1. An REI Wonderland 4 tent because the best part of camping is that it's basically an excuse to have an outdoor sleepover with your besties, and this beaut is as spacious as can be! The tent is suited for three-season use and has a 69.4-square-foot interior.
You can get the footprint for this tent here . Promising review: "Best tent ever!!!! Tall enough that I can stand inside, but not too tall that I can’t set it up. It’s easy to set up and take off without help (just me), and yet it’s big enough that it feels like a palace inside.
Plenty of pockets inside and little hooks for lights and whatever. You can close up all the windows and rainfly or leave it completely open with just the screen and enjoy the view from your sleeping bag. Even the lines and shapes that it forms when you are inside are beautiful! It’s on the heavy side, but because I only car camp I don’t care.
I’m in love with this tent and it works so well and it’s so amazing that it makes me want to go camping even more! " — Lucia Get it from REI for $429 . 2. Or a Hornet Elite OSMO Ultralight tent available in a one- or two-person model if you want to opt for a lighter-weight tent you can also use for backpacking.
I have this tent, and when I first set it up I swear I heard angels sing. It has all the features I need, nothing I don't, and is going to be my go-to tent for years to come. When looking for your first ultralight backpacking tent, it's hard to know what features you're going to be OK with giving up.
With the Nemo Hornet Elite, I still have all the comforts of most car camping tents — an upper pocket, some freestanding poles, a super nice rainfly, and a vestibule — just made out of lightweight materials. It is semi-freestanding, meaning you do need to stake some parts of it out to get it fully set up, but it's easy to do and a small trade-off for how well it packs down and how easy it is to carry. It's a happy medium between weightier freestanding tents and tents that set up only with trekking poles.
I opted for the one-person size, and it is *very* much the size of one camper, but to my delight at 5'6" there's room at my feet to store my backpack if I want to. That, or the vestibule under the rainfly fits it perfectly as well. I've had zero problems with condensation or with rain getting in (though I've gotten lucky and have only endured some sprinkles on trips in this tent).
It doesn't come with a footprint, but honestly, I just cut a blue tarp to size to use and it worked perfectly (though you can get the official footprint here ). And while this is for sure a backpacking tent, I love it so much that as long as I'm camping alone, it's definitely going to be the tent I bring on car camping trips, too. Next up, it's coming with me to the San Juan Islands in Washington State! Get it from Nemo for $549.
95+ (available in one- or two-person versions). 3. A Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Ultralight roll-top dry sack because keeping your camp clothes and electronics dry is absolutely essential for any fun, safe camping trip.
My love for these lightweight waterproof bags can't be stifled. On my camping trips, I always bring two of these bags that each work double time. One serves as my clothes bag which doubles as a pillow at night when covered by my Buff .
The other is my food bag since it's easy to hang as a bear bag as well. Sometimes I bring another for my electronics, but sometimes they just go in with my clothes. But enough of my packing specifics — the point is, they're incredibly reliable, actually waterproof, and being able to pack them down nice and small as you take things out of them is *chef's kiss*.
Promising review: "I recently used this on a trip and it was amazing. Packed my down jacket in it as a pillow for the flight, and really love the color, Zinnia Yellow. No losing track of it!" — Darla J Get it from Amazon for $22.
95+ (available in six sizes and five colors). 4. A pack of cleansing wipes so you can freshen up a little bit between showers, much to the satisfaction of your campmates' noses.
..and your own, honestly.
Promising review: "Tough and very good. I’ve used these a couple of times on extended backpacking trips — lightweight and cleans very well. I hate getting into my sleeping bag, dirty.
Awesome." — Robb Hattem Get a 25-pack from Amazon for $8.99 .
5. A Kelty three-season mummy sleeping bag that's a superb bag for anyone in search of a versatile, warm, reliable, and lightweight bag. I use mine for backpacking and car camping trips alike, and love it all around.
The down is 550-fill and is rated to 20 degrees, making it a three-season bag. An earlier model of this bag was my first actual backpacking sleeping bag and I've been thrilled with it. I'm still using it three years later! It fits perfectly into the bottom section of my pack and isn't *too* difficult to get back in its stuff sack.
