Vacation Nation: Take a Break -- and Save Your Planet, Too
Earth-friendly vacation gear.
by Abby Christopher
Summer's here and the time is right for, well, lots of things. But work is not one of them. So, check out our collection of earth-friendly vacation gear. Each of these products is made from recycled or all-natural materials. All the better for being good while you're being lazy.
Credit: Mark Wagoner
What's worse than a sunburn? A sunburn with mosquito bites. SPF 30 SmartShield sunscreen (eighteen towelettes: $10; 4 oz. tube: $8; FaceStick: $3), with DEET-free natural citrus oils, has you covered. www.smartshield.com
The titanium dioxide in this new SPF 25 sunscreen ($19) blocks both UVA and UVB rays. And no need to drape yourself with seaweed: Out Smart, from Origins, is made with moisturizing seaweed extract. www.origins.com
Lazy Boy flip-flops ($38/$42; black or natural), from the environmentally minded San Diego surfer dudes at Splaff Flopps, are literally road tested -- they're handmade from used bicycle inner tubes and recycled race-car tires. www.splaff.com
These leather flip-flops for women feature natural-rubber treads and recycled-cork cushioning. The Ikebana N114 sandals ($100; beige, blue, brown, olive, orange, red, or white) are made by El Naturalista, in La Rioja, Spain. www.elnaturalista.com
Credit: Mark Wagoner
Going where hot and dry summer can turn chilly and rainy? Start off with Patagonia's comfy hemp shorts ($48; blue, green, or natural), and build up to its fleece pullover ($76; black, light or navy blue, khaki, natural, red, or yellow) and superlight rain jacket ($249; blue, green, or red). www.patagonia.com
Don this lightweight straw Lifeguard Hat($10) from Columbia Sportswear to keep the sun out of your eyes and guard against UV rays -- without becoming a hothead. www.columbia.com
This article was also published in the June 2005 issue of Edutopia magazine .
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