Have that friend or family member that is a true outdoor lover and not sure what to get? With so much innovation in the outdoor gear space, it’s often hard to keep up with what the best items are or what’s the next big thing. This gift guide will be sure to spark a few camping gift ideas that will impress.
Whether it’s the essentials, cool gadgets, or just really cool gear, we’ll be sharing our favourites whether it’s as a stocking stuffer, birthdays, or any other special occasion.
Read more about our favourite travel gear
- 51 gifts for travel lovers you need to know about
- Camping must haves packing list
- Fenix HM65R headlamp
- Top 10 must haves for camping trip
- Is there an Airbnb for RVs?
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Here's what we're covering:
- 33 Of The Best Camping Gift Ideas
- 1: YETI Hard Cooler
- 2: Hydro Flask Food Jars
- 3: Db Journey The Backpack Pro
- 4: AeroPress Go
- 5: Thermacell E55 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller
- 6: Helinox Chair One
- 7: Solo Stove
- 8: Kammok Hammocks
- 9: Hydro Flask Dry Escape
- 10: Fenix HM65R Headlamp
- 11: Kammok Quilts
- 12: Leatherman Free T4 Multipurpose Tool
- 13: Croakies Arc Sunglasses Strap
- 14: Napoleon TravelQ 285 Portable Gas Grill
- 15: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Topo Luxe Sleeping Pad
- 16: Collapsible Outdoor Kitchen Set
- 17: LED Lanterns
- 18: String Lights
- 19: Therm-A-Rest Compressible Travel Pillow
- 20: Sunday Afternoons Ultra-Adventure Hat
- 21: Coleman Instant Screenhouse
- 22: Portable Power Station
- 23: Anker 20000mAh Power Bank
- 24: Fiskars Hatchet
- 25: Therm-A-Rest NeoAir Electric Air Pump
- 26: Sea to Summit X-Set 32
- 27: Solo Stove Stainless Steel Marshmallow Roasting Sticks
- 28: Saje Pocket Farmacy Wallet
- 29: GSI Pinnacle Dualist II
- 30: Love Letter Card Game
- 31: Hydro Flask Down Shift Hydration Backpack
- 32: YETI Rambler 14oz Mug
- 33: Jetboil MicroMo
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
33 Of The Best Camping Gift Ideas
More than anything, spending time outdoors camping naturally demands equipment when you brave those elements. Something you learn early on is that high quality equipment is what you want to invest in because of what you’ll be putting it through and needing it to be reliable for a long time.
As an outdoor lover myself, I own and use many of these items below. I’ve included many of them in the camping must haves packing list.
We’ve shared my travel toolbox in the past and our mega gift guide for travel lovers but here is my list of camping gift ideas. Many of these items I personally own and have used so these are guaranteed to be practical, outdoor worthy, and some of the best in the market.
If you end up grabbing a few of these for yourself, I won’t judge :)
1: YETI Hard Cooler
When it comes to coolers and camping gift ideas, there are a lot of cheap options out there but if you value your food and drinks to be ice-cold even several days into your camping trip and is virtually indestructible, the industry standard is the YETI hard cooler.
What you see above is the Roadie 24 Hard Cooler which is perfect for the trips where you need a cooler to carry drinks. It’s tall enough to fit in bottles of wine but is easy enough to pack in your trunk and easy to carry with its built-in handle. I also love that it’s the perfect height as a chair as well!
Keep your eye out on seasonal colours that pop up. What you see above is the Harvest Red.
For those camping and needing something bigger, the Tundra Hard Coolers where you have a ton of sizes available. I highly recommend the Tundra Haul Hard Cooler with wheels or the Tundra 65 for any trips ranging from 3-5 days.
Why are they so great? These are the most sought after hard coolers in the market. Ultimately what sets them apart is their unmatched temperature retention thanks to its rotomolded construction and polyurethane foam insulation. Those generic Coleman coolers don’t even come close.
Let me tell you, if you give one of these bad boys as a gift, their eyes will light up like you won’t believe!