I'd call it an entry-level bag for backpacking since there are definitely lighter-weight (and ahem, much more expensive) options out there, but for a casual camper or backpacker, it really does the trick. Promising review: "When planning for a backpacking trip I needed something more compact. My previous mummy bag was synthetic, 30-degree rated, and took up too much room in my pack.
Did some research and this was smaller, lighter, rated 10 degrees warmer, and fit my budget. Down packs incredibly easy, I’ve come to find out, so packing it away is so much easier than synthetics. The bag itself is very comfortable .
I appreciate the two-way zipper with the option of opening from the bottom. This bag kept me very warm (granted it was only low 40s on my first use). Built-in hood was also very warm and comfy, actually made my inflatable pillow more bearable too.
Recommended product." — Armen Get it from Amazon for $149.95+ (available in five sizes and styles).
6. Or an Outdoor Vitals down topquilt if you hate feeling constrained by traditional sleeping bags — I know I do! I'd heard that quilts were better for wriggly side sleepers, summer campers, and folks who want to cut weight in their backpacking setup. I'm all of those and can confirm, this quilt is a major upgrade.
There's no piece of backpacking and camping gear I idealized more than the quilt, and ya know what? I was right! This thing totally changed the way I sleep outdoors. As a side sleeper who tends to twist and turn, mummy bags were always kind of a hassle. The quilt lets me move freely without having to readjust my whole bag.
It comes with two removable straps that secure it underneath your sleeping pad to keep it in place and to seal in extra warmth. This is also helped by the collar, which can be pulled nice and snug. As a backpacker, I really appreciate cutting some weight thanks to not having a zipper and the removed underside of the bag, whose down would be compressed and not super warming anyway.
This was my first piece of gear from Outdoor Vitals and I feel really impressed with the craftsmanship, even compared to super well-known brands. Highly recommend. Get it from Outdoor Vitals for $299.
97+ (available in three temperature ratings and two lengths). 7. A Sawyer Squeeze water filtration system that blows any other system out of the — say it with me — water.
Even on car camping trips, it's good to have a backup water purification on-hand just in case. It's adaptable and easy to use in almost any situation. While it comes with a bag that you can fill and squeeze, I prefer to fill a bottle with natural water, screw the filter on top, and drink straight from the bottle.
The set comes with one squeeze screw-on water filter, two 32-ounce collapsible pouches, one replaceable pop-up drinking spout, and one syringe filter cleaner. It weighs three ounces. It removes bacteria such as salmonella, cholera, and E.
coli as well as protozoa such as giardia and cryptosporidium. I adore this water filter for its ease of use, adaptability, small size, and zero wait time. Just fill the bag, screw on the filter, and roll the bag to squeeze the filtered water into your bottle *or* screw it onto a water bottle and drink straight from the filter.
You don't need to wait for it to be done like with water treatment pills or gravity systems, and there's no funky taste — just fresh, clean, crisp water. Game changing. Either way, it's a quick, lightweight system that I completely recommend.
Note: if you’re immunocompromised, be sure to read all the package instructions to make sure it’s safe for you. Promising review: "This thing is awesome, used it on our 3,500-mile trip stopping at various hiking spots and trails and camping, and having clean drinking water you can trust when on a long trip is vital. This gave me peace of mind that no matter where we filled up, creek or random water spigot, we had clean drinking water.
The cleansing tablets are a must for outdoor on-the-go water sources but with this system you don't have to carry a lot of heavy water in your pack to slow you down. A friend of mine used this hiking on the entire Arizona Trail and some of the water he used in it I wouldn’t have let a dog drink but he did and this thing worked like a charm and cleaned the water for him to safely drink throughout the desert on his hike. From that point on I was sold.
" — Combustion Works Get it from Amazon for $40.79 . 8.
A pack of waterproof cards if you're worried about — *gasp* — getting bored. That's OK. You can't expect to be thrilled by watching trees move in the breeze after a few days.
Now you and your friends can play rummy without worrying that your cards will basically melt in the rain. Promising review: "You are camping and backpacking in the forest for weeks. You and your campmates have nothing left to say.
To save your smartphone battery, you don't dare turn it on. You're on your last milliliter of whiskey. What's a person to do.
