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As a hobbyist who spends over a month camping each year, I've had the opportunity to test a variety of camping gear and parse the best from the products better left at home. Here's the best of the best, as chosen by me and our team of expert camping writers.
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As an avid camper, I’ve learned a thing or two about the products that can turn your outdoor adventure from a bug-filled snoozefest to a weekend of nonstop fun or refreshing relaxation. Whether you’re a roughing-it-style tent camper like me or a glamping enthusiast, the following picks—each of which has been tested or handpicked by Reader’s Digest‘s expert shopping editors—should make anyone’s best camping gear list.
Happy camping!
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Whether you’re cozying in with the whole family or just prefer extra space, the MSR Habitude six-person tent is roomy enough to fit every preference. It’s our best tent for camping pick thanks to its waterproof coating, sturdy design, storage pockets and easy setup. And since it’s rated for three seasons, you can use it from early spring to deep into the fall—or even through the winter if weather conditions allow. That makes it among the best camping gear no matter the season.
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I can personally attest to this Rtic cooler’s status as the best cooler for camping. I’ve owned it for two camping seasons, and in that time it’s exceeded all my expectations. Its rubber latch closures keep it secure and lock coolness inside. I can count on ice staying intact inside the cooler for up to 10 days, and unlike with my previous bargain cooler, I’ve never pulled a warm beverage out from the Rtic.
Though this is a fairly expensive cooler, in my opinion, it’s well worth the investment—and it’ll still cost you nearly $100 less than the comparable Yeti Tundra 45 Quart cooler.
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Through even the muggiest camping seasons, the Thermacell MR300 portable mosquito repeller has never let me down. I’ve tested it on a variety of camping trips for the past three years and found it to dispel even thick clouds of mosquitoes in mere minutes. It’s easy to operate, virtually scent- and noiseless and its fuel lasts hours at a time.
I especially like the clip on its back, so I can attach it to my pocket or backpack and enjoy a bug-free hike for miles and miles.
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I’ve used my Coleman Quad chair for three camping seasons now, and it’s not leaving my list of the best camping gear anytime soon. It’s the best camping chair for many reasons: It’s comfortable, offers plenty of built-in organization and, perhaps best of all, it includes a built-in four-can cooler right in the chair’s arm.
When camping, it helps to keep all your essentials in one convenient spot—you’d be surprised how difficult it is to find items once they’ve dropped on the grassy or dirt-packed ground. This chair provides space for everything in my arsenal, from my Kindle to chapstick to a pack of cards and more.
And unlike other camping chairs, this one is a smart pick for beyond the campground, whether you’re settling in at the soccer sidelines or hosting a backyard barbecue.
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Whether you’re a true backpacker, a car camper just looking for extra relaxation or a daredevil looking to sleep overnight in your hammock, the Eno DoubleNest meets just about every need. It’s the best camping hammock for a few reasons: It’s made with tear-resistant, waterproof fabric, sets up easily, rolls up into a small compression sack and can fit up to two users at a time.
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I’ll be the first to admit—Teva ReEmbers aren’t for everyone. But they should be. In my Teva ReEmber review, I found them to be the perfect camping shoe. They’re comfortable, durable, multipurpose and easy to slip on and off. I’ve worn them on multiple camping trips so far, and they’ve earned their way into my must-pack list for good.
In addition to their comfort, I also found the shoes stood up to multiple types of water and weather during my test. And though the light color I chose shows dirt easily, the ReEmbers are machine-washable, so you can keep them looking good as new between camping trips.
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If there’s one thing we love at Reader’s Digest, it’s discount camping gear—and the Bug Bite Thing is so cheap, it doesn’t even need a discount to be a great deal. The $10 device promises to stop itchy bug bites in their tracks thanks to its simple-but-effective suction method. Just press the Bug Bite Thing directly over the center of the mosquito bite, pull the grips and hold for 10-20 seconds.
In our Bug Bite Thing review, we found that the Shark Tank product truly does work. Not only does it relieve itching, but it’s chemical-free and reusable for hundreds—if not thousands—of applications. And since it’s so small and lightweight, I keep one in my hiking pack—where every ounce matters—in case of emergency mosquito attacks.
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This affordable duck-down-filled sleeping bag is among the best sleeping bags for just about every camper. The Kelty Pack bag is rated at 15 to 30 degrees, meaning it’ll keep you toasty through a variety of seasons and temperatures. Thoughtful details like internal stash pockets, a no-snag zipper, ventilation and included stuff sack help it stand out from the other sleeping bags on the market.
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It’s a common misconception that camping means fitful sleep that’s anything but restful. And roughing it doesn’t have to mean denying yourself creature comforts like a luxurious air mattress. The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir sleeping pad tops our list of the best camping air mattresses for good reason: It’s comfortable, durable, lightweight and highly packable.
And unlike other camping air mattresses, this one is easy to inflate and actually reflects body heat, so it’ll insulate you from the cold ground on chilly nights. We also like that this pad is available in multiple configurations, so you can choose the one that works for your family best.
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“The REI Co-Op Trailmade Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad is the sleeping pad I used for car camping across the U.S.,” writes Amanda Capritto in our roundup of the best camping sleeping pads. “For three months, I slept on this pad in the back of my car and on several tent camping trips…I had no problems sleeping comfortably on it.”
In addition to being comfortable, Amanda also finds it versatile across a variety of weather conditions, easy to inflate and deflate and simple to clean.
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At first glance, the Rumpl Puffy Blanket’s $125 price tag seems hefty. It’s a blanket, after all! But according to Reader’s Digest Deputy Editor Reina Galhea in our piece about the Rumpl Blanket, it’s well worth the price. “I won’t reach for any other blanket when I’m venturing into nature,” she says.
There are many features that set the Rumpl apart from your run-of-the-mill blanket. For one, its water-repellent shell not only keeps it protected from spills and rain but crumbs and dirt simply roll right off when you shake it out. And its clever corner loops allow you to stake the blanket down on windy days. Plus, the fun colors and patterns make the Rumpl one of the best gifts for campers they’ll actually use, season after season.
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After sleeping on my Coop pillow for years at home, I discovered the brand makes a pint-sized version that’s designed for traveling, specifically camping. The Coop adjustable travel pillow is my pick for the best camping pillow because it’s just as comfortable as the one you’d use at home, but with a few thoughtful additions—so no compromising a quality night’s sleep necessary.
The included compressive sack makes the pillow highly portable (and protects it from getting dirty when you’re traveling with it) and the waterproof nylon pillowcase is cooling on hot nights. Best of all, just like the full-sized Coop, you can add or remove foam to customize your perfect level of cushion. Bye-bye, sleepless nights on the road!
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You may not even miss your bed at home when sleeping on the Helinox Lite camp cot. That’s thanks to features like a comfortable—and durable—polyester ripstop fabric that will keep you warm in cool weather. You can expect polyester to last longer than cotton, too, so you can use the camping cot on backwoods trips for years to come. The lightweight aluminum poles offer support for up to 265 pounds, and the packable design and storage sack make it easy to travel with and store between seasons.
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As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
