To us, spending time outside is an absolute necessity. And camping is one of our favorite ways to do that. Where else can you get dirty with the people you love the most (or by yourself, if you’re into that), sleep under the stars, wake up to dew-covered tents, eat flame-cooked meals, roast marshmallows, and sing “Kumbaya”? And what better time to go camping than this year?
A handful of our editors are pretty obsessed with camping; we grew up camping with our parents and have made a lifestyle out of time spent in the woods with our loved ones. We make tons of quick weekend escapes throughout Colorado and New York, and plan at least one longer camping trip every year to places like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park, Moab, Glacier National Park, Olympic National Park, Iceland, and many more — because nothing recharges our batteries better than some unplugged adventures.
Camping has come a long way from the days of canvas tents, PVC folding chairs, and cooking a can of beans over the fire. Whether you're going backpacking in the Adirondacks or car-camping in Yosemite National Park, here is your ultimate checklist of camping essentials we swear by.
From shelter and warmth to food, toiletries, games, bear spray (yes, bear spray), and stuff for your pup, this is the best camping gear that will enhance even the most experienced hiker's outdoor adventure.
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GET THE BEST SLEEP
From sleeping bags to sleeping pods and everything in between, here's what you need to bring some coziness to the great outdoors.
Prestige Downy Airbed Kit With Handheld Battery Pump
The key to a good air mattress while camping is recognizing before you get to the campsite that you probably won't have electricity. Thankfully, this twin airbed comes with a handheld electric pump — just don't forget six C batteries.
This Intex is offered in full- and queen-sized options, with a price tag that is definitely worth it for a better night's sleep. Just be sure your campsite is cactus-free.
Grab your boo and your sleeping bag, too. This queen-size double bag has plenty of space for two and can keep you warm in temperatures as low as zero degrees. It has a super soft poly-fleece liner that feels like your winter sheet set.
The Mammoth is much plumper than a packable sleeping bag, which adds a different level of comfort and makes sleeping on the ground tolerable. And it comes with a stuff sack, so you won't have to fumble with trying to roll up this behemoth when it's time to hit the road.
When your comforter from sixth grade just won't cut it for mountainside chilling, replace it with this ultra comfy camping blanket, filled with post-consumer recycled synthetic insulation. The exterior fabric is ripstop nylon that's treated with DWR (Durable Water Repellent), so it resists moisture and damage.
It also compresses pretty darn small, so you can stuff it in your backpack and spread it out when you find the perfect stargazing spot on a chilly night.
Not a big fan of the puffy blankets? You're in luck. Rumpl now makes these incredibly soft wool blankets, made from a 50/50 blend of responsibly sourced Australian merino wool and organic cotton. They're reversible and sold in throw, queen, and king sizes.
Use it in the car en route to your campsite or add some extra comfort to your sleeping setup. Trust us — this blanket makes relaxation contagious.
Country Living editors share everything you need to cook up and plan an amazing outdoor adventure. This full-color, beautifully crafted keepsake includes 100-plus recipes and ideas for camping, picnics, porch parties, and more.
If car camping is your go-to but you want a sleeping bag that can also handle the occasional backpacking trip, this Kelty is your pick. It's not the lightest or most packable sleeping bag, but it's affordable and does what it needs to do: It packs down small, keeps you warm, and holds your sleeping pad in place so you won’t roll off of it.
The warmth-to-weight ratio of this down sleeping bag is ideal for backpacking, and a larger toe box gives you the freedom to move around in the heat of the night. It's the perfect bag for countless nights of camping from your trunk, with the option to head off-grid if your feet want to take you there.
Whether you're camping an hour away from home or venturing overseas for a 3-week Andean backpacking trip, Therm-a-Rest's newest offering is up for the challenge. We've taken it on numerous flights and camping trips and can now call it our top choice when space is limited.
The huge amount of comfort stuffed into such a small package makes this one of our favorite extras for nearly all travel.
If you're heading out on a backpacking or kayaking trip, moisture is pretty much a given — and a wet sleeping bag can really put a damper (pun intended) on the trip's vibe. Big Agnes' Anvil Horn is treated with DownTek, so the feathers absorb 33% less moisture and dry 66% faster than standard down.
With 650-fill power down, this bag has a solid warmth-to-weight ratio when compared to many other bags. Translation: It's warm, lightweight, and compresses well for backpacking.
You'll be toasty at every altitude and in every climate in this sleeping bag, and you'll have some coin left over for a few tanks of gas.
