“Boots? Check. Tent? Check. Sleeping bag? Check. So, you think you’re ready for your next camping trip? Think again…”
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably got all the bare essentials for your next camping trip, but there are a number of must have gadgets and accessories that you may not have even considered, but they could make your camping experience a whole lot better – even if it’s just by providing an extra element of comfort or hint of added practicality.
When looking for camping gadgets and accessories, you need to consider a number of things. Firstly, just how useful will they be? If you don’t think they will add anything to your trip, then you can probably do without. Also, you’ll need to consider the practicality of the item and weigh up whether or not it’s worth adding to your already (potentially) heavy load.
That’s where we come in… Here at Raw Outdoorz, our team have done all the leg work, so you don’t have to and provided a complete, in depth run down of the top ten (in no particular order) absolute must have camping gadgets for this year.
Quick Look: Best Camping Gadgets & Accessories
- Biolite BaseCamp Wood Burning Stove System
- Premium Solar Camping Shower
- Bramble Ultra Compact Waterproof Pocket Picnic Blanket
- Anker PowerPort Solar Lite 12W 2-Port USB Solar Charger
- Am-tech 12-in-1 Multi-Function Tool
- Terralite Portable Camp/Beach Chair
- LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
- Trail Outdoor Leisure Self Inflating Camping Mat
- Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter
- Trek Light Gear Single Hammock
- The flexible USB light will light your site, while still charging your devices
- The built in ash tray will reduce mess
- Smart LED dashboard allows you to easily monitor your fire and power
- The handy Grill-To-Boil Lever means you can transform your flame at the flip of a switch
- The bucket handle makes it a doddle to transport
- Cooking height can be adjusted, thanks to the foldable legs
- The BioLite BaseCamp is a little pricey and the added accessories such as the Carry Pack and Pizza Dome Add-on need to be purchased separately.
Although perhaps a little pricey, the Basecamp Wood Burning Stove System is an absolute necessity for hardcore campers looking to embark on extended trips. With an ingenious design, it uses excess heat and converts it into usable electricity which is then stored in its powerful , integrated 2200mAh Lithium ion battery.
This stored power can then be used to charge all your tech devices, via the 5 watt USB output. The large 138 square inch grill surface can fit up to eight burgers, making it perfect for large group cooking. Other features include a smart LED dashboard to monitor your power generation, a flexible arm light and even some fire starters to get you going.
Features
- Weight: 8.16kg
- Battery: Lithium ion, 220mAh
- Cooktop Diameter: 33.66cm
- Cooking Surface: 350.52cm2
- Materials: Stainless steel, high-temperature plastic, cast iron
- Contents: BioLite BaseCamp, Firestarters, Fuel Rack, Ash Tray, Gooseneck USB Light, Instructions
- Can easily be hung using the bar and rope included
- The large capacity means there is enough water for up to 3 showers
- Can be worn as a backpack for easy transportation
- Water heats to a nice, warm 40degrees
- Lightweight yet sturdy design
- Overfilling can lead to seam damage
Picture this….You’ve been hiking or trekking all day, you get back to your camp, you’ve just re-energised yourself with a good meal and now there’s one more thing you’re really craving before you settle down for the night….a warm shower!
Thanks to this Premium Solar Camping Shower, that’s now possible – which is why it has to make it onto our list of the top 10 camping gadgets. So, how does it work? Well, simply fill up the large 20L capacity and leave in the sun for 3 hours and due to the solar powered design, the water will heat up to 40 degrees. You can then use the handy hanging bar and rope to secure it to a tree and wash off the day, ready for a fresh start in the morning.
What’s more, it can also be worn as a backpack, so you can conveniently carry it with you during your hike, allowing it to heat up nicely with minimal fuss.
Features
- Capacity: 20L
- Dimensions: 31 x 26 x 4cm.
- Materials: Premium quality, non-toxic PVC.
- Ultra-lightweight design.
- Hanging bar and rope included
- Ultra-lightweight design makes for easy transportation
- Waterproof design makes it perfect for all terrain and weather
- Metal clip allows you to attach it to bags, belt loops or keys
- Folds easily to put back in the carry bag
- Three colour variants available
- We’re struggling to think of any!?
