From backpacking to car camping or even the Toyota concept vehicle, there's something in this guide sure to make any camper on your list a happy one. Clothes, boots, packs, tents, cooking gear, food, and accessories– here are 25 unique ideas to make the next adventure even more enjoyable with ideas starting at just $8.
1. RightOnTrek Adventure Meals ($8-$10) RightOnTrek was founded by a group of friends and backpacking buddies in 2017. They create and sell these delicious backcountry meals right in Kalispell, MT. Read the review here.
2. Sea to Summit Alpha Light Long Spork ($11) A basic in every camp cutlery set, the Alpha Light Long Spork uses durable, hard anodized aluminum combined with a sleek yet strong shape to create an extremely lightweight utensil. Its traditional size and shape also brings a little bit of home with you wherever you need it.
3. Pyro Putty Waterproof Fire Starter - 5 pack ($20) Pyro Putty’s proprietary blend allows you to build a fire anytime, no matter the conditions! Use a nickel size amount of putty to start a 4-6 inch flame that will last 6-10 minutes. With the 5 pack set of .5 oz cans, you can mix and match their most popular blends.Read my review here.
4. Stanley Classic Legendary Camp Mug ($23) There’s a reason l this mug is named Legendary. It’s made tough with Stanley’s double-wall vacuum insulation, so your favorite drinks stay hot or cold longer. The secure press-fit Tritan lid also prevents splashes so you can sip easy on the road, on the job, or around the campfire.
5. Stio All Trail Hiking Sock ($28) Never underestimate the power of a comfortable hiking sock when logging high miles or high traverses at high elevation. Stio's fresh take on the classic pair starts with a merino wool/nylon blend for thermally regulated comfort then adds smooth, seamless toe construction, a cushioned footbed, and comfort compression to reduce fatigue. Reinforced construction ensures they outlast long loops, extended thru-hikes, and life-list foreign circuits.
6. Princeton Tec Remix Headlamp ($40) Every camper needs a headlamp, and the Remix should be your go-to when runtime is crucial. The Remix features an astounding 63h FL1 runtime on High, by far the best in it’s class. For preserving night vision it also features a cluster of red LEDs for close at hand tasks. Equipped with an asymmetrical single arm bracket, easily accessible battery door enclosure, and large push button switch. The end result is a true versatility in a compact, water resistant, and self-contained package. Up to 450 Lumens.
7. Stanley Camp Percolator ($41) Percolate. Pour. Caffeinate. Repeat. Stanley upgraded this campsite classic for those who can’t get enough of good coffee or vintage nostalgia. The sleek, modern design features a removable silicone grip, which lets you take it off the heat without burning your hands. Makes up to six cups of coffee so you can share with friends.
8. Klymit Luxe Camping Pillow ($50) Klymit's Hybrid-fill design combines the cushioning of air with the lofty support of polyester fill to maximize comfort, cradling your head for supportive stable sleeping while camping. It's almost as big as your pillow at home, but weighs only 6.2 ounces and packs surprisingly small (3" x 7")
9. Klymit Ridgeline Camp Chair, Short ($70) The Ridgeline Camp Chair features a short back and a seat engineered to comfortably cradle and support your body. The chair is lightweight and durable with vented mesh panels for breathability. Sit back and relax with a 13.5" off the ground seat height perfect for chilling by the fire. The Ridgeline Camp Chair is easy-to-use and folds down super small for travel and storage.
10. Stanley Base Camp Cook Set ($90) Take your camp kitchen to the next level. This 21-piece cookset packs all the convenience of a fully stocked kitchen into a package that is perfect for tiny homes, river floats, campsites and vanlife. The stainless steel pot and 3-ply fry pan are built to perform like pros, ensuring that food heats more evenly. With all the tools needed to prep, cook, serve and clean up, you may even keep this set in your kitchen for everyday use.
11. Patagonia R1 Zip Neck ($100) Always in my pack, the R1 is designed to keep you warm and comfortable in cold conditions. This stretchy, smooth-faced technical layer for everyday activities is made with a soft 94% recycled polyester fabric and feels like traditional fleece next to the skin. Fair Trade Certified sewn.
12. Optimus Elektra Fe Cook System ($110) This lightweight system includes everything you need and is easy to pack. It includes the Crux Lite stove, a heat exchange pot with lid and nonstick coating, clip-on windscreen, cleanup sponge, and handheld piezo ignitor. This sucker packs small and boils fast!
13. Dark Energy Poseidon Pro Portable Charger ($120) - The best portable charger on the market. Charge your phone, GPS, laptop or tablet in the backcountry. Tough and submersible, with the highest water and dustproof rating available and plenty of long-lasting power, the Poseidon Pro belongs in any pack. Read the review here.
14. Stio Eddy Shirt ($129) The best-selling Eddy shirt from Stio does everything, no matter the season. If you are only going to buy one shirt, this is it. Classic styling with a few modern, technical upgrades, like UPF 50+ and a water-resistant finish. Read the review here.
