When that long-awaited camping trip finally pops up, make sure you add these outdoor essentials to your packing list, and you’ll have the time of your life.
From an easy pop-up tent to a wash bag, you’ll find a well-rounded list of cool camping gadgets and wilderness accessories that will help you play and sleep in utmost comfort, wherever your adventures may take you. Clever and functional, these also happen to make some of the best gifts for outdoor lovers.
Sure, there will always be a new gadget or accessory that could add to your experience in the wild, but if you want the best must-have camping gadgets in 2021, look no further!
1. Outsunny Easy Pop Up Tent
This Outsunny Easy Pop Up Tent is a tall and pleasant freestanding cabin-style instant setup tent with 4 doors and aluminum/fiberglass poles.
As long as the sky is clear you might do great with such a tent. The four windows with mesh should give enough air circulation. But when it is raining, you have to keep everything closed.
They have added an extra pole that creates a small awning above one of the doors, so you can keep one of the windows partly open probably most of the time.
The poles have an interesting combination of aluminum and fiberglass used for the frame. This means the tent is with 4 aluminum legs poles that continue to the roof with fiberglass extensions.
It has a 190T water-resistant polyester cloth tent fabric, and the floor is a bathtub style polyethylene.
Regarding the capacity, the tent is officially for 5 people. For this, you have an area of 62 ft² (5.76 m²), and this would mean 12.4 ft² (1.15 m²) per person. They describe this as a ‘spacious area’.
Regarding the price, this is a very affordable tent, a good value for the money. It is rare to have aluminum in such budget tents.
Pros
- Tall tent
- Windows on all sides
- Easy to use
- Great price.
Cons
- No vents
- No info about waterproof rating
2. VSSL First Aid
Just like food and water, a first aid kit is a must when going to remote areas. Designed for daily adventures, this ultra-packable medical set by VSSL is a LED flashlight packed with everything you could need in case of an emergency, from painkillers and antiseptic wipes to tweezers and nitrile gloves.
It even includes a compass and an emergency whistle. All items are rolled into a sleek, indestructible 9″ long tube that you can easily attach to your outdoor gear and carry with you anytime.
This isn’t your typical first aid kit; completely waterproof, a sleek compact design, adventure-ready durability, and a curated set of outdoor specific first aid components that are perfectly organized in our custom first aid roll for easy access. You can count on your VSSL First Aid to be ready when you need it most.
Pros
- Impressive quality
- Self-contained system
- Tightly packed
- Well organized
- Water-tight container
- Good quality compass
- The SOS feature is nice
- VSSL sells refills for everything in their online store so you can refill if needed. You can use your supplies as well
- The LED flashlight runs for 20 hours or up to 40 hours in flashing S.O.S. mode
Cons
- Uncommon battery type for the flashlight
- Another flashlight negative: the on/off button is easy to trigger inside of your pack. If you are carrying this container, I would recommend not having the batteries installed as it doesn’t take much to turn it on. In a survival situation, pulling out your container to use the flashlight only to discover that the batteries are dead could be catastrophic. Store the batteries elsewhere in a safe, secure location
- Weight: With this container weighing more than 1lb, it is heavy. You will notice this in your package.
3. EST Gear Survival Shovel | The Ultimate Survival Tool
The EST Shovel is a portable 18-in-1 multi-tool, capable of saving the day in a wide range of outdoor scenarios. With a carbon steel spade and military-grade aluminum handle, the fantastic utensil combines durability and performance into a lightweight, smartly designed package that can slim down to as little as 2.5 pounds.
Envisioned with adventure in mind, this tactical shovel is easy to disassemble and includes an ax, knife, saw, spear, bottle opener, fire starter, wire-cutter, trowel, hex wrench set, nail puller, pick, ruler, hook, screwdriver, whistle, compass, and rope cutter.
Built to last forever, it’s backed by a lifetime warranty and comes in a waterproof, form-fitting pouch for easy storage, carrying, and protection.
Pros
- Shovel and hoe work great
- Compact and lightweight
- Solid construction. The handle itself could be used as a defensive tool.
- A hollow handle can be used for carrying additional gear
- All in one carrying pouch
- Whistle works well
Cons
- Expensive (but has a lifetime guarantee; if anything happens to it, you get a new one)
- The compass is not properly secured into the handle and can be lost
- Saws are a bit awkward to use and not particularly efficient
- The knife blade and spear are average
4. Scrubba Stealth Pack – Multifunctional Backpack
From the creators of The Scrubba wash bag (the world’s smallest washing machine), this durable, versatile backpack combines a portable shower, compression dry bag, and washing machine into one of the most original pieces of gear you can add to your camping collection.
Made from waterproof 40 denier nylon fabric and complete with adjustable straps, the Scrubba Stealth Pack does much more than just storing your travel essentials. The internal washboard makes it easy to wash your clothes anytime, anywhere, while a new multifunctional valve helps transform the pack into a camp shower or a compression bag for compact storage when the situation calls for it.
Pros
- Cleans your clothes anywhere (as long as you have water)
- Uses minimal water and kind on your hands
- Lightweight and compressible
Cons
- Can only take small wash loads
- Have to wash bulkier items like sweaters twice
- Leaves your clothes pretty wet after washing
5. NEMO Disco 30 Sleeping Bag
A unique, innovative design, along with 650-fill water-resistant down and durable water repellent finish, makes the Nemo Disco 30 one of the best sleeping bags on the market.
