July 4, 2016 will mark the 240th anniversary of the United States’ adoption of the Declaration of Independence. And, it just so happens to fall on a Monday, meaning you’ve got a full three-day weekend to celebrate. Grab your mountain bike and shred your local singletrack; hike the biggest peak in the surrounding area; if you’re by the ocean, channel your inner Kelly Slater on your surfboard; if there’s still white strips of snow in the nearby mountain ranges, go for a ski; pitch a tent and sleep beneath the stars; or simply post up on your porch with a cold one(s).
Whatever your chosen activity is this coming holiday weekend, you’ll need some gear to ensure everything goes as planned. We’ve rounded up a few items that are sure to take your Fourth of July weekend from good, to f#cking fantastic.
The Goods…
Latch Square PRIZM Daily Polarized sunglasses
Oakley | $190
Shades are a must on July Fourth. You need to look cool and protect your eyes from the summer sun. The Latch Square from Oakley boasts a stylish rectangular lens and frame as well as integrated clip on the interior arms that allows you to securely stow them on your shirt. Its PRIZM lens is engineered for an ultra-boost in contrast, allowing you to see everything more clearly. The tech is no joke, folks, we’re blown away by the clarity of the PRIZM lens.
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EnduroX – Jet / Transitions sunglasses
Dragon Alliance | $220
We’re assuming that many of you will spend your holiday shredding your local mountain bike trails. These shades feature a Transitions Lens that adapts to changing light conditions, ensuring you’ll see every nook and cranny on the trail. They’re also impact resistant, so they’ll hold up to any stray rock that flies skyward from below. An adjustable nose-bridge and temples provide a bit of customization, too.
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KASH sunglasses
Revo | $189
These unisex sunnies are at home on the trail, beach or backyard—ideal for the Fourth of July. A keyhole bridge and elastomeric nose pads maintain comfort while a triple-injected, tri-colored frame provides a pop of color that’s sure to have heads turning around the evening barbecue pit. Its polycarbonate lenses are durable and Revo’s Light Management System provides 99-percent polarization and 100-percent UV protection.
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Superlight NuYarn Merino Pocket T
Trew | $59
The Superlight NuYarn Merino Pocket T utilizes Trew’s NuYarn Merino knit in its construction. Trew employs a unique construction of Merino wool which results in a fabric that’s stretchier, faster-drying and stronger than traditional ring-spun yarn. We’ve tested the Superlight NuYarn Merino Pocket T on some of Colorado’s world-class mountain biking trails and have been incredibly pleased with its performance. It wicks moisture, allows for freedom of movement, is soft to the touch and looks damn fine, too. Keep this technical T-shirt in mind for any outdoor adventures over the Fourth of July weekend.
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Zone Tech Tee
Armada | $40
The Zone Tech Tee is the short-sleeved choice of Armada athletes for spring shredding and off-season training. It’s built with Polartec Power Dry fabric, ensuring it provides top-notch moisture wicking, dries fast, breathes well and is so light that you’ll barely notice you’re wearing it. We’ve been rockin’ Tanner Hall’s Lion graphic, available in fall 2016, during our outdoor excursions this season, but you can still get your hands on plenty of other awesome colorways, now.
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Short-Sleeve Crag Tee
The North Face | $30
Whether you’re spending your Fourth of July ripping singletrack, scaling your local crag, hiking to badass peaks or just throwing a frisbee around under the hot July sun, the Crag Tee from The North Face (TNF) will keep you dry and comfortable. It’s built with TNF’s FlashDry fabric, which is engineered to move moisture to the surface of the fabric and get rid of it quickly. It’s also constructed with flatlocked seam stitching, which yields flexibility and strength. We’ve used this garment in a variety of ways, from mountain biking to lounging on a boat on Carter Lake, Colorado, and it’s yet to let us down.
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San Gabriel Shirt
Howler Brothers | $69
We know you’ll be getting after it in the great outdoors this Fourth of July, but you still need a shirt to rock when it’s time to lounge on the patio (or beach, rooftop deck, front porch, etc.) and enjoy your favorite beverage. The San Gabriel Shirt offers a simple, clean look in the form of a cotton and polyester blend. Its coolest feature, however, is a built-in micro-fiber lined hem you can use to safely clean your sunglasses.
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Scout Jacket
Strafe | $225
The Fourth of July usually means celebrating in the great outdoors, but Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate. Be prepared for foul weather with the new Scout Jacket from Strafe. The 2.5-layer eVent face fabric is lightweight and stretchy to promote ease of mobility, boasts a 20K waterproofing rating to keep you dry and a 15K breathability rating, ensuring you won’t overheat out there. The Scout is new for 2016 and will be available for purchase in the coming days, just in time for the weekend.
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Templeton Riding Hoody
Flylow | $130
Fourth of July celebrations don’t end when the sun goes down and the temperatures drop. Flylow’s Templeton Riding Hoody is highly breathable to keep you from overheating if it’s borderline sweatshirt-weather, but boasts a warm and cozy fleece interior for late nights outside. It looks damn fine, to boot.
