Arkansas summers are all about the great outdoors, kayaking, mountain biking, and hiking, but oh my…. It’s hot! Seriously, you need to prepare for immense heat, unbearable humidity, and tons of bugs. Having the proper equipment is important. Let’s find you some cheap outdoor gear because the sweltering Arkansas heat is just around the corner!
Cheap Outdoor Gear You Need This Summer
Beating the heat in Arkansas requires gear built for sun and sweat. You’ll want lightweight, breathable fabrics, UPF protection, and cooling technologies. Below are 8 tried-and-true outdoor items (shirts, hats, shoes, and accessories) that are lightweight, moisture-wicking, and budget-friendly.
1. Columbia Bora Bora Booney Sun Hat
Beat the Arkansas sun with a wide-brimmed, breathable hat. Columbia’s Bora Bora II Booney has a 3-inch brim and Omni-Shade UPF50 fabric to block harsh rays, plus an Omni-Wick sweatband to draw moisture off your brow. It’s fully vented nylon construction lets air flow through, keeping you cooler on muggy days. An adjustable chin strap keeps it secure when hiking or boating. This lightweight, quick-drying hat provides great sun protection and cooling comfort, perfect for long summer adventures outdoors.
- Price: $22.49
- Materials: 100% nylon
- Purchase: Columbia Bora Bora Booney Hat (Amazon)
2. Nalgene Sustain 32oz Wide-Mouth Water Bottle
Staying hydrated in summer heat is critical, and this 32-oz bottle holds plenty of safety water. The Nalgene Sustain bottle is made of durable Tritan plastic (50% recycled, BPA/BPS-free), so it won’t leach chemicals or degrade in sunlight. Its leakproof, wide-mouth design makes it easy to add ice cubes or mix in electrolytes.
Nalgene bottles are built “to last a lifetime”, resisting dents and cracks even when tossed in a pack. If you don’t mind your water getting warm on your hike, this old-school option is still a great one!
- Price: $16.99
- Materials: Tritan copolyester plastic (BPA- and BPS-free)
- Purchase: Nalgene 32oz Sustain Bottle (Amazon)
3. Goodr “The OG” Polarized Sunglasses
When it comes to essential, cheap outdoor gear, a good pair of sunglasses is a must in bright summer light. Goodr’s OG sunglasses feature strong yet lightweight acetate frames (the “Chuck Norris” of sunglasses) and impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses for extra durability. All versions offer 100% UV protection and a snug, no-slip fit that stays put during activity. They come in fun colors, too!
- Price: ~$25.00
- Materials: Unbreakable acetate frame; impact-resistant polarized lenses
- Purchase: Goodr The OG Sunglasses (Goodr.com)
4. Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent
Arkansas summers mean mosquitoes and ticks – don’t forget permethrin! This spray treatment can be applied to clothing, tents, and gear to repel mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers and more. Once it dries, it’s odorless but remains effective through many washes. A single treatment protects fabric for up to 6 weeks or about 6 washes.
Spritz your shirt, pants, and socks before heading out; you’ll get hours of extra bug protection without reapplying DEET to skin (You will need some DEET if you enter the Arkansas woods, none of that wimpy stuff). It’s an essential defensive layer for staying bite-free on humid summer adventures.
- Price: $11.59 (12oz)
- Materials: Permethrin (synthetic pyrethroid insecticide)
- Purchase: Sawyer Permethrin Spray, 12oz (Scout Shop)
5. Petzl Tikkina Headlamp
One piece of cheap outdoor gear that often gets overlooked is a good headlamp. You need it for getting to and from the campground bathroom! For hands-free lighting after dark, this compact headlamp shines with 300 lumens. The Petzl Tikkina is simple and rugged – one button controls three light modes, and the wide flood beam makes reading or campsite chores easy on the eyes. At only about 92g with three AAA batteries, it’s very light to wear, and the adjustable strap fits snugly. It’s perfect for evening trail hikes or midnight camp chores.
- Price: $19.95
- Materials: Polycarbonate housing with elastic head strap
- Purchase: Petzl Tikkina Headlamp (Petzl USA)
6. Sawyer MINI Water Filtration System
This pocket-sized filter makes any fresh water source drinkable. The Sawyer MINI uses a 0.1-micron hollow-fiber membrane to remove 99.999% of bacteria and protozoa (even microplastics). It weighs only ~2 ounces and comes with a squeeze pouch and straw, so you can drink directly or fill a bottle. Tested to last up to 100,000 gallons, it’s an ultra-reliable purifier. On hot hikes when water tastes warm, simply squeeze stream water through this filter into your bottle to cool off safely.
- Price: ~$14.44
- Materials: Hollow-fiber microfilter (polyethersulfone)
- Purchase: Sawyer MINI Water Filter (Amazon)
7. Evaporative Cooling Towel (PVA)
Keep a wet towel handy for instant cooling relief. These towels (e.g., Chill Pal) are made from high-grade polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fabric that soaks up water and stays cool by evaporation. Drench and wring it out, then drape it around your neck or head; it provides up to four hours of cooling relief in the heat. As it dries stiff, simply re-wet it to reactivate the cooling effect. Lightweight and packable, an evaporative towel is a great way to instantly drop body temperature after a sweaty hike or kayak trip.
- Price: $14.97
- Materials: PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) evaporative cooling fabric
- Purchase: Chill Pal Evaporative Cooling Towel (Amazon)
8. Compact UPF-50+ Sun Umbrella
For full-body shade on blazing days, a small sun umbrella (parasol) can be a lifesaver. Look for one rated UPF 50+, which will block 99% of UVA/UVB rays. This lightweight nylon umbrella opens to a generous canopy yet folds down small for a backpack or kayak. In action, it will keep you about 10–15°F cooler by preventing direct sun.
Many compact sun umbrellas are treated to dry quickly and resist sun damage. This one has a windproof, vented canopy and reflective underside, so you stay cool from both shade and airflow. It’s perfect for beach outings, fishing, or just walking through town. (Think of it as a portable tree!)
- Price: $19.99 (for a quality 40″ compact model)
- Materials: Polyester canopy with UV-coated/reflective lining; metal/ fiberglass frame
- Purchase: Amazon – UPF 50+ Compact Sun Umbrella
Cheap Outdoor Gear for Arkansas Summers- Final Thoughts
This is a short and detailed list. I could go on for days about all the handy but cheap outdoor gear that could be useful in Arkansas. However, if you’re a light packer, you definitely need a good bug spray, some sun protection─ clothing, lotion, hat, all the above─ a big water bottle, and some moisture-wicking outfits. You don’t need to spend a fortune to get good stuff, so we hope this list helped get you started planning your Arkansas adventure!
Arkansas in summer, while brutally hot, is a paradise for outdoor adventurers. Check out our full Travel Arkansas Blog for detailed articles on the best hikes in the Natural State, the most rewarding kayaking spots, and much more!