July’s hitlist paints a picture of a month well spent. A barbecue and nifty wine cooler sleeve suggest alfresco evenings, while a bargain tent and cool box point to camping trips. Sensible but stylish walking shoes and a trusty water bottle also suggest time spent in the great outdoors.
All in all – despite the climate crisis-charged heatwaves and hosepipe bans – it sounds like you’re making the most of the summer. From a cooling mattress topper to a cheap-and-cheerful mascara, here are your favourite things from last month.
The cooling mattress topper
Panda bamboo topper, double
Ravi Meah’s guide to sleeping in a heatwave is full of helpful tips and recommendations, including this cooling bamboo mattress topper. It is “breathable and moisture-wicking, helping sweat evaporate more easily and reducing the chance of overheating on hot nights,” he says. Jane Hoskyn also gave the topper a five-star review.
Supportive walking sandals
Teva Hurricane XLT3
“My trusty Hurricanes have been worn at a whole host of places, from the hills in the Himalayas to home in the Cotswolds, so I know they’re built to last,” says Sian Lewis in her test of the best walking sandals. A comfortable and affordable shoe for “relaxed summer walking and exploring”.
The perfect picnic wine cooler
Le Creuset wine cooler sleeve
Rated as best for picnics in Mina Holland’s test of the best wine coolers, this jazzy Le Creuset sleeve is perfect for keeping wine chilled on the go. “A natty little number to keep in your freezer for the times you need to rapidly chill a room-temp bottle,” says Mina.
The bargain tubing mascara
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky Tubes tubing mascara, 7ml
When it comes to beauty, what’s worth splurging on, and where should you save your pennies? Anita Bhagwandas has the answers in her spend or save beauty guide. “There are plenty of brilliant, affordable mascaras on the high street,” she says, including this tubing mascara from Maybelline. “Expect length, volume, lift and impressive hold.”
The budget cool box
Campingaz Icetime cool box
This cool box is “sturdier than it looks and would make a solid companion for overnight camping trips or festivals”, says Linda Geddes in her roundup of the best cool boxes. Its robust design and respectable results during testing earned it the title of best budget.
An ingenious travel pillow
Trtl travel pillow
Clearly plenty of you have a long journey coming up, landing the Trtl travel pillow on last month’s hitlist. Pete Wise rated it the best for side sleepers in his test of the best travel pillows. “The whole thing packs down very neatly into its carry case,” making it ideal for your next trip.
The easy breezy barbecue
Weber kettle charcoal barbecue
Nothing says summer like alfresco dining, so it’s no surprise many of you snapped up this affordable barbecue. “It’s effortless to light and use, it makes great food, and it’s easy to store,” says Alex David, who rated it the best overall in his guide to the best BBQs.
Handy on-the-go storage
Square flexi-tub
“Camping with kids is no picnic,” says Matt Collins, whose handy guide is filled with helpful advice on surviving family camping. This flexi-tub is ideal for keeping things organised in your tent.
Comfy and reliable period pants
Wuka midi brief period pants
Winner of Zoë Phillimore’s test of the best period pants, the Wuka midi briefs are “substantial enough to give you peace of mind without looking like something Bridget Jones would wear”.
A sustainable water bottle
Ocean Bottle Go
The Go bottle’s compact size, insulation and leak-proof design impressed Zoë Phillimore during her test of the best water bottles. “Ocean Bottle goes above and beyond in terms of sustainability. It’s a certified B Corp, and makes impressive pledges with every bottle you buy,” she says, making it a useful and feelgood buy.
A spacious and straightforward tent
Coleman Darwin 3 plus tent
“Coleman’s Darwin Plus delivers impressive performance for less than £100,” says Sian Lewis in her guide to the best tents. It’s “spacious, practical and straightforward to pitch”, making it Sian’s best budget pick – perfect for rookies or casual campers.
