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Let’s make 2026 your biggest summer of adventure yet.

I am a former editor and contributor to the BuzzFeed shopping team with over seven years of experience testing and recommending products that help make life a little easier, whether that’s ultralight gear, holy grail serum, jeans that fit just right, or anything in between.

Price: $41.25+ (originally $55; available in five colors)

Promising review: "My friend and I each bought one ahead of a four-day backpacking trip and I'm so glad we did. While the straps do add some weight, the ease of the setup and having a hammock to rest in after miles of hiking was worth it! I'm really looking forward to use it on long day hikes. Bonus-Backcountry had the purple one I couldn't find anywhere else." —Adventuress76

Price: $54.95 (available in four colors)

Promising review: "I love my Hydro Flask insulated tote. It's perfect for bringing lunch to the office or a couple of beverages to the park for an afternoon hang. I would agree with other reviewers that the design is very vertical. I don't have an issue with it and will just put my frozen meal or Pyrex container on its side. Overall, I'm very happy with my tote, its ability to keep my food cold, and its durability over time." —Koly S

Price: $49.95 (available in three colors)

The Copper Spur is trail famous and known among backpackers for being the perfect balance of comfortable and lightweight. I've never personally tried it but I have friends who wholeheartedly vouch! And Big Agnes is just a great, trustworthy outdoor brand. 

The more I get to know this tent, the more I love it. Going on three years with it by my side, it's my go-to for basically every trip from meandering backpacking in Appalachia, to nights out in the desert, to car camping-slash-surf trips to the beach (peek my really COOL wetsuit hand tan above). It's semi-freestanding, meaning it has poles for the main structure but should be staked out to reach its max capacity (though as you can somewhat see above, sometimes I just wing it and let it be "freestanding," letting my wide sleeping pad fill out the floor. The rain fly (not pictured because...California, but included) does need to be staked out, but even the stakes are ultralight. That's right. This entire tent weighs in at just 1 pound and 7 ounces. I know! It's incredible. And I really don't feel like I'm missing out on any features. There's a few great interior mesh pockets where I put my phone, headphones, and headlamp, a nice vestibule when I put the rain fly up, and it all packs down SUPER small. I mean, just look at that stuff sack. That's literally the entire tent. Nothing short of miraculous! The tent has plenty of room for little old me, and ultimately, that's all I really need the tent to hold! I occasionally sleep with my pack at my feet (I'm 5'6" and have found that it can settle down there without me having to sleep with my feet on top of it), but most of the time I let the vestibule do its thing and enjoy having the tent to myself. This tent has kept me dry and warm through a few years of adventures, and I look forward to putting even more miles and nights on this thing over the years. Worth the splurge, especially if you're an ounce-counter who would rather not go totally non-freestanding...at least not yet.

You can get the official footprint here, but tbh I just cut a cheap blue tarp to size and find that that works great. On my last trip, I even got brave and put it up without a footprint, and it fared just fine. Probably not advised, but the more you know! The tent is also available in a two-person size.

Promising review: "In my experience, this 21-inch buff length is a bit excessive for wearing as a bandana or as a face mask, about 17 inches is perfectly adequate for both purposes, and those extra inches are mostly unnoticeable. I wear this on my forehead, and a shorter version of a CoolNet UV+ as a mask to avoid sunburn during mountain excursions above the snow line. It's more reliable than sunscreen. It's breathable enough to use with glasses, without too much fogging, when the temperature is above freezing." —Aleksandr A

Price: $23.95+ (available in three patterns)

The kit is suited for one to two people on one to two-day trips and has all the basics and beyond, like bandages, moleskin padding, basic medications, a splinter/tick remover, and anti-itch wipes. 

Promising review: "I bought these to throw in a backpack for hikes in Southern Utah as we scout the cliffs. They are the perfect size and offer a clear picture and ideal magnification power for my purposes. They are sturdy and easy to use for me and the kids. I definitely recommend these for a solid set of hiking binoculars." —Landon L

Price: $74.95+ (originally $99.95; available in six colors)

The sleeping bag's hood and footbox are treated with waterproofing in case of any condensation against your tent walls, has a draft collar to keep the cold from getting in, and its shell is made of 100% recycled ripstop polyester.

