Shopping for outdoorsy campers and backpackers might seem like an easy task at first. But when you walk into an REI or start perusing a site like Backcountry, the sheer volume of brands and products can be overwhelming, even paralyzing. And the constant flow of new designs and types of products is hard to keep up with.
That’s what we’re here for, though. We’ve been keeping tabs, taking notes, and reviewing the best camping gear on the market all year. This curated list is a guide to some of my favorite camping and backpacking gift ideas — the ones that I’ll be buying for my friends and family who enjoy getting outside as much as I do.
The Best Camping Gifts of 2023
REI Flexlite Camp Boss Chair
A revamped seat reduces tension zones and makes room for a wider range of bodies. The chair’s now 20% larger than the original Flexlite chair for those looking for more roominess or a larger weight capacity (up to 300 pounds).
Additionally, the seat’s pole pockets now have pull loops and larger openings for an easier setup. It comes with a stuff sack for storing the chair when it’s folded down.
HydraPak Seeker 6L Gravity Filter
Gravity filters are one of the most passive means of purifying your water. There’s no pumping, no squeezing, no sucking. You just fill it up, hang it, and let the forces of physics work for you.
The HydraPak Gravity Filter ($80) was a regular companion of mine last winter on numerous backcountry hut trips. Then, over the summer and fall, it was a staple of my backpacking campsites. HydraPack’s Inline filter uses 0.2-micron hollow fiber filter threads that filter out 99.9999% of common waterborne bacteria (such as E. coli), paracytic cysts, and microplastics. HydraPak says its Inline filter is good for 1,500 L of water — which comes out to 250 full reservoir fills.
But my favorite feature of this gravity filter is the handles. HydraPak designed the bladder with numerous handles welded to the TPU material. Those make it much easier to hang, grab, and hold this filter.
Check Price at ScheelsCheck Price at Amazon
Gregory Jade & Zulu Backpacking Packs
Gregory’s Jade and Zulu (women’s and men’s) backpacks utilize a FreeFloat dynamic hip-belt that allows the packs to pivot and flex with the wearer’s natural gait for a far more comfortable experience, that also saves you energy. There’s also the suspended, adjustable back panel that offers huge ventilation and can be sized specifically to your torso length.
It has six external pockets, front and bottom access zippers, a sunglasses “QuickStow” loop on the shoulder, adjustable attachment loops, upper shock locks for trekking poles or ice axes, and more. Check out my full review here.
Gregory makes these packs in a range of volumes for men and women — from as small as 28 L to as large as 65 L.
EXPED MegaMat Auto
EXPED is known for making technically designed, high-quality sleeping pads of all kinds, sizes, weights, and warmth. But the MegaMat Auto is easily my favorite. It is 4 inches thick, has an R-value of 8.1, and is rated at -40 degrees Fahrenheit. Most importantly, though, it’s built for use in a vehicle.
This pad fits perfectly inside compact SUVs, station wagons, and midsize trucks when inflated. When deflated it rolls up (to 27.6 x 11.8 inches) and fits inside an included carry bag. I keep my MegaMat Auto ($400) in the bed of my truck and use it every time I camp. You could also conceivably travel with it on an airplane, and turn any vehicle you rent into a hotel room on wheels.
Sea to Summit Ikos TR2
The Ikos TR2 tent ($429) from Sea to Summit utilizes the brand’s tension ridge (thus the “TR”) to open up headspace on the interior, making these tents feel much bigger than they look from the outside. There are stash pockets and compartments strategically placed around the mesh inner wall’s interior. Two doors and two vestibules make it easy for people to enter and exit the tent, and store their gear on their side. And, of course, the 68-denier ripstop polyester rainfly is both wind and waterproof.
In testing, our favorite feature of the Ikos TR was its multiple configurations. Sea to Summit designed this tent so that the rainfly can be used in six layouts, each one offering slightly different benefits and functions. The tent is made in three-person (TR3) and two-person (TR2) sizes.
