With an endless playground out the door, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Colorado is home to some of the best outdoor brands in the country. Here’s a roundup of some of the best summer gear designed and made in Colorado.


Mountain Biking


Pearl Izumi X-Alp Summit Shoes

Pearl Izumi X-Alp Summit Shoes

The versatile X-Alp Summit shoe is for the everyday rider who likes to stop and scramble around on the rocks during a ride. The Vibram sole is durable and grippy, and the BOA Fit System helps dial in a perfect fit.

Louisville, CO

$150 | pearlizumi.com

Photo courtesy of Pearl Izumi

Flylow Dirt Glove

Flylow Dirt Glove

Lightweight and grippy, with great bar feel, these are the perfect full finger summer mountain biking gloves.

Denver, CO

$35 | flylowgear.com

Photo courtesy of Flylow

Osprey Raptor 10

Osprey Raptor 10

Osprey makes some of the the most comfortable packs in the business. With a 10 liter capacity, 2.5L reservoir, tool roll, and thoughtful gear storage options, the bike-specific Raptor 10 is for big rides. Available in a women’s specific Raven 10.

Need more storage, check out the Raptor 14 and Raven 14.

Cortez, CO

$165 | osprey.com

Photo courtesy of Osprey

Optic Nerve Molotov

Optic Nerve Molotov

When it comes to cycling sunglasses, I say MORE ELVIS! The Molotov by Optic Nerve is polarized, stays put on the wildest rides, and looks great off the bike. And you can’t beat the price!

Denver, CO

$39 | opticnerve.com

Photo courtesy of Optic Nerve

Rocky Mounts GuideRail

Rocky Mounts GuideRail

If you need to haul your bike on your car or truck, chances are Rocky Mounts has a solution for you. The GuideRail is a high end two-bike hitch mount that fits up to 3″ tires…

Grand Junction, CO

$849.95 | rockymounts.com

Photo courtesy of Rocky Mounts

Colorado is also home to a number of bicycle brands, including Yeti Cycles (Golden), Moots (Steamboat Springs), and Guerilla Gravity (Denver).


Stand Up Paddle


Sol SOLTrain Inflatable Paddle Board

Sol SOLTrain Inflatable Paddle Board

The SOLTrain inflatable paddle board is durable, versatile, and stable for all types of flat water paddling adventures. Equipped with tie downs at the front and rear, and d-rings on each side, you can load this board up with all sorts of gear. It also happens to be one of the best looking boards on the market. Includes everything you need to get started.

Telluride, CO

$999 | solpaddle.com

Photo courtesy of Sol Paddle

Hala Carbon Playa Inflatable SUP Kit

Carbon Playa Inflatable SUP Kit

Looking for something a little more racy? Hala’s sleek Carbon Playa is lightweight and stiff, thanks to a strip of carbon along the base, for better handling in choppy water. The kit includes roller bag, pump, fins, and paddle.

Steamboat Springs, CO

$1499 | halagear.com

Photo courtesy of Hala

Grass Sticks SUP Paddle

Grass Sticks Bamboo Stand Up Paddle Board Paddle

Upgrade your paddling experience with a beautiful bamboo stand up paddle board paddle. Hand made in Steamboat Springs, and available in stock lengths or fully customized.

See my full review here.

Steamboat Springs, CO

$239 | grasssticks.com

Photo courtesy of Grass Sticks


Running


Point6 Ghost Runner Ultralight No-show Socks

Point6 Ghost Runner Ultra Light No Show Socks

An ultra light Merino wool no show sock for those hot summer runs. Sustainably made in the USA. Guaranteed for life.

Steamboat Springs, CO

$17.95 | point6.com

Photo courtesy of Point6

Smartwool Men's Acrive Lined 5" Shorts

Smartwool Active Lined 5″ Short

These versatile shorts are great for summer runs or everyday chill time. Lightweight recycled stretch fabric, Merino wool liner, side and back pockets, and reflective elements.

Steamboat Springs, CO

$65 | smartwool.com

Photo courtesy of Smartwool


Festival & Concert Gear


Strafe Scout Jacket

Strafe Scout Jacket

Don’t believe that “20% chance of rain” forecast! If you attend enough outdoor concerts in Colorado, you’re sure to get rained on eventually. Wind and waterproof, lightweight, and packable, the Scout Jacket is the perfect jacket for concerts and festivals. Available in men’s and women’s.

