27 Reviewer-Beloved Camping Items

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2 days ago

A pair of Darn Tough Micro Crew Cushion Socks that famously come with a lifetime guarantee, because they're that confident they'll serve you well. I finally got my first pair of Darn Toughs this year, and I LOVE THEM! The heels and toes are perfectly cushioned, the merino wool blend isn't scratchy at all, and they're, well... darn tough! Look at me walkin' around on that campground gravel!
Hot tip for my hiking girlies with muscular calves: my life changed the day I started just ordering socks in men's sizes! I'm a shoe size 8.5 and find that a men's M in these socks sits great. Not too big in the foot while leaving ample room for my legs as I FLEX UP THAT MOUNTAIN, BABYYYYYYY! Promising review: "After switching to Darn Tough socks for my hiking needs, I will never switch back. They are durable, comfortable, and backed by an industry-leading lifetime guarantee (pretty ridiculous, really — I don't know how they stay in business). As a person who is on his feet all day for work and all weekend camping and hiking, my favorite aspect of Darn Tough socks is that I never think about my socks. There's no reason. They don't slip down, they don't bunch up, they don't make my feet too warm or cold. Simply the best socks. The expense is worth it for the quality of the socks alone. Then, when you look at the return policy, the investment in these socks becomes a no-brainer. I'm a convert for life." —Patrick FGet them from Amazon for $24.48+ for men's sizes (available in sizes M–XXL and 12 colors) and $25.95 for women's sizes (available in sizes S–L and 11 colors).
A LifeStraw personal water filter if you need a little peace of mind for a "just in case" water filtration situation. This little device allows you to safely drink from any water source and is small enough to tote along anywhere.
The straw's microfiltration membrane eliminates bacteria and parasites so you can safely drink from any available water source without worry.Note: if you're immunocompromised, be sure to read all the package instructions to make sure it's safe for you.Promising review: "The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is a must-have for any outdoor enthusiast. It's perfect for hiking with its reliable 5-star performance, keeping me hydrated wherever I go. The lightweight design makes it easy to carry. While the flavor of water isn't perfect (4 out of 5), its unparalleled filtration makes up for it. Overall, a lifesaver for camping, travel, and emergencies!" —Ana CunhaGet it from Amazon for $17.49 (available in three colors).
A fire-starting necklace that features an ambidextrous steel striker and a ferrocerium rod for creating fire as quickly possible. Holding the ability to create flame right around your neck... What power! What responsibility!
A pack of two LED headlamps so you (and a friend!) can always ensure the path ahead is illuminated. Whether it's just in case for a late-night hike, finding your way to the bathroom at 2 a.m., or reading in your tent, it's always a good idea to have one of these bad boys nearby.
A Stanley cook set for two equipped with a stainless-steel pot and two nesting cups (that can double as bowls, of course). Your signature meal of instant ramen with fun and funky toppings is served.
A tube of blister balm so you can avoid any dreaded foot pain caused by friction on hikes to and from camp. Even with outdoor shoes that really work for me, I always swipe some of this on to make doubly sure my feet stay A-OK.
A Garmin inReach Mini 2 to help you stay in touch with loved ones or in case of emergency when you're out in the backwoods with no cellphone service. A huge relief to have for hikers of all kinds, especially if you love nothing more than a good solo trip.
To use the Garmin on your trip, the device requires a monthly service fee of $14.95+ (or $11.95+ if you opt for an annual contract). But don't worry, if you're just planning on one trip, the monthly plan only requires a 30-day commitment, so you can bail after your hike and reactivate the next time you go on an adventure. Promising review: "It's hard to overstate how much of a lifesaver this could be. I do ATV overlanding trips where I'm often many, many miles from towns, and there is rarely cell service. Not only does this let my family see where I have been and where I am, and not only does it let me send and receive messages with my family, but it also gives me the ability to 'SOS' for a rescue should I be stranded or injured. The UI is a little clunky. Most things are easier to do through the app than through the device itself. And a number of things are only available in the app. But, this more than makes up for it through sheer usefulness. Garmin does make larger devices where you can do more through the device itself, in my case I'll be carrying my phone with me anyway, so using the app is easy enough." —Steve-OGet it from Amazon for $299.99 (available in two colors).
A set of marshmallow (or hot dog!) roasting sticks that telescope all the way out to 34 inches for campfire time. Goodbye, singed knuckle hair! But don't worry, they collapse back to 10 inches for easy storage.
An inflatable sleeping pad to ensure you get the best night of rest that you can. Let's make sure you're sleeping LIKE a rock instead of ON a rock.