2: Hydro Flask Food Jars
Hydro Flask is best known for their vacuum insulated water bottles. You see them at the yoga studio, at work, slotted in hiking backpacks, in the car, and at campsites but did you know that they also recently came out with insulated food jars?
Using the same double wall vacuum technology called TempShield, these leak proof food jars can keep whatever’s inside hot or cold for hours. The jar is designed to be wide-mouth so it’s convenient to eat out of. The lid has a soft grip so it’s easy to open. Lastly, it uses 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel so there’s no flavor transfer.
The currently come in a variety of sizes ranging from the 8oz and 20 oz that you see above but they also have a 12 oz and largest 28 oz. There are also a variety of colors to choose from.
So what can you do with these? If you’re doing some fancy cooking while camping, you can store special ingredients inside. Have leftovers from the grill? You can put those in here. Want to pack something for a day-hike? Put in fruits, hot soup/chili, or snacks with chocolate in them to prevent them from melting in the heat. This is also a great jar to make oatmeal out of in the morning.
Why are they so great? These are just so versatile. Whether for this camping gift guide, your cottage packing list, for use at home, road trips, or in the office, these food jars will come in handy.
CHECK OUT HYDRO FLASK FOOD JARS
3: Db Journey The Backpack Pro
You might not’ve heard of this brand before but it’s a brand that you’ll see everywhere in Norway. Db Journey was started by two travelers that came together for their love of action sports, adventure, and product. With their core principles of lightness, protection, versatility, compression, and ease, much of their product line align with what serious campers need.
To get you started, the Db Journey’s The Backpack Pro. This is a 26L backpack that is designed for the photographer in mind but equally works well for campers that need a bag to store their clothes and gear in the tent, or as a day bag.
By using The CIA Camera Insert, you can have a bag that can hold your camera gear while having space for something like a Hydro Flask food jar, and the top zipper can also carry more gadget and things.
Something I’ve yet to mention is the Db hook-up system. Built into The Backpack Pro are two hooks that can latch onto their Strøm Rollerbags (in the picture above) so you can move around as a single unit.
Why are they so great? Every camper needs a solid backpack and as someone that loves back-opening bag to give you access to everything inside, this is a really handy for all scenarios. You’ll also love that it has an incognito look about it since it doesn’t look like a camera backpack. It’s also such a cool and trendy brand that makes it such a great gift.
If duffels are more your thing, they have an awesome 40L duffel called The Nær which can also be worn as a backpack and has the same hooks and straps to connect with their rollerbags as well.
4: AeroPress Go
When it comes to camping gift ideas, this is one of the easiest ones to recommend because it’s so useful, cheap, compact, and something that many people don’t have yet.
The original AeroPress launched in 2005 as a unique breakthrough on how coffee could be made. Consisting of plunger through a plastic chamber and percolating filter, this invention is so simple that it’s genius.
In the coffee world with its infinite number of niche tools, AeroPress is the “simplest way to make an excellent tasting single cup of coffee, no electricity needed.” according to the New York Times.
The latest invention is the AeroPress Go which is a smaller and more compact version which does the exact same thing but purposely designed with a drinking mug that also doubles as a carrying case. It’s seriously a match-made for camping.
On a recent camping trip where I review Pinery Provincial Park, I tested various ways to make good coffee while camping and the AeroPress Go came out on top.
Why are they so great? Coffee gizmos are often ridiculously expensive but the AeroPress Go can be had for $32 USD or less. More importantly, you can finally ditch that instant coffee and make seriously good coffee while camping with this.
5: Thermacell E55 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller
One of the most challenging parts about camping in the summer are the mosquitoes. They’re unavoidable and a nemesis.
Traditionally, the only way around it is to wear long sleeves and pants to give you some protection and/or spray mosquito repellent all over. Problem is that around the campsite, that becomes impractical on those hot days and you’d rather not have deet all over your body especially if you’ve just showered.
This is where Thermacell’s Radius E55 rechargeable mosquito repeller comes in. Battery powered, this is an advanced system that provides 20 feet of mosquito protection. Think of it as a domed shield.
