The best camping gear for beginners

Here's everything you need to get started.
By Kaitlyn McInnis  on 
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Overview

Best Camp Stove System

BioLite CampStove

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Best Camping Tent

Coleman Sundome Tent

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Best Camping Coffee Maker

GSI Outdoors Percolator

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Whether you’re planning to cross the country in a camper or you prefer an old-fashioned tent in the great outdoors, we can all agree that there are some camping essentials that will get you through an adventure in the wilderness.

You could spend hours intricately planning out the most magnificent camping itinerary, but without the right gear, a great trip into the wilderness can go south pretty quickly. However, that doesn’t mean you necessarily have to go out and purchase the entire outdoors store, either. It only takes about a (figurative) handful of great gear to ensure your trip goes smoothly.

While you probably already have a flashlight and portable charger kicking around, you might want to consider investing in the campground basics like a decent camp stove and a good sleeping bag.

Sure, there are hundreds of dollars worth of innovative camp gadgets out there that might be tempting to pick up, but you’re better off investing in the basics before going all out on flashy accessories and spending any extra cash filling up your cooler with craft beer and camp snacks.

This list of the best basics will help ensure your wild adventure goes off without a hitch.

How to pack for camping in different seasons:

While camping is all about getting back to the basics and appreciating nature, there’s a lot to take into account when packing for a given season. Whether you’re braving the elements or you much prefer camping in the heat of the summer (we don’t blame you!), you’ll always want to pack ample sleeping and cooking gear.

In the colder months, especially if we’re talking sub zero temperatures, you’ll probably want to consider swapping your thin nylon tent and sleeping bag for more thermal options. There are a wide variety of four-season tents that sport a thicker outer layer, but you’ll also want to look out for a sleeping pad with R-value of 4 or more as well as a sleeping bag rated at least 40°F lower than the coldest temperatures you’re expecting.

If you’re planning on camping in the springtime, come equipped with rain appropriate gear — even if the forecast looks sunny. You’ll want to double check that your tent is rated all-weather, and even if it is, we suggest either buying a tent footprint or bringing an extra tarp to help absorb any unexpected moisture in the ground. Consider picking up a rope or paracord for hanging clothes to dry should you get caught in any unexpected drizzle.

Summertime is arguably the easiest in terms of packing. Whether you’re opting to sleep under the stars or prefer the comfort of a tent, don’t forget warm clothes and a decent sleeping bag just in case the temperature drops in the evening. Otherwise, sunscreen, a hat, and moisture wicking clothing should do just fine.

How to pack for backpacking vs. car camping:

If you’re physically carrying your gear on your back to basecamp rather than toting it in the trunk of your car, you’re going to want to streamline your supplies as much as possible. No matter how cool or innovative a piece of gear can be, we promise you’ll be wishing you left it in the store once it’s weighing you down during your hike. Consider purchasing lightweight materials like down feathers over synthetic material and a flexible water bladder over a plastic or glass bottle. If you’re hiking in the summer, picking up a packable rain jacket will save you some weight.

Whether you're car camping or backpacking, outdoor enthusiasts in bear country should always plan to store food and any smellable items securely. If bears are a concern in the area you're camping in, either leave your food and other scented stuff in a locked car overnight, get a bear-proof canister, or tie them up in a tree the old fashioned way.

What to look out for when buying camping essentials:

When you’re considering what to bring for a trip into the wilderness, think about the necessities above all. Sure, there are tons of cool gadgets out there that would be nice to have, but your trunk (or backpack) will be filled to the brim before you know it, and all those nice-to-have products will just weigh you down and make unpacking even more of a hassle.

A good place to start before you buy a bunch of camping gear is the 10 Essentials list from the National Parks Service. This doesn't include everything you'll need, but gives you a good idea of items you'll want to carry with you to keep you comfortable and safe during all your camping and hiking trips:

  • Navigation — Nowadays, phones are pretty much the ultimate map, but be sure to download maps to use offline if you'll be in an area with no service.

  • Sun protection — Don't be that person that comes home sunburnt after every camping trip. A good sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and layers will protect your skin from harsh UV rays, especially in the summer.

  • Insulation — The weather can change rapidly outdoors, so ensure you have at least one extra layer to keep you warm and dry, depending on the climate you're in.

  • Illumination — Your phone flashlight will work, but a headlamp is even better.

  • First-Aid — Unfortunately, injuries can (and do) happen in the outdoors, so keeping a first-aid kit with you at all times is a great way to stay prepared. Opt for a small, packable one if you're backpacking or just don't have a lot of room to spare.

  • Fire - Sitting around the campfire is a nice way to unwind, but fires can also be used to cook. Pack waterproof matches and fire starters if you're planning on making a fire — and always check the fire regulations of whatever area you're in before lighting one.

  • Repair kit — The NPS recommends having a repair kit with you to fix any gear that might break during the trip, but a good multi-tool will usually do the job.

  • Food — This one's self-explanatory. Whether it's dehydrated camping food or ingredients to make a gourmet meal, double check your food and snack inventory before heading to the campsite.

  • Hydration — Whether you opt for a water bottle or a water bladder, make sure you pack enough H20 for your entire trip. Picking up a portable water filter is a good idea too, especially for backpacking.

