11 Camping Essentials You Don’t Want to Miss This Summer
Going camping is a very romantic concept, but in order for everything to be pleasant you need a few essentials. From a good sleeping pad to safety precautions, certain gadgets are needed to make nature feel like home. You certainly don’t want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere with no clean water and good shelter. This is why we gathered 10 items those of you who camp or want to start doing it will find extremely useful.
1. A personal water filter for anyone who camps, hikes, and likes to travel in nature. It removes bacteria and parasites from stream water, including E. coli and salmonella. It can even remove the tiniest microplastics found in nature. You can use it to drink up to 1 gallon of water safely.
4.8 out of 5 stars
The straw has been tested in a lab, and all the claims have been proven. Also, for every straw purchased, the company donates water to children in need. It comes in the color blue, and you can buy packs with multiple straws in them. It can withstand temperatures between 33oF to 140oF.
Promising review: I would recommend the LifeStraw for any backpacker. Even a day hiker. This lightweight tool can help reduce your pack weight significantly if you know there will be a decent water source nearby. Drinking water from a cool stream tastes so much better than iodine-treated water.
I’ve used the same LifeStraw five or six times now and have had no health issues at all. As a note, if you want to take some stream water with you, fill a bottle or canteen and make sure you have a cup or bowl big enough to draw water from with the LifeStraw. You’ll need about a US cup or so for it to work well. Even warm creek water is better than iodine water. @Overwine
2. Marshmallow roasting sticks that are perfect for fire pits and camping. You can also use them for hot dogs and vegetables. They are made of non-toxic stainless steel, don’t get rusty and are easy to clean. The wooden handle makes sure that your hands won’t burn from the high temperatures.
4.6 out of 5 stars
The sticks can extend a lot, so you don’t have to get too close to the source of the fire. They go from 12’’ to 32’’, and you can trust even your kids to hold them since they can be away enough from the fire. They’re just the perfect accessory for an outdoor gathering with friends and family.
Promising review: This is my second set. I was so pleased with the first set that I decided to add it to the collection so more people could join in the fun. I make up a tray with everything needed—a bag of marshmallows, Hershey bars, Graham crackers, and a bag or two of these roasting sticks.
Inside a convenient storage bag are color-coded sticks that expand long enough to keep hands out of the fire. A little wheel allows the marshmallow to be rotated by twirling it with your thumb while holding the stick still. A marshmallow is easily put on the end of the prongs. Even when the marshmallow melts onto the prongs, clean up is simple if you do it the same night you used them.
Although everyone initially laughs at the sticks, they quickly become happy to use them over the traditional pick-a-stick-from-the-yard option. @Monique A
Get it from Amazon HERE
3. A solar-powered shower bag that features a removable hose. You can simply hang the bag from a tree and have a shower, just like at home. The shower head has an on/off setting. The bag can be left in the sun and will heat the water to 113°F in about 3 hours. It is made of environmentally friendly materials and is leak-proof.
4.0 out of 5 stars
The bag can fit up to 5 gallons of water, and you can even control the flow of the water. It doesn’t need electricity to operate and can be used not only for showering but also for washing dishes, watering plants, and cleaning. It’s just ideal for all kinds of outdoor activities.
Promising review: The big screw-on cap made it easy to fill. The rugged handle goes over the shoulder when carrying the full bag of water and unclips to connect to a rope to lift it. After a day in the 80-degree sun, the water was a comfortable 105oF.
Two of us took showers and had water left over to rinse the dinner dishes. We hang it high in the tree daily to warm the water. Easy to use and did the job just great. @Randy
Buy it from Amazon HERE
4. A massive indoor and outdoor pop up camping tent that can fit 4–6 people. It weighs just 15 lbs, it’s stable and doesn’t need assembly. It is not waterproof so be careful if you want to place it outdoors. The frames are made of fiberglass, which makes the tent very light and be sure that it won’t get rusty.
