Everything tastes better when you鈥檙e camping鈥攖hat鈥檚 just a fact. Unless, of course, you char the pancakes over an overenthusiastic stove, or the milk curdles in a cut-rate cooler, or you impale yourself on a flimsy, dull knife. You get the picture鈥攈azards abound. Invest in a smart camp kitchen, and you鈥檒l eat better, spend less time scrubbing, and keep all ten fingers intact.

Luckily, our fearless team of 14 testers put more than 60 pieces of camp kitchen gear on the chopping block to bring you the 16 best outdoor cooking gear we could find.

Updated September 2025: We鈥檝e added three new picks鈥攖he Opinel Nomad Cooking Kit, Drip EZ Prep Tub, and Yeti Three Course Bowl Set鈥攖o complete your camp kitchen setup. Other product and price info has also been updated.聽

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The first was patented in 1953. It was a big, insulated box that looked a lot like a Yeti, but without the handles. Early versions of the cooler were called a 鈥淟eisure Chest鈥� (great name) and promised cold groceries out in the wild, as long as you loaded them down with ice.

In the 75 years since, cooler design hasn鈥檛 changed all that much. Ice retention has certainly improved, but even with the best, most insulated coolers, you鈥檒l still need to restock it with ice over the course of a weekend camping trip. Then you have to try to keep your food out of the melting ice so it doesn鈥檛 get soggy. And when you get home, you have to dump the water, wipe down the cooler, and leave it open to dry out so it doesn鈥檛 get moldy. It鈥檚 all a hassle, and yet I鈥檝e been loyal to the old technology for decades, even when others insisted that an electric cooler was the superior option.

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Early this summer, I decided it was high time that my husband and I take our 2-year-old and 9-month old camping. Why? Because Instagram. Momfluencers filled my feed with dreamy reels of family camping trips, babies included. After two summers stuck at home, either pregnant or recovering, I was desperate for the woods and convinced camping with a baby and a toddler was doable.

So one Thursday night in June, after wrangling bedtime, my husband and I pulled off the most intense pack job of our lives. Two years out of practice, we had to first track down the basics鈥攖ent, camp kitchen gear, propane, sleeping pads, bedding, chairs, water jug鈥攖hen pile on the baby essentials: pack-n-play, bottles, diapers, wipes, burp cloths, puffy jackets, toys, books, etc.

Packing (and even unpacking) all of this crap would actually prove the easiest part of camping with a baby and a toddler. The real challenges came at camp: Setting up a tent with a baby crawling around in the woods, stuffing pine needles into her mouth; wrestling kids into bed at 7 p.m. while the sun blazed until 9; and praying they鈥檇 sleep past 5 a.m. sunrise.

We lasted exactly one night. Shocker: The baby didn鈥檛 sleep, so neither did we. After a new kind of dawn patrol to remove our tired but awake鈥攁nd vocal鈥攌ids from the innocents in the campsites around us, my husband and I called uncle. We were home by 11 a.m., exhausted and defeated. Was it worth it? If you go by time invested versus time enjoyed, no. No it was not. But I鈥檓 still glad we did it. The trip was a crash course in family camping. We learned we weren鈥檛 quite ready emotionally or mentally, but on the bright side, our camp setup was solid. For anyone bold (or crazy) enough to try camping with babies, here鈥檚 the family camping gear that can save your sanity.

7 Family Camping Essentials

• Family Tent:
• Queen-Size Sleeping Pad:
• Baby Seat:
• Baby Sleeping Bag:
• Reliable Camp Stove:
• Comfy Camp Chair:
• Portable Sound Machine:

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Sleeping outdoors does not need to be uncomfortable. With the right gear, and a considered approach, lying under the stars can be just as nice as staying home. And no piece of gear is more important to comfort than your sleeping pad. Drawing from the 11 years and hundreds of nights I鈥檝e spent sleeping on luxury pads, here鈥檚 how to find the right ones for your unique preferences, budget, and environment.

I bought my first luxury sleeping pad way back in 2014, as I was recovering physically and financially from a really bad motorcycle crash. That justified its $390 price not only because it supported and cushioned my sore bones like nothing else, but also because it allowed me to turn camping trips into third dates.