If you're tired of getting down onto the ground (even if it's on an air mattress), a cot is what you need. You'll be pleasantly surprised to find out that the Teton XXL cot is actually bigger than a twin mattress.
The aluminum frame and S-shaped steel legs can support up to 600 pounds. Its size and stability even make it a great option for out-of-town guests if you run out of couch space in the basement.
Most single camping mattresses are either too small or too prone to rips and tears. But ust’s Fillmatic is the perfect size for one person, and solid enough for frequent outdoor use.
This thick sleeping pad is made from 4 inches of open-cell foam cushioning, so it’s perfect for restless side sleepers even when the ground isn’t perfectly flat. The fabric is thicker than your typical sleeping pad, so punctures are highly unlikely. It’s self-inflating, too, so you won’t pass out trying to blow this pad up with your lungs.
In addition to camping, we’ve used this mattress for group travel (like ski trips) when floor space is the only remaining option, and our friends are always curious. It’s a legit game changer — trust us.
Your friends will thank you for passing this bottle around the campfire before bed, especially if you're the one who snores. It's pretty quiet in the wilderness, and one snoring body or overactive bladder in a big group can keep everyone up all night.
Every camping trip can benefit from a few thick, woven Mexican blankets. They come in handy for keeping cozy by the fire, adding layers underneath your sleeping bag, keeping some dirt off your car seats, and as an entryway mat for your sleeping bag. You can even roll one out and use it to, yup, as the name suggests, practice yoga with the rising sun.
Here's another amazing invention we didn't know existed until we needed it — desperately. Tenacious makes super-strong, waterproof adhesive repair tape for tents, tarps, backpacks, ski gear, and so much more. Carry it with you anytime you're camping, but especially when backpacking.
Not enough cargo space for an oversized eight-person tent? This roomy tent is perfect for spring, summer, and fall ... and up to six people, or most reasonable combinations of humans and dogs.
Its rainfly and floor are waterproof-coated, all seams are taped for waterproofing, and the body is a breathable polyester and mesh blend. There's ample ventilation, too, in case you're a hot body in the night.
Poler's Napsack is the O.G. of wearable sleeping bags. Zippers at each shoulder let you free your arms to feed the fire, the cinch-closure bottom frees your legs (and can even be pulled up to function more like a puffy jacket), hand pockets keep snacks and your pocket knife close, the insulated hood warms your noggin, and a cell phone-sized chest pocket keeps your lifeline nearby.
Toss this wearable sleeping bag in your trunk and it may just become the most-used piece of gear you own. It's reversible, too, so you can keep the business side clean for wearing around the house, then flip it to the party side when you're up late with tunes, drinks, and flames in the woods.
When your car is stuffed to the gills for a cross-country National Park road trip or your backpack is bursting at the seams, every inch of space counts. Stuff your sleeping bag (or clothing) in this waterproof compression sack, close it up, cinch it down, and watch it shrink in size. The one-way valve lets air out without letting water in, so all the contents stay dry, even if your boat (or car) capsizes.
BUILD THE ULTIMATE CAMPSITE
Because every campsite should have its extra perks, here's everything you need to create the best atmosphere.
These bright LED bulbs are easy to hang inside of a tent, on a tree branch, or just about anywhere a little extra glow could come in handy. They're battery-operated, so as long as you have batteries, you have light.
Damp wood got you singing the blues? Build a fire no matter where you are with these fire-starter packs. After you light it, it only takes two seconds to start burning. Plus, it works in harsh weather conditions like wind and rain.
Each pack will start four fires, for a total of 88 fires altogether. Much better than some of the weird DIY options we've seen (dryer lint stuffed inside a TP roll, anyone?).
Sometimes we love to hear the fire crackle and the birds chirp. And other times we like to TURN UP.
This speaker by Ultimate Ears has solid sound quality, good battery life, and is plenty rugged for camping. It's waterproof, too, so your trip won't be ruined if you forget to put it away when a rainstorm sneaks up.
You'll be sitting comfortably after a long day in the sunshine in this collapsible camping chair. It's bigger than most, so you won't feel cramped. With a water bottle in one cup holder and a frosty beverage in the other, you really can't ask for more.
Plus, this chair features a four-can cooler pouch to keep drinks in reach. After years of trying different brands, this Coleman is our old faithful — and over 30,000 Amazon reviewers agree, which is why it boasts an average of 4.7 stars.