MSR Titan Kettle
Good backpacking cookware, utensils, and dishware make a big difference when you’re backpacking. Plastic is nice and light, but it can’t be used for cooking, or heated over a flame. Stainless steel can be used over a flame, but it comes at a weight penalty.
That’s why MSR’s new titanium lineup of ultralight titanium bowls, mugs, pots, kettles, sporks, and more, is such a killer addition to anyone’s backpacking gear. The Titan Kettle in particular is awesome because it can serve as a personal bowl, a small cooking pot, or a tea or coffee kettle, and it nests with one of MSR’s fuel canisters and a Pocket Rocket Stove. For $70, it was a welcome addition to my pack this summer.
Check Price at REICheck Price at Amazon
NEMO Moonlight Reclining Camp & Backpacking Chair
Camp chairs are a must-have whether you’re backpacking or car camping. NEMO’s Moonlight Recliner ($160) is great for both. It’s lightweight enough you could pack it on a backpacking trip, it’s durable enough that it can take a beating around camp, and it offers the luxury of reclining by a campfire in the woods.
Our tester also used it for remote work and for spectating at sports games, and said, “It’s not only done the basic job of providing a sturdy place to sit, but has scored well above standard when it comes to comfort, and yes, its reclining capability.”
Check Price at REICheck Price at Amazon
FlipFuel
Quit carrying and storing all of those partially full-fuel canisters you’ve been collecting over the years. The FlipFuel makes it possible to easily (and safely) transfer iso-butane or N-butane fuel from one partially used canister into another with just a twist of a knob.
The FlipFuel is small, which makes it easy to pack and relatively cheap at just $35. If a backpacker has one of these nifty little gadgets, it will get used. It consolidates fuel weight between canisters — solving a problem that is universal among people who use camp stoves.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Pad
The original Therm-a-Rest NeoAir was a killer ultralight sleeping pad. It compacted small, weighed just a handful of ounces, insulated well, was comfortable to sleep on, and easy to inflate. But it had one major drawback: it was loud as hell. Even the slightest movement would sound like you were thrashing violently around in a pile of garbage bags.
So Therm-a-Rest went back to the drawing board and this season, came out with the subsequent NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Pad ($200). So far, people are absolutely loving it. I used one all summer. Our tester used one on the Appellation Trail. Both of us give it a strong thumbs-up and confident stamp of approval. This super-light sleeping pad hits the mark.
Check Price at REICheck Price at Amazon
Camp Chef Mesa Table
The Camp Chef Mesa Table ($140) will elevate your concept of what a camp table can — or perhaps, should — be. The table top itself unrolls and fixes to the frame. It can be raised to three different heights, including a standing height which makes camp cooking so much easier. The frame folds into itself and the tabletop rolls up for storage in an included bag.
Check Price at WalmartCheck Price at Camp Chef
Moonfab MoonShade
The MoonShade awning is one of the best car-camping companions you can keep in your vehicle. It folds up like a tent and stows down into a small travel bag. But when you need it, it provides 9 x 7 feet of shade or shelter.
The water-resistant material will protect you from a drizzle, and it can hold its own in a breeze. Simply attach suction cups to your car and to two corners of the awning, and use the extendable posts for the other two corners. And voilà! You’ve got it made in the shade.
Sea to Summit Evac Dry Bags
An indispensable tool for anyone looking to keep their essentials dry, Sea to Summit’s Evac Dry Bags are light, packable, and come in a variety of sizes for any trip or situation. A far cry from the heavier river dry bags from your last rafting trip, the Evac Line features a Bluesign-approved, recycled 70D nylon waterproof main body fabric. A 70D eVent waterproof but air-permeable base that lets you squeeze out excess air and dial in your kit tight.
They’re great for keeping your sleeping bag or clothing dry on a backpacking excursion without sacrificing extra weight or pack volume. Available in 3-35L sizes, there’s an Evac Dry Bag for every adventure.