If you’re not entirely sold on the idea of recharging in the wilderness just yet, opt for budget-friendly items or consider renting higher ticket gear from your local outdoor supplies store. Many places have tents, sleeping bags, and other essentials available for rent.

Whether you’re a seasoned camper or you’re heading off on an outdoor adventure, here are best camping essentials to get your packing off to a strong start. From the highest-rated tent on Amazon to the comfiest chair around, we’ve got your bases covered.

When living without electricity for a few days, making a game plan for meals is super important. You need a quick, easy, and realiable way to cook, otherwise you'll be forced to live on PB&J and granola all weekend.

The BioLite CampStove is great for turning out relatively simple meals during a quick weekend in the woods.

A crackling log fire is picturesque and makes for a great boomerang for Instagram, but sometimes, it can be more trouble than it’s worth — especially if it's your only means for cooking dinner in the wild. The fully integrated Biolite Campstove system allows you to easily grill, cook, and even boil your dishes without struggling to keep the fire going. What’s more, the smokeless wood flame actually generates electricity as it burns, so you can charge up your phone while getting your chef on. 

The Grill top (sold separately) can fit up to four burgers at once, and the stove can boil water for your coffee in less than 4.5 minutes. The best part? It’s able to burn any renewable biomass, including sticks and twigs.

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A high quality portable cooler ensures your brews stay crisp and your perishable food stays well away from wildlife.

The YETI Tundra Haul Portable Wheeled Cooler was made to keep your perishables cold for over a week, and to keep prying bear paws from stealing your goods. It sports extra-thick two inch walls for unparalleled ice retention and a rotomolded construction, which makes it virtually indestructible — even if a bear or raccoon does sniff out your supplies.

Ideal for car camping due to its obvious weight, this model of YETI cooler comes equipped with wheels so that you can easily drag it into the campsite. 

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A summer-ready tent is a great way to test the waters before investing in a more expensive all-season alternative.

With nearly 10,000 reviews on Amazon, the Coleman Sundome Tent is very well-loved by campers and festival goers, largely due to how easy it is to put up and take down. This summertime tent is a great option for those who are casual campers. The welded corners and covered seams promise to keep water out, so you’ll wake up dry no matter how rainy or humid it is. What’s more, the Sundome boasts big windows and ground vents, which help push warm air up and out so you don’t get too sweaty throughout the night.

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Who says you have to skip your morning cup of coffee when you're sleeping under the stars? Not us. The GSI Outdoors 8 Cup Enamelware Percolator touts everything you need to make a great coffee on a wood stove or fire and is built from heavy-gauge steel with a speckled enamel finish, which makes it wildly durable. 

This camping staple can withstand up to 1000 degrees F and won’t scratch or chip if it gets dropped on the ground during transport. What’s more, the percolator boasts a lifetime guarantee, so even if it does somehow get chipped or scuffed up, you know that you're covered.

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Sure, you could go grab the first sleeping bag you see off Amazon, but you might end up cold and uncomfortable. The Kelty Cosmic 20 sleeping bag is a great budget-friendly bag that won't fall apart after one use — and it'll actually keep you warm. It comes in men's short, regular, and long sizes, and there's also a women's version. These sleeping bags are insulated with down feathers so they pack down small and are light and warm, but if you're allergic to down (or if you're vegan), there are also men's and women's synthetic versions.

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You could get through camping season only using your phone flashlight, but a headlamp opens you up to way more activities at night. Didn't cook dinner before sundown? No problem. Need to walk your dog without fumbling for a flashlight? You got it.

The Black Diamond Astro 250 headlamp is a no-frills model, but the battery life is decent and it's a great price. While some headlamps will run you $60 or more, the Astro 250 usually sits at about $25. It features up to 250 lumens of brightness and will last around 200 hours on the lowest setting. It runs on AAA batteries, and while this can be a downside, you won't ever need to wait for it to charge.

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If you're not sure what kind of outdoor activity you'll be doing yet, it's best to get a versatile camp chair. The REI Co-op Flexlight chair can truly do it all. It's light enough for backpacking, durable enough for prolonged use, and packs down so small that it'll fit in even the most tightly-packed bag. Even if you don't end up camping a lot, this also makes a fantastic beach, park, or music festival chair since it's so portable.

This chair requires a little bit more setup than a classic folding chair, but the tentpole-like construction allows you to assemble and disassemble it in just a few minutes.

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Nicole Cammorata
Nicole Cammorata
Executive Commerce Editor

Nicole Cammorata is the Executive Commerce Editor at Mashable, where she helps to guide shopping coverage site-wide. A longstanding fan of the TLC show "Extreme Couponing," she gets a little thrill every time we help our readers find a great deal and put money back in their pockets. (Take that, retailer behemoths!) During her time at Mashable, she's built out the Shopping team from its inception, overseeing the development of our daily deals stories and the expansion into hands-on testing and buying guides. The thing she's most proud of though is the team she has built, helping journalists grow and develop over the course of her nearly eight years here and empowering writers and editors to lead our coverage in ways that get bigger and more ambitious with each year. She received a B.S. in Journalism from Boston University and an MFA in fiction writing from The New School. She lives in Maine with her husband, their two young children, and a backyard full of flowers.


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