Pack light and chill hard with this inflatable lounger by Wekapo. All you have to do is open the mouth of the fabric and literally spin in a circle to let it swallow air and puff up. Seal it up in a pinch and you can use the lounger for naps, hangouts, or even in the water. Just make sure you stay close to shore when you use it.
Our editors are seriously obsessed with this chair. It weighs just one pound, packs down to the size of a 32-ounce water bottle, and is way more comfortable than it looks. For car camping, you may want a chair that's a bit bigger, but this is hands-down our favorite chair for backpacking.
Unplug with your kids (or adult friends) for a change. Instead of playing Yahtzee on a smartphone, use this special-edition Yahtzee set that has a moose, a ranger hat, a cannon, a tent, pine trees, and a river instead of numbers.
There are a million uses for ropes when camping — use it as a clothesline, a dog leash, to secure a tarp, or to hang your food off the ground at night. Pack this strong, lightweight, multipurpose utility cord, and you'll always be prepared to improvise.
Lightweight does not have to mean uncomfortable, and comfortable does not have to mean heavy!
NEMO's Moonlite weighs just under 2 pounds, has a super stable base, and reclines so you can gaze at the stars. It's a comfort item that we never regret when backpacking, and it lives in the trunk of my car — because you never want to miss another meteor shower again.
This has made our list of must-have over-the-top items to take backpacking. Luxury backpacking, if you will.
Why? Because we like to read in a hammock at the top of a mountain — don't you? The DoubleNest has enough room for two adults (plus a small pup) and can even be slept in at night if you prefer to see the stars overhead. It comes in over 30 color choices, too.
ALL YOUR FOOD & DRINK NEEDS
We go beyond trail mix here — we're talking hydration packs, food storage, and everything else you need so you don't go hungry (or thirsty!).
This slim water container is perfect for stacking in your super-packed trunk for camping. The spigot tucks away neatly inside so it won't break in transit. When you're ready for fresh water, just unscrew, flip it around, and screw it back on for easy water dispensing.
Wheels and a handle? Count us in. It may not be a fancy roto-molded cooler, but Coleman's 50-quart wheeled option is big enough to hold a case of beer and enough food for a small family for three days. It has four built-in beverage holders, doubles as a card table, and has a family-friendly price tag.
Spaghetti by the fire? Sure. Scrambled eggs for breakfast? Why not? Boil water, simmer sauce, grill sausages, and so much more with this stove. It cranks out 11,000 BTUs of power anywhere that camp stoves are allowed. Just be sure to pick up a mini propane tank and you're good to go.
No matter what you're doing in the wilderness, a propane tank is necessary to cook some kind of food or drink. Trusty Coleman propane is the gold standard — it has never let us down, and a single tank can burn long enough to cook meals for an entire weekend.
Flexible Plastic Cutting Board Mats with Food Icons
Sometimes there just isn't time to prep before heading out to the camp spot. Just grab a knife, your dinner, foil, a few friends, and this set of four cutting boards.
Cross-contamination is a thing of the past, thanks to the icons and colors that make it easier to keep raw meat away from veggies. Your gourmet meal is just a few chops away.
When you're day-tripping from base camp, a small cooler, with enough space for a day's worth of food and drink, is so much more convenient than lifting and loading a weeks' worth of food in the truck.
Hydro Flask’s new soft cooler tote is designed to keep contents cold for up to 36 hours and features an airtight seal that won't make your back seat soggy if it tips over in transit.
Carry it like a tote bag from the car to the picnic table, or toss the padded backpack straps over your shoulders and head out to your private mountain vista for a nice cold one.
This tool is the ultimate space-saving camping utensil. It's a fork, spoon, knife, light, corkscrew, and bottle opener, all in one. It's like your kitchen drawer all rolled up into a pocket knife, and it's much easier to keep track of than individual utensils.
There's just something refreshing about using a sharp kitchen knife and a real wooden cutting board at your campsite. No more using your pocket knife that has never been sanitized in its nine-year lifespan!
GSI's Rakau kit has three knives with stainless steel blades and responsibly sourced wooden handles and sheaths (chef's, bread, and paring knives), as well as a bamboo cutting board, blade sharpener, and carrying case for safety and organization. It's the perfect way to transform your campfire cooking from basic to gourmet.
We recently fell in love with RTIC as a comparable alternative to some pricier competitors (their coolers perform just as well as a YETI and cost about $100 less). And this newest model — the Ultra-Light — is 30% lighter than its predecessor with the same ice-keeping performance, thanks to 3 inches of closed-cell foam insulation.
