From collapsible kettles to folding kayaks: 10 camping gear upgrades to make life outdoors easier
Camping doesn’t have to mean roughing it – these gadgets, tools and toys will make it a smoother experience
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A weekend in the woods requires a lot more than just a cooler full of cold ones. After you have a tent, sleeping bag and other basics covered, it’s time to consider upgrades that can make your camping experience more comfortable, relaxing and just plain fun.
Our outdoor-loving staff have some ideas. From a solar oven to a backpacking pillow you’ll never leave behind, these Filter-tested products will make your next trip one to remember.
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Eat and drink better
Frontier Ultralight Collapsible Kettle
Pinkies up! Sip your morning coffee or tea as if you’ve never left home by heating water in this collapsible kettle made of food-grade silicone with a hard anodized aluminum base for efficient heat transfer. Alyx Gorman, a Guardian Australia editor, uses it to make “billy tea” with eucalyptus, but if you’re not headed to the outback, it also doubles as a cooking pot thanks to its wide rim.
Read the story: The 21 best gifts beloved globally that Americans haven’t caught on to yet
GoSun Sport-E Hybrid Solar Oven
Put the summer sun to work with this solar oven that cooks with the radiation of our nearest star – or electricity – in a pinch. In testing, Alan Truly, a Filter reviewer, found it capable of whipping up staples such as potatoes, quinoa, stir-fried veggies, bread, kebabs, tofu and brownies in a “novel and green way”. No sun? No problem. Plug it into your car’s 12V accessory outlet, or a portable battery pack, to keep cooking into the evening.
Read the story: GoSun Sport-E solar oven review: a fuel-free way to cook outside, even with no sun
Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle
Whether you’re tackling trails or just lounging lakeside, staying hydrated is essential. A standard water bottle will do, but Elizabeth Brownfield, a Filter contributor, loves the clever Hydaway because it collapses flat into a disc when it’s empty. A flip-top straw makes it easy to sip on the go, and when you get home, the whole thing can go in the dishwasher.
Read the story: A ‘Mary Poppins bag’ and a travel tin of salt: 21 products our writers always pack on a trip
Jacobsen Salt Co Pure Sea Salt Slide Tin
From cramming groceries into limited cooler space to cooking over a finicky camp stove flame, making appetizing camp food can feel like an Everest-grade uphill battle. Juno DeMelo, a Filter contributor, solved for seasoning with this tin of sea salt, featuring a camp-friendly sliding lid. “I keep one in our camping bin and another in my purse so I can dial in the salt level of whatever I’m eating (or drinking; I add a pinch of salt to my coffee to make it taste smoother) no matter where in the world I am,” she said.
Read the story: A ‘Mary Poppins bag’ and a travel tin of salt: 21 products our writers always pack on a trip
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Play better
Tucktec Pro Foldable Kayak
You don’t need to wrestle an oversized kayak atop an SUV to get out on the water, or sweat over pumping up an inflatable for 30min. This affordable folding kayak packs down small enough to fit in a Prius and assembles in just 10min. “The reduced hassle often turns a ‘maybe’ idea into a ‘let’s go!’ adventure,” said Truly. “It is compact without feeling flimsy, light without feeling toy-like, and quick enough to make paddling feel spontaneous again.”
Read the story: This $380 foldable kayak fits in my Prius and goes from backseat to lake in 10 minutes
Alpaca Gear Box, 2-Pack
Add some method to the madness of your gear stash with this two-pack of rugged 45-liter boxes. “These sturdy, stackable bins seal tightly so everything stays dry and clean – and I love their clear lids that allow me to quickly peek at what’s inside without having to open them,” said Paige Triola, an outdoor writer. Optional Alpaca Gear Pods let you further divvy up your stuff.
Read the story: ‘Stores an ungodly amount of stuff’: 11 products our writers rely on to organize and declutter
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See better
Black Diamond Storm 450 Headlamp
When the sun sets in the woods, you need more lumens than your phone’s anemic flashlight can supply. Josh Patterson, an outdoor expert, prizes the Storm 450 for its wide beam that’s “bright enough for real trail navigation but can be dialed down for cooking or camp chores”. Rugged, waterproof construction means it will not fizzle when the weather turns and a lock-out feature prevents it from turning on in your pocket or bag.
Read the story: The 20 best gifts in the US for people who love the outdoors, tested in nature by our expert
Nocs Provisions Standard Issue 8x25 Binoculars
These packable yet powerful binoculars offer a front-row seat to your natural surroundings. “I’ve brought them on family hikes and road trips, and they have turned plenty of ‘what’s that over there?’ moments into actual sightings of birds, wildlife or far-off landscapes,” said Patterson. With their kid-friendly grip and oversized wheel for quick lens adjustments, they’re simple enough for anyone to enjoy.
Read the story: The 20 best gifts in the US for people who love the outdoors, tested in nature by our expert
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Sleep better
Loop Dream Earplugs
You’ve had a long day of setting up gear, ambitious ascents and maybe even combatting jet lag. The last thing you need is the sound of a snoring tentmate or whining mosquitos keeping you up. Loop Dream Earplugs don’t fall apart like foam disposables and don’t require charging like noise-canceling earbuds. “The soft silicone tips [of these earplugs] stay comfortable for hours – including for side sleepers – and the multiple size options make it easy to get a secure, gentle fit,” said Patterson.
Read the story: The 20 best gifts in the US for people who love the outdoors, tested in nature by our expert
Nemo Fillo Backpacking Pillow
A full-size pillow is way too bulky to backpack with, but lightweight inflatable pillows are a poor imitation. Nemo found a way to get the best of both worlds. “The mix of an inflatable core covered with soft foam insulation makes it more pliable and, in turn, feel more natural with none of the crinkly sounds that many inflatable pillows make when you shift around at night,” said Patterson of this packable pillow “with an outsized payoff”.
Read the story: The 20 best gifts in the US for people who love the outdoors, tested in nature by our expert
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Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things:
How I brew cafe-quality coffee anywhere, from campsite to carry-on
The best Pfas-free rain jackets for hiking, running and just looking good
Seven versatile fall apparel pieces that work in town or on the trail
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