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Summer’s still kicking, outdoor lovers. Whether you’ve planned an outdoorsy vacation, a bucket-list hike, a camping trip, or a kayaking trip . . . or whether you just plan to enjoy the rest of summer at barbecues and pool parties, it’ll all be better if you’re outfitted properly.
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From the outdoorsiest hip pack we’ve ever seen to outfits that’ll take you from the top of a mountain to a night on the town, here are 15 apparel items and accessories you’ll love for this summer and beyond. There are items for both men and women on the list, plus a bonus non-apparel item you don’t want to get stuck without.
Coalatree’s Trailhead Shorts are fantastic hiking shorts, but they’re also so much more. Consider wearing these waterproof shorts any time there’s a chance of water—camping and hiking, yes, but also hanging around the pool, taking the kids to a splash pad, etc.
The Trailhead shorts have four-way stretch, deep pockets (including a Velcro-closing pocket in the back), and they’re very lightweight. In fact, if you’re on the go, you can pack these shorts into their own front pocket and throw them in your bag.
They’re tear resistant and antimicrobial—in other words, they’re outdoor-lifestyle approved. These aren’t super soft, but if you’re looking for a durable short that’ll perform well on the trail and in everyday life, these are winners in my book.
Ladies, here’s your Merino wool summer tee. Perfect for hiking and other outdoor activities, this slim-fit shirt offers all the benefits of Merino wool—it’s temperature regulating and moisture wicking—plus the design is flattering and versatile.
The Kari Traa Lucie Tee comes in four colors: balmy purple, black, cedar pink, and a very dark blue called royal. I have cedar pink and reach for it frequently. Size up on this one if you prefer a looser fit. Since it’s Merino wool, you don’t need to wash it after every wear (perfect for camping).
The EcoKnit Easy Dress by United By Blue is aptly named. It’s just so easy. Throw this buttery soft dress on and you’re good to go in an instant. No fuss, no frills, just immediate comfort and style.
Made primarily from organic cotton and modal (a sustainable fiber made from tree pulp), the EcoKnit Easy Dress has become my go-to outfit for hot days, whether I’m picking up my kids from summer camp or going to a barbecue.
United By Blue cleans up one pound of trash for every item sold, so you can feel good about every purchase you make from this environmentally conscious company.
Take this Pistil Designs cover up from pool party to beach to paddle boarding with ease. It has become a true summer essential for me, thanks to its versatility. This cover up is feather light, making it easy to stash in a bag or pack, and it’s quick to dry once wet. It’s also soft, made from Tencel fabric.
I love the pattern and the three color combinations: mint, blush, and ivory. With its relaxed, flowy fit, you’ll feel comfortable and cool whether you’re working up a sweat while kayaking or just hanging out on a boat.
If water sports are part of your summer plans, BodyGlove’s Channel bodysuit is great for paddling, kayaking, surfing, or any time you’re in the sun and in or around water. This long-sleeved swimsuit has buttery soft, UPF 50 fabric, and the sleeves are loose enough to not feel restrictive as you move.
This bodysuit comes in 11 different colors. You can go traditional black, lifeguard red, or choose from fun options like teal, yellow, or bright pink. I have the purple color called “akebi,” and I really like it.
This suit is functional, but it’s also quite cute. The zippered front adds a nice detail and lets you personalize the look, depending on how much skin you want to show. I recommend wearing it at least partially unzipped, because the zipper scratches a bit when it’s fully zipped up.
Note: There’s no lining or padding in this bodysuit’s bust.
I’m a fan of Xero Shoes‘ hiking shoes, and it turns out, I love their casual shoes too. Xero’s Prio Suede retro-inspired shoes are attractive and comfortable—everything you want in a casual shoe. Like all of the brand’s shoes, there’s no drop between your heel and your toe, giving you a grounded, barefoot-y feel, which I like.
The Prio Suedes have a nice wide toe box (typical of all Xero Shoes), plus they’re flexible and grippy. They’re also very lightweight, which is great for the summer months. Xero Shoes offers these shoes for both women and men in different colors.
Image by Landmark ProjectImage by Landmark Project
The Landmark Project’s unisex graphic tees will make a great addition to your wardrobe this summer and beyond. All the designs are outdoors-y, so really anything you buy from Landmark Project will be on brand.
The company’s summer line of tees includes classic images like Smokey Bear in his forest ranger hat. The eye-catching, retro-inspired designs benefit organizations like the U.S. Forest Service (in the case of Smokey Bear merch) and the National Wildlife Federation (in the case of the Here for the Wildlife graphic tee pictured above).
Sustainably made from 60% cotton and 40% recycled polyester, these graphic tees are not only soft and comfortable but they also benefit a cause. Since they are unisex, be sure to use Landmark Project’s sizing chart to get the right fit.
