Staying out in the outdoors has taken on a different hue with a large number of must-have camping accessories and must-have camping gear that is available. Camping is no longer about roughing it out in the wilderness with the bare necessities but enjoying the outdoors to the fullest with an extra level of comfort.
From portable stoves, foldable tables and chairs to inflatable sleeping pads, the must-have camping gear has taken the experience of the outdoors to a whole new level. Whether you’re a solo camper or out with a group, our list of 24 must-have camping accessories will definitely make your next camping trip a memorable one. Beside all these 24 items, we also have the 11 Best Portable Carbon Monoxide Detectors to Keep You Safe During Travel.
Survival Kit
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When one is out camping, one of the must-have camping accessories is a good survival kit for any unforeseen circumstances. The EMDMAK Survival Kit comes with seven handy different components which include a wire saw and emergency blanket. All the items are well enclosed in a waterproof case.
What Stands Out
- The kit includes seven different items necessary for surviving the outdoors
- A waterproof case keeps everything secure
Headlamp
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Although every camper will definitely have a good flashlight, another item to add to your must-have camping accessories is a good Headlamp. The advantage of a headlamp is that it leaves you handsfree to get on with other tasks. While there are plenty of good headlamps available, a good one for camping is the water-resistant Black Diamond Storm 375. Besides being waterproof and dustproof it has some great features like proximity and distance modes.
What Stands Out
- Gives you the advantage of being handsfree
- Has four different vision settings
Coleman Portable Camping Quad Chair
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Every camping enthusiast appreciates the luxury of sitting on a chair in the wilderness as opposed to the hard ground or a log. The Coleman Camping Quad Chair is a must-have camping gear because of the comfort and versatility. It will definitely up the ante of the camping experience.
This roomy chair easily folds up into a carry bag for convenient transportation and storage. The chair comes with an insulated pouch built into the armrest that can hold up to four chilled cans. There’s even a cup holder and a handy side pocket on the armrest. A sturdy steel frame and fully cushioned seat and back add to the comfort of sitting in this chair.
What Stands Out
- Sturdy and comfortable
- Folds up into a carry bag for easy transportation
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
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One thing that should be uppermost on your list of must-have camping accessories is a good water filter. When you’re out in the wilderness, you can never be absolutely sure of the water that you’ll be drinking. The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is one of the best out there.
The filter has no moving parts, chemicals or batteries and can filter up to 4,000 liters of contaminated water. It even has a high flow rate that enables you to drink straight from the sources. Another great thing about this filter is that its extremely lightweight and hardly takes up any space.
What Stands Out
- Lightweight and portable
- No batteries, pumps or chemicals
- Filters up to 4,000 liters of contaminated water
Sleeping Bag
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The outdoors is a lot of fun but if you’re not equipped with the must-have camping gear, it can be a nightmare. A good sleeping bag is a camping essential that you’ll need for a snug, comfortable night. Sleepingo’s Double Sleeping Bag is one of the most comfortable sleeping bags out there.
Featuring a lifetime warranty, this super-soft, huge, sleeping bag is perfect for two adults. It can also be used as two individual sleeping bags. Made from super-strong waterproof, camping grade polyester fabric, the sleeping bag also comes with two travel pillows.
What Stands Out
- A huge sleeping bag ideal for two adults
- Can also be used as two individual sleeping bags
- Lightweight and folds easily into its bag
- Comes with two travel pillows
OPOLAR Rechargeable Battery Operated Clip-On Fan
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If you’re camping in a place that is humid or hot for a few days, you’ll definitely want something to keep you cool. The OPOLAR Battery Operated Clip-On Fan is another of the must-have camping accessories for warmer climates. It’s easy to charge with a USB cable or USB-C batteries and has great battery life. The fan is also super quiet and moves at 360 degrees with pivot adjustable head. You’ll be quite surprised at how great this small device is. Need more power? Just pack the best backpacking solar charger and you’re all set!
What Stands Out
- For a device this size it packs quite a punch
- It’s pretty easy to charge
Camping Sleeping Pad
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No matter what kind of camper you are, nothing beats a good, comfortable sleep. With the Sleepingo Camping Sleeping Pad, even a rocky surface won’t feel so bad. This self-inflating pad is extremely lightweight and blows up to a spacious 75 x 23.” The water and the rip-resistant sleeping pad is remains inflated through the night and is easy to pack the next morning. Featuring a lifetime warranty, this must-have camping gear is definitely worth having.