Just one bag of ice will keep your food and drink cold for days. It comes with a food basket and compartment divider and is sold in a variety of sizes and colors. RTIC is the future.
No grill basket? No problem. All you really need for a gourmet campfire meal is aluminum foil and tongs. This pair is longer than most, so it's perfect for open-flame cooking. Pop your meal directly onto a bed of coals for the ultimate smoky masterpiece.
The last thing you want is a mosquito, bee, or some ash flying into your cup before you take a sip. Keep critters and airborne things out of your hot or cold beverage with this sealable, lidded mug from GSI. It's lightweight, insulated, BPA-free, and the collapsible handle won't take up too much space.
Despite the plethora of innovative insulated cups and bottles now available, this simple mug still has a spot in our backpack.
If we could have one bowl for the rest of our lives, this would be it. It collapses, weighs less than 3 ounces, can handle hot foods, and is BPA-free. Not only that, but you can easily pour things out of it because it's made of flexible silicone, and you can even use the bottom as a chopping surface.
Plus, when you get home, you can toss it in the dishwasher. Seriously, it's the best bowl ever.
We wish someone had a camera the first time we saw a Jetboil in action. Open the valve, press the igniter, and voilà — 2 cups of water will boil in just a few minutes for hot coffee, soups, and freeze-dried meals. The whole kit packs down into the 1-liter pot so you can stuff it in your backpack and hit the trail, lickety-split.
We've tried other backpacking stoves, but this JetBoil has been our favorite for years.
Marshmallow Roasting Sticks with Wooden Handles (Set of 12)
Where's a long pointy stick when you need it? And why do we always wait until it's dark to try to find one? This set will solve all your s'mores dilemmas and make sure the kids get lots of sugar right before bedtime.
Bonus: These sticks work equally as well for grilling hot dogs and sausages, too.
Tritan 32-Ounce Narrow Mouth BPA-Free Water Bottle
Sure, there are fancier water bottles out there, but the Nalgene will always have a place in our pack (and our hearts). You can attach it to your backpack and hook your water filter right up to the wide mouth.
It's cheap and comes in a wide array of colors, and it's nearly indestructible — we've had a few in our rotation for nearly 10 years.
Trash bags with a drawstring are perfect for hanging your garbage from a tree. Keep recyclables on one tree and trash on another. With LeakGuard and RipGuard protection, you can toss these durable bags in your trunk for the drive home without worrying about stray trash juice all over your car (buzzkill). Other than strapping trash to your roof, there's really no better way.
Before Justin's, there weren't many options for peanut butter on the go (if you found those little Jiffy containers, consider yourself lucky). But Justin's is still our favorite: It tastes delicious, is all-natural, and has tons of flavors (chocolate, honey, maple, and vanilla). We're partial to the honey — once you try it, you'll never go back.
Taking an expensive kitchen knife camping can be risky — sometimes not everything makes it home after a long weekend in the wilderness. Keep this paring knife handy: It's made with a high-carbon stainless steel blade and ergonomic handle so you can slice your favorite foods right by the campfire.
A frosty beer after a long day of hiking in the sun always hits the spot. But on super hot days, your beer can get too warm if you don't down it within 5 minutes.
Pack up this new Cooler Cup from Hydro Flask — it's an insulated coozie to keep your adult sodas cold while you sip, and it doubles as a 12-ounce cup by simply moving the rubber sleeve. Two for one? Sign us up.
Deep Freeze 20-Quart Premium Ice Chest Roto Cooler
Whether you just need a small cooler for a quick trip or you want to keep food and drinks separate on longer ones, this 20-quart premium cooler will be a killer addition to your arsenal. It has anti-skid rubber feet, is bear-resistant, has an integrated fish ruler so you can measure your catch, and keeps ice for up to four days.
It even has Microban antimicrobial technology built-in, which helps reduce the build-up of bacterial odors and stains. Say goodbye to stinky coolers.
Everything just tastes better when it comes from a campfire. For a quick and easy campfire meal, toss together some meats and veggies, drizzle some olive oil, sprinkle some seasonings, and toss it right on a bed of coals next to the flame.
Opt for heavy-duty nonstick foil so that it won't rip and you'll leave no piece of charred deliciousness behind.
This is the ultimate campfire cooking tool. Place burgers, steaks, or veggies directly in this basket — or wrap them in foil to keep the juice and spices in place. Baskets not only keep your food from falling onto the fire, but they allow you to rotate the food for even cooking.
