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Let’s help them have their best 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.

Just a note that you shouldn't cook anything over these flames!

Promising review: "These are fantastic. Easy to use and the colors are beautiful and last a long time. I highly recommend these. This is my second time buying them for our campfires." —DPT

I have one of these little cameras, and they're so fun! Truly perfect for the outdoors. Durable and "analog" feeling while still being super easy to transfer memories to your phone. The picture quality is kind of like an old-school digital camera, which is fun and actually looks great a lot of the time! Just really neat.

Get it from REI for $69.95 (available in four colors).

Promising review: "I'm not a small person, and I wasn't sure how it would hold me, but this chair is wonderful. I have used it all over! I took it camping, I took it to the beach, and I even sometimes blow it up and use it in my living room while watching TV. The hardest part is getting out of it gracefully!" —Limoncello

Get it from Amazon for $35.18+ (available in 20 colors/patterns).

BioLite doesn't miss!!! There's no one I trust more with outdoorsy lighting than them, and this little guy is my new favorite gadget for keeping camp well-lit until it's time for some shut-eye. It has one easy-to-use button, the integrated bungee really does make it attachable to your tent or a nearby branch, and a long battery life is a must. It's a great personal lantern. 

Promising review: "I love it. It is bright, small enough to take on camping trip in your backpack, long lasting battery power, rechargeable, different color selection, etc. I bought a few and my kids love them. We put them in our backyard when we have guest in the evening, or take them camping. Each of us has one." —sigrid j.

Get it from Amazon for $35.52 (available in two colors). 

Promising review: "I use these for hiking, exploration, and just overall when I am camping or walking around somewhere and want to see things far away. I really think the compact size and the quality of the image are unparalleled. Definitely worth the price for me." —Kyle Giffin

Get them from Amazon for $21.10+ (available in three styles). 

The set comes with the chamber, plunger, seal, filter cap, funnel, filter holder, scoop, and stirrer. Here's a super informative video on how to use the Aeropress (while camping, even!) made by the coffee smarties at Stumptown. 

Promising review: "This might make some of the best, fastest coffee I have ever had. I visited my cousin in Alaska and she used one EVERY day for her coffee. I forgot completely about it until it was time to take this camping trip, and I randomly found it on Amazon while searching for camping kettles — I am so glad I did. It is super compact, durable, and easy to use. You can have a real quick cup in 30 seconds, or you can wait a couple of minutes and let the flavors meld, the choice is yours." —Gordon Leonard

Get it from Amazon for $27.96+ (available in two sizes and six colors). 

Promising review: "The best French press I've ever used. Started my first coffee in the pot at 7:30 a.m. Last cup as hot as the first by 10:30 a.m. Followed the directions for coffee bloom and the flavor is great. No moving parts, no power needed, this pot will last forever. It is a little pricy but I was able to use my cash back points after Christmas to really reduce the price." —Susan Craeger

Get it from Amazon for $110+ (available in two sizes and five colors).

Promising review: "If you are a coffee lover and love hiking too, then this is what you need to have in your hiking trip. The intense flavor of espresso in the morning is priceless, super easy to use, super easy to clean. Taste differs according to the coffee that you use." —Alexandra

Get it from Amazon for $37.52+ (available in three colors).

Promising review: "You are camping and backpacking in the forest for weeks. You and your campmates have nothing left to say. To save your smartphone battery, you don't dare turn it on. You're on your last milliliter of whiskey. What's a person to do? Play cards, of course! These cards worked amazingly well on my backpack/camping trip. These also do well as temporary coasters or when you need to keep something off the dirt. After a couple of days of rain and humid evenings, one expects a simple set of cards to perform, and these did indeed." —paititi

The Rumpl blanket is also machine-washable and dryer-safe!

Promising review: "We took this king-size blanket with us on our camping trip to New Zealand. At first, I thought it might have been too overkill since it took up a lot of space in my luggage, and a duvet was included in our camper van rental. But we ended up using this every night, enjoying the warmth and breathable comfort even on fairly warm evenings. It was definitely large enough for two. Even with tossing and turning, we both had enough Rumpl to sleep well throughout the night. Great purchase, totally worth it." —becca606

Get it from Amazon for $59.97+ (available in 30 colors/designs and a two-person version).

Check out my full Rumpl blanket review for more deets on why I'm all-in on these insulated beauts.

Promising review: "I solely relied on this set for all my cooking utensil needs in a camper, and it has ALL the essentials. I was pleasantly surprised at the knife, scissor, and can opener quality. Dare I say those items perform better than my at home set?! The only minor thing I would/will add is a slotted serving spoon and a small oven type mit. I highly recommend this set! It really is a great deal for the quality. Even the cutting board is nice (washes well and is a good size)." —Beast Tamer by Day

Get it from Amazon for $32.44+ (available in six colors). 

Promising review: "I love this sleeping bag. It's so warm and soft. Nothing beats a soft-lined bag. I've only been summer camping so far, so it's plenty warm. I actually get a little too hot and keep this unzipped. So I reckon it'll be just fine in colder-weather camping. It rolls up pretty large, could certainly never use this for backpacking. But it's great for normal tent camping!" —Shannon

Get it from Amazon for $43.99+ (available in 20- and 30-degree versions). 

