A lake day doesn’t have to be fancy to be fun. Give me a tube, some sunshine, and a cold drink and I’m happy. But… let’s be real. Sometimes it feels really good to treat yourself.
That’s where the “splurge gear” comes in. These aren’t the bare minimum items — this is the stuff that takes your lake day from good to legendary. And the best part? Once you’ve got it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.
Here are my favorite lake-life splurges that are 100% worth it.
1. A Cooler That Actually Holds Ice
We’ve all had that cooler — the old hand-me-down with flimsy plastic that barely kept anything cold past lunchtime. It did the job, but let’s be honest… dragging it back and forth from the house to the boat, dumping out the sloshy water at the end of the day, and constantly re-icing gets old fast.
That’s where a splurge cooler really earns its keep. Load it up once with ice and you’re set for the whole weekend. No melting mess, no constant refills — just grab a cold drink when you need one and restock snacks when they run low. It’s one less thing to worry about when you’re out on the water.
Now, there isn’t a single “best” cooler — it depends on your setup and how you use it:
- BrüMate BrüTank Wheeled Hard Cooler – Rugged and fun, with extras like built-in bottle openers and non-slip lids and a built-in tap. This is personally my favorite cooler and at 35 quarts this comfortably can serve 5 people for a day out on the lake. The built-in tap is super unique and lets you bring some fun mixed drinks out to the lake.
- YETI Tundra – Built like a tank. If you want something indestructible that keeps ice for days, this is the go-to. Depending on how much room you have or how long you go out for there are 3 different sizes I recommend. My only gripe with these coolers are the lack of wheels. It almost always means lifting these is a 2 person job.
Shop by size:
- Small (perfect for day trips) → YETI Tundra 35
- Medium (weekend warrior size) → YETI Tundra 45
- Large (multi-day or party cooler) → YETI Tundra 65
- RTIC Ultra-light – More budget-friendly, but still excellent performance. A great pick if you don’t want to spend top dollar but still want reliable performance. A bonus that most models have options for wheels to make these coolers more portable than the Yeti’s above.
Shop by size:
- Small → RTIC 22 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler
- Small-Medium (does not have wheels)→ RTIC Ultra-Light 32 Quart Hard Cooler
- Medium → RTIC 52 Quart Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler
- Large → RTIC 72 Quart Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler
At the end of the day, the “best” cooler is the one that fits your boat, your budget, and your style. But upgrading from the bargain-bin cooler? That’s one splurge you’ll never regret.
2. A Chair You Actually Want to Sit In
Whether it’s a chair on the dock or one by the firepit after a long day on the water, you need something comfortable to kick back in and soak up the memories. Just like with coolers, there’s no one-size-fits-all option — it really comes down to what works best for you.
After years of camping trips and lake days, these are my top picks for chairs that never let me down:
- GCI Comfort Pro Rocker (My personal favorite)
- Perfect for the dock or around the firepit.
- Folds flat and has a smooth rocking motion (great for chilling with a view).
- TIMBER RIDGE Zero Gravity Lounge Chair
- Ideal for full-on relaxation after a long day on the water.
- Reclines, has a headrest, and supports heavy weight.
- NEMO Stargaze EVO-X (Available at REI and Dicks)
- For hammock lovers — like a hammock but folds up nice and compact.
- Super comfortable but a bit pricey.
- Coleman Oversized Quad Chair with Cooler
- Classic camp chair with an extra perk: built-in mini cooler.
- Great budget option that works for firepit nights.
3. Portable Power and Tech
Nothing kills the mood faster than your speaker dying halfway through the playlist or your phone hitting 1% when you’re trying to snap sunset pics. That’s why a little backup power is one splurge that’s worth every penny.
Here are a few favorites that keep everything charged and ready:
- Jackery Portable Power Station – Basically a mini power plant you can take anywhere. Perfect for long weekends when you want to keep multiple devices running (and yes, it can even handle a blender for those lake margaritas).
- Anker Solar Panel Charger – If you’re off the grid for a few days, solar power is a lifesaver. Lay it out in the sun while you swim and come back to a fully charged phone.
Not only are potable power banks good tech to invest in but if you have multiple boats out on the water, some nice quality walkie talkies can be a good addition to communicate with eachother.
You don’t need any of this stuff to have a great day at the lake. But man, does it make things nicer. The cooler that never runs out of ice, the awesome chair everyone fights over, the portable charger that keeps the vibes going — it’s the kind of gear that turns a normal day into one you’ll remember.
So tell me… what’s the first thing you’d splurge on?