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1. Columbia hiking boots that are waterproof, lightweight, *and* have advanced traction rubber soles to handle any kind of terrain you put in their path. These are basically perfect for those uphill hikes where you start to regret even going on the hike in the first place.
I finally caved and bought these boots over the summer, and they're still my absolutely favorite purchases of the year. Not only are they comfortable and SO sturdy, but they make all my hiking outfits look so cute. That's obviously not a "necessity," but doesn't it help?
Promising review: "I needed a waterproof boot that would also be good for lots of walking. I did a lot of walking in Ireland and Scotland, mostly in rainy weather, and these boots were true to their description. My feet were dry and comfortable." —Louise M.
Get them from Amazon for $64.11+ (available in women's sizes 5–12, wide sizes, and 16 colors).
Psst: This item is included in Prime Wardrobe, so you can give it a trial run if you're a member!
2. Binoculars so you can identify your neighborhood birds — definitely not to get a closer look at the drama happening outside down the street 👀 .
It has 10x magnification with 25mm objective lens. It has a viewing field of 362 feet at 1,000 yards. Also, don't forget a book on birds to get your hobby started!
Promising review: "I use these mainly for hiking. The binoculars are fairly compact, lightweight, and have a nice feel to them. They were just the right size and weight to carry on my hip for multiple miles. The included neck strap is okay, but I wish it was a little longer. Clarity is better than expected for a pair of binoculars in this price range. They also work fairly well in low light conditions. I am able to see in the woods with them until it's too dark for me to go. They're also small enough to take to baseball games, graduation, etc. With standing out in the crowd, I'd highly recommend these binoculars across hiking and sports events. If you are tired of the really cheap compact binoculars that don't stay aligned or have poor image quality, try a pair of these compact binoculars." —Chloe Jones
Get it from Amazon for $29.75.
3. A gardening kit that'll have you finally tackling that garden bed you started last summer and then felt immediately intimidated by the thought of gardening. You can do it!
This set comes with a trowel, transplanter, hand rake, cultivator, weeder, stainless snip, pruning shears, spray bottle, kneeling pad, apron, and tote bag!
Promising review: "This set is worth $75! I can't believe it's being sold through Amazon and includes free shipping at this price. I received the set today and was blown away. Not only are they very well-made, but everything included is just amazing — the carrying bag is perfect to tote around the yard. From the gloves to the scissors to the sheers and all of the hand tools and spray bottle — what a fantastic set! The metal is thick, the handles are very well-made. Even the sheers are something I would have paid $20 for. I have ordered another six sets for family as birthday and Christmas gifts." —Rachel's Reviews
Get the 12-piece set from Amazon for $26.97 (also available in seven pieces).
4. A pair of Moxi roller skates because it's a great activity to have fun outside while also being active. Plus, it gives so many ~nostalgic vibes~ when you're skating.
Moxi Roller Skates is a small biz specializing in making high quality, ethically-made, and hand-stitched roller skates.
Promising review: "I looked at SO MANY roller skates before deciding to splurge on these, and I am so happy with my purchase. I considered Impala Quad, BTFL, Moxi Beach Bunny, Sure Grip Boardwalk Outdoor, and Moonlight Rollers. I narrowed it down to these and the Moonlight Rollers, but they are not available on Amazon and I am impatient. Haha. I am confident that these are genuine Moxi Lolly roller skates. I did make sure that when I purchased, that the seller was Riedell due to some reviews questioning the authenticity. True Lollys only have the cutout M on one side of one skate. Mine came in an amazon box with the Moxi box inside. I did receive the keychain and the skate tool along with an instruction booklet (not shown). The skates were packaged nicely and had zero damage. I was so nervous about the Pineapple color because I was afraid they would be too bright, but they are absolutely gorgeous. They are more of a deep yellow than the bright yellow shown in the picture. They were pretty comfortable right out of the box. I adjusted the wheels and trucks as per the instruction video on the Moxi website and had a blast on roller skates for the first time in about 15 years." —CC Fellows
Get them from Amazon for $369 (available in sizes 4–10 and eight colors).
5. A longboard that'll have you wanting to listen to Fleetwood Mac while you cruise through your neighborhood enjoying the outdoors.
