15 Praiseworthy Products for Your Next Camping Trip
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The Summer camping season is in full swing and if you have found that some of your camping gear isn’t as sublime as you thought you’d left it after last season or if there are any deficiencies in your camping kit that need filling. We have vetted fifteen excellent pieces that will elevate your campsite from modest to optimal, making your camping experience a bit more rewarding.
Therm-A-Rest MondoKing 3D Sleeping Pad
Camp Like a King
As the name implies, the Therm-A-Rest MondoKing is a sleeping pad that offers nothing but the coziest, dreamiest night’s rest fit for a “King”. Featuring 4.25 inches of premium foam, this ultra-comfy pad combines a lavish feel with a 7.0 R-value to keep you warm and protected in almost any climate or season. The MondoKing situates itself in the Therm-A-Rest line as a luxurious air pad option intended for car camping while remaining self-inflatable for ease of use. The StrataCore construction provides the lofty three-dimensional shape, while the easy to use TwinLock valve allows the pad to inflate and deflate in no time at all. The sleeping pad also maintains a portable packed size, thanks to the included stuff sack that also doubles as a pump sack. MSRP $209.95 thermarest.com
Mountain Hardwear Bozeman 15F Sleeping Bag
Warm Roomy Comfort
The Mountain Hardwear Bozeman 15F Synthetic Sleeping Bag is a great choice for the three-season car campers. The synthetic insulation delivers reliable warmth even if you encounter damp conditions, the ThermalQ synthetic insulation maintains loft, but doesn’t feel bulky or weighty like some synthetics. The ThermalQ fill packs down well, so you can take the bag on multiple night trips, and the bag features offset quilt construction that eliminates cold spots. The 15-degree rating is just right for getting you through early spring camps all the way through late fall season sleep outs, while the full length zipper with double sliders and a wrap-around foot-box zipper offers versatile ventilation and the ability to be opened flat and used as a quilt if you’re camping in mid-summer conditions. Lastly, the included stuff sack can be turned inside out to convert it to a fleece pillow for comfortable snoozing. MSRP $110 www.rei.com/mountainhardwear
Therm-A-Rest Corus 20 Quilt
Unrestricted Comfort
Whether you’re sleeping under the stars or slumbering in the shelter of a tent, you’ll be grateful to have the ultralight warmth of this Therm-A-Rest Corus 20 Quilt. Its packable design makes it perfect for any type of camping, whether you’re off into the mountains or hitting up the local state campground. The lightweight Nikwax Hydrophobic Down and Box Baffled construction provides exceptional warmth for summer backpacking trips, and the quilt can easily layer on top of a bag when conditions are colder. The Corus provides a freeing feeling of unrestricted movement throughout the night, while the foot-box can be slipped over a pad to eliminate drafts or over your feet for extra warmth. The Corus pairs extremely well with pads, sheets, and bags from Therm-a-Rest so you can customize a layering system specific to your camping needs. MSRP $259.95 thermarest.com
Therm-A-Rest Compression Pillow
Compressible Pillow
Skip the whole ordeal of jamming clothes in your stuff sack as a makeshift pillow and grab the Therm-A-Rest Compression Pillow for your next camp outing. This camp pillow features a soft polyester fabric and up-cycled foam for plush support at night. Its soft foam filling expands big and packs small into its built in drawstring stuff sack for easier packing and carrying on the trail. The XL size measures a generous 16.5″ x 27″ for an at home comfort wherever your adventures take you. MSRP $24.95 thermarest.com
Sawyer Micro Squeeze Filter System
Compact Water Filtration
From backpacking trips to camp weekends, the Sawyer Micro Squeeze Filter System provides compact purification, allowing you to drink directly from streams and lakes. With a total field weight of 2 ounces, the Micro Squeeze easily fits in your pack or pocket without the bulk or weight of traditional water filters. This versatile option for wilderness water treatment enables you to filter water directly from the included Squeeze Bag into your preferred water bottle. You can drink directly from the Squeeze Bag or connect the filter directly to most any threaded water bottle, including standard soda bottles. Enjoy clean and safe drinking water wherever you go with the ultra-compact, lightweight, reusable Sawyer Micro Squeeze Water Filtration System. MSRP $28.99 www.rei.com/sawyer
