1. A beginner-friendly four-person dome tent with a sturdy ground tarp, a carry bag, and (most importantly) clear instructions for setup. Useful organization pockets and a gear loft mean everything inside the tent has a place, so you can spend your outing gazing at the stars, not hunting around for dry socks!
Promising review: “Cheap tent, very easy to set up (under five minutes setup) with good ventilation (I went camping in 90%+ humidity and didn’t find myself as hot as expected during the nights).” —Levi
Price: $69.99
2. A large tarp that can make all the difference between a slightly damp, cold tent floor and one that is satisfyingly bone dry and cozy. It can also serve as a landing zone for muddy shoes outside the tent, a ground cloth for lounging at your campsite, or even an improvised shelter when strung between branches if you get caught in the rain mid-hike.
Promising review: “Does its job! We used it under our tent for a last-minute camping outing. Larger than our tent, but it did its job.” —A
Price: $9.99
3. A sleeping bag that won’t leave your teeth chattering when the temperature was perfectly pleasant all day but rudely dipped when the sun went down! It’s good for temps as low as 30 degrees, and if nature calls in the middle of the night, there is a handy internal pocket for your phone or flashlight.
Promising review: “We bought them while on our way to camping. In July, it was cold at night but the sleeping bag provided very good warmth. I am a big guy, and it was also spacious enough for me to turn around while sleeping.” —DadWithKids
Price: $39.99
4. A fold-up chair with a carrying case that will offer you (and your beverage) a fireside, beach, or sports pitch-adjacent throne. Listen to the birds, toast a marshmallow, and rest your tired legs. Or just bring it to the park and enjoy the back support.
Promising review: “I’m over 70 and was looking for lightweight chairs I can carry to the beach and outdoor events. These are perfect. They are sturdy and well made, and the fabric is durable. While they are not high back, the seats are wide enough for an adult and comfortable. The cup holder is an added plus. They are easy to put into the carry bags and light enough for my grandkids to be able to carry their own. Wonderful buy!” —Shhirlee
Price: $14.99 (available in two colors)
5. A collapsible, lightweight, solar-rechargeable camp lantern that has three different brightness settings and a USB-C charging port for your own device in a pinch. Pack it flat, then pop it open when the sun goes down.
Promising review: “I bought two of these lamps knowing they’re not ‘flashlights’ so much as ‘night-lights.’ Perfect for my young campers. They’re rechargeable (USB or solar), but I have to say it was cool (especially to kids) that they worked right out of the box. The handle on the top is ratcheted so it can function as a kickstand, too, if you need it to make shadow animals. There are three levels to the light — 60, 20, and 10 lumens — and each button push downgrades the light. Kids figured that out quickly. Overall nice product. It’s a bit pricey for what it is, but if these survive Cub Scouts camping and recharge quickly, as I think they will, they’re worth the investment. Probably better if you catch them on sale.” —Carn
Price: $19.99
6. A set of trekking poles for hikes through water, over uneven terrain, or up and down steep inclines. They distribute your weight and give your arms some support as you walk.
Promising review: “I wanted to try out trekking poles and these seemed a good price to try it out. These were surprisingly sturdy and are great for hiking, particularly in Florida where they are more often used for keeping spiderwebs away.” —Shalynn
Price: $19.99
7. An outdoor hammock you can string between two trees (or any two sturdy supports) to enjoy reclining in the breeze. This is ideal for those of us dedicated both to exploring and lounging.
This hammock is advertised as being sized for two people, though reviews on whether two people could sleep comfortably were mixed.
Promising review: “Great hammock, straps are a good length, and the hammock is sturdy. I used it for hammock camping and had no issues with it!” —Tera
Price: $29.99
8. A personal water filter that will swiftly become your most cherished possession if you don’t bring enough water of your own. See that rippling creek? Now, you can drink from it with all the peaceful serenity of a cartoon deer (albeit one that is using a giant straw).
