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Ready to make some amazing memories this summer? Whether you’re with your family or with a group of friends, there’s no better way to enjoy those long summer days then by playing outside all day and sleeping under the stars. Making a weekend camping trip out of your adventures is the perfect way to accomplish both, and with the right gear, you can turn an adventure into one of the most relaxing getaways out there. In partnership with Jax Mercantile Co., a long-standing, iconic gear outfitter in Northern Colorado, we’ve put together a list of 9 pieces of camping gear you need to make this the best summer ever. All of the gear listed can be found at Jax Mercantile Co.

1. Yeti Tundra Cooler

With unmatched toughness and ice retention, the Yeti Tundra Cooler is ready for all of your outdoor adventures. Whether you’re headed to a beautiful lakeside campground in your RV or a remote campsite on the edges of civilization, this cooler will make sure that your food and cans stay fresh and cold.

2. GoalZero Guide 10 Plus Adventure Kit with Solar Charger

This handy charging unit will help you charge GPS units, cell phones, and rechargeable batteries with the power of the sun. If you’re backpacking and need to boost your guidance system, or if you’re anticipating that once-in-a-lifetime Instagram shot, grab this conveniently sized pack to have energy with you wherever you roam.

3. Lodge 10.25 inch Skillet

This “essential kitchen tool” is also perfect for camping. From breakfast scrambles to backcountry sautés, this cast-iron skillet will elevate your camping dishes beyond instant oatmeal and power bars. The best part – these pans get better with age, so just use a little oil and a scrub brush to clean off extra grit.

4. Kelty Trail Ridge 6 Family Tent

A roomier interior and two entry doors make this tent comfortable for the whole family. Continuous pole sleeves and color-coded components make it easy to set up this tent, and a Stargazing Fly will make it so you can truly sleep under the stars. The footprint and gear loft are also included, so this tent is ready for adventures right out of the box.

5. ENO Double Nest Hammock

This hammock is light enough for backpacking and robust enough for backyard lounging, making it the perfect car camping accessory. The hammock can hold up to 400 pounds, so it’s perfect for you, Fido, and a friend. It’s important to think about maximizing space when you’re packing the car for a camping trip; this hammock shrinks down to the size of a grapefruit and comes with its own stuff sack. You’ll be so glad you found a spot for it in your camping kit!

6. MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Mini Stove Kite

This is a complete cook-and-eat system for backpacking. The stove’s nesting design ensures that it packs down and can slip easily into smaller packs. In spite of its size, don’t underestimate this stove. It boils water in as little as three minutes and 30 seconds, so you won’t have to wait long for your morning coffee.

7. Black Diamond Cosmo Head Lamp

This bright, waterproof headlight shines 200 lumens onto whatever lays in your path ahead. Settings include proximity and distance modes as well as dimming, strobe, red light vision, and lock mode. Its sleek design also only requires three AAA batteries, so you can be sure you won’t have to carry too much extra bulk in your camping set up.

8. Portal Fold Out Camping Chair

Adding a camp chair to your camping kit can be just the extra touch of luxury you’ll need to take your camping experience to the next level. From hanging out around the campfire to fishing from the shore of the nearby lake, this camp chair will follow you on all your camping adventures.

9. Wilderness Systems Kayak

Camping gives you the opportunity to make the most out of your days in the outdoors. Kayaking can be the perfect way to explore the nearby lake or quiet river. It’s also a great family activity because almost all ages and abilities can participate in this water activity.

For more information about the gear featured in this article, visit  jaxmercantile.com.