect sense.  Check out the Deuter site to see all the specs on the amazing Deuter Fox 30 backpack as well as their full line of kid's packs, adult bags, sleeping bags, and more.

Deuter Fox 30 specs:

Weight: 2 lbs 10 oz 
Volume: 1830 cubic inches 
Size: 24 / 9.1 / 8.7 (H x W x D) Inch 
Material: Deuter-Super-Polytex / Deuter-Ballistic

How would you like to win a Deuter Fox 30 pack for your little explorer?

To Enter: comment below with your favorite feature of the Deuter Fox 30 pack

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On July 20th at 12:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email. Winner will have 24 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. Open to US only, 18+

A big thank you to Deuter for sending their Fox 30 kid's pack to facilitate this review and one for our fabulous readers.  As always, all opinions are 100% ours.

Skimboarding made easy with the D6 Sports SurfSkimmer {Review}

In the Pacific Northwest we are literally surrounded by water and that means we spend a lot of time hanging out at the beach.  And, while the water is still too cold here to do much swimming in the sound, we still like to get in the water as much as we can.  And, now we’ve got even more reason to hit the beach this summer with the arrival of the D6 Sports SurfSkimmer for review. 

For those of you who don’t live at the beach, you probably haven’t heard of skimboarding, but around here it’s all the rage with the teens and 20-somethings who enjoy shredding and doing tricks on large surfboard-like skimboards.  Unlike surfing that is done in the deeper water, skimboarding is done right over the white wash on the beach and you basically skim the shallow surface of the water. 

And, unlike surfing, you don’t need years of practice to be able to get up and ride with the introduction of the new SurfSkimmer to the market.  The SurfSkimmer is just like a regular skimboard, but it also has a padded and removable handle that can move a full 180 degrees so that it can be pulled or ridden like a scooter.  This extra security of the handle allows little riders to confidently balance and control the board, which allows them to take off on their own within minutes. 


As soon as the D6 Sports SurfSkimmer arrived, we headed down to the beach to see how it worked.  But, since my daughter has never tried anything like this before, we wanted to get her used to the idea of skimboarding before we let her loose. 

We started with her sitting on the board and hubby pulling her so she could get the feel of gliding along the water's edge.  As you can imagine, this was a huge hit for our little water-lover. 

Once she got comfortable with the way the SurfSkimmer moves in the water, hubby had her run with him across the beach and get the feel of jumping on the board.

After a few tries, she was hopping onto the board and standing on the gripper bar that runs down the center of the board to ride alongside him.

A few more tries and she was off on her own.  While she wasn't shredding it like the pros, she was enjoying even the little bit of gliding she was able to do, and it was incredibly fun to watch her.

Because, clearly, she was having a blast and feeling quite secure while riding.

I mean, just look at this face.  I would say our day at the beach was a huge hit. 

We've only had the SurfSkimmer for a few days, but I'm really excited about all the different ways we can use it throughout the summer.  The 41in board fits easily in our compact sedan trunk on top of our stroller, which means it's easy to take with us for days out or even on vacation with us.  I know it's going to be a HUGE hit on our annual family vacation this year and it's going to be one of the first things we pack whenever we're headed to the beach.

And, when the kiddos are ready to ride like the pros, I love that the SurfSkimmer handle can be removed and it will turn into a full-fledged skimboard.  My now you know how much I love multi-use and grow-with-you products and the SurfSkimmer is no exception.  I love that I can start them young getting comfortable in the surf and work our way up until they can ride unassisted all day long.

The SurfSkimmer is recommended for ages 5-10, but it can be used by anyone up to the 150lb limit.  It's 2-in-1 design makes it easy for even the little kids to get, but I love that even the teenagers and some adults can use it as well!

Want to see the D6 SurfSkimmer in action?  Visit the D6 Sports site and check out the SurfSkimmer YouTube page, and follow them on Twitter and Facebook.  Ready to buy?  You can purchase a SurfSkimmer for $69.99 here. 

A big thank you to D6 Sports for sending the SurfSkimmer to facilitate this review.  As always, all opinions are 100% ours.

Spy Tec Inventio HD 720P video recording sunglasses {Review}

by Tyler, editor and reviewer

Even from a young age, I was obsessed with spy technology.  I used to stay up at night thinking of how cool it would be if cameras could fit in the palm of your hand, if fingerprint scanners could lock your valuables or if Hollywood’s technology would ever be a reality.  Unfortunately, I was clearly born a few decades too soon, because it’s only now that technology is catching up with my imagination.

For instance these, which are the ultimate in spy high-tech gear.  Forget cameras that fit in your palm, the Spy Tec Inventio HD is a camera you wear on the bridge of your nose.  You can bet we were thrilled when we heard we would get to test these babies out this spring to see if my childhood dreams really had come true.

While I’m past the age of dreaming of espionage and covert operations, I still think these are pretty darn awesome for all sorts of applications.  From recording fast moving sports and action shots hands-free, to capturing your perspective on the world, the Spy Tec glasses offer an unobtrusive way to record just about anything.