Eliminate the wasteful practice of using paper plates (or even worse, styrofoam) and plastic utensils for your next camping trip. GSI's one-person set includes a plate, cup, bowl, knife, fork, spoon, and mesh bag, with five colors. It's all super easy to clean, so you can reuse it all weekend long.
If you really must do disposable, this pick is as earth-friendly as it gets. These plates from Earth's Natural are made of discarded wheat stalk and sugarcane fibers, not paper or plastic. And they're 100% biodegradable and compostable, so you could burn them in your campfire without releasing chemicals into the air.
Prep your hobo packets at home, keep them cold in this bowl, then pop them in foil when you are ready to cook. This 5-quart insulated bowl with a lid will keep food hot or cold for hours, just like its insulated water bottles, and the stainless steel construction won't transfer flavors from one meal to the next.
We love the philosophy and the flavor of Earnest Eats bars. Nothing tastes or fuels your body better on a hike than 100% natural nutrition, made from nuts, oats, fruits, and seeds. Choco Peanut Butter is our personal favorite, but we'd crush a whole box of any flavor if given the chance.
We're consistently amazed at all the random uses for a Ziploc bag while camping, with food storage being the most common. Trust us — a box of these will come in handy when there are leftovers to save for a late-night snack.
Staying hydrated seems like such a simple thing to do, until you're miles from a clean water source. So Camelbak partnered with Lifestraw to make this in-line water filtration kit.
Fill up your water reservoir in a stream or lake, attach the filter to your hose, and sip away. The filter removes bacteria, parasites, microplastics, and odors, making everything but the murkiest waters potable and yummy.
If you're heading out on a longer day hike and just want to carry a water bottle, this LifeStraw option is your ticket. Now you can fill up at a stream or river crossing once you've finished the first 23 ounces.
It surpasses EPA standards for removing water contaminants and bacteria, turning mountain runoff (and even murky puddles) into clean drinking water.
You don't know what you're missing by using a flimsy duffel or reusable grocery bag until you try Helinox's overbuilt tote bag that doubles as a fold-out picnic mat.
It's the lightweight, sturdy, and durable construction that you'd expect from Helinox — makers of lightweight camp furniture. The Origami tote has a 35-liter capacity that's ideal for carrying camping supplies, fishing waders and boots, a wet suit, or a weekend's worth of groceries to a getaway in the woods. This will undoubtedly be one of your most-used items this summer.
Keeping your food and gear organized and dry when living outdoors is an absolute necessity. Fill one of these packing cubes with snacks and cookware, then fill another with clean clothes.
The crescent shape eliminates wasted space in your backpack, the durable construction resists tears, and the waterproof design keeps your snacks and drawers from getting soggy.
This quarter-zip sweater has been a staple for years. It's a sweater and a fleece all wrapped up in one amazingly soft top. The slim fit makes it perfect for camping when you want to layer your warm clothing to avoid getting cold. It won't pill or shrink after many washes and wears (trust us on this one), and it's available for men, too.
If you're still unsure whether a shoe or boot will suit you best, Forsake's Patch combines the best qualities of each — it fits and feels as comfortable as an athletic shoe, but it delivers the security, traction, and waterproofing of a boot.
This has been one of our favorite boots for everyday wear for a few consecutive years now. From slick city streets to unmaintained backwoods trails, lace up these waterproof boots to feel like you're walking on pillows during even on the longest, sloppiest hikes —and look damn fresh doing so.
Carhartt makes some of the toughest gear around. We've literally worn the same jacket for nearly 10 years and, like a good whiskey, it's actually gotten better with age.
Their classic, unlined, washed duck bib overalls are some of the most comfortable and utilitarian pairs of pants we own. They're perfect for layering when the temperatures drop, the plethora of chest pockets make it easy to keep all your tools and essentials handy, and the style is a staple in every working man's wardrobe.
For weekend backpacking trips and carrying your camping supplies, 50-liter bag is plenty. Anything more is overpacking — especially because most packs have straps to carry additional items, like your sleeping pad or tent, on the outside.
Osprey is pretty much the gold standard in packs. Their Atmos AG 50 has been a fan favorite for years. It's relatively lightweight (less than 4.5 pounds), and it's packed with features like compression straps, easy-access pockets, an anti-gravity suspension system that disperses weight evenly across your body (not your shoulders and back), foam-padded straps, and so much more.
