10 Essentials For Hitting The Beach This Weekend
A trip to the beach can be enjoyable for everyone. Even if you don’t like hitting the water, you can get SPF’d up, relax under the sun. and soak up some vitamin D. Not really a sun worshiper? Well sit under your umbrella, or a nice tree, and partake in the bruski-filled cooler as the melodies of Good Vibrations and Summer Wind dances from your smart speaker.
Our curation of 10 essentials for hitting the beach this weekend serves up a good time, regardless of your by-the-ocean philosophy. Whether you’re into sand sports, getting some salt water in your hair, or just snoozing away under the sun, every priority is represented.
Wellen ’66 Stretch Boardshort
Vintage photographs are proof that the rest of us will never be as cool as the generation of men who first sported ‘60s style board shorts. Still, the Wellen ‘66 Stretch Boardshort combines this now perpetually on-trend cut with all of the creature comforts of the 21st century. You’ve got the structured yet beachy drape, with the flattering above the knee fit, all in stretchy, flexible performance material. It’s just as functional out of the ocean. Plus, it has that reassuring lived-in feel, and three appropriately sun-faded colorways.
Price: $68 $34
Kona Big Wave Golden Ale
Light and refreshing, but hardly weak and definitely not bland, the Big Wave Golden Ale from Kona offers a genuinely summery taste journey. It’s brightly bodied, with an all-season 21 IBU in bitterness, allowing it to pair well with fish, chicken, or salad, as well as on its own. Another unique touch is how the all-American Citra hops, with its tropical notes, is complemented with aromatic Galaxy hops.
Price: $9.99-12.99 / six-pack
Yeti Roadie 24 Hard Cooler
Whether you tend to pack tall bottles of sparkling water, a standard-sized summer rosé, or a bunch of beer cans, the Yeti Roadie 24 Hard Cooler is exceedingly versatile, thanks to its tall and portable construction. It’s one of those rare cooler designs that keeps wine bottles in mind.
It’s armed to the teeth with temperature protection, boasting a pressure-injected polyurethane construction that locks the coldness inside, while the interlock lid system is form-fitted to keep hot temperatures outside. Did we mention that the gasket is literally freezer-quality?
Price: $250
Vuori Strato Tech Tank
Despite its soft, comfortable, and elastane-infused feel, the Strato Tech Tank from Vuori is durable and sun protective. The polyester build is wrinkle-resistant and has excellent shape retention, and the UPF 30+ rating ensures no more than 3% of UVs will get past it. And since it’s also a performance workout top, it features anti-odor and moisture-wicking properties, and is conveniently machine-washable.
Price: $40
Huckberry Weekenders Sunglasses
The Huckberry Weekenders Sunglasses are inspired by the timeless Wayfarer template, but are given a summery and adventurous remix, for a look that’s both classic and distinct. It’s lightweight and sporty, but fits snugly on your face without suffocating your temples. Naturally, they’re scratch-resistant and polarized, meaning they’re an effective pair of shades whether you’re laying out for hours or going into your next beach volleyball game.
Price: $35
Oars + Alps Hydrating Antioxidant SPF 50 Spray
Let’s be real. Applying sunscreen is lowkey time-consuming, and it feels kind of slimy on your skin. It is a necessity though, and Oars + Alps not only makes this experience quicker and easier, but downright spa-like. The Hydrating SPF 50 Spray is a broad spectrum sunscreen that’s non-greasy and leveled up with antioxidants. It protects your skin from the sun, while also brightening it. There’s even added olive leaf extract, allowing for less alcohol than typical aerosoles have, and a refreshing bamboo coconut scent.
Price: $16
OluKai Tuahine Sandals
Hot sand plus bare feet equals a bad time at the beach, or at least one in which you’re sequestered to your laid-out beach towel. The Tuahine Sandals are a wonder in that OluKai somehow managed to fit a whole bunch of terrain-protective and comfort technology into the minimal build of a flip flop. The full-grain leather is durable and water resistant, while the soft mesh lining basically massages your feet as you walk. Its midsole is EVA that’s compression-molded, creating a sophisticated anatomy that keeps your feet comfortable for hours.
Price: $100
Nixon Base Tide Pro Watch
The Nixon Base Tide Pro Watch is a true beach watch on several levels. It’s made with recycled ocean plastics, and it’s pre-programmed with tide info from beaches from all over the world, meaning low tide or high tide, height, and time. Even if you aren’t a surfer, fisherman, or marine biologist, that’s just one of several engaging features on this gadget—the chronograph and sunrise info are two others. It has a retro-cool, almost pixel-inspired aesthetic that’s part ‘80s and part cutting-edge, but mostly timelessly fun.
Price: $150
Sonos Roam Speaker
As lightweight and battery-efficient as the Sonos Roam Smart Speaker is, you’d think it was made for the beach—or any outdoor excursion that can use some tunes, really. Not only can you listen to your Spotify playlists or audiobooks, but you can even get the radio on this guy. If you go for more than one of these speakers, you can sync them up too. On the style front, the Roam comes in a few colorways, including some beachy ones, like an orange-hued version called Sunset, or the playful yet surprisingly neutral blue shade called Wave.
Price: $179
Mallorca Beach Towel
You can’t hit the beach without a towel, and those cheap drug store ones tend to fall apart, or are so scratchily textured, that they end up taking home half of the beach’s sand at the end of the day. The Mallorca Beach Towel is woven with pure Turkish Aegean cotton, which is known for its luxe softness, that’s still light and breezy. It’s dense enough that it feels great on your skin, but not so dense it’s like dragging around a bedroom comforter. It flaunts stripes and a knotted fridges, for a nautical resort-wear vibe.
Price: $88
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