Gear Guide to Rock Your Summer Concerts

Our picks will get you through a marathon set

by Christina Ianzito, Photos: Jeff Elkins, AARP Bulletin, May 23, 2017 | Comments: 0

Love outdoor concerts but find them a bit tougher to sit or stand through these days? Grab this handy gear for a more harmonious time.

Repel 100 Insect Repellent, Repel Lemon Eucalyptus and Sawyer 'Fisherman's Formula' Picardian Insect Repellent

Bug repellent

Check out Repel 100 Insect Repellent (4 ounces) or a plant-based, deet-free version, Repel Lemon Eucalyptus; $5 at Walmart and Amazon. Sawyer "Fisherman's Formula" Picaridin Insect Repellent (4 ounces) is deet-free, effective and not smelly; $4 and up at various retailers.

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Columbia's Watertight II and REI's Co-op Rain Jacket

Packable rain jacket

Both of these jackets are hooded, breathable and ultralight: Columbia's Watertight II; $60 at columbia.com; and REI's Co-op Rain Jacket; $70 at rei.com.

Big Agnes' Helinox Chair One and Alite's Mayfly Chair

Superlight folding chair and carrying case

Consider Big Agnes' Helinox Chair One (1.9 pounds); $120 at bigagnes.com; or Alite's Mayfly Chair (1.6 pounds); $100 at shop.alitedesigns.com.

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Compact cooler

The Igloo MaxCold holds 36 cans, plus has a handle and wheels; $70 at igloocoolers.com. Coleman's 9-Can Cooler has a useful shoulder strap; $15 at various retailers.

The Seattle Sombrero and Columbia's Coolhead Zero Booney

Sun hat

The Seattle Sombrero protects from rain, too, and you can turn up the brim, cowboy style; $60 at outdoorresearch.com. Columbia's Coolhead Zero Booney offers UPF 50 sun protection and fabric that cools when you sweat; $45 at columbia.com.