Whether you’re camping at a formal campground with amenities or in the backcountry on your own, you need the right gear to stay comfortable and safe. From tents and sleeping gear to camp stoves, cooking essentials, navigation tools, and other camping accessories, the best outdoor gear will ensure a fun camping trip no matter where you decide to go.
The most important piece of camping equipment is the tent, which is crucial to protect you from the elements. Tents are available in a variety of sizes and types, depending on your camping plans and the weather conditions where you’ll be going. For example, a three-season tent is ideal for moderate spring, summer and fall temperatures, while four-season models are designed to withstand snowy conditions.
A quality sleeping bag is also a must-have, and there are a wide range of options on the market to choose from. Consider how warm or cold you’ll need your sleeping bag to be and what features are most important to you, such as waterproofness, compression straps or a cozy hood. Other camping equipment essentials include a backpacking pillow, which is much lighter and more compact than your regular bedroom pillows, as well as a camping mat, which offers extra cushioning under your tent.
A quality Swiss Army knife or other multitool is also useful for camping, and you’ll want to bring a first aid kit in case of any emergencies. Other camping gear you may find useful includes a firepit or grill, an axe for digging holes to put in tent pegs, and a tent footprint, which is a custom-fit ground cloth that covers your tent to keep it dry and protected from rain and debris.