The Maven 45, at under 3 pounds, is Gregory's lightest backpacking pack, made specifically for women who want to shave ounces off of their total carry weight so they can be quicker on their feet.
The Maven has a die-cut shoulder harness, plus specially designed padded hip belts for extra comfort.
The torso is easy to adjust for a custom fit, the Matrix back panel breathes when you're building heat, and the lumbar pad keeps your lower back happy.
When mornings are brisk and the night's cold comes earlier than expected, this pullover jacket is a must. It's the perfect companion for cold-weather hiking and camping.
The North Face knows outerwear. The ThermoBall is their classic insulated hooded jacket, updated with a new, eco-friendly recycled polyester filling (instead of down). It has a casual yet flattering style that works just as well on the streets as on your favorite mountain. Available in five colors, its versatility makes it well worth the price and a must-have for cool-weather fun.
You can't go wrong with this timeless beanie from Carhartt. It comes in plenty of colors, for men and women, to match any flannel or jacket. Stay warm and stylish from the trees to the streets with this fun and functional 100% acrylic beanie.
Camping without sunglasses? You're gonna have a bad time — guaranteed. Toss these space-age sunglasses on and step into another dimension. The Grilamid frame is super lightweight, durable, and flexible, while the Happy lenses boost mood, alertness, color, and contrast.
Sexy colorways for both men and women scream, “I came to party,” so you better be ready to hold your own.
Rain is never ideal when you're in the wilderness, but Mother Nature makes her own decisions, doesn't she? It's always possible that you'll get caught in a downpour while hiking.
Keep this lightweight, packable rain jacket in your day pack so you can throw it on, pop on the hood, and keep on trekking.
If you're all about racking up miles on the trails but your usual hiking boots tend to give you tired, wet, or blistered feet, Salomon's Predict Hike Gore-Tex mid-height boot is a premium shoe that is 100% worth the investment. Deep lugs provide traction in sketchy conditions, while plush soles are more than enough cushion for the pushin'. Your feet, ankles, knees, and soul will thank you.
Looking for a pant that can go anywhere and do anything? Look no further. DUER is by far our favorite brand of pants, and these are our go-to for active outdoor travel.
These pants stretch like a pair of techy sweat pants, but the No-Sweat fabric keeps you cool and dry, while the elastic waistband and hem keep you ready for a jog or a game of Frisbee at a moment's notice.
Sometimes it rains, sometimes it pours. Be prepared for every type of weather with a roomy poncho that you can toss over a coat when camping, hunting, or fishing. It's obviously waterproof, yet somehow breathable!
You really never know when you'll need a multi-tool, and sometimes your Swiss Army Knife gets left behind. This belt is so much more than a pant holder. It includes both flathead and Phillips screwdrivers, a bottle opener, a ruler, and three wrenches. Your inner Cub Scout would be so proud.
If you're bringing your furry friends along (why wouldn't you?) you'll appreciate Ruffwear's newest doggy backpack. It's a great way to lighten your own load and give your dog a job. There are four sizes, and everything about this pack is adjustable, so it's sure to fit comfortably, day after day, year after year. It doubles as a harness and has a handle that you can use to hoist your pup over obstacles.
Hands-free is the way to be when you’re gallivanting through the forest with your pup. Buckle this leash around your waist, attach the swiveling “Talon Clip” to your dog’s collar or harness, and hit the trail for days of hiking, sniffing, and tail-wagging fun. You'll appreciate the elastic Wavelength webbing's shock absorption when Fido unexpectedly trees a squirrel.
These pants are another item that's more function than fashion, but a life-saver nonetheless. Start with pants, zip off the bottoms when it gets hot, then put them back on if you're getting too much sun or temperatures drop.
They dry quickly if wet, and they can carry odds and ends in all the little pockets. They're offered in tons of colors, and available in an equally practical women's fit, too.
If your hiking boots cover your ankle, a medium-height crew sock is a must. Darn Tough's merino-wool blend will keep your feet warm, dry, and blister-free in every situation, and the performance fit will prevent slipping and bunching.
Darn Tough also backs every one of their socks with a lifetime guarantee — no strings attached. These are totally worth the price. Need more convincing? I let my dog wear these socks as shoes on a 4-mile, rough, rocky trail, and they came out of the wash looking nearly brand new.
EVERYTHING YOU'D LIKELY FORGET
You definitely forgot a few of these must-have items on your check-off list, so add them to your pack now!