How it works is that it uses a cartridge that contains metofluthrin (similar to permethrin) that effectively overexcites the mosquitoes’ nervous system and eventually causes them to die or uninterested in feeding. The Thermacell E55 diffuse this into the air but without any smoke or odor.
We had a chance to test this in our video on the best camping mosquito repellent and we found the E55 to be very effective especially in a campsite where 20 feet provides plenty of protection.
Why are they so great? Ultimately, they just work. Once you turn it on for 15 minutes, your radius of protection is activated and mosquitoes magically disappear. It is also not dependent on any sort of light source so it works daytime and nighttime.
6: Helinox Chair One
In days past, camping chairs used to be bulky and heavy. Nowadays, you have these incredibly compact, lightweight and collapsing camping chairs that pack down into a package that can fit in the water bottle compartment of your backpack.
The original company that designed this was Helinox with their Chair One Original. In the world of ultralight and backcountry camping, this is the gold standard of chairs.
If you know someone that needs an upgrade in camping chairs, you could buy a Helinox chair for $100 USD or you can find one of the many copycats out there for a fraction of the cost. You can easily find two of these backpacking chairs for $35 USD instead, allowing you to gift 2 or 4 of these instead of just one.
Why are they so great? Camping gear take up a lot of space and one of the areas that could really use a downsize are camping chairs. These are surprisingly comfortable to sit in, are super quick to set up, are light, and pack to a small bag. This is a must-have for anyone’s camping kit.
CHECK OUT THESE CAMPING CHAIRS
7: Solo Stove
What do outdoor lovers want to do when they can’t be out camping? They bring the campfire to the home!
That’s exactly what Solo Stove has done with their line of fire pits that can turn any backyard or open-fire friendly green space into the gathering space for guitar jams, ghost stories, and s’mores.
They currently have 3 sizes of fire pits – Ranger, Bonfire, and Yukon. Each size gets progressively larger and for each one, there are various bundles that can add a stand, flame shield, fire pit tools, and roasting sticks.
Why are they so great? I was first drawn to Solo Stove products because of how sleek and clean they look. Looking deeper, you learn that these are highly portable if you need it to be, and can start smokeless flame with just a few dry hard woods thanks to its Signature 360° Airflow Design. No more dodging smoke around the campfire!
8: Kammok Hammocks
When you think about a campsite, you’re probably envisioning a fire pit, picnic table, tarp overhead, and a traditional tent.
Starting from ultralight backpacking but now bleeding into the car camping world as well, more and more tents are being traded in for hammocks instead. You could say that it’s more of a lifestyle choice when it comes to camping where once you switch, you can’t go back.
Kammok is a company out of Austin, Texas, that has been the leading the way in the hammock-ing world. Their signature product is their Roo Single (for one person) and Roo Double (for two people). Simply add their tree-friendly Python straps and you’re good to go. Afraid of bugs, simply add the Dragonfly insect net.
With a complete hammock set up, you can not only chill and read a book but you can also sleep in one overnight.
Alternatively, they also have the Mantis or Mantis UL if you’re looking for an all-in-one solution which includes the hammock, rainfly, and integrated insect net.
Why are they so great? Hammocks are awesome aren’t they? Even if you’re not quite ready to fully convert from tents to hammocks, they’re great to use at home (check out our Swiftlet portable hammock stand review), at a cottage, or in a park.
9: Hydro Flask Dry Escape
We’ve talked about Hydro Flask food jars already but they also have another new product that isn’t widely known yet.
The 20L Day Escape Soft Cooler Pack is a dry bag, cooler, and backpack all rolled into one. It’s a product that hasn’t been done right in the market and I believe Hydro Flask has really hit the mark on this product.
It’s quite amazing actually because for anyone that does any water activities such as kayaking, portaging, whitewater rafting, canyoneering beside a waterfall, or just hiking in pouring rain, this is the ultimate waterproof bag.
Beyond that, the Day Escape bag might’ve actually been originally designed to be an insulating cooler where you could throw in ice, cans of your favorite drink, and put it on your back to go.