If the outdoorsy aesthetic tends to influence your everyday look, you’ll like United By Blue’s (R)evolution 3.5L Mini Tote. I use this cute and practical bag for times I just need the essentials—wallet, phone, keys, etc. (although I can fit one of my kids’ water bottles in there, too).
The 3.5L Mini Tote has a crossbody strap and dual carry handles, plus a zip closure for the main compartment, snap closure for the front pocket, and an open pocket in the back. Inside, there’s another small zipper pocket.
The body of this mini tote is 100% recycled polyester with DWR (durable water repellent) finish. It’s not only water resistant but also tear and stain resistant. Plus, it’s made from recycled plastic bottles. For every product purchased, United By Blue cleans up one pound of trash from the environment.
For those times when you’re out and about, maybe on a light hike or at a concert in the park, and you need to carry a few things, turn to Free Range Equipment’s line of canvas phanny packs (yes, that’s how you spell “phanny pack”). Free Range collaborated with artists for their canvas line of bags, and a portion of each sale goes right back to the artist who created the print.
I love so many of the prints, including Pact With The Sun (pictured above). All of the artwork is inspired by the outdoors, so you can’t really go wrong no matter which design you choose. The phanny is functional, too, with space for the essentials inside the zippered pocket. There’s also a smaller pocket within the pouch and a handy key clip.
I happen to love Fox River socks, so for summer adventures, I recommend trying out their lightweight hiking socks. The Women’s Free Hiker Lightweight Ankle Hiking Socks are a great option for women; they’re lightweight, made from 53% Merino wool, and have Fox River’s women-specific fit.
Any surfing trip this summer would benefit from a Florence Marine X wetsuit jacket. Co-founded by John John Florence, a two-time world champion surfer and Olympian, this company knows the sport. Surfers will feel the difference as soon as they put on a 1.5mm Flatlock Wetsuit Jacket.
This 100% Yamamoto foam rubber jacket feels premium—it’s soft, stretchy, and comfortable. It’s also warm without being too warm. A nice boardshort tie locks this wetsuit jacket down so it doesn’t ride up. This summer, my husband has been surfing in this wetsuit jacket and the Florence Marine X F1 Cordura Utility Short (see description below) off the coast of southern California. It’s pricey but you won’t regret it.
Image by Florence Marine XImage by Florence Marine X
The Florence F1 Cordura Utility Short by Florence Marine X is incredibly functional and will become your go-to pair of shorts for all things summer. You can surf in them, swim in them, hike in them, or just wear them and look good in them. They’re lightweight without being see through when wet, and they won’t chafe.
Pair the Cordura shorts with a technical shirt from Florence Marine X. The Airtex short-sleeve shirt is antimicrobial, UPF 30+, and made from 100% recycled polyester. It’s a good-looking shirt that’ll stand up to all your summer adventures.
Elevate your summer style with the San Gabriel button-down shirt from Howler Bros. Made from lightweight textured cotton, this breathable shirt has some nice details, like coconut buttons and a microfiber hem for cleaning your sunglasses. It has a classy casual vibe (my husband wore this for family pictures at the beach).
Pair the San Gabriel shirt with Howler Bros’ best-selling Horizon Hybrid Shorts. These quick-drying shorts look and function as good when they’re wet as they do when they’re dry. They’re made from ripstop fabric, have a reinforced pocket (handy for fishing), and feature self-draining pocket bags that won’t weigh you down, even when you’re drenched.
Want to give off an outdoorsy vibe without breaking out your technical hiking clothes? Bearbottom Clothing’s graphic tees will do that for you—especially this one, the Joshua Tree Natural Dye Graphic Tee. It’s subtle, but it still says: “I’d rather be at Joshua Tree National Park.”
The designs aren’t the only thing to love about Bearbottom’s natural-dye tees. They have a great feel to them, thanks to being part cotton and part spandex. The four-way stretch, tagless design, and soft-touch graphic make this Joshua Tree tee an A+ summer shirt. Plus, for all those guys like my husband who won’t put their shirts in the dryer for fear of ending up with a crop top, this one is “unshrinkable.”
In fact, Bearbottom Clothing says: “If your tee fades or shrinks, we’ll replace it free.”
Image courtesy of Bethanie HestermannImage courtesy of Bethanie Hestermann
Finally, even though it’s not apparel or an accessory, the Bug Bite Thing should go with you on all outdoor adventures this summer. It’s been in constant use at my house so far this summer (thanks a lot, mosquitoes).
I admit that I was skeptical about the Bug Bite Thing at first, but as someone whose body reacts poorly to mosquito bites, I was more than willing to give it a fair shot. I’ve found that if I use this suction tool on a fresh mosquito bite on me or my kids, the bite swells and itches less. That’s a win in my book.
Plus, this tool is for more than just mosquito bites. Use it for bee stings (it also has a stinger remover), wasp stings, ant bites, and even splinters.
What’s your go-to outdoorsy apparel item or accessory for summertime?