Sometimes you'll have to split your firewood to get things going, or just to conserve when the pile gets low. Or if you're backpacking, you'll have to harvest your own. This hatchet will make things easier. It's 12.5 inches long with a 3-inch steel blade, with a rubber grip handle and pommel on the end.
A lightweight hatchet is the game-changing piece of camping gear you didn't know you needed.
This water-resistant flashlight is as bright as it is lightweight, making it perfect for camping trips. There are three output levels to choose from — plus strobe and SOS modes for emergency situations.
For adults and kids older than 3, Repel's plant-based spray is a highly effective natural repellent. The active ingredient — oil derived from the leaves of a lemon eucalyptus plant — protects against mosquitoes, gnats, and ticks for up to for 6 hours, which is just as good as products containing 25% DEET.
You'd be surprised how much space a hand towel can take up in a fully packed backpack. Go light with a PackTowl, made of natural fibers that can soak up to 10 times its weight in water, but packs down to the size of a hand towel.
Bonus: These beauties are machine-washable and get more absorbent with each use.
You might not be going climbing, but there are about 700 other reasons to always have a carabiner on you.
With one, you can hang your water bottle from your backpack, fasten your hammock to a tree, hang a flashlight, clip your camera to your belt, hang your food sack — you name it. Whatever you don't want resting on the ground, hang it with this set of five carabiners.
Keep clean without releasing harsh chemicals into the environment with this biodegradable soap. Its all-natural ingredients are tough on pots and pans, but it's still safe for your face, hands, and most importantly, the environment. Just a few drops go a long way.
A multitool is basically like carrying a miniature toolbox, and we'd be surprised if you don't use it every time you're camping. Leatherman's Wave+ is an update to their best-selling multitool, with 17 tools in total, which includes a combo knife, a saw, screwdrivers, a hammer, and more.
Don't even think about leaving this behind — you never know when it'll come in handy.
It's always a good idea to have a few tools around camp, because you never know when you'll need to make some repairs to your tent, table, or vehicle. Stuff this tool organizer with up to 19 screwdrivers, wrenches, and whatever else you may need for some MacGyver-ing in the field.
Everything gets dirty when you're camping — cell phone included. Keep dirt, debris, and moisture away from your phone with a stout case from Otterbox. Their Defender series bounces when you drop it, provides direct screen access, and has port covers to keep dust away from your trusty lifeline.
If you're venturing into the mountains, nights are often much colder than they are at home. You may need more than just the fire to keep you warm at night.
These hand warmers will help you fall asleep and should last you through the night. We won't tell if you use them in other places besides your hands; when it's cold outside, you gotta do what you gotta do.
The GoPro is a must for action-sports athletes and outdoor adventurists for a reason: It's simply the best. Its features include HyperSmooth 3.0 Video Stabilization, touch display, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, voice control, live streaming, and stunning 5.3k60 video and 23MP photos — the list goes on and on. Capture what you do in the wild, your way.
We love the GoPro's TimeWarp 3.0, which creates time-lapse videos for you. Footage will send automatically to your phone, then QuikStories will create a short video, so you don't have to fuss with editing before sharing your experiences.
This DEET-free insect repellent will be your best friend on your next campout. Bug spray is just a necessity when you're braving the elements. Too many bites can actually affect your mood and energy, so do your part to keep them at bay.
Illuminate your tent or campsite with 360 degrees of white, red, blue, or green LED light. This USB-rechargeable lantern boasts 250 lumens of power, up to 200 hours of run time (on the lowest setting), and fun features like Candle Flicker or rotating colors.
We really love the built-in loop that allows you to hang this lantern from your tent poles or a tree to optimize area lighting. And if you're looking for more power, BioLite makes an AlpenGlow 500 lantern, too.
Innovation and fun are now affordable with UCO's Sprout. With this light, you can choose from three options: Pump out 100 lumens to light up the campsite, fine-tune the output with its infinity adjustment knob for inside your tent, or set the mood with the cool blue light option.
We love the magnetic lanyard on the base, too, which allows you to hang it from a tree or branch for a broader, more diffused scope.
A basic lightweight headlamp is perfect for kiddos. This one works when put on upside down, and shuts off after 2 hours to avoid unnecessary battery drain. Not only does it come in three fun mixed-color options, but it's certified child-safe and water-resistant, too.
Yeti 200X Portable Power Station With Nomad 20 Solar Panel Kit
Stay juiced up no matter how far off the beaten path you find yourself. This kit has a 20-watt solar panel that folds down for compact storage, plus a power bank with 187 watt-hours (Wh) of lithium power.
