May 9, 2021 9:00 AM

The Best Camping Gear to Jump-Start Your Adventures

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The weather is getting warmer, and as more and more people get vaccinated, millions of Americans are feeling more comfortable heading to the great outdoors. I asked my WIRED colleagues for their favorite camping picks from this long, strange year. Now that the sun is out, we want to help you get as much fresh air and socially distanced fun as possible.

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Updated May 2021: We removed older picks and added new ones, like the DJI Air 2S.

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Photograph: Brent Taylor
Sturdy Shoes
Saucony Switchback 2
I usually pad around a campsite in Crocs. But if you're planning on doing anything more active, trail running shoes are the way to go. They're lighter, more nimble, and just as sturdy as hiking shoes. The Saucony Switchback 2 feel slipper-like, and the BOA lacing system makes it easy to slip your shoes on and off quickly to go in and out of your tent.
For faster, lighter, or more minimal shoes, take a look at our Trail Running Shoes roundup.
$140 at Saucony
$140 at Dick's Sporting Goods (Men's)
$140 at Dick's Sporting Goods (Women's)
Photograph: DJI
Stellar Pictures
DJI Air 2S
When you need to see what's over the next ridge, but can't be bothered to actually walk up the hill, grab DJI's new Air 2S. It's light enough to bring hiking (1.3 pounds), powerful enough to fly even in light winds, and can stay airborne for half an hour. The Air 2S features a newly improved collision-prevention system that should keep you out of trouble even if there are some trees around. The 1-inch 20-megapixel sensor can capture the beauty of the wilderness around you in stunning 5K video footage or 20-megapixel still photos. Just be sure to check local regulations before you fly. The use of drones is often restricted on public lands.
It is pricey, though. If you don't want to spend that much, the DJI Mini 2 is smaller, cheaper, and even easier to travel with. For more picks, check out our list of the best drones. —Scott Gilbertson
$999 at Adorama
$999 at Amazon

Photograph: Icebreaker
A Stink-Free Shirt
Icebreaker Sphere Short Sleeve Crewe
Merino wool is hand's down one of the best materials to wear for extended periods of time outside. It wicks away sweat and doesn't trap body odor too much—good news for anyone sharing your tent. I particularly like the loose, light combination of merino wool, Tencel, and nylon in Icebreaker's shirt, which I wear all year round. It's cool enough for sunny, 75-degree trail runs, and it layers well. The company's shirts are also durable; I have been wearing them regularly for years. Available for men or women.
$65 at Amazon (Men's)
$65 at Amazon (Women's)
Photograph: REI
A Customizable Tent
REI Co-op Kingdom 4
My colleague Scott Gilbertson and I both own different versions of this tent. A tent roundup is forthcoming, but I've tried and liked the MSR Habitude ($500) and Snow Peak Dock Dome ($1,396) very much. That said, REI's stand-up tents strike a good balance between technical specs, durability, and price. Ours dates from 2011 and is still going strong. I particularly like the many, many pockets.
The main reason we end up using this tent the most, however, are the accessories. The mudroom ($100) is a necessity in the Pacific Northwest, and the porch ($199) can either be attached to the tent or used as a separate sun shelter.
$257 at REI

Photograph: Zenbivy
Restful Sleep
Zenbivy Light Bed
The Zenbivy Light Bed is comprised of multiple pieces, all of which are sold separately to help backpackers customize the weight. The entire system (which includes a mattress, sheet, quilt, pillow, dry sack, and compression cap) weighs about 2 pounds. The quilt, sheet, and mattress pad are the core pieces—I didn’t love the pillow, but a spare 7L compression bag should work as a reasonable substitute.
This system isn’t lightweight or compact enough for backpacking, but the compressed bundle is satisfactory for car camping and bikepacking. What makes it worthwhile is its versatility. There are three different sleep options: quilt mode, mummy mode, and rectangular mode. I’m a tornado when I sleep, much to the chagrin of every bedfellow I’ve ever had. Traditional sleeping bags make me feel claustrophobic—I usually end up sleeping on a camping pad with a few blankets, which is the opposite of a streamlined system. This bed is the first camping-friendly sleep solution that has given me a good night’s rest. —Louryn Strampe
$518 at Zenbivy (25 Degree)
Photograph: Kelty
Adequate Seating
Kelty Loveseat
If you camp with your family or a significant other, having doubled-up equipment is a power move. On warm nights, we have a two-person sleeping bag ($200) that fits everyone, and we recently acquired a two-person camping chair. This Kelty Loveseat is big and sturdy enough to accommodate my 70-pound dog, who has never really understood why we get cozy camp chairs and sleeping bags on a trip while she has to sleep in the dirt or on a dog bed. (She usually solves the problem by co-opting my sleeping bag, but that's another issue altogether.)
To be honest, it's huge, heavy, takes up a lot of space, and is awkward to fold. But it's all worth it once you cram everyone you love on it in front of a fire.
$140 at Backcountry
$140 at REI

