Published on June 26, 2026 01:50 pm
“Summer Friday” is a sacred concept – a green light to slowly step away from the laptop and head toward the sunshine. (Even if that sunshine lasts until midnight, as senior travel and culture editor Kathleen Relihan experienced in Finland, below). For this month’s Gear Spotlight, we asked Outdoorsy editors and writers about the items they recommend for any summer adventure, Friday or otherwise. Our test sites span from Idaho’s Lochsa River to the Swiss Alps and our own backyard.
What’s your ideal summer Friday, and what gear gets you out the door and into the weekend? Let us know in the comments. And if you notice that our Slack statuses go inactive at 4pm… no, you didn’t.
RTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler
This is my first summer in a house (and garage) that’s big enough to store a full-sized hard cooler, and I’m taking full advantage of it. After reading in detail about YETI vs RTIC coolers by Graham Averill, I chose this 52 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler. At first, I was skeptical about getting the 52-quart size, but my partner insisted on a bigger-is-better approach (I mean, it fits 78 cans). Kevin, if you’re reading this, you were right. This time.
While the size is challenging for a small person like me, I’m still able to move the cooler around with ease due to the all-terrain wheels and surprisingly lightweight construction. Cooler looks like a monster truck, but drives like a zippy sports car. It’s taken up permanent residence on our patio this summer, and I’m already sad at the thought of storing it in the garage for the winter. —Kristen Geil, Gear & Affiliate Director
Kitchen Cruiser Pro
A new addition to our camp kit this summer, the Kitchen Cruiser proved to be a life-changer. The hardest part about family camping is keeping the campsite clean and organized. My favorite feature: the built-in sink and rechargeable electric faucet that draws water directly from your water jug at the push of a button. Counters and storage keep cooking utensils and food organized and accessible. The two-burner stove lights at the push of a button—no matches required. When packed down the size of a standard camp gear box, it unfolds to standing height in under a minute – and everything packs right into the unit. At 43 pounds, it’s a beast to carry. But it may weigh 100 pounds and I’d still find a way to carry it to every campsite. —Jenny Wiegand, Associate Gear Director
Helinox Chair Zero LT
As a weight-conscious backpacker, I’ve never been a fan of camp chairs. Nature is full of chairs. Rocks, stumps – really any piece of ground that is not covered in poison oak or is not wet will be suitable. Helinox’s Chair Zero LT changed my tune. On a recent bird-watching trip with several educational stops, the Zero LT was a pleasant experience. The ripstop mesh sling held me in a comfortable, slightly crouched position and kept me off the ground. The DAC Aluminum Pole Set was quick to assemble and disassemble, and the whole thing weighs just 1 pound, 3 ounces when packed, making it one of the lightest camp chairs on the market. —Benjamin Tepler, Senior Gear Editor
Watershed Goforth Drybag
As soon as the snow cover melts, hardly a summer day goes by when I’m not walking on the river. Whether it’s rafting the Lochsa River in Idaho or kayaking in the Alberton Gorge in Montana, I bring my Watershed Goforth Drybag with me on every adventure. At 9 inches high and 16 inches wide, the Goforth fits everything I need, from a rain jacket to my cold cut lunch during an unexpected downpour. Plus, this bag comes ready for days when you need less water on the river – and to save a little space. It’s completely waterproof, durable, and only 1.5 pounds, making it easy to carry to the most remote locations. —Madison Dapsevich, Associate Editor, Outside
Yeti Daytip 3L Lunch Box
When I was newly postpartum with my daughter, my co-worker gave a tip: The Yeti lunchbox is the perfect size and shape for bottles. She was right. Three nine-ounce bottles fit perfectly inside along with a thin icepack. My family and I have used it almost daily since then. Like all Yeti lunch boxes and coolers, the Daytrip keeps things cool all day and then some. The zipper is durable, so I know it won’t break – even when my four-year-old pulls on it aggressively while trying to “help” his sister get the bottle. And the sturdy handle creates an easy grab-and-go design. Now that my baby is 15 months old, we’re starting to add some snacks to her bottles, and when she starts daycare next year, this will be the lunchbox she takes with her to “school” every day. -Abigail Wise, Brand Director, Outside
Snow Peak x Keen Hyperport H2
When I’m not in flip-flops, I’m in these sandals. With or without socks, they are my favorite shoes in the summer for easy gravel walks, quick errands around town, and afternoon trips to swim in the river. The rubber outsole and protective toe cap bite off rocks and uneven terrain, while the mesh upper keeps my feet safe without rubbing or feeling restrictive. I sweat in them on the hottest days, but the strategically placed holes in the mesh vent heat effectively and dry quickly after getting wet. This summer, if they’re not standing at my feet, they’ll be waiting at the door. -Amelia Arvesen, Contributing Gear Editor
zeal nucla sunglasses
I’ve been wearing my Zeal Nucla sunglasses to protect my eyes from the summer sun because of their high-quality polarized lenses and wrap-around style. They’re made from Zeal’s plant-based Z-resin frame material, which is extremely lightweight and durable. (They weigh less than an ounce.) I wear these casually, for hiking, paddleboarding, traveling, and running in them if I don’t feel like wearing more technical-looking shades. For now, I am dependent on them in Switzerland. -Lisa Jhung, Outside Columnist and gear tester
Free Fly Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie
I spend a lot of time outside during the summer, but I’m allergic to most sunscreens, so that means I wear a lot of sun shirts. There are plenty of options out there, but Free Fly’s Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie is my choice because it’s very thin and breathable, so it doesn’t bother me in the oppressive southern heat. It’s also made from bamboo, which has a buttery, next-to-skin feel that’s somehow even softer than cotton. And I discovered the crossover hood helps cover more of my face and neck than most hooded sun shirts.
I live in these shirts all summer. I play golf in them, I bike in them, I walk the dog and hike in them… I have a handful so I can wear a different one every day of the week. I’m not kidding. And Free Fly recently released a collaboration with Reef that includes a fun floral camo print on the lining, so now I can look like I’m going duck hunting even if I’m heading to the grocery store. -Graham Averill, Outside Magazine gear and travel columnist
Norona Women’s Fockekind Dri1 Jacket i
I recently traveled to one of my favorite countries, Finland, to see the midnight sun. After experiencing dark winter days on my previous trip, hiking and kayaking during the endless daylight in Lapland and the “white nights” in the south around Helsinki was an absolute dream.
I packed a new one Norona Falkenkind Dri JacketThe Norwegian brand’s lightest, most packable waterproof jacket. Although I was just above the Arctic Circle at times, temperatures hovered around 75 degrees most of the day, so my jacket needed to be very light, windproof, and breathable. I wore it kayaking and hiking, and it also provided great protection when biking on rainy days. I also wore the jacket while hiking in the Catskills Mountains in New York one June day, and the zippered chest vents allowed instant cooling.
Honestly, I have never worn a waterproof jacket while hiking that is as light and thin as this jacket. I especially like the longer hem and sleeve fit, as I’m not a fan of the shorter cut for women’s jackets. I know this jacket will be my go-to for any trip. And I love that this Norona jacket is made from recycled post-consumer fibers from previous products. Another reason to love the Nordics: their dedication to sustainability. —Kathleen Relihan, Outside Senior Travel and Culture Editor
