Best Camping Gear Essentials in 2022

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magical flames and wekapo inflatable lounger

Magical Flames and Wekapo

What’s better than an adventure in the mountains and camping under the stars, a cool breeze rustling right outside your tent? Or a sunny hike to places unknown? Not much, at least not much to me! I’m an avid hiker, camper, and novice backpacker—and I’ve personally crash tested most of the items on this list of camping gear and camping gifts.

There’s a lot to choose from—and consider—when you’re picking the perfect present for your outdoorsy pals. Are they experienced hikers or campers, or just starting out? Do you want your gift to be deeply useful, or is it just for fun? Will they be on the go, or spending time in a specific spot where they could use something that doesn’t have to be super lightweight or travel very far? Do they have kids that might need entertaining while unplugged and away from civilization? Are they foodies that might appreciate something to help them perfect the best camping recipes? Do they have any pets that might need pampering too? These are all great places to start, if you ask me.

Whether you’re picking out the perfect gift for an experienced friend in your hiking circle or a newbie just starting out—or even someone who is more into the camping-lite version of things, where amenities are abundant—you’re sure to find something fun (and budget-friendly) on our extensive list of ideas. And, while you’re at it, check out our favorite hiking sandals, hiking shoes, base layers, compression socks, and motivational water bottles too! Happy adventuring!

Our top picks

  • 1



    Fun Camping Gift for Families

    Luminoodle XL – The Original USB Powered Outdoor LED String Lights + Camping Lantern – 10 ft Submersible Lights for Hiking, Safety, Emergencies
    Power Practical

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  • 2



    Best Backpack Cooler

    Back Pack Chair or Cooler Chair, Portable Lightweight Stool for Fishing Essentials, Field Concert Seat, Cool Gear Travel, Ultralight Camp Stool, Hiking, Fishing Backpack for Women, Teal One Savvy Girl
    One Savvy Girl

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  • 3



    Best Travel Pillow for Camping

    Compressible Travel Pillow for Camping, Backpacking, Airplanes and Road Trips, Denim, Medium – 14 x 18 Inches
    Therm-a-Rest

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  • 4



    Best Unique Camping Gift

    Custom Camp Counselor Shirt, Personalized Camp Counselor Shirt,Camping shirts for Family Friends,Summer Camp Shirts Camping Trip,Matching
    KCMDesignStudio

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  • 5



    Best Portable Campfire

    Portable Campfire: The Original Go-Anywhere Campfire | Eucalyptus Scent | Lightweight and Portable | 3-5 Hours of Bright and Warm Burn Time | Convenient-No Embers-No Hassle | Made in USA
    Radiate

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1

Fun Camping Gift for Families

Power Practical

Luminoodle XL – The Original USB Powered Outdoor LED String Lights + Camping Lantern – 10 ft Submersible Lights for Hiking, Safety, Emergencies

Model Number B0198VDWMY
Color Clear
Length 5 ft with Battery
2

Best Backpack Cooler

One Savvy Girl

Back Pack Chair or Cooler Chair, Portable Lightweight Stool for Fishing Essentials, Field Concert Seat, Cool Gear Travel, Ultralight Camp Stool, Hiking, Fishing Backpack for Women, Teal One Savvy Girl

Color Teal
Dimensions 15 x 16 x 2 in
Weight ‎0.035 oz
3

Best Travel Pillow for Camping

Therm-a-Rest

Compressible Travel Pillow for Camping, Backpacking, Airplanes and Road Trips, Denim, Medium – 14 x 18 Inches

Color Denim
Weight 0.57 lbs
Length 16
4

Best Unique Camping Gift

KCMDesignStudio

Custom Camp Counselor Shirt, Personalized Camp Counselor Shirt,Camping shirts for Family Friends,Summer Camp Shirts Camping Trip,Matching

5

Best Portable Campfire

Radiate

Portable Campfire: The Original Go-Anywhere Campfire | Eucalyptus Scent | Lightweight and Portable | 3-5 Hours of Bright and Warm Burn Time | Convenient-No Embers-No Hassle | Made in USA

Scent Eucalyptus
Height 8.5 in
6

Best Camping Gift for Kids

Magical Flames

Color Fire Packets – Pack of 25 Fire Colors for Campfires, Fire Pits, Indoor and Outdoor Fireplaces – Hue-Changing Cosmic Flame Powder for Kids and Adults – Camping Accessories

Color Multicolor
Weight 1.5 lbs
Manufacturer Evergreen Research & Marketing
7

Best Flashlight

UCO

Leschi 110 Lumen Compact LED Lantern and Flashlight With Dimmer and Strobe, Aqua/Gold

Color Gold/Cyan
Weight 0.097 lbs
Length 1.25 in
8

Best Camping Cot

TETON Sports

Camping Cot With Patented Pivot Arm – Folding Camping Cot for Car & Tent Camping – Durable Canvas Sleeping Cot – Portable Camping Accessory – 86″ x 45″ – Outfitter XXL