Photograph: Adrienne So
A Bad-A$$ Knife
MenWithThePot Special Edition Cleaver
No food tastes as good as the food you cook outside, and one of the most basic chef's tools is a knife. If you need cooking inspiration, I follow @menwiththepot on TikTok and bought my husband the stainless-steel cleaver and sheath for his birthday. The shape is a cross between a backcountry hunting knife and a standard kitchen cleaver, but we now use it every day for doing everything from dicing onions to carving up chickens and pork shoulder. If weight isn't an issue, I suggest swaggering around your campsite wearing this on your belt.
If it's not quite your style or too expensive, try another option from our roundup of the best chef's knives.
$90 at MenWithThePot
Photograph: Primus
A Contained Fire Pit
Primus Kamoto Open Fire Pit
Last summer was one of the worst fire seasons across the American West, and it's not likely to be much better this year. Make your s'mores a little safer with a light, portable, and easy-to-use fire pit. Primus’ Kamoto fire pit packs flat, and it has an integrated ashtray and a grill grate. I also have a much more expensive one from Snow Peak I love—you can pre-skewer chicken kebabs to whip out once the fire is ready.
$150 at Backcountry

Photograph: Yeti
A Sturdy Cooler
Yeti Tundra Haul
Yeti's coolers are legendary for their toughness. But they're also heavy, especially when loaded with ice and comestibles. The Tundra Haul weighs 37 pounds unloaded, but you don't have to carry it. Just pull it behind you with the heavy-duty aluminum arm and one-piece, puncture-resistant wheels. Don't worry, the Tundra Haul still has Yeti's signature rubber latches and Fatwall design to keep your food cool for as long as you need. Looking for more options? Check out our roundup of the best coolers.
$425 at Amazon
$425 at Dick's Sporting Goods
Photograph: MSR
A Big Water Filter
MSR Autoflow XL Gravity Water Filter
My family of four, plus a dog, usually opts to camp in the backcountry rather than trying to keep everyone quiet at one site in a crowded campground. Last year, MSR's fast, high-volume water filter was a game changer. Rather than hand-pumping individual water bottles for cooking, you just hang 10 liters of water in a bag on a nearby tree branch. Gravity forces water through the filter, and you simply unhook the spout to fill bottles or pans as you need it. It also gives you a convenient excuse to go paddleboarding without your children. “Oh yes, I need to refill water … I'll be back in an hour.”
$100 at Moosejaw

Photograph: Patagonia
Reliable Duffels
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel
I could write an entire story on how to organize and pack your camping gear, which will be different depending on whether you're backpacking (zip pouches!), car camping (bins!), or staying in an RV (RV!). For a family of four that camps in the backcountry, I pack big, burly duffels and organize them by category: sleeping, wearing, and eating. My favorite big eco-friendly duffel is unfortunately sold out at the moment, but I also like the Patagonia Black Hole duffels.
Patagonia now uses recycled polyester for its Black Hole line, which has also been treated to be water-resistant; I've packed them into canoes and onto paddleboards without getting my gear wet. They also have backpack straps for longer hauls, and the daisy chains also let you tie bags together or clip wet toddler shoes on the side.
$129 at Patagonia
Photograph: YETI
A Tough Carryall
Yeti Camino Carryall
No matter how carefully I pack, with two children it's inevitable I will forget something. That's why I love this bag, which I keep in the car to throw in last-minute items; whether that's bowls and blankets for lunch, or beach towels, bathing suits, and flip-flops if we're heading straight to the beach. It stands up on its own molded bottom, is made of Yeti’s abrasion- and puncture-resistant Thickskin, and has webbing for quick-clipping car keys or water bottles. Yeti has a complete line of durable bags of all shapes and sizes, but this one is my favorite.
$150 at Dick's Sporting Goods
$150 at West Marine