While I could go on and on about how fun it would be to pop these on and go for a bike ride or hike, my favorite thing about the glasses has nothing to do with sports or spying – it has to do with kids.  We all know kids freeze up as soon as you pull out your camera and start filming, so I love that the Spy Tec glasses are so discreet that they have no idea when you’re filming and when you’re not.  This means you’re more likely to catch that amazing trick they do, the funny pronunciation, or simply them just being them. 

We also like to let our kids wear the glasses to film and let them record the world as they see it.  Instead of worrying about what buttons they will press or whether they will drop the video camera on its lens, we can put the Spy Tec glasses right on the kids {use the included sunglasses neck strap if you are worried they might fall off} and let them make art all by themselves. 

Sure, they are tiny and great for kids, but I bet you’re wondering what kind of quality a “spy camera” could possibly be.  The answer is that it’s better than what you might think.  While some fast-moving  shots may produce videos that shake the entire time or be completely unwatchable, normal movements like walking or turning your head produce nice clear shots just like a regular video camera.  

And, at 720P, the videos are a nice clear HD quality image, which makes it perfect for YouTube, watching on your TV, or making high quality videos.  While it’s not IMAX quality, or DSLR quality, it does better than most point-and-shoot video cams we’ve tried, and is far more portable and unobtrusive. 

This was a big issue for me as I’m constantly feeling very removed from the action when I’m behind my camera, and then am stuck holding it all day long, even when I’m done filming.  With the Spy Tec glasses I can simply wear them like normal sunglasses {which I always have with me} and hit record when something exciting happens.  Then, when the sun goes down and I don’t need sunglasses, I merely pop them into their included case.

The sound quality is also decent and does a good job of picking up voices and environment sounds.  Naturally, your voice will be the loudest sound if you speak at all, due to the proximity to the microphone, so you really don’t need to speak loud at all to be heard.

Of course, every technology has its drawbacks, and the fact that this video cam fits on your face means it doesn’t have many bells and whistles built into the camera itself.  No LCD screen, no menu, and no special effects, but none of these things would be worth sacrificing how small the glasses are, so I say it’s well worth it. 

Some things did take a little getting used to, like the fact that you have to take them off your face to see if they are recording, the way that the angle of the lens is a bit above where your eye is looking so you need to compensate a bit while filming up close, that you can’t really “compose” your image the way you can with a traditional video camera and the fact that you can’t see what you recorded until you connect it to your computer. 

You also need to take into account that some fast-moving  shots may produce videos that shake the entire time or be completely unwatchable, depending on camera movement.  Even walking or turning your head too fast can produce dizzying videos if you're not fully aware of your movements, so I have to remind myself to move more slowly while wearing them.

But, the biggest issue we found with not having an LCD screen or menu option is that you don’t know when you are out of memory or out of battery.  We had a whole day of thinking we were recording only to find that my daughter had used all the memory taking videos of what we can only imagine is the inside of her purse.  As for the battery, we found that thankfully it lasts about 2 hours of recording before needing to be charged, so we just charge it up when we’ve been filming a lot and we actually haven’t had it run down on us yet. 

Speaking of recording all day long, I love that the Inventio-HD automagically separates long videos into 1.2GB {which is approximately 15 minutes} increments for you.  Having smaller chunks of footage makes it much easier to find specific moments you've shot later as well as for editing purposes if you're making compilations.  While making our video I was very grateful to have smaller clips to work with instead of 1-2 hours videos to wade through. 

The Spy Tec Inventio HD sunglasses come with nice polarized lenses straight out of the package, but I love that you can also buy replacement lenses, mirrored lenses or even clear lenses for $12 apiece.  Depending on what you are filming or what activities you have in store, having different lens options is a big plus to me, especially since changing out the lenses makes it possible to film indoors as well. 

Here's the rundown on the Spy Tec Inventio HD video recording sunglasses:

• 720P HD video and audio recording 
• 16-bit digital audio recording 
• Cables included to connect to computer or TV
• Battery life of 2 hours
• 8GB of Class 10 internal memory
• Compatible with PC and Mac computers
• Includes 1 year warranty
• Bonus carrying case, cleaning cloth, and neck strap included

If you’re looking for an easy way to record everything from a helicopter ride to a walk through your favorite spot, from action shots to catching your grandma sweetly singing a lullaby while rocking your baby, the Spy Tec glasses are a great purchase.  They retail for $129.95 and can be purchased at SpyTecInc.com

Want to see the Spy Tec Inventio HD sunglasses in action?  Check out our video showing our favorite uses. 

A big thank you to Spy Tec for providing the Inventio HD sunglasses to facilitate this review.  As always, all opinions remain 100% ours.

Must Have Gear for Kiddos: First Ascent MicroTherm Down Jacket from Eddie Bauer

I’m a big believer in getting kids good, quality outdoor gear.  Whether it’s for hiking and biking or quick jaunts around town, quality outdoor gear just makes sense on many different levels.   

For one, I want kids that enjoy being outdoors, and I know that being comfortable is a big part of what will foster their love of nature.  This may mean that my kiddos miss out on having character themed jackets and backpacks, but in the end I feel they gain a lot more by having something weatherproof and lightweight that allows them to be… kids. 

For another, good quality gear just lasts.  Even if you buy big and your child wears it for two years straight, it’s still able to passed down to the next kid in line.  If you do the math, it actually makes good gear seem frugal in comparison to $35 a pop every year and then a new coat for each kid.

