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When you’re going on a multi-day camping trip, you may be thinking that you want to pack as few “gadgets” as possible. And you’re right. You don’t need your laptop or tablet, but you might find a few gadgets that serve multiple purposes.
You might also find a few camping hacks to help with your trip.
We’ve tracked down some of the coolest camping gadgets that will make your trip that much more enjoyable.
Do you see one that we missed? Leave it below in the comments!
1. Wood burning stove to take anywhere
One of the problems with traveling with a camping stove is the fuel. You won’t be able to bring it with you when flying and it might be expensive to purchase it when you arrive.
Solo Stove solves this problem by using wood as the burning material. It cooks the same way standard camping stoves do and keeps you from needing to pack or find fuel. It comes in three sizes, Lite (for 1-2 people), Titan (for 2-4 people) and Campfire (for 4+ people). Solo Stove retails for $65-109 USD.
Check out the Solo Stove on Amazon:
2. The flashlight that becomes a rope light
The NanoGrid by BioLite is one item to add to your camping packing list. Though it appears like a simple flashlight, it is actually a rechargeable flashlight with two powerful lithium-ion batteries that can power itself, charge your gadgets via USB, and power other BioLite products.
The PowerLight lantern alone has enough power to stay lit for up to 72 hours depending on its dimmer settings. When used with the BioLite SiteLights, it can light up your campsite for up to 22 hours.
Best of all, the entire bundle weighs less than 8 ounces, an important factor when you’re lugging your essentials on your back. Retails for $59.99 USD.
- Check out the BioLite NanoGrid on Amazon, or on their official site.
3. A mixer for cocktails on the go
While not specific to camping, Stanley makes the Adventure Happy Hour set, a nesting cocktail set. The company has long been the creator of vacuum bottles, flasks and other gear for the outward bound.
This set includes two glasses, a reamer, a strainer and a mixer with a jigger lid.
It’s the size of a standard water bottle and allows you to make yourself a delicious cocktail to treat yourself after a long day on the trail.
Made of stainless steel, you don’t have to worry about it rusting. Throw it in some water to clean or load it in the dishwasher when you get home. This happy hour cocktail kit retails for $35 USD.
- Check out the Stanley cocktail set on Amazon, or on their official site.
4. The easy-to-use water filter
As recommended in our HPLWorld Facebook group (which is no longer on FB but available HERE – and you should join!), the Sawyer Squeeze filter system is only 3.5 ounces, the ideal weight for a backpacking trip.
You can bring it camping or to countries without accessible clean water as it’s easy to use. Simply fill up the flat bottle with water from a source, screw on the filter lid and squeeze it into your reusable water bottle. Quick, easy and ready to drink!
You can also drink straight from the flat bottle with the filter lid if you don’t have a separate water bottle. The collapsible pouches are BPA free and take up very little room. This may just be the best water filter option for camping and overseas trips! A personal kit with three pouches retails for $42.38 USD.
- Check out the Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System on Amazon, or on their official site.
5. Fresh coffee on the go
Regularly regarded as the best coffee tool for travelers and backpackers, the AeroPress is a small system that creates a high-quality cup of joe.
The plastic system requires a special type of filter but creates espresso with crema so you don’t have to settle for instant coffee anymore.
The press itself is under 8 ounces, but you may have added weight for the ground coffee and spoon. It comes in a small carrying case that is easy to travel with.
Each press makes one to three cups of coffee. Best of all, this is a budget-friendly option for coffee lovers on the go. The Aeropress retails for $32 USD.
- Check out the AeroPress on Amazon.
6. No-spray, no-scent bug repellant
Mosquitos and other bugs are part and parcel of being outdoors. If you like tramping outdoors but don’t like the sticky feeling of applying insect repellants, then the Thermocell Mosquito Repeller might be the best option for you.
With its 15-feet radius of protection, you and your friends can experience a bug-free camping trip with just one device. It comes with a fuel cartridge and 3 repellant mats that can protect for up to 12 hours each. The Thermacell Portable Mosquito Repeller retails for $19 USD.
- Check out the Thermocell Portable Mosquito Repeller on Amazon.
7. Fuel-free lighter
Lighter fluids and other flammable items are prohibited on airplanes, so if you’re planning on camping while traveling overseas, you have to be picky on the gear you pack.
The UST Tekfire Fuel-Free Lighter is windproof, flameless, and electronic. It does not need butane fuel or adjustments for altitude. It also features a bright LED light and is rechargeable via USB port. This fuel-free lighter retails for $20 USD.
- Check out the UST Tekfire Lighter on Amazon.
8. A small pack of portable warmth
It can get really cold out in the wilderness. Even with the most sophisticated, superlight, warm camping gear, you sometimes need the extra warmth.
The HotHands Body & Hand SuperWarmer is a portable heat pack that can provide up to 18 hours of heat. Just take it out of the pack and put it in your pocket.
Losing some heat? Take it out and expose it to the air, and it will heat right back up. Very convenient and easy to carry and dispose of.
A box of HotHands Body & Hands SuperWarmer retails for $25 USD.
- Check out the HotHands Body & Hand Super Warmer on Amazon.
9. A sleeping pad that does the work for you
Camping takes you out of your comfort zone, but really, who wants to be uncomfortable all the time?
The MalloMe Sleeping Pad is a self-inflating air mattress that provides memory-foam comfort. It’s designed so that you can customize the support based on what your body needs or wants. It also packs small and weighs only 3.8 pounds. Retails for $40 USD.
- Check out the MalloMe Sleeping Pad on Amazon.
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The sawyer filter is awesome!!! After years of different filtering methods, this one is by far the lightest and easiest. Honestly, I would leave the rest – unless you’re car camping, the other stuff will just weigh you down.