15 Must-Have Camping Gear, Gadgets and Accessories

Camping is more than basic living; even in the wild, you still need some conveniences of urban living.

Therefore, carrying extra gadgets for camping is necessary to make your life easier and more enjoyable. And in some instances, some camping gadgets might prove to be life savers.

In the guide below, I’ll share a list of the top 15 game-changing accessories and coolest camping gear that will change how you do things around camp.

Read on!

1)  Satellite Communicator

Satellite communication is handy when you’ve many miles to hike, no service, and no other way to call for help.

A satellite communicator for outdoor adventures such as Garmin InReach is handy for maintaining off-the-grid contact.

But more importantly, it gives you and your close family peace of mind and confidence to explore remote places you otherwise wouldn’t go to for safety reasons.

Most satellite communicators are expensive, but you can’t put a price on having a safety net and being able to let your folks at home know they don’t have to worry when exploring remote locations.

Ensure you pick the palm-size and light communicators where size and weight matter.

2)  Water Purifier

When visiting new locations, you don’t want to put your health at risk by drinking contaminated water. While most natural water sources are safe for consumption, others are usually contaminated and may cause serious gut infections.

Unfortunately, it’s challenging to distinguish between safe and contaminated water through visual checks. Therefore, packing a water purifier can be a lifesaver.

A water filter and purifier combo eliminates particulates like dirt, sediments, germs, and other micro-particles. If you suspect the water has viruses, consider a micro-filter.

The Membrane Solutions Water Filter is a great choice for most campers. It’s compact, convenient to use, and will allow you to drink directly from the water source.  No need to carry extra water containers.

See also: How to Keep Food Cold While Camping

3)  Camping Chair

Unless you plan on sitting on the ground or salvage whatever to use for a chair, packing a camping chair is essential. While most campers are happy sitting on the ground, finding the perfect spot can be a real pain.

Of course, camping chairs aren’t camping essentials, but they sure can make your camping experience much more comfortable and convenient. 

And the good thing is when you’re not using camping chairs at your camp, they also come in handy for other outdoor adventures such as gardening, spending time on the beach, or even catching an outdoor game.

The AmazonBasics chair ticks all the boxes for the best camping chair.  It’s lightweight, foldable, easy to use, and, most importantly, practical.

See also: 11 Best Camping Chairs for Heavy People

4)  Crocs

This might be an unpopular opinion, but crocs are among the best camping essentials for mild-weather camping.

I’ll get a lot of hate for this, but unless you’re camping in freezing temperatures, crocs are amazing for doing camp chores.

All terrain crocs are also an amazing camping accessory because they’re so versatile, and when you’re not doing camp chores on them, you can hike, kayak, shower, or simply wear them with socks.

They’re also the perfect water shoes, therefore nice for river crossings. They equally dry out quickly.

Some find them ugly, but you’d be surprised how light and comfy they feel.

They’re as squishy as your camp trail runners but don’t offer much support. You should also avoid leaving these camp accessories in the sun.

See Also:7 Best Hiking Shoes With Arch Support

5)  Hot Water Bottle

Camping outdoors can be a thrilling experience, but it can be a chilly one. Therefore, if you want to keep warm and cozy in your next winter camp, consider the hot water bottles.

Hot water bottles are a great addition to your list of coolest camping gear and keep you warm. They are a simple cold-weather hack that will give you a long-lasting boost of warmth on the trail.

As their name suggests, these bottles usually keep the water inside hot and for a long and can be used to warm your sleeping bag or whatever you’re using to cover yourself with. In short, they’ll cozy your bed and keep your toes tasty.

They’re also versatile, and when you’re not using hot water bottles to warm up your bed, you can use them to keep you snug on the sofa while binge-watching.

6)  Camping Propane Fire Pit

Nothing says camping like a good old campfire. But not everyone cares about real firewood, and creating traditional fires can be inconvenient and, depending on the weather, outright impossible.

That’s where a portable camping propane fire pit comes in handy.

A portable propane campfire pit provides a convenient way to enjoy a campfire without the splinters, smoke, ash, and all that mess that comes with the traditional firewood fire pit.

It’s an essential camping gear that provides the perfect ground to pass your evening telling stories or getting to know your partner or friends better.

The Outland Fire Bowl is the perfect option for a no-mess campfire experience. It’s also compact, and lightweight enough for the perfect camping experience.

7)  Portable Cutlery Sets

When you start camping, it’s usually fine to tag along with your cutlery and utensils from your home kitchen.

However, with frequent camping, you must get an extra cutlery dedicated to camping. The simple reason is regular use of your kitchen camping cutlery can take a toll on even the best utensils.

Therefore, having a dedicated camping set makes sense, especially if you need to “preserve” your home utensils.

When choosing cutlery for camping, you must consider the material construction. Consider cutlery made from aluminum alloys, titanium, or polypropylene glass composite. These materials are generally ultra-lightweight, hard-wearing, and easy to clean.

See Also: How to cook while camping?

8)  Bio Wipes

Bio wipes are yet another handy camping accessory you should never miss. Bio wipes can be used for various purposes, ranging from using them for the face and body, wiping down dirty hands, cleaning up spills, and even being used as a substitute for toilet paper.

I love packing and using bio wipes because they’re also very skin-friendly, but pick the unscented options if you have sensitive skin. The Surviveware Biodegradable Wet Wipes can be a great pick.

