Staying Fit
Eivaisla/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images
If your summer playlist includes the Drifters’ “Under the Boardwalk,” the Beach Boys’ “California Girls,” the Ramones’ “Rockaway Beach” and John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John immortalizing “Summer Nights,” then you’ve come to the right place. Those of us who are 50-plus have been there and done it all — from grimy beach towels to leaky totes, sandy blankets and beach chairs that were no body’s friend. Here’s how to “roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer” — to paraphrase the late Sam Cooke — and enjoy every minute with 10 smart buys.
AARP Membership— $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal
Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.
(Left to right) Takeya Actives Insulated Water Bottle with Straw Lid in Cobalt; CamelBak Eddy+ Water Bottle + 20 ounce Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle in Koi; YETI Rambler with Chug Cap in Alpine Yellow
Office Depot; Dick's Sporting Goods; Amazon
1. An insulated water bottle
Carrying a reusable stainless-steel bottle is better for the planet, a quick way to ID your drinks from others and keep whatever’s within icy all day long. One of the best design tweaks now is a built-in straw like the Takeya Actives Insulated Water Bottle with Straw Lid in Cobalt ($32, officedepot.com) or CamelBak Eddy+ Water Bottle + 20 ounce Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle in Koi ($25, dickssportinggoods.com) to encourage all-day hydration. Or try a smaller spout like the YETI Rambler with Chug Cap in Alpine Yellow ($40, amazon.com) to make one-handed slurping easy and avoid spills or splashes. A reminder: Drinking water in sweltering weather (not soda, wine or caffeine) prevents dehydration and is an important habit for your health and your looks.
(Left to right) Dejaroo Mesh Beach Bag in Blue with Grey Handles; Sunisery Women’s Mesh Beach Bag with Detachable Insulation Bag in Green; Scout Original Deano in Extra Large in Brooklyn Checkham
Dejaroo; Walmart; Amazon
2. An easy-to-carry-everything beach bag
How many chic straw bags and fancy summer totes have you wrecked at the beach, lake or pool? We may love their look but something that’ll stand a shake out, wipe down or toss in the washing machine is a better choice. Mesh bags like the Dejaroo Mesh Beach Bag in Blue with Grey Handles ($17, dejaroo.com) and Sunisery Women’s Mesh Beach Bag with Detachable Insulation Bag in Green or Blue ($26, walmart.com) are practically weightless but let sand sift through. And let’s not ignore our neck and shoulders here. A big, roomy, lightweight carryall that folds flat, such as the Scout Original Deano in Extra Large in Brooklyn Checkham or Nantucket Navy ($45, amazon), goes easy on them — even when chock-full. At the end of season use beach bags to store beach towels and swimsuits or take on a new life as reusable grocery bags.
(Left to right) Megababe Bust Dust Anti-Boob-Sweat Spray; Body Glide for Her Anti-Chafe & Moisturizing Balm; MedZone Chub Rub All-Natural Anti-Chafe Stick; Vaseline Healing Jelly All-Over Body Balm
Target (2); Walmart; Target
3. Chafing solvers
We all sweat. It’s the body’s natural air-conditioning system. However, heavy sweating in summer can lead to more friction at stress points where clothing meets skin. The result is red, irritated skin between the inner thighs, around your bra band and straps, at the waistbands of jeans and even under sandal straps. While looser clothing in natural fibers plus open shoes help promote air flow and sweat evaporation, the best preventative solution is a chafing balm or spray designed for these issues. Try Megababe Bust Dust Anti-Boob-Sweat Spray ($16, target.com), a powder mist that’s aluminum-, talc- and paraben-free; or a balm stick like Body Glide for Her Anti-Chafe & Moisturizing Balm ($8, target.com) with coconut and almond oil, MedZone Chub Rub All-Natural Anti-Chafe Stick ($11, walmart.com) with organic coconut oil and shea butter, or Vaseline Healing Jelly All-Over Body Balm ($8, target.com). And of course, be sure to change out of sweat-drenched clothes and wet swimsuits ASAP to minimize chafing, too.
More on Entertainment
10 Ways to Stay Safe and Stylish Under the Sun
Keep your cool with sun hats, SPF, protective sunglasses and more7 Best Invisible Sunscreens for Darker Skin Tones
Get plenty of SPF protection without a chalky white residue12 DIY Ways to Improve Sun-Damaged Skin
Banish spots and discolorations while keeping skin protected against future issues
Recommended for You