Fractel Legionnaire Running Hats
Give that ultra-runner, backpacker, desert wanderer, or beach bum in your life the gift of sun protection — and style. Fractel’s Legionnaire Running Hats ($55) are light, soft and comfortable. They protect your neck with a flap of fabric that hangs down to the shoulders.
Fractel hats are made for runners. But I use mine for backpacking and hiking anywhere I’m going to be exposed to the sun for extended periods of time. Many of the brand’s color schemes are vibrant and retro, and the Legionnaire comes in different weights for both warm-weather and cold-weather endeavors.
Kelty Lowdown Three-Person Couch
GearJunkie reviewed the Kelty Lowdown Camp Couch in 2022, and it’s still one of the most comfortable (and surprisingly useful) additions to any camping arsenal. (And if you’re buying it for your significant other, it’s partly a gift to yourself too!)
Kelty makes a two-person camp couch, but the three-person version ($200) fits you, your loved one, and your fur baby (or actual baby) — or two of your friends, depending on who you’re camping with.
Reclining into one of these couches beside a fire, beside the people who mean the most to you, is comforting and comfortable on many levels.
Check Price at REICheck Price at Amazon
Backcountry Stoic Bivy Suit
Sometimes at camp, you just don’t want to leave your sleeping bag. The good news is, with the Stoic Bivy Suit, you don’t have to! Essentially a full-body-shaped sleeping bag that goes where you do, the Bivy Suit includes a two-way front zip and dual thigh zips for ventilation, and an internal chest pocket for keeping your phone warm and handy. And when drizzle threatens your camp’s ambiance, the Bivy Suit’s DWR treatment beats back precip so you can keep chillin’ hard without getting rained out.
Dometic Water Jug With Faucet
Dometic makes a lot of high-tech, battery-powered products, but the water jug ($70) is one of the coolest. It carries 11 L, weighs 3 pounds, has two openings for easy access and, when paired with the Dometic Faucet ($100) it turns into a camp sink.
The faucet is touch-activated — two taps and you get a stream of water, one tap and the faucet turns off. And thanks to a nifty hose and magnetic base, the faucet can even be placed on a camp cooking table to make food prep easy.
Check Water Jug Price at REICheck Faucet Price at REI
Mystery Ranch Bridger 65L Backpack
Mystery Ranch has made a name for itself with extremely high-quality, often burly backpacks for hunting, military, and emergency rescue missions. The Bridger 65L backpack ($375) is a prime example of what they do. It’s a bomber pack with burly shoulder, back, and hip padding, a very organized system of pockets, easy front access, thoughtfully placed daisy chains, and more. Mystery Ranch calls this pack’s harnessing its most breathable to date.
The Bridger Series comes in 35 L, 45 L, 55 L, and 65 L capacities for both men and women.
Check Price at BackcountryCheck Price at Scheels
Ombraz Viale Armless Sunglasses
The Ombraz Viale sunglasses ($160) are armless. Instead, they use a single cord with two sliding adjusters that make it easy to cinch around your head, or open up and wear around your neck. They’re comfortable, light, and durable, the lenses are polarized, the frames are made in Italy, and they stay on your head far better than conventional sunnies.
I tested the Ombraz Teton and Viale last year, and have worn them almost every single day since. If you know someone who is constantly losing sunglasses, or breaking/bending sunglasses arms, these shades are a perfect gift.
MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe
Time-tested, and backpacker-approved, the MSR Pocket Rocket stove is one of the best backpacking gifts money can buy. It won’t break the bank at $85, and it’s insanely useful. These little jet engines take up less space than a granola bar in your backpack, weigh just 2.6 ounces, and will boil a liter of water in just 3.5 minutes. It also features a nifty piezo igniter, so you don’t have to fuss with a light or match to get a flame.
GearJunkie reviewed the Pocket Rocket Deluxe in 2019. Our tester said, “MSR basically re-engineered the piezo igniter to meet its high standards of quality. Couple that with impressive flame control, and the PocketRocket Deluxe presents a solid buy for three-season campers.”