Originally launched in 2011, the Exped Megamat was the first in this new generation of luxury sleeping pads. By housing pressurized air inside four inches of memory foam underneath a totally flat surface covered in a stretchy material that allowed the entire mattress to conform to your body鈥檚 shape, it delivered a level of comfort that was hitherto unprecedented outdoors. And, by blowing it up extra firm, then using the valve to 鈥渂urp鈥� air out of it as you laid on top, you could achieve a perfect, tailored level of support and cushion each and every night.

I鈥檓 not the only person whose enjoyment of the outdoors was transformed by the Megamat. As in all other successful product categories, rivals showed up promising new features and approaches.

perforated the interior foam and added a pad coupling system. Together, those changes reduced packed size and made it possible to draw two one-person (1P) pads tightly together to form a unified sleep surface for two people.

The brought lower price points by cutting out middlemen.

And Therm-a-Rest brought made-in-America production to the category, along with high-flow valves, with .

Put 鈥渓uxury sleeping pad鈥� into the search bar on Amazon and you鈥檒l find a bunch of pads that look similar from discount brands no one鈥檚 ever heard of.

All of the above follow the same basic formula: Like the original Exped Megamat, they鈥檙e about four-inches thick, contain both foam and air, and feature totally-flat sleep surfaces, vertical sidewalls, and stretchy sleep surfaces. R-values (a measure of insulation) for all of those exceed 6.0 and they sleep in utter silence. All are also big and heavy, limiting them to car camping trips. While they鈥檙e all extremely comfortable, there was still room for alternative approaches.

Exped itself did that by offering and 聽versions, plus . I鈥檝e tried all of them, and still find myself going back to the original (now called the , available in multiple lengths and widths for both one and two sleepers) for a just-right answer to most nights.

Last year, Therm-a-Rest aimed to bring equivalent comfort to backpacking with the launch of . Its inflated size and shape replicate those of the luxury car camping pads, but it ditches the heavy, bulky foam insulation for the same crinkly foil used in the brand鈥檚 ultralight pads. It鈥檚 more comfortable than any other backpacking pad, but at 30 ounces, it’s also more than twice the weight of something like , itself already very comfortable. That outweighs (har) the other benefits to my mind, at least for true backpacking, but the NeoLoft is so much smaller than other luxury pads when packed鈥攁bout the size of a basketball鈥攖hat it opens up means of transport like canoe, bush plane, or motorcycle, with more comfort than you could have taken along on those adventures previously.

HEST, a new brand based in Seattle, launched in 2019 with exactly the opposite approach. ditches the air in favor of all-foam construction. And that鈥檚 remarkable, given that it doesn鈥檛 pack down any larger than one of the original luxury pads with the same dimensions. The four-inch thick memory foam is split into two densities. The one on top is soft, conforming to your body, while the firmer one underneath provides support. The foam is then encased in a shell that鈥檚 rugged and waterproof on the bottom, and stretchy and breathable on top. While foam will never puncture or lose air, it can鈥檛 achieve the same degree of firmness as one of the inflatables.

Which Luxury Pad Is Right for You?

All of the pads I’ve highlighted so far are available in multiple dimensions, with most also available in at least one size suitable for two sleepers. The ability to precisely size a pad to your body, preference, shelter, or surface (Exped even makes ) is a major advantage offered across this category. Before cross shopping price, consider first the dimensions, and any special use you want to prioritize. Exped鈥檚 MegaMat ranges from $170 to $520, and most of the competitors are within that ballpark too.

While all of these pads offer impressive comfort, there are some major differences as you dive into the specifications. The Nemo Roamer, for instance, has an R-Value of 6.0, the lowest of the air-and-foam pads, due to the perforations in its foam. It packs considerably smaller as a result, but is most applicable to camping in temperatures of 20 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer. In contrast, the Exped Megamat Max鈥檚 six-inches of foam delivers an R-Value of 11.0, meaning that, paired with the correct clothing and sleeping bags, it could keep you comfortable down to a positively ridiculous -76 degrees Fahrenheit.

When investing in comfort, it鈥檚 also worth considering warranties. Therm-a-Rest, with its factory in Seattle, Washington, is famously able to offer a generous lifetime warranty for all of its sleeping pads. Nemo offers the same. Exped and HEST offer five years. REI allows members to return products up to one year from the date of purchase.

