Latest news with #summerfun
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Decatur pool free to residents all summer
DECATUR, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Decatur Public Swimming Pool will open for the 2025 season on Monday, June 2 — and will be free to enter all summer. Located at 408 Pool St, Decatur, AR, the pool's opening day hours are from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Attendees can receive free hot dogs and trees while supplies last, according to Decatur mayor Bob Tharp. One year later: Decatur residents reflect on progress after tornado Admission will also be free for the entire season, supported by contributions from local businesses and residents who aided 2024 tornado recovery efforts. The pool's summer hours will be Monday through Saturday, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Those interested in hosting pool parties can contact the city at 479-752-3912 for reservations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Irish Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Summer 2025 in Ireland: 50 great ways to spend your days
We got a real sense of what it must be like to live somewhere gorgeously warm and sunny over the course of a decent chunk of April and May, with long spells of dry weather and blue skies turning Ireland into a kind of magical outdoor playground. It couldn't – and indeed didn't – last, but all the pleasantness will have left many yearning for a life outdoors, and looking for ideas for lovely ways to spend summer days. While we can't guarantee a stretch of warm sunshine over the months ahead – we've had many false dawns in the past – it's always possible to knock a bit of craic out of Ireland no matter what the weather. But as the Germans (or Swedes, or Dutch or Finns) say, there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing and the key thing is to make plans and then stick with them even if it isn't as lovely as you might have hoped. READ MORE Fish and chips eaten al fresco tastes (almost) as lovely on a grey day as on a sunny one, and a hike or cycle along one of the many 'Ways' criss-crossing the country and snaking around our coasts can be just as enjoyable – and sometimes even more so – when the sun isn't beating down. And then, of course, there is the water which we have in abundance in Ireland. One of the best things about a day spent kayaking or surfing or boogie boarding is that it doesn't make a blind bit of difference what the weather is like and you can have as much fun splashing around in the sea or a nearby lake (but safely, please) when it is lashing as when it is dry. If you are starved for inspiration on what to do on dry land or by the sea this summer, don't panic, we have you covered. This list was complied by Rosita Boland, Jessica Doyle, Alanna Gallagher, Corinna Hardgrave, Róisín Ingle, Katie Mellett, Cathal O'Gara, Nadine O'Regan, Conor Pope, Úna McCaffrey and Gemma Tipton By the water Take a dip at Barley Cove Co Cork Barley Cove in Co Cork. Photograph: Peter Cox Jump off the sand dunes, splash in the invigorating surf, build a sandcastle or delight in a long and leisurely walk: Barley Cove beach might be a relatively isolated spot, situated as it is just a few kilometres from Mizen Head, Ireland's most southwesterly point, but on a sunny day, there are few places more glorious in the country to find yourself. After a bracing dip, venture down the road to the village of Crookhaven to enjoy a creamy pint of Murphy's at O'Sullivan's, and a spectacular seafood dinner at Nottage's, taking your pick of offerings from crab lasagne to monkfish and prawn masala. NO'R Roguey Cliff Walk Bundoran, Co Donegal The waterfront of Bundoran town. Photograph: Enda O'Dowd Fancier tourists might be tempted to write off Bundoran's simple, honest pleasures, but this would mean missing out on one of the country's most glorious Atlantic walks. Start with a view of the surfers at Tullan Strand, make your way down the Green Hill and stop for a 99 or a bag of chips on the Main Street, before looping back up through the East End. Sea air as it should be. UMcC Swim and sundowners Kinsale, Co Cork Charles Fort, Kinsale, Co Cork. Photograph: Paddy Whelan Irish summer in the sun. Illustration: Kiera Murphy/ Walk the path below Kinsale's Charles Fort to find a sweet swimming spot off the rocks, with a dab of beach at low tide, then bask yourself dry before coming back up the hill to Shirley's Fish and Chip Van. Shirley's family is in the fishing biz, so your supper is fresh off the boats, and the views as you munch are marvellous. See FishAtTheFort on Facebook for opening hours. Head west out of Kinsale to find The Dock pub, across what locals still describe as 'the new bridge' (actually built in the 1970s). There's a sheltered beach hidden behind it, with walks around the headland at James Fort. Salty post-swim locals spill out to The Dock after, sipping sundowners as boats bob on the marina. GT Blackwater river walk or swim Lismore, Co Waterford In July and August the Blackwater river gets dammed at the spot just below the bridge below the Castle to make a safe swimming spot. Park opposite the filling station, and walk a short distance to find delighted kids rushing the weir on inner tubes, and dare a chilly plunge yourself. Quench your thirst after at the Red House. Lismore Castle's gardens are gorgeous in summer and there's great coffee, as well as great art at the gallery. Go on a Sunday for the Farmers' Market, but whatever day you go, take Lady Louisa's Walk from behind the cathedral. Duck down to the left to the Blackwater when you get to a crossroads on the path, for a gorgeous riverside walk. Stay at The Dairy Cottage, sleeping eight via Airbnb. GT Kayaking on the Blackwater Villierstown, Co Waterford Paddleboarding down the Blackwater River, Villierstown, Co Waterford Hire a kayak to get a gentle taste of life on the river. From €15, . As this is the Blackwater, it also means views of some huge and impressive stately piles. Stay at one of them: Ballyvolane, where your evening cocktail comes with garden garnishes, . Pro tip: kayak out up river, to glide back down when muscles are tired. GT Sunset on deck River Shannon and Glasson, Co Westmeath Cruising down the Shannon Hire a cabin cruiser and putter around the Shannon waterways and lakes, from around €900 for three nights with Emerald Star, or get all the feeling with absolutely zero effort on the Full Circle at Wineport Lodge, where they'll even deliver dinner to your permanently moored boat. Sleeps six. GT Dart around the bay Killiney, Co Dublin Hot Box Sauna. Illustration: Kiera Murphy/ Some say Killiney Bay looks like the Bay of Naples. Or does the Bay of Naples look like Killiney Bay? You get some of the best views from the Dart. Get off at Killiney and walk city-wards along the beach to find Fred & Nancy's serving coffee from a swanky Airstream, with HotBox saunas alongside. GT West Pier walk Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin Dún Laoghaire's East Pier gets most of the attention, but head west for a quieter stroll. On a recent walk, we spotted basking seals and perching herons. Finish at the Purty Kitchen, for a tasty bowl of mussels with negronis on the side, , and stay at the lovely Haddington House. GT Gooey brownies and wild walks in Dunquin Dunquin, Co Kerry Dunquin harbour, which services boats for the Blasket Islands Owned by local Riverdancer and Gaelic footballer Tomás Ó Sé, the Cupán Sé coffee trailer is a must-stop after a stroll to Dunquin Pier. Set against dramatic cliffs and a winding path to the sea, it's a dream backdrop for social-savvy teens. After capturing the perfect shot, reward them with Cupán Sé's Blasket Brownies, chocolatey, gooey