Check Price at REICheck Price at Amazon
Zamberlan Salathe Hiking Boots
Right out of the box, the Zamberlan Salathe hiking boots were extremely comfortable. They didn’t need any real time to break in. The cushion is amazing, and they support the wearer’s feet very well. The tread and rubber toebox add a lot of durability, and the suede leather upper breathes far better than one might expect.
Every time I put the Salathe Boots ($295) on, I am taken aback by how good they feel on my feet. I used these hiking boots more than any other pair on my shelf this summer (and believe me, there are a bunch). For both day trips and extended backpacking, these boots excelled.
Check Price at REICheck Price at Amazon
Helinox Chair One
With a tight-packaged frame, renowned lightweight, and comfort that keeps you cozy at camp, the Helinox Chair One is a no-brainer for car camping. With a light construction and a 5-year warranty, the Chair One is tough enough to keep up with your adventurous lifestyle but comfortable enough to warrant continued usage, for years and years of fun-filled outdoor missions.
Arc’teryx Beta LT Jacket
People get attached to a good rain jacket. Arc’teryx’s Beta Hadron LT Jacket is the one I reach for whenever I head out on a hike or travel adventure. This three-layer GORE-TEX jacket’s seams are taped, the zippers are watertight, and for the sake of overkill, it is also DWR (durable water repellant) treated.
At 9 ounces, it’s light enough that you hardly notice it when it’s in your pack. It is a great piece to layer with, and the hood is helmet-compatible so you can take it climbing, biking, or ski touring. This is marketed as a three-season rain shell, but I’ve used mine all year round.
It is an expensive piece of gear at $450. But if you take advantage of the Arc’teryx ReBird program, which repairs and rebuilds damaged equipment, it will last you a lifetime.
Check Price at REICheck Price at Arc’teryx
Nocs 10×32 Field Binoculars
They’re light, they’re durable, they’re waterproof and fog-proof, they pack easily into a backpack brain, hip pack, glove box, tackle box, hunting bag, or almost anywhere else and they’re only $175. The Nocs 10×32 Field Binoculars are a solid buy for the price. The magnification is great in the backcountry, for watching birds or spotting animals, and the image clarity is surprisingly good for a budget pair of field glasses.
I never carried a pair of binoculars before I got a pair of these last year as a gift (thanks, Mom!) — but now I find myself using them pretty frequently. They came with me on backcountry ski trips, river trips, and backpacking. Our tester pointed out one my of favorite aspects about the Nocs Field Binos: “The price and durability also mean they don’t need to be pampered.”
Solo Stove Bonfire Heat Deflector
Solo Stove’s products have brought old-school campfire technology into the chrome future. The brand’s smokeless firepits are iconic and come with a vast array of accessories. But one of the most useful (and cost-effective at $175) is the brand’s Heat Deflector.
Because of the way Solo Stove fire pits are shaped most of their heat escapes straight up into the air. With the Heat Deflector that warmth is redirected outwards so people who are sitting down around it will get warmer a lot faster. Plus, it makes a Solo Stove look even cooler. Solo Stove makes the Heat Deflector for the Bonfire, Yukon, Ranger, and Canyon sizes of fire pit.
Check Price at Solo StoveCheck Price at Amazon
Jetboil MiniMo
Jetboil’s products are well-known and widely loved by backpackers around the world. But the original Flash Cooking System presented a small problem: It was too tall to easily eat out of. You could boil water in it just fine, you could even cook in it without issue. But using it as a “bowl” was not highly efficient.
Enter the MiniMo — Jetboil’s answer to consumer feedback. The MiniMo ($165) holds 1 L of water — the same as the original and it boils water just as fast. But the MiniMo is squatter and has a wider mouth. It’s shaped more like a cup or a bowl, and it is significantly easier to eat straight out of. Your spork will actually reach the bottom of this one.
Check Price at REICheck Price at Amazon
Kelty Cosmic Ultra 20 Sleeping Bag
Quality sleeping bags tend to be one of the more expensive necessary items for camping. But Kelty has made a name for itself as a brand that offers high-quality gear at an affordable price point. And its 800-fill Drydown Cosmic Ultra Sleeping Bag is a perfect example of that.