I can speak somewhat to the longevity of these pads. That original 2P Exped I bought way back in 2014 is, with the exception of a large hole I tore in it and repaired in early 2016, still as good as new. I鈥檝e gotten two years of use on a one-person Therm-a-Rest Mondoking, and managed to kill a Nemo Roamer after three years by melting it on a hot ATV exhaust pipe, which was no fault of the pad鈥檚. I think expecting a decade out of any of these pads is reasonable.

Accessorize for Comfort, Durability, Convenience

Within the context of a decade full of newly-comfortable camping trips, you’ll want to get the most from these pads. Their popularity has created a market for dedicated accessories, while their size means they pair well with some common home goods, too.

One item I now consider essential is the , which starts at $420 and is sized for 25-inch wide pads. It鈥檚 made from an extremely robust, hand-stitched fabric that protects your sleep system from weather, dust, and punctures. Stuart Born, the company鈥檚 founder, tells me that in the company鈥檚 eight-year history, he鈥檚 never heard of a mattress being punctured inside one of these shells. In addition to protection, the Badger Bed helps unify your sheets and insulation layers into a single unit that rolls and unrolls altogether, for easy storage and transportation.

The premise here isn鈥檛 necessarily insurance for your pad, which probably costs less money than the shell, but rather the ability to rely on its comfort while traveling and camping. With the Badger Bed you can sleep on even the bare ground without worrying about sharp rocks, sticks, creepy crawlies, burrs, or dirt damaging or invading your sleep system. The Badger Bed fits any 25-by-78-inch or 30-by-82-inch pad鈥攐r anything smaller than those dimensions.

You may also want to take advantage of the pads’ generous dimensions by ditching your sleeping bag. and both make fitted sheets that fit these pads, which boost comfort and help keep them clean. On top of those, blankets and quilts can be stacked to achieve the desired level of both insulation and flexibility. , , and all make their own puffy quilts sized just to these pads, and there are many options on the market. I like to run a Born top sheet, followed by a heavyweight fleece blanket I bought years ago at a Bed, Bath, and Beyond, then a down quilt. By using Born items, I can attach them to toggles within the shell, so they don鈥檛 get rucked up or moved out of the way while I sleep.

If you choose one of the inflatable options, you鈥檙e also going to need to blow it up, and these things鈥攅specially the 2P options鈥攈old a lot of air. Recent innovations in battery density have resulted in electric pumps that are smaller than a soda can, and which will save your lungs a lot of effort. I鈥檝e by no means conducted exhaustive testing across every pump out there, but holds enough juice to inflate and deflate a 1P Megamat ten times, and ships with adaptors that have connected it to every mattress I鈥檝e ever tried. Note the deflation thing. By sucking the air out of the foam inside these pads, you can get a drastically smaller packed size. this is no small feat if truck or truck-bed space is tight.

It鈥檚 also nice to get off of the ground. All of these accessories work on appropriately sized cots as well as they do on the ground. Back in 2018, I asked myself why I wouldn鈥檛 want to take advantage of how flat and stable the pads are and use a real bed frame. perfectly matched the dimensions of my Megamat Duo, elevating that 14 inches off the floor of the giant canvas tent I put up for hunting camp each fall. That way, warm air from the wood stove is free to circulate around me, I get bed-like comfort, and I don鈥檛 have to lower or raise my sore muscles all the way to the ground or back up. As a bonus, it splits in half, into two 25-inch wide bed frames that are just the right size for a 1P pad (the smallest stand alone size, twin, is 39 inches wide), so now a buddy and I both get one.

And that鈥檚 how I鈥檒l be sleeping most nights this fall, way out in the mountains. I鈥檝e got my new HEST Foamy all wrapped up in a Badger Bed, complete with fitted sheets, and a cozy insulation layers, ready to ride in my truck up there, where the bed frame is already waiting from last year.

Is my setup excessive? Yes. But talk to me when you鈥檝e just leapt out of bed after a full, restful night鈥檚 sleep, fully recharged and ready to tackle another challenging day in the mountains. Or as you鈥檙e hiking back to camp after dark, totally exhausted, but feeling reassured in the knowledge that you have the most comfortable bed possible waiting for you to collapse into it.

