Whether it’s going on a camping trip or just puttering around the yard, there’s still lots of time left to enjoy the summer. We have recommendations from yard tools and camping gear to clothing and footwear to help you get the most of your summer fun
Battery Powered Yard Tools
Lawn Mower – Stihl RMA 410 C – Clear the air and your yard with the Stihl RMA 410 C battery-powered lawn mower. Featuring 36-volt Lithium-Ion battery technology and quality STIHL engineering, this lawn mower is perfect for homeowners looking for lightweight, no-mess, no-hassle mowing for small to medium sized properties. The RMA 410 C features a brushless, commercial-grade 900-watt electric motor that provides 50% more power than previous model and uses either the STIHL AP 180 or STIHL AP 300 batteries. Much quieter than gasoline-powered lawn mowers, it is the ideal mower for noise-sensitive areas. And when you’re done, just fold the handle down for easy storage. Price is $379.95.
String Trimmer/Weed Wacker – Black+Decker Smartech Easyfeed String Trimmer – Trim tough overgrowth and edge borders easily and comfortably with this Black+Decker trimmer/edger. Choose from two speeds, convert from trimming to edging in seconds, and advance the line without bumping. Manage the Smartech battery remotely via app and use it as a portable charger to charge your mobile devices for ultimate convenience. Easyfeed advances your line with the push of a button – no bumping required. Available for $150 at Amazon.com.
Hedge Trimmer – Black+Decker Smartech Powercut Hedge Trimmer – These powerful Black and Decker clippers also use the smart 20V Lithium Ion battery. Features include the Smartech iOS and Android compatible app that enables Bluetooth controls allowing remote battery locking/unlocking, battery locate, state of charge, and programmable alerts and reminders. The battery contains a built in USB port for charging phones, tablets, mp3 players, and more. Available for $130 on Amazon.com.
Seeing is Believing
Reader Sunglasses – Tifosi Veloce – Tifosi has come up with a great solution to a nagging problem for those of us who only need glasses to read or see things like the screen on a GPS while we’re biking. The Tifosi Veloce Reader sunglasses are a lot like bifocals, with a small panel at the bottom of the lens so you can see a screen or dashboard display clearly, while not impacting your distance vision. They are available with magnification of 1.5, 2.0, or 2.5. Available for $45 on Amazon.com.
Interchangeable Lens Sunglasses – Tifosi Crit – These stylish glasses come with three different interchangeable lenses to suit a variety of lighting conditions from bright sun to nighttime. They’re made of Grilamid TR-90, a homopolyamide nylon characterized by an extremely high alternative bending strength, low density, and high resistance to chemical and UV damage. They also feature Hydrophilic rubber ear and nose pieces for a no-slip fit and adjustable ear and nose pieces for a customizable, comfortable fit. Vented lenses improve air circulation, prevent fogging. Available for about $70 on Amazon.com.
Flashlight – Whistler Flexiglo Flexible LED Flashlight – The FlexiGlo Flexible LED Flashlight can be shaped to fit multiple uses. The magnetic back allows you to use the light to see hard to reach places and it’s made of durable silicone and is weather resistant. The WFG-12 has 12 LED lights and measures 8.125″ tall by 2.85″ wide. It has three different lighting modes and uses 3 AAA batteries. Price is $20.
You Can Take It With You – Packs
Weekend Computer eBag – eBags TLS Professional Weekender – It’s a tough challenge to find one bag that will carry all your computer gear and enough clothes for a quick overnight getaway. This backpack from eBags does it all. Among its features are a TSA recognized Travel Sentry Approved design that fits laptops and tablets and a clothing compartment, all designed to fit into the overheads of regional jets. It easily converts from backpack to briefcase and includes vertical and horizontal luggage handle pass-thru panels. It has a well-padded vented Airmesh back panel and contoured backpack straps with removable adjustable shock-load sternum strap. The convertible design enables it to be comfortably carried as a backpack, briefcase or across the body. Price is $150.
Hiking Backpack – Kelty Catalyst 80 – The Catalyst 80 backpack is designed to ensure every day is as comfortable as the last when you’re on longer adventures. With PerfectFIT suspension, you can instantly adjust this 80L capacity pack to find a custom fit – while it’s on your body. That means hauling big-time gear in the top-loading compartment—with a convenient 10L detachable daypack—is way less daunting that it sounds. Available for $200 on Amazon.com.