A portable, hand-operated espresso machine that whips up the good stuff (yes, even the crema!) using just a little bit of boiling water and a pump mechanism — no electricity or stovetop required. *Swoon*
A full-fledged propane camp stove/oven if you're looking to chef it up on the range. Treat your campmates to flapjacks, coffee, bacon, muffins... Wait, my stomach is rumbling.
A magical sand-sifting mat that lets sand pass right through the top without it coming back up through the bottom. Useful on any trip, but especially beach camping trips. Consider one of the biggest annoyances dealt with.
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: "I used these on a four-day backpacking trip in Yosemite. Real lifesavers — big enough and moist enough to replace a mini shower. I will always have these on hand." —Alan StudleyGet a 25-pack from Amazon for $8.99.
A basic tarp that'll come in handy in more ways than you can imagine, but for starters as a tent footprint, shady cover for your picnic table, or a little rain shelter if you're in a pinch.
Promising reviews: "We used this on a recent camping trip and were very satisfied with its usefulness and construction. We tied it up into several trees for shade from the sun and rain later that day. It's a very versatile item — we used it to cover the ground during a yard sale and then to cover up a small site we were working on outdoors." —G. Harts"We're using this as a puppy pen floor protector and it has honestly been a lifesaver! Best $6 we've spent so far with all the new dog items we've have to buy. The puppies try to dig in it and eat the grommets but this thing has held up like a champ and more importantly, our nice wood floors are protected from accidents while we work on potty training." —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $8+ (available in four sizes).
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 that 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: "This coffee is my lifesaver. The sticks travel everywhere so easily for when i need a pick-me-up. I can use it in the airport, camping, office and even in my car! Because the grounds are so fine, they easily blend with any temperature water. The flavor is great and they couldn't be easier to use. And $1 a pop! Thanks for existing, Alpine Start Coffee!" —Paul Taylor CoffrothGet it from Amazon for $19.99 (also available in single-serve travel packs here).
A cot and air mattress if sleeping on the hard ground is a hard no from you. Sleeping under the stars is rad, but sleeping in a BED under the stars? Unbeatable.
Promising review: "Love this! I'm an avid camper and usually sleep on an air mattress on the ground. We bought this bed and it is a lifesaver for my husband's back. A definite must buy!" —Rachael HagenGet it from Amazon for $149.99+ (available in twin and queen sizes).
A Sawyer Squeeze water filtration system that blows any other system out of the — say it with me — water. It's adaptable and easy to use in almost any situation, planned or not. I've encountered some pretty sad excuses for water sources and have still been able to get liquid into the bag to be filtered and safely consumed.
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. 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. If even the bag-filling situation sounds like it would take too much time, you can also screw the filter DIRECTLY ONTO A WATER BOTTLE and drink straight from it. 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: "Compact, easy to use lifesaver. There's really not anything to dislike about this water filter. It's small enough and light enough to just be thrown in my pack before heading out, whether I'll be hiking, fishing, camping, or just swimming at a lake. It fits perfectly on the Smartwater water bottles, but be warned. Drinking out of them with the filter on leaves no way for air to enter so they crumple down like at elevation. I simply unscrew the filter a bit after drinking but I could see it annoying some people. As far as I know there's no issues with filtration, I mean I'm not sick yet. ;)" —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $45.95.
A compact broom and dustpan for sweeping dirt out of your tent quickly and effectively. It may seem inevitable, but there's nothing worse than a super dirty tent floor.
Promising reviews: "OXO, quite by mistake, has created the best tent broom I've ever used. I know they had other things in mind when they designed this, but it is perfect for car camping (a little too big for backpackers). The bristles are soft and fine enough to get the sand off your taffeta tent floor without damaging it. The cup-style dust pan holds your sweepings so you don't have to resweep after you accidentally tip them. The whole kit packs together securely so nothing gets lost. 5-star performer." —H Bart"I've had this small set in the trunk of my car for almost 5 years now, and it is still in GREAT condition. I mainly use it to sweep sand off of my beach chair, bag, etc. (including my shoes) prior to loading everything into the car. It's also been a lifesaver while tailgating sporting events — broken glass near car tires and flip-flop-covered feet. I cannot recommend this enough." —ASGet it from Amazon for $9.99.
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: "We were wonderfully surprised by how comfortable and easy to inflate these chairs were. After buying the first one and having our kids fight over it, we decided to go back and buy three more, so everyone in the family could lounge in comfort. They fold up small enough to where you can comfortably carry all four in a small shopping bag or tote. They can be inflated by just holding them in the direction of the wind on a brisk day or by running around in a big circle on a calm day. They have been a lifesaver during the stay at home/quarantine period this spring. We haven't tried them on water yet, but they claim to function as rafts as well. We're looking forward to using them during our next beach trip." —AmazonShopper99Get it from Amazon for $39.98 (available in 20 colors and patterns).
