Lake Life Essentials

The water is generally warmer, the days are still long, and there's something about spending a day on the lake that makes you focus on the present and enjoy playing. 

We wanted to share some of our favorite products that we constantly grab when heading out on the lake.

Katherine Homes Foam Trucker Hats

You're in the sun all day, so a hat is a must. While each of us has a different preferences on the type of sun protection we need, we're loving on Katherine Home's Foam Trucker hats right now. If you don't know much about Katherine Homes and her mission, check her out. On top of being a 1% for the planet company and working to offset the company's carbon footprint, her mission is to create "beautiful designs to generate awareness around threatened species and wild lands." 

Costa's Panga Sunglasses

The Costa del Mar brand was born on the water, so of course these glasses perform incredibly. Their lenses kill glare while still allowing you to really see what's in and around the water. The Panga style is feminine and a pretty forgiving style for most faces, making it easy to go from the water to town without sacrificing performance or fashion.

Red Paddle Compact Inflatable SUP

Inflatable SUPs are great in theory, but can be super bulky to carry and store in your house. For those of us on the move or living in cities with minimal storage space, this can be a challenge. Red Paddle's new Compact SUP is my new best friend. It is not much larger than a school backpack (maybe two book bags side-by-side); it takes up so little space that I have had no issue leaving it in my car for the spontaneous paddle around Lake Tahoe. And you don't compromise board performance with the compact size, either!

Hydro Flask Unbound Series 24 L Soft Cooler Tote

Keep your snacks and beverages cool, contained, and protected with this cooler. I tend to be the "snack person" in my friend group and prefer the 24L so I can make sure everyone (me) avoids getting hangry and dehydrated while in the sun all day! Go with the Goldenrod color - it's super cute and playful!

Wandr Co's M Series 39″ Wakeskate

Because wakeskating is challenging and fun and will keep you on your toes. Beautifully designed, woman-owned Wandr Co.'s wakeskates are smooth and sexy and will have you feeling confident enough to try new tricks before you know it!

Carve Designs Catalina Top

When you're active on the water, you want to make sure the girls stay in place. The Catalina top fits and feels like a cute sports bra. We chose this top because the lack of ties in the back make it super comfy under a wetsuit.

Carve Designs St. Barth Bottom

While the more "cheeky" styles are typically better for water sports, we liked the full coverage of the St. Barth Bottom when we ended up hanging out in our suits all day.

Hurley Phantom Block Party Board Shorts

Simple, comfortable, and quick drying, these board shorts are great for shorter hikes to swimming holes and long days at the beach.

Body Glove Stellar 4/3MM Back-zip Fullsuit Wetsuit

If you're enjoying mountain lakes, the water can often be very cold, especially in the morning when water is the perfect amount of glassy smooth. I love having a solid 4/3 wetsuit on hand, just in case. This Body Glove suit is warm, flexible, and fits like a glove, and I love the turquoise details on the arms and legs to spice things up a bit!

Turkish Towel

While I often am anti-cotton for my outdoor activities, I am a sucker for cotton towels. Though are times when fast-drying travel shammies are necessary, I generally grab my Turkish towel when I'm heading to the lake. It is versatile and feels cozy when I wrap myself in it, it dries quickly, and I've found it to be lighter and easier to pack than shammy towels.

Rainbow Sandals

Everyone has a different preference on sandals. Me, I'm a big Rainbow fan. I still own a pair I traveled around the world in 10 years ago and they're in great shape. I love the simple narrow strap sandals for everyday wear. They're surprisingly comfy for long days on your feet, they dry fast, and they go with almost any outfit.

Sun Bum Sunblock and Lip Balm

Protect your skin (and lips!) from the sun's harsh rays. We love how forgiving Sun Bum is for sensitive skin, and it's scent of summer warms us up even on windy or chilly days.

Otterbox Elevation 36 Growler

Hydration is key for a day in the sun. We love big water bottles, and the Elevation 36 is big enough for you to share and will keep your beverage at your perfect temperature all day. 

Cover photo courtesy of Brian Walker.