Wes Siler, our longtime outdoor lifestyle columnist, is a total wimp who obsessively pursues comfort in extreme environments. You can ask him for help dialing in your own system, or with anything else , where he helps readers lead more exciting lives outdoors.聽

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Coolers are the gastroenterological core of every camping trip. If your cooler fails, your drinks are only lukewarm and your perishables go bad. While ice retention, exterior durability, and interior capacity are all important features to consider, we also think the devil is in the details when it comes to buying the right cooler. A massive amount of insulation won鈥檛 do you any good if the clasps don鈥檛 seal it closed, and spaciousness doesn鈥檛 matter if you can鈥檛 find things or carry it. After months of testing, here are the six best coolers for car campers, vanlifers, and beach bums.

Updated August 2025: After months of additional testing, we added five new coolers, including the Rugged Road 65, Canyon Pro 65, Maluna 50-Quart, Grizzly 60, and Wyld Gear 65 Freedom Series. We鈥檝e also updated info and pricing on some of our previous picks that we still highly recommend.

Watch: How to Choose a Cooler

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Father鈥檚 Day is just around the corner. To celebrate all of the rad dads out there, our gear team pulled together these Father鈥檚 Day deals that make buying the perfect gift a breeze. Picks range from relatively affordable alpaca socks to pricier (albeit discounted) top-of-the-line smartwatches. In between, you鈥檒l find rooftop tents from Yakima, trekking poles from Leki, and discounts on Arc’teryx gear.

While these deals are all quite different, they do have a few things in common. First off, we know dad would be stoked to unwrap any of these on June 15th. And each and every one has been approved and hand-picked by our gear team.

Garmin鈥檚 having a huge Father鈥檚 Day sale right now, and you can currently save up to $200 on smartwatches, GPS navigators, satellite communicators, golf accessories, you name it. Check out the , or keep reading for a few of our top picks.

The F膿nix 8, Garmin鈥檚 most feature-packed, high-performance, sports-oriented smartwatch, is exceptionally versatile. You may already be familiar with the critically acclaimed F膿nix Solar (was $1,000+, now $800+), which, as the name implies, gets a battery boost from the sun. There鈥檚 also the F膿nix E (was $800, now $600), a streamlined option at a more tolerable price point. As of late, though, we鈥檝e been testing and loving the F膿nix 8 AMOLED version, which features an incredibly crisp and detailed touchscreen.

The F膿nix is packed with features like sleep tracking, GPS mapping, smart notifications, a new voice-activated assistant and voice memo capabilities, a handy flashlight, and downloadable music and Bluetooth connectivity so you can listen to jams on runs without lugging your phone. It also comes pre-loaded with an editable avalanche of activities to choose from that go beyond the standard swim, bike, and run. Not to mention, the eighth edition of this watch is also more waterproof, durable, and dive-ready than ever, making it a dream watch for multi-sport adventurers.

One of the biggest gripes Garmin fans have had regarding the updated F膿nix line is price: The larger, 51-millimeter models will cost you $1,200. That said, Garmin鈥檚 biggest dollar-per-dollar discounts during this Father鈥檚 Day sale are on the F膿nix lineup, and you can now save $200 on the entire line, making it a great time to snag one of these killer smartwatches (for dad, or for yourself).

Let鈥檚 be honest here. Gifting a satellite communicator like the Garmin InReach Mini 2 for Father鈥檚 Day isn鈥檛 entirely altruistic, as it provides loved ones with priceless peace of mind whenever dad heads into the wilderness. This lightweight, compact device allows users to send text messages to check in with friends and family, transmit GPS coordinates, or hit an SOS button in a worst-case scenario. For many 国产吃瓜黑料 team members, the InReach Mini 2 is a critical piece of gear they won鈥檛 leave the trailhead without, especially on longer solo adventures and overnights.

Garmin鈥檚 Forerunner 165 Music is a top pick for runners and triathletes who want baseline smartwatch features, training insights, music capabilities, and a streamlined package at a much more affordable price. For reference, the 165 retails for a third of the price of the F膿nix (depending on the exact model), and it鈥檚 now slashed by $50. In fact, the Forerunner 165 Music rose to the top of the heap of our annual watch testing, earning the 鈥渂est for a budget鈥� superlative. If you鈥檙e looking for bang for your buck, this one鈥檚 for you.

If the dad on your list is a hiker who could use a sock drawer refresh, check out this Paka gift box. It features a trio of cozy, cushioned, mid-cut socks, each in a different earthy colorway and all crafted from an alpaca fiber blend. Not only is buying a gift box a way to give his sock drawer a quick refresh, buying in a pack of three will save you some hard-earned cash.

