Orange — the color of energy, warmth, creativity, passion, alertness, optimism, and surprise. It demands attention and raises spirits; it conjures images of blazing sunsets and the glow of campfires; and yes, sometimes it alerts of potential dangers.
✴️ My vocabulary has grown to include other colors and other languages. But orange’s pop and fizz and alarming brightness still sparks in me—a reminder of how it feels to begin. It feels like joy, like the kick of a starting gun, like a banner flapping in the breeze.
When used correctly, a pop of orange can make any person or space seem brighter, more inviting, and festive. It can also serve as an everyday reminder to strive for joyfulness and positivity even when all else seems gray.
With all that in mind, here are some of our favorite orange items to add to your life. ?
Pixelood — Wooden ‘Pixel’ Wall Art in Magma »
(Prices vary)
Pixelood is an Etsy shop run by Romanian craftsman Dan Serban, who creates pixel-like 3D wall decor made from colorful blocks of wood. He offers wooden mosaics (which double as sound diffusers), floating shelves, framed mirrors, and coat racks in a variety of vibrant colorways, but our favorites have always been from the “Magma” collection.
Caran d'Ache 849 “Popline” Ballpoint Pen in Flourescent Orange »
($22)
This audaciously orange pen is conspicuous in the best way. Its lacquered fluorescent orange color makes it nigh-impossible to misplace or lose in a bag, and like its siblings, it sports the classic slim hexagonal barrel and signature pocket clip that’s always made the 849 such a distinctive writing utensil.
+ Honorable mention goes to the LAMY “Pico” ballpoint in Laser Orange. ($33)
Field Notes “Expedition” Waterproof Memo Books »
($15 per three-pack)
Chances are, you've never had a notebook as tough as the Field Notes “Expedition” edition. These things are more than waterproof; they're practically everything-proof. The hi-vis “Antarctic Survey Orange” front covers seem a perfect complement to such indestructibility.
+ For more orange-y Field Notes goodness, check out the Draplin Stuff Sheath we featured in our “Unabashedly Orange” EDC guide a few years ago.
Baron Fig “Guardian Pro” Notebook & Pen Case in Tangerine »
($39)
With Baron Fig's Tangerine-colored Guardian Pro case, it doesn't have to matter what color your notebook and pen are — it can do all the heavy lifting with its brilliant orange exterior.
It's designed to hold one of their own flagship-size Confidant hardcover notebooks (which we've covered many times) and one of their Squire Pens (ditto), plus a smartphone and other small accessories. It's also made from water-resistant materials.
Le Creuset Stoneware Mugs in Flame »
($76 for set of four)
Boasting the same vibrant glaze coloring — and craftsmanship — as their iconic French oven, Le Creuset's “Flame” stoneware mugs are similarly easy to clean and resistant to chipping, scratching, and staining. Their sturdy stoneware construction offers excellent heat retention that keeps drinks warm for a good while after serving.
The mugs are safe for use in the freezer, in the oven or under a broiler (up to 500°F / 260°C), and in the microwave, and they can be cleaned in the dishwasher just fine. They also hold up to having metal utensils used in them. Just don’t set one right atop an open... er, flame and you should be fine.
OXWALLEN Stretchy Braided Solo Loop Band for Apple Watch »
($10)
Display your preference for bold orange all day long with this Apple Watch band, which is soft, stretchy, and breathable for maximum comfort. It's easy to slip on and off, and it feels so light you'll hardly notice it on your wrist even after hours of wear.
Recycled Firefighter “The Sergeant” Wallet »
($29)
Rather than going to waste after saving countless lives, decommissioned fire hoses get to serve a second tour of duty with every “Sergeant” wallet by Recycled Firefighter. Handmade by former firefighter Jake Starr, each one holds 4–8 cards plus some folded cash on the back, and is designed to be carried comfortably in your front pocket.
More importantly, they’re made to last. Fire hose material — even the retired stuff — is incredibly durable and resistant to far higher levels of heat and abrasion than it’s likely to experience in your pocket. For added durability, the wallets are sewn with T70 nylon thread (11-pound tensile strength) and edged with 1″ Mil-Spec nylon binding. Even the elastic money clip band on the back is Mil-Spec.
Basically, you’re not likely to wear one of these wallets out for at least a decade.
(Note: As of publication (August 7th, 2024) the orange-and-black colorway pictured above is unavailable on Amazon, so until it's back in stock, you may need to shop the official site to nab one.)
Eagle Creek Pack-It Gear Cube in Sahara Yellow »
($45)
Despite the “yellow” in the colorway's name, this gear cube from Eagle Creek is proudly as orange as they come. In any case, it's a durable, water-resistant cube designed for holding gadgets and electronics, outdoor tools, and anything else you want moisture to stay away from — either standalone or packed within a larger bag.
SOL “Fire Lite” Fuel-Free Electric Lighter »
($28)
Plasma lighters are the way of the future when it comes to quickly lighting fires, whether it’s a campfire, a backyard fire pit, a charcoal chimney, or even a candle (although they make more specialized ones for that last purpose). They require no fuel — only the occasional USB recharge — and they work practically anywhere and in any weather conditions.
The Fire Lite by S.O.L. (short for “Survive Outdoors Longer”) can be used up to 45 times on a charge, which takes only a couple hours to refill. When needed, some of that battery life can be used to power the built-in 100-lumen LED light, which offers high, low, and strobe settings.
One nice touch is that the included 3-foot lanyard cord (also orange) can be used for emergency tinder in the event of a survival scenario.
Arborwear “Double-Thick” Pullover Hoodie in Burnt Orange »
($120)
When winter rolls around and you need the warmest, highest-quality possible sweatshirt of your life, look no further than the Arborwear Double-Thick.
This thing was designed for people who have to work outside all day in the extreme cold, right down to the oversized hood that fits over a hard hat or work helmet. Its super heavy (that “double thick” in the name isn’t just marketing), super warm, and it’ll still be going strong years or even decades from now.
All the comfort and warmth of a thick blanket, with the freedom of movement of a light jacket. This is one investment you’ll never regret.
Pelican “1150 Protector” Camera Case »
($55)
The last thing any photographer wants is for their gear to get ruined in transit or because of inclement weather. Pelican’s rugged, high-performance 1150 camera case is intentionally over-engineered to handle the harshest, most extreme conditions you’re likely to ever shoot in. It’s practically indestructible and sports an automatic pressure-equalization valve on the front that balances interior pressure and keeps water out.
This is one of the company’s smaller camera cases, designed to hold a compact shooter like the Leica Q, the Sony Alpha a6400, or your GoPro, plus some accessories.
As with other cases in their “Protector” lineup, the 1150 case comes standard with “Pick N Pluck” soft ester foam, which is pre-scored into small cubes so you can customize exactly what you want the interior to hold.