Its novel spoon-like shape allows users to sleep on their side and comfortably shift positions during the night, while Thermo Gills – an ingenious temperature regulation feature, enables the bag to remain cozy in varying temperatures.
Combine this with enhanced comfort features like a fully-insulated hood, full-length draft tube, and oversized external draft collar (called Blanket Fold), and you’ve got yourself a reliable companion for those much-needed camping and backpacking excursions.
Pros
- Spacious interior dimensions,
- great for tummy and side sleepers,
- reasonable price,
- features our favorite of the water-resistant downs.
Cons
- Slightly larger-than-average packed volume,
- loose-fitting stuff sack,
- reasonable weight though not lightweight.
6. BioLite CampStove 2+
Sleek, handy, and eco-friendly, the BioLite CampStove 2 does more than just cooking and boiling water it’s one of the best camping gadgets money can buy. Just like its predecessor, it converts the heat from a fire into electricity, allowing you to charge LED lights, mobile phones, and other gadgets while being out in the great outdoors.
This updated version of the original CampStove comes with 50% more power, a removable 2,600 mAh battery, and a smart LED dashboard showing the current battery status and fan speed settings.
Since it weighs 2 pounds, it’s better suited for car camping than backpacking.
Pros
- Lots of brilliant features
- Great accessories meaning you can grill, boil, and cook
- Efficient and no need for fuel
- Offers a charger for devices
- Wood pellets are easy to obtain
Cons
- When the wood is wet, or if it’s windy, the smoke can become a problem
- The weight may be an issue for some
- Complaints about the fan making lots of noise
7. Thermacell MR300F Portable Mosquito Repeller
Protect your skin from bites in the wilderness with the Thermacell MR300F Portable Mosquito Repeller. This compact and lightweight outdoor device keep insects at bay by creating a scent-free 15-foot protection zone around it.
The product is powered by a Thermacell fuel cartridge that warms a disposable mat infused with Allethrin, a synthetic copy of the natural repellent found in the Chrysanthemum flower.
The MR300F repeller is available in 4 different colors and comes with 1 fuel cartridge (lasts up to 12 hours) and 3 insect repellent mats (each lasts up to 4 hours). Refills are sold separately.
Pros:
- Very effective in repelling mosquitoes and even shows knockdown and mortality effects
- Lightweight device
- Portable
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Butane cartridge did not last as long as expected (fell about three hours short of expected 12 hours)
- Refills can get expensive.
8. Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Bring your favorite tunes to the campsite with MEGABOOM 3, one of the best portable speakers for the job. Designed for outdoor use, this rugged, refined cylinder prides itself on its amazing 360-degree sound, a staggering 20-hours of playtime, and an increased Bluetooth range (from 30m to 45m).
It also has an IP67, which means it’s dustproof, water-resistant, and will even float around when dropped in the water. Another cool feature is the top “Magic Button”, which allows you to play, pause, and skip tracks, as well as set up a custom one-touch playlist, all without having to reach for your smartphone.
Pros
- Powerful sound with good clarity in the high-mids
- Rugged build
- Long battery life
Cons
- Can falter with intense deep bass
- No wired connection
9. Lifestraw Go
A water filter is a must for anyone who loves camping, hiking, or spending time in the great outdoors. Manufactured by Swiss-based company Vestergaard, the smart LifeStraw Go Bottle uses a 2-stage filtration process to remove bacteria, protozoa, chlorine, and bad taste, helping you get pure, safe water on the go
Made of BPA-free Tritan, this stylish refillable water bottle works with a replaceable activated carbon capsule and has a leak-proof lid with a flexible and detachable food-grade silicone mouthpiece.
Pros
- Great value for the price
- The bottle is durable and makes it easier/more realistic to access clean water
- Provides access to clean water, even when you aren’t near a body of water
- This bottle is great for world travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. Its filtration system would also work to clear out potential chemicals present in water from fountains, sinks, etc. So it could also be an everyday bottle
- The bottle holds about 22oz of water and is BPA-free. Uses a 2-step filtration system to provide you with clean water on the go
Cons
- Getting the water through the straw requires a little bit of work, but this is due to the filtration system simply doing its job
10. LuminAID PackLite Nova USB Solar Lantern
A good lantern is essential when you go camping, and this compact, solar-powered device is all you need to light up your next outdoor experience. The PackLite Nova USB provides over 75 lumens of bright LED light on Turbo mode and can run for up to 24 hours on Low setting.
An upgraded version of the award-winning LuminAID PackLite 12, this new outdoor gadget can be recharged by micro USB input (cord included) in 1-2 hours, or by the built-in solar panel in approximately 10 hours of sunlight.
Made with durable TPU plastic, it is waterproof, shatterproof, and even floats on water. Thanks to its compact, portable design, with a clever twist-to-close feature and an adjustable hanging strap, this solar lantern is an awesome piece of camping equipment.
Pros
- The LuminAID solar lantern has a very functional design. It is lightweight, compact, and portable
- Its durability makes it efficient in natural disasters
- Its waterproof feature is perfect for sudden rain on the trip. Just make sure that you close securely the valve and the USB port
- Because of its translucent rubber case, it diffuses light that is soft and very pleasant to the eyes. This is comparable to regular flashlights or LED lanterns that are blinding
Cons
- While the rubber material feels thick, it may likely be pierced if carelessly stored somewhere with sharp tools
- Lastly, its 75 lumens feature may be considered by others as insufficient for their lighting needs