As camping season approaches, we encourage everyone to explore nature and spend the night huddled up in a good ol’ tent. Whether you’re out in the forest or right by the beach, camping allows you to disconnect from everyday life and embrace the great outdoors with friends.
To enjoy the most comfortable camping trip possible, it’s important to do some careful, strategic planning and stock up on some convenient items that make life a lot easier. Here are our recommendations for products that will amp up your camping game and keep you and your buddies cozy.
1. Keep yourself warm and comfortable with an insulated sleeping mat.
The key to having a good day is having a good night. You might think that your sleeping bag will be enough to keep you warm throughout the night. In reality, the weight of your body when lying down compresses the sleeping bag so that your backside freezes against the ground.
To stay warm and much more comfortable until the sun rises, get yourself an insulated sleeping mat. There are two types: insulated inflatable mats and foam mats. Some people may recommend using a pool float or an inflatable bed because they’re travel-friendly and provide comfort, but unfortunately, they don’t have insulation and will leave you shivering.
When selecting a sleeping mat, pay attention to the R-value (insulation rating). The higher the R-value, the more effective the sleeping mat will be at keeping you insulated.
We recommend:
$$$$ Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Ultralight Backpacking Air Mattress
$$$ Klymit Insulated Static V LITE 4 Season Sleeping Pad
$$ Therm-A-Rest Z Lite Sol Ultralight Foam Backpacking Mattress
$ Use a thick foam yoga mat
2. Pick a quality sleeping bag.
Most sleeping bags have a temperature rating, but those temperatures are rated more for survival than comfort. For example, a 20 degree bag will keep you comfortable and warm in 40 degree weather, but you’ll be cold and shivering in 20 degree weather. On the other hand, a bag that is too warm will have you sweating throughout the night, although you do have the option of unzipping it for more airflow.
We recommend bags made with manmade fibers for insulation. They tend to be heavier than their down counterpart, but they fare better in damp or rainy weather. Although they have a shorter lifespan than down sleeping bags, they’re also more inexpensive.
We recommend:
3. Pack the ultimate camping bundle.
You don’t have to compromise on comfort while camping. Experience the ultimate camping experience with our new Camping & Travel Bundle, which includes our Camping Pillow, a Pillow Protector, and our Bamboo Charcoal Deodorizers.
We’ve made our bestselling pillow a convenient size for camping and added a stuff sack, so you can easily roll up your pillow and store it in your backpack.
Now keep that pillow fresh and clean with our Pillow Protector. Soft and noiseless yet waterproof, this added layer of protection will keep your pillow fresh and clean for years of exploration to come.
After trekking through nature all day, your shoes can become smelly and damp. Use the deodorizers to freshen up and remove moisture from your shoes overnight. You’ll be ready to get hiking again in the morning.
4. Take a shower.
There’s no need to skip a shower while camping. Wash the grime off with a portable pressure shower, a system that heats water up and dispenses the same water pressure as your shower head back home.
We recommend:
NEMO Helio Portable Pressure Shower with Foot Pump
5. Bring along a portable table and camping chairs.
Packing a portable table and chairs makes every meal so much more comfortable for everyone. You can even bring along a few board games to play for game night under the stars.
We recommend:
ALPS Mountaineering Dining Table
GADE10 Ultralight Portable Folding Camping Chair
6. Stay hydrated no matter what.
As always, hydration is key. Invest in a water microfilter so you can have access to clean water no matter where you go. You can drink water from a lake, pond, or any other body of water as long as you filter it with this device.
We recommmend:
Katadyn Hiker Pro Transparent Water Microfilter
7. Eat well with the right cooking equipment.
While it’s a hefty investment, a burner system will allow your whole group to enjoy a fuss-free, hot meal at the campsite. This one in particular comes with a carrying bag, stove, pot, lid, and fry pan top, but it takes up little space in the car. Ramen, anyone?
We recommend: