Outdoor Gear to Turn up the Heat (and the Fun) This Summer

Who doesn’t love summer time? Barbecues, vacations, swimming, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure. Whether you’re hiking, trail running, going off grid, or simply planning a summer picnic, here are some gear upgrades you can make this summer to make it the best one yet.

This post contains affiliate links. Outdoors.com may earn a commission when you make a purchase through these links. Thank you for your support.  

YETI Trailhead Camp Chair

I’m a sucker for a good camp chair. (I’ve even been known to use them in the backyard and not just around the campfire.) YETI’s Trailhead Camp Chair is well engineered to be easy to fold/unfold and very comfortable to sit in. Even though it’s not the lightest option on the market, I choose to bring this chair to t-ball games, because it’s such a comfy seat.

YETI has designed this chair to stand up to your best adventures. The flexible and supportive fabric is UV resistant, and it has a durable frame that folds up and into a carry bag in under a minute. I appreciate the breathable seat fabric and the built-in cupholder.

NOCO AX65 Portable Jump Starter + Air Compressor

For off-grid adventures this summer, pick yourself up a NOCO AX65 Jump Starter + Air Compressor to ensure you don’t get stuck somewhere with a dead battery or low tire pressure. This compact, dual-purpose piece of gear is both a 2,000-amp lithium jump starter and a high-speed air compressor (67 SLPM). The AX65 is also a power bank (and a flashlight), making it an indispensable summer road-trip accessory.

I appreciate the AX65’s safety features, like spark-proof technology and reverse polarity protection. I also appreciate that it’s easy to use, even if you don’t feel super comfortable working on cars. My family recently took a long camping road trip across several states, and it gave us peace of mind knowing we had the AX65 along for the ride. Since we also had mountain bikes in tow, we didn’t have to bring a separate air pump for the tires.

Rocky Endeavor Point Waterproof Hiking Boots (Men and Women)

This is the summer I found my favorite hiking boots. Maybe it’s the summer you find yours, too. Rocky Boots’ Endeavor Point hiking boots are wonderfully comfortable, waterproof, and durable. Mine were comfortable from day one; no break-in needed (although this is different for everyone).

The Endeavor Point boots feature a full-grain leather upper, a flexible dual-density outsole, and rock-crawling lugs, which came in handy for scrambling on my recent hike through the Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park. Not too high or too low around the ankle, these hiking boots offer support without feeling stiff and heavy. In fact, they’re quite lightweight. They’re also waterproof without feeling hot and suffocating.

Keen Targhee IV Waterproof Hiking Boots (Kids)

Bringing kids along for your summer adventures? Same. Keen’s Targhee IV hiking boots are an excellent choice to upgrade your little ones’ hiking footwear. These boots are durable, waterproof, and comfortable. They also provide the traction kids need while hiking, running, and scrambling outdoors.

Features include waterproof leather and a perforated mesh upper, a removable foam insole with arch support, midsole cushioning (helpful on those long hikes), and a round toe box with a bumper. My favorite feature is the pull-on design with adjustable bungee lacing. This means my littlest hiker can pull on his boots by himself, saving us one task while prepping for our day.

Stanley All Day Julienne Mini Cooler

Stanley recently launched its 7.4-quart All Day Julienne Mini Cooler in three new, adorable colors—Rose Quartz Rattan, Mist Picnic Stripe, and my personal favorite, Cream Picnic Stripe (pictured). This mini cooler is the epitome of summer; it’ll keep your picnic spread cool for 12 hours and look so good while doing it.

I love that the All Day Julienne Mini Cooler is made from recycled materials, that it has a unique hinge top that makes it easy to get things in and out of the bag, and that it has a zippered pocket, so you don’t have to carry an additional bag.

The cooler can hold up to 10 cans, but it does not come with ice packs.

GoalZero Basecamp 4 Wireless Charging Pad

GoalZero’s Basecamp 4 is a camping game changer in that it allows you to charge up to four devices at the same time. It does require a power source, but imagine the freedom of only needing one cord per four devices!

I love this thing. It’s so handy to connect it to a power bank and then easily and quickly charge phones, headphones, and other wireless charging-enabled devices without having to dig out a bunch of cords. Another huge benefit of the Basecamp 4 is its ability to fold in half for easy storage and transport. We’re never going camping without it again.

KAVU Clothes for Women (Horizon Sandals, Montanita Romper, and Tepic Shorts)

KAVU clothes for men and women are perfect for a summer full of outdoor adventures. From sunny hikes to backyard barbecues, KAVU offers tees, knits, hats, bags, and more for all occasions.

Some of my favorite pieces for summer include KAVU’s Horizon sandals, Montanita romper, and Tepic shorts. The Horizon sandals are comfortable and classy, the romper is the most comfortable thing you’ll ever wear, and the shorts will go with you from day hike to summer party on the patio.

Both the shorts and the romper are made from quick-dry, lightweight fabric, keeping things light and flowy for the warmer months of the year. KAVU’s designs are both functional and fashionable for those who make the outdoors a lifestyle.

BioLite Dash 450 Rechargeable Running Headlamp

Runners, rejoice. BioLite has designed a headlamp just for trail and road runners. The Dash 450 is innovative in its no-bounce fit (!), its focused beam optimized for runners, and a rear red light with reflective band for extra safety from all angles.

This rechargeable headlamp is easy to use and has a 90-meter beam distance. It weighs just 78 grams and features moisture-wicking fabric. It’s so lightweight and comfortable that you’ll forget you even have it on.

BioLite made sure its Dash 450 will light your way through rainstorms; it’s IPX4 Storm Safe but not submersible. It’s also quite adjustable, so you can wear it over a beanie on chilly nights.

Stanley Adventure Fast Flow Water Jug 2G

You know what’ll make your summer camping trip even better? Cold water. Stanley’s 2-gallon Adventure Fast Flow Water Jug will keep ice water iced for up to two days, which makes a big difference when you’re hiking and recreating in the summer heat.

This portable water cooler offers a carrying handle and a leak-proof design, in addition to double-wall foam insulation and a removable high-flow spigot, which makes it easy to clean. It’s not just for camping, either. It works great for summer parties and sports tournaments, as well.

What’s your favorite piece of summer gear for outdoor adventures?

Header Stock image by Patchareeporn Sakoolchai/Getty Images

The post Outdoor Gear to Turn up the Heat (and the Fun) This Summer appeared first on Outdoors with Bear Grylls.