Hiking, camping, and exploring the great outdoors give you a much-needed perspective change on just about all of life’s greatest mysteries. It’s like pushing the reset button on our human operating systems. When you return to “the real world,” you’re often completely refreshed and performing optimally across all facets of your life. Among other things, it shows you just how few things you need to exist in blissful harmony with nature.
Out there in the woods, you don’t need much aside from the best camping tent, a good sleeping bag, and cooking gear to prep your favorite
Going off-grid for a few days doesn’t mean you have to come back looking and smelling like it! Heck, you might even feel so fresh and rejuvenated that you extend your stay for an extra day or two. Real life can wait — the great outdoors are calling. Below, we’ve rounded up our favorite
FactorFive Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser
There’s no getting around the fact that heading out into the woods is dirty business. It can be brutal on the most sensitive skin on your body, namely your face. FactorFive’s all-new Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser is a purpose-built product for washing off the outdoors. It’s formulated with natural science in mind, including gentle ingredients like aloe leaf juice to soothe and hydrate, green leaf tea extract for skin protection against environmental stressors, and kelp extract to thoroughly nourish your skin with essential minerals, and more. Bonus: The 4.5-ounce size is ultra compact and perfect for lightweight backcountry packing.
Dr. Bronner’s Biodegradable Soap
There are two types of people: People who shower on
Goodwipes Flushable Wipes
If you don’t have access to running water, flushable wipes can become body wipes to provide you with a decent outdoor “shower” in a pinch. But again, you want to be conscious of the environment when it comes to what you bring on a
Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 50+ Sunscreen Stick
This one is a must-have since you’ll be spending all day in the sun. Look for a sunscreen with SPF 20 or higher, and make sure it has both UVA and UVB protection. The best sunscreen is the one you’ll use, so get something that you actually enjoy applying. This stick from Neutrogena makes it easy to carry and reapply throughout the day. If that’s not your jam, we rounded up some of our favorite non-greasy sunscreens here.
Repel Lemon Eucalyptus DEET-Free Bug Repellent
Depending on where you are and what time of year you’re
Quip Smart Electric Toothbrush
Even if you’re foregoing a lot of other personal grooming practices in the backcountry, you can’t skimp on oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day means keeping up the routine out in the wild, too, so make sure to come prepared. Quip’s Smart Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush will help keep your mouth fresh out there. It’s featherweight and ultra-compact (great for
Aquaphor Lip Balm
ALŌH Sanitizing Hand Mist
Just because there’s no running water doesn’t mean you have an excuse not to wash your hands. Dirt, germs, and bacteria are all around you, and one wrong move can end your trip early with a case of E. coli. Always pack hand sanitizer with at least 70% alcohol, like this mess-free hand mist. Don’t buy the hype: That 99% stuff dries too fast to effectively kill germs.
Crocs Coast Slide Shower Shoes
If you’re using a campground or even an outdoor makeshift shower, you’ll thank yourself for bringing shower shoes. They’re also great for wearing around the campfire or in the early morning before lacing up your hiking boots. Especially after wearing those all day, your feet will appreciate a breather. This pair from Crocs is lightweight, slips on easy, and dries fast so you’re not carrying around soggy kicks all day on your pack. Sure, they’re not the most stylish shoe, but last time I checked,
Coleman Trail First Aid Kit
You never know what kind of accidents you or your loved ones might get into on a
Sea to Summit Hanging Toiletry Bag
Last, you’ll need a compact carrying case to keep all these toiletries together. The better organized you can keep your
