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Vacation Nation: Take a Break -- and Save Your Planet, Too

Earth-friendly vacation gear.

by Abby Christopher

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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.

Vacation Nation
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

Vacation Nation
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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