Latest News
21 Outdoorsy Impulse Buys That Were Totally Worth It, According To Reviewers
A lil’ something for everyone — even if your definition of “outdoorsy” is dipping your toes in the pool.We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page…
A lil’ something for everyone — even if your definition of “outdoorsy” is dipping your toes in the pool.
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1.
A LifeStraw to give you peace of mind when you’re camping. It’s designed to eliminate 99% of waterborne bacteria and certain parasites, and it filters contaminants as small as 0.2 microns. Plus! Each LifeStraw will last long enough to effectively strain 1,000 gallons of water.
Amazon
Promising review: “The LifeStraw is indispensable for any interior camper. My buddy purchased these on a whim and have proven themselves numerous times. Very lightweight and conveniently hangs around neck. Time or energy is not wasted boiling water or using toxic water treatment chemicals, also no off tastes from using the LifeStraw. The only downside of this I foresee is for interior hiking, as frequent purging of the LifeStraw is required. I primarily canoe camp and thus water is readily available so this is not a problem for me. I do carry a water bottle for portages or for drinking in the tent. If you canoe camp or hike where there is abundant water buy this device!” —Dane
Get it from Amazon for $17.47.
2.
A portable paw washer so your floors aren’t covered in muddy footprints after letting your dog inside. Inside the container are soft bristles that lift dirt and grime from the pads of your pup’s feet — all you need to do is add water.
Promising review: “I bought the Paw Plunger on a whim during the Cyber Monday sales and I’m so happy I did. I have a 120-pound Bernese mountain dog with a lot of hair feathering around the paws, which makes her a mud magnet. The bowl of water routine with the towel was how we managed the mud and it was annoying, messy, and time consuming. The Paw Plunger is a lifesaver and it really cleans the paws well in a fraction of the time. I highly recommend it!” —Kelly M
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in three sizes and four colors).
3.
The FrogLog, an escape ramp you put in your pool that’ll save the unfortunate critters who might otherwise drown.
Amazon
Promising review: “Each day we scoop the poor frogs from the skimmer. I mean EVERY day. No exceptions. Never a day goes by when I am not removing frogs. And even more frogs when it rains. I ordered this FrogLog on a whim, hoping to stop the ‘frog flipping, which is sad and gross. The product arrives fast, and we find rocks to weigh the upper part down. We place the FrogLog away from the skimmer. Next day, NO frogs. The day after that, NO frogs. A third day. NO frogs. OK, I think, well it hasn’t rained a lot. We get a HUGE storm, lots of rain. I go finally expecting frogs to show up in the two skimmers. NONE. So, I can say this works. I wish I had a dash cam for the pool but I don’t. But I have a picture of how it looks in the pool. I am so pleased, I had to write a review. I was a skeptic, but the proof is in the skimmer!” —sandy
Get it from Amazon for $14.50.
4.
Or a Chuckit! ball launcher for anyone with an energetic pup. Exhaust your pup with minimum effort on your part and have a ball — literally and figuratively! — together.
Promising review: “Didn’t know what I was missing! I never thought I needed one of these, but I got one on a whim because it was so cheap. It makes throwing and picking up the ball so easy. Our dog gets excited when he sees it!” —Lauren
Get it from Amazon for $9.92.
5.
A stand-up weeder because the worst part of gardening is having to kneel for hours plucking weeds. My back hurts just thinking about it! Thankfully, this tool has four steel claws that grip weeds and roots so you can pull them out while standing.
Amazon
Pro tip: Use this after your yard has received some rain so the soil is soft and the claws can easily penetrate the ground without damaging the claws.
Promising review: “Bought this on a whim and I couldn’t be happier. It is so easy to use, does exactly what it is advertised to do, and really gets the entire root without destroying the lawn. Great product!” —Tony
Get it from Amazon for $49.90.
6.
A hose faucet timer if you wish there was a gadget that could remember to water the lawn for you. Well, it’s this guy! It’s so smart that it’ll even pause your programmed watering schedule if it detects recent rain.
Amazon
Promising review: “I LOVE THIS. So simple to use! I don’t have a green thumb at all but got this on a whim. I don’t have to do anything anymore!!! As a new homeowner, I wasted so much money over the years by installing plants, then forgetting to water because of work, being tired, etc., and they would not thrive. I finally invested in a timer and could kick myself for waiting so long. I could have had a beautiful grass, taller denser trees, and longer-lasting blooms years ago. What I was waiting for? I bought two of these, and the timer allows me to customize the amount of water, frequency, and time of day that my plants/trees and lawn get. You can also connect these to a hose that will water container plants on a porch. The possibilities are endless! My husband loves it too. This has changed our life; no more spending hours our watering to have a pretty yard. And my landscaping looks GORGEOUS now I have gotten a bunch of compliments from the neighbors. Maybe it will inspire them to do the same? :)” —Prepossessing Truth
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in three styles).
7.