What Stands Out
- Provides a good, comfortable sleep even on a rocky surface
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
Outdoor Blanket
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Sitting out in the open, under a cozy blanket while watching the starry sky is quite incomparable to anything. No one wants to catch that perfect sunrise or starry night in the shivering cold. For this reason, a good outdoor waterproof blanket should make it to your list of must-have camping accessories. Oceas Outdoor Waterproof Blanket is great for camping as this warm fleece blanket is extra large and weatherproof. The best thing about this blanket is that it easily folds into a light water-resistant bag.
What Stands Out
- Extra-large at 79 x 58″
- Waterproof and Windproof
- Folds into a light water-resistant bag
Portable Mosquito Repeller
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Bugs and insects can often ruin a perfect camping trip. To keep yourself safe from mosquitoes the Thermacell MR150 is must-have camping gear. This lightweight and conveniently sized repeller ensures that mosquitoes stay 15 feet away for up to 12 hours. It’s fairly easy to use without the hassle of smoke or other lotions. A disposable mat infused with Allethrin, a synthetic copy of a natural repellent is heated by the fuel cartridge to create a protective zone.
What Stands Out
- Portable and easy to use
- Operates on a single-use cartridge with no open flames
- Keeps mosquitoes up to 15 feet away
Hammock
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Hammocks add that extra something to a camping trip so it’s no surprise that a hammock ranks high on many people’s lists of must have camping gear. The Tentsile Trillium 3-Person Tree Hammock is strong and has a 400kg weight capacity. Three adults can have a comfortable sleep in it because of the taut tensioned base. In addition to the 3 point anchor system, the hammock also has anti-roll straps that prevent you from rolling to the middle.
What Stands Out
- Large enough for three adults
- Has anti-roll straps and a taut tensioned base
Stormproof Match Kit
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The worst thing when camping in wet weather is to find your matches damp or that your lighter has quit on you. That’s the reason why the UCO Stormproof Match Kit is one of the must have camping accessories. Enclosed in a waterproof case, you’ll find 25 stormproof matches and three strikers. These matches are easy to light and will burn up to 15 seconds in strong winds. Even after being submerged in water, the matches will relight.
What Stands Out
- Stormproof matches will light up even after being submerged in water
- Burns for 15 seconds despite strong winds or rain
Bug repellent Jacket
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The ExOfficio Women’s BugsAway Jacket is a great item to add to your must have camping gear. Made from 100% Nylon / 100% Polyester, this lightweight jacket protects you from all kinds of bugs and insects with its insect-repelling technology. You can enjoy a mosquito-free camping experience with this jacket. The odorless built-in treatment lasts for up to 70 washes. It’s easy to clean too with a regular wash or bleach. However, the jacket cannot be dry cleaned as it will remove the treatment.
What Stands Out
- Lightweight and easy to clean
- Treatment lasts for up to 70 washes
- Keeps bugs and all kinds of insects away
Quick Drying Towels
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When you’re out camping it’s a good idea to add quick-drying towels to your must-have camping accessories. Terrycloth towels can be a bit of a nuisance because they take forever to dry and tend to smell if damp. The Quick Dry Microfiber Camping Towel Set is a good option as the towels remain fresh even if they’re packed when wet. These towels that are made from fast-drying microfiber dry three times faster than a regular bath towel. The soft towels are big enough for the beach and fold up to fit into a backpack.
What Stands Out
- Dries up to three times quicker than a regular towel
- Comes in a pack of two with different sizes
- Available in four different colors
- Does not emit any odor even when packed wet
Camping Stove
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It goes without saying that a portable camping stove is must-have camping gear. Although there are plenty of ready to eat meals available, cooking out in the open has its own joys. The Coleman Gas Camping Stove is one of the best options for camping. However, if you’re hiking you’d definitely need something smaller. This two-burner stove comes with wind-blocking panels and pressure-control technology for consistent performance no matter what the weather conditions. It also packs up easily.
What Stands Out
- Packs up easily
- Wind-blocking panels and pressure-control technology for consistent performance
Outdoor Smart Watch
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While a watch is a must-have camping accessory, investing in an outdoor smartwatch is a wise thing to do if you’re a frequent camper. The Casio Pro Trek Smart WSD F-30 is a great watch to own. Equipped with a built-in GPS and full-color mapping functionality, the watch offers tracking and navigating features right from your wrist. It also alerts you to all your phone notifications when connected via Bluetooth. Added to this are the 50m water resistance structure and the MIL-STD-810G standards set by the US military.
Woodburning Campstove
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For someone who’s hiking this woodburning BioLite Campstove 2 is a must have. It’s lightweight and portable with the aluminum legs folding up. The stove generates 3 watts of usable electricity which is stored in the internal power bank and can be used to charge LED lights or mobile phones. Another great feature of this stove is the smart LED dashboard which gives real-time feedback on fire strength, fan speed settings and power output. The internal jets have four fan speed settings to circulate air for better combustion.