Made from 8-ply Canadian maple and sustainably sourced bamboo.
Promising review: "Such a well-built board for the money. It is well weighted. The trucks [wheels] roll great and are nice and big, and the axels have great flexibility. It turns nice and smooth. My son absolutely LOVES this board. Plus, it's cool because it looks like a retro surfboard. He cannot stop admiring it and riding it. I'm super excited because I loved skateboarding when I was young and I'm glad he likes it, too. I highly recommend this board and would definitely purchase it again." —C. Floyd
Get it from Amazon for $71.04+ (available in 12 colors and two styles).
6. Or a neat electric skateboard to go further than ever before without exerting all the energy it requires. Plus, you'll look *so* cool.
Outdoor Master is a small business that specializes in high quality outdoor products for all ages.
Promising review: "This board is great. It has enough power to get up to speed pretty quick, but not so much that it’ll throw you if you’re not ready. The acceleration isn’t too touchy and is throttle sensitive, so if you’re at the highest setting, you can still cruise at a relatively chill speed. In all, definitely worth the money considering range, control, and speed. I’d never skated before and learned how to with this board. I’m pretty much at full speed all the time and use to it get around campus every day." —Janey M.
Get it from Outdoor Master for $399.99 (originally $749).
7. A weighted hula hoop you'll want to twirl around in all summer long just as an excuse to be outside. It even has padding to help minimize the inevitable bruising we get when we decide to pick up hula hooping again.
Weighs about 2.65 pounds and used by kids to professional hoopers!
Promising review: "I purchased this hoop for myself and just love it. The surface is soft and spongy-like which helps make it comfortable to use. Follow the instructions and start out slowly as far as the number of minutes you use it. Then gradually add a minute every now and then to your exercise routine until you build up to the amount of time you wish. I was a little sore the first time I used it, but after I got used to it, I have no problem at all." —Cruzee
Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in two colors).
8. A budget-friendly drone if you're just getting started and don't want to risk spending too much if it's not a hobby you'll keep up.
It's got a built-in 1080P HD camera with 90° adjustable angle and FPV Real-Time transmission. One battery charge can support about 10-13 minutes of flight.
Promising review: "I read up and did some research about drones before I bought the SANROCK U52 Drone. It meets or exceeds expectations. The user manual has instructions that are pretty straightforward. As soon as you press the take off button, the propellers start spinning, and the drone flies up and hovers in the air. That is a nice surprise. It takes a while for you to get used to the controls. For practice, I recommend you find a wide open space that doesn't have any obstacles. You have to apply the controls gently. The drone flies smoothly and is responsive to all commands. You can also control the drone by downloading an app on your smart phone. I especially like the gravity induction mode that is available with the app. All in all, this was a worthwhile purchase. I would buy again." —Sam Bhattacharya
Get it from Amazon for $79.99.
9. A picnic basket because you've been aching to have a cute Pinterest-worthy picnic with your partner, and it's about time your dream came true.
Includes forks, flatwares, knife, plates, and a corkscrew.
Promising review: "The quality of this basket is outstanding. Very sturdy. It has exceeded my expectations. It’s great to use for going on a picnic anywhere. The durability is great. There is a good amount of space inside even with the dining pieces included. I definitely recommend to anyone looking for a picnic basket. It is 100% giftable without any worries." —Bmeeks
Get it from Amazon for $127.99 (available in two colors).
10. A refractor telescope perfect for beginners just getting into their newest passion for astronomy. You'll be surprised at how breathtaking the moon looks up close.
It has 70mm aperture and 700mm focal length, 10mm and 20mm Plossl eyepieces, and the magnification is 70X and 35X!
Promising review: "This telescope was easy to assemble and amazing clarity when looking at the stars. I have never seen the moon so clear. This telescope came quickly and was packaged perfectly. The phone attachment is really neat since you can capture photos of what you are looking at. My husband and I really enjoy this telescope and can’t wait to share it with family/friends." —Amanda Chiesa
Get it from Amazon for $239.99.
11. A camping tent that'll actually make you *want* to spend the night outside in the forests knowing you'll be dry, secure, and dare I say...cozy? Reviewers say it's super easy to set-up, making it perfect if you're a newbie to the camping world.
Promising review: "I'm not a know-it-all camper or anything like that. I just like to go a few times every summer and get away with my dog. This tent is perfect! I live in Oregon, so you can never be 100% certain when it will rain. Ever since I woke up in a puddle in an old tent, I make sure to only buy tents with this 'bathtub' design. I just got this tent and set it up by myself in my living room, and it took me probably less than 10 minutes. There was definitely enough room for 2 people. However, whoever sleeps on the inside/backside of the tent (next to the window) will definitely struggle to get out of the tent without waking/bothering the other person. This is an awesome tent though and I can't wait to try it soon! Also, I was able to repackage this tent back into its carry bag with ease! There was no struggle at all! In fact, there's still enough room that I can toss a small hammer in for the tent stakes, and a small brush to dust off the tent before packing. However, the bag is expandable if you need more room to carry stuff. Just remove the tag/band on the bottom of the bag, and you'll have more storage room — which is genius in my opinion. Especially after I've really had to stuff some tents to get them back in their bags (barely)!" —Shan
Get it from Amazon for $45.24+ (available in four sizes and three colors).
12. An electric bike so you can get more distance traveling miles around town than you would on your regular bike without exerting *too* much energy. It's especially helpful to get you up hills!
It has a 750W geared hub motor, gets up to 45 miles per charge, a 672 Wh Lithium-ion battery, and a payload capacity of 300 pounds.
Promising review: "I have had my RadRunner+ since the first week of January and now have over 700 miles on it. It is a very comfortable riding bike with excellent handling. I ride every day (15-20 miles) assuming it is not raining and the temperature is over 50 degrees F. New RR+ owners should be aware that the tires can be a bit loud, but they are great tires and provide excellent traction." —Dennis H.
Get it from Rad Power Bikes for $1,899.
13. Asics running shoes because summer is here, and you'll be wanting to run 500 miles in these bad boys. Dare I say...even 500 more?
The multi-directional mesh material improves ventilation and stability while the GEL technology cushioning provides excellent shock absorption.
Promising review: "I like the comfort and the fit of these shoes. I have been using Asics for several years, and they keep me coming back. Very good quality and comfort. Although they are high priced, in my opinion, the quality is worth the investment. The sizing was spot-on with the measurements I received from a shoe store. Sizing has been consistent style to style." —Jerri
Get them from Amazon for $111+ (available in women's sizes 5–13, wide sizes, and in 21 colors).
Psst: This item is included in Prime Wardrobe, so you can give it a trial run if you're a member!
14. Or Skechers walking shoes that are quite literally made for walking. And you know what? That's just what they'll do.
Promising review: "I have feet that are always in pain — bunions, hammer toe, arthritis from prior breaks. These shoes are so comfortable I bought them in three colors. When I am walking around in these shoes, the pain is hardly noticeable. I highly recommend them." —Jeanine
Get them from Amazon for $30.09+ (available in women's sizes 5–13, narrow and wide options, and 27 colors).
Psst: This item is included in Prime Wardrobe, so you can give it a trial run if you're a member!
15. Sidewalk chalk to make those hopscotch drawings on the sidewalk that you know every single person walking by is going to have to jump through. It's the law.
Promising review: "I bought this chalk to make a sidewalk obstacle course for my toddler. Even though the plastic case feels a bit flimsy, the packaging wasn’t an issue — there was no chalk broken in the pack. They do sit vertically touching each other in the case, so there were a couple of chips just from bumping into each other, but those were relatively small and not a problem. The colors showed up nicely on the pavement. The purple color didn’t “pop” as much as the others, but you could still make it out. The chalk itself is fat and easy for little hands to hold. I didn’t have any break on me as I was drawing." —Finest018
Get it from Amazon for $9.49+ (available in three styles).
16. A basketball hoop so you can show off your wicked skills to all the neighborhood kids.
Don't forget to get some basketballs!
