Best Camping Gear Essentials for the Great Outdoors

Every year, SheBuysTravel writers head out into the great outdoors in search of the best camping spots across the United States. From comfortable RV parks in Texas and Colorado to luxury yurts in California, we understand that camping doesn’t always have to mean “roughing it.”

When you want a restful night under the stars, you’ll need the best camping gear and gadgets to make your camping getaway comfortable and…okay, maybe even luxurious.

So go ahead, curl up on your insulated sleeping pad, make a cup of coffee on your camping stove and add some extra shimmer to your campsite with a power bank lantern. We’ve rewritten the rules on outdoor adventuring.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Therm-a-Rest Ultralite Cot

The Therm-a-Rest Ultralite Cot is a favorite among backpackers, kayakers and motorcyclists. This off-the-ground cot features an innovative fabric technology called ThermaCapture which helps you retain your body heat at night for a better night’s sleep. Plus, it’s quick and easy to assemble.

When not in use, this ultralight cot packs up into a small 16 x 4-inch stuff sack that’s ready to go wherever life takes you.

Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad

Great for side-sleepers and built to provide you with a high-quality sleeping experience year-round, the Big Agnes Rapide Sleeping Pad is another camping gear must have.

After a long day outdoors, you’ll appreciate being able to set up camp and get to bed quickly with the high-volume fill valve on this pad. You can also micro-adjust for comfort and with its super-fast deflation, you can be the first one packed up and ready to move on.

Looking for a budget-friendly option? Try the Sleepingo Camping Sleeping Pad. It’s also great for car camping!

REI Co-op HunkerDown 20 Sleeping Bag

Unlike those heavy, cramped sleeping bags from your youth, the REI Co-op HunkerDown 20 is lightweight, roomy and has just the right amount of water-resistant warmth! It even has an extra-large hood to snugly keep your pillow in place!

Need even more space? This sleeping bag is also available as a double!

Fillo Camping Pillow

Let’s face it, your everyday bed pillows are not ideal for travel. But these thick, luxurious and fully machine-washable pillows are. Because they pack down to the size of a potato, they’re great for all types of travel—the backcountry included!

Create the Perfect Campsite

Kijaro Dual Lock Portable Camping Chair

The top-rated Kijaro Dual Lock Portable Camping Chair might just become your new favorite spot to relax while camping. Although, weighing only 9.5 pounds, you’ll find that you can really take it anywhere—sports games, the beach…you name it!

With two cup holders, a sturdy mesh back and a handy zip pocket organizer, it’s easy to see why online reviewers are calling it the “best outdoor chairs we have ever owned.”

Need it in a hurry? This chair is also sold at Target.

Sea To Summit Pro Hammock

Highly packable and easy to set up, the top choice for our campsite is the Sea to Summit Pro. Although soft and lightweight (weighing only 19.7 ounces) this favorite camping hammock is also strong and durable for long-term use.

Camp Chef Everest 2X High-Pressure Camp Stove

If you struggle to make a cup of coffee or cook a meal over a fire pit, we have the solution. The Camp Chef Everest Camp Stove allows you to enjoy many of the comforts of home such as appliance-style temperature controls and a matchless ignition system. Strong enough to hold your favorite camping cookware, this portable propane-fueled camp kitchen is one piece of camping gear we don’t know how we ever did without!

BioLite AlpenGlow 500 Camping Lantern

Turn your campsite into a bright array of your favorite colors with the BioLite AlpenGlow 500. This rechargeable lantern allows you to pick a single light color or automatically rotate through the spectrum of different light colors.

Hang your lantern up with the built it top loop either inside your tent or outside for 360° of color accurate lighting. You can also set it on the ground or a table, and it doubles as a charger to keep everyone’s phones or other devices powered up.

You can also find the BioLite AlpenGlow 500 on Amazon.

Must-Have Camping Essentials

Coleman All Purpose Basic First Aid Kit

A camping trip must, the Coleman All Purpose Basic First Aid Kit is an easy to pack kit that holds everything you need to treat minor injuries while on an outdoor adventure. It’s compact enough that you can just leave it in your vehicle, luggage or RV.

YETI Rambler Stainless Steel Water Bottle

The reusable YETI Rambler Stainless Steel Water Bottle is a favorite among SheBuysTravel campers! It’s quick to fill and easy to wash. Plus, with double-wall vacuum insulation, your beverage will stay cold and taste great during long trekking adventures. Hydration never tasted so good!

Geiserailie Camping Kettle

The Geiserailie Camping Kettle is a helpful tool to bring with you while camping because it works with a camping stove and doesn’t require an energy source or power cord. Plus, it’s collapsible for easy storage and transport.

Don’t let the compact size of this top travel kettle fool you. When opened up, this travel kettle can make just over 6 cups of boiling water (or 1.5 liters of water). That’s the most out of any of the travel kettles we’ve reviewed, yet it folds down to under 3 inches when not in use. For larger families, this best travel kettle is a must!

BioLite HeadLamp

The BioLite HeadLamp is a hands-free lantern that makes climbing in and out of your camping tent a breeze. It provides up to 330 lumens of light while also featuring multiple modes, including dimmable spot, flood, spot+flood, red night vision and a strobe light. We especially love the long battery life (up to 40 hours) and that it offers four fun and bright design colors to choose from!

Also available on Amazon.

Wearable Outdoor Gear

Salomon Quest 4 GORE-TEX Hiking Boots

When it comes to hiking shoes, don’t be afraid to spend a little extra to get a great pair. We love these Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex Hiking Boots because the waterproof design keeps feet dry, even during soggy weather. Plus, they’re built to provide maximum traction on all types of terrain.

Osprey Aura AG 65 Pack

Built with women in mind, the Osprey Aura AG 65 Pack is a hiker’s backpack favorite. With tons of room for weekend hike must-haves, this spacious and well-organized pack also includes several shove-it pockets to keep your most-used gear and water bottles easy to access. It even includes a Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment!

Because it’s built especially for women, the Osprey Aura AG 65 Pack is designed to encompass a woman’s back and hips in 3D-suspended mesh, creating a comfy AntiGravity suspension feeling. The shoulder harness, straps and hip belt are also adjustable to help you create a one-of-a-kind fit.