For us, it is essential to spend time outdoors. Camping is among our preferred methods to do so. There is no other place where you can experience getting dirty with your loved ones (or by yourself, if you prefer), be surrounded by a forest filled with leaves changing colors, sleep under the stars, wake up to a tent covered in dew on a chilly autumn morning, enjoy meals cooked over a flame, roast marshmallows, and sing “Kumbaya”.
A few of our editors are quite dedicated to camping; we have a background of camping with our parents and have turned it into a way of life, spending time in the wilderness with our loved ones. Undoubtedly, autumn is the preferred season for us to start the day in a tent.
If you enjoy camping, you might be considering buying a new tent, a portable fire pit, or the top power station available to ensure that your technology remains charged while car camping. Taking all of this into consideration, we have chosen several must-have front-country and backcountry items. These are our top picks for the finest camping gear accessories in 2023.
Sea to Summit Telos TR3 Freestanding Tent
Sea to Summit made a significant move into the tent market. If you are searching for a top-notch camping tent, the Telos TR3 is a three-person shelter that offers more room and improved airflow compared to other tents of similar size. Additionally, by using two regular trekking poles, the rainfly can transform into a partially open camp canopy. This tent is compact, innovative, and exceptionally appealing.
BioLite FirePit+ Wood and Charcoal Burning Camp Fire Pit
BioLite’s FirePit, which is a unique piece of car camping gear, was already considered one of the most impressive items available. It serves as an all-in-one fire pit, grill, stove, and more, and can be controlled through a clever Bluetooth app. In 2023, the FirePit+ introduces an improved body design with a high-temp enamel coating, resulting in increased heat radiation and durability. Additionally, the new 12,800mAh battery provides extended burn times.
TETON Sports Mammoth Queen-Size Double Sleeping Bag
Make sure to bring your significant other and a sleeping bag as well. This double bag, in queen size, provides sufficient room for two people and offers warmth down to zero degrees, making it ideal for chilly autumn evenings at higher altitudes where temperatures may plummet. Its poly-fleece liner is incredibly plush, reminiscent of a cozy winter bedsheet set.
The Mammoth provides a higher level of comfort compared to a packable sleeping bag due to its plumpness, making it possible to sleep on the ground. Additionally, it includes a stuff sack, thus eliminating the struggle of rolling up this large item before setting off.
Therm-a-Rest Air Head Lite Inflatable Travel Pillow
Whether you’re going camping an hour away from your house or traveling internationally for a three-week backpacking trip in the Andes, Therm-a-Rest’s latest product is ready for the task. We have used it on multiple airplane journeys and camping excursions, and can confidently say that it is our preferred option when you have limited space.
One of our favorite extras for nearly all travel is this small package that contains a massive amount of comfort.
Rumpl Outdoor Blankets
No matter where you choose to sleep, a warm and comfortable blanket is essential for keeping your body warm. Rumpl offers a wide selection of fashionable outdoor blankets that are resistant to weather, long-lasting, and cozy. Additionally, these blankets are conveniently packed in a portable sack, making it effortless to store them when no longer needed. Furthermore, their lightweight nature ensures they won’t burden your travel gear.
Gerber Truss Multi-Tool
The Manual has always had a preference for Gerber. The company’s best multi-tool, the Truss, has 17 essential tools and is highly regarded. Regardless of whether you are a hiker, an ultra-light backpacker, or a car camper, it provides the necessary utility, versatility, and durability.
Kammok Double Roo Hammock
Over the years, we have tested numerous camp hammocks, but our favorite is still Kammok’s Double Roo due to its simplicity. Despite being able to support 500 pounds, it can be packed down to the size of a water bottle. Additionally, Kammok’s Python straps, which are tree-safe, easy to use, and distribute weight over a wide area, provide extra stability.
Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker
Sometimes we enjoy listening to the fire crackling and the birds chirping. On other occasions, we prefer to crank up the volume.
The Ultimate Ears speaker offers impressive sound quality, long battery life, and sufficient durability for camping. Additionally, it is waterproof, ensuring that your trip remains unaffected in case you accidentally leave it exposed during an unexpected rainstorm.
Stoic Hard Arm Chair
After a tiring day under the sun, you will experience comfort while sitting in this foldable camping chair. It is spacious compared to others, ensuring that you won’t feel confined. Moreover, it is designed to be slightly elevated, allowing you to easily get up without the need to climb.
Replace your throw-away chair with a much more comfortable and long-lasting one, as its aluminum frame is lighter compared to steel, and the polyester fabric is durable enough to withstand wear and tear for years.
Paracord Planet 3-Millimeter Utility Cord
With a million uses while camping, ropes can be used as a clothesline, a dog leash, to secure a tarp, or to hang food off the ground at night. By packing this durable and versatile utility cord, you will always be ready to improvise with a strong and lightweight option.
BioLite HeadLamp 425
Don’t you find it frustrating how heavy a headlamp can feel on your forehead? BioLite has solved this problem by designing a headlamp that does not bounce at all. This is achieved through their SlimFit Construction, which allows the front profile of the headlamp to sit flat against your forehead, while the battery located at the back ensures that the weight is evenly distributed.
Despite its incredible output, this baby weighs just 2.8 ounces. It offers four adjustable lighting options, including a high beam with 425 lumens, catering to all your needs. The batteries are rechargeable, and it can run for up to 60 hours on the lowest setting.
Alternatively, if you desire something more vibrant, BioLite’s Headlamp 800 Pro outshines even the brightest lighthouse.
Generac GB1000 Portable Power Station
Even if you mostly disconnect from digital devices during a wilderness getaway, there are still some technologies you may require, such as digital cameras, electric lighters, and portable speakers. Generac’s GB1000 is specifically designed to provide power while you’re on the move. This compact portable power station is the perfect size for weekend car camping trips and has enough capacity to recharge most smartphones multiple times. Additionally, it is powerful enough to operate a portable fridge or pellet grill, adding a touch of luxury to your “off-grid” adventures. The best part is that it can be recharged using Generac’s portable solar panels, which can harness sunlight from virtually anywhere.
Coleman Xtreme Wheeled Cooler, 50-Quart
Are you looking for wheels and a handle? We’ve got just the thing. While it may not be a luxurious roto-molded cooler, Coleman’s 50-quart option with wheels is spacious enough to accommodate a case of beer and sufficient food for a small family over three days. Additionally, it comes equipped with four integrated beverage holders, can be used as a card table, and is reasonably priced, making it suitable for families.
Hikenture 4-in-1 Multi-Tool Eating Utensil
This tool is the ultimate space-saving camping utensil because it combines a fork, spoon, knife, light, corkscrew, and bottle opener all in one. It can be likened to having your kitchen drawer condensed into a pocket knife, making it more convenient to keep track of rather than using separate utensils.
