Lucky Bums

Lucky Bums: Real Gear For Kids

About Lucky Bums

As avid outdoor enthusiasts, Jeff and Julie Streeter were accustomed to 100+ days of skiing in Colorado and backcountry excursions in all four seasons. So when they started a family, friends suggested they may have to give up their backcountry pursuits. They both thought, why?

Determined to share their love of the outdoors with their young family, they began searching for quality kids gear to match their active lifestyle. It wasn’t easy. While much of what they wanted simply didn’t exist, what they did find was typically of shoddy construction, poor design, or both. As parents they understood that kids, even moreso than adults, needed to be warm, dry, and safe in their outdoor activities. Yet again they wondered: Why couldn’t parents find outdoor gear from a trusted company for their kids?

One day, unable to buy a decent ski training harness for his 18-month-old son, Jeff decided to make one himself, with a twist. With Julie’s help, the technology executive with a chemical engineering degree soon found himself hand-sewing harnesses in his off hours. The twist? As a parent Jeff was accustomed to the constant bending over to pick up the little ones just getting their ski legs, so he incorporated a safety handle into the harness. The harness design and quality proved to be an instant success.

So in 2004 it was pretty clear the Streeters were on to something: an outdoor gear for kids company that parents could trust to provide functional, quality products and incredible family memories.

The catchy name? Well, while standing in a lift line in Colorado, Julie remarked to Jeff, “Look at all these little ski bums. Aren’t they lucky to be on skis at such an early age?” Lucky Bums was born.

Jeff and Julie said goodbye to corporate America and turned their energy and enthusiasm to Lucky Bums. From 2004 to 2007 the Lucky Bums Ski Trainer and a growing set of products for kids in the winter sports market took their place on shelves in retailers all over North America. By incorporating the patented and unique handle design into ski school vests, Lucky Bums soon found itself represented at world class ski resorts like Vail, Heavenly, and Copper Mountain. Soon the products were in Canada, Europe, and Japan.

In 2007 with a growing brand and market penetration, it was time to fill the void in other outdoor recreation markets. While the big companies were unpredictable, Lucky Bums was committed to the kids market and the brand continued to gain awareness. Product planning ensued and in 2008 Lucky Bums unveiled a suite of products engineered specifically for kids in the hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting markets. From technical backpacks and sleeping bags to youth technical apparel for hunting and active outdoors, parents now had a brand to trust for quality, functional gear for their kids.

Today, our products are appreciated by outdoor enthusiasts around the world and are available in over 2,000 stores. From a single product to a true outdoor gear company with a growing staff, expanded facilities and year-round products for snow play, hiking, camping, fishing and hunting, Lucky Bums is steadfast in our commitment to create a world class outdoor gear for kids company that parents can trust.