Knowing that we love pint sized outdoor gear, you can bet we were thrilled when we heard that Eddie Bauer had recently expanded their clothing and gear for kids, baby and toddler as well.  We had been hunting the kid’s line down locally and found that it was in select stores right now {for all of you Seattlites, you can currently find them consistently at U-Village and Redmond, and popping up in other stores occasionally} as well as online. 

And, once we saw the First Ascent MicroTherm down jacket for kids, we knew we had found the perfect grow-with-us coat.  Besides being absolutely adorable in that they look just like the grownup jackets but miniature, they also didn’t scrimp on features when they shrunk them down to kid’s sizes.  Packable, lightweight, and layer-able, these are the epitome of great gear for kids. 

With features such as StormRepel durable water-repellent (DWR) finish that sheds moisture, interior pockets for storing essentials, and cuffed sleeves to keep the elements out, this coat really does have it all.  I'm not sure if it's the fact that they match daddy, or if it's the fact that they really are gear connoisseurs at 2 and 4 years old, but my kiddos straight up adore these coats.

Instead of the on-off on-off routine, the MicroTherm coats are the first coats that our kids actually keep on and don’t complain of being too hot in as soon as we step inside.  But, not only do they keep them on indoors, they are still perfect temperature for the cold, wind, and rain of the Pacific Northwest year-round. 

One of the details that make this such an amazing all around jacket is that it isn’t the giant puffy coat you are picturing from your childhood.  Made with row after row of tiny baffles stuffed with 600 fill power premium European goose down, it is amazingly thin for how warm it is. 

Another part of what makes the MicroTherm jacket so thin is that it is made with a slim fitted design to keep you warm as well as for layering, but with stretch panels built into the sides to aid in flexibility, breathability and movement.  These details also make it perfect to buy large since it is more of a fitted coat it doesn’t look out of place a size too big. 

In fact, you might even be able to go two sizes bigger and really extend the life of the jacket.  Our kiddos are in sizes 5-6 and 3-4 for tops and they are currently both modeling a size 8 MicroTherm down jacket.  Admittedly, the coat looks like a dress on my son since the 21.25” length isn’t meant for toddlers, but I don’t want to be the one to break his heart. 

Speaking of heart breaking, when we do force the kiddos to take them off, I really love that the compressible down makes it easy to stuff away in the bottom of a stroller or an overnight bag, or even its own pocket.  But, this compressibility also means you can easily fold up the sleeves inside the cuffs if they happen to be too long, as was obviously the case for my son.

While I wouldn’t recommend buying 6 sizes too big for everyone, he certainly doesn’t look like he’s complaining now, does he?

Whether you are looking for an under layer for skiing and snowshoeing or you want a lightweight and compressible all-weather coat for your little one, I would highly recommend the MicroTherm Down Jacket from First Ascent as the perfect year-round coat.  It may not make a mountain climber out of your kiddo just by putting it on, but you will have better luck convincing them to try as well as keeping them comfortable no matter where their day takes them. 

The MicroTherm jackets for boys and girls are currently on clearance at EddieBauer.com and can be picked up for 50% off, which makes them a crazy good deal at $39.99 each.

A big thank you to Eddie Bauer for sending the MicroTherm jackets for the kiddos to adore... and never want to take off.  As always, all opinions are 100% ours.

JumpSport ProFlex Basketball System for Even More Trampoline Fun {Review & Coupon Code}

When I was young, my family bonded over basketball.  It was where we talked through any problems we were having, celebrated our successes, and laughed about the funny things that happened that week.  No matter what was going on in our lives, getting out in the fresh air with people who loved you made everything else just disappear.  Some of my favorite childhood memories are practicing layups, playing H-O-R-S-E, Around the World, and more with my parents and siblings until the sun went down and we were forced to come inside.

Because I really wanted to share this form of bonding with my own children, my one regret with buying our current house is that it came with a very “urban yard” and there was simply no place to put a basketball hoop.  Well, I’m happy to say we’ve come up with a solution that might make this a positive instead of a negative: Bouncy Hoops.  Bouncy Hoops is the very made up name of our new favorite game with our favorite new accessory, the JumpSport ProFlex Basketball Set.

You may remember our JumpSport Elite 12ft Trampoline review or perhaps our #1 post of all time, 50+ things to do on a JumpSport Trampoline that continues to get hundreds of views every single day.  If you read either one of those, you probably got the gist that we were head-over-heels in love with our JumpSport Trampoline.  Well, I’m happy to say that after months of bouncing and jumping and playing, we actually love it even more than we did before.  While I could go on and on about the ways it has changed our lives over the past few months and made getting out and staying active a family affair, it’s nearly impossible to explain just how much we love it.

For instance, when it’s my daughter’s turn to pick what she would like to do for the day, her answer without fail is, “I-want-to-jump-on-the-trampoline, please” and any day that it’s not raining {and some days that it is}, you will find my son longingly looking out the back door at the trampoline saying, “bounce?”.  Whereas most kids choose ice cream and treats, ours choose the trampoline for rewards.  30 minutes for that glowing teacher report, 15 minutes for helping mama clean up, and another 15 minutes for staying quiet during that important conference call is an hour of good exercise and a great way to motivate without sweets. 