A cozy, portable hammock to create a relaxing space to rest wherever your outdoor adventure takes you. The steel stand is durable enough to support two people and up to 450 pounds, plus it comes with a handy carrying case so you can easily take it to your next destination.
Promising review: “I’m in looooove with my hammock! I got a cotton one with different blue stripes. It’s so soft! The frame holds both my husband and I without it feeling like it’s going to break. I love how easy it is to move around and set up. It rained one day and I forgot to bring the hammock inside, so I had to wash it. It held up really well in the washer and dryer. The frame seems to be sprayed to prevent corrosion. I got this in the summer but intentionally waited to leave a review because I wanted to make sure it’ll actually hold up. So far so good. One of my best impulsive purchases here on Amazon! I already plan on buying a second one to give to our friends.” —Summerbliss13
Get it from Amazon for $129.97+ (available in a variety of colors and fabrics).
8.
A set of extendable marshmallow roasting sticks so you can achieve the perfect golden-brown hue without having to sit too close to the fire.
Promising review: “I bought these on a whim because the roasting sticks I have currently are getting old and will need to be replaced soon. The other night I decided to try them out and I am amazed at how sturdy these are. The fact that they’re extendable makes them that much more awesome. When you’re done using it you can make it short and set it on the table and not have to worry about someone tripping over it. And since they’re extendable and retractable it makes them that much easier to clean. I also loved that it came in a nice carrying case for easy transport and storage.” —Johnathon Dietz
Get a five-pack from Amazon for $13.97 (available in larger sizes).
9.
A pack of lighter cubes that’ll make firing up a charcoal grill so much easier. These ash-free cubes light up even when wet, and they won’t leave affect the taste of your food like lighter fluid can.
Amazon
Promising review: “I purchased this on a whim because I needed to get up to $25 to ship an order containing all add-in items. For the price I figured that I would give it a try. This sat on my living room table for months until I broke out the grill and needed to light a fire. I have the match light charcoals but can never get those coals to light. I have a charcoal starter, but that thing really scares me. These lighter cubes are fabulous. You only need a couple to start a nice fire. Place them under some coals, light them up with a candle lighter, and walk away. Within 15 minutes you will have a good fire going. I have made the mistake of fiddling around with the cubes and coals a few times and I did more harm than good. They work best when you leave the cubes alone. I am about to order my second box of these. They are just that darn good.” —Tiffany
Get a box of 24 cubes from Amazon for $4.98.
10.
A 4-in-1 inflatable pool float for making pool time even more fun. But beware — it’s so dang comfortable that you might want to buy two so you don’t have to share!
Promising review: “Got this on a whim after reading some reviews. I didn’t expect it to immediately become the fam’s new favorite! Lay back and you are half in, half out of the water so you aren’t baking from above or freezing below — just what we wanted. It holds your head well out of the water and feels very supportive/stable. I’ve had it for about a month now and only had to blow it up the first time, the plastic is fairly thick and doesn’t lose air through seams or the nozzle. We have a full-body foam float that cost about $120 and it never gets used any more. Everybody takes turns on this one. Great deal for the price; I just bought three more of various colors. Go ahead and try it.” —JB
Get it from Amazon for $9.39+ (available in 17 styles).
11.
An inflatable lounge chair because it’s big enough to sit multiple people comfortably yet it takes up barely any weight — just 2.65 pounds to be exact — in your camping backpack. Inflating it will take a little bit of getting used to (basically, you have to run around to fill it with air), but it’ll stay inflated for at least five to six hours.
Promising review: “I ordered this on a whim for a camping trip with my family and I’m so glad I did. It was a big hit! It inflated very easily. I just used a fan and it filled up in a few seconds. My nephews (ages 3 and 4) continually ran and jumped on it for hours and it barely lost any air. We were all very impressed with the durability and it was so comfy! I would definitely recommend.” —Jennifer FitzGerald
Get it from Amazon for $41.98+ (available in 14 colors).
12.
A pair of polarized sunglasses if you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors. Polarized lenses are designed to reduce reflection and glare, improving clarity in super bright light.
Amazon / Via amazon.com, Amazon / Via amazon.com
Promising review: “I’ve always just worn ‘fashion’ sunglasses when I ran because I didn’t think I was a legit enough runner to need special running sunglasses. On a whim I decided to treat myself to these leading up to my first 5K. I will NEVER go back! I can’t believe how great these are. I have sensitive eyes and the polarized lenses are just incredible. I can see so clearly and the fact that they don’t slip off my face is awesome. I didn’t realize how much I was have to push my other sunglasses back up my nose until I bought these.” —laurenrenee
Get them from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in 16 colors).
13.
A waterproof phone pouch to ensure you get the best underwater photos without ruining your phone.
Promising review: “Bought this on a whim, and was quite pleased with the product’s performance, especially with its low price. Phone stayed dry and clean at the pool and at the beach. Got some amazing pictures, super clear, especially considering they were taken through an extra layer of thick plastic. My iPhone 6 with a large Otterbox case fit snugly but comfortably in the pouch. Would highly recommend to anyone wishing to protect their phone from the elements.” —A. Fowler
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in 14 colors).
