Best Survival Gear: LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
This filtration straw doesn’t expire and has a compact design, making it a good addition to emergency kits. Along with filtering bacteria, it also removes microplastics to provide cleaner water. Additionally, LifeStraw covers a year’s supply of drinking water for a child in need with the purchase of one of the company’s products.
Key Features
Filters 1,000 gallons of water Comes in multiple colors and quantities Removes microplastics, bacteria, and parasites Made from plastic
What Customers Are Saying
Customers liked that this straw was portable and could filter contaminants from a number of water sources. They also felt safer hiking and backpacking knowing that they had this on hand. However, some users said that it didn’t filter as much water as advertised.
Best Lighting: Vont Camping Lanterns
These lanterns are built with military-grade materials that can withstand 10-foot drops and heavy downpours. Additionally, they have built-in metallic handles that you hold to carry them to and from your vehicle and pull to expose their built-in LED bulbs.
Key Features
Provides 360-degree lighting for 90 hours Comes in multiple quantities Made from metal and plastic Includes six batteries
What Customers Are Saying
Happy customers found these lanterns to be easy to carry, bright, and durable. However, some users found the battery life to be insufficient. Others said that they weren’t as impact- and water-resistant as advertised.
Best Seating: Coleman Camping Chair With Built-In Cooler
This camping chair has a built-in cup holder along with a cooler pouch that chills up to four cans of your drink of choice. Its seat and backrest are cushioned for added comfort, and its durable frame supports up to 325 pounds. Additionally, this chair includes a carrying bag for easy transportation.
Key Features
Supports 325 pounds Comes in multiple colors Made from steel and polyester Includes a carrying bag, cup holder, storage pouch, and can cooler
What Customers Are Saying
With the padding along the back and bottom, this camping chair was comfortable for many customers to sit in. On the other hand, it broke for some sitters, even when they were under the weight limit. Some customers also struggled to stuff the cooler, pouch, and cup holder into the storage bag.
Best For Comfort: Therm-a-Rest Travel Pillow
This foam travel pillow includes a drawstring and cord lock to keep it compressed when it’s not in use. It comes in a variety of colors, patterns, and sizes for customization and is machine-washable for easy maintenance.
Key Features
Expands to be four inches thick Comes in multiple colors, patterns, and sizes Made from polyester and foam Includes a drawstring and cord lock
What Customers Are Saying
Those who gave this pillow positive reviews said that it was comfortable to sleep with. It also accommodated various customers with all of the size options. A common complaint among unsatisfied customers was that it didn’t provide enough head and neck support.
Best For Personal Hygiene: KIPIDA Solar Shower Bag
This convenient shower bag comes with a hose, shower head, and water tap to make portable showering simple. It also includes a temperature indicator and a water flow valve for warm, hot, low-flow, and high-flow showers. To hold your toiletries, the bag has a built-in mesh pocket.
Key features
Heats five gallons of water to 113 degrees Fahrenheit Comes in multiple colors Made from plastic Includes a hose, shower head, water tap, mesh pocket, temperature indicator, and flow valve
What Customers Are Saying
Customers found showering with this bag simple, as it heated water to a suitable temperature and set up in minutes. Other users claimed that it had a strong plastic odor and easily developed holes.
Buyer’s Guide
Before buying camping accessories, it’s important to understand how your camping routine and preferences impact the gear that’s right for you. Consider the following three factors before you make a purchase.
Camping Duration
The length of your camping trip impacts the types of accessories you need. For example, if you plan on camping for one night, you will only need a few items, such as a camping chair and a lantern. However, if you plan to camp for multiple days or weeks, you may need more advanced accessories, such as a water filter and shower bag.
Distance
The accessories that are right for your trip are also impacted by how far you have to go to reach your campsite. For example, if you are hiking and plan to set up camp each night, you may not want to carry a camping chair or other heavy, bulky accessories. However, a compact pillow may be a necessity for you.
Space
Some camping accessories take up more space than others. For example, a water filter straw and travel pillow are compact items that can fit in hiking backpacks. Other accessories, such as lanterns, take up more storage space.
How To Stay Safe on a Camping Trip
Having the right supplies is a must, but there are other steps you need to take to ensure that you and your family stay safe in the woods. Here are some of our top safety tips for camping.
Be Prepared
Safe camping starts at home. Before leaving on your trip, pack all of the necessary supplies, and research the area and the weather.
Avoid Wild Animals
If you encounter a wild animal while you’re camping, it’s best to stay as far away as possible. To prevent animals from approaching your campsite, make sure your food is sealed and away.
Have an Open Line of Communication
It’s possible that you won’t have cell phone service at your campsite. To stay in touch with your group and the outside world, see if the campgrounds have pay phones, or bring walkie talkies.
Be Cautious of the Campfire
Having and maintaining a fire is one of the most rewarding parts about camping, but it can also be dangerous if you don’t take precautions. Be sure that your fire is at least 15 feet from trees, shrubs, tents, and structures, and keep it contained at all times. If you’re camping in dry, windy conditions, it’s best not to start a fire, as it could spread.
How much water can a personal water filter purify?
Many personal water filters can purify up to 1,000 gallons of water, providing you with clean drinking water from any source when you don’t have access to bottled or tap water.
What are some of the most important items to pack for camping trips?
Here are some common and useful items to pack:
Tents Sleeping bags Pillows Chairs Lanterns
How long do lanterns last?
Most camping lanterns can provide up to 90 hours of light before you need to recharge or replace their batteries. In case of emergency, keep a flashlight or another backup light source on hand.
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