Imagine a Venn diagram. In one circle, you have whiskey aficionados and beer drinkers. In the other, you have outdoor enthusiasts. Smack-dab in the middle of that heavily overlapping Venn diagram is North Drinkware, a boutique crafter of cups from the Pacific Northwest. These cups aren鈥檛 ordinary, mind you, but instead feature famous mountains sculpted into the base of each glass, resulting in some serious inspo with each sip.

If you鈥檙e shopping for a dad who loves his whiskey, the tumblers or heavy-bottom tumblers are the way to go. Cerveza fans will be blown away by the pint glasses. In either case, the thick glass holds cold well, so you can pre-chill glasses to your heart鈥檚 content.

Even cooler than a pre-chilled vessel, however, is the fact that you can shop by mountain range to make the gift customized to the recipient. Check out pre-packaged gift sets that celebrate mountains from Colorado to Hokkaido. Or, for an even more customized gift, build your own box set and pull together a set of glasses featuring mountains that mean something to dad.

Whatever you do, don鈥檛 forget to use the code DADTEN for up to 40 percent off before Father鈥檚 Day.

Chirp is having a hefty , with recovery rollers and wheels up to 67 percent off. The RPM, short for Rolling Percussive Massager, is one of our favorite Chirp recovery tools, and it鈥檚 currently on sale for 20 percent off. An electric, rotating, knobby rolling pin designed to massage tired muscles and work out post-workout kinks, the RPM is a great gift for dads who say 鈥渁ge is just a number鈥� on the ski slopes and 鈥渙uch鈥攃ouch鈥� when they return home. You can use it to roll out everything from biceps and triceps to glutes and quads. Our personal favorite? Slotting it in the included stand and letting it work wonders on tired feet.

For the dad who is serious about pizza, there are few better ovens for at-home use than the Roccbox from Gozney. It鈥檚 a smaller version of the brand鈥檚 commercial pizza ovens, so restaurant-quality pizza is just a few 500掳 seconds away.

It鈥檚 a versatile beast of a pizza oven, providing home pizzaiolos with the option to cook with gas or wood. The box is covered with a silicone jacket that reduces the risk of burns (though it can still burn you, so be careful), and has removable legs and burner that make packing it up a breeze. Right now you can pick it up for $100 less than usual, which is a nothing-to-sniff-at discount of 20%

If dad is an outdoors multihyphenate, he needs a hard-wearing waterproof jacket that does everything. This is where the Beta AR from Arc鈥檛eryx comes in. A lightweight-yet-durable shell designed for mountain adventures of all types, we love this jacket for climbing, hiking, camping, running, mountaineering, and any other alpine activities you can think of.

The jacket leverages Gore-Tex Pro tech for waterproofing, has pit zips to keep things cool when temperatures rise, and has two pockets on the front and one inside for small bits of gear. If he鈥檚 on a climb, scramble, or sketchy approach, have no fear: the stormproof hood is helmet compatible.

Arc鈥檛eryx鈥檚 trail running shoes are not to be slept on. The Sylan Pro is the brand鈥檚 most plush running shoe offering, making it ideal for tackling long trail runs or hikes where comfort is paramount. A rocker midsole provides an easy footfall that propels the wearer forward with each step and the 28mm stack height ensures there is plenty of foam underfoot.

The Sylan Pros are very comfortable, but they鈥檙e also designed for protection. The integrated knit collar keeps rocks and scree from finding its way into the shoes and polyurethane-coated upper keeps the foot protected from bigger rocks and roots. Finally, the 6mm lugs and Vibram sole give Dad the confidence he needs on ascents, descents and everywhere in between.

Don鈥檛 let Dad get caught without power. The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is the perfect companion for a car camping trip or glamping adventure, delivering 1500W of AC and 100W of USB-C power that charges聽 phones, lights, or the fancy espresso machine that he won鈥檛 leave home without.

There are six output ports that pull from 1070Wh of power, charging an iPhone 74 times, a laptop 14 times, or a Starlink for 10 hours on one full charge. This is plenty for keeping a bustling campsite going for days on end, meaning the adventure never has to stop (at least, until the real world starts calling).

Leki has taken the trail running, hiking, and skiing to the next level with its innovative poles, which are highlighted by the brand鈥檚 Shark system, which uses integrated gloves to provide leverage and power transmission going up and downhill. The Cross Trail 3s are ideal for hiking, backpacking, or trail running, giving dad an extra couple of points of contact with the ground when things get tricky.

