Rolling Stone Summer Essentials 2024: The 30+ Best Travel, Beach, and Party Gear for the Season
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Whether you’re gearing up for a “yacht party and polos” summer or “White Claw and napping by the pool” kind of summer, it feels damn good to get out once the temps start ticking up. To the beach, the campground, or just cruising around town, no matter where you’re heading off to, these are the products to pick up and make it your best getaway yet.
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Think speakers that double as karaoke machines, pool loungers you can take into the ocean and — for wannabe high rollers — the return of an iconic Eighties Riviera sunscreen with a twist. We’ve tested these products to ensure they hold up to big parties and solo adventures alike, and make sure they come with a high rating from users like you. Here’s what earned our Rolling Stone seal of approval.
1. Sonos Move 2
$449
Sonos might’ve revolutionized the home sound system category with its line of pairable sleek speakers, but the company has taken things out of the house with its latest Move 2 model. It’s a powerhouse Bluetooth-compatible speaker that lets you take your tunes on the go, and features a water-resistant construction and built-in handle that makes it clutch for beachside (or lake beach-side) parties. Plus, double the amount of battery life as its previous model, meaning you get a whopping 24 hours of juice on a single charge.
2. JBL PartyBox Club 120
$399.95
With up to 12 hours of playtime and a splash-proof design, the JBL PartyBox Club 120 really lets you turn up the fun. Built-in light show (all synced to the beat of the music) and karaoke capabilities make this modern boombox a must-have. Not to mention that it delivers clear, dynamic sound and deeper bass than its predecessors, even at top volume. For backyard barbecues or days at the beach, this is the best way to get big sound in a portable package.
3. Novogratz Poolside Collection Asher Wood Burning Fire Pit
$174.99 $299.99 42% off
Now that arranging plastic patio chairs in a circle has given way to more stylish, living room-style outdoor furniture, we can think of no better upgrade for your open-air kickback than Novogratz’s Poolside Collection. The Asher 27-inch Wood Burning Fire Pit has an unique, bubble-like shape which is not only more eye-catching than most industrial-style fire pits, but provides more even heating all around. We love that it doesn’t produce too much smoke, and the ceramic material material holds up pretty well year-round.
4. Gozney Dome S1
$1,499
Contrary to popular belief, no, you do not need to import water from the Big Apple to make a worthy pizza pie. All you need is a workhorse of an oven, or maybe just the impeccably-designed Dome S1. While we love wood-charred flavor as much as the next pizza lover, focusing on propane here makes for a (nearly) fool-proof cooking experience. Its removable stone floor, integrated temperature display, and high-heat propane gas control give you all the essentials to turn you into a bonafide pizzaiolo at home (please don’t use store-bought dough though, trust us here).
5. Crocs Getaway Platform Flips
$44.99
Differing in style from their iconic clog cousin (which we’ve seen ultra-trendy versions of on the likes of Justin Bieber, Saweetie, and Post Malone), we think there should be more love for Crocs’ versatile, easygoing sandals. Their Getaway Platform Flips are ridiculously, sink-in-cushion-y comfortable, with flexible outsoles that move with you, even on uneven ground. Even though they’re heartier than your usual foam flips, they look so smooth we’ve worn them strolling on the beach and out grabbing a coffee.
6. Ostrich Deluxe 3-N-1 Lightweight Beach Chair
$129.95
The days of sacrificing portability for comfort at the shore are over thanks to the insanely-supportive Ostrich Deluxe 3-N-1 Lightweight Beach Chair. It’s got adjustable foot and backrests, and a lumbar pillow for long evenings prepping your campfire grub or watching the waves. By adjusting the back, you can lie completely flat, and there’s even a face hole for tanning and convenient reading. We’ve been on the hunt for the Goldilocks for beach chairs for ages, and credit Ostrich for upping our beachside enjoyment.
7. LG CineBeam Q
$1,296.99
This new stylish and portable projector from LG is the best cinematic experience you’ll get in your backyard this year. The rotating handle has two practical benefits — swinging the handle up easily lets you transport the lightweight, 3-pound projector virtually anywhere. Adjusting it down also gives you the flexibility to point and play at any angle. What we love about this projector is that it displays a sharp, bright 4K picture with unreal color reproduction, even in the dark, so your movie nights will never be the same.