But, now we’ve got even more motivation to get outside and stay active with the addition of the JumpSport ProFlex Basketball system.  It comes with everything you need to take your jumping to a whole new level, including a full-size backboard, cushioned hoop with heavy-duty ProFlex hardware, a 5" soft rubber inflatable basketball, and my favorite feature, triangular side nets to divert stray balls back into the trampoline. 

It’s no joke when I say that this basketball hoop is literally the only thing I wanted for the holidays this year, and it really was like Christmas morning when we got it all installed and ready to play.  I had visions of all of those nights we spent playing basketball when I was young and all the family memories we’re going to create throughout the years with our own hoop and it honestly made me a little weepy. 

All a mom wants is to see her family laughing and bonding together, and this is a sure way to do that even into the dreaded tween/teen stage and beyond.  There’s something special about the combination of physical activity, friendly sport, and fresh air and I was thrilled that we won’t have to miss out on that bonding because of our lot constraints.

And, once the kiddos got outside to check it out, I realized quickly how incredibly right I was.  Between gales of laughter and fits of giggles, the kiddos made their first baskets and were so proud of themselves. 

Here’s my daughter showing off how many baskets she made. Wait, is that 2... or 4?

And, look at these DIMPLES! Doesn't he look like an NBA pro?

While we did make very good use of those side nets that help us contain all of their {many} air balls, they actually did better than I thought they would at hitting the backboard and rim.  I’m pretty sure I’ve got basketball legends on my hand, which is a good thing we got them an amazing hoop so early on.

The kiddos were even nice enough to let hubby and I try it out and we were both impressed with the quality of the hoop and the ingenious design.  The first thing we both loved is that instead of merely being mounted on top of the safety net, the ProFlex Basketball System is actually integrated into the safety enclosure frame itself to give it extra stability.  But, in addition to offering more stability, moving it onto the enclosure frame moves it out of the bounce area and leaves less opportunity to accidentally hit the padded rim. 

Which leads me to my biggest rave: like the trampoline itself, the ProFlex Basketball System has all sorts of safety features built into the design.  From the reinforced and durable backboard that was made to withstand the elements to the padded and cushioned hoop with heavy-duty ProFlex hardware, this is not some doorway basketball hoop rigged up to a trampoline, it’s the real deal and built to last. 

I have absolutely no doubt that the ProFlex basketball hoop that our kids are making their first baskets on will also be the one they learn their first layup on and the one they reminisce about once they leave home.  We may not have our own half court, but you can bet my kids are going to grow up around basketball and bonding over games in our backyard now that JumpSport has made my dreams of owning a hoop a reality.

I know many of you are thinking about getting a trampoline this Christmas, and this is the perfect time to bring home one of the world’s safest trampolines.  Your kids will think you are the best parent ever and you will wonder why you ever waited so long. 

And, if you act fast you can get the ProFlex Basketball set for a shocking discount just in time to have it delivered for the holidays.  From now until December 25, 2012, simply enter the coupon code ABLOG50COUPON at JumpSport.com and you'll receive 50% off your purchase of a basketball hoop when you purchase a trampoline.

To find out more about all of their amazing products and hear about all of their promotions, connect with JumpSport online at JumpSport.com on Facebook and Twitter as well as on Pinterest.

A big HUGE thanks to JumpSport for providing the ProFlex Basketball System for review.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.  NOTE: I am not a physician, do not work in healthcare and in no way should you take medical advice from me.  As with all sports and exercise activities, you should consult a doctor before attempting anything you see above.  This is especially true when small children are playing, but goes for all ages.  We supervise our children during every activity outdoors and this includes the use of the trampoline. 

Nutcase Helmets and Little Nutty Helmets {Review}

By Tyler, Editor and Author

Those of you who know us well know that we love riding bikes as a family.  Not only is it a great way to spend time together and explore your surroundings, it’s a great way to really get to know one another.  Of course, a big consideration for bike riding is safety, which is where Nutcase Helmets come in. 

Nutcase Helmets {and their child-size Little Nutty Helmets} have always been one of our favorite bike accessories, which is why they made the list of our favorite products in 2009.  Their blending of style, multisport functionality, and outstanding safety ratings make them an easy win for all of us, especially as the kids get older and get into more sports.


Speaking of growing children, I love how Nutcase helmets grow with your child.  Whether you choose a Nutcase Helmet or a Little Nutty Helmet, you will find adjustable straps and an easy-adjust dial for getting the perfect fit, but they also come with a whole bunch of different sized foam pieces that allow you to fine tune them specifically to your head.  Since comfortable helmets are more likely to be left on, this is one of my favorite features to ensure my kids are safe.

And, since safety is such a big concern for us, I am adamant that their protective gear is always accessible, worn properly, and kept in good shape.  Most people watch to make sure their child’s helmet fits properly but most don’t understand that helmets also expire, and that helmets that have been dropped or in an accident can be damaged internally and may even need to be replaced.  In my opinion, it is much better to play it safe when we are talking about children and not risk having cracked or compressed foam that isn’t up to the task. 