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Leon – Smokey Blue Flannel
Pladra | $129
This flannel from San Francisco-based Pladra is ideal for those of you planning on spending your holiday weekend in a tent somewhere in the woods or in colder climates. It’s made from heavyweight cotton flannel, great for lounging around the campfire during cooler hours of the day, and has ultra-durable faux suede elbow patches. Don’t be afraid to get down and dirty in this shirt. For added style, custom embroidered elk artwork on the cuffs and collar help you channel your spirit animal, which, may just be an elk.
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Damian Stretch Boardshorts
Howler Brothers | $69
Wherever you find yourself on Independence Day, we’re guessing you’re likely to be near some body of water—ocean, lake, hot tub, pool, bathtub—and you’re going to need a solid pair of boardshorts. The Damian from Howler Brothers is stylish, thanks to the use of dual colors and a subtle palm tree print at the waistband. It’s constructed of a polyester and spandex blend, ensuring optimal stretch and a quick-drying character during any and all aquatic activities.
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Hot Tubbers Shorts
Armada | $50
The Hot Tubbers are made for partying and have been a staple in Armada’s softgoods lineup for the past few years. They feature what the brand totes as “beverage compatible mesh pockets,” i.e. storage for your brewskis, as well as a tethered bottle opener. What more do you need? The colorway included here won’t be available until the fall of 2016, but plenty of additional badass designs are available now.
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Men’s CFS Board Short
Stio | $89
The CFS Board Short is built for the water, yes, but it’s also constructed to get you to and from said water comfortably. It features a durable polyester and spandex blend that’s both scuff-resistant and stretchy, while a DWR finish helps shed water and lead to a faster drying time. It’s available in a 19 and 16-inch out-seam length.
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Hopper 20
Yeti | $300
You’re going to need a receptacle to house your beverages this holiday weekend. Enter: The Yeti Hopper 20. Built from materials you’d find in items like hazmat suits and whitewater rafts, the soft-sided cooler is the polar opposite of flimsy. It’s ultra-puncture-resistant, leakproof and has an anti-microbial liner that’ll prevent the cooler from stinkin’ up the joint. And an inch of close-cell foam insulation on the side and 1.5 inches on the bottom will keep your precious bevvies crisp and cold for days—literally.
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Rambler Colster
Yeti | $30
There’s nothing quite like a cold beverage on a hot summer day, and the Rambler Colster can help keep that drink cold for as long as your heart desires. The unique koozie can fit any 12-ounce can or bottle and is built with double-wall vacuum insulation and a locking gasket to lock in the cold and up morale. Drink up, folks.
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Spot Headlamp
Black Diamond | $40
Whether you’re embarking on a dawn patrol hike or stumbling from the campfire to your tent this Fourth of July, you’ll need a device to light the way. It can operate at up to 200 lumens—that’s freakin’ bright—and allows for on-the-fly adjustment of brightness, too. It’s also waterproof-tested and able to operate at up to 1.1 meters below the water for 30 minutes. Don’t hesitate to get sendy, people.
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Static V2 sleeping pad
Klymit | $65
It doesn’t matter if you’re shacking up deep in the wilderness or crashing on your friend’s beer-soaked floor this holiday weekend, the Static V2 sleeping pad will make your night of sleep much more enjoyable. It features a jumbo sleeping area complete with side rails that add cushioning. Its “Deep Weld” construction produces expansion zones, allowing the bag to fully loft and maximize thermal output to keep warm. It packs down to the size of a soda can in its carrying bag and weighs in at a measly pound.
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Active Face Stick SPF 30
Beyond Coastal | $7
Sun protection is key on the Fourth—you don’t want to wake up on July 5 with your face redder than Santa’s hat. Beyond protecting you from burns, the Active Face Stick moisturizes your skin, goes on clear and is resistant to moisture. Don’t feel you need to leave the water just to reapply sunscreen. Bonus points: Beyond Coastal received top honors from the Environmental Working Group’s annual sunscreen guide, meaning it’s one of the “lowest-hazard,” healthiest sunscreen options on the market.
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Essential Face Wipes
Ursa Major | $24
You’re bound to get dirty over the Fourth of July weekend. Thankfully, Vermont-based Ursa Major has this pack of 20 individually-wrapped bamboo face wipes to clean you up. The brand’s “4-in-1 Face Tonic” works to remove oil and grime, exfoliate, heal and hydrate. The only thing it’ll leave behind, besides a clean face, is the pleasant aroma of orange, fir and lavender.
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Composer Pro with Sweet 50 Optic
LensBaby | $300
If you’re planning on being the photographer of your group this holiday, take a gander at the Composer Pro from LensBaby. The tilt-shift, 50-mm focal point lens allows you to pinpoint the focus of your image, letting you put the spotlight on exactly what, or who you want to, and leaving the rest of the image to the imagination. It is compatible with a variety of DSLR cameras, too. For image examples, click the Shop Now button, below.
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