I’ve Tried Tons of Camping Gear and These Items Are the Best of the Best

Packing for a camping trip can feel like a game of Tetris. This set solves that problem by collapsing into one neat, space-saving bundle that expands into a full kitchen when you need it. At first glance, it looks like a neat stack of colorful silicone pancakes—but unleash it at camp, and suddenly you’ve got a full-on outdoor kitchen. The 2.2-liter pot has a hard-anodized aluminum base that heats up fast and evenly, so you’re not stuck with half-burned pasta and half-raw noodles. Plus, the Click-Safe handle locks everything in place, letting you pour with confidence instead of praying you don’t slosh dinner onto your boots.

The bowls and cups collapse down flat, then pop open into sturdy, easy-to-hold pieces with glass-reinforced rims—perfect for everything from chili to late-night s’mores duty. Best part? The whole set nests neatly inside the pot, leaving you more room for “essentials” like snacks and extra coffee.

If you’ve ever bought a “three-person tent” only to discover it really means “two people and a dog if everyone exhales carefully,” you’ll appreciate the Teton Mountain 3-Person Ultra Tent. This thing actually fits three humans—me, my husband, and our seven-year-old—comfortably. No elbows in faces, no gear shoved under sleeping bags, just actual room to move.

It’s designed for backpacking, so it’s lightweight enough for my husband to take on his solo bikepacking trips, but it doesn’t feel flimsy. The aluminum poles are sturdy and reliable, even when the weather decides to test your patience. The full rainfly keeps you and your gear dry, with a separate vestibule so you’re not tripping over boots inside the tent. And when it’s nice out, you can ditch the rainfly completely and enjoy a mesh ceiling that’s perfect for airflow—or stargazing once the kids are finally asleep.Set-up is easy enough for one person to handle solo (a true gift when you arrive late or, let’s be real, someone is “supervising”).

We’ve gone through our share of rickety camp grills, but the Bola is in a different league. This sleek, tabletop grill is built like a tank, with cast aluminum and stainless steel, so it feels sturdy and premium the moment you lift it—though fair warning, you’ll definitely feel it when you lift it. This is a car camping grill, not something you’re hauling up a mountain.

What makes it special is its versatility. The adjustable, rotatable grates give you total control over cooking, and with the right attachments, you can grill, smoke, sear, fry, bake—even skewer like a pro. It also works with different heat sources, making it a kind of one-grill-fits-all situation. Cleanup is surprisingly easy, and the whole thing packs down neatly for storage.

I’m a notoriously picky sleeper, so this pad was a game changer. The Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Insulated Air Sleeping Pad is for anyone who, like me, falls firmly into the Princess and the Pea category of sleepers. With 10 cm of plush cushioning, it transforms lumpy, uneven ground into something that actually feels like a real bed—which is saying a lot when you’re camping.

Inflating it is blissfully easy thanks to the built-in Airstream pump in the stuff sack and a high-airflow XPRESS valve. No huffing, puffing, or lightheadedness required. The ThermalCore insulation reflects warmth back to you, so you stay cozy without adding bulk or weight. It’s compact enough to toss into a backpack or bike pannier, making it great for backcountry trips. My only complaint? If you’re a particularly restless sleeper, you might roll off in the night.

The Exped FlexMat Sleeping Pad is the ultimate “throw it down and crash” option for camping. There’s no inflating, deflating, or swearing at leaky valves—just unfold it, toss it on the ground, and you’re ready for bed. Made from lightweight, durable foam, it’s tough enough to last for years. The Flex-Cell design adds a bit of cushioning and warmth while folding neatly into a compact, stackable shape. It’s perfect for quick setups, or you can layer it under an inflatable pad for extra warmth and puncture protection. With an R-value of 1.5, it’s best for summer camping or mild nights on its own. In colder weather, you’ll want to pair it with another pad to stay truly warm. Bonus: you can fold a few sections under your head to create a built-in pillow.

