Summer in Colorado usually goes hand-in-hand with mosquitoes and other buggy creatures that bite and swarm. But for a lot of people who enjoy the outdoors in Colorado bug-repellent sprays and lotions are messy and smelly and sometimes worse than the sting or the bite.

Now there’s a patch that provides an alternative. The Don’t Bite Me! Patch is DEET free, provides total body coverage, is waterproof and is safe for kids. When applied two hours before going outdoors, this patch deters insects for up to 36 hours. The active ingredient is vitamin B-1, which metabolizes in the body and reduces human odors that attract insects.

So go enjoy the outdoors without worrying about stings or bites. To order, go to www.dontbitemepatchstore.com.

The bright and colorful PhD Pocket Disc was born out of a third-grader’s assignment to crochet a round placemat. Instead of sitting on a table, though, it got tossed around by friends and family who visited and the pocket disc was created. The family found a cooperative of Guatemalan women to produce them and in return for the amazing artistry, the women are paid a fair wage and work under good conditions.

It’s a perfect toy for the summer and can be taken camping, backpacking or picnicking because it’s so light and flexible. It can also help alleviate boredom on a rainy day because you can play with it inside and not break anything. Check out www.pocketdisc.com/index.php for fun games and other uses as well as the online store and dealer locator.

This all-purposed laptop-sized rack can be used to keep food organized in a cooler or as a dinner tray, a seat or a food-preparation station. It’s perfect for camping or a picnic this summer.

The Camping Rack is a family-owned and -operated business out of Silt, Colorado. The rack measures approximately 18-inches long and 10-inches wide and can withstand temperature changes from subzero to 300 degrees, is flexible, prevents water from splashing up on food and holds up to 250 pounds.

For more information or to order, go to www.campingrack.com. If you order the rack on the website, use the keyword OUTDOORFUN and receive $3 off you purchase price!

Xtenex elastic laces, manufactured by Denver-based Quest Technologies, are not just for kids who haven’t learned how to tie their shoes (though his two toddlers were the reason Mike Gonzales originally created them). They are a revolutionary product that create “a fastening system that will literally wrap your shoe around your specific foot profile.”

The laces help wearers avoid footwear-related pain and discomfort like binding, slipping and blistering. With an elastic core and a series of knots along the entire length of the lace, the technology enhances footwear fit, comfort and performance and is becoming increasingly popular with professional athletes like distance runner, and triathletes. You can find a dealer in your area at www.xtenex.com or you can buy them online at www.xlaces.com.