It’s finally June, which means summer is closer than ever to being here, and there’s nothing like spending a lazy day at the park reading, playing with the dog, or just soaking up the vitamin D on a long summer day. You’ll probably get hungry with all that fun in the sun, so why not plan a picnic while you’re at it? A packed picnic in the park is one of the best experiences you’ll have all summer, and you can bring a great variety of foods and snacks to suit your day. Here’s a few things we think are must-haves for picnic days in the park.
Kelty Pop Duo – $32.95
An important step in putting together a picnic is basically having your foods pre-cooked, pre-sliced and diced, and pre-mixed, with the intention of simply having to assemble the pieces once you’re at your destination. You won’t need pots and pans or any kind of burners for a picnic, but you will need a proper vessel to transport it in. The Pop Duo from Kelty is essentially a modern-day picnic basket, compact and easy to organize. It features two zippered main compartments; one side is a waterproof, insulated cooler, and the other side is dry storage for food or extra gear. Two smaller zippered pockets offer storage for smaller items, like napkins and cutlery. 
Unlike other soft coolers on the market, this bag pulls apart to reveal a collapsible surface for simple food preparation. A compression strap around the middle keeps it all in a neat little package. The Pop Duo works great for camping, boating, and beach days too!
Platypus PlatyPreserve 800ml Wine Preserver – $9.95
If you want to take a nice bottle of red wine along for your picnic, but are concerned about the inherent risk that comes with glass wine bottles, get this soft wine preserver pouch from Platypus. 
Platypus is a brand we love for their interesting variety of soft hydration pouch options, and making one that preserves your wine while it carries it is just a winner in our book. Because the pouch is flexible, you simply squeeze all the air out of the pouch before sealing it, and therefore wine-spoiling air is removed from your favorite vintage. When it’s empty, you simply roll it up and tuck it away, and use it again on another day!
Platypus Platy Water Tank – $14.95 – $39.95
We had to give it up to Platypus again for the next essential picnic item: water. You always hear that people don’t drink as much water as they should, and summer heat has snuck up on more than a few people. Any outdoor activity in the hot sun should be accompanied by water, and you can do it with less to take back with these Platy water tanks. These flexible pouches hold two, four, or six liters of water, with reinforced carrying handles and efficient pour spout. Just as with the wine pouch, these fit easily into cramped spaces even when full, so save yourself a little hassle and transport water with a Platy tank.