Nobody likes being cold—least of all me. That’s why I’ve fallen deeply in love with the Sea to Summit Spark Down Sleeping Bag. It’s packed with RDS-certified 850+ goose down, treated so it stays warm even when camping inevitably turns into a damp mix of rain, sweat, and mild regret. We brought both the 0-degree and 15-degree versions on our trip. The first night was mild and cozy. The second night was cold, rainy, and generally terrible—unless you were me, zipped up inside this bag, radiating warmth and smug superiority while everyone else grumbled about their “rustic” experience. Despite being ultralight, it’s surprisingly roomy thanks to its smart design with a technical hood and draft tube that trap heat without making you feel like a burrito gone wrong. You can even zip two together if you’re into romantic camping—or need extra space.

Camping is always messy, which is why this YETI tote became our go-to bag for hauling gear, wet clothes, and anything else we didn’t want mixing with the snacks. It’s built from the same waterproof, ultra-durable material as YETI’s legendary Panga Duffel, so it laughs in the face of mud, puddles, and mysterious sticky spills you swear weren’t there five minutes ago. Inside, there are deployable dividers to wrangle all your gear—headlamps, utensils, bug spray—plus two zippered pockets for the tiny essentials that always seem to vanish right when you need them most. Toss in dirty shoes, wet clothes, or a stack of camp dishes, and this bag keeps everything contained while staying easy to clean.

Two minutes. That’s all it takes for this Jetboil to turn cold water into hot coffee—essential when your alarm clock is sunrise and a chorus of yelling kids. It’s lightweight and compact, with all the parts (even a small fuel canister) nesting neatly inside the cup, so it takes up barely any space.

My husband loves it for bikepacking since it’s perfect for quick coffee breaks or heating up dehydrated meals after a long ride. The FluxRing technology makes it super efficient, so you’re not burning through fuel, and the bottom cover doubles as a bowl or measuring cup—one less thing to pack. Just know this isn’t for gourmet campsite cooking. It’s fantastic for coffee, oatmeal, and freeze-dried dinners, but if you’re trying to whip up pancakes for a crowd, you’ll want something bigger.

Looking for something bigger to cook out with? Our friend showed up to camp with the Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 Camp Stove, and suddenly, our usual “hot dogs and s’mores” menu felt… a little sad. This thing is like bringing a full kitchen to the campsite. With two powerful burners cranking out 24,000 BTUs, it handled everything from pancakes in the morning to perfectly seared steaks at night—basically, a full-on feast.

The secret is in the swappable cast-iron grill and griddle accessories, which make it easy to switch from flipping bacon to grilling veggies without skipping a beat. The precise knobs let you actually simmer (a rare luxury in camp cooking), and the rotary ignition means no fumbling with matches.

Two wind guards keep the flame steady, and the whole setup packs neatly with a secure latch and carry handle for easy transport. It’s not the lightest piece of gear, but if you’re car camping and want to eat like royalty, this stove absolutely delivers.

The CLIQ ClassiQ 2.0 Camping Chair might just ruin you for every other camp chair. It’s stronger, sleeker, and more versatile than the original, with a reinforced weight capacity of up to 400 lbs—but somehow still folds down to the size of a water bottle.Setup takes literal seconds: pop it open, sit down, and bask in your superior choice of seating while everyone else wrestles with clunky folding chairs. It’s lightweight and compact, so you can stash it in your car, backpack, or even a tote without thinking twice.

We used ours around the campsite, at the beach, and even for my son’s sideline soccer game—it’s that versatile. At this point, I’m tempted to just leave one in my trunk full-time. Bonus: CLIQ also makes the Qlutch bag, which holds up to four chairs, and the Qube, a clever cooler/gear cube that fits perfectly inside it.

The Men's Hurricane Daybreaker Hiking Shoe kept my husband’s feet dry and comfortable, even when the rain turned our campsite became a bit muddy after a day and night of rain. The TevaRAPID PROOF waterproof membrane actually did its job—no soggy socks, no complaints—which is a win in my book. The suede upper feels soft but holds up well to the usual bumps and scrapes that come with camping.