and gluten-free (though you'd never guess). After refuelling, hop on a ferry to the nearby Blasket Islands to explore abandoned cottages, spot dolphins and soak in some of Ireland's most rugged natural beauty. Instagram: @ cupan_se CO'G Ballymastocker Bay and Portsalon Beach Co Donegal Ballymastocker Bay on the Fanad Peninsula is perfect for a walk in the sand or a dip in the water. Swifties can recreate Taylor's Instagram pictures from when she visited the beach in 2021. Afterwards, visit Latte Love Coffee for a delicious açai bowl or grab a pint at the Stores Bar. KM Crab fishing from shoreside rocks This is a glorious way to spend time with small children – at least as long as their attention span will allow. It costs nothing, save a scrap of bacon held over from a full Irish breakfast, or if you cleaned your plate just whack a limpet off a nearby rock. Tie either to a length of cat gut or thin rope, add a stone to weigh it down and ensure you have a bucket filled with seawater to put the crabs in. Sit and wait a while – if atop a pier lying down, peek over the edge to watch the action (the usual safety caveats apply). This is a catch-and-release sport so let the crabs go back to their habitats to recount their tales of derring-do to their friends and family, as you will likely do with yours. AG Active adventures Lead Mines meander Ballycorus, Co Dublin Ballycorus lead mines, near Kilternan, Co Dublin. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw A walk at the Lead Mines doesn't sound so enticing, but the iconic stone tower at Ballycorus was built to take the fumes away from the smelter below. Expect amazing views. Take selfies if you must. Then a short, if energetic walk takes you to the top of Carrickgollagan, to feel like the king or queen of the world. Car parking on Barnaslingan Lane; info at GT Bogs and baking Causey Farm, Co Meath Causey Farm's summer camp is four days of hands-on adventure for children aged six to 13. Set on a real working farm surrounded by forest and bog, it's all about messy fun with bog jumping, bread baking, farm animals and woodland exploring. While the smallies are making memories (and their clothes very mucky), parents can sneak off to explore nearby Meath gems such as the Hill of Tara, Trim Castle or a quiet riverside coffee in Slane. Camps run weekly through July and August and cost €120 per child. CO'G Dublin Port Greenway The Tolka Estuary Greenway in Dublin. Photograph: Leah Farrell/ This beautifully landscaped cycle and pedestrian route overlooks the Tolka estuary, following the northern edge of the port. The route has a number of points where cyclists or walkers can rest and take in interpretative panels offering information on the port, its environs and local bird life. A lovely, calming way to see Dublin afresh. UMcC St Anne's Park Market Dublin 5 Every Saturday (unless it's lashing), stallholders offering everything from street food to flowers, jewellery and greeting cards, even dog portraits, open for business in the grand surroundings of this former Guinness estate. You can rely on eating well here and on finding no shortage of walks to work up your appetite or work off those freshly made cookies. Instagram: @ stannesparkmarket UMcC 'Secret beach' at Castletown House and Parklands Celbridge, Co Kildare The grounds of Castletown House are a lovely place to enjoy the sunshine. The 18th-century parklands offer stunning riverside walks and plenty of open green space. Our favourite spot looks like a little beach hidden behind trees, where you can lay out a blanket and read for hours to the sound of chirping birds and rushing waters. JD Donadea Forest Park Co Kildare A 15-minute drive from Maynooth, Donadea Forest Park is a gorgeous place to go for a picnic or a walk. Run by Coillte, it costs €5 per car to enter, and is home to the most beautiful array of trees, beds of bluebells and a duck-filled lake. info at JD Japanese Gardens and National Stud Kildare Town There are few places more magical than the Japanese Gardens on a sunny day; the array of colour and beauty on display feels good for the soul. If you're into horse racing, the National Stud is on the same site, and there are plenty of gorgeous horses to meet in their paddocks. Online tickets are €19 for adults, €11 for children (free for under-threes) or €52 for a family. JD Go to your local Parkrun There are more than 150 park runs around the country. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien You can walk or run. Everyone is welcome, and there are more than 150 around the country. Better still, go with the Sanctuary Runners group ( ). It comes recommended by President Michael D Higgins, who says it's 'a great solidarity-through-sport initiative that fosters friendship and respect for migrants, asylum seekers and refugees while bringing greater awareness of the migration system.' There are Sanctuary Runners groups all across Ireland. Many (not all) run on Saturday mornings. Check the website to find a map. Just show up and look out for the people wearing blue T-shirts. Some groups stick around for tea and coffee and chats afterwards. CH Mount Errigal Co Donegal Mount Errigal, Glenveagh National Park, Co Donegal. Photograph: Getty Images If you're looking for a challenge in Donegal, why not summit the county's highest peak, Mount Errigal? A stone path and a series of steps lead you to the top, standing at 751m. The moderate hike takes between two and three hours. Remember to pack appropriate footwear and consider an early morning start to get the perfect sunrise selfie at the top. Info at KM Pedal around the park Phoenix Park, Dublin If you don't own a bike you can hire one at the gates of the Phoenix Park in Dublin for the day for €20, or an electric bike for €50. Bring a packed lunch and just set off with no particular plan other than to cycle the 11km perimeter of the park. CP Dublin to Howth cycleway Cycling the 18.5km from Dublin city centre to Howth has never been safer thanks to the opening of a new cycleway. Reward yourself with Beshoff's fish and chips at the midpoint in your adventure, and if it's warm, stop off at Dollymount for an invigorating swim along the way. CP Culture & craft Cruinniú na nÓg Our national day of free creativity for children and young people under 18 falls on June 7th and you can expect all manner of activities and workshops hosted by artists and community groups across Ireland. Find them all listed at – just select your county and the age of the little people you are looking to entertain and off you go. CP Tourist in your own town Become a tourist in your town with the help of the OPW list of heritage sites at . The site is searchable based on location and admission price. Many are free and none are wildly expensive. CP Historic houses and gardens Drawing room at Borris House, Co Carlow One of the lovely, unusual things to do in Ireland in summer is to visit the hidden gems that are privately owned historic houses and gardens. These are places that come under Section 484, whereby owners receive tax relief in return for opening to the public. They only open to visitors on designated days, a good portion of which are during the summer. Often, it's the owner who gives the tour, which adds greatly to the experience. Some places charge a small fee, and some are free. The current list is at RB Leitrim's quirkiest museum Glenview Folk Museum, Aghoo, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim If your young ones think history is boring, Glenview Folk Museum might just change their minds. This place is pure eccentric Irish magic with a treasure trove of rural life, packed with more than 7,000 artefacts, from antique tractors to butter churns and Bakelite radios. There's even