All the Essential Camping Gear You Need This Summer (and Some Optional Items You’ll Need)

If your idea of ​​”camping” involves venturing solo into the wilderness to tap into your primal survival instincts, then I’ll see you when you get home. My approach to camping is the polar opposite of “backpacking”—life is tough enough as it is. So, I’ve put together this gear guide to make your next camping trip as comfortable as possible.

I recently went on a comfort-focused backpacking trip and tested all of the products recommended below, and it made all the difference: I usually get bored of camping after a couple of days, but with this gear, I was able to enjoy spending much more time in the woods.

The best tents for your camping trip

If you’re into hiking and/or adventures, you might be better off with a lightweight survival tent like the OneTigris Backwoods Bushcraft Shelter . You’re welcome. Personally, I prefer tents as large as possible, and after testing the Teton Sports 12-foot canvas tent, I’ll never go back to a cramped nylon one. This tent is like a portable hotel room: it sleeps 10 people . A tent this size is obviously too heavy for backpacking, but if you’re planning on loading it into your car, going to a festival, or somewhere else, I highly recommend it.

While pitching a large tent like the Teton isn’t difficult, it’s a labor-intensive process—you need to hammer a lot of stakes into the ground. If you’re looking for something simpler (and only have a few people), consider the Gazelle T4 . We timed the pitch: from packing to ready-to-go, it took 90 seconds, plus another five minutes to hammer a few stakes into the ground. Bonus: it’s a tall tent, so there’s no need to slouch.

Another great option is the Skydome tent from Coleman (a manufacturer of portable stoves). It’s easy to set up and reaches six feet at its highest point. Its design blocks 90% of light, allowing you to sleep or take a nap during the day.

Check out these camping cot and sleeping pads.

I need a frame and support for sleeping, so I was thrilled to test out this Teton cot . Paired with a foam sleeping pad, it’s almost as comfortable as my real bed, and the cold from the ground doesn’t penetrate my bones like it would with an air mattress. No complaints. My fellow trekker, David, raves about the Exped MegaMat . It’s pricey, but incredibly comfortable, even when placed directly on the tent floor.

A bold statement: the best sleeping bag for summer camping is no sleeping bag at all. For car camping, since weight and space are at a premium, a camp bed or sleeping pad is a better choice. These restrict movement, feel claustrophobic, and are often too hot for summer camping, so I just bring old blankets from home. It’s more important for me to be able to regulate my temperature and not feel trapped inside.

Various essential items that you will definitely need for camping.

You need a camp stove, and this UCO folding smokeless fire pit and grill is a great option. I have an old, beat-up Coleman camp stove that I’m perfectly happy with, but I tested this Jetboil Flash camp stove , and it boils water in less than two minutes. Amazing.

Next, insect repellent. Throw out your citronella candles and those awful spiral things; they don’t actually work. For complete mosquito protection, all you need is a Thermacell diffuser : it’s the best mosquito repellent. As for personal insect protection, if you want a DEET-free insect spray, try Tongo repellent —I tested it and highly recommend it. Not only did it repel all the bugs from my skin, but it smells great, too.

And be sure to pack a first aid kit. You won’t need anything fancy; here , for example, is a lightweight, waterproof kit containing hospital-grade first aid supplies for cuts, abrasions, broken bones, headaches, and more.

That’s not all. Here’s a short list of things you might think aren’t essential, but actually are:

• Welding Gloves: A pair of welding gloves is a staple in my camping gear because being able to manually move hot logs helps ensure a well-started fire.

• Flashlight Gloves : These LED gloves are better than a flashlight because you don’t have to hold them. They’re also useful around the house for various low-light tasks that require attention to detail.

• Headlamp : Like LED gloves, headlamps are better than regular flashlights because they allow you to keep your hands free. I really like this Biolite Range 400. It’s waterproof, charges quickly, and is very bright.

• Alcohol : My favorite camping drink is Hochstadter’s Slow & Low Rock & Rye, a delicious blend of rye whiskey, rock candy, orange, and honey that’s strong enough to feel it, but still smooth.

• Toilet Paper Tablets : These compact, individually wrapped “tablets” contain disposable personal wipes for all your toilet paper needs; keep a few in your glove compartment in case your campsite doesn’t have a restock.

• Guy ropes : Add some guy ropes to your tent pegs. Whether you’re pitching a tent or a hammock, guy ropes are the perfect alternative to knots. They’re exactly the thing you never knew you needed.

This camping gear isn’t essential, but it’s nice to have.

The above gear is all you need to survive in the most basic conditions, but who wants to settle for the basics ?

• Body Cleansing Spray: Just because you’re hiking doesn’t mean you have to look unkempt . I love Pristine’s body cleansing spray . It feels incredibly soft, and the oakmoss and aloe scent is simply delightful. The company also makes a toilet paper spray , which works just as well—even if the Shark Tank “sharks” didn’t think so.

• Trail Running Shoes : Old Converse sneakers are fine for car camping, but if you’re planning a hike, consider trail running shoes. These Hoka shoes are a perfect compromise between heavy hiking boots and sneakers. They’re perfect for leisurely hikes.

• Electric Bike : If you have a rack, attach the Lectric Peak X 2 electric bike to the back of your SUV for stylish camping or even a little off-road riding. Read the full review here.

Camping equipment designed exclusively for glamping enthusiasts.

So, you’ve mastered the basics of survival and learned how to wash and feed yourself. But is that enough ? Would you like to take your camping trip to the next level of comfort? If so, the gear below will transform your camping trip into a glamping experience.

• Camping Coffee Maker : Just because you’re outdoors doesn’t mean your coffee has to be bad. I tested the Nanopresso portable coffee maker , and waking up to a top-quality cup of coffee is truly amazing.

• Air Conditioner/Heater: Being able to control the temperature inside the tent makes all the difference. This Ecoflow Wave 3 air conditioner/heater, paired with an extra battery pack , kept my tent cool during the day and warm at night—and my tent is huge.

• Karaoke Machine: If you’re looking for outdoor entertainment, karaoke is the perfect option. The Ikarao Break X2 karaoke machine is portable and has a long battery life to keep campers singing karaoke until the campsite is silent. Read the full review here .

• Bass Guitar and Drum Machines: Breaking out an acoustic guitar and singing “Kumbaya” is for hippies. Instead, transform your local KOA campground into Burning Man by hooking up a Roland AIRA T-8 drum machine, a Yamaha Seqtrak sequencer, and a Fender bass to a karaoke machine and cranking out ’90s-style techno. (Seriously, do it . It was the most fun I’ve ever had camping.)

So this summer, if you see someone pulling up to the campsite on an e-bike, espresso in hand, techno blasting loudly, go say hello. I’ll be sleeping like a baby in an air-conditioned circus tent.

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