Play cards, of course! These cards worked amazingly well on my backpack/camping trip. These also do well as temporary coasters or when you need to keep something off the dirt. After a couple of days of rain and humid evenings, one expects a simple set of cards to perform and these did indeed.
" — paititi Get them from Amazon for $6.60 . 9.
A compressible camping pillow so you have the perfect place to lay your head as you dream of building the perfect campfire and toasting the most delicious marshmallow to ever exist. The pillow is machine-washable. Promising review: "The pillow packs down to a very small size, small enough to pack away for a weekend backpacking trip and is more comfortable than any of the inflatable pillows that save space.
Well worth the space used!" — Billy Wyrick Get it from Amazon for $31.95+ (available in three sizes and six colors/patterns). 10.
A classic Coleman camp stove perfect for whipping up a full meal in the great outdoors. With two burners, a wind shield, and heat control, you're gonna be the head chef of the wilderness, and everyone will be so glad to have a hot meal in their bellies before snuggling up for the night. Promising review: "Lightweight and easy to set up and use.
Sturdy, even temperature, roomy surface. Love everything about it. Easy to clean, too.
" — LJM Get it from Amazon for $139.95+ (available in two colors). 11.
An inflatable lounge chair that will make a sunny outdoor nap feel like the height of luxury. You inflate it just by whipping it in the wind, meaning no pesky hand pumps or electricity needed! Promising review: "I'm not a small person, and I wasn't sure how it would hold me, but this chair is wonderful. I have used it all over! I took it camping, I took it to the beach, and I even sometimes blow it up and use it in my living room while watching TV.
The hardest part is getting out of it gracefully!" — Limoncello Get it from Amazon for $39.98 (available in 20 colors and patterns). 12.
A puffy Rumpl indoor/outdoor blanket to keep you warm and cozy all through the night — whether you grab it for some time around the bonfire or add it to your sleep setup. Its smooth surface is water- and dirt-resistant, so there are no worries about exposing it to the elements. Plus its 4.
8-star overall rating backs me up here. The Rumpl blanket is also machine-washable and dryer-safe! Promising review: "We took this king-size blanket with us on our camping trip to New Zealand. At first I thought it might have been too overkill since it took up a lot of space in my luggage and a duvet was included in our camper van rental.
But we ended up using this every night, enjoying the warmth and breathable comfort even on fairly warm evenings. It was definitely large enough for two even with tossing and turning, we both had enough Rumpl to sleep well throughout the night. Great purchase, totally worth it.
" — becca606 Get it from Amazon for $90.99+ (available in 30 colors and designs). Check out my full Rumpl blanket review for more deets on why I'm all-in on these insulated beauts.
13. An Aeropress coffee and espresso maker that brews top-notch coffee anywhere boiling water is available. It's also small, durable, and easy to clean, so bringing it to the ends of the Earth with you is a no-brainer, especially when a hot bevy in the morning is considered essential.
The set comes with the chamber, plunger, seal, filter cap, funnel, filter holder, scoop, and stirrer. Here's a super informative video on how to use the Aeropress (while camping, even!) made by the coffee smarties at Stumptown. Promising review: "This might make some of the best, fastest coffee I have ever had.
I visited my cousin in Alaska and she used one EVERY day for her coffee. I forgot completely about it until it was time to take this camping trip, and I randomly found it on Amazon while searching for camping kettles — I am so glad I did. It is super compact, durable, and easy to use.
You can have a real quick cup in 30 seconds, or you can wait a couple of minutes and let the flavors meld, the choice is yours. " — Gordon Leonard Get it from Amazon for $39.95+ (available in two sizes).
14. Or a Stanley pour-over set that is so extra in its outdoorsiness it must be applauded. If you're in the center of the Venn diagram of people who love gear *and* the perfect artisanal pour-over, I can't think of a better splurge.
The set includes the pour-over, a reusable metal filter, and a matching mug. Promising review: "I make coffee in this at home or camping. Easy to wash.
Keeps the liquid hot for a long time. I’d recommend 100%. I’d give as a gift for a camping friend who loves that hot cup in the morning but doesn’t want to make a full pot.
