Marion Tucker
Gear Analyst

Born and raised in the Twin Cities, Marion grew up surrounded by the natural beauty of the Midwest, spending her childhood learning to camp, kayak, and canoe and, later, working as a guide in the Northwoods. With a background in motion picture and still photography, much of Marion’s professional experience comes from working behind the camera, but she remains an avid outdoors-person with a strong environmental ethic and interest in issues of equity and access to wilderness spaces.

Marion’s passion for backpacking, paddling, and climbing have taken her across the United States and abroad- everywhere from Wyoming’s Wind River Range to the alpine of New Zealand’s South Island. This time on backcountry trails and waters has introduced her to a wealth of stories, sights, and skills that come with being enmeshed in the outdoors and connecting to the people met along the way.

Whether working on a film set or scrambling through a boulder field, Marion maintains her love of stories and moves through the world with curiosity and a desire to share her experiences. She currently lives out of her van, searching for the next mountain peaks and waterways to explore.

Articles by Marion Tucker

Big Agnes Echo Park 20 Review
A person stands inside a sleeping bag in front of mountains.

Big Agnes Echo Park 20 Review

Author, Tester
A soft cotton-blend liner and pad sleeve create a bed-like setup, but the uninsulated underside requires a warm mattress.
REI Trailmade 25 Review
A person sits inside a sleeping bag on top of a bear canister. They sit in front of a tent with mountains in the background.

REI Trailmade 25 Review

Author, Tester
Nine sizing combinations and reliable low-30s warmth make this a versatile budget crossover, though the mummy fit won’t suit every sleeper.
REI HunkerDown 20 Review
A person sits on top of a sleeping bag in the back of a camper van. The back doors of the van are open and there are mountains in the background.

REI HunkerDown 20 Review

Author, Tester
Roomy down-filled comfort and quilt conversion suit three-season car camping, but low-30s nights exposed its warmth limits.
Exped DeepSleep 20F Review
A person wrapped in a sleeping bag stands next to a tent with mountains in the background.

Exped DeepSleep 20F Review

Author, Tester
Excellent low-30s insulation and thoughtful draft controls make this a cold-sleeper favorite, though the leg taper is restrictive.
Kelty Galactic 30 Review
A person leans against a boulder while sitting in a sleeping bag. There are boulders in the background.

Kelty Galactic 30 Review

Author, Tester
A compact rectangular down bag with quilt conversion excels in summer, but the missing hood makes its 30°F rating optimistic.
Lifetime Fold-in-Half Adjustable Table Review
A person sets a plastic tub on the top of a folding table outside. There is also a bear canister on the table.

Lifetime Fold-in-Half Adjustable Table Review

Author
This table might not be designed specifically for camping, but its rugged durability makes it well-suited for outdoor use.
GCI Outdoor Slim-Fold Cook Station Review
A person pours something into a frying pan sitting on top of a camp stove. The person stands in front of a cook station loaded with various kitchen items and ingredients. There are mountains in the background.

GCI Outdoor Slim-Fold Cook Station Review

Author
This station is the perfect dedicated cooking space for your next outdoor adventure, providing ample room to prep and prepare all your meals.
Zempire Kitpac Pro Large Camping Table Review
A person sit on a camp chair next to a camp table with a tent and pine forest in the background.

Zempire Kitpac Pro Large Camping Table Review

Author
Stylish, practical, portable, and durable, this table checks all the boxes for your camping setup.
REI Westward Padded Folding Chair Review
A person sits in a folding camping chair with their back to the camera with a pine forest in the background.

REI Westward Padded Folding Chair Review

Author
Plush cushioning and a supportive 17 in. seat make this one of our comfort leaders for car camping, but the wide folded frame takes real trunk space.
REI Flexlite Camp Dreamer Chair Review
A person sits with their back to the camera in a scoop-seat camping chair with mountains in the background.

REI Flexlite Camp Dreamer Chair Review

Author
Full upper-body support and a compact carry package make this our favorite lightweight value, though the low snug seat is not a universal fit.
Helinox Chair One High-Back (re) Review
A person sits in a scoop-seat camping chair with their back to the camera in a pine forest with snow on the ground.

Helinox Chair One High-Back (re) Review

Author
A genuinely supportive high back in a sub-3-pound package makes this an excellent lightweight comfort pick when compact packing matters more than armrests and storage.
Best Camping Lanterns of 2026
Nine lanterns- the LE 1000LM LED lantern, Black Diamond Moji, GoalZero Lighthouse 600, GoalZero Lighthouse Micro Flash, LuminAid String Light, Coleman Rugged Rechargeable, BioLite AlpenGlow 500, LuminAid Packlite Max 2-in-1, and LightUpCamp LED Solar Powered Foldable Camping Light- sit beside each other on a rock. The last remaining daylight illuminates the peaks of mountains in the background.

Best Camping Lanterns of 2026

Author
When daylight fades, don’t fumble in the dark. Whether you need a lantern that’s bright, tough, or tricked out, these are the best of the best to keep the good times glowing after dark.
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