A waterproof backpack cover to keep all of your belongings safe from Mother Nature's unpredictable wrath. Come rain or come shine, you're still hitting the ol' dusty (or in this case muddy) trail!
A pop-up trash can that will help you keep any and all waste contained. Always remember to take out everything you brought into the site — especially trash!
Promising review: "SERIOUSLY, leave no trace! This pop-up trash can is a lifesaver when camping or picnicking. It's large, so standard 13-gallon bags are useless; use at least a 30-gallon bag. This pop-up has two nylon straps at the bottom so you can stake it to the ground. When you're done and ready to leave you can just tie your trash bag up in the can and zip it shut until you can get to a proper area to dispose of your trash." —Scott TroupGet it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in five varieties).
A roll of moleskin tape so if your brand new boots are giving you blisters, you're able to combat and protect them. Nothing worse than messing up your feet on day one of your trip without the right First Aid!
Promising review: "Its reliable adhesion, comfort, and versatility make it a must-have for anyone prone to blisters or discomfort. Whether you're an athlete, a traveler, or simply someone looking for effective blister prevention, this tape is a true lifesaver." —TomGet it from Amazon for $19.98.
A lantern and fan hybrid that's as close as you're gonna get to sweet, sweet AC in the woods. I cannot help but stan a mini ceiling fan gadget, it's just so cute and helpful.
Promising reviews: "I went camping this week, and I just hate when it's sooooo darn hot in the tent, and of course there's no place to put a fan AND a light. This one worked perfectly. It hung by its built-in hook to the top of the tent, the light was just right, and the fan was quiet and effective for a two-person tent. Happy I bought it." —Kevin Gaither"This is a lifesaver. I bought it for camping, but really, I keep it in my car year-round. It's an extraordinary car light, the hook allows you to hang it under your hood if for any reason you need to pull over at night (which I did). The fan is tiny but mighty and a great accessory to a great light. Doesn't eat up it's own battery while not in use which is a blessing. Accidentally left it's fan for a while without noticing and it's still good as gold." —CloudGet it from Amazon for $15.99.
A pair of collapsible dog bowls with carabiners so your pup is always nourished on the go. Gotta keep your #1 camping buddy ready for adventure!
Promising review: "These lightweight collapsible bowls are a lifesaver for my pup in the extreme desert heat. They're easy to hook onto a leash, dishwasher safe, and super convenient while taking your pup on walks, hikes, out to eat, or over to another home for pet sitting or playdates. I use one for food and one for water, which has really come in handy in the past." —Carly L. Get a pair from Amazon for $5.99 (available in two colors and two sizes).
A Coleman lantern perfect for car camping trips — it's essential to keep your path illuminated (and stay safe) with this classic piece of gear.
The lantern requires four D batteries, but is also available in a rechargeable version!Promising reviews: "Love having these in the event of a power outage-they are lifesavers! Having [them] for camping and outdoor activities is a plus!" —ldent"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 ConnerGet it from Amazon for $41.49.
An Aeropress coffee and espresso maker — with a stellar 4.6-star rating from over 24,000 reviewers — 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: "I absolutely love my AeroPress! I've been using it for about a year now and it's quickly become my go-to method for making coffee at home. One of the things I love most about the AeroPress is how easy it is to use. All you have to do is add your coffee grounds and hot water, give it a stir, and then press the plunger down to brew. It takes just a few minutes to make a really delicious cup of coffee. The other great thing about the AeroPress is that it's super portable. I've taken it on road trips and camping trips and it's been a lifesaver for getting my coffee fix. It's also really easy to clean, which is always a plus. In terms of taste, the AeroPress definitely delivers. I've found that it makes a really smooth and flavorful cup of coffee, without any of the bitterness or acidity that you can sometimes get with other brewing methods. Overall, I'd highly recommend the AeroPress to any coffee lover. It's a fantastic, low-fuss way to make delicious coffee at home or on the go." —Sheel PatelGet it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in two sizes and eight colors).
An anti-chafe balm to ensure your exercise isn't sullied by the red, painful enemy known around here as Big Chafe. *Shakes fist at sky* — curse you, Big Chafe!!!!!
Promising reviews: "The Body Glide Original Anti-Chafe Balm is a total lifesaver for anyone who loves staying active! 🙌 Whether I'm hitting the trails or logging miles on the pavement, this anti-chafing stick keeps me comfortable and focused on my workout. It's easy to apply, long-lasting, and works like a charm to prevent any uncomfortable rubbing or irritation. Say goodbye to chafing woes and hello to smooth, friction-free workouts with Body Glide!" —Review ExpertGet it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in three sizes and multipacks).