Aspen, CO

$199 | strafeouterwear.com

Photo courtesy of Strafe

Mountainsmith Trippin' Fanny Pack

Mountainsmith Trippin’ Fanny Pack

Pack all of the essentials for your next festival or Red Rocks show into Mountainsmith’s throwback Trippin’ Fanny Pack. Also great for those short rides, when you just need to carry a few things, like a lightweight jacket and cold beverage.

Golden, CO

$29.95 | mountainsmith.com

Photo courtesy of Mountainsmith

EcoVessel Wave Water Bottle

EcoVessel Wave Water Bottle

Stay hydrated, music fans! Hook this lightweight, BPA free bottle from EcoVessel to your pack at your next show.

Boulder, CO

$15.99 | ecovessel.com

Photo courtesy of EcoVessel


Car Camping


Big Agnes Big House 4 Tent

Big Agnes

Big Agnes makes a wide range of sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and tents for backpack and car camping. The Big House 4 (pictured) is a 4-person, 3-season tent with a large vestibule, and full mesh ceiling, designed for car camping.

Steamboat Springs, CO

bigagnes.com

Photo courtesy of Big Agnes

Kelty Caboose 4 Tent

Kelty

Kelty is well known for their durable, thoughtfully designed camping gear, including tents, sleeping bags, and camp furniture. The new Caboose 4 tent is designed to connect to your vehicle via a large canopy, but it can can serve as a standalone shelter with a large vestibule.

Boulder, CO

kelty.com

Photo courtesy of Kelty

Roofnest Sparrow Rooftop Tent

Roofnest

If rooftop camping is your jam, check out Roofnest’s wide range of rooftop tents. The Sparrow XL pops up to sleep 2-3 people on a 2.8″ foam mattress.

Boulder, CO

roofnest.com

Photo courtesy of Roofnest


Sunscreen


Rocky Mountain Sunscreen

Rocky Mountain Sunscreen

If you’re spending any time outside in Colorado, sunscreen is an essential. Rocky Mountain Sunscreens are reef friendly, broad spectrum, and feature a “bonding base” formula that interlocks tightly with the skin’s upper layer, so it won’t clog pores. Available in SPF 30 and SPF 50, and various sizes from 1 oz to a gallon.

Rocky Mountain Sunscreen also makes lib balm!

Arvada, CO

$24 for 16oz | rmsunscreen.com

Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain Sunscreen


Nutrition


Honey Stinger Nut + Seed Bars

Honey Stinger Nut + Seed Bars

You probably know Honey Stinger for their waffles, but the Steamboat Springs based brand has a variety of energy and recovery products. Their tasty new Nut + Seed Bars are packed with 14g of protein and antioxidant vitamins. Available in Peanut Sunflower Nut and Almond Pumpkin Nut flavors.

Steamboat Springs, CO

$34.99/12-pack | honeystinger.com

Photo courtesy of Honey Stinger

Honey Stinger Stingarita Lime Caffeinated Energy Chews

Honey Stinger Stingarita Lime Caffeinated Energy Chews

Looking for extra energy for long runs or big backcountry rides? These caffeinated chews from Honey Stinger pack a punch, with sodium, potassium, electrolytes to help get you through extended workouts.

If you don’t want the caffeine, check out their Pink Lemonade energy chews.

$33.99/12-pack | honeystinger.com

Photo courtesy of Honey Stinger


Recovery


Tailwind Nutrition Recovery Mix

Tailwind Nutrition Recovery Mix

Chug a shaker bottle of this mix immediately following your outdoor workouts during the hot summer months. The blend of protein, carbohydrates, and electrolytes helps with recovery. My personal favorite is Salted Carmel. Also available in Vanilla, Chocolate, and Coffee (caffeinated)

Durango, CO

$39.99 | tailwindnutrition.com

Photo courtesy of Tailwind Nutrition

Roll Recovery R1 Percussion Massage Gun

Roll Recovery R1 Percussion Massage Gun

With four speed settings, four attachments, and 7-hour battery life this compact, durable massage gun is perfect for travel and athletes on the go.

$129 | rollrecovery.com

Photo courtesy of Roll Recovery

Sunset photo captured near Telluride, Colorado by Mitch Kline.