About Us

Today, sports are undeniably a family affair.

Having always demanded the highest craftsmanship and innovative technology from outdoor gear, Lucky Bums founders Julie and Jeff Streeter assumed they could find the same craftsmanship and technology when outfitting their family. Unfortunately, kids ski training equipment was hard to find, poorly made, inadequate, and not much fun for anyone involved.

From this challenge, Lucky Bums was born.

With decades of extreme outdoor experience, a mind for engineering and a parent’s practicality, the Streeters' have created an affordable line of high-quality children’s gear that shorten the learning curve and lengthen the opportunities for family enjoyment. 

"Every product we create is made with one vision in mind, and that's to help make family's lives easier and better". -- Jeff Streeter

PRESS RELEASES

--Lucky Bums Inc. Chosen From 1,000 Small Businesses--Among 20 Semi-Finalists in Forbes Business-Boosting Contest

Boise, Id., August 2, 2007 – Lucky Bums, Inc., a Boise-based manufacturer of children’s skiing and snowboarding safety equipment, has made it to the semi-final round in the Forbes inaugural Boost Your Business contest, a competition that stands to earn this Idaho small business $100,000 to invest back into their company.

A panel of judges selected Lucky Bums based on how owners Jeff and Julie Streeter would use the $100,000 prize to boost their business and other criteria. Now it’s up the online votes from Forbes.com readers to determine if they can make it to the final round.

Anyone with an Internet connection can cast a vote between August 1-31, 2007, to help determine five finalists from the 20 semi-finalist entries at www.forbes.com/byb/byb07_luckybums.html

The Streeter’s have created an affordable line of high-quality children’s ski gear that shortens the learning curve and lengthens the opportunities for family enjoyment. With the Lucky Bums line currently available online and in retail stores like REI, Dick’s Sporting Goods and The Sports Authority, the Streeter’s believe winning this contest could give them the financial boost and nationwide exposure they need to effectively compete in the sporting goods industry alongside much larger equipment manufacturers.

“Making it to this round is outstanding. It’s great to represent Boise, and it’s great to think about the potential winning a competition like this could do,” said Jeff Streeter, who founded Lucky Bums in 2003 with his wife Julie to make children’s outdoor equipment that compares to the craftsmanship and technology found in adult gear. “Our goal is to become the experts in technical gear for active kids.”

Each of the five finalists will receive a trip to Forbes.com in New York City, New York, to offer a live, 20 minute presentation to the judges, scheduled for early October. The presentations will be videotaped for airing on Forbes.com.
 

--Boise-based outdoor equipment maker helps families recreate together with innovative children’s skiing and snowboard products--

 Boise, Id., January 23, 2006 – Lucky Bums, Inc., a Boise-based outdoor equipment manufacturer, offers a full product line of ‘real gear for kids’ – a welcome addition to the sporting industry as childhood obesity reaches an all-time high.

Obesity in children and adolescents is a serious issue with many health and social consequences that often continue into adulthood. Implementing prevention programs is important to controlling the obesity epidemic.

“It’s easy to find reports that urge families to get out and enjoy outdoor activities together to improve family life as well as children’s overall physical and mental health, but it’s not as easy to find products that make that suggestion a reality,” says David Ray, a Boise-based physical therapist and certified athletic trainer. “Lucky Bums is answering the call by offering affordable, well engineered products that encourage family recreation, while keeping in mind ease of use for parents and children alike.”

According to the American Obesity Association, approximately 30.3 percent of children (ages 6 to 11) are overweight and 15.3 percent are obese. Integrating a normal exercise regimen helps combat obesity and can also reduce other serious health issues stemming from obesity such as asthma, diabetes, hypertension, orthopedic complications and sleep apnea. 

“We started Lucky Bums from our desire to instill our love of outdoor sports into our children. When we went in search of ski training products and other gear built with children and parents in mind, what we found was generally poorly made, inadequate, and not much fun for anyone involved,” said Lucky Bums co-founder Jeff Streeter. “We’re excited to offer products that help kids enjoy the outdoors – and make what can often be a frustrating experience for parents more enjoyable.”

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--Boise-based outdoor equipment maker offers a child-sized pack with adult-sized features--

Boise, Id., January 23, 2006 – Lucky Bums, Inc., a Boise-based manufacturer of children’s skiing and snowboarding safety equipment, announced today that it has begun shipping the Lucky Bums Snow Sport Daypack, a feature-rich pack that enables children to pack their own gear including snowboard, skis or snowshoes easily.

With its ‘real gear for kids’ commitment in mind, Lucky Bums has rounded out its outdoor gear lineup with a pack that helps kids be more independent while enabling parents the privilege of easily integrating their children into their outdoor sports time.

“Our ski products help bring families together while leaving the frustration behind,” said Lucky Bums cofounder Julie Streeter. “Our training products make it easy for parents to teach their children the basic tenets of skiing—and now the Snow Sport Daypack has relieved a little more stress by letting the kids be a part of the entire skiing experience. They can pack their own gear out of the car and into the lodge and feel like they’re contributing to the effort. Parents are happy to have a more independent child – and are, of course, happy to have the help.”

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--Boise-based outdoor equipment maker gives two percent of gait safety and training harness profits to charitable organization--

Boise, Id., December 3, 2005 – Lucky Bums, Inc., a Boise-based manufacturer of children’s skiing and snowboarding safety and physical therapy equipment, announced today that it has selected United Cerebral Palsy of Idaho to receive two percent of all 2006 annual revenue on the sales of its physical therapy products.

In addition to its children’s sporting equipment products such as ski training harnesses, hydration reservoirs and ski tip connectors, Lucky Bums also manufacturers the Gaiter, an economical and portable gait training harness. This product helps families and physical therapists assist children with disabilities accomplish gross motor skills such as walking and standing.

 “With companies like Lucky Bums, United Cerebral Palsy of Idaho is able to offer tools and services to support individuals in living a ‘Life Without Limits.’” Greater awareness and training on assistive technology products such as those provided by Lucky Bums help individuals lead enriched lives, learning and interacting more fully with family and friends,” said Lynn R. Cundick, Executive Director of UCP of Idaho.