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The Coolest Camping Gadgets for Your Next Outdoors Adventure

coolest camping gadgets

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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

Solo Stove- Campfire
Solo Stove is a wood burning stove so you don’t have to carry fuel.

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

camping gear
The NanoGrid lights up your campsite and charges your electronics.

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.


3. A mixer for cocktails on the go

The Stanley Adventure Happy Hour set makes it easier for you to have a few cocktails while you’re camping.
The Stanley Adventure Happy Hour set makes it easier for you to have a few cocktails while you’re camping.

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.


4. The easy-to-use water filter

camping gear
The Sawyer Squeeze water filtration system is a simple way to have clean water while camping or traveling.

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.


5. Fresh coffee on the go

camping gear
For a quality cup of coffee, even in the wilderness, try the AeroPress Aerobie.

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.


6. No-spray, no-scent bug repellant

Thermocell mosquito repeller
No need to tote your mosquito repellant if you have this!

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.


7. Fuel-free lighter

Tekfire fuel free lighter
No fuel? No problem with this 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.


8. A small pack of portable warmth

HotHands Super Warmer
When adding more layers just doesn’t cut it

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.


9. A sleeping pad that does the work for you

MalloMe sleeping pad
Camping doesn’t have to be too uncomfortable.

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.


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Written by Caroline

Caroline Eubanks is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, but has also called Charleston, South Carolina and Sydney, Australia home. After college graduation and a series of useless part-time jobs, she went to Australia for a working holiday. In that time, she worked as a bartender, bungee jumped, scuba dived, pet kangaroos, held koalas and drank hundreds of cups of tea. You can find Caroline at Caroline in the City.

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Travel Resources

HPL Learnables

Handbag Packing Masterclass – Learn to pack your lightest bag ever in this revolutionary packing class run by HPL founder, Brooke.

Creative Ways to Minimize Your Toiletry & Beauty Kit – Practical tips alongside DIY recipes designed to help you pack lighter, smaller & with fewer liquids. (Also included as a bonus to Handbag Packing Masterclass.)


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Viator – Enhance your trip experience by booking from thousands of tours across the globe.

Booking.com – Search for hotels, hostels, and apartments using this one resource. Use it for flights, car rentals, and airport taxis as well.

Trusted Housesitters – Save money on travel accommodation by becoming a housesitter. Housesitters often have extra duties, like caring for pets and gardens.

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Comments

  1. Emily says

    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.

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