Ah, summer. The season of backyard BBQs, bike rides with the family, and maybe even a little trip to the beach. It’s the season that everybody looks forward to all year long — but that means that you can’t let all those sunny days just pass you by. You have to make the most of your summer. Sitting indoors and reading a book is great in the middle of December, but by July you should be reading that book in a lounge chair by the beach. Luckily, I’ve put together this huge list of essentials that anybody and everybody is going to need in order to make the most of their summer.
And I’m not just talking about beach gear — I’ve also made sure to include fun hammocks for camping trips, pop-up sheds for the bikes you just bought, and even a beer pong table that floats in the pool. So what are you waiting for? Summer is only here for a few months, and these outdoorsy picks are here to help you make the most of it.
A Sleeping Pad To Keep You Comfortable When Camping
Sleeping on the ground is no one’s idea of a good time. Luckily, this sleeping pad can help keep you comfortable while you’re out roughing it in the wilderness. And at less than one pound, it adds hardly any weight to your gear — so there really isn’t any reason not to grab it.
This Hammock That You Need To Take Camping
Not only is this hammock a comfy alternative to a sleeping bag on your next camping trip, but it’s so sturdy that two people can safely (and comfortably) hang out. Once you’re ready to go, it folds down into a tiny drawstring travel pouch that you can attach to your backpack, making it oh-so-easy to take with you.
A Pool Float That Helps Get The Party Started
Few things are as relaxing as laying by the pool, but once that gets boring, you’ll be glad you bought this beer pong pool float. Each side has 10 cupholders, and you get four ping pong balls with every order so that you can start playing the moment it’s been inflated.
This Running Belt That Won’t Flop Around
Unlike some running belts that uncomfortably flop around when you’re moving, this one is made from adjustable neoprene that lays flat against your body to help keep it stable. Despite its slim design, there’s enough space to hold smartphones, keys, cash, and even a pair of AirPods.
These Ice Packs That Stay Cold For A Really Long Time
While it’s tempting to dump your freezer ice bin into that cooler, trust me — these ice packs are a must-have alternative. Not only do they stay cold longer than ice, but you can reuse them as many times as you like. Plus, they take up less space than ice, giving you more room for drinks and snacks.
This Towel That Dries Faster Than Most
Don’t get stuck carrying around a soggy towel when you’re at the pool — take this quick-drying one with you instead. It’s made from lightweight microfiber that absorbs more water than cotton, helping you dry off even when you’re soaking wet. Plus, its ultra-thin weave takes up less space in your bag than other towels.
A Tent That Pops Up To Give You Some Privacy
Need to change your clothes while you’re outside? Not a problem — just hop inside of this pop-up tent. There’s no need to finagle with complicated instructions or stubborn poles, as it instantly sets itself up once removed from its travel bag. And since it weighs hardly anything, packing it with you shouldn’t be any hassle whatsoever.
This Mini Slice Makes Box Cutting Safe And Precise
Do you know how many times I’ve wished I had a box cutter on me? This mini version has a blade that hides away safely in my pocket. I use it for the piles of Amazon boxes I order weekly and even standard things around the house like envelopes, snack bags, drink boxes, or anything annoyingly shrink wrapped. Plus, it’s magnetic so it can live on my fridge! This is so handy, it makes for a great gift.
These Hiking Poles That Are Perfect For Backpacking
Got a big hike or backpacking trip on the books for this summer? Make sure to take these trekking poles with you. They’re great for uneven terrain, as they help you stay upright and stable if you happen to lose your footing — and since they’re collapsible, they won’t take up too much space in your bag.
This Bike Seat That Reviewers Say Is ‘Much More Comfortable’
Don’t take it from me — with thousands of positive reviews, it’s no shocker that reviewers raved about how this bike seat is “much more comfortable” than the ones they’ve been sitting on. And if you’ve got a workout bike at home? One reviewer dished that “It fits perfectly on the Peloton seat and secures itself with a locking drawstring that makes certain that the seat padding does not move during your ride…a well crafted plush seat that will undoubtedly make your Peloton rides more comfortable. “
An Air Mattress That Lets You Camp In Comfort
While I love the great outdoors, I don’t necessarily like sleeping in them — especially if that involves lying on the ground. Luckily, this air mattress inflates in less than two minutes with the simple press of a button. It’s suitable for indoor as well as outdoor use, and the reinforced coil beam construction helps prevent leaks, allowing you to use it through multiple seasons.
