Camping chairs circled around a propane campfire with tents in the background
Photo credit: HEATHER ELDRIDGE (CleverHiker.com)
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Camping Gear Reviews & Expert Tips

We hope to inspire adventure and promote wilderness conservation through in-depth gear reviews, skill-based tutorials, and comprehensive trip guides.

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Best Camping Mattresses of 2026
The Exped MegaMat Duo camping mattress in the REI Half Dome 4 Plus tent

Best Camping Mattresses of 2026

After months of side-by-side testing, we’ve curated our short list of the most comfortable sleeping pads for the campground. Which picks from Exped, Therm-a-Rest, REI, and other brands made the cut?
Best Camping Stoves of 2026
Blue camp stove at forested camp site making rice, burritos, and breakfast.

Best Camping Stoves of 2026

Whether you’re cooking for one or planning an elaborate camping feast, we can recommend a stove that will deliver gourmet meals in the great outdoors.
Best Camping Tents of 2026
The image shows three tents in a filed set against a post-storm burnt orange sky.

Best Camping Tents of 2026

We’ve thoroughly evaluated the best camping tents on the market to find the most user-friendly shelters for any weather conditions, group size, or budget.
Best Camping Chairs of 2026
A puppy sitting next to the Kelty Low Loveseat and the Rovr Rollr 60 Cooler in a forested setting

Best Camping Chairs of 2026

S’mores just taste better when enjoyed from a cozy and comfortable camp chair. Check out our campfire-approved picks…
Best Camping Tables of 2026
The GCI Outdoors Master Cook Station set up in a lakeside campsite with the Camp Chef Everest 2x stove, a cookset, a YETI Tundra Cooler, lantern, etc.

Best Camping Tables of 2026

From sunrise coffee to sunset dinners, we set the table with this budget-friendly guide. So dine under the stars with a durable, compact, and lightweight camping table…
Best Camping & Backpacking Coffee Makers of 2026
Closeup of the GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip brewing coffee into an ultralight backpacking cup on a volcanic rock

Best Camping & Backpacking Coffee Makers of 2026

From ultralight pour-overs to one-pot espresso makers, we tested dozens of camp coffee makers so you can find the perfect brew method for your next adventure.

All Camping Gear Reviews & Expert Tips Content

Portal Outdoors Quick Adjust Roll-Up Table Review
The Portal Roll-Up Table is standing on snow with a stove and cookware on top of it. There is a beige cooler and a red chair next to it. The background is tree-covered hills.

Portal Outdoors Quick Adjust Roll-Up Table Review

A roomy, highly portable camp table with independently adjustable legs, quick setup, and useful under-table storage.
NEMO Tensor Elite Backpacking Sleeping Pad Review
a hiker stands in the woods and holds up a gray sleeping pad.

NEMO Tensor Elite Backpacking Sleeping Pad Review

An exceptionally light air pad for gram-counting backpackers who are willing to trade warmth, durability, and space for the lowest possible pack weight.
Gossamer Gear Thinlight Sleeping Pad Review
a hiker sits on the ground and leans up against a log with a foam pad underneath him

Gossamer Gear Thinlight Sleeping Pad Review

This featherweight foam layer adds puncture protection, grip, and versatility to a sleep system, but only the most committed minimalists will want it as their sole pad.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm NXT Sleeping Pad Review

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm NXT Sleeping Pad Review

Exceptionally warm for its weight and tougher than most inflatable pads, this is our go-to choice for winter backpacking, cold sleepers, and trips where frozen ground is part of the plan.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Review
A man stands outdoors, holding a large yellow sleeping pad, with forest and mountains in the background.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Review

This pad remains one of the best sleeping pads we’ve tested for backpackers who want to keep weight low without giving up much warmth, comfort, or durability.
Lake O’Hara Hiking and Camping Guide
view of mountains and lakes below

Lake O’Hara Hiking and Camping Guide

The immense beauty and grandeur of the Canadian Rockies is best enjoyed in the Lake O’Hara backcountry.
Big Agnes Divide Insulated Backpacking Sleeping Pad Review
a hiker holds a yellow sleeping pad in a forest

Big Agnes Divide Insulated Backpacking Sleeping Pad Review

A durable, warm, and comfortable three-season option for backpackers who want strong all-around performance without paying premium-pad prices.
Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft Backpacking Sleeping Pad Review
a hiker holds an inflated red sleeping pad in the middle of the woods

Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft Backpacking Sleeping Pad Review

A remarkably plush sleeping surface makes this a standout for comfort-focused backpackers who are willing to carry extra weight for a better night’s sleep.
Exped Ultra 6.5R Sleeping Pad Review
a hiker stands next to a green inflatable sleeping pad

Exped Ultra 6.5R Sleeping Pad Review

Warm, plush, and easy to inflate, this all-season pad is a strong cold-weather option for side sleepers who don’t mind carrying a little more weight than the lightest three-season models.
NEMO Tensor All-Season Sleeping Pad Review
the nemo tensor all-season sleeping pad inflated for display on an alpine meadow with a rocky mountain backdrop on a sunny day

NEMO Tensor All-Season Sleeping Pad Review

An ultralight, technical pad for all 4-seasons. It delivers a low decibel, comfortable, warm sleep, with a premium feeling top fabric and a protective bottom material.
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

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.
Best Utensils for Backpacking & Camping of 2026
the fork end of a plastic spork sticks out of the top of a backpacking meal with a mountain in the background.

Best Utensils for Backpacking & Camping of 2026

Stir things up with our brand new guide to the best camping utensils. From plant-based plastic to finely crafted titanium, we dig into which sporks, spoons and sets have us coming back for seconds.
Best Instant Coffee for Backpacking of 2026
An image of 12 different instant coffee brands staged on a rock

Best Instant Coffee for Backpacking of 2026

Skip the sludge with our freshly-brewed guide to the best instant coffees. These are our top picks for frosty mornings and early summit attempts.
35 Great Deals at REI’s Labor Day Sale 2026
A person places a can inside a soft-sided cooler. There are mountains and a lake in the background.

35 Great Deals at REI’s Labor Day Sale 2026

REI’s Labor Day Sale is here! Dig into the deals with our guide to the best camping, backpacking, and hiking gear to fuel your fall adventures.
Best Camping Cookware of 2026
The Stanley Adventure Base Camp 4 Cookset with the Camp Chef Everest 2x stove on a table in a campsite

Best Camping Cookware of 2026

Climbing mountains is impressive, but conquering hangry moments in the great outdoors feels even better. We’ve sautéed, simmered, and savored to uncover the top camping cookware available.
Best First Aid Kits for Hiking of 2026
The HART Extended First Aid Kit on a rock with moss and ferns

Best First Aid Kits for Hiking of 2026

We never venture into the wilderness without at least a basic first aid kit. A small selection of supplies and some know-how will keep you safe in the backcountry.
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