10/10." — sandarwarrior Get it from Amazon for $45 (available in five colors). 15.
A Goal Zero Flip Power Bank so you can charge your devices, no problem. From phones to navigation devices to headlamps, it'll be a relief to know you won't have any essential electronics poop out without a backup battery. I've had a Goal Zero for a few years and find the reliability well worth the price.
Promising review: "I bought this power bank for overnight and multi-day backpacking trips. Works just as I had hoped — charges my iPhone quickly and doesn't add a ton of weight to my pack. Great product!" — MarketAce Get it from Amazon for $29.
95+ (available in two sizes and three colors). 16. A Coleman camping chair that has its own side table (with a built-in cupholder!) so you can keep your drinks, snacks, and speaker on hand while you kick back and bask in the natural ambience.
Promising review: "I purchased two of these and will probably get at least two more. Love how slim these are when they are folded up. We took these camping, they folded up slim enough to hang from a hook in our camper.
They were great when we got back from canoeing to realize it had rained all over everything for hours, these chairs dried super quickly , everyone else we were with had wet chairs for the remainder of the trip." – shawnajab Get it from Amazon for $79 . 17.
Or a Big Agnes Rapide sleeping pad for a more packable option that's also ready to fit in with your backpacking setup. I have a slightly different but similar Big Agnes pad that's so comfy it's also what I use on car camping trips! This sleeping pad has an R-value of 4.2, meaning it's rated to keep you warm for three-season camping and backpacking.
Promising review: "It is the most comfortable sleeping pad I have ever tried. It is easy to sleep on my side with this thing. I don't feel it getting cold at night, it properly reflects the heat off my body.
It has both a two-way valve and a one-way valve. The one-way valve makes it so you can blow up the thing all the way without needing an air pump. My only complaint is that it is not a camouflage color such as beige.
It packs down way smaller than I expected it to. I have room to put it on the inside of my backpack. It's fairly easy to fit it in its sack when rolled up.
The sack isn't too tight." — John Morris Beck Get it from Amazon for $155.95+ (available in 13 sizes).
18. A Black Diamond sun hoodie that's a personal fave for sunny hikes and backpacking trips. I've started to take sun protection super seriously, so a long-sleeve UPF 50+ option is a must.
And even as the sweatiest person alive who refuses to pack deodorant when backpacking (extra weight? No thanks), it keeps me dry no matter how many miles I trek. Promising review: "I love these. They fit great and are lightweight.
I wear them on hot summer days and never feel like I'm sweating. I have several colors and can't wait to collect more." — Kc H.
Get it from Black Diamond for $95 (available in sizes XS–XL and six colors). 19. A pull-string fire starter because you're probably a little rusty on your Boy Scouts skills and no one in your camp crew is going to give you a badge anyway.
Put the sticks down — this'll do all the hard work for you! Promising review: "Genius! Lit immediately and our wood was soaking wet! It’s a must-have for all camping/fire-pit events! No more newspapers, boxes, or lighter fluid!" — Mcee Get a three-pack from Amazon for $18.99 . 20.
A cot and air mattress if sleeping on the hard ground is a hard no for you. Sleeping under the stars is rad, but sleeping in a BED under the stars? Unbeatable. Promising review: "This is the most AMAZING camping bed I've ever used, and I've camped my entire life.
Not only is it up off of the ground, so my 36-year-old disabled ass doesn't have to cry every time I get in and out of my sleeping bag, my suitcase FITS UNDERNEATH THE BED. Then, there's the cot itself. Mmm.
..comfy.
There's an included air mattress! But won't that just fall off of the cot? That's where the genius of Coleman comes in, kids. They added a pocket made out of super soft microfiber material that feels like your favorite grand-mammy's sheets and zippers open to slide the PREMIUM COLEMAN AIR MATTRESS WITH DOUBLE AIRLOCK MAGICALNESS inside and then you ZIPPER IT SHUT AGAIN. But wait.
There's more. HOW CAN THERE POSSIBLY BE MORE?! YOU'VE ALREADY GIVEN US SO MUCH, COLEMAN! Mother-loving side tables, Batman. They snap on right where you want them.
