Must-Have Light and Handy Camping Gear

Saturday, November 18, 2023

The key to a successful camping trip lies in the gear you carry. Must-have camping gear should be light enough not to weigh you down and handy enough to ensure you’re prepared for anything nature throws your way. Here are some useful items to take with you when you go camping.

Flextail Zero Pump

Portability

Practicality

Affordability

Pros

Ultra-lightweight at around 2oz.
Compact and portable.
Metal body construction.
Inflates and deflates quickly.

Cons

No onboard charging; replaceable battery needed.
Not water-resistant.
May need extra adapters for different gear.
pricey

The Flextail Zero Pump is a convenient, ultra-lightweight gadget designed for outdoor enthusiasts to simplify inflating camping gear like sleeping pads and pillows. Despite its small size, it’s surprisingly powerful, capable of inflating items quickly in under a minute with a simple double-click operation. It’s impressively light, at only 1.2 ounces, and extremely portable. The pump includes six nozzles, ensuring compatibility with most camping gear brands, so there’s no hassle with mismatched equipment. Additionally, it boasts a robust battery life, allowing for multiple inflations on a single charge, and the battery can be easily replaced when needed, guaranteeing the pump’s readiness for any adventure.

NanoDry Trek Towel

Portability

Practicality

Affordability

Pros

Extremely lightweight (0.56 oz).
Compact size.
Quick-drying with anti-microbial properties.

Cons

Can get soaked quickly.
May require longer drying time after wringing.

For those moments when you need the comfort of a real towel on your camping trips, the Matador NanoDry Towel comes in handy. This towel is incredibly small when packed, but unfolds into a full-size towel for all your drying needs. It’s featherlight, so it won’t weigh your backpack down, and it dries super fast – just minutes in the sun and you’re good to go again. It’s also treated to resist odors, meaning it stays fresh for days. While it’s not as thick as a regular bath towel, it’s surprisingly absorbent for its size.

Petzl ACTIK CORE Headlamp

Portability

Practicality

Affordability

Pros

High brightness(600 lumens)
lightweight
Rechargeable and AAA battery compatible.
Comfortable and adjustable headband.

Cons

Shorter battery life on high setting.
Relatively expensive for casual use

When the sun goes down and the stars take over, a reliable light source becomes essential. The Petzl Actik Core Headlamp shines bright in such moments, offering a powerful 600-lumen beam to cut through the darkness. Compact and comfortable, it ensures that even when night envelops the campsite, you have the visibility you need to navigate, set up, or simply enjoy the nocturnal peace. With its easy-to-charge and versatile battery options, this headlamp is a beacon of dependability for any outdoor adventurer.

Helinox Chair Zero

Portability

Practicality

Affordability

Pros

Ultra-lightweight (1 lb).
Strong and packable.
Quick and easy setup.

Cons

Expensive.
Small seat not ideal for tall users.
Less suitable for extended lounging or strenuous trips

When you’re out camping and there’s nowhere to sit, a good chair is incredibly valuable. The Helinox Chair Zero is a portable chair that’s perfect for adding to your backpack. It’s ultralight, compact, and provides superb comfort for various outdoor settings like car camping or beach days. Weighing just over a pound, it’s made from durable materials, with an easy setup and can hold up to 265 lbs despite its small size. However, it’s on the pricier side and may not suit taller individuals due to its smaller seat dimensions.

Garmin inReach Mini 2

Portability

Practicality

Affordability

Pros

User-friendly.
Compact and lightweight.
Long battery life.
Comprehensive connectivity for navigation and messaging.

Cons

small screen
expensive

When venturing into the great outdoors, especially if you’re going solo, having a reliable communication device is essential. The Garmin inReach Mini 2 is a compact, lightweight satellite communicator that offers peace of mind by allowing you to send and receive messages, trigger an SOS for help, and share your journey with friends and family. With a durable battery life that can be extended significantly with careful use, it’s a valuable tool for any adventurer who wants to stay connected, even in the most remote areas.

Ultralight Backpacking Trowel

Portability

Practicality

Affordability

Pros

lightweight
durable
easy to dig in hard soil, through roots, or rocky ground

Cons

uncomfortable handle

When nature calls during your camping adventure, the Ultralight Backpacking Trowel Aluminum Shovel will help you maintain responsible practices in the great outdoors. This trowel is essential for digging deep holes, known as catholes, to minimize your environmental impact. Weighing just 0.93 ounces and made from durable aluminum, this tool is both lightweight and robust, perfect for any backpack.

Neutrogena CoolDry Sport Sunscreen Stick

Portability

Practicality

Affordability

When you’re out discovering new camping sites or trekking, protection from the sun is crucial. The Neutrogena CoolDry Sport Sunscreen Stick is designed to be a convenient and effective solution for such outdoor activities. This sunscreen stick offers broad-spectrum SPF 50+ protection, guarding against harmful UVA and UVB rays. Its sport-strength formula is sweat- and water-resistant for 80 minutes, making it ideal for active use. The hands-free, no-mess application allows for easy use on the face and body, and its compact size makes it perfect for on-the-go adventures.

Benvo Mosquito Head Net Mesh

Portability

Practicality

Affordability

In some camps, annoying mosquitoes can be a real nuisance, but with the Benvo Mosquito Head Net Mesh, you’ll have effective protection against these pests. This head net is made of high-quality polyester, providing a barrier against mosquitoes, gnats, and no-see-ums while remaining soft, breathable, and comfortable. It’s designed to fit over most hats and comes with a carry bag for easy transport.

MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Kit

Portability

Practicality

Affordability

For cooking in the wild, some good pots and pans are essential. The MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Kit is just the thing. It’s affordable and has everything you need: a pot, pan, bowls, cleaning sponge and utensils. It’s lightweight, easy to pack, and you can cook evenly without burning your meal.

Osprey Hydraulics Water Reservoir

Portability

Practicality

Affordability

While trekking or setting up camp, staying hydrated is key, and the Osprey Hydraulics Water Reservoir makes it convenient. It’s designed to fit in your backpack, allowing you to drink water easily without stopping your hike. This system is durable, has a great flow with an awesome bite valve, and even includes an innovative handle and support system for easy carry. It’s ice-cube friendly for those hot days and comes in different sizes up to 3 liters. Just watch out for potential cross-threading when closing the cap and be careful when attaching the hose to avoid leaks

Where to Find the Best Camping Gear:

As someone who loves to scour the internet for the latest and greatest, I’ve done some deep diving to bring you cool camping gear that’ll make your trips unforgettable. I’ve found these gems through Pinterest boards, detailed blogs, and YouTube channels where campers share their personal recommendations.

These are affiliate links, so if you decide to gear up through these, you’ll be supporting my research at no extra cost to you