And, since it had been over 3 years since our last replacement, we used our growing children as an excuse to check in and see what kind of new designs Nutcase has to offer and were really impressed by how big the line has gotten.  Imagine my surprise when I found that not only do they have a whole bunch of new helmet designs since the last time I looked, but they also have a couple new lines of activity-specific helmets and even some cool new accessories, too, like these adorable bike bells that match their helmets.


Since the original helmet was rated for biking, skateboarding, street hockey, skating and more, I had thought they had covered everything.  That was until I saw their new water and snow sport helmets that are specially designed for the specific sports.  With specially designed padding, removable ear flaps, and even temperature regulating fleece for the cold winters, they are perfect for any weather. 

But, the coolest of the new products is the DOT approved line of motorcycle helmets with super wide view flip up visors.  I’m now working hard to convince my wife how economical a nice motorcycle or scooter would be for me so I can have an excuse to get one of these.  Come on, the helmet practically pays for itself with my gas savings!


As part of their plan for helmet domination, Nutcase also has a new removable visor that slips in between the hard plastic shell and foam liner of their regular helmet line and adds just a little bit of flair and a lot of functionality.  At first glance I thought there was no way that what looked like a fairly little visor would make that much difference in terms of coverage, but I sure was wrong.  I didn’t take into account that you are building on the thickness of the helmet that is already there, so adding a couple more inches of shade really does block out quite a bit of light, while also making your helmet that much cooler looking. 

Another improvement to their line is the new magnetic buckle design.  No more worrying about lining the buckle up perfectly, squeezing at just the right place to release it, or accidentally pinching skin in between the buckle with this new magnetic closure.  Now you simply need to get the two sides close to where they attach and the magnets inside pull them together and lock in place securely.  To release them, you simply slide them sideways away from each other to unlock them and then pull them apart.  It is way easier now to buckle and unbuckle with only one hand free as well as when you’re wearing gloves, but I love that it is still hard for tots to take them off themselves and even with rigorous testing we couldn’t get them to unbuckle accidentally.


Since the holidays are approaching and many kids will be opening bikes on Christmas morning, I would suggest you also check out Nutcase helmets ahead of time and have one waiting under the tree, too.  Whereas many helmets wouldn’t make a kid excited, Nutcase helmets have an uncanny ability to make kids excited about safety, which just might be the best present under the tree this year. 

A big thank you to Nutcase Helmets for sending a helmet and a Little Nutty helmet for review.  As always, all opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

JumpSport Elite Trampoline {Review}

Fun fact: just like blowing bubbles or skipping through a park, I firmly believe it is impossible to jump and bounce on a trampoline without smiling.  While I don’t have any scientific proof this is true, I remain 100% convinced this is a fact and could show you hundreds of pictures of us bouncing on our JumpSport Trampoline over the last few weeks as “evidence”.  Just the thought of someone frowning and grumpy on a trampoline makes me laugh.

As for me, I think I have a genetic disposition that causes me to giggle uncontrollably as soon as I set foot on our JumpSport trampoline.  I say this is genetic, because every single person with a blood relation to me has the same trait, including my siblings, cousins, and my two adorable kiddos.  Maybe this is why they beg to bounce daily and why we’ve spent most of our summer thus far on our trampoline. 

Really, I couldn’t have hoped for a better pastime, as I’ve found it’s a great way to bond as a family while getting a great aerobic workout.  As great as both of these things are, the best thing about our summer has been a complete lack of boredom.  Maybe you remember our first trampoline post this summer that listed 50+ things to do on a JumpSport Trampoline, but if you don’t, click the link to see what you missed. 

That’s what we spend our time doing these days.  And, it’s awesome. 

Basically, from the moment we received the huge JumpSport shipping boxes on our porch we were crazy excited about trampolines and looking forward to trying out every single {safe} thing we could dream up.  And, after weeks of bouncing, inventing and imagining, it’s safe to say we love our trampoline a little more each day. 

It’s the perfect place to let the children work off energy to wear them out after being cooped up all day, and I found it’s the perfect way for me to relax after a long day.  Whereas before I would flop on the couch when I’d had a rough day, I’ve found that even jumping for 10-20 minutes has a much more positive effect on my mood and I feel energized to take on whatever else comes my way.  The same holds true for when the kids have had a rough day and you need a surefire way to bring out a fit of giggles as the trampoline never disappoints. 

If someone could have told me that all of this positive stuff could come from a simple trampoline I don’t know if I would have believed them.  Of course I knew that it would be fun and the kids would have a blast, but I didn’t expect it to completely change the way we bond as a family and bring us closer together.  I honestly would have bought one years ago had I realized how much we would all adore it.

And, one of the reasons we adore it is all the safety features built into the design.  These aren’t the slightly wobbly, no-net trampolines of my youth, the JumpSport trampolines are specifically engineered for safety.  From their internally mounted safety enclosures and heavy duty frame pads to their patented StagedBounce™ Technology jumping surface, safety in construction is very apparent in the JumpSport Elite.

Here's my daughter using the JumpSport pad as a pillow.  I rest my case.

I guess this shouldn’t be a surprise seeing as how JumpSport's founder invented trampoline safety as we know it with the release of the first affordable safety enclosure for trampolines in 1996.  Since then they have been perfecting the StagedBounce Technology to reduce impact, ensuring that all parts of the frame are padded on the bouncing surface and improving upon their safety nets to make them even stronger and more durable.