4.5 out of 5 stars
The tent offers amazing views and also a 50+ UV protection. It has two large doors that can be zipped from both the inside and the outside. It also has a hook where you can hang your jacket, bag or anything else. After you put it up, you can fold it again and carry it in the shape and size of a bag.
Promising review: Be careful when you open as it will quickly “pop open” once you open it up a little. Closing can be intimidating...they made a video showing how to do it, so watch it before you need to do it. If you try to do it in a hurry (incoming storm) it might not go well. It comes with metal stakes for the tie-down lines and pouches you can fill with sand for additional weight/stability.
It’s lightweight, which is great as one person can easily move it around. I put mine on my deck with a rug underneath to help keep bugs out. It’s not 100% bug-proof, but when set up correctly with an outdoor rug or other protection, it works really well on keeping the critters out. Because of the octagon shape and the dome at the top, the sides will be a factor when putting items inside.
I got my loveseat, side chair, small table, and a fan inside. I added my echo dot to listen to music. If you take the time to learn how to open and close it, I think you will really enjoy it. I’m looking forward to getting back out into mine. @Christine
Buy it from Amazon HERE
5. Fire color changer packets that can turn your fire pit into a magical event. You can use 1-3 of these packets in your fire and wait until they transform it into a burning rainbow. The colors can stay vibrant for up to a full hour. Just keep adding more packets if you notice that the color is fading.
4.6 out of 5 stars
It is advised not to open the packets before being ready to throw them into the fire and also not to throw them in propane firepits or artificial gas log fireplaces. It is also important not to cook over these rainbow flames.
Promising review: These are great. Been using them quite a bit. I ordered the 50-pack of .8oz. They do struggle with larger fires but work great on your standard small fire. For larger fires, you just have to add a few packets.
They seem to struggle a lot to work if you have a larger fire and have built up coals to have an extremely hot fire. Even throwing 5 packets in an extremely hot fire seems to give minimal results. I am ordering the jumbo 2.59oz packets to try out cause I love to build large fires. Anyway, I highly recommend these. @Scot
Buy it from Amazon HERE
6. A wireless mosquito and bug catcher that can be placed both indoors and outdoors. It features a day and night sensor and automatically turns off when the day comes. It’s not only good at exterminating bugs but also at providing you with light. It is charged quickly with a USB cable.
4.4 out of 5 stars
It is important to clean the bug carcasses regularly. The battery of the machine lasts for up to 16 hours and due to it being wireless you can take it anywhere with you. The blue light it illuminates attracts mosquitoes even faster.
Promising review: Love this big zapper, works great on the deck. It has 3 light settings: led blue color and 2 LED white color settings. Everything works perfectly so far. Cleaning is super easy, and it can be left outside as long as the reachable port rubber thingy is closed.
When it zaps it is much quieter than others, but you hear it. It gets junebugs and flies, too, not just the little guys. It comes with a brush for easy cleaning while running underwater. @Angelia
Get it from Amazon HERE
7. An electric lighter that is rechargeable and makes for a great tool while camping. It comes in 7 different colors and is wind-proof and splash-proof. No matter how bad the wind is, this little tool will produce light. Its 360° rotatable neck makes reaching even the toughest places easier.
4.5 out of 5 stars
The lighter can be used up to 600 times before the need to charge it, and the blue indication on it will show how much battery life is left. The battery is certified for its safety, and it is guaranteed that it will not overheat or overcharge.
Promising review: Where has this been all my life? No more burning my fingers trying to light the short wicks in my candles. This electric lighter charges super quickly and is super handy for lighting those hard-to-reach places. I would definitely recommend this if you’re a candle fanatic like I am! @Nia Tortilla
Get it from Amazon HERE
8. An ultralight inflatable sleeping pad is perfect for those who camp a lot. Its body mapping technology makes it super comfortable and easy to carry around. It has a built-in pump, which means that it inflates itself, and you don’t need to do it with your mouth. And it takes only 20 seconds to inflate itself.