a reconstructed street scene to give a real feel of 1930s Ireland, complete with an old-school pub and grocer. But the real showstopper? The largest collection of novelty egg cups in Ireland. We're talking thousands, each more delightfully odd than the last. CO'G Vikings ahoy Athlone, Co Roscommon/Westmeath Sail back in time this August Bank Holiday at the Athlone River Festival , where Viking horns meet live music and sizzling street food. As the Shannon-side town transforms into a buzzing hub of boats and battle re-enactments, explore Viking villages, cheer on boat races and let the kids run wild with storytelling, music and carnival games. Add in fishing competitions, craft stalls and water safety demos, and you've got a full day out with just the right mix of fun and education. Horned helmets optional, great memories guaranteed. CO'G Mysterious towers Lismore, Co Waterford Ballysaggartmore Towers, Lismore The lodges at Ballysaggartmore were built by notorious Famine-era landlord Arthur Keily-Ussher to satisfy his, and his wife's, social-climbing desires. The project impoverished his tenants and he went bankrupt in the process. What could be a modern morality tale is also a magnificent, intriguing and pretty easy walk, complete with tasty picnic areas. GT The Curragh plains Co Kildare If you have an army-obsessed child or a history buff in the family, the Curragh offers a great free day out. Situated between Newbridge and Kildare town, the Curragh has acres of open green space to explore with old bunkers to climb (carefully) and landmarks such as Donnelly's Hollow. The Curragh Museum is free and has an impressive array of tanks – open Monday to Thursday and 2pm-5pm on Sunday. JD Offbeat Have a nose The Burren Perfumery, Co Clare Rain or shine, this sweet-smelling patch of paradise cures all ills. There's the feel-good perfumes and potions, a meditative video about the magic of the Burren and a small, beautifully laid-out herb garden with plenty of secluded spots to discover. Nab a seat outside the cafe and enjoy some of the finest home-made soup and carrot cake in the county. RI The Diva bench South William Street, Dublin We love a bit of window shopping when the sun shines in Dublin and top of our list is a browse around the fabulous Om Diva boutique. When you've finished ogling the beautiful Irish-designed jewellery – check out Capulet & Montague for original and colourful creations – and chatting to the famously friendly staff, you can sit outside on the white bench, comfy cushions provided, and watch the city go by. RI Donkey hugs and castle views Liscarroll, Co Cork Some of the donkeys at the Donkey Sanctuary in Liscarroll, Co. Cork. Photograph: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision Meet the long-eared locals at The Donkey Sanctuary in Liscarroll. This free, family-friendly spot has scenic walkways, playful foals, gentle mules and plenty of donkeys to greet. Kids will love spotting favourites like Snowdrop and Bowser, while grown-ups can soak up views of Liscarroll Castle in the peaceful countryside. CO'G Star gazing If you can't tell your bear from your big dipper, download the Sky Guide app. Photograph: iStock There's nothing like a stargazing adventure and it can be done almost anywhere as long as the night sky is clear and you're far from street lights and cars. So, on a warm, clear evening after a day in the sun, go to the remotest location you can think of, pack a picnic, watch the sun go down and wait to be dazzled by the heavens. If you can't tell your bear from your big dipper, download the Sky Guide app which highlights the constellations, planets and satellites above us. All you need to do is point your phone upwards to have a galaxy of wonder revealed. CP Make a home video Plan a home video shoot involving all your family. Bring everyone together, write a loose screenplay which you can film on your phone in a high definition Alfred Hitchcock could only have dreamed of. There are all sorts of free or cheap apps available to stitch together your home movie – and then you have something to look back on, or play at your children's weddings, in 30 – or three – years' time. CP Food & drink Fresh oysters with a sea view Dunmore East, Co Waterford For great seafood in Dunmore East , with a glorious view overlooking the sea, head for the village's charming East Pier takeaway. You can sit outside in the sun with a platter of the freshest oysters, generous lobster rolls and great chips, washed down with a glass of wine. Everything locally sourced (apart from the wine). Excellent seafood by the sea, just as it should be in Ireland, but so often isn't. RB Take a food tour There's no better way to see Ireland than travelling like a tourist, and this means booking yourself on one of the brilliant food tours that run around the country. Generally, you'll eat your way through town on these tours, but the real benefit is how much you will learn, facts you'd never pick up on your own. Check out Karen Coakley's Kenmare Foodie Tours ( ); Sheena Dignam's Galway Food Tours ( ); and Fab Food Trails in Dublin and Cork ( ). CH Bean & Batch Kenmare, Co Kerry Skip the cafes in town and head to Bean & Batch on the edge of Kenmare for a big outdoor seating area and great coffee. Egg sandwiches come thick and soft, like something your farming auntie would hand you. Cakes are tray-baked – lemon drizzle, coffee, carrot and apple tart – sliced into generous squares. They do breakfast too: sausage rolls, waffles, overnight oats, porridge and açaí bowls, all made fresh daily, and well worth returning for. Instagram: @beanandbatchkenmare CH Snappy Snappy Letterfrack, Co Galway Snappy Snappy food truck Parked above Ballinakill Bay, Snappy Snappy is Michael Nagle's crab-focused food truck, serving just a few options – all of them excellent. The crab is local, from Renvyle Fisheries, piled into toasted milk rolls or open sourdough from So-Doh bakery. Dressings include lemon, dill and mustard or a mild chilli mayo. Watch out for the crab tostada with guajillo chilli and pickled onion which sometimes appears on the menu. Grab a side of green beans in almond dressing and sit under the awning. Instagram: @snappysnappycrab CH Little Fish Cleggan, Co Galway Little Fish in Cleggan What began as a food truck in Letterfrack is now a bright, clever seafood cafe on Cleggan pier, run by Eva Caulwell and Tom Mullan. The fish and chips are top-tier, but it's the attention to detail – fermented hot sauce on buffalo prawns, pickled aioli made by Eva's sister Laura, a fish spice bag, fresh mussels and proper vegetarian options – that sets it apart. Add local leaves, compostable cutlery, and lovely outdoor seating, and you've got a summer stop worth seeking out. Instagram: @littlefish_cafe CH Roundwood Stores Roundwood, Co Wicklow Inside the Roundwood Stores on the Main Street of Roundwood, Co Wicklow. Photograph: Alan Betson Part cafe, part grocer, part deli, run by Simon Pratt (ex-Avoca), Monique McQuaid and her son Jake McCarthy, this is the spot to hit after a hike or cycle. There's a refurbished Italian deck oven turning out focaccia which is served with tomato soup thick with fennel and chickpeas. Pick up a cake and a coffee. Grab a seat outside or by the stove. Stock up on Dermot Carey's organic vegetables, Tory Hill Farm kefir, and cold-pressed juices on your way out. Instagram: @roundwoodstores CH Piglet Wine Bar Temple Bar, Dublin 2 At the quieter end of Temple Bar on Cow's Lane, Piglet draws a loyal local crowd with its deep wine list – heavy on organic and biodynamic bottles – and sharp cooking. The lunch and early-bird menu offers three courses for €35 and changes regularly, though their cacio e pepe rarely leaves the rotation. You might also catch pork ragu or confit duck gizzards. Outside tables are prime for people-watching, so get in early if the sun's out. CH Pota Baile na hAbhann, Co na Gaillimhe Pota in Baile na hAbhainn, Connemara Diarmuid Ó Mathúna runs a beautiful cafe in the Connemara Gaeltacht – breakfast, brunch and lunch built on proper seasonal produce. The taco with deep-fried Ros an Mhíl haddock, Aran Island crab salad with Velvet Cloud yoghurt, and Feeney's pulled pork collar toastie are all standouts. Kids can order half portions, menus are bilingual, and there's a 40-seat garden powered by solar panels. Even the condiments – honey mustard mayo, berry compote – are made in-house. Everything here earns its place. CH The Blue Light Barnacullia, Sandyford, Dublin 18 It's 213m above sea level, just down from the Dublin Mountains, with one of the best views in the city – across Dún Laoghaire Bay to Howth – and plenty of outdoor seating. The Blue Light, owned by Pat Healy, was a local secret, popular with bikers and classic car groups, until lockdown walkers, a certain beer ad and Instagram blew it wide open. Now hikers and cyclists have joined the regulars, piling in for pints, trad sessions and solid plates of wings, fish and chips or steak sandwiches. @thebluelightpubdublin CH Drive the Michelin green roads On every Michelin roadmap, the scenic routes are highlighted in green, and it's always worth exploring these as an alternative to the main roads. Three favourites in Ireland are: the Beara peninsula, both more scenic and less-travelled than the neighbouring Ring of Kerry; the coastal route in Connemara along the R340 and R341 from Screebe Cross to Clifden; and the Antrim Glens, from Ballycastle to Larne. CH The petrol station 99 (Anywhere) Anyone for a 99? Photograph: Getty Images Nothing beats a 99 from a petrol station or a convenience shop. Why not take it to the next level and create a table of best 99s around the country? We're talking ice-cream thickness, Flake freshness and cone crispiness. Our local Maxol is unbeaten so far, but a colossal 99 pulled by a young man somewhere outside Belmullet comes in a close second. JD Belfast baps St George's Market, Belfast The last time we were here, we asked a man if we could take a picture of his bap, it looked THAT delicious. Apart from baps, the market has everything you could hope for from the freshest fish to racks of reasonably priced vinyl. There's been a market on this site since 1604. To find out even more about this storied place book a St George's Market walking tour. RI Fresh fish and chips from Morton's Ballycastle, Co Antrim You won't mind queuing for your dinner here on a fine summer's evening, with the freshness and quality of the fish and chips from this fishmonger and takeaway making any wait more than worth it. Savour your culinary reward outside on the marina and throw in a cone from Maud's Ice Cream for dessert. A walk on the Blue Flag strand, with glorious views of Fair Head, will complete the experience. Instagram: @mortonsballycastle ; UMcC Tickety Moo Ice Cream Killadeas, Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh This ice-cream wholesaler sells directly to the public from its family farm in Fermanagh's lakelands. Not only can you test novel flavours such as French Macaroon and Buttermint Toffee, you can see at first hand where the creamy milk behind them comes from – the farm's on-site Jersey cows. These handsome creatures reside in luxury in a custom building catering for their every need, from back scratchers to on-demand robot milking, with visitors able to watch (and smell) it all from an elevated viewing platform. UMcC A blooming good lunch at Rolf's Country House Baltimore, Co Cork Treat yourself to lunch at Rolf's Country House, the Haffner family-owned hotel and restaurant perched on a hill just outside Baltimore in west Cork, where the atmosphere is convivial and the verdant, subtropical gardens have an immediately restorative effect on the senses. While dining among the flowers, keep an eye out for Frieda and Mable, the Haffner family's pet poodles who amble happily around the picturesque grounds. Don't leave without ordering the bouillabaisse and Gertrud's chocolate tart. NO'R
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Aldi is selling a £7.99 budget sandpit for your garden that adds fun and a touch of colour to your outdoor space
PARENTS are flocking to Aldi to get their hands on a multipurpose sandpit for just £7.99. The toy doubles up as a paddling pool to help keep your little ones entertained for hours this summer. 3 The shell-shaped pit comes in a bright blue or pink, helping to add a splash of colour to your garden. One savvy shopper shared a snap of the pools in their local Aldi, urging others to pop by and make the most of the bargain. Plenty of users on the Baby Deals UK page tagged friends in the post. "I paid £12 yesterday in Asda, so here goes, but I'll be going to Aldi to see if there's any left," one wrote. Another helpfully pointed out that Home Bargains were also selling their own version for just £4.99. Remember, it's always best to phone ahead to your local store to make sure it has stock in. Aldi has a helpful store checker on its website, or you can use the app, to find your nearest and check ahead to save yourself a wasted trip. Another Aldi buy that is guaranteed hours of play time is the store's Waterfall Beach Table - which also comes in the choice of blue or pink. It contains a total of 27 pieces and shoppers have been impressed by the bargain price tag of £22.99. One mum shared a photo of the toy on Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group on Facebook and others rushed to share their thoughts. "Just got this today, would recommend," one wrote. "It's bigger than I thought it would be and I have quite a tall 18 month old." "It's bigger than I thought too and comes with so many extra bits," another added. "Such a fantastic buy," a fourth commented. "Got mine today, bargain," someone else said. Whilst it's important to keep the kids entertained during the summer months, the adults need some fun too. Aldi recently launched a bargain beer dispenser on Specialbuy shelves this week - just in time for Father's Day. The Ambiano beer dispenser at Aldi is set to be the perfect gift this Father's Day. At just £24.99, the gadget is a classic bargain buy and more than £100 less than Lakeland's Fizzics DraftPour beer dispenser. The latter is currently retailing at £129.99. With summer barbecues and outdoor family and friends gatherings likely to increase over the next few months, the arrival of Aldi's budget beer dispenser couldn't have come at a better time. There are several innovative design touches to the Ambiano beer dispenser, making it perfect for small parties or large events. These include its power supply – it only requires two 1.5 V AA batteries to run it – and its sleek design. It also comes with a three-year warranty as standard, The Ambiano beer dispenser comes to Lidl stores on June 1 just in time for Father's Day and at an impressive bargain price. 3
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ultimate guide to Europe's 12 best theme parks: From incredible rides to gorgeous gardens, world-leading experts tell which to pick, how much it'll cost... and exactly what to do when you get there
Roll up, roll up! Theme parks have flung open their doors for the summer season. And even if you're not a rollercoaster fan, these mini metropolises of fun have plenty to entertain every generation, including spectacular shows, more leisurely rides and beautiful gardens. And often there are big discounts available for pre-schoolers and over-65s, too. Tips? Pack a poncho in case it rains and wear your comfiest shoes...