When I first heard about this bag, it seemed a little gimmicky, but car camping trip after car camping trip, it's the one I reach for! After begrudgingly getting used to sleeping in cramped mummy bags backpacking, sleeping in a rectangular bag is AMAZING. So much more room and so much easier to sleep on my side without sacrificing warmth. And it really is useful to be able to use different layers based on how cold it is outside. Love and highly recommend!

Get it from Amazon for $249.95 (available in two colors). 

Promising review: "I bought three different chairs to test over a period of time. Of the three, this one stood out as the winner. We love the oversize chair as it provides great comfort. We take them camping, and why wouldn't you if you have the space? Guide Gear also makes foldable foot stools, which, when paired with this chair, give you the ultimate relaxing setup." —Trucker Warren

Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in four colors).

Each one has a different color at its base, so you always know whose stick is whose. And because it has two prongs, marshmallows don't spin on the stick when they get extra gooey, making it easier to get that perfectly even caramelized crunchy layer.

Promising review: "These lightweight roasting sticks are a lifesaver! I enjoy being able to turn them effortlessly so the entire marshmallow gets that nice crust from the flame. The colors helped us from using someone else’s stick haha! Must-haves for any bonfire! They roast hot dogs well, too." —PAJ

Get them from Amazon for $12.72+ (available in an 8-pack, or 10-pack). 

Promising review: "I received my Z-Seat after much research and am VERY HAPPY. I'm a size 16W, and my butt fit just fine with important parts covered, and I love how it folds up to the size of a steel drink bottle, perfect for the side pocket in my Osprey Manta. Weighs basically nothing and came in my favorite blue color." —steven

Get it from Amazon for $34.95 (available in three colors). 

Promising review: "Worth every penny! No matter how long you’ve been camping, there comes a time when doing it the way you did it when you were young just doesn’t work. I camp for lots of reasons, and in lots of settings. But one of the things I ALWAYS want to do when I’m camping is relax and do it COMFORTABLY. I don’t need a Winnebago, but the old camp chairs — just about ALL of them — don’t work for me anymore. But this one — no kidding — DOES. The best addition I’ve made to my gear in a LONG time." —Rainfisher

Get it from REI for $179.95 (available in five colors). 

Promising review: "My absolute favorite hat. Makes every other billed cap feel heavy and oppressive. Feels light on my head and keeps the sun out of my eyes when out on a run. The foam bill is amazing. I can crumple/roll the hat into a little ball and stuff it in a pocket. Dries out fast, too, thanks to its light weight. Five stars." —Shane

Get it from REI for $38 (available in four colors). 

Promising reviews: "Hi, For Mom Life: 🤰🏻 These shoes are comfortable and quick to slip on/off for those busy mornings, or trips to playdates, or indoor play options where shoe removal is required without the hassle! ✔️" —5306

"Super comfy and cozy!! Love to wear them in the fall. Also handy for letting the dog out! Highly recommend." —Britt

Get them from The North Face for $41+ (originally $59+; available in sizes 5–11 and four colors).

Promising review: "I love it. It gives off a ton of light. I didn't know, honestly, how well the fan would work, but I was really impressed. I hung it from my tent, and it was easy to use and did what I needed it to do. I would recommend this item to anyone that needs an inexpensive fan and light. The battery life is better than what is stated on the box." —Amazon Customer

Promising review: "They say you get what you pay for, and this is no exception. Yeti coolers are a little pricey, but they are superior in quality and performance. This cooler will keep your beverages or whatever else you pack in it cool for days. I recommend this for a person who needs a good, cool storage solution." —Jeremy B

Get it from Amazon for $295 (available in six colors). 

Hot tip for my hiking girlies with muscular calves: My life changed the day I started just ordering socks in men's sizes! I'm a size 8.5 and find that a men's M in these socks fits great. Not too big in the foot while leaving ample room for my legs as I FLEX UP THAT MOUNTAIN, BABYYYYYYY! 

Promising review: "After switching to Darn Tough socks for my hiking needs, I will never switch back. They are durable, comfortable, and backed by an industry-leading lifetime guarantee (pretty ridiculous, really — I don't know how they stay in business). As a person who is on his feet all day for work and all weekend camping and hiking, my favorite aspect of Darn Tough socks is that I never think about my socks. There's no reason. They don't slip down, they don't bunch up, they don't make my feet too warm or cold. Simply the best socks. The expense is worth it for the quality of the socks alone. Then, when you look at the return policy, the investment in these socks becomes a no-brainer. I'm a convert for life." —Patrick F

Get them from Amazon for $25.95 (available in men's sizes S–XXL and eight colors) and $25.95 (available in women's sizes S–L and eight colors).

Note: If you’re immunocompromised, be sure to read all the package instructions to make sure it’s safe for you.

Promising review: "Was the perfect gift this Christmas. If you are an outdoorsman and like to hunt, camp, and or hike, then this is a must-have item. It is lightweight and an easy way to ensure you have safe water should you need it. Anyone looking into making a survivalist bag should buy this." —Obj

Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in two colors and in multipacks).

