We’re nearly halfway through the summer season, and, for some parts of the U.S., the second half is the hottest. But, don’t sweat, you just need some apparel you can sweat in while you squeeze every last outdoor activity out of this warm weather.
We’ve rounded up some fantastic apparel, including shoes and accessories for both men and women—all tested and outdoor-activity approved. I hope you find your next favorite piece!
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Apparel

Image by KUHL

Image by KUHL
I recently started wearing KUHL clothes, and I’m impressed. Two items I particularly like for warm weather are the SHILO Short Sleeve and the KULTIVATR Short. The SHILO Short Sleeve is made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton. It’s soft and breathable, and it has a slightly elevated style compared to your typical cotton tee shirt, thanks to the cute flutter sleeves. The SHILO comes in three colors.
KUHL’s KULTIVATR shorts are so comfortable that I could live in them. The fabric is stretchy and soft (not like your typical denim), and it has built-in UPF 50+ sun protection. Plus, there are pockets you can actually put stuff in, and they come in six different colors.

Image by KUHL

Image by KUHL
The PERSUADR shirt from KUHL is designed to keep you cool, thanks to its high-performance fabric. This shirt is lightweight, soft, moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, and stretchy. It comes in an array of different colors and patterns and, notably, it also comes in tall! You’ll love the look, feel, and fit of the PERSUADR.
Meanwhile, KUHL’s RESISTOR Lite Chino Short is just as great. These shorts are classic and go with everything. They’re water resistant, stretchy, and up for whatever you can throw at them this summer. KUHL says the RESISTOR shorts are “soft as cotton yet tough as nails,” and that sounds about right.
Both of these items have built-in UPF 50+ sun protection.

Image by Ibex

Image by Ibex
Earlier this summer, Ibex launched its Springbok Collection, a line of ultralight merino running gear designed for warm weather. I tested the Women’s Springbok Sport Tee and the Women’s Springbok Short and loved them both. This brand specializes in using a breathable and quick-drying merino-wool blend that’s perfect for active people (particularly runners).
The Springbok Collection includes not only the shorts and sport tees for both men and women but also a lightweight sun hoodie. All items in the collection offer UPF 35+ sun protection and will help ward off odor—no matter how hot it gets.

Image by Tasc

Image by Tasc
Tasc is a new brand to me, and I’ve enjoyed testing a couple of their products for summer. I have the Recess Lightweight Hoodie, which I recommend for times you’re out in the sun and want to protect your skin, and the Odyssey Rec Shorts, which are great multi-purpose shorts for all kinds of outdoor activities.
The Recess hoodie is breathable and cute in its simplicity. Made from bamboo viscose and organic cotton, it helps regulate your body temperature and wicks moisture away. I wore this to swim practices and meets where I’d be in the direct sunlight.
The Odyssey shorts are made from 92% recycled materials. They have multiple pockets, including a zippered pocket, and they’re very lightweight. My only note here is that this item runs large, so I recommend sizing down.

Image by True Classic
Guys, do you ever struggle to find the perfect basic tee shirt? True Classic offers a six pack of its Classic Crew Tees that’ll be an excellent refresh for your summer wardrobe. True Classic tees are soft and built to fit just right.
Made from a thoughtful blend of 60% combed ringspun cotton and 40% polyester jersey, these shirts are simple, comfortable, and stylish. Plus, they’re available in tall, which is a huge bonus for men who struggle to find shirts long enough (like my husband).
There are tons of colors, but I recommend picking up a seasonal-color six pack to keep it simple!

Image by Icebreaker
Having a go-to pair of comfortable, cute shorts just makes life in warm weather better. I love these bright-colored merino-blend Crush 200 shorts by Icebreaker. They’re made from soft Eucaform fabric, which is a blend of natural merino wool and TENCEL terry fabric. Pair them with a pair of white sneakers, and you’ll look and feel sporty, no matter what you’re doing.
These shorts fit true to size. One note on the bright-yellow color is that they’re a bit see-through, so plan to wear neutral-colored underwear. These shorts also come in black.
Smartwool Merino Short Sleeve Tee (Men and Women)

Image by Smartwool
Looking for a basic merino-wool tee to become a summer staple? (Preferably one that’ll transition seamlessly into fall when you start layering?) Look no further. Smartwool is a great brand for stocking up on merino staples.
The Merino Short Sleeve shirt, which comes in versions for men and women, features the company’s Core Spun technology. Core Spun refers to Smartwool’s tech that wraps merino around a nylon core. This adds durability without sacrificing comfort.
This basic tee shirt comes in many color options and has a “slim” fit, so size up if you don’t want that. The men’s version isn’t long, even in size large, so tall men may need to look elsewhere.
Shoes
XERO Shoes D-Trail Hiking Sandals (Men and Women)