Note: If you’re immunocompromised, be sure to read all the package instructions to make sure it’s safe for you.
Promising review: “LifeStraw sucks — and that means it performs perfectly! I have purchased three of these for stocking stuffers for my sons. All three love to go camping and hiking in the woods. Yes, they pack water with them, but if anything were to happen, or if, for some reason, they were to get lost in the woods, the LifeStraw will be in their backpack. As a mom, I feel better knowing that if anything were to happen, they would still have access to clean water. Thank you, LifeStraw, for the peace of mind your product gives me!” —Whelanintl
Price: $19.81 (available in two colors)
9. An ultra-lightweight titanium cook pot because think about how heavy (and oddly shaped) a small handled saucepan would be to carry into the woods! This pot comes with folding handles that make it easy to pack up, and its titanium construction makes it super lightweight. Heat up coffee or tea in it, or rehydrate a meal.
The model shown here is 750 milliliters but they also come in smaller 450-, 550-, 650-, and 700-milliliter sizes.
My dad took up backpacking years ago, and even as his overnight trips have shortened to day hikes, his passionate love of “good gear” has never abated. He has always prized the equipment that can shave off pounds or even a few ounces of weight from his pack. When I asked him recently what kind of cookware he’d prefer in the backcountry, he answered without hesitation, “Titanium.”
Price: $34.95
10. A pull-on poncho that you can unfurl at a moment’s notice. Its generous square footage can shield you and your bag when a sudden downpour threatens to soak all your belongings. The pocket keeps your phone (or snacks) dry and within easy reach, too.
Promising review: “Six foot four (6’4) partner needed a rain poncho. I saw reviews saying this was too long, so I grabbed it for him! Worth the price of admission to see him at long last in a poncho that doesn’t end at his waist! This poncho is long on *him* and could still fit a backpack underneath! It’s a good color and better quality than those generic orange ones they put us in as kids. And there is a front pocket! I’m happy I found this! So is he!” —BuffaloBillie
Price: $14.99
11. A pack of firestarters that promise to give your firepit, charcoal grill, or campfire a fighting chance.
Promising review: “Wanted a fire starter that wasn’t waxy and was more natural. These fit the role perfectly. Light it like a cherry bomb, throw it in a pile of charcoal, a firepit, or anything needing a sustained fire. Effectively starts charcoal in a chimney or stack, propagates heat, and completely burns.” —SoCalPizzaAndbBBQ
Price: $6.49
12. A set of marshmallow roasting sticks that are adorable, color-coded, telescopic, and so practical for the whole point of a campfire: making s’mores.
Promising review: “Easy to clean, extend to make longer or short to put away. The variation of colors was genius! Kids and adults were able to keep track and not lose their sticks.” —Balance ball
Price: $15.99 for eight (originally $39.99)
13. An insulated stainless-steel lidded tumbler for those of us who are willing to carry a few extra ounces (20 of them liquid) to the soccer field, the park, or the lakeshore if it means our drink will actually stay extra cold or hot.
Promising review: “I really like this tumbler. It keeps my drinks hot, the top is easy to use and delivers the perfect amount of liquid per sip, and it is large without being bulky. CamelBak even replaced the top when it stopped sealing properly.” —aom35
Price: $24.99
14. A tabletop grill that makes it easy to achieve your camp-meal dreams — aka burgers and veggie skewers under a cloudless sky, all in a stylish design and portable format.
Promising review: “Great little tabletop grill! Easy to use and easy to clean. My husband and I will be using this for day adventures, at the beach, or even a short hike. We can carry it with us to have a barbecue lunch somewhere fun. So far, we have grilled steak on it, and it was delicious. Always forget how much we love that charcoal flavor. Also, it will be a fun outdoor tabletop grilling centerpiece for a party. Easy to store, but you could also leave it out anywhere because the design is quite nice and pleasing to the eye. Will get good use out of this for sure” —shanna
Price: $279.99 (originally $470)
15. A collapsible utility wagon that will save you from the sweaty reality of carrying all the gear required to feed and hydrate everyone!