4.3 out of 5 stars
The pad also features anti-leakage films that make sure you won’t suffer any air leaks. It can also be deflated quickly by removing the deflation plug. The materials used to make this pad are very sturdy and can withstand any weather.
Promising review: Mainly bought this to tide me over as I’ve been sleeping on the ground to help my dog recover from surgery. I was waking up in the middle of the night since the ground was too hard with just a sleeping bag (on the carpet), but that stopped once I started using this.
Easy to pump and comfortable. I do plan to bring this car camping in the future as well, where it should prove to be great as well. Of note, I’ve used this daily for over a month, and the product still functions as new. @E. Lin
Get it from Amazon HERE
9. A portable LED lantern that is also a fan you can hang from the ceiling or any other surface. You can use both functions at the same time or either one on their own. It has 18 low-powered LED bulbs, and the fan has high and low settings to choose from, making you feel more comfortable.
4.3 out of 5 stars
The high-quality motor of the fan doesn’t make a lot of noise while improving the air quality in your space and helping you sleep better at night. The 2D batteries it uses can keep the fan working for 5 hours at high speed and 15 hours at low speed. They can also keep the light operating for 20 straight hours.
Promising review: I purchased this last minute for a camping trip and wasn’t expecting much for the price, but overall it surpassed my expectations. The fan only lasted two and a half nights (about 20 hours) on the high setting, but it lasted longer than the description said it would. The light was nice and bright and lit up my whole tent.
The fan only created a faint breeze on the low setting, but on the high setting, I could feel the air on my face from 6–7 feet away. Having two hinges made it easy to point the fan and light in separate directions, and overall I was happier with it than I thought I’d be. @Rachel M
Get it from Amazon HERE
10. A pack of 30 bright glow sticks that are necessary for your emergency tool kit. The sticks provide a bright light for 12 hours and can be seen even from a mile away. They can be used in most outdoor activities and also for Halloween parties.
4.7 out of 5 stars
You can opt for the package with green or multicolor light sticks. They all offer a 360o light and are waterproof. They are made of non-toxic materials, and they don’t leak. They are perfectly safe for kids to use while playing.
Promising review: I used this to mark the path towards our dock on the 4th of July celebration. The following night, they were still working. People loved the way it looked.
I would say that although pretty and useful for marking a way, it did not light the area. If you need to illuminate something, I don’t think this will be useful to you. Shake well for increased shine. @Dr. BuBu
Buy it from Amazon HERE
11. An inflatable lounger sofa chair you can anywhere with you, from camping to the beach. It is very lightweight and super easy to set up. It doesn’t require a pump. You can just whisk it through the air to inflate.
4.3 out of 5 stars
It has a pillow-shaped headrest that helps you feel like you’re in your comfy bed. The chair comes inside a pouch and weighs around 2 lbs. It is made of rip-stop polyester, which means that it is safe to touch the water, dirt and even bugs.
Promising review: I’ve seen plenty of brands out there similar to this one, and I’m so grateful I chose this one. There’s two chambers to fill up. Once filled, roll 5-10 times. Lack of wind (not their fault, lol) made us pull out our handy dandy leaf blower to fill it. Wouldn’t have thought about that if it wasn’t for the instructions included. On days of less wind and at home, use a leaf blower, air dryer, or a fan. I was BLOWN away that I got a HAND WRITTEN letter from the owner saying if I had any issues to reach directly out to their email. They also shared how grateful they were for trusting them with our purchase. It also floats and can act as a lounger for the pool, and DOESN’T touch the water like any other expensive “floating devices” anywhere else. OH ALSO, the carabiner that comes with it HAS A BOTTLE OPENER. @Breezy R
Buy it from Amazon HERE
Camping is a very popular activity all year long, and thankfully there are many products that can assist you because comfort is the number one priority on this occasion.
Bright Side gets commissions for purchases made through the links in this post. Reviews may have been edited for length and clarity.
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