8. Polaroid Wave Underwater 4K Camera
$49.99 $59.99 17% off
Built to accompany you on all your underwater adventures, the Polaroid Wave is a fun, lightweight alternative to traditional action cameras. Since it’s waterproof in up to 10 feet and wrapped in a protective case, there’s very little terrain you can’t capture photos in. It’s also just a solid, high-quality camera you’d want to use anywhere, with 4K UHD 18mp video capabilities and Wi-Fi connectivity that lets you share upload content to your social channels directly from the camera itself.
9. Bob Marley x Slowtide Blankets
$45+
A few months after the Bob Marley biopic One Love premiered, Southern California-based lifestyle and accessories brand Slowtide is keeping the Marley celebration going with a new limited-edition line dedicated to the musical legend. Featuring designs and motifs from Marley’s iconic career, this one (exclusive) drop consists of what the brand has become best-known for with its previously released gear — including seven quick-drying beach towels, a few blankets, and even a changing poncho for surf days.
10. Igloo ECOCOOL 24-Can Backpack Cooler
$64.99
Sometimes your day trip to the beach doesn’t necessitate schlepping an entire hard cooler just to take the party with you. For wherever your next adventure goes, Igloo’s portable ECOCOOL Backpack is up to the task — without being hard on the environment. It’s tough as nails yet still lightweight, with a new kind of insulation made from repurposed algae and recycled EVA that keeps 24 bevvies cold for days. With more structure than your typical soft-sided cooler, it’s especially great for making sure those glass bottles won’t tip over and break (and being made out of plastic bottles gives it bonus points in our book).
11. Brümate BrüTank 55-Quart Rolling Cooler
$399.99
Capacity is the name of the game when we’re shopping for coolers, and the Brümate BrüTank certainly delivers in this arena. Its 55-quart interior means you can transport your favorite canned or bottled bevs with ease, but did we also mention the removable 2.8-gallon drink tank with a built-in tap? The all-terrain wheels also afford it the ability to glide over any surface, so it’s quickly became a mainstay for all our backyard, park, and beach hangs.
12. Fun Boy Leisure Island: Classic Backrest Water Hammock
$699
Looking to elevate your aquatic activities this summer? Fun Boy’s new Classic Backrest Water Hammock is a massive floating island with a large mesh relaxation area that makes basically the best floating dock ever. We’ve used it out on a lake, and while it looks chic, we were quite impressed by how heavy duty it feels. The mesh allows just enough water in to cool you down (without feeling like your skin is just sticking to nylon on a hot day), and with a couple canned drinks in hand, it’s so comfortable it’ll almost want to make you drift out to sea.
13. Snow Peak Festival Landbreeze Pro Air Duo Tent
$1,099.95
Equipped for up to two people, Snow Peak’s Festival Tent is lightweight and — like its name suggests — a breeze to put up during the warmer-weather months. But don’t let its simple 9.5-pound construction fool you — it’s still plenty durable thanks to its silicone polyester ripstop and nylon ripstop materials. In other words, it’s fit for everything from music fest camping to spontaneous trips alike.
14. Sparrow EYE 2 Rooftop Tent
$2,995
Cozy, easy-to-use rooftop tents like the Sparrow EYE 2 make it obvious why the tent style has become so popular. Roofnest’s sleek clamshell tent is extremely easy to set up and take down in under a minute, while its large windows and 40-inch height lend plenty of comfort. For “burning daylight” portability and “sleeping under the stars” comfort, it’s the best of both worlds.
15. Lightspeed Outdoors Quick Cabana Beach Tent
$59.99
Not a fan of lounging on the hot, grainy sand while kicking back at the beach? If you want to forgo the typical towels and umbrellas, this beach tent is built for the hottest days of the season with three windows that can be opened for ventilation and an overhang that provides ample shade. While other tent counterparts can get pricey, you’ll get comparably high-quality water-proof materials with easy assembly and plenty of pockets — all for an affordable price tag.