It's no wonder they are hailed as the safest trampolines on the planet.

After weeks of jumping, I can honestly say that their amazing safety enclosure saved us many, many times.  Even following all of JumpSport’s included safety guidelines exactly, accidents can happen, especially with little kiddos who can accidentally bounce {or run} off the surface.  The safety enclosure has been tested more times than I can count as my little guy has a tendency to get on the trampoline and run, and each time my heart skips a beat before I remember that JumpSport’s top of the line safety enclosure is designed to stop even full grown adults.

Of course, we always exercise caution when bouncing and always supervise our children, just as we do with every other high energy activity, but it's nice to know that safety was literally built into every aspect of the JumpSport Elite Trampoline. 

Here's just some of the many {many} JumpSport Elite Features:
•    Engineered for safety with a patented StagedBounce™ Technology
•    Frame Pad is thick, dark blue 21-ounce reinforced UV and Water resistant PVC outer covering with a full width, 1 inch thick, gym-quality EPE foam core
•    Sturdy frame rail is made of heavy-wall steel tubing for rugged durability
•    15 year Frame Warranty
•    Internally mounted safety enclosure net – easier and faster to assemble than the standard 380 enclosure – features their patented overlapping entry
•    Designed with safety in mind, the trampolines and safety enclosures work together and are only sold together as a unitized system
•    Available in 10 foot, 12 foot and 14 foot diameters
•    Frame is pre-galvanized and features a rich dark blue powder coated finish
•    The trampoline jumping mat is 35 inches high, for better ground clearance than most other trampolines.
•    All Elite trampolines use 8.5 inches long, tapered, high tensile steel springs which provide a great blend of performance and safety {10 foot has 72 springs, 12 foot has 88 springs, 14 foot has 96 springs and 14 foot PowerBounce has 128 total springs}
•    Permatron® jumping mat is the industry leader in High-Tensile Strength, UV and Water Protection, and performance. Mat has 10 rows of stitching and a UV shield.
•    High strength looped straps and steel V-rings for connecting the springs to the jumping mat.
•    All of the Elite trampolines include the patent pending all steel "DD" Sure-Lok™ system to prevent the frame from twisting and deforming.
•    Expanded Polyethylene closed-cell foam padding is used across the entire pad surface, not just at the edge. The foam is covered by a high-quality, 21-ounce, reinforced, PVC outer shell that is UV- and water-resistant.

To find out more and read about what makes their amazing products so safe, connect with JumpSport online at JumpSport.com on Facebook and Twitter as well as on Pinterest.

A big HUGE thank you to JumpSport for providing the JumpSport 12' Elite for review.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.  NOTE: I am not a physician, do not work in healthcare and in no way should you take medical advice from me.  We supervise our children during every activity outdoors and this includes the use of the trampoline. 

A Gym in a Suitcase: The Amazing Journey Gym {Review & Giveaway}

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide - Day 5

With freezing temperatures on the horizon it’s always temping to wrap up in a sweater and forget your active summer routine.  This is especially true as the holidays approach and all the baked goods are there for the taking, but this is actually one of the best times to have a good workout regimen and stay healthy as it will make swimsuit season next year that much easier if you aren’t trying to lose all the fall and winter pounds most people gain.

One of my new favorite tools for staying fit even when it’s too blustery to leave the house is the Journey Gym, the first all-in-one portable workout system that can easily fit in a linen closet, under a bed, and is even perfect for traveling.  At first glance, the Journey Gym looks like a large briefcase, with a carrying handle and a rectangular shape that could just as easily hold a laptop and paperwork. 

Upon opening the Journey Gym you see a series of colored resistance bands that run through the case with quick attachment clips at the end.  To use the Gym, you simply open the case all the way, attach the 8 “feet”, and remove the handles with connection clips and then turn over so the base rests firmly on the ground.  Within minutes of opening the box we had journey Gym set up in our living room and were impressed by the quality of the bands, connectors, handles and commercial grade step as well as the design of the system. 

Really, the more I played with it and realized how many different ways you could use it, the more genius it seemed.  Even though it is based on a pretty basic idea of resistance bands and a workout step, it’s the execution of the Journey Gym that makes it rave-worthy.  With the Journey Gym you don’t need to find a place to store big and bulky workout equipment when you’re not using it.  Because it uses resistance bands instead of traditional free weights that are large and awkward, you don’t have to designate an entire room in your house just to weight training. 

Then, since it works by merely clipping your handle or strap to the resistance band of your choice, changing your workout by varying the amount of resistance or your point of connection is also easier because it takes mere seconds.  It’s this flexibility that gives you the ability to do an insane amount of different exercises and easily switch between them during the course of your workout, allowing more time for actual working out. 

I was absolutely shocked when I got to try the Journey Gym and realized how completely versatile and expandable the system is for whatever your fitness level or preferred workout is.  While I’ve been a fan of resistance bands before, what I really love about the Journey Gym is the integrated step that allows you to add cardio to your workout.  It can really be used by both beginners as well as experienced weight trainers and can mimic just about any exercise you can imagine and work every muscle group. 