Image by XERO Shoes
These D-Trail hiking sandals from XERO Shoes have come with me on multiple hiking and camping trips already this summer. They’re uniquely custom fitting, thanks to not one or two but THREE adjustable straps. I love that they offer that barefoot feel while also providing the tiniest bit of squishy comfort—like flip-flops, but better.
The women’s version comes in a few different fun color combinations. I have the Irish cream/lake blue. Though the light-colored soles do get dirty easily, I find they’re easy to clean. If you come across any water, you’ll be glad to know that these sandals dry in a jiffy (and we all know that some hiking sandals do not).
Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 (Men and Women)

Image by Saucony
For hiking and trail running, the new Xodus Ultra 4 shoe from Saucony is an excellent choice. Saucony calls them a “max-cushioned powerhouse” for good reason, and I can attest that these trail runners are super comfortable for miles and miles. Basically, if you like, want, or need cushion, these are for you.
I also appreciate that these shoes are rugged enough to withstand outdoor adventure. The Vibram MegaGrip outsole is especially grippy, even on slick rocks. Both the men’s and women’s versions come in three stylish colorways, and it’s hard to choose a favorite.

Image by Rocky Boots
For those days you’re being active outdoors but still want to look put together, Rocky Boots’ NOWAKE Outdoor Shoe fits the bill nicely. The NOWAKE line offers a unique perforated, drainable footbed. This feature allows water to flow through freely, speeding up dry times and ensuring you don’t have soggy feet all day.
The NOWAKE Outdoor Shoe is lightweight, thanks to a knit upper, and it’s easy to slip on and off thanks to bungee laces. Whether you’re boating, kayaking, or just heading out to a summer barbecue, these shoes will take you there in style.

Image by Xtratuf
Cute, but make it waterproof—Xtratuf’s Kiata sneaker answers this call. The ultimate summertime casual sneaker, the Kiata manages to be 100% waterproof and have a lightweight, breathable knit upper. And, by the way, the stretchiness of this unique upper feels more like putting on a comfy sock than a rigid sneaker.
You’ll love this sneaker’s outsole, too, which offers traction for all your outdoor adventures. There’s just enough cushion inside to make these shoes an easy all-day wear. Available in three colors, the Kiata waterproof sneaker is my favorite footwear this season.
Accessories

Image by AVI-8
AVI-8’s Hawker Hurricane Classic Chronograph is a stunning timepiece that’ll easily elevate your summer style. The eye-catching design harkens back to the iconic British single-seat fighter aircraft—the Hawker Hurricane from World War II. In the Dark Earth colorway, this watch features earthy neutrals that’ll enhance any outfit.
If you’re a fan of outdoor gear that looks as good as it works, you’ll appreciate this piece from AVI-8. The strap comes looking ruggedly weathered, and the 5-ATM water resistance means you don’t need to take it off for many water activities, like boating, paddleboarding, and fishing. Plus, the company’s two-year warranty ensures that if anything goes awry, your bases are covered.

Image by Melin
For all you camo fans out there, enter Melin’s collab with Realtree. The Trenches Realtree Hydro hat is outdoorsy by default, and its forest-y design appeals to both the typical-camo dudes and the dudes who typically don’t do camo.
Since it’s Melin, you know this hat is high quality. It’s sturdy but comfortable to wear, and it’s going to withstand a lot of wear. The Trenches Hydro line is water friendly (this hat floats), it has antimicrobial lining, and it’s breathable—perfect for summer weather.

Image by Tifosi Optics
Summer sports demand broader coverage when it comes to eyewear. Tifosi Optics offers Sanctum XL, which has 25% more lens area compared to the regular Sanctum sunglasses. This means your eyes are protected not only from harmful UV rays but also from wind and debris. Whether you’re cycling, golfing, hiking, boating, playing tennis, or doing a host of other sports this summer, your eyes will thank you later, if you’re wearing these.
I like the oversized, sporty look of these sunglasses, and I’m impressed by how lightweight they are. They don’t hurt the bridge of my nose or the tops of my ears, even after wearing them all day. The lenses have a glare guard, and there’s a special hydrophilic rubber nose piece, which actually increases grippiness when you sweat.
The Sanctum XLs come in six different colors that appeal to both men and women. For less than $50, these are the perfect summer accessory.

Image by Pistil Designs
Pistil Design’s Goldie sun hat is the easiest way to make a summer outfit stand out. This gorgeous hat is very well made, with breathable raffia, threaded colorful beads, and a soft interior band. With an 8-inch brim length, it’ll shade your face while you play or relax in the sunshine.
The Goldie sun hat comes in two colors—natural and brown. You can wear the edges of the brim flat, or you can roll them up to channel your inner cowgirl. This hat has become a summer staple for me. I throw in in my YETI Camino bag for all kinds of outings and adventures!

Image by Ibex
Finally, don’t forget to take care of your feet. Ibex’s merino quarter socks won’t slip or bunch as you hike or run, preventing blisters before they even start. As Ibex says: “Merino is the best thing for your feet.”
These socks come in three retro-inspired striped patterns, and Ibex uses unisex sizing.
What’s your favorite piece of warm-weather, outdoor-approved apparel?
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