Check out my colleague’s review of this waterproof phone pouch (#5) for more deets!
14.
A mini pool so you can make your summery dreams of relaxing in a pool with a glass of sweet tea a reality — even if you have a small backyard.
Promising review: “Perfect size for my two 5-year-olds. Reasonable price, easy to set up, seems to be holding up well. One of my best impulse buys this year.” —Robyn
Get it from Amazon for $89.99.
15.
A unicorn sprinkler that’ll encourage you to be a kid again this summer. I want an invite to your water party!
Promising review: “So happy with this impulse purchase. It arrived quickly, was easy to assemble/blow up and was a huge hit. Definitely recommend the product and seller!” —Mariah Christensen
Get it from Amazon for $38.99.
16.
An anti-chafing balm for swiping anywhere your clothes rub. It creates a moisture-repelling layer on your skin (without ever feeling greasy!) that protects against blisters, irritation, and chafing when your running, hiking, biking, or just trying to exist in the world as a sweaty person.
Amazon, amazon.com
Promising review: “This stuff is amaze-balls!!! I have thick thighs and chafing absolutely makes me want to DIE in the summer. This keeps my legs nice and smooth, and I’m free to wear all the skirts and shorts that I want. It stays on ALL day no matter how much I move or sweat and no matter how hot it gets. It doesn’t leave any type or residue on my clothing or skin and it has no smell. I bought this on a whim and it is one of the best purchases I’ve ever made.” —Nicole
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
amazon.com, Amazon
Real Life. Real News. Real Voices
Help us tell more of the stories that matter
Become a founding memberPromising review: “Living in hot and humid Houston, wearing skirts had pretty much become a thing of the past for me. A few weeks ago saw Bandelettes advertised on a blog, and on a whim, decided to give them a try. Granted I haven’t worn them through a Texas summer, yet, but I did wear them for TWO 14 hours days, walking around Universal Studios in Orlando, without one single problem. I pulled them up nice and high, as the reviewers before me had recommended, and they stayed put all day long (including when I was soaking wet after riding the river raft ride). I highly recommend them. I can wear skirts again!” —4inTexas
Get them from Amazon for $18.95+ (available in sizes S–3XL and 17 styles).
18.
A set of dishwasher-safe grill mats if the hassle of cleaning your grill-grates makes you never want to barbecue. These grate toppers can withstand temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit so you don’t have to worry about them melting. But more important, they’ll catch all the food bits that normally fall through the grates and gunk up your grill.
Amazon
Promising review: “I bought this on a whim not expecting anything other to see what it does. It makes grilling salmon and other things like kabobs super easy. When pieces fall off they are on this mat. And it also grills with the grill marks on the meat like it was sitting on the grille frame. VERY happy with this item’s performance and use. No more chunks of dinner falling through the grill and disappearing into the bottom abyss!” —R. English
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $21.95.
19.
An umbrella light to provide some much-needed overhead lighting when you’re sitting on your patio at night.
Promising review: “When I bought this, it was totally on a whim. I was convinced that because it was so inexpensive, it would be a cheap piece of junk! Was I wrong! It does a great job of lighting up the table with the three different settings. AND, if you turn it upside-down, you can further vary the brightness. (Sometimes you just want a hint of a glow, rather than a spotlight in your face.) I’m very happy with this, especially since I left it out all summer long with no issues. It was hidden under a closed umbrella, but I’m sure it got a little damp with rainwater and it survived! For just $10, it is such an easy solution for my patio that has no electricity, and therefore, needs something battery powered.” —LouiseN
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
20.
A pair of water-ready Teva sandals so your footwear can keep up with all your outdoorsy activities.
Promising review: “I got these on a whim and they have totally blown my expectations out of the water. I received them on a Friday, and literally wore them all weekend long, never wearing any other type of shoe. I wore them to the pool, got them wet by accident, and they were perfectly fine. They are incredibly comfortable once they are broken in and only took a couple times of wear to get them broken in (the straps can be a little stiff at first). The fit was excellent. I have nothing bad to say about these shoes!!!!” —Amazon Customer
Get them from Amazon for $13.80+ (available in sizes 5–12 and 28 colors).
Amazon
Promising review: “I happened to come across these somewhere and picked up a pair for my wife. She really thought they worked well and for a change was happy with an impulse gift!” —Brent C.
Get them from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in three colors and as multipack).
You after finishing this list:
20th Television
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
What’s your favorite product?
Minimum 25 characters, 1500 characters left
*
Upload up to 4 photos you took of the product and/or how you use it. (We love before & after photos!)
+ Add Photos
Max 10 MB. Accepted file types: .jpg, .jpeg, .png.
Shopping Newsletter
Find great products and the best-money saving deals around, delivered right to your inbox.
Subscribe to the newsletter news
We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe
