outdoor gear Archives

Wetsuits for Lake Swimming

Posted on September 13, 2022January 26, 2023 Camille Smith

When going swimming at the lake, swimsuits are typically the most popular attire. You may associate wetsuits with ocean water, however, did you know that wetsuits can be used in any body of water? According to the National Geographic Society, the primary purpose of wetsuits is to retain body heat for the swimmers. Essentially, they act as a second skin to insulate your actual skin. As such, they’re perfect for swimming in water temperatures below 65 degrees. With a proper wetsuit, summer doesn’t have to be the only time you enjoy immersing yourself in lake water. Today, we’re reviewing top wetsuits for men and women! Let’s dive in (pun intended).

What to Look For

There are a few key personal factors to think about before buying a wetsuit. First off, there’s the cut and thickness. While looking at options, you’ll likely be deciding among full cut, sleeveless, or short cut. The thickness of the material may range from 1 and 5 millimeters. These decisions largely depend on your lake’s climate. For instance, those living on Lake Michigan or another northern region may opt for a full cut (long-sleeved) wetsuit with higher thickness for maximum warmth, while folks on Lake Austin or a similarly warm climate may choose a sleeveless or short cut with thinner material. These factors will also help determine the wetsuit’s buoyancy.

Another consideration is mobility. If your goal is to explore the lake waters at length, you’ll want to find a stretchy neoprene material and pick a cut that allows your shoulders to move freely. Typically wetsuits designed for open water swimming are made of stretchy, flexible material (especially compared to traditional wetsuits designed for surfing). However, an important distinction is flexibility and snugness. While you want some degree of movement, you don’t want a loose fit! Otherwise, bagginess could cause cold water to rush into the wetsuit (an occurrence called flushing). Keeping these considerations in mind, let’s take a look at some specific recommendations.

Zone3 Aspire

The Zone3 Aspire is a highly rated wetsuit for open-water swimming. In fact, it’s been rated 10/10 by both 220 Magazine and Triathlete Europe. Great for both professionals and beginners, this suit is known for its flexibility, buoyancy, and laser-cut collar design which allows for neck comfort. The thickness of 1.5mm allows for a comfortable amount of stretch, improving endurance and swimming speed.

TYR Hurricane Cat 1

On the lower end of the price spectrum, compared to other high-end wetsuits, the TYR Hurricane Cat 1 is a great choice. Very popular, it’s ideal for racing and training, as well as recreation. Rest assured you won’t have to buy a new wetsuit anytime soon with this choice. It’s coated for added durability, while also featuring an abrasion-resistant design. The 100% slick skin neoprene coating achieves the perfect balance of lightweight comfort and warm insulation.

Openwater Core Hi-Vis Wetsuit

With this Openwater Core wetsuit, you’ll stay safe while swimming in open water. The orange panels are designed for maximum visibility, so you’ll remain easily identified in the open lake water. Plus, the neoprene material, between 2 and 2.5mm, provides both comfort and flexible movement. The cloth maintains body heat for longer periods of time, allowing you to stay warm in colder water. The icing on the cake – it’s made from eco-friendly materials for the health of both you and the lake environment.

Rip Curl Dawn Patrol Wetsuit

The Rip Curl Dawn Patrol Wetsuit is a great, low-price wetsuit that’s perfect for slightly warmer water. Although its original intent is for surfing, it can also be used for lake watersports such as waterskiing. Made with E5 neoprene, its durable fabric is high-performing and made to last. Plus, it comes with an internal key pocket so you can keep small valuables safe while you’re on the water.

3/2 Synergy Back Zip Wetsuit

This well-made wetsuit from the brand Billabong is another lower-price wetsuit that offers durable and strong material, as well as thermal retention. It’s made with a silicon stretch interior lining, which enhances the wetsuit’s strength without sacrificing the lightweight feature. Plus, it’s made out of 100% recycled exterior fabric, perfect for contributing to the sustainable clothing movement.

When it’s cold outside at your lakehouse, these wetsuits will allow you to just keep swimming!

Best Binoculars for 2022

Posted on September 2, 2022December 15, 2022 Camille Smith

Whether you’re observing wildlife on the lake, identifying constellations in the night sky, or just getting a close-up view of your surroundings, it’s essential to own a solid pair of binoculars. Depending on the activity, different features will be more important. For example, those interested in astronomy will want to pick binoculars with large objective lenses which produce powerful light-gathering abilities. However, for regular everyday use, you’ll want lighter binoculars with decent magnification. No matter your purpose, we’ve got a recommendation for you! Check out our top five best binoculars for Summer 2022.

Best for Day Hikes

For all those relaxing daytime hikes near your lake house, we recommend the Pentax AD 8 x 25 WP. There is nothing too glamorous about this pair. They’re not designed for serious birding or for examining subjects with precise detail. Rather, their assets are their compactness, waterproof coating, and relative inexpensiveness. They also have a multi-layer coating to ensure maximum light transmission.

Best for Spotting Wildlife

The Swarovski Optik SLC Series is an excellent option for viewing wildlife. At a higher price point, it’s certainly a worthwhile investment. The company that manufactures these binoculars created a signature quality lens called Swarovision, which offers a wider view for better peripheral vision. Another asset of the Swarovski is the sharp color and clear vision — perfect for getting detailed, up-close pictures of the wildlife in your backyard. Built with durable materials, these binoculars are also wear-and-tear resistant, so you can enjoy the views for years to come.

Best for Turbulent Weather

If a little stormy weather doesn’t stop you from looking out at nature, you’ll want to try the Athlon Optics Midas MD. These durable binoculars can sufficiently withstand humidity, dust, and intense weather conditions. Further, its focus dial can adjust reliably across a wide range of depths, allowing for sharp, close-up views. Its advanced coated lenses allow for better light transmission as well. And of course, given its design to withstand less-than-ideal weather circumstances, these binoculars are waterproof.

Best for Stargazing

Admiring the night sky is one of the great perks of owning a lake home. Away from the city, you can find much brighter constellations. For getting an even clearer view, the Canon 10X42L IS WP is a perfect choice. Due to the gyro-stabilization feature, they achieve an anti-wobble effect. According to Space.com’s review, this feature makes you “feel like they’re being held on an invisible tripod.” The downside to these binoculars is their bulkier weight, which is true for most binoculars designed for nighttime use.

Best for Sitting in Nature

For everyday use, the Olympus 10×42 Pro is a great choice for simply observing the natural world around you. Compared to other binoculars, these are relatively compact, lightweight, and versatile. With top-notch high-performance optics, they have amazing close-up abilities. Specifically, you can look at subjects as close as 1.5m away. Further, they’re waterproofed and nitrogen filled which prevents fogging. Although the power isn’t quite as strong as more heavy-duty binoculars, they are perfect for everyday use.

From wildlife to constellations, there’s no shortage of astounding aspects of nature. With these top binoculars for summer 2022, you can get a close-up view of all of it.

Best Shoes for Waterfront Living (Summer Edition)

Posted on August 7, 2021August 11, 2021 Camille Smith

Photo courtesy of Family Vacation Critic

Summer is in full swing, and the weather on the lake is perfect for showing off that new pedicure. To follow up on last year’s post on the best waterfront shoes for Winter and Spring, we’re showing off the best shoes for summer when you live on the lake. So, whether you’re planning on braving the summer heat or simply enjoying the lake views from your home, there’s a perfect piece of footwear for you.

For Hiking

For this popular year-round activity, closed-toed shoes are a must. But during summertime, how do you avoid getting overheated in heavy footwear? Introducing the Merell Moab 2 Vent Mid Hiking Boot. Designed for both men and women, these boots are highly rated on Amazon. While they are not water-resistant, they are specifically designed for summer weather with foot ventilation to allow air to escape. Ultra-comfortable, you also won’t worry about getting blisters while you’re on the trail!

For the Water

Summertime always means it’s warm enough to go swimming in the lake. But what if you just want to wade in the lake water without injuring your feet on rocks? Check out these fun, simple, and brightly colored aqua shoes! The wave runner quick-drying shoes are lightweight, no-slip footwear perfect for immersing yourself in the lake. Plus, they come in lots of vibrant shades like bright red and neon yellow.