Platypus DuoLock Collapsible SoftBottle
Space Saving Water Bottle
If you are looking for somewhere to store your filtered water after using the Sawyer Micro Squeeze Filter System from above, look no further than the Platypus DuoLock SoftBottle. The collapsible design allows for easy and efficient storage and makes it extremely lightweight while saving space when not in use. It easily flattens and rolls thin to make it painless to carry, stuff in packs, or even stash in your pocket, and the DuoLock cap doubles the spill protection as it won’t accidentally flip or twist open, preventing all leaks. The wide mouth opening simplifies filling and cleaning and the bottle’s ergonomic shape makes for easy gripping, pouring and sipping, while a wire gate clip lets you attach it just about anywhere. Available in three sizes .75L/1.0L/2.0L. MSRP $11.95 – $15.95 platy.com
PackTowl Personal
The Ultra-Versatile Camp Towel
The PackTowl Personal Towel dries you off and then dries itself quickly, making it excellent for camping. Its microfiber blend is not only exceptionally soft and smooth, but it also soaks up four times its weight in water for quick and easy drying. For fast drying it can be hung from a tree branch or just about anywhere thanks to it’s hang loop. The Personal towel also stays fresh longer courtesy of the Polygeine odor control. The PackTowl can also pull double duty for drying camp dishes. Available in four sizes: Face (10″ x 14″), Hand (16.5″ x 36″), Body (25″ x 54″), and Beach (36″ x 59″) MSRP $7.46 – $39.95 packtowl.com
Pipamoka Coffee Maker
Brew and Drink In One
If your day doesn’t start until you’ve had coffee, than you can’t afford to go camping without the Pipamoka Coffee Maker. It makes a flavorful and consistent cup of brew in just minutes. Simply fill the ground capsule with well ground coffee, add boiling water to the cup, start screwing the unit closed and the Pipamoka’s vacuum pressure brewing will begin. Within minutes, you will be enjoying hot, freshly-brewed coffee. Simply to use and easy to clean. All of the Pipamoka’s parts fit securely inside the mug, helping keep everything together and making for more efficiently packing. The lightweight, BPA-free, and shatter-resistant material will withstand years of outdoor adventures. MSRP $46.90 www.amazon.com/wacaco
Biolite Campstove 2 Bundle
Portable Wood Burning Stove System
The Biolite Campstove 2 Bundle is a wood powered stove that not only cooks food and boils water using sticks and twigs scavenged from your campsite, but also turns the heat into usable electricity that can charge smartphones, headlamps, and other portable devices through a USB port while you cook. The Campstove has internal fan jets that boost combustion and efficiency, while the settings allow you to control the flames. The LED readouts on the unit show fire strength, power output, and fan speed settings. The CampStove 2 is also equipped with a built-in battery that allows you to store electricity and charge devices later when the fire isn’t going. The CampStove 2 bundle includes the BioLite KettlePot and Grill so you can cook everything from pasta to burgers all the while juicing up your electronic devices. And when it’s time to pack up camp, the nesting design and lightweight construction make it easy to store away until the next camping trip. MSRP $259.95 bioliteenergy.com
MSR Ceramic 2 Pot Set
Compact Nonstick Pots
When you are cooking for a group the MSR Ceramic 2 Pot Set is the best choice for nonstick performance and is designed and built to withstand all of your culinary camp endeavors. The pot set makes cooking gourmet meals at camp that much easier thanks to the premium Fusion® ceramic nonstick surface that disperses heat evenly whether you’re preparing pasta, steaming vegetables, or bringing your camp chowder to a perfect simmer. Together, the 2.5 liter and 1.5 liter pots handle a range of camp fare with easy clean-up and feature a stackable design that makes it easy to pack and carry to your next camp. MSRP $79.95 msrgear.com
GSI Destination Kitchen Set 24
Every Utensil for Any Camp Cooking Adventure