Promising review: “This wagon is literally the best. I’ve had family with other types, and this is by far the best quality and design. You can pull and push like a stroller. Its wheels are also very smooth and easy to control. For this price, it is a steal.” —Daisy
Price: $149.99 (originally $259.99)
16. A 55-liter technical frame backpack for longer through-hike expeditions that is startlingly lightweight and durable for its capacity and low price.
Promising review: “This backpack has all the bells and whistles that you need from a hiking backpack without the huge hit on your bank account. It has all of the useful compartments and utility straps pricier bags have. You will be hard-pressed to find a hiking backpack as good as this and around 40 bucks. One of the best things about this backpack is how customizable it is to suit different sized people. The entire back strap can be moved up or down, and there are even line indicators with S/M/L/XL to help with resizing. The sternum strap can also be moved up and down. Most other hiking backpacks have set sizes, and you have to choose between S/M and L/XL, or they are marketed as men’s (bigger) or women’s (smaller).
Another feature I really appreciate is the stretchy water bottle compartment. It easily fits my 64-ounce Klean Kanteen. I didn’t realize this when I ordered this backpack, but I later found out that it comes with a strapped-in rain cover. The backpack is already fairly water resistant (although not waterproof), but it is nice to know I will always have that rain cover handy if I am caught in a downpour. The only downside I foresee to this backpack is the material isn’t as durable as more expensive options, but again, this backpack is only a small fraction of the cost. A silver lining to the material is that it is very lightweight. That being said, I have not personally experienced any fabric ripping, frayed stitching, or any other issue of that nature, so durability doesn’t seem to be a problem so far. This backpack is comfortable, functional, and affordable. Very happy with this purchase.” —KayJay
Price: $43.49
17. A colorful bag that clips right onto your bicycle’s handlebars and carries the provisions for a morning ride on the trails (so you don’t have to stuff ALL your granola bars into your hip pocket).
Promising review: “Super cute and spacious for a small bike bag. It matches perfectly with my lilac bike. I also like the reflective seam around the edge. Hope it holds up well over time.” —AJL1222
Price: $14.99
18. A set of nonlocking carabiners that make it so easy to attach your water bottle to your backpack, hang a lantern in your tent, hook a hat to your belt loop, or even fasten a dry bag to your kayak. If you like useful gear but also like having your hands free, give these a try.
Promising review: “They are sturdy, easy to open, but don’t pop open on their own. The colors are accurate and pretty, in my opinion. I like that it came with two sizes.” —HippieGal444
Price: $3.99 for two
19. A 52-quart rolling cooler for car camping but also for beach days and tailgates — really any outing that leaves you to your own hydration devices. Reviewers love its portability and the lid’s convenient cupholders. Take note: this cooler is also tall enough to store a wine bottle.
Promising reviews: “Strong like a Yeti, yet half the size. It makes up for it in height. Love, love!” —Myra
“Kept ice for 4–5 days. I used it on a recent camping trip to Yellowstone, and it outperformed the Yeti that we also brought with us. Highly recommend.” —bk
Price: $59.99
20. A first aid kit that is tiny but mighty. Gratifying your love of the wilderness doesn’t mean ignoring boo-boos! Tuck this kit into a side pocket, and you can tend to shallow cuts and scrapes safely with minimal interruption to the outdoor fun.
This first aid kit contains two 5-by-7.75-inch Johnson & Johnson hand cleansing wipes, four 2-by-2-inch Band-Aid brand gauze pads, two 0.75-by-3-inch Band-Aid brand flexible fabric adhesive bandages, and four 0.63-by-2.25-inch Band-Aid brand flexible fabric adhesive bandages.
Promising review: “I bought this product for my car, and it has been great! We have a toddler who likes to run, of course, and this has come in handy many times while out and about! I keep it in my glove box because it is very compact and has everything you need for small cuts or scrapes.” —Kjohnson8
Price: $2.69