Hydration Backpack – Platypus Duthie Hydration Pack – The quintessential all-mountain pack, the Duthie A.M. 10.0 offers smart storage and enough capacity for half a day on the mountain. A carry system is handy for ascending, while the FloatAir back panel keeps you cool in heavy-pedal situations. The pack features a 3.0L Big Zip LP Reservoir, FloatAir Back Panel, 7 liters of gear storage, carry system for pads and a full-face helmet, internal tool organization, and integrated rain cover for those surprise summer showers. Available for $140 at Amazon.com.
Waterproof Packing System – SealLine Blocker & BlockerLite Dry Sacks – If you like to go boating, kayaking, or canoeing in the summer, this is an efficient packing system to keep all your stuff dry, no matter what. The ultimate in waterproof protection combined with the PackTight flat-sided packing system, Blocker Dry Sacks utilize durable 70D polyurethane-coated nylon, lightweight welded-seam construction, and a unique “block” shape to maximize packing efficiency for the most rugged adventures. BlockerLite Dry sacks use ultra-lightweight materials and have a roll-top with wrinkle-free, double-sealing technology. Prices range from $15.95-$26.95 on Amazon.com.
Good Night, Sleep Tight
Backpacking Tent – Kelty TN2 – Compactness and lightness are the most important qualities in the backpacking world. That’s why this lightweight two-person tent was awarded the 2014 Backpacker Magazine Editors’ Choice and the 2016 Outside Magazine Gear of the Year awards. It’s loaded with useful features like shorter 14-inch aluminum poles for easier packing, innovative hug-clip technology for simple setup, and a roll-up Stargazing Fly for nighttime enjoyment. You’ll also enjoy spacious floor space along with an oversized D-style door for convenient access. No wonder you’ll want to spend more nights on the trail. Available for $220 on Amazon.com.
Lightweight Tent – MSR FreeLite 2 Tent – MSR’s lightest freestanding, full-featured backpacking tent for two offers three-season protection and superior livability at 2 lbs 6 oz. The FreeLite 2 features a 29-square-foot floor, a spacious 30-cubic-foot interior, and an expanded mesh interior for increased ventilation. Two large 14.5-cubic-foot vestibules provide extra protection over the doors while allowing for unobstructed views. All FreeLite tents feature high-performance DuraShield-coated 10D nylon walls and 15D nylon floors for added weight savings while taped seams and reinforced stress points offer lasting protection. Large doors provide easy access to spacious interiors for comfort and convenience on longer summer backcountry trips. Micromesh canopies offer maximum ventilation and moisture control along with bug-free protection. Available for $400 on Amazon.com.
Sleeping Bag – Kelty Tru Comfort 20 – Rated for temperature drops close to 20°F, the Tru Comfort 20°F Sleeping Bag offers a warm and comfortable place to sleep during your summer and winter trips. This oversized mummy style sleeping bag maintains warm all-body contact while allowing plenty of room for comfortable movement. Beyond its attractive color, this sleeping bag is stuffed with ThermaPro Insulation, to provides a cozy barrier against the cold. The 2-layer blanket lets you customize the thickness of your enclosure to match the temperature outside. Two flaps close from opposite sides to seal in body heat when the temperature drops. The anti-snag zipper has a draft tube that prevents heat leakage through the seams and the thermal-comfort hood is fully insulated to keep your head and neck warm. A draft collar provides additional insulation for your chest and neck. Available for $90 on Amazon.com.
Sleeping Pad – Therm-a-Rest SpeedValve – The NeoAir® XLite™ MAX SV mattress offers superior 3-season warmth and packability with the convenience of its new SpeedValve design. Using simple physics, the special valve allows you to inflate your insulated mattress twice as fast as traditional valves, with a fraction of the effort. See how fast you’ll feel at home in the backcountry with the comfort, warmth and stability of the mattress’s patent-pending Triangular Core Matrix construction and reflective hermaCapture Barrier technology. And when it’s time to hit the trail, the auto-reversing valve deflates the ultralight mattress almost instantly. Stuff sack and repair kit included. Available for $140 on Amazon.com.
Camping Hammock – ENO DoubleNest Hammock – You don’t have to be a slacker to enjoy sleeping in a hammock. These double width ENO hammocks from Eagle’s Nest Outfitters are comfy enough to share. And the Atlas straps mean you can set the hammock up in a few minutes without tying any knots. Available for $65 on Amazon.com.
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