The GSI Destination Kitchen Set 24 makes it convenient and easy to go full MasterChef at any camp kitchen. This 24 piece set includes a utility knife for slicing and chopping, a folding spatula and spoon, grater, retractable stirrer, a cutting board, spice shakers, four piece cutlery set, two soft sided condiment bottles and clean up clothes. Weighing in at just under 2 pounds, this compact set stores in it’s durable ballistic zippered nylon case that keeps all of the camp cooking utensils securely stowed and organized. The GSI Destination Kitchen Set 24 is the must when you plan cook anything beyond hot dogs and hobo pies. MSRP $49.95 rei.com/gsioutdoors
Pelican 50 QT Elite Cooler
Extreme Ice Retention
No camping trip is complete without the Pelican 50 Quart Elite Cooler. Built to be virtually indestructible, this cooler features reliable insulation that keeps beverages and food items icy cold for days on end. The 50 quart capacity is perfectly suited for weekend camping trips and even extended stays in the wilderness. The push button click lock lid latches are specially designed to hold up to years of latching and opening, and the built in side handles provide a means of easy lifting or secure tie down points. Molded cup holders keep your beverage from tipping and the drain plug makes it a breeze to clean out at the end of your trip. MSRP $308.95 pelican.com
Gerber Armbar Drive or Cork
Lightweight Pocket Tools
The Gerber Armbar Drive and Cork are pocket sized multi-tools that deliver full-sized utility. The lightweight and compact Armbar gives you nothing but a tough, durable package of essential tools that can fit anywhere. With a rugged, stainless steel design this streamlined tool tackles any job without weighing you down. Depending on your camp tool needs the Drive and the Cork have the following tools: The 8 tools included in the Gerber Armbar Drive are: a plain edge blade, Philips driver, flat head driver, pry bar, hammer, scissors, awl, and a bottle opener. The star is a 2.5” driver that allows more access and less frustration when trying to get at screws in hard-to-reach places. The 8 tools included in the Gerber Armbar Drive are: a plain edge blade, scissors, pry bar, bottle opener, can opener, foil cutter, leverage arm, and a corkscrew. At just over 3.5” long (closed) and a lightweight 3.1 ounces, the Armbar is a fit anywhere, must have multi-tasker that can easily handle gear repairs, fire kindling, and camp cooking. MSRP $39 gerbergear.com
Yeti TrailHead Camp Chair
Luxury in a Folding Chair
There’s no point in camping if you don’t even bring a place to sit by the fire, especially since Yeti makes it so simple with the TrailHead Camp Chair. This folding camp chair features a sleek design that delivers absolute comfort thanks to the ultra-supportive FlexGrid™ Fabric, and it is conveniently compact for easy carrying and stowing. The frame is solid and sturdy yet lightweight and easy to tote around in its backpack style carry bag. The lock closure on the back keeps everything stout and simply pulls up for effortless folding during campsite tear down. The Yeti TrailHead Camp Chair renders the ultimate relaxation and convenient carry for any campsite. MSRP $299.99 yeti.com
Skyroam Solis X WiFi Smartspot
Campsite Connectivity
For those of you that need to stay connected when you are out camping, look no further than the Skyroam Solis X WiFi Smartspot. It is a go-anywhere smart wifi hotspot for campers that provides one solution for all the connected activities you enjoy while living life “off the grid*“. The device’s unique combination of global 4G LTE WiFi, remote camera, power bank, and integrated smart assistant gives you the ability to simultaneously see, listen, speak, and connect from U.S. campsites and many places across the globe, should your camping adventures take you that far. Sharing, browsing, photographing, emailing, tracking, downloading, live streaming – you name it. If you want to let your social media followers in on the best new camp site you just found or if you need to catch up on the last few work items you left undone, the pocket-sized Skyroam Solis X can connect you on the spot. The power bank helps keep your devices charged, the remote camera can capture candid moments, the smart assistant will help keep the itinerary on track, and 16+ hours of battery life ensures you can be connected all day. *Here is the caveat – the Skyroam Solis does use a cellular network to connect to the internet, so if you are planning to go deep into the backcountry where no cell towers exist, the Skyroam will NOT work.* But if you are planning to stay within cellular range the Skyroam will definitely keep you connected. MSRP $250 www.amazon.com/skyroam