They’re also portable and compact as they come. And to use them, you don’t require water or additional supplies, which makes them an ideal choice for many outdoor uses.

On top of that, biodegradable wipes are great for camping and better for the environment because they effortlessly break down and compose after use.

However, you must always pack them and dispose of them properly after use instead of leaving them on the trail. Always follow the LNT principles.

9)  Solar Charger Power Bank

A solar charger power bank is one of the coolest camping gear you can ever miss. To me, having a constant supply of energy to power your phone and other simple electric devices is the ultimate form of convenience.

You see, when you’re camping, especially off the grid, you hardly have the luxury of energy, and therefore, easy to miss the convenience of urban living.

However, with a solar charger power bank, you’ll enjoy the convenience of having an endless energy supply which could be used to charge your other camping gadgets like the battery operated cooling fan.

And the best part is that solar energy is renewable, so you don’t have to worry about your batteries dying.

Simply leave this Minrise fast charging power bank out in the sun all day, and it’ll be back to being replenished. It lasts long with 40000 mAh of charge and has got inbuilt flashlights as well!

10)   Camping Firestarter

A camping Firestarter provides a convenient and easy way to generate spark in all weather conditions. Of course, some campers can create a fire out of nothing, but who wants to go through all that trouble? It sucks.

A camp Firestarter, on the other hand, can make it possible for you to roar a fire within minutes.

Firestarters are made from different materials, such as wood shavings, wax, or even recycled paper, which can ignite quickly and provide a steady flame.

And one of the greatest attributes of quality campfire starters such as Fire Starter Survival Tool, is they can work in any condition, which is a perk in the less-desirable weather conditions.

See Also: Best Portable Camping Griddles For Camping With Ease

11)   Dry bag

A dry bag is yet another piece of handy camping gear. Aptly named a dry bag, this modern camping gear will protect your belongings from water and moisture. It keeps your valuable items secure while outdooring.

The trick to using a dry bag is knowing what to store inside to keep them dry while being easily accessible. Some items that many campers tend to store in their dry bags are phones, car keys, first aid kits, and other miscellaneous items such as registration, emergency contact, and patch tape.

Another huge consideration when investing in a camping dry bag is the choice of material. Some materials easily break down, and you might see the material peel off after some abrasion or UV exposure.

Therefore, it’s worth considering the material, and paying a little more for quality is best. Consider dry bags constructed from  silnylon, a blend of silicone impregnated on nylon fabric.

It doesn’t wear off and will keep your modern camping gear dry in heavy rain or slightly submerged in water.

See also: Best Waterproof Fanny Packs for Camping and Hiking 

12)   Tent Patch Kit

It’s easy for tears to occur on your tent when camping. Sharps, stones, tree branches, abrasion, and improper care are some causes of tent tears.

Regardless of the reason, tent-tear sucks. A torn tent doesn’t offer much protection against inclement weather.

Therefore, it’s always carrying a patch kit while camping or before you head out for your next trip. There are several variations and options when using a repair kit.

For example, some campers prefer seam grip to repair tears. Unfortunately, seam grip isn’t a quick fix because you’ve to wait until it dries and cures.

My go-to repair kit is Gear Aid Tenacious Tape. It sticks much better and can repair a tent’s wall, mesh, or rainfly. However, if you’re repairing a nylon tent, stick with the Tenacious Tape Sil, not the regular Tenacious Tape.

13)   Camping gloves

I can’t get enough camping gloves, and they’re one of the critical camping gear I can never miss on my packing list.

Aside from the practical use of protecting your hands from injuries and biting cold, there are other reasons why you would want to invest in camping gloves.

Other uses of camping gloves include gathering and readying camp firewood, handling hot cookware, insulating you against the biting cold, pushing aside bushes when clearing paths, protecting your hands from bugs and thorns, and keeping your hands from blisters.

In short, there are numerous reasons you should consider packing a glove on your next camping expedition.

But the key to selecting the right glove is considering the fit and material. Fit is necessary for comfort and convenience. Meanwhile, the material determines a glove’s strength, longevity, and performance.

Leather can be a great starting point because it has an all-around performance and ticks the boxes for most campers. For example, it’ll keep you warm, offer protection, and outlive other materials.

See also: Best winter gloves for outdoor activities

14)   Solar Shower

A hot shower is one less thing to worry about when camping in an established campground. However, when you’re boondocking and camping in remote locations, it’s a whole different story.

Sure, you can always have the refreshing di in the nearest water body, but there are only so many cold showers your body can take.

And this is where the solar showers come into play. Most solar showers are based on a simple concept that relies on solar energy. Simple solar showers are bags filled with water and put in the sun for a few hours.

On warm days, the water may get around 100 to 105 degrees on the Kipida Shower Bag after three hours of exposure to direct sunlight.

15)   Lantern

Our final pick of the best camping must-have accessories is a lantern. Lanterns will serve as a light source and create a cozy ambiance in outdoor settings.

When choosing a camp lantern, consider portability. The ideal lantern should be lightweight and convenient to carry around. The light intensity should also be just right to create a mesmerizing atmosphere. Ideally, it should have an adjustable option.

It’s a wrap and everything you need to know about the best camping accessories.

When choosing cool camping gadgets, remember to consider the specific needs of your camping trip; your specific modern camping gear depends on several factors, such as your camping destination, length of your trip, and personal preferences.