They come in a couple of different sizes and pack down small for easy storage, whether he鈥檚 packing them away at home or in his pack during a runnable descent. Heat-treated aluminum shafts are ultra tough and lightweight, and the tips have an interchangeable basket system that lets him adapt to the conditions for the best possible support.

In our opinion, Rab is seriously slept on when it comes to the best brands in the outdoor biz. The British brand makes exceptional mountain gear, from its apparel to bags and beyond. The Positron down jacket is the perfect companion for all seasons, from skiing or hiking in the winter to cold summer mornings high in the mountains.

A Pertex Quantum Pro shell staves off light rain and wind, while lofty 800-fill down keeps him toasty warm without any excess weight. The adjustable hood fits over a helmet, and wrist and hem adjusters make it easy to keep wind from making its way into the jacket. Summer is always a great time to pick up a warm down jacket, since most brands take this as an opportunity to flash some significant markdowns.

If he loves a pocket knife but doesn鈥檛 want something that feels like it belongs strapped to a Navy SEAL, the James Brand Carter is a top choice. The brand makes great knives and EDC, using high-quality VG-10 stainless steel to make the Carter鈥檚 blade and G10 fiberglass laminate for the handle.

Not only does it perform, it just looks cool. The thumb disc on top of the blade stands out for its design, but is also an immensely useful feature, allowing him to flip the knife into position with ease. The reversible pocket clip will let him stow the knife anywhere he wants, and the trusty slide lock mechanism is intuitive and reliable. These things rarely go on sale, so this is a great chance to save yourself more than $20 while also snagging a great gift.

A rooftop tent is every guy鈥檚 dream. It proves his outdoor bonafides when he drives around town with it folded up, and looks even cooler when it鈥檚 splayed fully open at the campsite. Yakima makes some of the best you can buy, indeed, the SkyRise has been one of our favorites since it was first launched in 2016.

The 3-person tent provides an ample footprint for comfortable sleep at night while doubling as an awning that鈥檚 perfect for hanging out under with a deck of cards and a drink at the end of a long day on the trail, lake, or wherever his car camping adventures take him. The best feature, however, is probably the 2.5-inch wall-to-wall mattress pad that will have him drifting off into the most peaceful sleep of his life. We never see these at this steep of a discount, so if he鈥檚 had his eye on a rooftop tent, now is the time to surprise him with one.

Every dad needs a Leatherman 鈥� it鈥檚 pretty much a requirement at this point. The Wave Plus is one of the most versatile multi-tools you can buy, packing 18 different tools into its small frame. It has needle-nose and regular pliers, wire/hard-wire cutters, an electrical crimper, a wire stripper, a 420HC knife, serrated knife and saw, and others.

The multi-tool provides Dad with anything he needs to get the job done at home, at camp, or in the backcountry. Plus, it comes with the signature nylon sheath with snap closure, just like the ones your dad鈥檚 dad and your dad鈥檚 dad鈥檚 dad had in their toolbox.

More Gear Reviews

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Summer is right around the corner, so here are two ways to ensure it鈥檚 the best one yet.

1. Kick off summer with the , May 31 and June 1 in Denver, Colorado. The event blends music, film, keynote speakers, outdoor brands, and great food in the ultimate celebration of adventure. Last year鈥檚 inaugural event drew nearly 20,000 people, and the festival will be even bigger and better this year, with Khruangbin and Lord Heron leading the musical lineup and legends like Diana Nyad and Alex Honnold headlining the speaker series.

2. Spend more time outside. Warm weather and long days serve up the perfect conditions for camping, hiking, paddling, and more. Make summer鈥檚 precious days count by putting more adventures on the calendar and equipping yourself with the best gear.

Below are ten products guaranteed to upgrade the season. They鈥檒l help you sleep more comfortably outdoors, elevate your camp cooking with family and friends, and maximize fun on the water. Gear up and get out there.

Camp

REI Co-op Campwell 6 Tent

Got a big crew? Get a big tent. This cabin-style tent sleeps six comfortably with a spacious interior and elevated peak height (over five feet), so everyone can spread out and relax. Clear night? Roll back the fly and enjoy stargazing through the full mesh ceiling. It鈥檚 the perfect summer home for adventure-loving families and friends.

