Summer is finally here, and that means you’ll probably be spending more time enjoying the outdoors and getting active. Whether you’re on a 3-mile hike at your local State Park, spending the day out on the lake, or taking a bike ride around the city, we have the ultimate checklist for your summer adventure bag!
Spacious totes and sturdy backpacks are our recommendations when it comes to choosing the right bag for your summer adventures. Here’s what you should fill it with:
Sunscreen, sunscreen, and more sunscreen
If you don’t already know how important SPF is, check out the entire blog post we wrote about it. Always keep this essential in your summer adventure bag.
Our picks:
- Sun Bum Spray Sunscreen SPF 50
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Lotion SPF 100
- Supergoop Matte Screen
Sunglasses
Protect those beautiful peepers from the sun with a cool pair of shades. Make sure they also provide UVA and UVB protection.
Our picks:
A brush and some leave-in-conditioner
The sun, wind, water, and sand can be pretty harsh on your hair so be sure to keep a brush in your bag. You might also want to spritz on some leave-in-conditioner if you plan on taking a dip to prevent any major knots from forming.
Our picks:
Hand/Body Wipes
At some point, you’re going to get dirty hands, sweaty pits, or a swampy you-know-where. Multi-use body wipes are a lifesaver in these moments because they give you a little boost of freshness.
Our picks:
A Turkish Towel
Regular towels are big and bulky, which can hog up all the space in your bag. Turkish towels are lightweight and thin which makes them much easier to carry around. You can use this to dry off or sit on while you’re lounging around.
Our picks:
An insulated water bottle
A good quality water bottle is one of the ultimate summer bag staples. Being out in the heat makes you more susceptible to dehydration and heat stroke so it’s important to stay hydrated.
Our picks:
Shine control powder
If you haven’t already, now is the time to get your hands on a good shine control powder. Sweating all day in the heat might make you a little dewier than you desire, but a few dabs of powder will keep things under control.
Lifehack: Our shine control powder can double as a makeshift dry shampoo for ladies with lighter hair.
Simple Flip Flops
You might be hitting the lake or beach so it’s always smart to keep a lightweight pair of flops on hand so you don’t end up getting stuck in a moist pair of socks. Gross…
Our pick:
A ball cap
If you’re not already wearing one, throw a hat in your bag to help protect yourself from the sun. This might also come in handy if your hair decides to get a little crazy.
Our picks:
A jumbo hair clip
These things were all the rage in the 90s and now they’re making a comeback. Keeping a jumbo clip in your bag is a good idea if you don’t want your hair to be falling in your face all day.
Our picks:
A snack
This item is optional but we highly recommend it. You never know when you might need a little pick-me-up to keep powering through your day. Our favorites are Clif Bars and trail mix because they provide a lot of goodness in a little package.