The design details are something an outdoor lover will appreciate with their implementation of a watertight zipper, welded seams, gear attachment loops, and integration of their other Dry Storage accessory where you can keep your phone, wallet, keys and maps.
Why are they so great? I’m not sure if there’s anything else like this in the market. Even YETI’s Hopper Soft Coolers are no match especially if you need something that is versatile enough to be a backpack as well.
10: Fenix HM65R Headlamp
Camping with a crappy headlamp, or worse yet, no headlamp is a no-no. With LEDs becoming more and more powerful and efficient at the same time, you or your camping gift recipient may not be up to speed. So which one should you get?
I recently had a chance to review the Fenix HM65R headlamp and I was blown away by how well it performs. It beats any of the “off the shelf” headlamps such as the ones by Petzl, Black Diamond, Energizer my old Mammut, or even the more popular BioLite.
Ultimately what it comes down to is the amount of lumens a headlamp can generate and the number of useable modes it has. The Fenix HM65R is ridiculously bright Spotlight Turbo mode with its whopping 1000 lumens and 163m max beam distance. Then you have the Floodlight mode which adds another 400 lumens that lights up the whole area in front of you instead of a tight beam. Add them together and you get 1400 lumens.
If there’s one headlamp you want to have with you camping or as a gift for your outdoor enthusiast, it’s this one.
Why are they so great? There’s so much power packed in this device. This is definitely one fo the best headlamps on the market.
11: Kammok Quilts
If you’ve browsed around our Instagram account, you’ll know that we’ve been testing out almost all of the Kammok trail quilts.
At first, I didn’t quite understand what the purpose of a trail quilt was beyond being an outdoor blanket but having used it for a number of trips and also getting deeper into “hammock life”, I’m not sure I need to pack a sleeping bag ever again.
I’ve extensively reviewed the Kammok Bobcat, Firebelly, and Arctos and also talked about the differences between trail quilt vs. sleeping bag but let me summarize:
- Ultra light
- Super compact and portable
- Variety of thermal qualities but all are filled with down, and water repellent
- Soft and silky material
- Incredibly versatile
- Can be used as a sleeping bag with built-in snaps and zipper in the case of the Arctos.
- Can be used as a top quilt or under quilt with the hammock (you’ll need this if you want to go hammock camping)
- Can also be used as a
- Includes a poncho mode where you can poke your head through the trail quilt and wear it hands-free
Kammok’s line of down trail quilts cover the full range of climates. If I had to choose though, the Kammok Firebelly is probably your best bet where it’s warm enough to cover the colder temperatures while also comfortable to use during the mild summer nights.
Why are they so great? For that outdoor lover, they may have invested in sleeping bags and haven’t made the jump to trail quilts so this will surely surprise and impress them at the same time. These are extremely versatile pieces of gear that can be used for hammocks and regular tent camping. A must-have!
12: Leatherman Free T4 Multipurpose Tool
We’ve covered Swiss Army knives in the past with our gift guide for travel lovers but I’d argue that another brand that doesn’t get as much attention is Leatherman.
Leatherman is a multi-tool that goes back over 37 years ago when it was founded in Portland, Oregon. Many experts will tell you that their products are better than their stylish competition, mainly in that their tools are much more rugged, durable, practical, and can handle a wide range of applications.
The Leatherman Free T4 is considered to be one of their revolutionary tools because they had to re-engineer how they built and designed them.
The Free T4 is awesome because:
- Quick access to every feature and tool even with gloves on. No more picking at handles to get to the right tool.
- Use of magnets to reduce the friction of opening and closing tools.
- 12 tools included are all the ones you might need in you everyday.
- Includes a pocket clip which can be removed.
- All tools lock in place once deployed which means you can use full force and pressure on the tool without worrying that it’ll snap back.
- Covered by Leatherman’s 25 year warranty.
- Comes in a variety of colours.