WIRED
7 days ago
- Business
- WIRED
The 61 Best Outdoor Deals From the REI Anniversary Sale
It's the best time of year to pick up all the tents, running shoes, sleeping bags, and gear you'll need for summer fun. Just remember these deals end soon. All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. It's nearly summer. The flowers are in full bloom, the birds are well north, and REI is kicking off its annual anniversary sale, the outdoor company's biggest sale of the year. This year's REI sale started May 16 and runs through Memorial Day, May 26. Many items are up to 30 percent off, but REI Co-op members save up to 20 percent on any full-price item and an extra 20 percent off any REI Outlet item. To get the discount, add the promo code ANNIV2025 at checkout. Several other retailers have launched early Memorial Day sales, including Backcountry and Public Lands, plus some of our favorite smaller retailers like Sea to Summit and Zenbivy, along with many others you can find on Garage Grown Gear. We've highlighted some deals on gear we've loved over our years of testing. There's something for nearly all our favorite summer activities—tents, stoves, sleeping bags, and plenty of outdoor apparel. Be sure to look at our guides to outdoor gear, like the Best Day-Hiking Packs, Best Tents, Best Sleeping Bags, Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads, Best Rain Jackets, Best Backpacking Water Filters, Best Merino Wool, and Best Binoculars. Updated Sunday, May 25, 2025: We've added a new section of water filter and stove deals, our favorite Sea to Summit sleeping bag, an Oru folding kayak, our favorite headlamp and other deals on camping/backpacking essentials. Backpack Deals Don't forget to check out our guide to the Best Day-Hiking Backpacks and the Best Travel Bags. The Flash 22 is possibly the best-value day pack on the market, especially on sale. I was surprised by how comfortable this thing is, despite the lightweight straps and minimal padding. It carries loads up to 15 pounds without straining the shoulders, and the side stash pockets are fabulously large—big enough for a Nalgene bottle or rain jacket. The Flash 22 is made of 70-denier recycled ripstop nylon, which is on the lighter side, but mine has held up well, even coming through some rough canyon hikes in Utah without any more than mud stains. The ultralight cousin to the Flash 22, the Flash 18 lacks the hip belt, side stash pockets, and floating lid. What you're left with is a stripped-down, bare-bones pack that's great for traveling, since you can stuff it down to almost nothing, stash it in your carry-on, and have a nice backpack whenever you need it. Don't load it up with more than 8 pounds of gear though, and avoid anything with pointy bits, as there's no padding here. One of our favorite day-hiking packs, This Mystery Rack pack was my introduction to wider shoulder straps, which provide more comfort without the bulk of extra padding. The result is a comfortable pack that's light (1 lb, 6 oz) and packable, making it a great extra pack when traveling. The side pockets are big enough for a Nalgene water bottle and the 25-L capacity carries everything you need for a day. It also fits under the seat of even small planes. This is a great little pack for hitting the trail or just walking around town. Nemo Resolve Photograph: Adrienne So Our favorite day-hiking pack for the eco-conscious looking to travel light, Nemo's Resolve pack is 100 percent recycled, infinitely adjustable, and repairable, and once it's reached the end of its life, it can be sent back to Nemo for total recycling. The Resolve has a somewhat strange system of bungees and pull-tabs, instead of straps or webbing, but it's comfortable, sitting nice and high on your back. At 1 lb, 15 oz it's pretty light, considering all the hardware that it has on it. Osprey has been making Talon packs since 2007. This model is the smaller cousin to the 33L version in our guide to the best day-hiking packs. The success of the Talon line is well deserved, the 100-denier high-tenacity nylon (Bluesign-approved) makes for a durable pack while remaining reasonably lightweight (2 pounds, 1 ounce for the S/M size). The dual zippered panel-loading design makes getting to your stuff a snap, and there are plenty of extra pockets inside and outside to help you stash all your gear. Trail Running and Road Running Deals These are the only shoes that have ever inspired me to write 1,000 words. They are really that good. Think of these as the barefoot answer to Chacos. Except where Chacos are like putting tractors on your feet, the Z-Trails flex and bend as you walk, giving your feet the freedom of movement you expect from a barefoot shoe. Despite being sandals, these have 10 mm of cushion, which is a good bit for a barefoot shoe, making the Z-Trail a good option for newcomers. This is last year's version of my favorite Salomon X Ultra 5 hiking boots, which I just tested over the weekend in the Columbia River Gorge. Salomon makes our favorite hiking boots—the company offers impressive levels of protection and traction, while being lightweight and remarkably easy to take off and put on. I like how the heel grips so I don't smash my toes while going downhill, and it's so sticky that I can climb up rocks like an ant. —Adrienne So I have worn the women's version of this shoe for years and years. Altra is the best running shoe if you want a shoe that has a barefoot feel (zero heel to toe drop, big toebox) but retains traction and protection against rocks and prickers. —Adrienne So These are Altra's version of the Brooks Glycerin Max—a super-plush, comfy road running shoe. If you want a very cushioned shoe but are addicted to Altra's big toe box (no need to be embarrassed, I am too), these are the shoes to get. Also, don't forget to check out our guide to the Best Barefoot Shoes. —Adrienne So Sleeping Bag and Sleeping Pad Deals Confused by the options? Check out our guides to the Best Sleeping Bags and the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads. Photograph: Scott Gilbertson REI Co-op's Magma 15 is our favorite bag for shoulder-season trips when the temps might drop more than expected. It has an excellent draft collar that's very good at keeping out the chill. The outside is a 15-denier nylon ripstop (Bluesign-approved, with a non-fluorinated DWR coating to keep moisture at bay). Baffles are variably spaced and not stitched through, which helps the fill stay put and minimizes cold spots. The Magma doesn't have a lot of frills; it just gets the job done. Our favorite summertime car-camping sleeping bag, the REI Siesta Hooded 20, is plenty warm and affordable. It's also not a mummy bag, because you're not climbing Denali; why cramp yourself if you don't have to? The Siesta's rectangular cut makes for a much roomier, more comfortable bag. The Siesta's 20-degree rating makes it enough for three-season trips, and unlike most rectangular bags, the Siesta has a hood, which helps on those cold nights. It's no longer our top pick for side sleepers, but the Questar remains a good option for those who want more room. It uses what Therm-a-Rest calls W.A.R.M. fit, which stands for 'with additional room for multiple' positions. Indeed, this bag is very roomy for a mummy design. I was able to draw my legs up when side-sleeping and spread out considerably more than with most of the other sleeping bags I've tested. Photograph: Scott Gilbertson This is our favorite ultralight sleeping bag. There are lighter quilts out there, but when you need the warmth of a mummy bag on those colder nights, this is the best sleeping bag I've tested. It also has the smallest pack size of any bag I've tested in this temperature range. With the included compression sack, this