ALL-PURPOSE
Park picnic at 11 a.m., Sunshine Canyon hike at 2 p.m., and a dinner party at 6 p.m.? Try these multi-faceted pieces:
Gonzo Camp Collar Shirt
Buy at: Roark, 1810 29th St., #1024, Boulder
Price: $79
This multi-functional button-up is airy, comfortable, and perfect for any summer occasion — no wonder adventure lifestyle brand Roark calls it an “everyday shirt.”
Coalatree Trailhead Pants
Buy at: coalatree.com
Price: $99
Coalatree has the durable, soft pair of pants you need to get you through the season. And their placement in our all-purpose category is no joke — the company says these pants can even be used as a small pillow.
OluKai Mio Li Sneaker
Buy at: Pedestrian Shops, multiple locations
Price: $130
Rocks, sand, grass, pavement — throw any surface at OluKai’s versatile sneaker, and it will surely pass the test, all while making you look stylish.
Hoka One One Transport Sneaker
Buy at: Pedestrian Shops, multiple locations
Price: $140
Everyday tasks and fitness collide with Hoka’s Transport kicks. Commuting, hiking or lounging? Have no fear in these these eco-friendly joints.
Roam Cap
Buy at: Helly Hansen, 1207 Pearl St., Boulder
Price: $35
When the hot Colorado sun comes out, so do the hats. Don’t step out into the BoCo wilderness with just any old brim — trust Helly Hansen’s Roam Cap 2.0. It dries quickly and looks really sharp.
HIKE/RUN
Rain or shine, cold or hot, two miles up or 10 miles down — these products will keep you cool, comfortable and collected during your summer excursions:
Ortovox 120 Cool Tec Fast Upward Top — Women’s
Buy at: Neptune Mountaineering, 633 S. Broadway, Unit A, Boulder
Price: $80
Aren’t the best running tops the ones you don’t notice? Ortovox takes this seriously: The Fast Upward Top allows for full freedom of movement, no matter the activity.
SAXX Men’s Aerator Tee
Buy at: Neptune Mountaineering, 633 S. Broadway, Unit A, Boulder
Price: $45
The Men’s Aerator shirt screams universality. Built to accommodate all shapes and sizes, give your body a breather on your excursion and try this one out.
Salomon X Ultra Low Hiking Shoes
Buy at: REI, 1789 28th St., Boulder
Price: $140
For the comfort-forward hiker, Salomon’s X Ultra Low shoes are a must. They’re grippy, and will have your feet thanking you after a long trek.
Nathan Run Cool
Buy at: Amazon
Price: $25
This hat rocks: glare reduction, UPF, hidden pockets, washer-friendly — there’s very little the Nathan Run Cool can’t do.
HH Lifa Active Solen T-Shirt
Buy at: Helly Hansen, 1207 Pearl St., Boulder
Price: $60
Helly Hansen wants you to “have limitless sunny adventures” in the Solen T-shirt. It’s got UPF 50+, is light as a feather, and wicks away all your mid-workout sweat.
CAMP
Who wants to be up the creek without a paddle? Or deep in the woods realizing you forgot your tent? Not us — maximize your overnight connection with the great outdoors with these great finds:
Gerber Pack Hatchet
Buy at: gerbergear.com
Price: $45
The Gerber Pack Hatchet is small but mighty. Whether you’re clearing a campsite, cutting rope or carving wood, Gerber’s corrosion resistant little giant works with you, not against.
Poler Four-Person Tent
Buy at: poler.com
Price: $300
Poler has a foothold in the outdoor community for its commitment to style and function. Their biggest addition to their camping lineup, the Poler four-person tent, is no exception — in fact, it’s a glowing example. Set it up quickly with their mechanical hub system (30 seconds, they timed it), and comfortably share a space with family and friends.
Stanley Legacy Quadvac Trigger-Action Mug
Buy at: Neptune Mountaineering, 633 S. Broadway, Unit A, Boulder
Price: $28
Crawling out of your tent to the smell of morning coffee over a campfire is a great feeling — give your brew a place to stay warm with this tough, ergonomic mug by Stanley.
Moosejaw Ice Fort 25-Quart Hard Cooler
Buy at: Moosejaw, 1750 29th St., #1042, Boulder.
Price: $150
It’s big, it’s easy to haul (comes with a strap), and it’s ready for a road trip or a day at the park — Moosejaw’s Ice Fort is a freezer-grade, antimicrobial machine calling your name this summer.
Maridalen Fleece
Buy at: Helly Hansen, 1207 Pearl St., Boulder
Price: $100
From the city to the great outdoors, the Maridalen Fleece is a hit for its comfort, and a home run for its unique design.
FUN
Summer isn’t all hikes and camping trips — it’s casual drinks, block parties and music festivals too. Consider these items for optimal summer fun:
Libbey Stemless Margarita Glass
Buy at: Amazon
Price: $26 (set of 6)
What’s summer without a refreshing margarita? Give your cold concoction a place to call home with this stemless glass, perfect for preventing any spills or breaks.
Kan Jam Original Disc Game
Buy at: kanjam.com
Price: $40
Mix the stress-free vibe of a casual frisbee toss with the competitive spirit surrounding Ultimate Frisbee, and you’ve got Kan Jam, a fast-growing summer pastime that rivals Spikeball as the best way to have a drink and play a game in the sun.
Marshall Emberton II
Buy at: marshallheadphones.com
Price: $170
Now that you’ve got a drink in-hand and a game to play, let’s add a soundtrack to your sunny weekend with Marshall’s best selling speaker. This thing checks all the boxes: 30+ hours of battery life, an app to support audio control and a sonic punch that’s as big as it gets for wireless speakers.
Compadre Bag
Buy at: Roark, 1810 29th St., #1024, Boulder
Price: $59
Fanny packs have become an essential for festivals, outdoor activities, or hikes and runs. Roark’s Compadre Bag holds far more than meets the eye, and looks super slick. (You can get it in camouflage too).
L.L.Bean Beach Lounger
Buy at: llbean.com
Price: $59
A proper seat is summer’s most underrated necessity: fact. L.L. Bean’s Beach Lounger isn’t just for the beach: fact. This chair is comfort in foldable, portable form, with a fully padded seat and armrests, a built-in cupholder, an adjustable backrest and a reasonable price, making it a no-brainer for this season: fact.