Why are they so great? Solve real problems with this multi-tool by Leatherman. The Free T4 is a useful tool that every camper will want in their pocket. The standard Swiss Army Camper has 13 functions and is not always the easiest to deploy and use. This one has 15 and can all be accessed with one hand.
13: Croakies Arc Sunglasses Strap
These are so good that they’re mentioned in the travel gift and camping gift ideas guide.
There’s a lot going on in a campsite and the last thing you need to worry about is where you put your sunglasses. This includes forgetting that it was sitting on your hat the whole time.
Croakies are kind of the defacto brand for sunglass straps. I know they’re not exactly a fashion statement but you’ll love being able to pop the sunglasses on and off without any stress.
Why are they so great? Never have another face-palm moment where your sunglasses have fallen while clipped to your short or while resting on your hat. These are incredibly useful and with their thin cabling, less noticeable than the larger fabric or neoprene versions.
14: Napoleon TravelQ 285 Portable Gas Grill
If you really want to make a splash when it comes to camping gift ideas, this portable propane gas grill by Napoleon is one of the best in the market.
The Napoleon TravelQ 285 is something we’ve personally invested in and we love it because:
- It has two controllable burners – This gives you precise temperature control of two areas and is rated 12,000 BTU. This isn’t a common feature in portable grills.
- Cast iron grills – These are heavy duty and will season to a non-stick surface.
- High top aluminum lid – For those larger chicken and roasts.
- Can be used while camping, at a park, or at home – This is no slouch in the BBQ department. Yes, you can grill in a Toronto park let’s say, or in your backyard as well.
- Real thermostat – Has a built-in temperature gauge.
- Accessories – You can add on a warming rack or griddle to be able to cook eggs and bacon easily.
Trust me, I’ve done a lot of research and the Napoleon beats out the Weber Q 2200 in every way. Also, make sure you get the propane version as the food comes out tastier and is way more portable.
Why are they so great? For anyone that loves the outdoors and car camping, this is an investment that will go a long way. Don’t cheap out when it comes to a portable grill. The Napoleon TravelQ 285 is a beauty of a grill.
15: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Topo Luxe Sleeping Pad
With a Kammok trail quilt, you have the sleeping bag part down but sleeping on the ground is not something I’d wish upon even my worst enemy! That’s why a quality sleeping pad is a must-have for anyone going camping.
The most trusted company for gear like sleeping pads is Therm-a-Rest. Thing is, how do you pick from their huge assortment of sleeping pads? They have ones designated for Camp & Comfort, Trek & Travel, and Fast & Light.
My recommendation for the best all-around sleeping pad that’ll be great for camping but also if you plan on using it for backpacking or trekking, is the NeoAir Topo Luxe Sleeping Pad.
This sleeping pad is comfortably thick and has baffles that make sure you stay warm at night. These also come in a variety sizes depending on how large you are. For most, the regular wide will be a nice fit.
Why are they so great? This sleeping pad is a whopping 4 inches in thickness, making it their thickest backpacking NeoAir while also packing all of the features of their top-of-the-line sleeping pads with its warmth retention technology. This is a side sleepers dream product!
16: Collapsible Outdoor Kitchen Set
When it comes to camping, you won’t have the comforts of a proper kitchen. As a result, you’re forced to find awkward ways to do dishes.
If you want to level up someone’s camping game, a simple 2 piece collapsible kitchen set will change everything. With a proper dish drainer and drainer board, you’ll have a place to put all of your dirty dishes and have it sit on the picnic table without making the entire area wet. You also get a quality bucket which you’ll need to ferry your water supply from the nearby tap.
What makes this camping friendly is the fact that it’s collapsible so it has a minimal footprint when packing this into your car or RV.
Why are they so great? This is an inexpensive gift that’ll make any recipient very happy especially if they don’t already own a set like this. It’s highly functional, practical, and will be used on every single trip.
17: LED Lanterns
While having a good headlamp will be key to be able to move around the campsite at night, it’s still a good idea to pack a couple of LED camping lanterns to light up key spaces such as the picnic table, or around the campsite.
