The snow melt is running into rivers and slender blades of green are burgeoning from the ground. Daylight is slowly extending its reach and wildflowers are beginning to light up the meadows. Spring is here and that means it’s time to take stock of your gear stash.
Spring Essentials for 2016…
This is a good year to be shopping for new gear. Outdoor related products aren’t just improving, they keep getting dramatically better. Even if you think you already have what you need, there’s a host of gear and apparel offering better performance, better fit, and better style. So with the new season upon us, here’s a choice selection of spring essentials that will carry you through this season and beyond.
Howler Brothers Trucker Hat
Our editors are all in on the Howler Brothers line-up of trucker hats. These hats prefer their beer on tap, their weekends long, and their workdays short. Howler Electric embroidered patch up front, mesh in back to let your head breathe , and a navy under brim to cut down on glare. Great for hiking, travel, or casual wear, the Howler Bros trucker hat is ready to heed the call for your spring adventures and beyond.
$27. howlerbros.com
Mountain Khakis Rodeo Shirt
There’s no better way to punctuate a day spent walking trails that wind through fields of wildflowers and ancient oaks than to relax on the patio of your favorite brewery sipping a pint of American wheat with some friends. The Mountain Khakis Rodeo Shirt was designed with days like this in mind, with a classic fit and lightweight flannel print that lends a touch of classic flash. With passion snaps and two reverse pleat chevron pockets, this casual flannel is definitely the new classic.
$75. mountainkhakis.com
LL Bean PrimaLoft Packaway Vest
The PrimaLoft Packaway Vest uses the synthetic insulator Primaloft One, a 60-gram microfiber that dries fast and stays warm when things get a little damp. The treated nylon in the shell sheds water and blocks wind, and an elastic cord cinches the hem close to you on blustery days. Available in both men’s and women’s, the PrimaLoft Packaway Vest is light and compact enough to stash and go so you’re always ready for a change in the weather. It doesn’t hurt that it’s a sharp lookin’ piece either. Trust us when we say that you’ll want one in every color option.
$109. llbean.com
Mountain Khakis Camber Hybrid Pant
If you’re wondering why Mountain Khakis continues to find their way into our gear guides, there is a good answer. It’s because they continue to craft some of the best apparel we’ve found. Comfortable, durable and versatile, the new Camber Hybrid Pant from Mountain Khakis the ultimate pant for your daily adventures. The brushed cotton is not only über strong but one of the softest pants you’ll ever slip on. Whether your agenda involves traversing city streets, or tackling trails and taverns, this is the one pant that is ready for anything.
$79.95. Mountainkhakis.com
STANLEY Adventure Cooler
Long weekends with the family, epic road trips with the crew, and hitting the stadium parking lot for Spring Training all require a bomber cooler. Enter the Stanley Adventure Cooler 30QT; a cooler that perfectly balances durability and thermals with value, portability and a classic design for adventures on and off the beaten path.
With 36% more foam than the prototypical options, this cooler locks in the cold keeping your food and drinks cold and fresh for the long haul. The foamed lid with leak-resistant gaskets and sturdy latches and hinges reinforce the cooler’s insulation and durability. The leak-proof durable drain plug allows for easy draining. It is tall enough to fit both longnecks and standard 2-liter bottles, and its flat top doubles as a seat. Don’t need a full 30qt sized cooler? The Adventure Cooler is also available in 7Qt and 16Qt sizes.
$40, $60, & $150 respectively Stanley-PMI.com
Chaco Slide Sandals
Banish your snow boots to the far edges of your closet and pull out the chacos you’ve been dying to wear since February. The Elias (Dharma for Gumption Gals) offers a timeless slide sandal that offers sleek full-grain leather and outdoor savvy tread that can carry you from cobblestone alleyways in Spain to backyard BBQ parties with ease. Tribal-inspired emboss crosses the footbed for added visual interest and every pair comes standard with Chaco’s legendary podiatrist-certified LUVSEAT™ PU footbed.
$110. chacos.com
STANLEY Classic Vacuum Water Bottle
You’ve moved on from plastic, and now it’s time to progress from aluminum with the STANLEY Classic Vacuum Water Bottle. Admittedly, there’s no shortage of insulated bottles on the market. But there’s a reason the Classic Vacuum Bottles from STANLEY have become our new go-to bottle of choice.
As tough as it is innovative, this insulated wunderkind keeps drinks iced 36 hours, cold 7 hours, and hot 6 hours. These bottles offer all the benefits of food-grade stainless steel, plus an insulated 2-stage lid making it easy to fill, drink and clean. An integrated lanyard-never lose the cap handle makes it an even more compelling a hydration solution. Go with the classic hammertone green, or go modern and sleek with the new matte black – either way – you win.
$25 Stanley-PMI.com
Leatherman Skeletool
We all know that Spring is the perfect time to give your wardrobe a fresh look. But thanks to Leatherman, you can now give your daily tool of choice a fresh upgrade as well. A favorite of our Editors’, the lightweight and compact Leatherman Skeletool CX strips off the unnecessary extras and gives you nothing but a tough, durable package of essential tools. Add in three fun new colors to choose from, and this is the perfect addition to the gear stash for any outdoor enthusiast. But get them quick, these limited edition color schemes won’t last long!
$69 Leatherman.com
Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Duffel
Travel has transitioned from the formality of the 1950’s into a rough-and-tumble free-for-all. Today you need a burly bag you can haul up mountainsides, down rivers, and on the sketchiest airplanes you can find. Make sure you’re prepared with this incredibly light, but unbelievably burly duffel from Eagle Creek.
Made with an extra-durable, water-repellent coated Bi-Tech™ Armor Lite fabric, this gear hauler withstands a lifetime of abuse. The Cargo Hauler is available in 45L, 60L and 90L sizes. Whichever size you pick, your Cargo Hauler Duffel is equipped with gear pockets, grab handles, and tie-down daisy chains. Built resilient for big adventures, it’s just itching to hit the backroads. Carpe Diem.
$89, $99, & $109 respectively EagleCreek.com