At number 3 on our list of the top 10, must have camping gadgets, we introduce the Ultra Compact Waterproof Picnic Blanket, from Bramble.
The epitome of convenience, this ultra-handy picnic blanket has a generous size of over 1.5×1.4m, yet can fold up small enough to fit into your pocket…..I know, we didn’t believe it at first either. As well as being extremely lightweight, it also comes with a handy carry bag and a clip so that you can clip it onto a belt loop, or even your keys.
Still not sold? Well, it also comes in three colour variants and has sand pockets and tent peg loops adding to its unrivaled versatility.
Features
- Dimensions when folded: 9 x 2 x 11cm
- Dimensions when unfolded: 153 x 140cm
- Materials: Waterproof PVC
- Sand pockets
- Peg loops
- Colours; Grey & Blue, Grey & Green, Grey & Red
- Lightweight design means you won’t even notice carrying it
- Dual ports mean you can charge not one, but two devices simultaneously
- Compatible with most USB devices
- Premium components and materials used
- Multi-layer panels make for industry leading charging speed
- It works better when charging a power bank, rather than charging a phone directly.
Although we all like to think we can survive without all our technical gadgets when camping – the truth is, we often find ourselves a little lost without them.
In fact, it’s no longer a good idea to be out in the wild without your phone as they can come in really handy for things such as navigation and contact, in case of emergencies (Not sending snapchats and posting pics to the ‘the Gram’).
But, what good is a phone when camping, if you have no means of charging it? That’s where the Power Port Solar Lite, from Anker comes in.
Weighing in at under half a kilogram, this device is designed to be carried on your backpack when hiking or camping, allowing it to absorb the suns natural energy in order to provide true, off-the-grid power when you’re enjoying the great outdoors. What’s more, with a dual port design, you can charge two devices at the same time!
Features
- Dimensions: 46 x 28 x 0.4cm
- Weight: 354g
- 15W
- Two ports
- 3ft Micro USB cable included
- PET polymer faced solar panels
- Polyester canvas
- Compatible with iPhone, Android, Samsung, Tablets and other USB devices
- Crafted from stainless steel to ensure durability
- Easy to use and access all tools
- Carry pouch makes it safe and easy to transport
- Easy grip handle means it won’t slip when performing tasks
- There is no locking mechanism on the blades – so please take care when using
One of the things we love about mother nature and the great outdoors is its unpredictability – which is why it’s imperative that whenever you venture on a long hike or overnight camping trip, you make sure you have everything you may need and that you account for all circumstances.
For that reason, we had to include a multi-function tool on our list of the top 10 best camping gadgets. This latest offering from Am-Tech contains no fewer that 12 functions, all combined together in a sturdy, stainless steel tool.
The axe is surprisingly sharp, making it perfect for gathering small firewood and twigs, whilst the hammer head is great for knocking in tent pegs and poles. Other functions include a knife, saw, bottle opener, wrench and more.
Features
- Dimensions: 25 x 19 x 4cm
- Weight: 81.6g
- 12 functions
- Stainless steel
- Storage pouch included
- The Terragrip feet are a real game changer. No more sinking into mud or sand
- The super-fast set up means you’ll be seated in seconds
- The bag can easily be attached to your backpack with the Velcro straps provided
- The handy carry bag doubles as a storage pouch
- The fabric part is a little short, meaning some force is required to fit it over the legs
You may be thinking that a camping chair isn’t necessarily a gadget, and you’d be right.
However, we just couldn’t leave this product off this list – it’s that good. Made from heavy duty, aircraft grade 7075 aluminium, this sturdy chair can support weight of up to 159kg, while still being lightweight enough to carry with ease.
This dual purpose chair also comes with the added bonus of exclusive Terragrip feet, which effectively make the chair float on sand or mud, making it more than ideal for a whole host of conditions.
As an added bonus, the handy carry bag can also be strapped underneath the chair when in use, acting as a storage pouch.
Features
- Dimensions: 43.2 x 54.6 x 71.1cm
- Weight: 900g
- Interchangeable Terragrip feet
- Aircraft grade 7075 aluminium
- Mesh storage bag
- Heavy duty pole sockets
- Double reinforced sides
- Extremely compact device that instantly provides safe drinking water
- Huge 4,000 litre capacity means you’ll get a year’s worth of drinking water before you need a new one
- Perfect for use abroad, where the drinking water may be questionable
- Requires no chemicals, batteries or moving parts
- Requires a bit of effort to suck up a decent amount of water
Staying hydrated when hiking or camping is of the upmost importance, especially during the warmer weather.