For Home

If there’s a season that’s prime time for relaxation, it’s summer. So, why not make every day at your lake house feel like a spa day? Once you experience these spa slippers, you’ll want to live in them all summer long. Made of soft, plush material with memory foam and arch support, these shoes are designed with maximum comfort in mind. The open-toed form allows your feet to breathe in warmer weather, so it’s time to toss those closed-toed wintertime house slippers to the side. This fuzzy and stylish footwear also comes in 16 different colors, so honestly, you could get one for every day of the week!

For Fashion

Remember those jelly sandals that you used to wear as a kid? Well, they’re back in style now and just in time for summer. From pop singer Katy Perry’s brand, these cute jelly sandals come in a variety of bright colors, and each strap features a cute symbol of summer. So whether it’s watermelon red or lemon yellow, you’ll be showcasing your summertime enthusiasm at the lake. Even better — these 90’s-inspired sandals are also scented, so say goodbye to stinky feet. These shoes prove that colorful footwear with fruity designs is not just for toddlers.

We hope these brands of fine footwear get you in the spirit of summer! Now get out there and enjoy the lake.

Reviews of Water Bottles for Summer 2021

Posted on June 23, 2021August 11, 2021 Camille Smith

Photo courtesy of *@gstrib5 via Twenty20*

During the summertime at the lake, you’re likely spending tons of time outdoors. Whether you’re going boating or hitting the trails, it’s necessary to stay hydrated in the summer heat. However, for those of us living the lake lifestyle, we need hearty water bottles. Not any plastic contraption will do. To help you choose the best water bottle this summer, we’ve compiled reviews of some top choices. Check out these summer water bottles to try this year.

Hydro Flask Water Bottle

The hydro flask water bottle is often lauded as one of the most popular water bottles in recent years. It’s easy to understand why. The 18/8 stainless steel material provides double-wall vacuum insulation, which keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot beverages hot for up to 12 hours. They’re also dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean this water bottle along with the rest of your dishes. By buying a hydro flask water bottle, you’re also doing the earth a favor! This brand supports several non-profit organizations that help maintain public parks.

LARQ Self-Cleaning Water Bottle

One of the most annoying things about most water bottles is that they’re a hotbed for bacteria growth. Although these bacteria are not typically harmful to humans, they’re undoubtedly obnoxious. With the LARQ self-cleaning water bottle, you don’t have to worry! Using an LED light that switches on inside the cap, this water bottle purifies up to 99.9% of the bacteria inside. However, please note that this water bottle doesn’t clean microplastics, chlorine, or metals, so be sure to use clean water.

Swell Water Bottle

Made of high-grade 18/8 stainless steel with a fun silhouette, the Swell water bottles are as effective as they are sleek. Like the hydro flask, the Swell’s triple-layer vacuum insulated frame will keep cold drinks cool for up to 24 hours and hot beverages hot for 12. With the Swell, you also get the added aesthetic benefit. This brand is known for its stylish designs ranging from watercolor to granite to faux wood. When cleaning this product, remember that it’s hand wash only!

Yeti Rambler Water Bottle

Also made of 18/8 stainless steel, the Yeti Rambler is a practical choice for any outdoor activity such as hiking, backpacking, or boating. The handle and screw lid makes it easy to transport to any of your lakeside adventures. The straightforward design is perfect for anyone who wants a durable, no-nonsense water bottle. The only downside of the Yeti is that it’s a bit heavier than these other options. However, if a few extra grams of weight doesn’t scare you away, the Yeti might be your water bottle of choice!

Platypus Foldable Water Bottle

Photo courtesy of Jane Jackson via Outdoor Gear Lab

If a traditional water bottle is not your cup of tea, the Platypus might be perfect for you. This foldable water bottle allows you to easily store it in a backpack or purse once you’re done drinking from it. You can also clip it to a carabiner. Plus, it’s inexpensive, so you can buy several for yourself and your family for quick outings. Although it doesn’t retain heat or cold like the other products on this list, its collapsible feature makes it more portable and flexible than other choices on the market. Although it’s made of plastic, the mechanics behind this product keep your water tasting fresh.

No matter which reusable water bottle you choose, we hope you enjoy your active summer at the lake!