Recharge Your Battery With This 4-in-1 Liquid Supplement
I’m the worst at taking my daily vitamins, especially when I travel. I take vitamin D for immune support, Omega 3 for good cholesterol, K2 for heart health, and MCT oil for an energy boost in pill form, but I always forget to pack all four bottles! So, I switched to these organic vitamin drops because they have all four key ingredients in one bottle. Now, I never miss a day!
This Light That Helps Keep You And Your Bicycle Visible
Making yourself visible when you’re biking is important when it comes to avoiding collisions with drivers or other bikers — so make sure to check out this light. Its ultra-bright LED bulb can be seen from far away, while the rechargeable battery provides more than 10 hours of light. Plus, zero tools are needed in order to mount it to your handlebars.
The Helpful Bag That Mounts To Your Bike
You don’t need to put a bulky basket on your handlebars if you want a little storage space on your bike — just grab this handy bag. It’s compatible with bikes of nearly any shape or size and stays waterproof for days when you get caught in the rain. Plus, the touch-sensitive screen on the top lets you use your smartphone without having to pull it out.
This Lantern That Folds Down To Save Space
Not only does this lantern fold down so that it takes up less space in your bag, but it also provides hours of light using just six AA batteries (not included). Hang it from the inside of your tent when you’re out camping, or even use it around the house if the power goes out — it’s versatile enough for both.
The Backpack That’s Perfect For Day Hikes
With space for water, snacks, and even a change of clothes, this backpack is the perfect companion to take with you on your next day hike. It’s water-resistant as well as tear-resistant — so don’t even fret about getting it dirty while you’re out — and many reviewers wrote about how good the quality is despite its more-than-reasonable price.
The Snorkel Set That Can Help You Save Money
Look, I know you probably aren’t going to use this snorkel set every day. However, if you bring it with you on your next tropical vacation, you won’t have to pay those exorbitant prices that tourist places like to charge. Plus, the lenses are made from durable tempered glass that’s less likely to fog up when you’re swimming.
This Tarp That’s Worth Its Weight In Gold
I’d rather have this tarp and not need it rather than need it and not have it — especially if I’m out camping in the woods. Not only is it an easy way to keep you dry in the event of rain, but each order also comes with all the ground stakes you’ll need to keep it firmly situated over your tent.
The Pinwheel That Makes Family Bike Rides More Fun
If your kids aren’t into having family bike rides, this pinwheel might be able to convince them that going for a ride around the neighborhood isn’t so bad. It snaps onto most bike handlebars without any tools needed — and the cute flower print gives any bike an adorable touch that kids are sure to appreciate.
A Bag That Keeps Your Stuff High And Dry
Go ahead and drop this bag in the pool or ocean — either way, it’ll keep everything inside dry so that you won’t have to worry about soggy clothes or ruined electronics. And since it’s made from tough polyester, it’s even less likely to rip or tear than other materials.
The Bicycle Cover That’s Large Enough To Fit Nearly Any Set Of Wheels
Not only is this cover large enough to fit up to two bikes, but it’s also made from UV-resistant fabric that’s less likely to fade in the sun. It’s also wind-resistant so that there’s no need to worry about it blowing away in bad weather — and one reviewer even wrote that “We live in a rainy area, and the cover has already sustained two very long rainstorms. Afterward, there is a literal puddle on top of the cover, but the bikes are completely dry.”
This Anchor That Keeps Your Beach Umbrella From Tipping Over
Go ahead and push that beach umbrella as far into the sand as you can — but unless you have this anchor keeping it secure, the chances of it flopping over are pretty good. It’s so sturdy that it can keep your umbrella upright in winds up to 50 miles per hour, and there’s no need to think about compatibility since it’s made to work with nearly any umbrella.
A Kit That Helps You Grow An Avocado Tree
Growing an avocado tree isn’t easy, but this kit can at least help you get the process started. All you need to do is provide your own avocado pit, and change out the water reservoir once every two weeks — that’s it. Not only is it low maintenance, but the opening on the bottom makes it easy to transplant your tree once the roots have started to grow.
The Cover That Helps Keep Your Grill In Tip-Top Condition
No one wants to cook on a rusty grill — that’s why it’s important to keep it protected underneath a cover, like this one. It’s made from tough Oxford fabric that can withstand all sorts of intense weather, while air vents on either side allow heat to escape when the sun is beating down. Choose from three sizes, as well as five colors.
