It’s now officially the first weekend of summer, so it’s time to get out of the house. Whether your destination is a campsite, a beach, or just that patch of grass behind your house, the weather has become too nice to look at it from the wrong side of a window. This weekend, we’ve found a few great outdoor deals to help you get out there.
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Beach Deals
Take a look at our Best Sunglasses and Best Reusable Water Bottles guides for more ways to beat the summer heat.
Igloo EcoCool
Photograph: REI
Never run out of cold drinks and snacks at the beach again, even if you’ve brought the whole family and a few friends. Ninety quarts equals about 85 liters, meaning this cooler has the storage capacity of a large suitcase—the kind you need to check at the airport. The wheels and handle make lugging it across the parking lot painless, although you might need a friend to help carry it once you reach the sand.
I’ve tested a lot of folding camp and beach chairs, and this is one of the most—maybe even the most—comfortable I’ve sat in. The build feels solid, the wood armrests are a welcome touch for long periods of lounging, and the whole chair can hold up to 250 pounds.
If you’re like me, the first few minutes of arriving at the beach give you the uneasy feeling of being a raw pork chop that just hit the grill. Save your skin with this overhead sun shade made for mounting into deep beach sand. The Grande model is big enough to fit seven people underneath, and the aluminum hardware makes it a cinch to carry at only about 6 pounds.
These are indeed the original cult sunglasses. Ray-Ban Aviators mean metal frames and quality coatings that won’t easily wear off the surface of the lenses, which is a problem with many cheap sunglasses. The polarized version is also on sale for $170 if you tend to use them around water and want to cut some of the glare reflecting off the waves.
Backyard Deals
Check out our Best Grills and Best Backyard Gear guides for more recommendations.
Solo Stove Bonfire
Photograph: REI
We’re big fans of the Solo Stove series here at WIRED. Associate reviews editor Parker Hall says the larger Yukon model (7/10, WIRED Recommends) has nearly indestructible build quality and efficient burning design, and it’s easy to light. The Bonfire is one size smaller, which is more suitable for those with limited space, although all sizes of Solo Stove’s fire pits are on sale right now. (That includes Solo Stove’s new pizza oven).
WIRED senior writer Scott Gilbertson gave this grill high marks for its ability to use both charcoal and gas. Yes, I know. Madness. But wonderful madness, because now you can satisfy the charcoal grillers or switch to clean-burning propane if you’re cooking for a large group and don’t want to mess with that many briquettes. It also has a side burner for heating up side dishes, which is a nice touch.
Not everyone has two perfectly spaced trees in their backyard to string up a hammock. That’s where this stand comes in. Position your hammock wherever you like with this stand, which can hold up to 300 pounds. The hammock isn’t included, but it fits any Kammock-made hammock, such as the Roo Single Recycled (on sale for $56) and Roo Double Recycled (on sale for $64).
Camping and Hiking Deals
Be sure to check out our other camping guides, like the Best Tents, Best Hiking Gear, and Best Camping Gear, for more excuses to head into the great outdoors this summer.
Salomon X Ultra 3
Photograph: Salomon
These are hands-down my favorite shoes for day hikes, long hikes, and approaching outdoor climbing routes. I’ve put hundreds of miles on my pair in the past year alone, including several week-long trips where I’d sometimes be hiking for up to 15 to 17 miles a day. From desert sand to tropical mud, they were ultra comfortable and grippy. These don’t have the Gore-Tex water-resistant lining, but I view that as a positive. They breathe more easily, and once wet, they dry out much more quickly. The women’s sizing is on sale for the same price.
Hydro Flask makes some of my very favorite reusable water bottles, thanks to the leak-proof caps and tough-as-nails coating. While a vacuum-insulated bottle is a luxury on any hiking trip longer than a day, it’s worth the extra weight when car camping at an established height so that you can have icy cold water all weekend long.
The Base Camp 4 is large enough for four people, and the two doors and vestibules reduce the number of tent mates climbing over each other. With a peak interior height of 60 inches, not everyone will be able to stand up, but it’s enough headroom to get dressed and undressed. The poles and pole sleeves are color-coded to make setup easier as well.
Forget fiddling with the flashlight or trying to position a lantern just right while you’re setting up your tent, cooking a late supper, or packing before sunrise for that awesome hike. Mount your light to your noggin and go hands-free. The Spot 400 is one of those reliable staples of hiking gear. Lots of people swear by them for their reliability, water-resistance, and red-light setting that’s easy on the eyes at night. It runs on three AAA batteries, so you don’t have to worry about recharging it away from home.