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Nothing proves that summer is near more than being invited to a pool party. After all, hopping in the water is the most refreshing way to ignore the blistering heat, whether it’s for a Memorial Day barbeque, your buddy’s kid’s birthday, or just an excuse to go for a swim. However, you can never show up to one of these events empty-handed, especially if you’re hosting it.
Of course, a pair of board shorts and a towel are the clear-cut essentials, but what about all the other elements that liven up any party? Be it a playlist of beloved summer hits or some uber-cool sunglasses, there is much more gear to keep in mind than what you need when diving in for a couple of leisure laps. Well, with temperatures being on the rise, we figured we’d lend a hand by wheeling out the 10 best pool party essentials for the summer.
Sonos Move Speaker
Sonos’ Move Speaker offers a composition that’s as durable as its sound is booming, which says a ridiculous amount about just how much it can withstand. Not only is the speaker shock-absorbent and IP56-rated for water protection, but it boasts a mid-woofer to capture your favorite song’s mid-range intricacies, a tweeter to provide an ultra-broad soundscape, and a pair of fine-tuned, Class-D digital amps. Plus, thanks to its seamless AirPlay compatibility, built-in Alexa, and wireless charging base, you can stream your party playlist ceaselessly without even lifting a finger.
Malin+Goetz Water-Resistant Mineral Sunscreen
While we won’t declare this the most important piece of gear on the list, it’s safe to say that you shouldn’t even step foot in the water before rubbing on some high-quality sunscreen. Malin+Goetz sits in the pantheon of first-class self-care essentials, and its Vitamin B3-formulated sunscreen is one of the brand’s standout offerings. By implementing MicroSperse technology, your skin absorbs the Chelsea-based brand’s elixir in no time, providing all the UV defense and water resistance necessary for a day under the sun.
Pangaia Cotton Bucket Hat
You’re going to need something to block the sun when sitting in an unshaded backyard, and no sunscreen is strong enough to get it out of your eyes and keep your head cool simultaneously. Luckily, the ever-so-sustainable Pangaia offers a veritable rainbow full of colorful, responsibly sourced, organic cotton-made bucket hats, ensuring that this eco-friendly accessory is treating your scalp with the same respect it is our planet.
Baina Roman Pool Towel
As everyone’s favorite anthropomorphic towel would say, “Don’t forget to bring a towel.” As we say, though, make sure it’s a cool-looking one. Baina’s modern takes on toweling and terrycloth-crafted bathroom essentials are as easy on the eyes as they are on the skin. This particular piece features a stylish, jacquard-woven checkerboard pattern that’ll bring a lively touch to your poolside ensemble.
Todd Snyder Montauk Swim Short
Todd Snyder’s new collection of swimwear garnered quite a bit of attention this past month, as most of the New York-bred label‘s products tend to do. The nylon-constructed Montauk Swim Short is not your average bathing suit, as it comes equipped with a keyholder, sturdy metal tips at the drawcord, and a trio of pockets, including a self-draining one at the rear. Plus, thanks to their 5″ inseam, these allow you to move freely in the water while still looking hip when you decide to dry off.
Porter-Yoshida & Co. Flex 2Way Ripstop Tote Bag
After all, something is going to need to hold all of this gear upon both entering and exiting said pool party. Moreover, there are few bagmakers we trust more than the now-60-year-old Porter-Yoshida & Co. Its Flex 2Way Ripstop Tote measures just under 17″ tall and over a foot wide, guaranteeing ample room for your poolside must-haves and then some. Most importantly, its zippered top, internal zipped pocket, and 100% nylon makeup will keep your belongings secure along the way.
Moscot Pupik Sunglasses
Staying stylish with so little to wear around the pool can be a daunting task, which is where a fresh pair of shades perfectly comes into play. The family-owned Moscot has been crafting immaculate sets of eyewear for over a century, and it hasn’t slowed down in the slightest since. The Pupik sunglasses are composed of a metal and Italian Acetate blend, assuring they are as classy as they are sturdy. For added chicness, the frames are rounded out with a metal brow bar and come available in a pair of timeless colors tailored to the summertime.
YETI Tundra 65 Cooler
When you need something that isn’t a fridge to keep all your drinks cool, who better to trust than YETI? The Texas brand’s heavyset Tundra 65 Cooler offers 3 inches of PermaFrost Insulation and an extra thick “FatWall” design to keep your brews and snacks ice-cold and well-protected. It is also remarkably durable, as the manufacturer itself claims that it is Bear Resistant (in case any show up uninvited to your party, we’ve seen the YouTube videos). With a whopping 150-gallon capacity, this bad boy will be able to keep an entire party hydrated and then some.
Dunnrite Splash and Shoot Basketball Hoop
Pool basketball is arguably even better than its gym-based counterpart, so you might as well make sure that it’s done right. Helping you do so is Dunnrite’s Splash and Shoot Basketball Hoop, which practically guarantees that the fun doesn’t have to stop just because you’re not running pick-up games at your local court. With a vinyl-coated stainless steel rim and a sturdy base that can hold up to 25 gallons of water, there’s no need to fret about this tipping over, no matter how hard your dunks.
Olympus Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera
Olympus is known for making quality cameras as it is, so we’re not surprised to see that the brand crafts an ultra-rugged option built for literally anything — and we mean anything. The Tough TG-6 is not only waterproof up to 50 feet deep, but it is dustproof, freezeproof, shockproof, and crushproof, making it the sturdiest poolside cam you can have on hand. Plus, you might as well capture the party’s best moments in the best possible quality, as this is capable of shooting over 100 minutes’ worth of television-grade 4K footage.