Thanks to low powered LEDs and high capacity batteries built in, these lanterns have come a long way from what they used to be. Now you can find lanterns that are rechargeable, have multiple light modes, are waterproof, and can also charge your phone in a pinch.
Why are they so great? Pick up a pair of these as these are always useful to have when camping. This particular model is surprisingly bright for its size.
18: String Lights
Looking to spruce up the campsite and be the talk of the town? String lights are a great way to add some serious ambiance.
These may seem a little extra but when we’re talking about camping gift ideas, sometimes you want to give someone gear that they would never get on their own.
We recently tested this out and we loved the look it gave our campsite. Besides the string light effect, it also gave us practical light to work with to complement the lanterns.
Why are they so great? What you’re looking for waterproof string lights. With these, you can hang them around the campsites for a fun fairytale atmosphere. Just remember that the battery pack isn’t waterproof so make sure it’s covered under tarp.
CHECK OUT THESE LED STRING LIGHTS
19: Therm-A-Rest Compressible Travel Pillow
Therm-a-Rest also makes the best travel pillows. Ditch those inflatable airplane pillows and get this one that’s made of soft foam filling that easily packs down.
The problem with inflatable pillows is that they have that bounce to them that feels unnatural and also doesn’t mould to the contours of your head. The lofty urethane fill in the Therm-a-rest Compressible Travel Pillow will feel like you have proper support while the fabric will also give you a cozy feel whether you’re a side or back sleeper.
Why are they so great? A super comfy pillow that also compacts to a small size with its built-in drawstring and cord lock. This is another camping essential.
20: Sunday Afternoons Ultra-Adventure Hat
If you’re going camping, you’ll be spending a lot of time under the sun. You’ll want to protect yourself with proper head gear. Sunday Afternoons is one of the leaders in these type of hats.
Their most popular hat is the Ultra-Adventure Hat. It’s packed with features including:
- Reverse clamshell folding brim for compact packing
- Sunglass lock
- Reflective details
- Adjustable sizing
- Water and stain resistant
- UPF 50+ protection
- Lifetime guarantee
- Unisex styling
This comes in a number of colors and two sizes – S/M or L/XL.
Why are they so great? A super comfy pillow that also compacts to a small size with its built-in drawstring and cord lock. This is another camping essential. There’s also a kids version!
21: Coleman Instant Screenhouse
Camping isn’t always the most comfortable experience especially when mosquitoes and other bugs attack. The Thermacell Radius E55 is one way to go but if you’re still finding that you’re getting bit and harassed especially while eating, you may want to look into something a bit more hardcore.
The Coleman Instant Screenhouse is one of the more affordable options that perfectly goes around a standard picnic table. Thanks to its screen wall, it keeps mosquitos away.
Why are they so great? An easy-to-set-up solution to your mosquito problems while camping. You’ll finally be able to eat your food in peace.
CHECK OUT THE INSTANT SCREENHOUSE
22: Portable Power Station
As much as we go camping to disconnect, let’s face it, you’ll still want to use a couple of your electronic devices while out in the wilderness.
To make sure you have enough power to last your trip, a super handy device to have is something like this Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer. Think of this as a giant power bank except in addition to two USB outlets, you also have access to a standard wall outlet and cigarette adapter.
Weighing in at 6.6 pounds, this is light enough to carry around and is something you keep in your car or on your picnic table for everyone in your group to share and use.
Why are they so great? Plenty of power to share amongst your whole group and also a variety of accessories if you need a way to plug in a standard wall outlet appliance. This can be a lifesaver in an emergency. You can also add a solar panel if you’re really going off-the-grid.
23: Anker 20000mAh Power Bank
Speaking of power, while having a big power station is handy, it’s still a good idea to have your own personal high-capacity power bank.
The challenge with something like the Jackery is that it might be too big to move into the tent and definitely wouldn’t make sense in your hammock. With a this Anker 20,000mAh Power Bank, you can keep this by your side and be able to charge your phone overnight.
Why are they so great? You can’t have enough power banks and as a gift, this has so many uses beyond just camping.