At 2.37 pounds, it’s a car camping bag that’s light enough you could take it backpacking. It’s packed with features like a spacious footbox and a zippered internal stash pocket. The 20D Nylon shell and liner are buttery soft. And it costs $225 — which is on the low end of the spectrum compared to GearJunkie’s Best Camping Sleeping Bags of 2023.
Check Price at AmazonCheck Price at Backcountry
Roar Baby Monitors
Many baby monitors require a cellphone connection or Wi-Fi to work. Most need to be plugged into an electrical source. That’s made them prohibitively challenging to take on camping trips with babies. But Roar’s Baby Monitors ($165) work like wireless radios; they’re rugged, have a claimed range of 1,000 feet, and a rechargeable battery life of over 20 hours. They were designed for use outdoors.
For a family that camps, travels, or spends lots of time outside the Roar Baby Monitors are helpful for keeping an ear on the little one if they need a nap, or go to bed earlier than mom and dad.
Heat It Insect Bite Treatment
When GearJunkie tested the Heat It insect bite and sting treatment device, our tester was surprised by its effectiveness. For targeted relief, this techy little accessory plugs into your phone and heats up to over 100 degrees F. When that heating element is pressed against the skin on a bug bite, your nervous cells are presented with a “counter-irritant” that confuses your brain and relieves the itchiness. And it’s small enough to hang your keychain or backpack easily.
Check Price at REICheck Price at Amazon
Sea to Summit Hydraulic Pro Dry Pack
Part duffel, part backpack, part dry bag, Sea to Summit didn’t hold anything back when it designed the Hydraulic Pro Dry Pack. It’s a bombproof duffel bag that has form-fitting shoulder straps, EVA foam back panels, and an air mesh harness for breathability. The pressure-tested waterproof zipper, fully welded seams, and 1,000D Hydraulic fabric make this bag almost impenetrably waterproof. Lashing points make it easy to secure to a boat or onto a vehicle, so it’s ideal for paddle trips, motorcycle adventures, and overlanding.
How to Shop for the Best Gifts for Camping
As with any gift, when you’re shopping for the best gifts for camping, you should consider what the person you’re buying it for likes to do. Do they go on long backpacking trips? Or do they car camp more often? Are they overlanders? Do they spend a lot of time outside somewhere it’s consistently rainy? Or do they like to explore hot, dry deserts more often? The answers to questions like those will help direct you to the right section of the store or website.
The great thing about gifts for people who camp is that most of them are multifunctional. A rain jacket can be used hiking, biking, skiing, and around town. Folding tables are useful for campsites, tailgate parties, and picnics, and as workstations for cooking, cleaning, or building things. A sleeping bag will come in handy on backpacking trips, camping trips, hut trips, and (for kids) sleepovers. And binoculars are handy anywhere you take them. These are very functional gifts.
A quick Google search of a product never hurts either. Gear reviews (like ours, which are linked throughout this guide) or discussion forums (like Reddit) will have a lot of extra information on any given item. It also never hurts to ask someone, if you’re at a physical store.
Why Trust the Author
I’ve been camping and backpacking since I was too small to walk, and have been writing about the outdoors for over half a decade. I’ve worked at outdoor equipment stores, and have often been told I have “hoarder tendencies” when it comes to gear. And, still, every single year, I struggle to come up with gift ideas when it comes time for the holidays. I get overwhelmed. And I rely on guides like these for direction and inspiration — especially for activities or products I don’t know much about.
With that in mind, the gifts I included in this guide, either I or one of my colleagues at GearJunkie tested and absolutely loved. None of these were random inclusions. I aimed for products that I knew were functional, multiuse, and spanned a price range to include something for every budget. Generally, I just packed this guide with as many cool products as I could that I would be stoked to get as gifts.
And even if you don’t find the perfect gift listed here, hopefully, there are a lot of ideas to get you started shopping for the best gifts for camping.