Promising review: "Kids need basketball hoops, and this portable set delivers the goods! Firstly, it was delivered in two days, as per Prime. Second, it's easy to assemble ... just read the instructions all the way through first. It took about two hours, at a leisurely pace with two teenagers helping — although, you could assemble it alone with a fold-out table. Everything fit, nothing was missing, and the baked-on finish is tough. The backboard is sturdy, integrates well with its surroundings, and the hoop itself is extra well-built. In addition, the height adjustment is easy and secure. We simply piled cinder-blocks on the platform, rather than mess with sand or water. Makes it easy to move when trying to position it. The kids were soon shooting hoops, and I was once again the hero-dad!" —RPowers
Get it from Amazon for $209.99.
17. An octopus kite because there's something so satisfying about finally getting the kite up in the air after spending wayyy too long trying to get it to fly. It's like a reward for all of your hard work.
Creative Alliance Balt is a small business based out of Baltimore, Maryland that sells fun lanterns and kites.
Promising review: "Got this kite for my 3.5 year old for Easter. It flew like a dream and was easy for him to hold and maneuver without too much help from us. Plus, it's super cool looking." —Collette Kristevski
Get it from Creative Alliance Balt on Etsy for $15.
18. A disc golf set that'll have you set up and ready to play in minutes, so you can spend less time assembling and more time having fun.
To play, all you need to do is throw the frisbee into the goal. It's played using the rules similar to golf. To win, you need to have the least amount of throws before you get the goal. Typically, there are several different goals set up in a course, just like golf, but this can easily be played with just one or two!
Promising review: "I’m new to the disc golf game, and I needed something to practice with in my yard. This was super easy to put together, and when we started getting nasty weather, it was easy to fold up and store in my garage. It was nice getting the three extra discs. I don’t know much yet, but they seem like decent discs. Flew rather nice. Maybe not as good as my other ones I bought separately, but my 4-year-old loves them, and like I said, I use it for practice." —Ash
Get it from Amazon for $69.99+ (available in three styles).
19. A stylish kiddie pool for when you don't want to spend $$$ on an actual pool, but still want to enjoy the outdoors, even in the sweltering heat.
Funboy is a family-owned small business focusing on absolutely fun and funky pool accessories.
Get it from Funboy for $47 (originally $59).
20. An inflatable kayak that'll give you all of the benefits of kayaking without the hassle of actually transporting a real kayak to a lake or river. They're heavy, clunky, and after a long day of paddling, you won't want to load it up. This bad boy takes care of that for you!
Promising review: "Wow!!!! The best money I have EVER spent. I received a ton of compliments as well while out on the lake. I'm strong, but I can't carry a hard plastic kayak. This kayak is ultra light!! It's super fast to inflate and deflate, and it fits in the back of my Lexus NX 200t. My dog can kayak with me; he naps and watches the birds go by. I'm never worried that his nails may puncture the kayak. It's safe, sturdy, and it's FUN!!!!!! Now just go and click "BUY" already, and it will arrive in 2 days!! You'll be out on the lake by the weekend :-) :-) Have fun!!!!" —Beautiful Day Every Day
Get it from Amazon for $94.99+ (available in two styles).
21. A fishing rod set because fishing can be a daunting hobby to start — what rod to use, what kind of bait to pick — this set takes care of the guessing game.
Includes: A carbon fiber telescopic fishing rod, a fishing reel, a carrier bag, three fishing lures, a fishing line, and some necessary accessories.
Promising review: "Oh man, what can I say about the fishing rod combos? Great value. This set is really what you need for beginners. This set comes with lures, line, rod, and reel. That's literally what you need. Moreover, it comes with the bag which is really great and portable. I don't have any problem putting it in my car and forget about it." —Dear MR. J
Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in three sizes and three styles).
22. A beach volleyball set for when you want to do something a little bit more active and fun at the beach other than just sunbathing.
Promising review: "It only took us 10 minutes from the time we opened the box to our first serve! The kids love playing volleyball, and I'll enjoy how easy it will be to put away and back up again whenever I need to cut the yard. Well worth the money. Very well built. The little rope pullers are a nice touch to get the stakes out of the ground, too!" —Bluff Gardener
Get it from Amazon for $99.99+ (available in two styles).