What Stands Out
- Lightweight and portable
- Generates 3 watts of electricity that is stored in the power bank
- Smart LED dashboard
Wakeman Outdoor Collapsible Multiuse Wash Basin
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The Wakeman Multiuse Wash Basin may not rank as an essential camping accessory for many, but the convenience this provides definitely takes it up a few notches on the list of must have camping accessories. This collapsible bin can be used as a basin for dishes or hands, an ice bucket or a storage container. It collapses to a compact 2″ height making it easy to store. Made from safe silicone material with a plastic rim, the basin has a large 10L capacity.
What Stands Out
- Handy basin for washing or storing camping accessories
- 10L Capacity
- Sturdy and durable
Bodum Travel Press
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Coffee drinkers should definitely add a good coffee gadget for travelers to their list of must have camping accessories. The Bodum Travel Press has a vacuum-sealed double-wall stainless steel interior that will keep your coffee hot for several hours. A spill-resistant lid allows you to drink straight from the mug. All you need for a great cup of coffee is some coarsely ground coffee and hot water. After slowly pressing down on the plunger for a few minutes, you can enjoy a great cup of coffee.
What Stands Out
- Easy to operate
- Vacuum sealed double wall stainless steel keeps coffee hot for hours
Coleman Camping Table
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Camp in style with Coleman’s Camping Table. This foldable table which seats four is sturdy and pretty easy to set up. The snap-together design is easy to set up and break down to fit into the carry bag. Rather than eating off your lap, this table is great for dining or playing a board game.
What Stands Out
- Lightweight, sturdy and easy to set up
- Works well as a food prep station or a dining table
- Durable and easy to clean
MalloMe Camping Cookware
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Outdoor activities tend to stir the hunger pangs but dry snacks will hardly satiate the hunger. With the MalloMe 10-Piece Cookware Mess Kit combined with a good camping stove, you’ll be able to enjoy delicious cooked meals on the go. The lightweight and collapsible easy to store design allows you to carry this mess kit in a backpack or survival pack. Made from non-toxic anodized aluminum, the cook set is perfect for an adult hiker or backpacker.
What Stands Out
- Ten piece collapsible mess kit fits into a backpack
Portable Outdoor Utensil Kitchen Set
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Once you have your camping stove and cookware you’ll also need other implements for cutting and stirring. A Portable Outdoor Cutlery Kitchen Set is another of your must-have camping accessories. The nine-piece stainless steel set from Life 2 Go comes in a sleek organizer bag. It’s easy to transport and extremely handy on an outdoor trip.
What Stands Out
- Durable, nine-piece stainless steel set that is built to last
Vont 4 Pack LED Camping Lantern
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Every camper knows just how important a good portable lantern is. No one enjoys fumbling in the dark for essentials or trying to communicate with a big group in the dark. If you’re out camping with your family or a bigger group you’ll appreciate the brightness of the Vont 4 Pack LED Camping Lantern.
This super bright light is equipped with 30 bright LEDs and easily lights up a big tent. It also has a great battery life, lasting over 30 hours. The unique collapsible design allows you to control the brightness of the light. This waterproof, indestructible lamp folds up as small as a phone and will fit into your emergency kit or backpack quite easily.
What Stands Out
- Waterproof and indestructible
- Collapses to the size of a phone for easy portability
- Battery life lasts 30 hours
- Super bright light
Compact First Aid Kit
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Possibly the most essential part of camping gear is a good first aid kit. No one wants to be caught unprepared in any eventuality. One of the best first aid kits is the Trip Worthy First Aid Kit. This FDA approved kit has a wide range of medical supplies and survival gear packed into a durable carrying case. It’s the ultimate kit for an emergency. Check out our 13 Best First Aid Kits For Backpacking for more options!
What Stands Out
- FDA approved
- Has over 100 pieces of medical supplies with an expiry date of 4 years
Camping Tent
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Although many campers enjoy sleeping out in the open under the stars, a tent tops our list of must have camping gear. A good tent not only protects you from the elements, but it also gives you added protection from any creepy crawlies. You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to options for good tents. From the best backpacking tents to larger camping tents there are plenty to choose from. Choose something that suits your needs.
For a big family or a larger group, the eight-person Coleman Camping Tent is a good choice. This weatherproof, durable tent is roomy and takes about 15 minutes to set up. One of the standout features of this tent is the hinged door which provides easy access in and out. It also has angled windows that can stay open in the rain and an awning above the door for extra protection.
What Stands Out
- Spacious, durable and weatherproof
- Hinged door for easy access
- Angled windows and door awning