16. Camelbak The A.T.P 20 Backpack
$160
If you’re constantly on the never-ending search for that perfect travel backpack, we’re telling you to stop looking. Camelbak’s go-anywhere, do-anything A.T.P. 20 pack is a compact packer’s best friend, with plenty of storage at 20 L to work from a cafe in Austin or glide through customs on the way to Puebla. The streamlined design could clearly be mistaken for hiker’s gear, but little touches like the compression straps and removable laptop sleeve help this pack punch far above its weight in the luggage category.
17. Away The Outdoor Duffle 70L
$190
Away’s outdoor travel collection features all the necessities you need for a weekend away, and The Outdoor Duffle 70L is constructed with a unique compression system that helps you pack even more in. The interior has a ton of space, including a mesh pocket for organization and the exterior has a hidden zipper compartment for additional items. If you’re heading out on a camping trip to Big Sur, or for an international weekend away to Iceland, The Outdoor Duffle 70L deserves to be your go-to carry-on.
18. Dagne Dover Vida Cotton Tote Bag
$99 $175 43% off
We love the convenience of a tote in the summer, and Dagne Dover’s cotton bag is the one that finally convinced us to shelve our Marc Jacobs The Tote Bag for good. We love it for the beach or a picnic in the park (or even going on a grocery run) thanks to the plethora of interior pockets and wipeable exterior bottom. It’s heftier and feels more substantial than a regular tote, which makes it great for holding a laptop or tablet when you don’t want to use your work bag, and a handy interior bottle holder really comes in the clutch for staying hydrated on the go. There’s a million little features that make it a solid, everyday go-bag.
19. Yeti Rambler 26 oz Chug Cap Bottle
$40.00
Forget huge, bulky straw sippers — this is the summer of chugging water, and there’s no better bottle for quenching thirst than Yeti’s Rambler tumbler with its specialty chug cap. They brand is known for their insulation, so it’s no surprise that this is top-tier at chilling, and kept our drinks perfectly icy even after several hours in a hot car. But its best feature is the ability to gulp down a drink without all the ice spilling over your face, and the cap has the added benefit of keeping sand and bugs out of your precious bevvy.
20. Ray-Ban Aviator Reverse Sunglasses
$203+
Ray-Ban has been seen on everyone from Taylor Swift to JFK, and featured in movies like The Blues Brothers where they became film iconography. It’s hard not to say Ray-Ban is probably one of the most revered eyewear brands in history, but of their vast selection, we’re wearing the Aviator Reverse sunglasses this summer. They not only have classic appeal, but their high-performance anti-glare treatment means you’ll get the sharpest visuals possible in one frame. The sleek, inverted lens design follows the natural curve of your cheekbones, giving it a modern yet timeless look (so it’s safe to say you’ll have these around for a while).
21. J.Crew Stretch Swim Trunk
$54.50 $89.50 39% off
As a brand with a rich historical lens for American style, J.Crew’s selection is top tier — and of their summertime selections, Stretch Swim Trunk hits all the right notes. The 6-inch inseam sits comfortably on the upper leg, allowing the full length of your calves to really pop. The elastic stretch on the material also allows for thick thighs to feel comfortable while splashing in the waves or playing volleyball in the sand.
22. Apex Hybrid Trunks By Kelly Slater
$128
Approved by Kelly Slater (arguably the greatest surfer of all time), these Apex board shorts from Slater’s own brand Outerknown are our number one pick for getting out into the surf (or just jumping the waves) this summer. They’re made of an ultra-stretchy, quick-drying fabric, and feature clever details a double-bonded butt and welded seams for added durability in case you’re prone to wiping out.
23. Everlane The Day Fisherman Sandal
$168
Hailey Bieber set the trend when she wore them during the summer of 2023, and now the world can’t get enough. Fisherman sandals, when worn the right way with socks, are the best accessory to add some texture to an otherwise simple outfit. For those looking for an entry into this amazing trend, look no further than Everlane’s The Day Fisherman Sandal. Expect the incredibly soft Nappa leather upper to form perfectly to your feet over time, and the added buckle detailing adds some charming hardware to an otherwise minimalist shoe.