Color Black
Item Weight 26 lbs
9

Best Headlamp

Petzl

Tikka Headlamp – Compact, Lightweight 300 Lumen Headlamp for Proximity Lighting for Hiking, Climbing, and Camping – Green

Brightness 300 Lumens
Colors Black, Blue, Green, White
Battery Three AAA/LR03 batteries (included) or CORE rechargeable battery (available as accessory)
10

Best Unique Camping Gift

Wekapo

Inflatable Lounger Air Sofa Hammock-Portable,Water Proof& Anti-Air Leaking Design-Ideal Couch for Backyard Lakeside Beach Traveling Camping Picnics & Music Festivals

Color Blue
Item Weight 2 lbs
11

Jetboil

Zip Camping Stove Cooking System, Carbon

Color Carbon
Item Weight 340 grams
Material Aluminum
Warranty One-year limited warranty
12

Best Camping Cookware

Snow Peak

Titanium Spork – 0.6 Oz – Titanium

Dimensions 6.5 x 1.6 x 0.1 in
Weight 0.0375 lbs
Manufacturer Snow Peak USA
13

Ben’s

30 Tick & Insect Repellent 3.4 Fl Oz. Pump Spray – Carded

Weight 1.08 lbs
Manufacturer Tender Corporation
14

Nalgene

Sustain Tritan BPA-Free Water Bottle Made With Material Derived from 50% Plastic Waste, 32 OZ, Narrow Mouth

Color Pomegranate Sustain
Item Weight 0.35 lbs
15

Best Camping Logbook

CampgirlClothing

Hiking Logbook-Personalization Available

16

Best Lightweight Camping Towel

PackTowl

Luxe Quick Dry Microfiber Towel for Beach and Travel, Vivid Coral, Face – 10 x 14 Inch

Item Model Number 040818109816
Manufacturer Cascade Designs Inc.
Color Aquamarine
17

Best Camping Cookware

SUMPRI

Marshmallow Roasting Sticks, Smores Skewers Telescoping Rotating Forks Set of 6 Hot Dog Fire Pit Outdoor Fireplace Campfire Accessories-6 Multicolored 34 Inch Extendable Steel Fork Camping Kit

Manufacturer SUMPRI
Materials Bamboo, Steel
18

Best Easy-Set-Up Tent

Quechua

Instant 2 Second Pop Up, Portable Outdoor Camping Tent, Waterproof, Windproof, 2 Person

Sleeping Area Dimensions 47.2 X 82.7 in
Durability Waterproof and wind-resistant up to 30mph
19

Best Dog Camping Gear

lesotc

2022 Upgraded Pet Water Bottle for Dogs

Color Blue
Manufacturer lesotc
Weight 4.8 oz
20

Best Camping First Aid Kit

Prevention

First Aid Kit

Weight 8.8 oz
Color Red
Style Modular Organization
21

KreationsbyKerry

Glowing Camping Bucket

Size 5-Gallon or 2-Gallon Vinyl Bucket
22

rezip

5-Piece Stand-Up Reusable BPA-Free Food Grade Storage Bag Pack n’ Go Kit, Leakproof, Freezer Safe, Dishwasher Safe, Travel Friendly, (1) Quart (4-Cup/32-Ounce), (2) 2-Cup (16-Ounce), (2) Snack (1-Cup/8-Ounce), (Multicolor)

Color Multi-Color
Brand rezip
Material Polyethylene Vinyl Acetate, Polyvinyl Chloride
23

All Better Co.

Don’t Scratch That Kit

Contains CBD
Type Anti-Itch Pen and Patches
24

Silipint

Speckled Pint – 16 oz

Color Red Speckle
Volume 12 oz
Material Silicone
25

Darn Tough

Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Sock – Women’s Plum Heather Small

How to choose the best camping gear

  • Choosing the best camping gear is a personal thing—are you car camping or backpacking? Does having ultralight gear matter? Are you an indoorsy person humoring your outdoorsy pals? When gifting, go for something lighthearted—or, when all else fails, ask your buddies what they might need before making a selection. Personally, when gifting, I go the surprise-and-delight route: Something tiny and cute, something problem solving (a headlamp! a mini lantern!), or something unexpected that adds to an evening away (Magic Flames definitely fits the bill).
  • In your journey to find the right gear for you, it doesn’t hurt to focus on widely-reviewed items: When you’re reading the experiences of hundreds (or thousands) of people who have personally tested an item, it can help you make an informed choice about the kind of gear you want—and what’s most beneficial to you. When in doubt—head to your local outfitter to get in-person recommendations—it’s so nice to meet experts (and enthusiasts) in person.
  • Don’t shy away from used gear. Brands like REI re-sell items at a discount that have light wear that are still perfectly suitable for your excursions. Also, it’s nice for the planet. 🙂

How we chose the best camping gear

Many of the picks on our list are, as I mentioned early on, personal favorites of mine from adventures hiking and camping in New York, Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, Montana, and beyond. The rest of the picks on our list are a mix of tried and true favorites by hundreds of reviewers—and items recommended to me by equally outdoorsy pals.

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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