Since I’m recovering from an auto accident and can’t do high-impact workouts, I love that the resistance band workout with the Journey Gym is so smooth.  This means that even my physical therapist approves of me using the Journey Gym at lower resistance levels since it doesn’t have the jerkiness of typical weightlifting and instead allows you to use more fluid motions.  All of this reduces impact on your joints and decreases the possibility of injury, which are paramount for me as I heal.

In addition to a great workout tool, what’s really cool about the Journey Gym system is how much they want you to succeed.  The gym ships with a workout video that can be completed in either 10 or 20 minutes and each routine alternates between strength training and cardio.  The 10 minute video has a female lead and the 20 minute has a male lead and they have different exercises.  I personally like this as it allows me to alternate what video I watch each day and helps vary it up a bit while still getting in circuit training. 


But, while the video is actually a good workout and I look forward to doing the routine each day, what makes the system so expandable is that they have a website that allows you to create your own workout video.  By selecting your own specific exercise and dragging it into your timeline, you can create your own routine and even add music and remove the instructions before each exercise, something that would certainly be nice if you are doing a workout every day. 

Speaking of doing the routine every day, I am happy to report that we love the Journey Gym so much that my husband and I are committed to doing it every. single. day.  We developed a system where we alternate the 20 minute routine with the 10 minute routine each day, 7 days a week.  What’s really cool about our plan is that we have a deal that while the other person is working out, we will clean up the main areas of the house.  This means that not only are we getting a great 10 or 20 minute workout, we are also getting an additional 10 or 20 minutes of cleaning exercises also.  Bonus: our house has never looked better!

If you are searching for a great present for someone fitness-minded this holiday season or are looking at getting back in or staying in shape yourself, you should definitely check out Journey Gym and see how awesome of a system it really is.  Hey, if it can get my family excited {and I do mean excited} about working out, it’s got to be pretty cool, right?

Price: $245 ARV.  Find out more about the Journey Gym, its many features, and where to buy at journeygym.com

Want to win an awesome Journey Gym for yourself?  Of course you do!

To enter, simply visit the Journey Gym site and comment on this post telling me what you like about the system and where the most unusual place that you would use it!

 And, as always, there are extra entries available!  {Please leave a separate comment for each completed}

2 Extra Entries - Like Journey Gym's Facebook page and comment with where you would use the Journey Gym if you won and @ tag Rave & Review

2 Extra Entries {per method} - Follow Rave & Review! Subscribe by RSS feed, Subscribe by email, become a fan of R&R on Facebook or add R&R to your blogroll or sidebar.

1 Extra Entry {daily} - Twitter.  Simply tweet the following after following us both:

Have you heard of a gym in a suitcase? Enter to #win a super cool @JourneyGym #giveaway with @RaveAndReview! http://t.co/ypugszeY ARV $245!

3 Extra Entries - Blogger Bonus.  Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post and leave an address where I can find your writeup

1 Extra Entry - Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

On December 20th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US and Canadian Addresses.

This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to:

#104 Doris C said... Tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/dewinner/status/139313342648029184

A big thank you to Journey Gym for providing the information and giveaway for one lucky giveaway winner.  All opinions are 100% ours and no monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Mountain Buggy Terrain Jogging Stroller

Get Out and PLAY Event - Day 40

If you are serious about getting in shape after baby, there’s really one investment that you should consider – a rugged jogging stroller. Cheaper than a gym membership and perfect for those that don’t have babysitters at the ready, by running, jogging, and hitting the trails with your little one you are able to get moving while still bonding with baby. We recently got a chance to test drive the Mountain Buggy Terrain stroller and were really impressed with the premium features that make this one serious stroller.

Mountain Buggy strollers are some of the most rugged and durable strollers anywhere and are perfect for roads, sidewalks, trails, and even rough terrain other strollers can’t touch. Their motto is “life without limit” and this stroller definitely fits the bill. Like all Mountain Buggy strollers, the Terrain was designed in New Zealand and engineered to be tough enough to handle whatever may come your way.

The first thing we all noticed was how incredibly smooth the ride is in the Terrain, effortlessly gliding over stones, dirt, grass, and rocks. Even steering one-handed, the stroller is stable and well-weighted, allowing for an easy ride. This is partially thanks to the rugged air-filled tires, shock absorbing suspension, and also in part due to the high ground clearance.

For the best control over different terrains, there are different front wheel settings that are easy to select on the go. Whether you leave the front wheel so it swivels or lock it firmly in place, forward or backward, it’s easy to customize your ride.

As with most nice strollers, the Terrain has a recline adjustment that can allow children to lean back and relax while you roll. The really cool thing about this stroller is that the seat can be set at any angle thanks to a pull strap recline mechanism. It does require two hands, but still allows you to customize your ride for your child and activity. The best thing about it is that it goes almost entirely flat, which means it can even be used on new babies {at slow speeds} instead of the 6mo+ restriction of most jogging strollers.

If you do have a little babe, you will be happy that the Terrain will also act as a travel system with an infant car seat adapter. There are adapters that work specifically with Evenflo, Peg Perego and Graco seats as well as a universal car seat adapter that works with Baby Trend, Evenflo, Graco, Peg Perego, Maxi Cosi, Chicco, which means you could even use the Terrain for your daily run as well as for shopping trips. If you’re like me and swoon whenever you see a carrycot, you will love that there is an optional Terrain Cot you can buy as well.