23. A 12-piece golfing set that'll have you screaming "Fore — get your clubs, look at my amazing set!"
What's included: A driver, three wood, five hybrid, 6–9 irons, a pitching wedge, a putter, a stand bag, and two headcovers. You can also get a unisex version here.
Promising review: "I am a beginner, and I came across these while looking for a set to purchase. After comparing these to a few other sets and reading reviews, I went with these. I am very happy with these clubs. They are light and forgiving. My boyfriend, who is a more experienced golfer, gave them a try, and they got his nod of approval. The colored stripping in the handle grips does come off, but that is to be expected if you play and handle your clubs often." —Kasey J.
Get it from Dick's Sporting Goods for $249.98 (originally $349.99; available in right or left hand, two lengths, and two colors).
24. A frisbee ring you'll be using to play with friends, siblings, family, or even your dog! Ultimate frisbee, anyone?
Promising review: "I love everything about Aerobie "frisbees." They fly forever, they're easy to throw, they're fun to catch different ways (like on your foot, or on your arm), they don't hurt as bad if you don't catch them correctly. Also, I think they're GREAT for KIDS! Easier to throw than a traditional frisbee, so it builds kids' confidence. And easier for them to catch as well. Highly recommend!!" —MKEddle
Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (available in two sizes and four colors).
25. A cornhole game set *almost* guaranteed to be the talk of the town at your next get-together because of how fun ~and~ how cute it looks.
Shop Cornhole is a small business based out of Cincinnati, OH that specializes in custom-painted cornhole boards.
Promising review: "These are the best cornhole boards! My whole family has enjoyed playing! Amazing quality and so much fun!!" —Kim Sellers
Get it from Shop Cornhole on Etsy for $229.99 (available in 19 bag colors).
26. A pickleball set because everyone knows (or should) that this is considered one of the fastest growing sports in the country, and for good reason, too! It's easy to learn, easy to play, and just overall oh-so-fun.
Promising review: "These are our first set of paddles, and they work great. They are light and solid unlike the wood paddles that can break easy. Our kids have dropped them, hit them on the ground, and they have held up well. The adults play with them, and they work well and have held up nicely." —Pyles
Get it from Amazon for $62.99.
27. A surfboard perfect for those who live right next to the beach, just watched Lilo and Stitch, *and* also don't have a fear of the ocean. It's a niche group, but we see you.
28. Or an inflatable paddleboard because you get all the fun of being on the water without having to actually learn how to surf, which, spoiler alert, isn't easy!
Promising review: "This board is awesome! I took it out of the packaging and was concerned at first because it is an inflatable SUP. But you would never guess that by the time that you finish inflating it. It is so sturdy and doesn't indent at all. And the absolute best part about this is that it's LIGHT. If you've ever carried a SUP after several hours of paddling, you know you are exhausted (at least I was the first several times I was on one and even now), but with this SUP being as light as it is, I won't have to worry too much about lugging it to the car since I can either use the handle in the middle (It's very conveniently placed) or I can deflate it and stick it in the pack that it comes with. After several uses, the boards are STILL awesome. My husband and I have taken our dogs out on the boards as well with no issues. The boards have still held up well. Initially, I was worried about the dogs' nails on the board as it is inflatable, but it seems to be a non-issue. Also, the paddles float! Which is really important when you fall off of your board lol." —Alex
Get it from Amazon for $189.95 (available in seven colors).
29. And finally, an inflatable river tube that'll have you wanting to make "Lazy River Day" a national holiday. It's heavy duty, so you don't even have to worry about it getting punctured by rocks!
Promising review: "We bought these for using both in the ocean and for river floats, and they have been amazing. They are very comfortable, and the mesh bottom lets you get in the water without falling through. The most impressive aspect has been their durability: we anchor them several yards off-shore and the constant up-and-down wave motion really pulls on the quick connects and the various connection points. After 3 years, we still haven't had a single tear or leak, and they have taken quite a beating. The quick-connects themselves are a great way of connecting multiple rafts to form a "party island," and with the addition of the floating cooler, we have enjoyed many long hours in the water with food, drinks, and sunscreen readily available. Can't say enough good things about these." —Eclectic Mom
Get it from Amazon for $26.79.
You, getting ready to enjoy the hot summer days on your new electric bike.
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