Exped MegaMat Sleeping Pad

When it comes to sleeping well outdoors, a key consideration is what you put between you and the ground. For a solid night鈥檚 rest, you want a pad that鈥檚 thick for maximum cushion and insulated for warmth. The MegaMat delivers and then some. It offers four luxurious inches of cushion, enough insulation for winter weather when paired with a winter bag, and easy inflation/deflation. Bonus: The surface fabric is soft against skin and made with 100% recycled material.

REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 Sleeping Bag

If you鈥檝e ever felt cramped by a too-narrow mummy bag, get ready for a revelation: The relaxed rectangular fit of this cozy sleeping bag offers plenty of roll-around room for a comfortable night鈥檚 sleep. The 20-degree temperature rating can handle the chillier side of mountain summers, and the two-way zipper lets you open the bag completely or even turn it into a quilt in warmer weather.

Hest Camp Pillow

They may look similar, but not all camp pillows are created equal. This one stands apart for its ultracomfortable memory foam, dirt- and water-resistant fabric, and removable/washable cover. Take it everywhere this summer, from camping to meadow napping to festival lounging.

Cook

AeroPress XL Coffee Press

If camp coffee鈥�good camp coffee鈥攊s one of your nonnegotiables, get the XL Coffee Press from AeroPress. It can brew up to six shots of espresso or two cups of coffee at a time, keeping you on your morning game. To brew, just add your coffee grounds and water, then stir and press. It鈥檚 that simple.

REI Co-op Graphic Camp Mug

What鈥檚 a pot of coffee without a mug to match? The REI Co-op Graphic Camp Mug is made of high-quality stainless steel, features an easy-sipping lid, and is double insulated to keep your drinks hot (or cold). Plus, you can match it to your personal style with a choice of eight colors and designs.

YETI Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler

This cooler is as close as it gets to summer on wheels. It chills up to 76 cans of your favorite beverage, and the PermaFrost insulation can keep ice frozen for days. But this is a Yeti cooler, so top-notch insulation is just the start. The whole thing is tank tough, and the NeverFlat wheels and telescoping handle make it easy to maneuver through festival crowds and over rough terrain.

Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven

Nothing says summer like cooking over a campfire. This cast-iron beauty is the way to do it for soups, stews, meats, and more. The deep eight-quart Dutch oven is preseasoned using a hot industrial oven so the oil is baked in, making it hand-me-down durable. That and the cast iron鈥檚 even heat distribution make the Deep Camp Dutch Oven a welcome addition to any camp kitchen.

Float

Bote Breeze Aero Bloom Inflatable Paddleboard with Paddle

Get on the water this summer with a limited-edition paddleboard from Bote. The Breeze Aero Bloom is inflatable and lightweight (just 20 pounds), so it鈥檚 easy to pack on road trips. Eco bonus: The deck pad is made with an environmentally friendly material sourced from harmful algae, removing it from the environment and returning clean water to the ecosystem.

Bote Highwater Hitchhiker

Whatever kind of paddling or boating you do, keep your valuables dry with the hip-pack-size Bote Highwater Hitchhiker. The TRU Zip zipper is fully waterproof, dustproof, airtight, and submersible, so you can focus on the water fun, not the risk of getting your stuff wet.

is the nation鈥檚 largest consumer co-op, with a growing community of 24 million members who expect and love the best-quality gear and outstanding customer service. The co-op is a purpose-driven and values-led company dedicated to enabling life outside for all.

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Thanks to instant coffee, which has been commercially available since the late 1930s, saving weight in the backcountry and still getting zooted on caffeine is not new. When I started raft guiding a century ago in the late 鈥�90s, we used to mix up heaping spoonfuls of Folgers with General Foods International Coffees Suisse Mocha and Orange Cappuccino powders to get fired up in the morning. We called this our 鈥渃oncoction,鈥� and while it was efficient, it tasted horrible and put every guide who drank it in immediate gastric distress.

So while instant coffee鈥攁nd its usefulness to weight and time-conscious outdoor enthusiasts鈥攊s not new, we are experiencing a relatively new phenomenon of super delicious premium instant coffees. These can please a genuine snob and will not necessarily send you directly to a porta potty or cathole once ingested. We tested 24 different instant coffee varieties to bring you our favorites so you can maximize your enjoyment without having to sacrifice ounces.