For the older toddler, we love that the Terrain has a roomy seat that is 14” wide and has a 20 ½“ seatback with a whopping 24” seatback-to-canopy measurement that can accommodate older and taller children. It also has an incredibly high weight capacity of 77lbs, which is the highest weight rating I have ever seen in a stroller.

The Terrain has a large sun canopy with a sun visor and peek-a-boo window that offers a good amount of shade for your child and does well when the rain clouds roll in. For us parents, there is a large capacity basket below the seat that can handle all sorts of accoutrements and even has a mesh zippered top to ensure you don’t lose anything when you really get moving.

Safety is always a big concern of ours, so we love that the Terrain also has a great 5-point padded harness with a safety buckle that even our crafty toddlers could not break out of. We also love that there are two brakes on the stroller; a rear footbrake that locks both wheels to park and secure the stroller as well as a hand brake on the handlebar to give you complete control as you pick up speed. While we don’t use the handlebar brake very often in our strolls, we appreciate the option over the traditional nylon strap brake that other strollers come with.

Besides safety features and comfort to spare for your little one, the Terrain also has some great features for mom and dad, including a great adjustable handle height to accommodate different sized joggers. Even at a full run, my husband and I did not kick the back of the stroller, which is an amazing feat considering we both have incredibly long legs.

Unlike most other jogging type strollers, the Terrain comes with a console-style attachment that has cupholders and cubbies for snacks and essentials. It should be noted that the cupholders are more for water bottles than lattes, as they lean backwards from the stroller and make it easy to toss in capped beverages and retrieve them easily. There are also two cupholders in the seat pockets for your little one to store a beverage or two.

We also really love the easy lever system fold/unfold of the Terrain which allows you to get out on your way quickly and easily. Once folded, there is a locking strap that keeps the Terrain closed for transport. While the Mountain Buggy Terrain Jogging Stroller is great for around town, field, and trail, it isn’t the most compact folding stroller. It does fit in the back of our compact sedan with a little rearranging, especially with the wheels removed, but at 29lbs, it is a bit heavy to take in and out.

If you’re looking for sleek, sporty, and incredibly maneuverable, the Terrain is the perfect stroller for you. It is weighted well so that it doesn’t feel flimsy even while trekking, but also handles like a dream even with baby on board. With a rugged frame, superior braking system, high weight limit and expandable system that can accommodate even babies, we think the Terrain is a fabulous all-terrain jogging stroller for your sporty lifestyle!

Find out more about the Terrain as well as the full line of Mountain Buggy products at http://mountainbuggy.com/

A big thank you to Mountain Buggy for letting us test out the Terrain jogging stroller.  All opinions are 100% ours and no monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

BikeGlow Safety Light {Review & Coupon Code}

Get Out and PLAY Event – Day 37

Riding bikes has long been one of our favorite outdoor activities, both before and after we had kids.  It really is one of the best ways to spend a day together and give you the best mix of conversation, exercise, and adventure.  But, one thing that has changed after having kids is how much more I think about bike safety than I did before. 

It may seem kind of ridiculous, but it actually took me having my kids along on the ride for me to think about all the dangers out there on the roads and trails.  As most bikers know, a large part of bike safety is making sure that you are as visible as possible, so I’m always struggling to keep us all well-lit for low-light or evening rides.  With only small reflectors on most bikes located on the front and the back {and possibly the pedals, if you’re lucky}, the typical bike is nearly invisible from the sides. 

One of the coolest products I have ever seen to add visibility and keep the whole family safe while riding is the BikeGlow safety light.  The BikeGlow safety light is one of those simple, yet super effective, products that make you wonder why you didn’t think of it first.  It merely consists of a battery pack with an on/off switch connected to a 10 foot long light tube.  And that’s it.  But those three simple elements combine to make one of the most unique lighting products we have ever seen and makes you visible from all sides, not just the front and the back.

To use, you simply attach the light tube to your frame with zip ties and then attach the battery pack by Velcro to an easy to reach location on your bike.  Then you simply wrap the light tube all over and around your bike in any pattern or style that you want, turning your bike into a glowing, shiny beacon of style and visibility. 

Once it’s attached, it’s incredibly unobtrusive and can be left on your bike even during daylight rides.  But then, whenever you think you need to increase your visibility, you can turn on the light to either steady on, slow, or fast blinking. 

Beyond blinking, BikeGlow has another high visibility trick up its sleeve and something the whole family will think is cool.  By offering a range of colors like blue, green, purple, pink and more, you can pick a color that will look good with your bike and stand out against the normal white and red of your head and tail lights {although you can get those colors too if you want!}

Though the BikeGlow is obviously marketed towards bikers, whether they are avid riders, new to the sport, or even young children, it should also be noted that the BikeGlow is not just for bikes.  You could cover your bike trailers, your wagons, or even your strollers with the BikeGlow to add visibility to just about anything you can imagine. 

Love the BikeGlow and want to get 25% off at www.bikeglow.com?  Use coupon code "raveandreview" at check out and help make the whole family visible and safe out on the roads!

A big thank you to BikeGlow for sending their safety light for review.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.