Camping Gear Reviews & Expert Tips

Best Camping Mattresses of 2026

The Exped MegaMat Duo camping mattress in the REI Half Dome 4 Plus tent

Best Camping Mattresses of 2026

Last Updated: April 14, 2026

If you’re looking for ultimate comfort and relaxation under the stars, dive into dreamland with our favorite plush, oversized camping mattresses.

Luno Air Pro Vehicle Mattress Review

Rear view of a vehicle's hatchback raised up to show a custom vehicle mattress with a matching camp pillow.

Luno Air Pro Vehicle Mattress Review

Published: April 14, 2026

It sounds too good to be true – a bed-quality camping mattress that’s custom-fit for your vehicle – but it’s a real thing. And we love it.

10 Best Coolers of 2026

The Hydro Flask Carry Out 20L sits on top of the RTIC Ultralight 52. The Coleman Steel Belted cooler is in the middle, with the RTIC Soft Pack sitting on top of the Coleman 316 Series 70QT to the right.

10 Best Coolers of 2026

Last Updated: April 13, 2026

Whether you’re a weekend warrior hitting the road for a few days or just enjoying a beachfront picnic, we’ve found the best coolers for keeping all your food and drinks cold.

Best Power Banks for Backpacking of 2026

The Iniu 20000 PD power bank sitting on a granite slab while charging a rechargeable Biolite headlamp with the Wallowa Mountains at sunset in the background

Best Power Banks for Backpacking of 2026

Last Updated: April 9, 2026

Supercharge your backcountry adventures with our guide to the most portable, dependable, and lightweight power banks out there.

Petzl ACTIK CORE Headlamp Review

Side close-up of a person wearing a Petzl headlamp over a beanie while adjusting the light with one hand.

Petzl ACTIK CORE Headlamp Review

Last Updated: April 6, 2026

This headlamp is a longtime favorite with bright and reliable performance, simple controls, and a recent upgrade to USB-C charging.

Coast FL97R Headlamp Review

Close-up of the Coast FL95R Headlamp front lens and reflector, resting in dry pine needles.

Coast FL97R Headlamp Review

Published: April 6, 2026

This is a feature-rich headlamp with serious brightness, intuitive beam control, and a warm area light that works as propped up in a tent as it does on your head.

Petzl SWIFT LT Headlamp Review

Close-up of the Petzl Swift headlamp worn around the neck like a necklace, shining light onto a jacket.

Petzl SWIFT LT Headlamp Review

Published: April 6, 2026

This is an ultralight headlamp that earns its place in fast-and-light kits, with a stable fit that stays put at a dead sprint and enough brightness for most trail use.

BioLite Range 500 Headlamp Review

Published: April 6, 2026

This headlamp is light enough for trail runs, tough enough for downpours, and back to fully charged before you finish packing up camp.

Coulee Coffee EcoPour Filter Review

An EcoPour filter on a mug of coffee with freshness packs of Coulee Coffee blurred in the background

Coulee Coffee EcoPour Filter Review

Published: March 27, 2026

Pour-over coffee filters are an alternative to camping coffee makers and instant coffees. We like these eco-friendly filters for their convenience and ease of use.

Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026

Closeup of the Sawyer Squeeze water filter in front of an alpine lake

Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026

Last Updated: March 25, 2026

We’ve filtered out the nonsense to bring you our purest recommendations of the best water filters around.

Best Backpacking Quilts of 2026

A backpacker wrapped up in the Enlightened Equipment Revelation sleeping quilt while sitting on a rocky slab overlooking bare granite mountains across the valley

Best Backpacking Quilts of 2026

Last Updated: March 24, 2026

From the deep forests of the coastal Pacific Northwest to Arizona’s desert and beyond, we’ve vetted the best backpacking quilts to keep you cozy no matter the climate.

Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2026

A man sits up in a sleeping bag with the hood over his head. He is smiling and looking off camera.

Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2026

Last Updated: March 17, 2026

Our list of trail-tested backpacking sleeping bags will help you find a cozy sack for everything from summer summits to winter wanderings

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

Published: February 17, 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.

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

Last Updated: February 15, 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.

Top Gear Picks of 2026

A hiker posing on top of a mountain at sunset

Top Gear Picks of 2026

Last Updated: February 3, 2026

This is where we highlight a wide range of exceptional choices, and talk about our personal favorites.

How to Make Tasty Foil Packet Camping Meals – Recipes & Tips

How to Make Tasty Foil Packet Camping Meals – Recipes & Tips

Last Updated: February 2, 2026

Foil packet meals (aka campfire meals) make it easier than ever to enjoy real, hearty food outdoors with good company and on a budget.