With holes for all of your beverage-holding needs. And just enough room for a Kindle, a phone, and an adult beverage." — dammit Liesl Get it from Amazon for $189.
99+ (available in twin and queen sizes). 21. A Yeti Tundra 35 cooler because they really do make some seriously splurge-worthy coolers.
This one has an impressive 4.7-star overall rating for its durability and, of course, ability to keep things cold for a wildly long time. Promising review: "This is the best cooler I have ever owned! It's quite expensive but well worth the price.
I have used it for beach days and camping multiple times and I love it!" — Gruber Get it from Amazon for $275 (available in 14 colors). 22. And a cooler light so reaching for a can after the sun sets is never a shot in the dark.
Sidebar: would watch a TV show about tricked-out coolers. Promising review: "This little device was surprisingly WONDERFUL! My hubby hesitated to put it on his 'precious' YETI cooler, but after putting it in, we both were astounded! We never thought about how much easier it would be on our tent camping trips to be able to easily see into the cooler after dark! This was a game changer for us! It works exactly as described. It comes on when opened and goes off when closed — just like your fridge!" — Suzyzzle Get it from Amazon for $13.
43 . 23. A simple Coleman lantern essential for keeping your path illuminated (and staying safe) as you traverse camp after dark.
The lantern requires four D batteries , but is also available in a rechargeable version ! Promising review: "A convenient alternative to the old Coleman camping lanterns that used a fabric mantle and burned gasoline fuel. Hangs easily on a loop in a tent or on a stretched line. Provides plenty of light.
Well-suited for camping and other outdoor uses, but too large for backpacking." — D E Conner Get it from Amazon for $20.50+ (available in two sizes).
24. A pair of Teva sandals if you've been on the hunt for a comfy pair of "camp shoes" to bring along on your next journey. These are shockingly supportive and feel so good after a long day presumably spent in boots.
Promising review: "I have been on multiple camping trips and hikes with these sandals and they are very comfortable. They fit well, and do not rub my feet. They're also super cute! I understand why there are a lot of people who swear by these sandals.
I think I joined the cult of Teva and will probably buy another pair at some point." — Alexandria E. Get them from Amazon for $29.
99+ (available in women's sizes 5–13 and tons of colors and patterns) 25. A multipurpose Buff you can wear tons of different ways to protect your neck and head from the sun or the cold thanks to a super breathable fabric. Popularized by Survivor , beloved by the outdoorsy.
Promising review: "This was very useful for backpacking. Makes a good balaclava, neck warmer, and I am bald so it has enough material I can put it on just my scalp, twist it twice and double down for total coverage as a beanie with no gap at the twist. Also can be wetted and draped over neck for cooling.
HIGHLY recommend. This is true excellence." — Drumdogma Get it from Amazon for $17.
99+ (available in three colors). 26. A pack of Alpine Start , aka the most delicious instant coffee in the land.
I know what you're thinking, but believe me, it HITS. I tried it for backpacking trips and ended up loving it so much I keep it on-hand in my house all the time for mornings when I'm feeling lazy and need some java. Yes, that's every morning, get off my case.
Promising review: "Great product! Had both hot and with slightly coolish water, and both times it tasted great. Having a cup of coffee on the summit of a mountain was great, and add in coffee that tastes good, even better! Will buy for future backpacking trips for sure." — Kelley Hemminger Get a 3.
3-ounce bag from Amazon for $18.99 . 27.
A Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer down hoodie because a high-quality jacket that accompanies you on any and all adventures is one of the best gear investments you can make. Even in the spring and summer, it can get chilly, especially when camping at high altitudes, and having a packable insulated layer is a smart move. This jacket is basically my most prized possession.
I lusted after the Ghost Whisperer for years before finally getting my hands on one, and boy oh boy, did it exceed my expectations. It's SO warm but SO breathable. That's the beauty of down, baby.
It weighs less than 8 ounces, which is perfect for backpackers who pay close attention to weight (guilty). Promising review: "This jacket is so light and warm! I can move freely and not feel constrained in my jacket. It's my go-to for just about everything.
" — KWag Get it from REI for $179.83 (originally $360; available in women's sizes XS–XL and three colors, and in men's sizes S–XXL and three colors). The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
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