thing is truly tiny. It's got most of the benefits of a quilt and none of the negatives. The down fill is PFC-free, 850+ hydrophobic down. The zippers are on the small side, but they slide well and rarely if ever snag on the bag. I've slept in this bag down to 20 degrees and never been the least bit cold. Nemo's Forte 20 is a 20-degree synthetic-fill sleeping bag, but the comfort rating is 30 degrees. In my testing, this feels more like where you'd want to stay temperature-wise with this bag. The outer shell uses a 30-denier recycled polyester ripstop with an inside liner made from 20-denier recycled polyester taffeta. It does a good job of holding back the moisture that often forms inside a tent, which I discovered after one very soggy night of testing. The fill is what Nemo calls Zerofiber insulation, which is made from 100 percent postconsumer recycled content fibers. The Zerofiber packs down remarkably small—this is the most compact synthetic-fill bag I've tested in this temp range—and it retains its ability to trap warmth even when wet. Photograph: Scott Gilbertson Our favorite backpacking sleeping bag, the Bishop Pass 30 offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio while also managing to pack down small and not be too expensive. It isn't perfect, but it strikes the best compromise for most backpackers. I have slept in this bag for more than two weeks, with nighttime temps ranging from 28 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and, yes, it was too much in the heat, but on those warmer nights, I unzipped it and covered myself like a warm blanket. It's a versatile bag. Note that for the men's bag, only the long version is on sale. Both the long and regular size women's 30 bags are on sale. I haven't had a chance to write about it yet, but I tested the Bishop Pass 0 over the winter and was pleasantly surprised at how warm it was. I took it out on several nights where temps dipped into the single digits (below the comfort rating of 13 Fahrenheit) and stayed warm. I did wear some merino base layers and a wool hat, but sleeping bag comfort ratings assume this. If you need a colder-weather bag, without dipping into extreme temps (and extremely pricey sleeping bags), this is a good option. The Zenbivy Bed 25 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is hands-down the most comfortable backcountry sleeping experience I've ever had. It wouldn't be my top pick for extreme situations, but so long as your expected temperatures fit in Zenbivy's range (the comfort rating is 35 degrees Fahrenheit), it doesn't get more comfortable than this. The Zenbivy isn't just a sleeping bag. It's a sheet, hood, and quilt-style bag that can be combined in various ways. Zenbivy's Light Bed is a brand-new option that takes the basic clip design of other Zenbivy beds and lightens up the load. I've been testing this bag for several months, and it is everything I loved about the original above, but lighter weight. I'll have a full review very soon, but if you've been tempted by the Zenbivy, but wanted to keep your base gear weight down, this is the option you've been look for. The price I've put here includes both the bed/sheet portion and the quilt. Note that Zenbivy is having a 25 percent off sale on almost everything on its site right now. Nemo Tensor All-Season Sleeping Pad Courtesy of Nemo Nemo's new 2024 Tensor-insulated sleeping pads (8/10, WIRED Recommends) have the best R-value-to-weight ratio of anything I've tested, and the All-Season is our top pick for backpacking trips. It has an R-value of 5.4 and weighs 18.2 ounces. That alone is impressive, but what I love about the Tensor is that it's thick, comfortable, and most importantly, nearly silent. The slightly lighter Trail model is also on sale, as is the Extreme Conditions pad, which is the lightest, warmest sleeping pad on the market. The darling of ultralight hikers everywhere, the XLite NXT is our pick for backpackers looking to shed pack weight but preserve some margin of comfort. The XLite delivers a comfortable night's sleep while remaining well under 1 pound for the regular size. At 3 inches thick, it's plenty of protection from the ground, and the R-Value of 4.5 means it'll be plenty warm in most three-season conditions. Sea to Summit's Ether Light XT is only marginally heavier than the Therm-a-Rest above. The extra 4 ounces for the Sea to Summit pad gets you quite a bit more cushion too—this is a 4-inch thick pad, compared to the 3 inches of the Therm-a-rest X-Lite, which makes this a better ultralight option for side sleepers. I also like the baffle design better, and it seems to be a little more durable, making this an excellent alternative ultralight pad. Note that this one is an REI Outlet deal; the XT has been replaced by a newer model. Tent Deals Check out our Best Tents guide for more WIRED-tested recommendations. REI Half Dome SL 2+ Courtesy of REI REI Co-op brand gear represents some of the best deals in the hiking/backpacking market, and this tent is a perfect example. Our pick for Best Two-Person Backpacking Tent, REI's Half Dome is rugged and lightweight (4 pounds), and offers generous living space for two with gear at a reasonably price. The tent body is made of 40-denier ripstop nylon for durability at the base and on the floor, with 20-denier nylon mesh for the body. The Half Dome comes with a footprint, which is a rarity these days, and nice to have. The tent poles are aluminum and interchangeable, which makes them easy to set up and take down. Sea to Summit's ultralight Alto (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is designed to keep weight down on your solo adventures. At just 33 ounces for a semi-freestanding tent, it remains one of the lighter options on the market, and at this price it's hard to pass up. The mesh netting helps keep weight down, though for something warmer, the Plus version, which has less mesh, is also on sale for $275 ($275 off), an equally outstanding deal. Sea to Summit's '3-plus season' tents are capable enough in almost any weather while staying crazy light—just 3 pounds and 12 ounces for this three-person model. I used it on a five-day trip to Loon Lake in northern California in early October, a true 'shoulder season' trip with daytime highs in the 80s, nighttime lows in the 40s, and overnight winds of up to 60 mph. My favorite design detail is that the pole bag is kept rigid by an insert of opaque white plastic. Clip it to the tent's ceiling, pop in your headlamp, and illuminate your abode. — Michael Calore The Big Agnes Copper Spur series is the king of freestanding ultralight tents. I've used the two-person and three-person models (on sale for $450) over the years, and Big Agnes has continually refined the design to the point that these are pretty near perfect. This is a high-quality, well-designed tent. It's lightweight, easy to set up, and stable even in strong winds. The steep sidewalls give you more livable space than most tents, and the 'awning' design (with trekking poles or sticks) is great. The only complaint I have is the price, but on sale it's a little easier to handle. Bikepacking (backpacking on a bike) is awesome, and brands are catching on. Big Agnes was an early adopter among the mainstream brands, designing tents with shorter pole lengths to fit between drop handlebars or in panniers. The Copper Spur UL3 Bikepacking tent is our favorite of the bunch we've tested. It weighs just 3 pounds, 11 ounces (1.6 kilos), and has enough space for two (a squeeze for three). It's also available in lighter, smaller, one- and two-person options, all with twin vestibules and doors, hidden helmet storage, and external webbing for hanging out wet clothes. Nemo's Dagger Osmo (8/10, WIRED Recommends) line of