22 REI summer essentials you’ll wish you bought sooner | CNN Underscored

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We’re all eager to spend some time outside in the sun, whether it’s for a weekend camping trip or just chilling in the backyard. If you’re looking to stock up on gear for summer, look no further than REI. One of our favorite retailers, it hosts a massive collection of clothes, gadgets, equipment and more so you can take advantage of the warm weather.

To ensure you get only the best items, we reached out to REI to see what people are buying. The company sent back a list of bestsellers, merchant favorites and brand-new items the brand thinks are perfect for the summer. Below, take a look at some of the best gear and gadgets from REI to make the most of the next few months.

REI’s new collection with West Elm pairs clean, minimalist design with rugged outdoor performance. This dining table is fantastic for dinners in the backyard all summer long.

If you need some shade, check out this day shelter from the West Elm collection, which comes with a waterproof tarp and adjustable poles so you can stay protected no matter the weather.

This cute little cutting board is perfect for your next camping trip. It doesn’t take up too much space and is made with food-safe bamboo so you can take your cheese board out to the woods.

This stylish tote is great for keeping all your drinks and food nice and cool whether you’re going to the park, campground or beach.

Sit back and relax with this lawn chair, which folds down into a backpack so you can easily carry it around.

There’s nothing like cooking with cast iron over an open fire, and whether it’s over a backyard fire pit or in the backcountry, this versatile pan from Lodge can cook it all. You can grill, bake, sauté and griddle to take backyard dinners to the next level.

Of course, if you’re not ready to cook over the roaring flames, check out this tiny portable stove from Eureka. The single burner pumps out up to 10,000 BTU so you can cook your meal nice and fast, even in the middle of the woods.

If you’re looking forward to winding down and relaxing this summer, you’ll need a cozy hammock to swing in. This option from Eno is double-sized so you’ll have plenty of room to stretch out. Just be sure to snag a suspension system too.

For your next weekend trip, check out these durable duffels from REI. Available in 40- and 60-liter sizes, they have tons of storage and pack down super small.

A cup of fresh coffee in one of these cute mugs is the perfect way to start off a summer morning in the woods. They’re made with double-walled, vacuum-insulated stainless steel to keep your drink piping hot, plus they come with a lid so you won’t have any spills.

Whether you’re hiking or just doing some gardening in the yard, you’ll want to have a bottle of ice-cold water with you wherever you go this summer. These bottles from Klean Kanteen can keep your water cold for hours on end, and come in four sizes.

Keeping your beer cold is a constant battle, but it doesn’t have to be with these Brumate can coolers. The 3-in-1 can stash 12-ounce and 16-ounce cans or turn into a tumbler, while the slim option fits tall 12-ounce cans.

Believe it or not, your clothes are actually important when it comes to proper sun protection. This shirt from Patagonia features a UPF 50+ rating and is made from 100% recycled polyester to help you stay cool all day long.

From the gym to the couch, these versatile shorts can go wherever you go this summer. With moisture-wicking properties and a cooling boxer-brief liner, you’ll never want to take these stretchy shorts off.

Just the shirt you need for the trail, this Patagonia short-sleeve wicks away moisture and dries fast.

Whether you’re channeling your inner yogi or love to just live in leggings, these four-way stretch options from REI are the perfect pair. Plus, they come with crop-in thigh pockets to stash your phone and other essentials.

Maybe you love leggings but get way too hot wearing them in the summer. If that’s the case, biker shorts are definitely for you.

This sports bra from Brooks features three hidden pockets so you can keep small items like your phone and keys with you on your runs.

This simple bra top is perfect whether you’re hitting the trail, gym or couch. It features super-soft, sweat-wicking material to keep you cool and comfortable all summer.

Whether you’re hiking through the night or just need some extra light to fix that pipe under your sink, oftentimes you don’t really realize how useful headlamps are until you have one. This option from Black Diamond is small and simple, and takes three AAA batteries.

These solar-powered string lights are an easy way to illuminate your backyard. With 10 bright nodes spread out over an 18-foot cord (that retracts into a small unit), you’ll have enough light to keep your gatherings going into the night.

This super-portable lantern crushes down into a small, flat package that you can easily toss into a bag. When it’s expanded, it gives off 60 lumens to light up your small spaces and has four settings, including a flickering candle mode.