Summer Gear Guide: 12 Essentials for Your Outdoor Adventures

Best For: Those who love grillin’ and chillin’

Hauling a large cooler full of meat and drinks is one way to let you flex your muscles, but that seems counterintuitive for a day of relaxation. Why don’t you skip that hassle, preferably with a cold drink from the YETI Roadie 32 Wheeled Cooler in hand? As its name implies, you don’t even have to carry it to the campsite; you simply need to extend the telescoping handle (much like a suitcase) and pull it along. And don’t worry about leaves and dirt stuffing up the wheels because they’re about as beefy as YETI could make them before the DMV required a license to operate this cooler.

Inside, you can fit fifty cans of your beverage of choice, though you’ll probably want to leave some space for ice and meat. For anything you don’t want floating in ice water (i.e., dry), there’s a small basket that sits at the top of the cooler that you can put it in. Once the day’s done, there’s a drain plug at the back to let you get all the mush out without the hassle of flipping the whole thing upside down. It’s a chunky boy, as you can imagine, but despite its beefy construction, it does fit most car trunks we’ve tried putting it in, and we like that about it.

• Comes with a dry goods basket so you can keep things cool above the ice instead of in it

• Check the measurements to make sure it’ll fit your car’s trunk

Best For: Those who like to accessorize

If you’ve ever felt helpless as you flip down the car's sun visor only for it to fall short of blocking the sun’s glare, then a pair of sunglasses bridges the gap. The reflective lenses are polarized and reduce glare, so they tick the important boxes. We also like the grip-coated frame that helps it stay on your head despite how hot and sweaty it gets outside. On the other hand, it doesn’t look hardcore outdoorsy, so you can still wear it casually even when they’re just poppin’ over to the store.

Just keep in mind that the fit is best for medium-size heads. Fortunately, goodr provides measurements you can reference.

• The colorful lenses add a lot of personality

• It’s best for medium-sized heads

Best For: Self-proclaimed beach dwellers

Getting sand out of a bag’s fabric is one of the post-vacation pains all of us dread, especially when it’s also inside the bag in question. This is why a tote like the Original Bogg Bag makes sense. It has a near-unibody design that’s made of EVA foam that’s easy to wash because you can simply hose it down once you get home.

Not a fan of the holes? Sorry, but they’re here to stay. However, it comes with two see-through inserts that prevent small items from falling out, so the holes are at least not an inconvenience. If you are a fan of the design, you’ll also be happy to know that there are a lot of colorways to choose from, so be sure to pick one that matches your style.

• It’s easy to clean after a day at the beach

• Comes with 2 clear inserts so that you can prevent gear from falling through the holes

Best For: Those whose travels take them on the water

The sights and scenes of the great outdoors aren't just limited to terra firma. If you’re open to the idea (or if you're feeling persuasive), why not gift yourself your very own kayak? Don’t worry about expectations; the Quest Canyon 100 Kayak is for recreational kayaking, so it's great for casual days of paddling on the lake or down your favorite river. It has graduated footwells so that you can find the ideal seating position, bow and stern bungees for his gear, and a five-gallon rear well to fit large items like a cooler or tackle box.

There are even molded grooves for a phone and bottle, as well as padded seating and an adjustable backrest, so it’s about as well-equipped as a recliner at home. The only thing missing is a paddle, though there is a paddle keeper, so there’s at least a place to put it when your arms get tired or while you’re getting out of the boat.

• It’s a recreational solo kayak, so it’s good even for beginners who aren’t as sure on the water.

• The paddle is not included

Best For: Those who like to be comfy and cozy

Get in touch with your soft side with the Free Fly Bamboo Shade Hoodie. Made out of a blend of bamboo, polyester, and spandex, the fabric has a unique softness; it’s almost like you’re touching a wispy cloud. The bamboo adds moisture-wicking properties, meaning sweat gets absorbed away from the skin and evaporates more easily. It’s also UPF 50+ rated, so it protects your skin from the sun’s harsh UV radiation.

While we dig how soft this hoodie is, its lightness also means it’s quite thin. At 180 GSM, it almost feels more like a layer than a hoodie—ideal if you just need some extra comfy insulation on bright but chilly days.

• It’s made of lightweight and mega-soft bamboo fabric

• Because it’s so light, it’s also very thin

Best For: Those who like to go from trail to tapas

The hurdle inertia presents on a daily basis is enough to dissuade a lot of us from working out. A clever way to mitigate that is to wear clothing you can both work out in and wear for casual hangouts and strolls. The Beyond Yoga Impress Cropped Tank Top is just that: a crop top that’s just at home on the trail and during outdoor yoga sessions as it is at casual hangouts afterward.