15. Therm-A-Rest ProLite Sleeping Pad ($130) As the original inventor of the self-inflating sleeping pad, Thermarest has mastered the art of crafting high-performance pads for camping and backpacking. The ProLite offers adventurers the lightest and most compact self-inflating option on the market. The 1-inch (2.5 cm) sleeping pad uses diagonally-cut foam to increase warmth while saving weight, giving the pad a 2.4 R-value for three-season adventures. Includes a compact stuff sack.
16. Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain jacket ($150) Keep dry on the trail. Simple and unpretentious, Patagonia's trusted Torrentshell 3L Jacket uses 3-layer H2No Performance Standard technology for exceptional waterproof/breathable performance, all-day comfort and long-lasting waterproof durability. Fair Trade Certified sewn.
17. Kuiu Kutana Pants ($170) These pants are perfect for summer and fall – even winter with an insulation layer. Ideal for rugged conditions, Kutana features Primeflex nylon fabric that provides water resistant spandex-free, two-way stretch and unmatched abrasion and pick resistance for its weight class.
18.Napier Outdoors Backroadz Truck Tent ($220) The Backroadz Truck Tent was built with the outdoors in mind. With its simple and secure setup, you can have a spacious shelter with over 5ft of headroom in minutes. The large door door makes entering a breeze, and with sewn in storm flaps and flooring, privacy and weather protection is never issue. For added water resistance, quickly throw on the included rainfly. Kyle used this in Montana and it could not have been more easy or more comfortable.
19. Lowa Renegade hiking boots ($245) Durable, waterproof, and breathable. The Renegade's fit, comfort and versatility have set the standard for multifunction boots for over 20 years. With its accommodating Derby-cut styling, DuraPU MONOWRAP frame construction for stability, full-length stabilizer for underfoot support, sleek yet rugged nubuck uppers for durability, and a VIBRAM Evo sole for sure-footed traction, it’s no wonder that the Renegade is Lowa's best-selling model.
20. Kelty Cosmic Ultra 20 ($250 in long) Weighing in at 2.4 lbs, the Kelty Cosmic Ultra 20 is the ultimate in a lightweight mummy. Kelty took their top-selling Cosmic Bag and added an 800 fill DriDown version, with all the perks. The new trapezoidal baffle construction is ideal for retaining heat— one of the reasons Cosmic is a three-season superstar. The natural-fit foot box makes for happier feet, and a PFC-free water-repellent coating makes for a healthier environment.
21. Stio Alpiner Jacket ($289) Truly a unique jacket. Crazy warm for how small and light it is, stretchy, breathable, and water resistant. Stio's active insulator prevents overheating when working up a sweat in cool air conditions. Polartec Alpha Active 60g insulation warms the core yet allows steam to escape quickly due to the advanced interior technology. Streamlined with fast-forward details such as low-pro stretch cuffs, liberating stretch underarm panels and a quick-draw, easy-cinch hood, the technical alpine insulator is fit for pushing the pace. The DWR-treated stretch nylon shell cuts the wind and a compressible design crams easily into hydration vests or lumbar packs.
22. Osprey Atmos 65 Backpack ($325) I've trusted Osprey packs for over 20 years. For heavyweight weekends or weeklong backpacking trips where comfort and ventilation are paramount, the Atmos AG 65 is a great choice. You'll forget how much you really packed with its AntiGravity suspension, delivering an incredible fit that seamlessly envelopes your back and hips in 3D-suspended mesh. From easy-to-use stretch mesh side pockets for water bottles, an internal reservoir sleeve for additional hydration opportunity, stow-on-the-go trekking pole attachment and integrated raincover, the Atmos AG 65 checks all the boxes.
23. Garmin inReach Mini 2 ($400) This compact satellite communicator helps you keep home with you when you’re off the grid — adding peace of mind to every adventure, without adding weight to your pack. Global satellite coverage keeps you connected when cellphones can’t and in an emergency, you can send an interactive SOS message to Garmin's coordination center.
24. Nemo Hornet Ultralight 2-person Backpacking Tent ($400) For those looking for an ultralight shelter with greater volume, the Hornet offers the ultimate in livability and comfort. Top-shelf fabrics and a minimal pole structure shave every ounce possible, while the new patent-pending Flybar volumizing clip add even more room without adding any weight.
The single pole construction allows for lightning-quick setup and minimal pole weight. Triangulated reflective guy-outs and corner struts increase volume at the foot, protecting sleeping bags from tent wall condensation. The 2-Person has two doors and two vestibules and weighs in at a sparse 2.6 pounds.
25. Toyota Tacozilla Concept Camper Truck The Tacozilla Tacoma Camper, a backwoods overlanding-ready “micro-house” rig that pays tribute to Toyota campers from the ’70s and ’80s. Complete Customs in McKinney, Texas, a long-time and trusted Toyota partner, provided customization support and handled the paint work for this concept build. The finished camper features a white base coat with accents reminiscent of the vintage yellow, orange, and bronze scheme. And the fully insulated interior looks like the micro-house the design team envisioned, with teak sauna-style flooring, a full bathroom with hot-water shower, a fully operational kitchen with a stove and sink, a 3D-printed dining table that converts to a backlit piece of wall art and ample sleeping space.
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