Photograph: BioLite
A Headlamp
BioLite Headlamp 330
Even if you have a camp lantern (I like this basic one), you need lights if you're sleeping outside. After several years of testing headlamps, this one from BioLite is still the best I've tried. Because the battery is mounted on the back instead of on the front, it has a slim profile and stays flush and secure against your forehead instead of sagging and bouncing around.
It fits over beanies or under hoods and has four different lighting modes, such as a red light for finding things in the tent after my kids have fallen asleep. It's rechargeable, so you can plug it into your car's adapter if you forgot to charge it before you left. The only problem is that the battery will eventually conk out. Each charge is supposed to last about 40 hours, but after three years of constant use (I also use it for running in the winter), it only lasts me 20 to 25.
$60 at REI
Photograph: Somewear Labs
An Emergency Beacon
Somewear Labs Global Hotspot
Satellite messengers can seem intimidating, but the Somewear Hotspot is the easiest and most attractive one to use. It tethers your phone to the super-fast, low-flying Iridium network so you can send emergency alerts and texts, or find maps when you're off the grid. Somewear's founders worked at Apple, Tesla, and Intuit, so both the software and hardware are easy to use. It can ease your mind if you're camping with small kids; however, I also suggest bringing a portable charger or a solar panel, as you'll need your phone to use it.
$280 at Somewear Labs

Photograph: Amazon
A Bathroom Break
Sheewee Extreme
The unfortunately named Shewee Extreme is for people who don’t usually stand while they pee. It’s amazing. You simply unzip or shimmy down your pants a bit, place the hard plastic gadget against your body, and aim. The company recommends practicing in the shower before you embark on your trip, but once you get the hang of it, your life will be forever changed. I started keeping one on hand while attending protests last spring, and it’s also handy for festivals, hiking, or icky public restrooms. You can store it in the included carrying case, and there’s an extension tube for when you’re wearing bulky clothes. The recyclable plastic repels water, so you can shake it when you’re done, and clean it with soap and water when you’re able to. —Louryn Strampe
$16 at Amazon
Photograph: Garmin
A Backcountry GPS
Garmin Instinct Solar
My worst nightmare is getting lost while camping. And it's scarily possible, too, because while I love being outside, I also have the internal compass of a drunk sea urchin. If you, too, can get lost while walking 10 feet from the trail to pee, I recommend the Garmin Instinct Solar. The Instinct is one of Garmin's most popular watches. It has backcountry features like trackback routing to find your way back to your starting point; access to GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellites; and an altimeter and barometer, without the battery-burning glowing screen or price tag of the much more expensive Fenix line.
The solar charging face also extends the battery life with the power of the sun, and there are even several versions of it, including a surf version with built-in tide data, a surf activity tracker, and compatibility with Surfline to take videos every time you surf in front of a Surfline camera (actually, that's my worst nightmare). For more options, check out our list of the best fitness trackers.
$296 at Amazon
$400 at REI
$290 at Walmart

Photograph: CHILDERIC ARNAUD
Night Views
Unistellar EVScope With Backpack
One of the most fun things to do in the great outdoors is to turn your eyes skywards. Unistellar’s easy-to-use scopes are designed for absolute beginners and come with a backpack plus 10 hours of battery life to take them anywhere. The app-based scope doesn’t have a viewfinder, relying instead on your smartphone screen to show up to 10 people what its eye sees at once.
Not being able to see everything “analog” might seem like a downside, but digital imaging technology allows the eVscope eQuinox to enhance the night sky’s natural look by layering images to create gorgeous composites. The scope uses the GPS on your phone and a quick calibration to find everything for you (and recommends what to look at based on your location and light pollution). Fellow nerds will love that a partnership with the SETI Institute also means you can share your data with scientists around the world. —Parker Hall
$3,299 at High Point Scientific
$3,299 at Unistellar Optics

Adrienne So is a senior associate reviews editor for WIRED, where she reviews consumer technology. She graduated from the University of Virginia with bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish, and she previously worked as a freelance writer for Cool Hunting, Paste, Slate, and other publications. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

Senior Associate Reviews Editor

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