With that being said, nobody is perfect and I’m sure we’ve all come up a bit short at some point in terms of making sure we have enough water on hand at all times – but hopefully, you’ll only need to use this product in emergencies. The LifeStraw is an ingenious little contraption that will turn dirty water to drinking water, right from the source – and will protect you from bacteria, parasites and microplastics.
So, how does it work? Well, the internal membrane has microscopic pores that help to trap any potential contaminants that are larger than 0.2 microns, allowing water to pass through, but not dirt.
Features
- Dimensions: 22.9 x 2.5cm
- Weight: 57g
- Chemical free
- Filter capacity: 4,000 litres
- Pore Size: 0.02 micron
- Double reinforced sides
- The self-inflating design is a real plus
- Polyester coating helps protect the mat from damp ground and absorbing moisture
- Internal foam core offers enhanced comfort and a real mattress feel
- Can easily be rolled up after use and secured with the inbuilt straps and clips
- Pillow has to be inflated manually
After a long hike, a sound night’s sleep is much welcomed, especially if you’re straight back out the next morning. For real rest and recuperation, a good sleeping bag just isn’t enough, which is why we had to include a camping mat on our list of the best camping gadgets and camping accessories.
From Trail Outdoor Leisure, this supremely comfortable mat is crafted from PU memory foam to replicate that real mattress feel.
As an added bonus, it also comes with a built in pillow – and did we mention it is almost entirely self-inflating?
It is also damp proof, comes with a drawstring carry bag for easy and convenient carrying and is available in four different colours.
Features
- Inflated Dimensions: 186 x 53 x 2.5cm
- Dimensions Inside Carry Bag: 55 x 11 x 11cm
- PU Memory foam construction
- Self-inflating
- Quick flow valves
- Polyester coating
- Built in pillow
- Drawstring carry bag
- Available colours: Black, Blue, Green, Purple
- One of the lower priced fire starters on the market
- The Bear Grylls collaboration is a real selling point
- The addition of the survival pocket guide and rescue instructions is a nice bonus
- The lanyard ensures all pieces stay together
- Light and compact design makes it easy to transport
- The striker may need sharpening to get the best results
If you enjoy wild camping, trekking or all things survival, chances are you’ll have heard of Bear Grylls – and our next gadget is so good, the man himself has put his name to it.
Deservedly taking its place on our list of the best camping gadgets is the Geber Bear Grylls Fire Starter. Made using quality materials, it is built with a ferrocerium rod and a metal striker and comes with a built in lanyard to keep all the pieces together.
Far from just being a fire starter, it also comes with a waterproof storage compartment for tinder, as well as an emergency whistle, land to air rescue instructions and even a pocket guide containing the Priorities of Survival.
Features
- Dimensions: 24.1 x 14 x 2.5cm
- Weight: 81.6g
- In-built lanyard
- Emergency whistle
- Waterproof tinder storage compartment
- Priorities of Survival pocket guide
- Land to air rescue instructions
- Lightweight design means it won’t add much weight to your pack
- Quick drying fabric ensures it won’t carry weight if it becomes damp
- Great alternative to a traditional camping chair
- Hanging rope or straps aren’t included
There’s no comfort that compares to that feeling of weightlessness you get when you’re lying in a hammock, gently swaying from side to side with a gentle breeze on your face – and now, you can experience that on your next camping trip.
Filling the last spot on our list of the best camping gadgets and accessories for 2019 is the single hammock by Trek Light Gear. In classic khaki green, this hammock can hold up to 400lbs in weight, yet ways a mere 16oz, making it a doddle to pack up and carry around.
It is also crafted from durable, breathable fabric and comes with attached S hooks at each end, allowing you to post up wherever you can hook it securely. So go on, elevate your camping experience.
Features
- Dimensions: 10 x 5ft
- Weight: 16oz
- Durable materials
- Carry bag included
- S hooks at each end
- Takes up to 400lbs of weight