tents are reasonably light with roomy interiors. The three-person version (also on sale) has long been my tent of choice for trips with my kids. Setup is simple thanks to the single main pole design (which forks at each end) with a cross pole in the middle. There are two spacious vestibules for storing gear, and if you leave the rain fly off, the mesh room is excellent for stargazing. Photograph: Scott Gilbertson The Nemo Mayfly (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a three-season backpacking tent with a trail weight of 3 pounds, 8 ounces for the two-person version I tested. Split between two people, each is carrying under 2 pounds. The Mayfly saves on weight by using a semi-freestanding design, which means you have to partly stake it out. It's on the small side as well, at 27.9 square feet of living space, with two 7-square-foot vestibule areas. I find it plenty livable for two, and the cross pole gives you a wider roof area than most tents this size. I love the white mesh (instead of black) and the super simple clips that keep the rain fly secured. This is my favorite single-wall ultralight solo tent. I have a full review coming later this month, but after spending quite a while with this tent I'm something of a convert, at least for summer camping. The Lunar Solo makes it easy to combat the main problem with single-wall tents: condensation. Thanks to plenty of mesh, and a top vent in the vestibule (like my all-time favorite backcountry shelter, the Hilleberg Akto (10/10, WIRED Recommends), I haven't had much issue with condensation in the Lunar Solo. It's not without its quirks (read the pitching tips), but if you want something more than a tarp, that still weighs just 26 ounces (740 grams), this one is hard to beat. Hiking and Biking Deals REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket Courtesy of REI Every year, I repurchase one of these rain jackets for each of my children. It's hard to find rain jackets that are better value than REI's. The kid's version is a 2.5-layer shell with a non-fluorinated (read: PFAS-free) durable water-repellent (DWR) coating, taped seams, and an adjustable hood. These will last all year (at least, as long as your kid doesn't lose theirs). — Adrienne So I bought my father, father-in-law, brother-in-law, and husband each one of these shirts last year. Roark Clothing is a small company that makes some of my favorite active apparel, and the Bless Up shirt is the perfect summer shirt. It's perforated and made from synthetic fibers, so it's perfect for super-humid beach days when the temperatures are above 90 degrees. —Adrienne So Fjällräven's hiking pants—er, sorry, trousers—are legendary, and having now spent most of spring in a pair of these Abisko Trail trousers, I understand why. They're light but surprisingly warm and especially good at blocking the wind. The G-1000 Lite Stretch recycled fabric gives you a nice, stretchy freedom of movement, and having had Lyme disease already, the ability to cinch down the leg cuffs and keep things out is invaluable. (I've also put a good bit of repellant on the fabric with no staining or other damage.) I also like that the G-1000 can be waxed to refurbish the waterproofness (though I haven't had to do this yet). I still prefer Darn Tough's lightweight hiking socks, but these Smartwool socks are a close second and well worth buying at this price. Can you ever have too many wool hiking socks? I'd say no. These are 56 percent merino wool, so there's a good bit of stretchiness, yet they stay pretty odor-free even after a couple of days on the trail. Grab two pair and rotate them to keep your feet dry and happy. I haven't had a chance to add them to my Best Merino Wool Clothing Guide, but these are the best merino ankle running socks I've tried. They're not the highest merino content (54 percent, the remainder is nylon and elastane), but they're thin, light, and work well with barefoot shoes (and other shoes). They also resist odor surprisingly well for only about half merino. — Adrienne So This is wildly affordable compared to the other sun hoodies we tested for our Best Sun Protection Clothing guide. WIRED reviewer Jaina Grey found it super soft and breathable, with thumb holes to protect the back of your hands. It's UPF 50, and it may be a lot easier to get your kids or sensitive family members to wear clothing instead of smearing sticky sunscreen all over their bodies. — Adrienne So Photograph: Michael Venutolo-Mantovani This is our second best helmet in our guide to the Best Bike Helmets. It's chock-full of extra features, like a magnetic rear light that snaps off for easy recharging and a pullout tab so that you can easily lock it up on the rack. It comes in a wide array of fun designs and colors. —Adrienne So The Giro MIPS helmet has rechargeable lights on both the front and back of the helmet. It has an unassuming commuter-friendly design, and of course it has MIPS to protect against rotational impact. —Adrienne So The CTY e2.1 (7/10, WIRED Review) is our favorite commuter ebike. It's a class 1 ebike with a 250-watt Suntour HESC motor, a 418-Wh battery, and a whole host of commuter extras, like front suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, big 2-inch-wide tires, gel grips, lights, and a hefty kickstand. It weighs a 54 pounds and has a little less torque than some of our other favorite ebikes, so it might not have quite enough oomph to get you up some of the bigger hills, but for the price it's a lot of ebike and will serve most people well. Water Filter and Stove Deals Photograph: Scott Gilbertson The simplest, most convenient method of filtering water, the Katadyn BeFree Water is one of the lightest filters on the market (2.3 ounces, or 65 grams, for the filter and bottle). It's a great option for when you want to go as light as possible, such as trail running or day hikes. The design of the BeFree is part of its appeal. The filter is inside the collapsible container. Scoop up some water into the container, screw on the lid, and drink. The collapsible soft bottle rolls down to a tiny package, making it easy to stash in your pack or trail running vest. The MSR Guardian is fantastically expensive, but it's our pick for trips with sketchy water sources. It's also heavy and requires pumping, but the Guardian filters down to 0.02 micron, which will remove even viruses. It's also designed to be self-cleaning, which makes field maintenance incredibly easy. It's rated to pump 10,000 liters, and because it screws right onto a Nalgene bottle, it's pretty easy to crank out a couple of liters in hardly any time at all. This MSR Gravity filter changed backpacking for me. Pumping water for a family of five, day after day on the trail, sucks all the fun out of backpacking. This filter eliminated the pumping and returned my sanity, which is why it's our favorite backpacking water filter for large groups. All you have to do with this filter is scoop up 10 liters of water in the dirty water bag, attach the hose, connect your water bottle, and sit back and relax. The filter is good enough to keep you safe from all the usual protozoa and bacteria, and the flow rate is a solid 1.5 liters per minute when the filter is clean. We're in the final stage of testing for a backpacking stove guide that will be up very soon, and the MSR PocketRocket 2 will be our top pick for propane canister stoves. It's simple to use and boils water quickly (about 3.5 minutes for 1 liter at sea level). It's also more durable and therefore more reliable than the other ultralight stoves I've tested. And it weighs just 2.6 ounces. The WhisperLite Universal is a legend for good reason. It'll burn just about anything (isobutane-propane, white gas, gasoline, kerosene), making it a