Summer Gear 2026: Preview
Summer officially started on June 21, and we will be taking our break at the end of July. However, RainyDayReaders know we would leave without posting some gear recommendations before we disappear for a month 🙂
This post is a preview of some of the gear we’ll be trying out on our break. Throughout July, we’ll be doing FirstLooks of some gear we’ll be using over the Summer break, and will have FirstUse reports once we are back!
SeaTec
Making fabric patterns based on those found on sea creatures (e.g., eels, rays, etc.) is just inspired. Putting those patterns on fabric that offers great sun protection as well? That’s priceless 🙂
We so loved the shirt we tested last Summer that we got men’s and women’s hoodies this time around, in new patterns, to use on our Summer Break. We’ll still wear sunscreen for our face and hands, but we shouldn’t need as much for the rest of the body with the hooded SeaTec performance shirts! We’ll let you know if it works as we hope.
Archies
Summer and sandals naturally go together. We have already looked at Oofos and Olukai offerings: both make awesome sandals for beaching (it’s a word if we say it’s a word ;-), but some readers have mentioned they were a bit pricey.
We looked around again and happened upon an Australian company that has done something we thought was genius…they upgraded the lowly flip-flops to something that kept things casual, but allowed for all-day wear in comfort.
How? By incorporating an arch into the footbed. You won’t find these flip-flops at the $1.00 store, but they won’t set you back much either.
Once people get them on their feet, we think they won’t want to take them off!!
OGRE
The RainyDayGardeners (RDGs) have an extensive collection of gardening gloves. They have recently added gardening sleeves to the mix after a few skin rash incidents with various plants. When readers pointed us to the OGRE ‘gardening gloves,’ we knew we had to check them out.
These thorn-resistant gardening gauntlets are designed with a unique front zipper, making them exceptionally easy to put on and take off. Originally designed for gardeners dealing with stiff or swollen joints, we think they’ll be loved by everyone.
We will have the FirstLook before the end of July, but we’ll have even more to say about them in the Fall.
Vibis
Whether you are in the garden, at the beach, or on a hike, insect bites and stings happen. Instead of topical creams and ointments, Vibis Insect Bite and Sting Relief is a device designed to neutralize the itch by zapping it with 465nm blue light and a heat pulse. The itching is relieved in 10 seconds.
We have used something similar in the past, and it worked well. The Vibis device is a lot smaller, rechargeable, and has a UV light feature in addition to heat. We will let readers know if it works.
Links to items mentioned:
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