Price: $279.99+ for women's sizes (available in regular and wide) and $299.95 in men's wide sizes

Promising review: "Just used this car camping this past weekend in the Adirondacks and it was perfect!! It was a little tricky to put up with high winds, but it held up super well once we got it situated and in place. It survived 15–20 mph gusts, mid-heavy rain, and snow!! Absolutely loved it and worth the price." —Alyssa P

Promising review: "Very comfortable, light, and does not heat up your head. I just used it to hike Middle Teton, the last part of the trail, and thankfully no falling rocks were kicked by other hikers." —Anula

Price: $63.96 (originally $79.95; available in four colors)

Promising review: "Decided to try this pillow out after reading the reviews and researching other brands. I didn’t want to spend too much right now, as I’m new to camping and not backpacking. What I like is that the large size is perfect for me and it’s very comfortable. I have used this several times now, and each night I sleep great with this pillow. The material is soft and easy to fold up for traveling. I love the fun mushroom design, and the colors are vibrant. I’m glad I went with this pillow and the size large. I usually like a flatter pillow so I don’t have a stiff neck. This was a great choice and had no issues. It was perfect and definitely recommend!" —Andreana A

Price: $32.86+ (originally $46.95+; available in three sizes and four colors)

You don't *have* to have a Sea to Summit pad to enjoy this pillow — anyone can use it! You just won't get to use the locking feature.

Price: $64.95+ (available in three sizes)

This pad has an R-value of 7.2, which just means it's A-OK to take out on your winter camping trips, as well as your trips during the rest of the year! When you unroll a "self-inflating" pad, it'll puff up, doing most of the air intake for you. You'll just need to pump it up a little bit more to get it to your desired firmness, hence: the integrated pump!

Price: $499.95+ (available in two sizes)

Ummm, I just don't think I've ever seen a cooler cuter than this! It comes in such fun colors, and those back wheels really will help you get it around. No more lugging with flimsy handles!

Price: $399.99 (available in six colors)

I've had my OG Rumpl blanket since 2019 and literally could not love it more. Six years in and it still lives in the trunk of my car, ready for impromptu trips, picnics, and park hangs! It's a splurge-worthy piece of gear I've recommended to basically everyone in my life with my whole chest and will for years to come.

The burners feature wind screens to keep the party going even if it's a blustery night, and they run on standard 16-ounce propane fuel tanks. The burners also have simmer control — fancy! — so you can really dial in your signature dishes.

Price: $449.99 (available in two colors)

The stove doesn't have an integrated igniter, so you'll need to bring a lighter along (or a piezo if you're feeling really fancy), but you're probably already doing that anyway! And just a reminder that you can't buy fuel canisters online, but you can get them in-store (or in the local camp shop or hostel next to where you're getting on trail if you're in a backpack-y place).

The reservoir you put dirty water in holds 3 liters of water, and it filters at a rate of 2 liters per minute. Whoa, that's faster than I thought! Maybe it's time I finally try one! Backpackers love this system, but they'd also be great for car camping trips where you have access to nice, running mountain water. Sure, you could pack your own, but drinking the water you find in the backcountry really is a special experience, especially when you have confidence it's safe to drink after treatment. 

Promising review: "Only used once in 50 degrees. Stream was clean, running fast, and filled the bladder in 7 seconds. Flow rate was perfect for my needs. Perfect holding points especially at intake side for submerging. First, BeFree, so will see how long it lasts with a good flow rate. I'll likely carry an extra filter if out solo. Weight is perfect for the benefit. Last thing I want to do is squeeze a bag for my water after a long hike and setting up camp. Now I know why I see a lot of gravity filters are hanging. The holding strap was a bit much for my needs unless someone uses it as a shoulder-carrying strap. I changed that up." —Dilf

^Look at me lovin' my Exped sleeping pad! I've long been an inflatable sleeping pad convert, but had yet to find my "holy moly this is the best" model...until recently when I tried this baby. Other pads I've liked, but not loved, felt too narrow and, because of the kind of insulation they used, were SUPER noisy with every move I made in my sleep. It was like sleeping on a Mylar balloon! But this pad is quiet as can be. Thank goodness! I also opted for the medium wide version, which gives me a little more room to spread out — no more feeling like I'm teetering. That extra room and a 3-inch height keep me super comfy as a side sleeper. The wide version is a little heavier (obviously), but even as a backpacker who can be really picky about base weight, I find the extra ounces totally worth it for getting a better night's sleep. The MW weight is about 1 pound and 7 ounces. Not too shabby!

An R-value of 2.9 makes this perfect for three-season backpacking, but especially warmer months. On a camping and surf weekend near Santa Barbara last year, it kept me perfectly comfortable during the cool summer nights. It was seriously the best night of sleep I've gotten outdoors in quite some time. ILY, Exped!

Price: $169.95 (available in three sizes)

Promising review: "This is the camping pad that I have been waiting for. No pumping, no worrying about punctures. Just a comfortable night's sleep. Took two seconds to unroll and you're ready for bed." —Brock H

Price: $279+ (available in short, regular, and wide sizes)

Sometimes you just can't find it in you to cook on your big adventure. Just add boiling water, wait a few minutes, and enjoy! Sometimes I even add a little instant rice to the package to rehydrate with it to stretch the meal even further, especially if I'm splitting it with someone. I know, it's very nice of me to share. 

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews for this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.