great choice for traveling internationally or wherever you don't know what kind of fuel will be available. Flame control is a little tricky, but we have managed to get it to simmer, as long as the wind isn't too bad. Just be forewarned that it sounds like a jet engine. Amazon REI ($56) Backcountry ($56) I'm not sure this really qualifies for the 'ultralight' moniker, and these pots are unfortunately marred by having a ton of fake influencer reviews out there, but they're actually quite good. And if you're cooking for a group, this 3-liter pot is about as light as it gets. This is my go-to pot for family backpacking trips. The hard-anodized aluminum is sturdy and provides good heat transfer. The ceramic nonstick coating makes for easy cleanup (especially paired with the GSI scraper below). You can also nest the 2L version ($49) inside this one for more cooking options on the trail. If you want to go nuts with it, I haven't tried it, but you can theoretically also nest the 1.3L version ($49) inside the 2L. Sea to Summit REI ($52) Backcountry ($52) Sea to Summit's Frontier pan is my all-time favorite backcountry cooking vessel. It's not ultralight to bring an 8-inch frying pan backpacking, but when you're ready to move beyond boil-in-a-bag food and whatever those disgusting gel tubes are, the Frontier pan is the way to do it. When you want to build a cream sauce from dried milk (it can be done!) or need to sauté those brook trout, a good pan that distributes heat reasonably evenly is indispensable. The Frontier manages to do that, and it has a nice curved edge, making it easy to work with and easy to clean up. The Frontier pan checks all the boxes thanks to its great design and ceramic coating, and it somehow manages to weigh just 13 ounces. No, it's not an earth-shattering deal, but this is possibly the best piece of backpacking gear I own. GSI's pot scraper is the unsung hero of backcountry cooking, turning cleanup from a tedious chore to a couple of seconds' work. Now, if you seriously burn something, this thing will not save you (boil water in the pan to loosen the burnt bits), but for every other situation, scraping down your pot with this tool will get you 99 percent of the way to a clean pot. I consider this one indispensable; you might as well grab one while it's a couple bucks cheaper. Camping Deals This chair is the coziest way to hang out around camp. It is somewhat huge, heavy, and awkward to fold up and carry, but so long as you have room for it in your vehicle there's no better way to relax around the fire with your loved ones. Do you crave a chair when you're backpacking? If so, this is one to get. It's just about the lightest on the market at 18 ounces, packs down very small, and solves the number one problem with all pole chairs: the included base pad keeps it from sinking in soft ground. Nalgene water bottles for half off, what's not to love? I've always preferred the timeless classic to the latest style, which might be part of why I've never used another water bottle (well, not counting reusing Smartwater bottles when backpacking). Nalgenes are lighter than stainless steel and, frankly, the only sane option for hiking. Grab two of the big 48 ounce bottles, stick them in the sides of your Mystery Ranch Coulee 30, and your family will never be thirsty again. This is the built-in straw version of the most durable water bottle we've tested. So long as you're not hiking with it (it's heavy) this is a great water bottle, and it comes in a variety of fun colors. My favorite of Coleman's current lineup, the Cascade 3-in-1 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) features heavy-duty cast iron grates, comes with a cast-iron griddle and grill, and can fit a 12-inch pan and a 10-inch pan side by side. It's all-around sturdier and more robust than other Coleman stoves, well worth the extra money if you're serious about camp cooking. That said, the much cheaper stove below will get you by if you're only using it a few nights a year. This is our favorite camp stove for most people. Technically this version is a little fancier than our top pick, with electronic ignition and a nice pale green paint job. Is it worth an extra $30? That's up to you. If it's not, snag the less fancy version for $59 at Walmart. Our favorite way to avoid the green propane bottles is this gas growler. This model gets you a 1.2-pound propane tank with a nice padded/insulated sleeve and a handy strap for carrying, and it makes your camp setup look much nicer than a bare tank. It also saves your shins during those inevitable run-ins with cold hard steel that come from lugging around a big propane tank. This size is the equivalent of five green propane bottles. I have yet to do a trip with a satellite communicator, but I do understand why people use them. If I were to bring one along, this is the one I'd get. It's tiny, light (3.5 ounces), and easily stashable. It utilizes the super-fast Iridium satellite network, so you can send a rapid SOS from pretty much anywhere. There are extra features like waypoints and interval tracking, and it plays nice with compatible Garmin watches. This is my own personal REI purchase for this year, which is a life jacket for my 1-year-old puppy. We do a lot of boating during the summer, and while my spouse insists that dogs can swim, I am not quite sure I trust her. At the very least, it gives my dog a few handles for me to grab if she gets swept away. —Adrienne So The Petzl Tikka is our favorite headlamp. I've had the same one since 2012, and it's still going strong, which beats every other headlamp or flashlight I've tried in that time. The Tikka is not the brightest light. The models linked here top out at 350 lumens, but it's plenty of light to cook by in the backcountry or trace the source of that transmission fluid dripping off the oil pan. This Tikka runs on three AAA batteries (we recommend Panasonic Eneloop rechargeable batteries) and lasts over 5.5 hours. Photograph: Scott Gilbertson Whenever I can, I like to cook over open flame using my firebox stove, which often means cutting wood. The best portable saw I've found is this Silky folding saw. It's light enough to bring bikepacking (5.3 ounces), and it folds down to about 9 inches long, which slips in a pannier no problem. This thing is razor sharp though, be careful when using it in the backcountry. I like these dry bags for organizing things in my pack. They're not dry bags in the since that you can submerge them and your gear will be fine, but the 30D silnylon with PCF-free DWR sheds a little rain no problem and makes finding your stuff so long as you use different colors for each thing. I put all my cooking gear in a red bag (red for fire), all my water filtering stuff in a blue bag for, wait for it, water, and so on. I find the 3 and 5 liter bags the most useful, but you can get all the way up to 35L. NRS straps are a must-have for anyone strapping … well, anything to anything. Whether you're a river guide cinching gear to your boat or, like me just want to make sure the paddleboards stay on the Jeep roof, these are the best straps I've ever used. I have NRS straps that are over 30 years old and still going strong. I find the 1-inch straps the most useful. You can grab a two-pack of 6-footers for $13 or a two-pack of 12-footers for $14. The 12-foot-long Oru Kayak folds into a small, flat package for storage and transport. Photo: Nicolas Zurcher Oru's foldable kayaks are genius—all the boat, none of the size. The lake is light, reasonably fast, and the cheapest way to get into the world of folding kayaks. As with all Oru's offerings, the Lake folds origami-style into a roughly 30-inch square that's just 15 inches deep—small enough to fit in a car trunk or hall closet.