A Pack Of Wildflower Seeds That Bees And Hummingbirds Love
Sprinkle these seeds throughout your garden, and within a few weeks, it’ll bloom into a gorgeous field of wildflowers. Butterflies, hummingbirds, and even bees will appreciate the gorgeous blooms — and the seeds are also completely non-GMO.
These Campfire Packets That Add Fun Colors To Flames
Toss one of these packets into your campfire, and it’ll start lighting up in gorgeous shades of blue, purple, green, and more. They’re also safe to use on indoor fireplaces — and one reviewer even wrote that “the colors are lovely and lasted quite a while for us (30 minutes+).”
A Stool That Gives You Somewhere To Sit While Gardening
You don’t have to kneel on the hard ground when you’re gardening — just pop a squat on this bench instead. Not only is it way more comfortable than the ground, but there’s also a storage pouch on the side where you can keep trowels and other tools within reach. Plus, each order includes a set of gardening gloves.
The Gardening Gloves That Won’t Leave You Sweating
Ever notice how gardening gloves can leave your hands feeling sweaty and uncomfortable? That isn’t the case with this pair. They’re made from eco-friendly bamboo fibers that are breathable as well as absorptive, helping keep your hands dry while you work. Choose from sizes ranging from small to 2X-large.
These Fire Starters That You Can Use In Grills, Campfires, And More
If you’re having trouble getting that charcoal grill to light, these fire starters will probably be able to help. They’re water-resistant as well as odorless, making them great for outdoor use — though they’re also safe to use on your indoor fireplace.
An Insect Trap That Doesn’t Rely On Harsh Chemicals
Flying pests are no match for this bug trap, as it attracts everything from fruit flies to annoying mosquitos. It doesn’t rely on any harsh chemicals in order to snare bugs — just a powerful UV light. Plus, it even doubles as a night light in dark rooms.
This Umbrella That Can Handle Intense Weather
Whereas most umbrellas will turn inside out in powerful gusts, this one is completely windproof — so there’s no need to worry about getting blown away in bad weather. Choose from more than 10 colors, including a fun shade of red and black.
A Sleeping Bag That’s Large Enough For Two People
It doesn’t matter whether you want to snuggle up against someone or give yourself some extra room, as this sleeping bag is large enough for two people. It’s also waterproof as well as weatherproof — just in case your tent gets a little wet — and the toasty filling is suitable for cold climates down to 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
A Net That Helps Protect You Against Nighttime Bug Bites
Few things are as annoying as waking up with a slew of bug bites running down your leg, so why not keep yourself safe by putting up this net? It’s large enough to fit around a king-size bed, and the holes are small enough to keep even the tiniest critters away while you’re snoozing.
A Tent That Adds Storage Space To Your Yard
Don’t want to shell out for a whole new shed for your yard? Not a problem when you’ve got this tent. It’s large enough to fit two adult-sized bikes, giving you tons of room for all sorts of lawn equipment — and it only takes about 10 minutes to put together.
This Kit That Helps You Grow Fresh Salads At Home
Golden Detroit beets and fiesta blend radishes are only a few of the delicious veggies that this psychedelic salad kit will help you grow. You don’t even need a yard in order to be successful, as each kit comes with small pots that’ll fit on your window sill — and many reviewers raved about how it was easy to get the seeds to sprout.
This Barrier That Keeps Squirrels From Eating Your Bird Seed
If you want to save the birdseed in your feeder for birds, this barrier will keep squirrels and raccoons from climbing up and snacking on it themselves. No tools are needed in order to put it up — simply wrap it around the feeder pole, and it’ll stop unwanted critters from shimmying their way up.
A Weeder Made From Tough Stainless Steel
Cheaply made gardening tools can grow rusty over time, whereas this weeder is made from tough stainless steel that’s durable and rust-resistant. It’s great for digging down deep into roots to make sure those pesky weeds don’t grow back — and the large loop at the end of the handle lets you hang it up in storage.
A Planter Box Made From Classy Wood
This planter box is made from stylish acacia wood and is suitable for use indoors as well as outdoors. The lightweight frame won’t leave you struggling to move it around if you want — and there are drainage holes on the. bottom to make sure your plants don’t start to rot if you accidentally overwater them.
This Grilling Kit That’ll Have You Flipping Burgers In No Time
Serrated tongs, a three-in-one spatula, eight corn holders — these are only a few of the grilling tools you’ll find inside this kit. They all come packaged in a sleek aluminum case, making it easy to keep them safe from rain if you leave them outside with your grill. Plus, each tool is made from stainless steel, so you don’t have to worry about them corroding over time.