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12 SUMMER ESSENTIALS

Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer. For most of us, that means lounging at the beach, in our backyards, or just trying to stay cool and hydrated. Here are a few essential summer must-haves recommended by our editors, whether you're planning an epic vacation or staycation.

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY ZAPPOS

1. A comfy pair of sandals

There aren’t too many shoes that are as wildly beloved or famously comfortable as the Birkenstock. And the Birkenstock Arizona EVA—the summery version of the cork classic—is super flexible, waterproof, and designed to mold to your feet. It’s available in both women’s and men’s sizes.

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY AMAZON

2. Reef-safe sunscreen

Protect your skin without hurting marine life. Australian-based Blue Lizard is formulated with both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, and doesn't contain any reef-bleaching chemicals like oxygenzone or octinoxate. It also has broad-spectrum coverage to block both UVA and UVB rays, a high SPF at 50+, and is sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY AMAZON

3. Sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays

Aviator sunglasses are timeless, iconic, and effortlessly cool. The Ray-Ban Classic Aviator design provides 100 percent UV protection, and is available in endlessly customizable options.

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY REI

4. A mosquito-proof hammock

The Kammok Mantis All-In-One Hammock Tent is equipped with the brand's black mesh Stargazer panel, which turns almost transparent in the dark, giving astronomy lovers a clear view of the night sky. The bug net also has built-in storage pockets for your phone and headlamp, and is tightly woven enough to keep out no-see-ums and gnats.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY AMAZON

5. An air purifier to filter allergens

The Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max air purifier is one of our top picks for allergy sufferers. It’s got a mechanical and electrostatic filtration system that grabs onto allergens like pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and dust mites; and the combination particle and carbon filter traps odors and harmful gasses.

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY AMAZON

6. A hobby—how about pickleball?

If you want to get in some exercise the fun way, pickleball is a great sport to try—but first you need a paddle. The Selkirk Evo Power Max Pickleball Paddle is popular for its spin and shot consistency. It's also low-profile, lightweight, and has a non-slip cushioned grip and a polymer core. Pair it with these competition-grade pickleballs for the perfect gift.

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY SAATVA

7. Linen sheets to keep you cool at night

When it’s hot and humid, there’s nothing better than sleeping on linen sheets. They're lightweight, breathable, and fast-drying. We love this sheet set from Saatva, which is made from luxurious Belgian flax. It's on the pricey side, but the quality and coziness make it worth it.

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY AMAZON

8. A portable fan

It's going to be hot this summer—and soon. To keep you cool, the JISULIFE Handheld Mini Fan (over 40,000 5-star reviews!) is a triple threat: It lasts for hours, has a flashlight, and moonlights as a backup power bank. Definitely a must-pack for any theme-park trip.

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY AMAZON

9. A grill and smoker

These days more people are turning to wood pellet grills because of their environmental advantages. This Traeger Pro 575 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker has a “set it and forget it” temperature setting and an app that lets you remotely monitor and control your grill. For a more high-end option from the same brand—with a few more bells and whistles—consider the Ironwood XL.

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY AMAZON

10. An insulated, leak-free water bottle

We love the Owala FreeSip bottle: You can tilt it back to take a swig or sip through the built-in straw without having to change the lid. And both options stay clean thanks to a “push-to-open” lid design that’s also leak-free. Bonus: It comes in lots of beautiful colors.

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY FAIR HARBOR

11. Sustainable swimwear

This best-selling Fair Harbor Anchor swim trunk is made from recycled plastic bottles and has a non-mesh BreezeKnit liner, which is soft to the touch and prevents chafing.

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY FAIR HARBOR

Fair Harbor’s Atlantic women’s one-piece—which comes in a bright red that evokes Baywatch and summers at the beach—has a minimalist look with adjustable straps, a built-in shelf bra for extra support, and removable cups.

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY AMAZON

12. An easy-to-carry beach chair

The Ostrich Deluxe 3-in-1 Beach Chair is super popular on Amazon. Not only does it recline—it has a padded footrest, cup holder, an attached bag to hold your gadgets and, our favorite, a “face hole” for lying on your stomach.

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SUMMER INSPIRATION

PHOTOGRAPH BY JORDAN SIEMENS/GETTY

Everything you need to head outdoors is on sale at REI right now

Rain jackets, hiking shoes, hoodies, sleeping bags, and tents—here are the products we’re eyeing.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ART WOLFE, GETTY

Get insider tips on how to plan an epic vacation at a national park

Get the skinny on the best times to visit the most popular parks, timed entry passes, and where to stay.

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*Although we are sharing our personal opinions of these experiences or products with you, National Geographic is not endorsing these experiences or products on behalf of anyone. It has not performed product safety testing on any of these products, did not manufacture them, and is not selling, or distributing them and is not making any representations about the safety or caliber of these products or experiences for individual consumers. Prices and availability are subject to change from the date of publication.

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