The Best Camping Gadgets of 2022
-
Loading... - Arbi Mounir
- 05 Jul 2022
- 120 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
Who doesn’t love walking the aisles of your local outdoor store or surfing the web for sweet camping gadgets we don’t need but want? I am admittedly a collector of gear—many pieces my wife says I don’t need. My argument: camping gadgets make the trip more fun and luxurious. I love prepping and packing for my trips into the wild. I venture into my gear shed and search the shelves for gear that will enhance my car camping or backpacking trip. Over my lifetime, I’ve backpacked over 6,000 miles and slept outside over 1,000 times, so I have some strong opinions. Here are some of the best camping gadgets and some newer ones that I can’t wait to introduce into my regular camping routine.
- Best Light: Big Agnes mtnGLO Tent and Camp Lights
- Best Sleeping Pad Pump: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Micro Pump
- Best Campfire Accessory: Solo Stove Campfire Gear Kit
- Best Tote Bag: Yeti Camino 35 Carryall
- Best Multi Tool: Gerber Stake Out
- Best Lantern: Biolite AlpenGlow 500
- Best Seat: Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat
- Best Fire Pit Tool: Pit Command Ranger
Things to Consider When Choosing Camping Gadgets
Make sure you understand what you are getting and that you really think you will use it. I look in my gear shed and sometimes shake my head at what I have bought on a whim. A lot of my cool gadgets come from reading publications like this, as I am admittedly a gear junkie. Whenever I hang around camping buddies, I always find something new I want but probably don’t need.
Best Light: Big Agnes mtnGLO Tent and Camp Lights
Key Features
- 100 inches of lights
- Option to make them a lantern
- Clips attach the lights to anything
Why It Made the Cut
These string lights are a great way to add a little ambiance to your tent, campsite, or even at home.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Two lighting options
Cons
- Not USB rechargeable
Product Description
From the day these came out, I have used them on almost every camping and backpacking trip. At 2 ounces, I can even justify packing these for the backcountry.
They do not replace a headlamp but do add ambiance and even enough light on high to read in my backpacking tent. I even have a set of these above the headboard at my yurt. I have the older version that has two settings (low and high), while the newer version flickers. When you stuff the lights in their translucent bag, it becomes a lantern.
They do need three AAA batteries, but can be powered (not charged) by a USB port. Several clips allow you to hang them in your tent or from an awning at your campsite. There are three options: regular white, red, or blue/green.
Best Sleeping Pad Pump: Thermarest NeoAir Micro Pump
Key Features
- Inflate and deflates your pad in minutes
- Simply one button use
Why It Made the Cut
No more huffing and puffing to blow up mattresses at camp after a long day of huffing and puffing on the trail.
Pros
- Saves time
- Saves energy
- No moisture gets in the pad
- Lightweight
Cons
- Expensive
- Only works with Therm-a-rest winglock valves
Product Description
This is the one gadget my wife claims we actually need. I owned the original pump for the twist-lock valve, but when Therm-a-rest upgraded their pads, I forked over the $40 to buy the pump that works with the new winglock valve. With a weight of just 2.3 ounces, this is a luxury worth carrying.
The tiny pump saves time and your lungs by inflating the best sleeping pads in less than 3 minutes. This is especially important when you’re camping at higher altitudes and already out of breath from the hike. The other benefit to not blowing up a pad is that no moisture from your breath inside can add weight and create mold.
Deflation is equally easy with the pump. No more folding, squeezing, sitting, and laying on your pad to get all the air out. Just attach the deflate side of the pump and turn it on. All the air gets sucked out, making it super easy to roll it up. Read More...
