Sports fans know that there’s even more to love about fall than beautiful foliage and cool air: this time of year ushers in the football season, and with it, the opportunity to tailgate with friends and family to root on a favorite team.
As a lifelong football fan of both my Midwest alma mater and national teams, I’ve braved the cold weather and tailgated while cheering on my favorites. Any football fan knows that the fall weather can rapidly change and sometimes be unforgiving. Fortunately, there are tons of great and low-cost products that make the tailgate experience even more exciting and enjoyable. To help, I’ve rounded up some of the best tailgate essentials based on my own experience.
Yeti Roadie 24 Cooler
The Yeti Roadie 24 Cooler is an absolute must-have for any tailgate or outdoor activity this fall. With a 17-inch height and two-liter capacity, this Yeti cooler delivers the high quality and durability expected from the brand, with unique technology such as the Hefty Hauler handle and Quick Latch that provides a perfect seal. The Roadie 24 is available in a variety of colors, so it is easy to complement any team from high school, college, or professional leagues.
Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0
The Solo Stove has gotten attention and recognition for delivering a smokeless fire experience from a high-quality, stainless steel unit. The new 2.0 version also features an ash pan at the base to easily clean up when you’re done. Weighing just 20 pounds, it’s easy to transport, so you can have a cozy fire pit to entertain your tailgate (and stay warm!). The company designed a unique 360-degree airflow design so that cool air vents from the bottom and brings warm air to the top, preventing smoke and keeping the fire going.
HotHands Body & Hand Super Warmers
The weather at tailgates can range from a sunny afternoon to a chilly evening, but luckily you can pack these HotHands packets to provide a safe level of warmth and heat in a targeted area. Even when I worked as a camera operator in the cold at football games, I would take extra HotHands packs and stuff them in my jacket or boot to provide extra warmth as I documented the on-field game. Best of all, they can be purchased in bulk for an affordable price on Amazon, making it easy to stock up before a winter chill.
Hotor Trunk Organizer for Car & SUV
One of the easiest ways to transport items for a tailgate is to load up a trunk organizer with your favorite beverages and food. This Hotor Trunk Organizer features a variety of flexible compartments to store everything from soda, chips, cans, bottles, and more. The organizer also has mesh pockets that provide an easy way to see all of the items stored in the organizer. The product was designed from Oxford cloth, a fabric that was created to sustain frequent wear and tear and remain sturdy.
Carhartt Relaxed Fit Washed Duck Sherpa-lined Utility Jacket
Staying warm during a tailgate or football game is key, and Carhartt’s Relaxed Fit Jacket is perfect for warmth with an added fleece lining and hood. Best of all, it works as a great ‘base coat’ — throw a large jersey over it so you can still support your favorite team while staying warm. Available in multiple colors ranging from dark brown to hunter green, the jacket is a favorite pick of Amazon shoppers with over 8,500 five-star ratings.
Darn Tough Merino Wool Boot Sock Full Cushion
During fall, it’s critical to dress for whatever the unpredictable weather brings. Darn Tough Socks provide a great solution to avoid cold feet with these comfortable and cozy Merino wool boot socks. These wool socks add extra warmth, comfort, and bounce especially in a tailgate situation where you’re likely standing on cold concrete or pavement in a parking lot. Nearly 9,000 shoppers have provided perfect reviews of these merino wool socks, and it’s easy to see why: the high-quality cushion and comfortable stitching make them perfect for any tailgate.
Rumpl The NanoLoft Puffy Blanket
The ultimate puffy blanket from Rumpl can be stored in a small pack making it easy and convenient to transport while providing extra warmth on game day. It can also be used as a ground mat on grass for staying warm or for little ones enjoying the tailgate experience. Best of all, the Rumpl blanket comes in a variety of colors so you can even choose a combination that matches your favorite team.
GCI Outdoor Rocker Camping Chair
Camping furniture is perfect for tailgating due to its durability, lightweight design, and compact size. One of the top-selling camping chairs on Amazon, this outdoor rocking chair is a perfect addition to any tailgate setup. It features a smooth rocking motion that makes the chair comfortable to sit in while outdoors. It has added functionality with a phone holder, beverage holder, and carry strap. With over 80,000 positive reviews on Amazon, it’s a great addition that can fold up conveniently into a car or truck.
Blackstone 22-inch Tabletop Griddle
A portable grill is key for serving up delicious food to hungry football fans, and Blackstone’s tabletop griddle has plenty of surface area to accommodate a big group. With over 6,000 positive ratings, the Blackstone 22-inch griddle weighs only 25 pounds making it portable and flexible for use in a variety of environments. Cleanup should be a breeze thanks to the slot at the back where the grease can pour out into a cup or container.
Ever Advanced Folding Tailgating Table with Cooler
You’ll be the envy of the tailgate when you roll up with this unique folding table that has a built-in cooler. The top of the table can be used for food, storage, or games, while underneath is a cooler that can keep beverages cold. Several drink holders throughout the table keep drinks in place and safe from being knocked over. The table folds compactly for easy storage and transport and weighs just seven pounds.
JBL Portable Waterproof Speaker
At a tailgate, everyone wants to hear the play-by-play action, so this waterproof Bluetooth speaker provides a great way to make sure sound travels throughout the entire party. JBL is known for its high-quality speakers and products, and with over 25,000 five-star ratings, this speaker is a great addition to any tailgate kit. Best of all, it has an impressive battery, with 20 hours of playtime.
Sabani Portable Charger
With everyone carrying multiple electronic devices, it’s helpful to keep extra power on hand. This portable charger from Sabani offers super-fast charging along with a built-in battery that can power up to six devices at the same time. The unique design also includes several built-in cables to provide a charge to a friend who may have a different device.
Stanley IceFlow Stainless Steel Tumbler
Bringing a tumbler to a tailgate is a smart way to keep your beverage cold — or hot — due to the insulation within the stainless steel base. Stanley’s tumblers have taken on a life of their own over the last few years, gaining renewed interest for their high-quality design and durability. Available in over 15 colors, it’s easy to get a match for your favorite team’s colors.
Rhone Commuter Mens 1/4 Zip Sweater
I love Rhone’s line of clothing for traveling, but it’s also functional enough for long days at a tailgate or football game. The stretchy material makes it comfortable to get up and cheer, and the midweight fleece provides enough warmth without causing you to overheat. The brand also makes clothes with 50+ UPF protection if you want to add sun-blocking power to your top layer as well. There is also Rhone’s take on the “shacket” which is another great piece for any football enthusiast.
ABC Canopy Easy Pop-up Canopy Tent With Sidewalls
When tailgating or enjoying sports outdoors, it’s helpful to plan for all of the elements, and a durable pop-up tent can provide relief from the sun and rain. This 8-foot tent folds conveniently into a case and has three sidewalls to protect you from wind or rain while providing easy access for people to move in and out. This set also comes in a variety of tent colors, making it a great option for picking a color to compliment your favorite sports team. With over 4,500 five-star ratings, this tent is a great addition to any tailgate.
TCL QM7
TCL, which is actually the official provider of televisions to the NFL, recently designed a glamorous 55-inch TV perfect for catching the game at a tailgate. Best of all, it’s $100 off of its retail price right now. The screen is extremely bright and provides perfect contrast for outdoor viewing, and it uses very little power, making it a great option when using an RV or a generator. The television includes a 4K UltraHD resolution, which means you get four times the resolution of a standard high-definition television.
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