12 Camping Essentials Outdoorsy People Swear By

A tent is a must for any overnight al fresco, but so many setups are very…unstylish. Maggie Wilson, creative director of The Shelter Co., firmly believes that your outdoor essentials should look as cool as your home decor, which is exactly why she founded The Get Out, a line of chic camping accessories. Topping her list of favorite finds is the A-Frame Tent, which is incredibly lightweight and portable. 

“The A-Frame tent is spacious, has clean lines, pleasing colors, huge mesh windows, packs small and sets up easily. It also works great as a shade structure at the beach,” Wilson says. “The pyramid tent fly is my favorite because it reminds me of a quilt from the ‘70s.”

Bonus points: It comes in a bunch of fun colors and patterns, so you can find an excellent option to match your aesthetic.

If you’re looking for a bright idea, Emily Hart, who is better known as Emily Ventures on Instagram, always has this lantern on-hand when hiking or camping. “I love that I can use it to power my devices and use it as a lantern to read or hang out at camp,” she says. Since this lantern-slash-charger is solar-powered, you won’t have to worry about running out of juice before it’s time to go home. If the multi-purpose design doesn’t have you sold, you’ll be happy to know that it’s also collapsible so it won’t take up too much space in your bag.

While we never want to think about the worst-case scenario, accidents and emergencies can happen when camping. Ed Wood, an avid backpacker in the Bay Area, likes to be prepared with Sol’s Emergency Blanket. Made with a durable, quiet material, this heat-reflective, wind-proof, and water-proof layer can come in handy in a lot of situations. “Exposure is your biggest risk in the backcountry, as whatever injury you sustained may immobilize you for days without the activity of hauling a pack to keep you warm,” Wood muses. “Or maybe it’s raining and your tent ripped, you fell in a river, [or] a marmot ate your sleeping bag.”

Unplugging in the wild is a well-deserved break from your devices… well, until you need help from the outside world. When in doubt, Hart relies on Garmin’s two-way satellite communicator. “I travel and camp solo almost exclusively, so security is essential to my outdoor gear kit,” Hart says. “[This] communicator gives me peace of mind when I am out of cell service and alone.” This gadget even has a TracBack routing feature just in case you forget how to get back to your campsite.

Though the great outdoors has no shortage of lakes, streams, and rivers, it’s still a good idea to filter the water you find before drinking it. (After all, who knows what bacteria or microscopic organisms might be lurking in your water bottle!) For some clean H₂0, try Katadyn’s Hiker Pro Filter, which Wood has been using for 20 years. “I think it is the easiest to use at the lowest price point, though it looks like they’ve increased the cost a bit,” he says. “The ability to pump vs squeeze a bag is nice.” This option removes particles, protozoa, and bacteria down to 0.2 microns in size, allowing you to feel a little safer with each sip.

For a BYOB approach to camping, reach for The Get Out’s cooler bag. Though Wilson says this bag was specifically designed to hold a wine bottle standing up, its perks extend well beyond some rosé. “I’ve taken our cooler bag on kayak fishing trips, loaded it full of park pot-luck food, and even packed it as a carry-on for long distance outdoor adventures,” she shares. “Even fully loaded, it’s super comfortable to carry with the padded backpack straps.”

As for what to pack in your cooler bag? In addition to the essentials like water and food, Wilson is a proponent of capping off a big adventure with a cocktail. Instead of schlepping a whole bar to your campsite, she recommends something from Golden Rule. “These little canned cocktails are so delicious, pack a punch, and require no fuss,” she says. “The margaritas are my favorite but you can’t go wrong with any of them!”

If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? Well, thanks to Birdie’s Personal Safety Alarm, you’ll never have to worry about going unnoticed. “Safety is at the forefront of my mind whenever I am outdoors, so a Birdie Personal Safety Alarm is essential to have nearby. If there is a threat or I were to become injured, a pull of the alarm activates an incredibly loud siren along with a strobe light, alerting anyone around that help is needed,” says Hart. This alarm can also be clipped onto a key ring, so you can have a little bit of security wherever you go.

When it comes to the great outdoors, SPF is non-negotiable. You could pack a bottle of sun cream or aerosol spray, but Wood calls this stick from Sunbum “the best sunscreen innovation.” “I hate getting my hands greasy, and loathe rubbing dirty hands all over my face and around my eyes,” he says. “In my case, I’m particularly cognizant of cleanliness because I like fly fishing while backpacking and I don’t like the idea of massaging fish guts into my skin.” Not only is this SPF packed with Vitamin E and antioxidants—which are great for your skin—but it’s also reef-safe and cruelty-free.

Of course, we’d be remiss to not include a camping backyard recommendation. When asked about his favorite, Wood says he’s partial to this option from Gossamer Gear, which is made with recycled nylon. “I bought this on a friend’s recommendation after he used it for several seasons. It is great for three-season hiking, incredibly light, and I like the fact that the hipbelt is small, medium, or large versus one size fits all.” With 60 liters of room, this backpack can hold a lot; however, the redesigned load lifters help create an easier, more enjoyable carrying experience.

Make a night spent outside more enjoyable with this waterproof, inflatable sleeping pad from Kelty. “As I’ve gotten older, finding the right camping gear that is technically advanced while still providing the comfort I need is becoming increasingly difficult,” Hart says. “My Kelty Cosmic SI Sleeping Pad is the most comfortable option I’ve found, and it is still easy to pack and inflate or deflate.”

Just because you’re roughing it outside doesn’t mean a camping trip has to be rough. For some evening entertainment that will make your group smile, pack an at-home luxury like a board game. “My family is big on backgammon, and I think it’s crucial to have a good game for the crew to play at any campsite,” Wilson says. “My husband gifted me this rollup set from Sabah years ago and it just keeps getting better with age.” This flexible option can easily be rolled up into your backpack once a winner has been crowned.