30 Picks to Pack
By Melissa McGibbon and Jenny Willden
Make summer adventures a breeze with these top-performing travel finds. See more products we love online at sportsguidemag.com.
Adventure Medical Kits Comprehensive Mountain Kit
Save room in your luggage for this 3 lb. comprehensive medical kit. It’s ideal for wilderness medical care, including expeditions to exotic rural regions. This kit will give you the assurance that you can respond immediately to basic illness and trauma. $200 adventuremedicalkits.com
Beyond Coastal Active SPF 34 Sunscreen
Reformulated for up to 80 minutes of water resistance, choose this sunscreen for active vacations. Made with natural ingredients like aloe vera, shea butter, and vitamins C and E to repair and rehydrate your skin as it protects. 4 ounces, $15 beyondcoastal.com
Coleman NXT 300 Grill
You’ll marvel at the compact design of this portable grill that’s ideal for everything from glamping to road tripping. Features a two-burner design, backlit control knobs, two integrated side tables for food prep, and removable grease tray for easy cleaning. $239 coleman.com
EcoXgear EcoXBT Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Pair this portable speaker system with your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, then strap it onto your kayak and groove down the river to The Eye of the Tiger, or whatever it is that gets you pumped. Don’t worry if it falls off, the speaker floats and is completely waterproof. 10-hour battery life. $130 ecoxgear.com
Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus Adventure Kit
Keep your cell phone charged when away from outlets with this ultralight solar charger. Suited for extended backcountry travel or weekend getaways, it’s small enough to carry in your backpack and powerful enough to keep your tablet alive 25% longer. $119 goalzero.com
Haiku Commuter Tote
Use this incredible bag for everything from a carry-on to stocking for a day at the beach. Its straps are compatible with suitcase handles and there are 10 pockets for stowing everything, including a dedicated padded laptop pocket. $142 haikubags.com
Kelty Folding Cooler
Kelty came up with this smart cooler that collapses for easy storage and unfolds into a semi-rigid cooler with four molded cup holders on top. The dual haul handles and reinforced feet speak to its durable construction. Convenient for packing snacks for road trips, camping, or hotel stays. $45 kelty.com
Merrell Nakina Hobo
Secure necessities in this classy, casual bag with zip exterior storage, interior organization area, and a padded tablet sleeve to protect electronics in transit. $49 merrell.com
Skinfare Thunder Cake Organic Skincare Stick
Ward off insects, soften skin, and ease muscle stiffness with this organic, coconut oil-based stick that’s naturally scented like cake. Packaged in a recycled, biodegradable tube for carefree, eco-friendly travel. $10 skinfare.com
Purificup Natural Water Purifier
Get clean river or tap water fast using this handy, portable purifier that kills 99% of bacteria and filters directly into your water bottle in under a minute. No chemicals, tablets, or complicated steps required! $60 purificup.com
Saris Freedom Bike Rack
Finding the right bike rack can be a harrowing experience, but the Freedom is an easy choice with adjustable ratcheting straps for bike security, protective rubber holders, and universal hitch that fits at 1.25” to 2”. Carries two bikes up to 35 lbs. each and adjusts to fit most frames. $239 saris.com
Scrubba Wash Bag
Billed as the world’s smallest washing machine, this bitty wash bag is perfect for camping and backpacking. There’s a wash board of sorts built inside that you squeeze to scrub two days of clothing clean in under five minutes. Hang everything to dry with the included clothes line. $100 thescrubba.com
Strongback Camping Chair
Take a load off around the fire in this back-friendly chair with integrated lumbar support. Weighing in at 10 pounds, it’s heavier than traditional options, but perfect for car camping. Heck, it’s so comfortable you’ll want to bring it to the office too. $80 strongbackchair.com
Therm-a-Rest Alpine Blanket
Prefer sleeping on top of your sleeping bag in the summer? Try this 700-fill goose down Alpine Blanket to pair with your sleeping bag or tote it around for additional security. Insulated baffles and elasticized construction keep you just the right amount of warm and cozy. $249 thermarest.com
Apparel and Footwear
Dansko Women’s Tacey Shoe
If you can’t bring all of the shoes you want on your trip, at least pack these for long days on your feet. The Mary Jane style pairs well with skirts, shorts, pants, and dresses. They’re also slip resistant and made with lightweight materials. $139 dansko.com
Ibex Balance Brief
Slip into these seamless Merino wool briefs, and you’ll be forever ruined. Inferior undies will no longer do after wearing this luxurious bodymapped pair with just enough lycra for a perfect fit. $30 ibex.com
Icebreaker Women’s Villa Wrap
Pack this midweight Merino wool wrap for chilly evenings. The odor-fighting fabric keeps it fresh through multiple wears. $120 icebreaker.com
Icebreaker Women’s Via Shorts
Cotton and Merino are artfully blended to create these stylish travel shorts with antimicrobial properties to keep bacteria and odors at bay. Cut mid-thigh (5” inseam). $115 icebreaker.com
Merrell Women’s Mira Mix Tee
Wear this sassy shirt to prevent sunburn and help you stay dry. It’s uniquely built with silky smooth Opti-Wick™ fabric on front to wick away sweat with a soft stretchy knit akin to cotton on back. $45 merrell.com
Outdoor Research Women’s Bewitched Tank
Climb, hike, or chill in this supportive tank made of a poly spandex blend for stay-dry comfort with adjustable shoulder straps to dial in a perfect fit. $65 outdoorresearch.com
Outdoor Research Trance Dress
Choose this airy, quick drying, breathable dress for exploring on summer’s hottest days. $75 outdoorresearch.com
Patagonia Women’s Advocate Skimmer Shoes
They may look like house slippers, but these nearly weightless travel shoes are insanely comfortable and pack down to nothing. Save even more space by clipping them to a pack with the rear loops. $65 patagonia.com
prAna Women’s Terri Jacket
Store essentials in this jacket’s two large zippered front pockets. Its versatile style is compatible with many items in your wardrobe and it’s resistant to abrasion, water, and wrinkles. $99 prana.com
Stio Women’s Shades Blazer
Arrive polished in this sleek blazer built from water-shedding, wrinkle-resisting fabric that’s easy to pack and wear without ironing. $239 stio.com
Tao Women’s Trophy Sandals
Be it hiking, wine tasting, or bike cruising, these pretty, functional sandals will take you there. The supportive footbed cushions on long walks with plenty of traction for trails. $105 taosfootwear.com
Chaco Men’s Kolb Sandal
Go-anywhere leather flip flops provide Chaco’s signature support on easy trails and clean up nicely for in-town use. $80 chacos.com
Ibex Men’s Ace Shirt
Crafted from Merino wool sourced in New Zealand, sport this button-up shirt on your next hike or to a barbecue. Looks great even after multiple wears, and it’s machine washable for simple care on the road. $115 ibex.com
Helly Hansen Men’s Odin Chill Short
Hike and move easily in these stretchy, quick-dry plaid shorts with UPF 30 fabric that guards against sunburn so you can stay outside all day. $85 hellyhansen.com
Helly Hansen Men’s Odin Guiding Light Jacket
Torrential downpour in the forecast? Trust this professional-grade stretchy jacket with 20,000 waterproof breathable fabric to keep you dry. Built with zip vents to prevent overheating, all in a lightweight (410 gram) package. $320 hellyhansen.com
Outdoor Research Men’s Growler Shirt
Go from ridge top to brew pub in the Growler, a shirt tough enough for the woods, but classy enough to bring home to mom’s for dinner. Made of a quick-dry nylon and polyester blend with super wicking powers. $75 outdoorresearch.com
