August is here meaning a new month, a new start, and a new list of great gear that we’ve scrounged up on the internet’s largest online store. That isn’t all this new month brings. We’ll also most likely be getting a whole lot more heat coming our way.
While it varies from town to town, county to county, and state to state, August has always struck us as being the deepest, muggiest part of the summer. It’s oppressive; absent of the light and fun holidays that come with the 4th of July and trips to the beach that follow, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be that way. All it takes is a little bit of initiative and the right tools for you to can get out onto the river or into the lake to enjoy some summers final throes in style. We arranged this list of the best gear on Amazon with that kind of weekend trip in mind. Take a look through and get inspired to make the most of this month while you still can.
Field Notes Expedition 3 Pack
If you are the kind of person who needs to take notes in order to remember something, or just has a more productive day if you take 15 minutes to lay it all out on paper, then this 3 pack of weatherproof notebooks are for you. Whether in an air-conditioned office or out on the trail, these are perfect for keeping your thoughts and ideas intact during pop-up summer storm.
All Weather Trekker Pen
Ever try to use a ballpoint pen in hot temperatures or while it’s raining? If not, we hope you never have to go through the experience. Ink runs, clothes get stained, tempers rise. Avoid all of that mess with the All Weather Trekker Pen.
Chaos Ready Dry Bag
Made with a no-joking-around 500 PVC tarpaulin with welded seams, this waterproof backpack is perfect for the beach, the boat, or to wear out on a hike with a bunch of river crossings. With a 22-liter main compartment, convenient access side and front compartments, it’s just as easy to use as it is good at keeping water off your gear.
Leatherman Skeletool Multi-Tool
Among many other things, a hot day motivates us for a joyride on your bike, a day out on the river, or a good long hike. Whatever you want to get up to, this Skeletool from Leatherman is the perfect tool to have on your side. Made with 420 HC stainless steel and featuring both needle-nose and regular pliers, you’ll be ready for anything.
Dakine Unisex Party Bucket
Summer and beer go together like Kanye West and controversy. It’s the natural order of things. It gets hot, you get hot, and then you cool down by finding some shade and some of your favorite IPAs (or whatever you prefer). This party bucket from Dakine makes all of that much easier to share that cool-down session by turning any painters bucket into a makeshift cooler. Simply slide the insulated fabric into a bucket, fill it with ice, and you’re ready to waste away the afternoon with your favorite beer.
Bellroy Elements Sleeve
People usually include ‘weatherproof’ items in Spring and Fall lists, but we’ve spent too much time at the beach and by the side of the pool to know that your wallet isn’t safe any time of year so long as you are close to a body of water. Keep your ID, cash, and cards H20 free with this leather sleeve from Bellroy.
KEEN UNEEK Sandal
The last thing you want to do when you head to the beach or river is to bring regular lace-up shoes. They’ll get filled with sand, they’ll get wet, you’ll get upset. Keen’s UNEEK sandals make it easy to get the same support you’d get from your shoes with the comfort and versatility of a sandal.
Alchemy Equipment Woven Cotton/Hemp Woven Shirt
Made with a cotton and hemp blend, this regular fit button down shirt is ideal for these dog days of summer. Made from natural fabrics, this shirt breathes like it was an athletic shirt, but looks good enough to wear to work. Pick one up for hanging out on the deck with a gin and tonic or for that warm commute to work.
Alchemy Equipment Tailored Short
A tri-blend pair of shorts made from wool, cotton, and elastane, these will work with you this summer, not against you. Flexible enough to be used while jimmying your way up the craggy parts of your hike, and featuring zippered pockets for storing carabiners, snacks, and your Skeletool, you’ll be more than happy you wore these out. Oh yeah. They also look pretty spiffy, no?
FUGOO Sport
There are probably lots of different reasons why summer songs are summer songs. Maybe there is something about longer days that gets us excited about jamming out to music. Maybe it’s the heat? We don’t really know. What we do know, however, is that one of the best ways to listen to them is with the FUGOO Sport Bluetooth speaker. An ultra portable, ultra durable speaker that can play music for up to 40 hours on one charge and can withstand water, sand, and snow without blinking.
Zero Tolerance 0456 Sinkevich Knife
Are knives a ‘summer thing’? Not really, but we love the Zero Tolerance 0456 Sinkevich and felt like including it anyway. Just take a quick look at the specs on this thing and you’ll see why. With a KVT ball-bearing system, a stonewashed titanium handle, and an aggressive 3.25-inch blade it’s hard not to want to keep this thing on you through all four seasons.
Oru Kayak
Kayaks are too fun not to like. Unfortunately for a lot of folks, they’re also too large to store and transport. Oru solves that problem in a pretty ingenious way by building a super durable kayak out of a double layered marine-grade polypropylene that can fold down for storage during the week, and then fold out for when you’re ready to get into the water.