The set comes with one squeeze screw-on water filter, two 32-ounce collapsible pouches, one replaceable pop-up drinking spout, and one syringe filter cleaner. It weighs 3 ounces. It removes bacteria such as Salmonella, cholera, and E. coli, as well as protozoa such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium.

I adore this water filter for its ease of use, adaptability, small size, and zero wait time. Just fill the bag, screw on the filter, and roll the bag to squeeze the filtered water into your bottle. You don't need to wait for it to be done like with water treatment pills or gravity systems, and there's no funky taste — just fresh, clean, crisp water. If even the bag-filling situation sounds like it would take too much time, you can also screw the filter DIRECTLY ONTO A WATER BOTTLE and drink straight from it. Game changing. Either way, it's a quick, lightweight system that I completely recommend.

Note: If you’re immunocompromised, be sure to read all the package instructions to make sure it’s safe for you.

Promising review: "Excellent product and a must-have while going hiking or camping where there's no clean water available. Because you can squeeze water through the filter, it takes no time for you to get drinkable water. Back flushing helps keep the life of the filter longer and comes with a syringe to back flush. I recommend using distilled water if your faucet has hard water. You can also attach a SmartWater bottle with the athletic nipple to back flush or filter." —Harlie

Get it from Amazon for $39.06 (also available in three other sets with premium bottles).

I lusted after the Ghost Whisperer for years before finally getting my hands on one, and boy oh boy, did it exceed my expectations. It's SO warm but SO breathable. That's the beauty of down, baby! It weighs less than 8 ounces, which is perfect for backpackers who pay close attention to weight (guilty), but delivers enough warmth that I pack it even on trips when I'm not concerned about packing light. It's a forever jacket in a big way, and I look forward to every occasion I get to wear it.

Promising review: "I recently conquered my first 14er during a trip to Colorado, and brought this jacket while preparing for the big climb. As someone that get cold very easily, I thought this jacket layered with an outer shell and mid layer would help along the way. To my surprise, it kept me warmer than I could have expected and held its own against the high winds. Now, it’s officially my winter jacket. Looking forward to layering it with just a baselayer and taking it snowboarding next season." —Yaz

Get it from Mountain Hardwear for $399 (available in women's sizes XS–XL and five colors, and in men's sizes S–XXL and six colors).

I've never owned this chair, but I sat in one in-store the other day and was shocked at how truly roomy and sturdy it was. Way to go, Kelty!

Promising review: "Everyone who has ever sat outside on the ground needs this chair! I am a ground sitter, and my wife is a chair sitter. We knew that our marriage would be fraught with this central tension. We're talking Montague and Capulet stuff here! But this seat, now lovingly referred to as 'the couch,' goes with us whenever we need to hang out (beach, park, parking lot meetup). Soooo comfortable, gently reclined back, and lets you find that perfect slouch. Plenty wide for two plus a small dog. There is no bar separating the 'seats,' just a tension lump, comfortable enough in the small of your back to lie all the way across (if you are not a giant). A little heavy, but it is double the seats, with half the setup. The carry sleeve is very comfortable and well-designed, such an upgrade from the crappy bags that come with generic camp seats. Thank you, Kelty, for fixing all the problems with camp chairs. Now, just make it from titanium and half the price, and it will be inconceivably perfect. Until then, this is as good as it gets. MUST-HAVE!" —aussiphile

Get it from Amazon for $112.46+ (available in three colors and in a regular or low height).

Promising review: "The pillow packs down to a very small size, small enough to pack away for a weekend backpacking trip, and is more comfortable than any of the inflatable pillows that save space. Well worth the space used!" —Billy Wyrick

Get it from Amazon for $34.95+ (available in three sizes and eight colors/patterns).

Promising review: "I purchased this bag in 2022 after a long search for a day pack as I got into hiking. Little did I know it would quickly become my travel-everywhere pack. I've had it barely full for short day hikes to exploding at the brim on month-long road trips. It easily takes on whatever I throw at it and shows zero signs of stopping. I could not be happier with this purchase. Definitely try it out if you're looking for a chameleon bag that can do it all." —Heather takes on hobbies

Get it from REI for $99.95 (available in two sizes and five colors).

Promising reviews: "Used it for winter camping. Got down to 35 degrees at night and kept me warm — usually the cheap air mattresses I use freeze me out, so this was a very worth it purchase." —Amazon customer

"I did my research, and the NeoAir was always on top of the list. Once I pulled the trigger, there was no looking back. It is the best pad I have ever used in 30+ years of backpacking. Lightweight for sure, almost feels too lightweight and thin, like it isn't rugged enough, but that isn't the case. It is tough, no problems with leaking or breaks. Nice thing is this new version is quiet when sleeping on it. It doesn't crinkle or creak when rolling around on it. Paired with a sleep system that has straps to connect the pad to the bag/quilt makes a difference. Buy the best!" —Pondo Man

Get it from Amazon for $198.95+ (available in four sizes). 

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