CHECK OUT THIS ANKER POWER BANK
24: Fiskars Hatchet
Wood doesn’t chop itself! You need a good quality hatchet for chopping kindling and logs.
This Fiskars Hatchet is another must-have piece of gear that you or your camping lover will have for the rest of their life. It’s that well-built and useful.
I first learned about the history of Fiskars from my 3 days in Helsinki. They were established in 1649 and what’s more impressive is that they were the designers of the original orange scissors that you might remember from school. That kind of heritage and experience has lend itself to them becoming a top manufacturer of household and outdoor prodcuts.
Why are they so great? Hatchets come in all shapes and sizes but this one is just right – not too big and not too small. I love that it comes with its own blade holder when not in use, is said to be virtually indestructible, and also has lifetime warranty.
25: Therm-A-Rest NeoAir Electric Air Pump
If your camping friend already has a Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad (the chances are pretty high!), a handy device they might not own is this electric air pump.
As someone that owns the original Therm-a-Rest NeoAir X-Lite from 10 years ago, I know a thing or two about what it’s like to inflate these with my own breath. Let’s just say I get a little lightheaded afterwards. Something I always wish I had was an air pump to do the work for me *hint hint nudge nudge*.
The Micro Electric Air Pump is a second generation device that’s more efficient, smaller, and lighter. Using two AAA batteries, it can inflate a sleeping pad in less than 3 minutes (has to be the newer sleeping pads with WingLock valves).
Why are they so great? Save your breath by packing one of these devices so you can inflate your sleeping pad while you get to work setting up the rest of your campsite.
26: Sea to Summit X-Set 32
I bet most people don’t have a set like this. Sea to Summit has designed a collapsible cooking set that has a hard anodized aluminum base to be cooked over flame, stove, or propane burner.
With the Sea to Summit X-Set 32, you get a pan, kettle, and pot. The best part is that each collapses into a flat pancake shape which makes it easy to pack and store.
Why are they so great? It’s rare to find such a useful cooking set that can also collapse to a small size. The silicone is also food grade, making this safe to cook with. Once you have this set, I bet you’ll be able to cook a few fancy meals with this.
CHECK OUT THIS SEA TO SUMMIT SET
27: Solo Stove Stainless Steel Marshmallow Roasting Sticks
From one camper to the next, I’ve found it’s actually really hard to find good quality marshmallow roasting sticks online. If you do a quick search on Amazon, all you’ll find are the same telescoping sets that are made out of plastic and questionable metal.
Solo Stove was mentioned above and they also sell a really nice set of stainless steel roasting sticks for their fire pits but are also just good for any campsite.
S’mores lovers rejoice!
Why are they so great? These are twin-pronged sticks that are just the right length, come with a roll-up style carry case which makes it easy to transport. It’s a classy set and makes a great gift.
28: Saje Pocket Farmacy Wallet
The Pocket Farmacy Wallet from Saje has become a hit in the essential oil community. As the name goes, it’s your personal natural pharmacy. My wife is a big fan of Saje products. It comes in a handy zippered pouch with a mesh pocket which is made from recyclable materials. There is a smaller travel version as well, the Pocket Farmacy Physical Edition.
The high quality essential oil set includes five roll-ons for headaches, cough, stress, pain, and indigestion. The roll-on bottles are mess-free. You can roll it as a remedy on your concerned areas such as the temple, neck, or stomach.
Why are they so great? There is something to be said for natural remedies and whether this is for camping or everyday use, my wife swears by it. That’s good enough for me!
29: GSI Pinnacle Dualist II
Have that hardcore backpacker in your life? Their set up may not be that comprehensive so a great camping gift idea is to outfit them with a lightweight and useable set that is designed for two people.
The GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Dualist II set includes a pot with a straining lid, two bowls with lids, two mugs, and two sporks. The pot is sturdy, yet lightweight. The mugs and bowls are nestled together, and conveniently packed in a stuff sack that’s also a cleaning basin.
Why are they so great? For the couple or duo going camping, backcountry trekking, or something else adventurous, this is a complete set for what you’ll need to cook and eat meals. All you need next is a burner and propane and you’ll be good to go.
