The Best Camping Gear

What to Look For

Good camping gear isn’t just high-quality — it’s also compact, lightweight, and reliable. That’s why the picks we chose to highlight tended to meet all those criteria. For example, if you’re looking for a trusty, wallet-friendly way to filter water anywhere you go, Sawyer Squeeze’s low-maintenance filtration system is the way to go. But if you’re focused on comfort, nobody offers sleeping pads as comfortable and dependable as Therm-a-Rest for the price. For the ultimate camping tool, Leatherman’s Wave Plus is the move. In our opinion, it’s the absolute best multitool on the market. To learn about the rest of our favorite camping gear, keep on reading.

Leatherman Wave Plus Multitool

Scissors and pliers and knives, oh my

When you need to slash, saw, slice, or fasten, this legendary multitool will be up for the job.

Best Overall

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A good multitool is one of the handiest items a camper can have, and this legendary multitool from Leatherman is the creme de la creme. Equipped with virtually everything you’d need while camping and much more, the Wave Plus is highly regarded for its quality, durability, and utility. Even when you’re not camping, you’ll likely find plenty of uses for it thanks to its versatile and useful tools.

Pros:

• Available in multiple sleek colors
• Can double as a go-to tool in your day-to-day life
• Comes with a nylon sheath for storage and protection

Cons:

• It’s a bit costly, but we think it’s well worth it

LuminAID Solar Inflatable Lanterns

Let there be light

Not only is this inflatable solar lamp intriguing — it’s also mighty useful during camping trips and at home.

Runner Up

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In recent years, this company has made a name for itself for producing high-quality inflatable solar lanterns like this one. Rather than relying on batteries or other energy sources, this lantern can be charged by the sun via the large solar panel on the top side of the lamp. That means you can attach it to your pack while you’re hiking during the day and let it absorb the sun’s rays, and then use it at night to light up the campsite. We especially love how well this lamp stays inflated and how bright the light is that it emits.

Pros:

• Aside from its solar panel, the lamp can also be charged via Micro USB
• Waterproof
• Packs down flat, so won’t take up lots of space
• Made of thermoplastic polyurethane, so it won’t shatter if it’s dropped
• Also great to have around the house in case of power outages

Cons:

• Single-button operation may mean that you have to press the button many times to reach your intended brightness level

MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Stove

Chef’s delight

There's nothing like hot meals at the campsite, and this stove makes it way easier to prepare them quickly.

Best Camp Stove

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Who says that spending a night in the woods has to mean eating junk? Rather than letting the elements dictate your diet while you’re camping, you can decide what’s for dinner with the help of MSR’s lauded PocketRocket 2. With this portable camping stove, all you’ll need is a small tank of compatible fuel and you’ll be ready to cook. Whether you use it to heat up instant coffee, boil some water for morning oats, or rehydrate a vacuum-sealed meal, this stove will help you do it.

Pros:

• Very easy to use, even for beginners
• This is a favorite among serious backpackers and adventurers
• Excellent price considering the quality
• Comes with a lightweight case to protect it

Cons:

• Doesn’t have an automatic ignition, so you’ll need to supply your own flame to light the fuel

Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad

Almost like home

Though it may not be as comfortable as your bed, this sleeping pad will greatly improve your sleeping experience in the great outdoors.

Best Sleeping Pad

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Those who haven’t camped outdoors before may not know how it works exactly — do you just sleep right on the cold hard earth? For most campers, the answer is no. Camping pads like this one from Therm-a-Rest provide a cushioned surface to lay on when we campers are ready to rest our bones. Aside from the cushioning,  this sleeping pad also provides excellent insulation. The earth’s soil layer is colder than we realize, and any warmth you might generate while sleeping can quickly dissipate as that soil layer hungrily absorbs it. But with the help of an insulating sleeping pad like this one between you and the ground, you’ll stay warm and cushioned all night.

Pros:

• Available in multiple colors
• Made in the USA
• Easily to fold and strap to a backpack

Cons:

• Though it provides cushioning, it won’t feel as comfortable as lying on a mattress

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System

Quench your thirst

Portable, affordable, and ultra-reliable, this is the perfect water filtration system for most campers.

Best For Filtering Water

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Above all else, water is what we need most to survive, but we don’t always have on-demand access to it during camping trips. And even if you do find a water source in the backcountry, it may be contaminated or undrinkable for other reasons. The Sawyer Squeeze filtration kit is a fantastic option for filtering water wherever you end up. Wildly popular, this filtration system is incredibly easy to use — simply assemble the appropriate components, dip the water bladder into any source of water (like a stream, for example), and then squeeze the pouch to push the water through the filter. After that, voila — your water is now potable.

Pros:

• The included water bladders can be rolled flat when they’re not full of water
• Excellent cost-value considering the efficacy of the filtration system and ease of use
• Good choice for ultralight backpackers and travelers thanks to its lightweight build

Cons:

• Can get clogged fairly easily if water is very mucky

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know which camping gear I need to bring on my trip?

This depends on many factors, including where you’re going and for how long, the expected weather conditions, the size of your group, and where you’ll be sleeping. A good rule of thumb while camping in the wilderness is that it’s better to be overprepared than under.

When it comes to camping gear, what does “ultralight” mean?

Ultralight backpacking is a style of adventuring in which one tries to minimize the weight of their pack. Hiking many miles for days on end is much easier with a light pack, so ultralight hikers focus on buying the lightest gear possible and being extra efficient to reduce their pack weight.

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