It's best for charging phones, cameras, tablets, and small to medium USB devices, so you can stay connected and work from home in the woods, if that's what you're into.
Keep your dog on a leash — but not tied down — with this new climbing-inspired innovation from RUFFWEAR. Simply connect the strong rope to two trees, and your pup can roam around camp while remaining on-leash — without getting all tangled up.
No matter how well-behaved your dog is, there will always be that one camp marshal who threatens to write you a ticket — until now. Thank you, RUFFWEAR.
If you've seen The Revenant, you know that even the most experienced outdoorsmen can accidentally stumble between a mama bear and her cubs. And everyone knows that is not a place you want to be.
This spray has a glow-in-the-dark safety wedge preventing midnight accidents, and it can spray up to 30 feet. We've heard that bears in Alaska even recognize the spray bottles and will keep moving along if you wave it at them. How neat is that?
In our humble opinion, no drink pairs better with a campfire than whiskey. Tin Cup's whiskey has a rye bill that is spicy and peppery, yet sweet like a bourbon. It's cut with Rocky Mountain runoff water and aged in new American white oak barrels.
Slip the included tin shot glass off the top and pass it around the fire. What's the worst that could happen?
Classier than a box and less likely to break than a bottle, these aluminum-bottled wines are the solution for wine-drinking in the forest. Revelshine's aluminum bottles hold 500 milliliters of delicious rose, red, and white wine.
They're lightweight for carrying in a backpack, chill quicker than a bottle, and have a resealable cap, in case of the unlikely event that there are a few drops left unfinished.
Need a sweatband for hiking? A face shield from the sun when fishing? A neck gaiter for cold winds? Buff's multifunctional headwear is another staple in our bag.
It's made of a stretchy, breathable fabric that's infinitely adjustable to serve many different purposes for nearly every situation under the sun.
If you're going deep into the woods, natural remedies won't cut it — the only thing that keeps you safe from mosquitos is DEET. Even the most self-professing naturalist has a breaking point — and that point is when you have 50 mosquitos swarming you at once.
Protect yourself for up to 10 hours with Repel's wipes in this easy-to-carry 15-pack.
Don't you hate how heavy a headlamp can be on your forehead? BioLite fixed that. This headlamp has zero bounce, thanks to a rear-mounted battery that distributes its weight.
This baby only weighs 1.75 ounces, so you could even wear it on a run. Batteries are rechargeable, runtime is up to 40 hours (on the lowest setting), and you can choose from four adjustable lighting options — including a 220-lumen high beam — for every occasion.
Or if you're looking for something brighter, BioLite's Headlamp 750 is brighter than a freaking lighthouse.
The higher the altitude, the more likely you are to get sunburnt. Protect your skin with Blue Lizard's dermatologist-recommended, mineral-based, fragrance-free, SPF 50 sunblock. It might be more than you're used to spending, but it's a small price to pay to preserve your skin.
There are more reasons (besides the obvious) why you'd need to dig a hole when camping. Prevent rain from pooling under your tent by digging a trench around the edges, or dig out the fire pit before you get things started. It's not just a pooper scooper.
Compostable and septic-system-safe, Coleman's wet wipes are perfect for boats, camping, and backpacking. While it's hiker's etiquette to pack out everything you pack in, sometimes it's just not in the cards. Safely bury or flush these biodegradable wipes.
No bathroom in sight? No problem. The pocket-sized GoGirl makes "roughing it" without a proper toilet easy as can be for women. Made of medical-grade silicone, the quirky innovation is discreet, yet highly functional to help you use the bathroom with ease anywhere, like your primitive campsite or off the side of a hiking trail.
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Stocksy
Andrew BettlachAndrew has been contributing to the outdoors and fitness content on BestProducts.com since 2017; he's a nature lover, peak-bagger, skier, and general good-time haver who lives in Colorado, knows where all the fresh snow is, and what gear you should be wearing for staying warm or looking fresh.
Christine AndersonExecutive DirectorChristine is the Executive Director of Content Strategy for Hearst's Enthusiast Group (BestProducts.com, Popular Mechanics, Runner's World, Bicycling), where she spends her days digging through data for trends and analyzing user behavior (but also there is lot of shopping); she’s a certified yoga instructor, avid half-marathoner, new mom, partial vegan, dog lover, future sommelier, and hiker/camper extraordinaire.
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