Summer Outdoors Packing List | The Best Packing List For Summer Fun

Moraine Lake

Summer is here and it’s time to be in and around the lakes, rivers, beaches, and boats! I wanted to share a summer outdoors packing list to help you have the best possible time on and around the water well as protect your gear. Mind you not everything I do near the water is sporty but I still bring these things anyway!

*Updated April 2019

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HELPFUL GENERAL TRAVEL TIPS

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Summer Outdoors Packing List | www.rtwgirl.com

Here is my summer outdoors packing list:

Sunscreen

When I was younger I admit that I was a tanaholic. My friends and I would just bake under the sun and put on baby oil or Hawaiian Tropics with no sun protection factor. Ouch! I’ve gotten older and wiser haha. During the height of summer or when I travelled to Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia, I wore SPF 50 or 60. I don’t want wrinkles so protecting my face is vital. Since I’m back in Southern California and the sun shines all the time and I am in the sun without thinking about it, I try to buy products that have sun protection incorporated into it so I’m not applying so many products. I was recently sent some Coola Organic Suncare and am a fan. I am also slowly trying to move to more natural products in general. Below are some of my favourites. I always carry a sunscreen stick in my purse because you never know when you will sit on a sunny patio drinking beer with friends.

Beach Towel/Blanket/Sarong

After spending so much time in Bali I stopped using my quick-dry sports towel and now just pack one of my sarongs or leave one in the trunk of my car. They are beautiful and multipurpose as well as quick drying. I’m not sure where you can buy one but if you go to Bali stock up!! I think I bought a dozen.

Balinese Sarong | www.rtwgirl.com
I’ve also been pretty keen to get a Turkish towel lately. You can find these on Amazon but they are supposed to be nicer looking than your average towels, quick drying, and lightweight!

Turkish towel | www.rtwgirl.com

Turkish Peshmatel
Hat

In the summer protecting my head is important. I have black hair so it feels like my skull is burning. I usually just don a 5-panel hat or baseball hat of some sort. I do love Brixton hats too!

Supreme 5 panel | www.rtwgirl.com

Supreme 5 Panel

Brixton Morrison hat | www.rtwgirl.com

Brixton Straw Hat
Flip Flops or Slides 

For years I pretty much only wore Havaianas. I couldn’t get enough of them. Now I’m currently loving slides. I have a pair by Nike and Adidas but I also want some of the ones by Birkenstock.

Slides & Flip Flips - Outside Packing List | www.rtwgirl.com

Birkenstock EVA slides | Adidas Adilette Slide
Nike Benassi Slide | Havaianas Flip Flops
Beach Bag

Here’s a Baggu tote in a small-ish size.

Baggu Canvas Shopper | www.rtwgirl.com

Baggu Canvas Shopper

If you need bigger I love this one which is also great as a weekend bag.

Baggu Weekend Bag | www.rtwgirl.com

Baggu Weekend Bag
Sunglasses

Sunglasses aren’t just about looking cool. Living in a sunny place, I realize how much eye damage is possible. In the first few months, I moved to California I had 3 friends tell me about eye procedures they had to undergo due to sun damage to their eyes!

Rayban Sunglasses | www.rtwgirl.com

Raybans
Solar Charger For Electronics

If you’re outside, you might as well harness some solar power!! I was sent some Goal Zero solar chargers a few years back and I’m still loving them. I have a huge one that would be ideal for camping and it charges my laptop or DLSR. I took it out for a fishing trip a few years back.

Goal Zero Solar Charger for Travel | www.rtwgirl.com

Goal Zero Solar Charging
Cooler

Pack a cooler for the beach or lake with healthy snacks!! I love collapsible ones so it’s easy to pack away when not in use.

Folding Cooler- Road Trip Packing List

Collapsible Cooler

 

Reusable Water Bottle

I have one of these Kleen Kanteen reusable water bottles somewhere as well as several reusable water bottles from conferences and events. Fill’r up and be good to the environment!

Kleen Kanteen | www.rtwgirl.com

Reusable Water Bottle
Swimsuit

I’ve been rocking the one pieces lately. Perhaps it’s the getting older thing or not being in tip-top shape. Haha. My favourites are from Solid and Striped or American Eagle.

Cover Up

My favourite cover ups these days are men’s button up shirts in a bigger size and just rolled up sleeves. I love men’s shirts by Steven Alan.

Books

I’ve been listening to Audio Books lately and I have to say I’ve been “reading” more! I listen to them while walking the dog, cooking, and working out.

I use the Audible app. Get a free trial membership by clicking here.

Charging Cords + External Battery 

Can’t go anywhere without charging cords and an external battery!! When I’m out all day I need to stay charged. I also have spares in my purse and car. Call me girl scout! Ha!

Cords - Road trip tips

Charging Cords

Anker External Battery Charger

Anker External Battery
Hand Sanitizer

I have bottles everywhere. I’m currently loving EO’s lavender spray in the pocket size

EO lavender hand sanitizer | www.rtwgirl.com

EO Hand Sanitizer
Wet Wipes

When you need to wipe your hands down after eating a popsicle or ice cream!

Wet Wipes | www.rtwgirl.com

Wet Ones Wipes
Travel Sized Pain Reliever 

Just in case you get heat stroke from too much sun! Always good to carry some in your bag.

Travel Advil - carryon packing list | www.rtwgirl.com

Advil Travel Sized
First Aid Kit

Because I’m clumsy and whatnot I always have a first aid kit in my car.

first aid kit - Road Trip Packing List

First Aid Kit

 

GoPro Action Cam

Because picture or it didn’t happen right? Hahaha. GoPros are the best because you can take them in the sand or water and you can shoot photo or video!

GoPro Hero4 Silver | www.rtwgirl.com

GoPro Hero
Lifeproof case for iPad or iPhone

This may sound ridiculous but I have my iPad in a Lifeproof waterproof case. I like reading by the pool. I usually bring an old school book or magazine to the beach but when your nephews splash around by the pool, keep your stuff safe!

Lifeproof Ipad Mini Case

Lifeproof Case

 

Dry Bag/Waterproof Pouch

Protecting my expensive gear like cameras and smartphone is vital. I have been spending a lot of time on kayaks and canoes over the last few years and also like to shoot photos when I do. This Lewis N Clark bag is perfect. You can carry the bag many ways so this itself can be your beach bag!

Lewis N Clark Dry Bag | www.rtwgirl.com

Lewis N Clark Dry Bag

If you don’t want to invest in something like a dry bag, at least throw your pocket camera or phone into one of these Lewis N Clark pouches when you’re running around in the sand and surf at the beach.

Lewis N Clark Waterseals Multipurpose Pouch | www.rtwgirl.com

Lewis N Clark Pouch
Float Toy

Maybe you want to float down the river like my friends and I did just outside of Portland :)

Pizza Float - River Hangs | www.rtwgirl.com

Pizza Float
Random items to remember:
Extra Contacts / Glasses!

I open my eyes when I swim and because I wear contacts, I have lost some in the water. I always bring a spare set as well as a pair of glasses.

And that’s my summer outdoors packing list!! I may add to it in case I’ve forgotten anything but usually, these are things that I pack when heading to the beach or water!

SAVE THIS ON PINTEREST!

Summer Outdoors Packing List | www.rtwgirl.com

What’s on your summer outdoors packing list?

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