He loved the multi-point closure system, which let him tweak the fit on the fly without wrestling with laces. The Spider Rubber outsole had plenty of grip for slippery, muddy patches, and the midfoot shank plate gave extra stability when walking over uneven ground. At just 16.6 ounces (men’s size 9), they’re lightweight and easy to wear all day. Bonus: they also have a kids’ version, complete with waterproofing and a bungee closure—so now everyone stays dry, and no one’s stuck tying tiny shoelaces in the rain.

Clean water isn’t always guaranteed when you’re camping, which is why this little bottle feels like magic. Push a button and—bam—safe, drinkable water in 45 seconds. No pumping, no weird iodine taste, and no crossing your fingers and hoping for the best.Designed for camping, hiking, travel, or even city adventures, this sleek, all-in-one system replaces bulky filters and endless packs of bottled water. It’s compact enough to toss in a backpack, yet powerful enough to handle multiple stages of filtration, giving you peace of mind no matter where you fill up.

Coffee is non-negotiable for me—camping trip or not. That’s why I love the AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press. It makes a smooth, rich cup without the grit or bitterness you get from a French press, and it’s ready in about a minute. It brews 1–3 cups of hot coffee or a quick cold brew in just two minutes. You can even make espresso-style coffee for lattes and cappuccinos, which feels downright luxurious when you’re sitting in a camp chair in yesterday’s hoodie. Everything packs up neatly into its own travel mug, which doubles as a carrying case, so there’s no “where did I put that piece?” panic before your first cup. Cleanup is just a quick rinse, and it comes with 100 micro-filters to keep things mess-free.

Finally, a mummy bag you can actually move in. The LEEF has extra space so you can roll over and stretch out without sacrificing warmth. It’s extra roomy, so you can roll over, stretch out, and actually get comfortable—while still keeping that snug, heat-trapping shape. Unlike down bags, this one is synthetic, which makes it a great choice for wet or unpredictable weather. If your tent leaks, or you accidentally set your bag down on damp ground (been there), it’ll still keep you warm. Perfect for cool summer nights, early spring trips, or late fall camping.

Just note: the temperature ratings are survival ratings. In other words, you’ll technically stay alive at that number, but comfort? That’s another story. Add about 20–30 degrees to get a realistic cozy-night range. Bottom line: a warm, reliable synthetic bag that won’t leave you frozen—or wrapped up tighter than last night’s takeout.

There’s nothing worse than stuffing a wet, heavy towel into your bag and then discovering that everything you own now smells like a swamp. That’s why the Dock & Bay Quick Dry Towel has become a camping essential. It’s made from 100% recycled materials, is incredibly soft, and dries three times faster than a regular towel—so no more funky, damp smell lingering all weekend. It’s also super absorbent, which means you dry off quickly after a lake swim, a camp shower, or an unexpected downpour. When you’re done, it folds down into a tiny pouch, taking up almost no space in your pack.

Darkness falls fast when you’re camping, and nothing kills the vibe like fumbling for gear in the pitch black. The Goal Zero Crush Light Lantern solves that problem in a clever, compact way. This little guy weighs only 3.2 ounces and collapses down to less than an inch thick—so it slips into any pack or even a jacket pocket without a second thought.Pop it open, and you get 60 lumens of light with three brightness levels to choose from, plus a flickering candle mode for when you want ambience instead of interrogation-room lighting.nCharging is easy: plug it in with the included micro-USB cable, or just let the built-in solar panel soak up some rays during the day.

There are two kinds of campers: those who bring a headlamp, and those who regret not bringing a headlamp. This one packs some serious power with 226 lumens—bright enough to light up the trail, your tent, or the mysterious rustling in the bushes from 275 feet away. The beam tilts up to 45 degrees, so you can aim the light exactly where you need it. With seven different modes, including red and white light, SOS, and strobe, it’s ready for everything from midnight marshmallow roasting to actual emergencies. Switching modes is quick and easy with a simple tap. Built to handle the elements, it’s water-resistant (IPX4 rated), shockproof, and tough enough to survive accidental drops. At just .11 pounds, it’s lightweight and comfortable, with an adjustable strap that fits over hats, helmets, or just your head.