24. GoBQ Portable Charcoal Grill
$199.00
The GoBQ is the most portable grill we’ve ever tried, so light and compact it’ll fit in a backpack. It’s even TSA-approved — yes, you heard us right, you can fly with this grill. Made of essentially the same material used in baking mats, the fabric is inherently fire-proof and non-stick, and can withstand over 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit. Just toss some charcoal into the hanging mesh wire basket, roll the grilltop over it, and spark it up. It’s campfire cooking elevated to the next level, and lets you “grill out” far and beyond your boring backyard.
25. Reebok Unisex Club C 85 Sneaker
$60.00 $90.00 33% off
Reebok re-introduced one of their most iconic sneakers, the Club C 85 Vintage, that proves a low-key look doesn’t need to make a splash to make a statement. We think Reeboks timing is just right, as we’re all trying to get our hands on some court sneakers for the Challengers-inspired, tennis-core summer look. The classic Club C 85s fit the bill with high-quality leather construction and a low-top, Eighties-inspired silhouette.
26. Kangol Washed Bucket Hat
$25 $50 50% off
We consider bucket hats to be a summertime wardrobe staple even as we dip our toes in and out of Nineties/Oughts trends. This washed bucket from Kangol nails the look with a versatile cotton build and a low-key Kangol logo. Throw it on for a beach day or wear it with statement sneakers and cargo pants as a going-out look.
27. Sixthreezero Around the Block 500W Electric Bike
$999.99 $1,899.99 47% off
The vintage beach cruiser goes electric with this sleek and smooth-riding e-bike. But don’t let its name fool you — the Around the Block can zoom up to 15 mph for 40 miles on a full charge while you sit back and enjoy the battery-powered ride.
28. Ride1Up Revv 1 E-Bike
$2,295 $2,395 4% off
The Revv 1 from Ride1Up doesn’t just look like one of the coolest new e-bikes on the block — it rides like it too. The beefy “moped-style” e-bike puts you in charge of a very powerful 750-watt battery, which propels the rugged ride to more than 30 miles per hour (even without pedaling) in our testing.
29. Vacation Orange Gelée SPF 30 Sunscreen
$23
This year, trendy sunscreen brand Vacation revived a nostalgic French Riviera classic, “Bain de Soleil Orange Gelée,” the Eighties Saint-Tropez icon revered for its sweet orange scent and powerful bronzing abilities. Developed alongside a panel of eleven fans and beauty experts, Vacation’s Orange Gelée pays homage to the legendary look, feel, scent and shine of the original. Only now it’s got an SPF 30 twist (the original had a pithy SPF 4) and more luscious natural oils and butters. The bottom line: You won’t find a more elegant sunscreen at the beach this year.
30. Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
$38
Of all the facial sunscreens in our arsenal, this is the one we keep coming back to again and again — Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen is really that good, helping us get through three music festivals this season without any red noses or cheek burns. The SPF 40 formula is completely clear, so it blends in with nearly every skin tone, and basically disappears into smooth, oil-free coverage without leaving behind any greasy or sticky residue.
31. Maison Margiela REPLICA Sailing Day Fragrance
$85
This fragrance takes us away to where we always dreamed we’d be…sailing on a bay, preferably with some oysters and a spritz in our future. While aquatic scents can dip into laundry-ish territory, Maison Margiela’s Sailing Day feels fresh and invigorating in all the right ways. Besides the initial spray of ocean waves, the fragrance is rounded out with a sharp rush of iris and coriander, finished off with grounding notes of red seaweed essence and salty ambergris accord. It’s as sophisticated as an expression of the seaside can get, and this is officially our scent of the summer.
32. Boy Smells Sweet Pits Candle
$48
While you may not think of sparking up a candle in the warmer months, we’d like to make the case for Boy Smells’ new Farm to Candle line, taking inspiration from summer fruits (and shrooms). Just in time for stone fruit season, we love the fruity, gourmand Sweet Pits candle, where apricot and blood orange sizzles with soft, earthy tones of tonka beans, orris, and patchouli. This scent really evolves the longer it burns, and has a nice maturity beyond the sweeter top notes that gives it a sophisticated edge that’s perfect for your next backyard dinner party.
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