The super soft material will feel cozy all day, no matter the activity. And don’t worry about uncomfy double layering, either; there’s a built-in shelf bra for support. Just throw this on and bring a cardigan in case it gets chilly, and you’re set for the rest of the afternoon. There’s also a matching set of pants if you want to commit to the fit.

• It’s casual enough to wear daily and technical enough to work out in, too.

• There’s a built-in shelf bra for added support.

Best For: Those who run

If you’ve been meaning to stay fit, one way to motivate yourself is a pair of comfortable running shoes like the On Cloudmonster 2. The futuristic design is indeed eye-catching, and the eco-conscious may swoon over the 92% total recycled polyester on the upper. However, it’s the everyday comfort that really gets our attention.

The foam inserts are very forgiving on the feet every time you strike the ground, especially for forefoot strikers since that part feels more cushioned. It might feel like it’s on the bouncier side if you’re coming from a firmer pair of running shoes, but we think you’ll appreciate that during everyday use as well.

• Has a very cushiony fit for a more comfortable run

• These shoes are just as good for walking if you’re not a committed runner yet

Best For: Those who can’t help but stand out

Yes, the Howler Brothers H Bar B SnapShirt isn’t a lowkey button-up shirt, but that’s the point. It’s time to chill out and show off a bit of your fun side. The cotton blend is lightweight, soft, and easy to wear—the blend is 60% cotton and 40% polyester, so the fabric is also able to wick away sweat fairly well and stays relatively wrinkle-free for most of the day.

The catch? There are plenty of patterns to choose from, so you’re probably gonna spend a good amount of time deciding. Hey, at least you and the rest of your friends can have a unique design!

• It comes in plenty of fun patterns that can show off your style

• It’s hard to choose just one

Best For: People who love blending style and comfort.

The FP Movement Hot Shot Tee Romper may not be the toughest-looking piece of clothing for the outdoors, but its flowy and loose style sure doesn’t hinder. Leap across some rocks, up the ledge you go, or impress your friends with that jump shot you’ve been practicing; whichever it is, you are free to do so in this. The short sleeves are on the long side, which adds a little extra coverage to help protect your arms against the sun. In addition, the wide shorts make it almost look like a casual dress from afar.

It goes without saying it’s also quite comfy and soft, so it’s great for an afternoon of lounging around after you’ve exhausted all the nearby scenery—oh, and did we mention it has front pockets? Yeah, you’re not left helpless in case you’re bringing the bare minimum of a phone and wallet.

• The flowy style is as cute as it is comfortable.

• It runs slightly large.

Best For: Those that travel to the backcountry

If you love the backcountry so much, you’re probably the type that spends a couple of nights there. As such, a comfy sleeping bag like the Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20 Degree Sleeping Bag is a nice way to say you value staying warm and snoozing soundly while you’re out there. There's 16 oz of 850 goose down fill, and it's very compressible while still providing that warmth we expect of a sleeping bag. However, it's worth noting that since it's rated down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6.7 degrees Celsius), it's not recommended for hot summer nights.

The baffles’ 5 ¼” spacing is quite standard, but it’s what’s inside that we find a bit more unique. The space for your feet is quite generous, and the collar isn’t so tight that you feel like a mummy all night. It’s a good enough balance of both. Plus, there are sizes to choose from, so users of varying heights are well-covered.

• You can choose different lengths, so short and tall users have options

• Like most sleeping bags, it takes some elbow grease to re-pack it after you’re done

Best For: Those who prefer to kick it poolside

A pair of swim trunks like the chubbies Classing 7" Swim trunks is the kind you wear in good fun. The quirky patterns may not immediately click if you’re the serious type, but give it time, and it'll make you feel included as everyone compliments the bright colors and little sharks (if you picked that particular colorway). There's even a back pocket because we know lots of people have an aversion to being separated from important everyday carry items like keys and wallets.

The only thing that may not completely win you over is the mesh basket liner. But if you’re completely down with that, then these swim trunks are a worthwhile consideration.

• They come in a ton of different colors and patterns

• It has a mesh basket liner, which some have strong opinions about

Best For: Those who love an adrenaline rush

What better way to kick up dust along a trail than with a bike like the Giant Adult ATX 27.5” Mountain Bike? It’s a fun way to stay fit and an excuse to tinker around with tools during the weekend, as bikes like these require some maintenance.

The aluminum frame is notably lightweight compared to stainless steel while being more budget-friendly than hardcore carbon fiber or titanium. The flat handlebars are easy to control, and the included seat feels supportive enough when you’re going through rough terrain. All of that said, you may want to avail Public Lands’ assembly service to get the bike built once it’s delivered. On the other hand, an afternoon assembling this with a friend isn’t a bad idea either.

• It’s a versatile bike with a low barrier to entry

• It’s recommended to have an expert technician help you assemble the bike once it’s delivered (Public Lands offers this service in-store for free)