30: Love Letter Card Game
A deck of classic playing card is always nice, but if you want to try something different. The card game, Love Letter, will win your heart. It’s compact, perfect to travel with and is good for for 2-6 players.
Why are they so great? This is a quick and easy game to pick up and play and this new addition comes in a convenient bag so it doesn’t even take up that much space in your bag. A camping classic!
31: Hydro Flask Down Shift Hydration Backpack
While your outdoor lover is camping, they’ll likely being hitting up a few trails on foot or by bike. With that, they’ll undoubtedly need a day pack and water. Combine the two and you get a hydration pack.
Hydration packs aren’t anything new but what I really like about Hydro Flask is that they’re taking their bread-and-butter of insulated bottles and applying it here. With their Cold Flow System, water that is inside their Down Shift Hydration Pack will stay chilled for 4+ hours. They do this with a neoprene sleeve with reflective lining alongside an innovative insulated reservoir.
Why are they so great? As a 14L hydration pack, this is going to be a perfect hiking and biking companion while camping. On top of well-built hydration features, the bag itself is comfy to wear thanks to its airflow design, and it has lots of additional pockets to store your things.
32: YETI Rambler 14oz Mug
Around the campfire and while eating your meals, you’ll want to have a mug handy at the campsite. There’s not much to say here other than the YETI Rambler mug is a great choice as a camping gift idea.
- It’s got that MagSlider Lid that those that have any YETI products know about. If you’re new to YETI, it’s a nifty lid that snaps open and close thanks to its built in magnet. It’s easy and dare I say, fun to use?
- The mug comes with the same double-wall vacuum-insulated body that keeps whatever’s inside cold or hot.
- It has a handle which I think is great while camping.
For the coffee drinkers that end up picking up an AeroPress Go, a mug is going to be handy when you make your coffee each morning. Although it does have a built in cup, it’s not that pleasant to drink out of.
Why are they so great? Every camper deserves to have their own mug that they use for practically everything and if it’s going to be used everywhere, you might as well splurge on something that’s high quality and will last you a long time. The YETI Rambler mug is a best seller for a reason.
33: Jetboil MicroMo
There are a number of stove systems out there but a really popular one is Jetboil.
The burner itself is very similar with other products including these miniature camping stove but the magic of Jetboil is their FluxRing technology which is the wavy metal bit that sits under the cooking cup. This increase the surface area of the bottom of the pot and has much higher heat efficiency. It only takes 2 minutes and 14 seconds per 0.5L of water to boil.
The Jetboil MicroMo is a camping and backpacking stove and in Carbon, this is Jetboil’s lightest cooking system (12 ounces/340 grams).
Why are they so great? Jetboil is great for those looking to go lightweight camping and travel with the smallest and lightest gear. With its fully integrated system with its own cooking cup, you can pretty much do all of your cooking here out of one device. As a gift, this is certainly a premium product but might just be the one thing your friend or family needed in their kit.
Final Thoughts
There are certainly a ton more than just 33 camping gift ideas out in the market but hopefully this gives you a good place to start. With this inspiration, you’ll be able to start going down that very deep rabbit hole of how much innovative and cool outdoor gear is out there.
I guarantee you that if you’re an outdoor enthusiast yourself, you might be picking up a few of these camping gifts for yourself!
Frequently Asked Questions
While you can go camping all year round, high season is typically in the summer. This is when the demand for camping gear is the highest. As a result, the best time to buy camping gifts is in the winter when prices typically drop.
It is always recommended to buy camping gift ideas early for the holidays. You should start looking right before Black Friday.
I recommend creating an Amazon wishlist to keep track of all of the items you’re interested in buying. This’ll allow you to track prices as they let you know when there is a price. drop. Also lookout for Amazon Warehouse for used items that are resold at a lower price.
Both have their pros and cons. Amazon is great because their return policy is so generous and you can add other things to your basket. Purchasing direct has the advantage of supporting those brands and may have special holiday sales.
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