Watch: The Instant Coffee Winners

Best Instant Coffee Blends

Generally speaking, blends are more approachable and less bold. If you like to put cream or sweetener in your coffee, I would suggest opting for one of these blends.

Doma Deep Instant Craft Coffee

• Weight: 7 g
• Tasters鈥� Rating: 7/10

The first word testers used to describe the flavor profile of this special edition blend from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, was 鈥渂ig.鈥� The boldness of this blend was matched with well rounded sweetness. 鈥淚t is so caramel-y I almost get butterscotch, and then the finish is like cherry juice,鈥� said Case. 鈥淚t is more three dimensional than some of the other blends.鈥� The Doma Deep Instant manages to be extremely drinkable while also having, well, depth at the same time. I found it to be a killer start to the earliest mornings thanks to its inviting sweetness.

Swift Coffee Mainstay

• Weight: 6 g
• Tasters鈥� Rating: 7/10

Swift has their own instant offerings, but it鈥檚 also the instant coffee manufacturer that independent roasters like Doma, Case, and Verve use to make their instant coffees. It is not a surprise that they have so many winners on this list鈥攖hey have their hands in most of the best instant coffees available to us. Their Mainstay Blend features flavors that were the most pleasantly integrated of the coffees that we tasted. 鈥淚 like the balance of it,鈥� Case said. 鈥淭here is no sharp acidity, but it has sweetness and is a little bitter, which is what I want in instant coffee.鈥� Testers noted that what the Mainstay Blend may have lacked in subtle notes, it made up for in a lovely even mouth feel.

Verve Wilder

• Weight: 6 g
• Tasters鈥� Rating: 7/10

I was thankful that we performed the cupping blind when testers described this blend as 鈥渨ild.鈥� The fact that testers used the same adjective the name uses to describe the blend鈥檚 fruitiness followed by a little bit of wildflower notes at the end proved that the Santa Cruz roaster absolutely nailed it. 鈥淭his one’s really juicy,鈥� Case said. I found that juiciness to be delightful and refreshing as an afternoon cup, and, hot or cold, this will be the blend I bring for trips with long days when I need a late pick-me-up.

Case Epiphany

• Weight: 7 g
• Tasters鈥� Rating: 6/10

Case made this list even though testers gave it a six because it was my personal favorite and, frankly, I wanted to reward my local coffee shop for being honest enough to give their own blend a number below its competitors. Coffee taste is subjective, and this super-rich and caramel-forward blend is extremely drinkable and reminds me of working from the coffee shop down the street from my house. That nostalgia is what put it on this list for me, personally. When asked about giving his own blend a score of six on a blind test, Case felt great about it. 鈥淲e aimed to make a chuggable blend, and I do think it absolutely is that,鈥� Case said.

Best Single Origins Instant Coffee

A single-origin coffee comes from one bean that delivers an extremely unique and often bold flavor. With a single-origin coffee, roasters are really married to the taste of an individual bean because they can鈥檛 blend it with others.

Swift Burundi Heza

• Weight: 6 g
• Tasters鈥� Rating: 8/10

The depth of flavor on this single-origin coffee was off the charts and a clear standout for the connoisseurs. 鈥淚t has acidity, but is also so savory,鈥� said Case. Testers caught notes of berries on the front with a savory finish that delighted those who enjoy a flavor profile with a lot going on.

Swift Brazil – Cerrado

• Weight: 7 g
• Tasters鈥� Rating: 8/10

One taster who traditionally does not like the taste profile of single-origin coffees from Brazil was surprised that this one proved one of his favorites during the blind test. 鈥淭his is much more fruity than other light coffees here,鈥� said Case. Tasters noted a distinct creaminess in this single origin instant from Swift which was offset by a pleasant sharpness on the front that smoothed out in the end. Swift says it can hold up to cream, but after testing it with oat as well as cow鈥檚 milk, I found it to be significantly better on its own.

Canyon Instant Coffee

• Weight: 6 g
• Tasters鈥� Rating: 8/10

The acidity in this coffee was lemon or lime like on the front but offered a sweetness that balanced out the intensity. 鈥淒efinitely fruit forward,鈥� Case said after slurping a spoonful of this Ethiopian. The liveliness of this coffee was really enjoyable as a wake up in the dark hours of the morning and was also a great refresher after lunch. My personal preference was to drink a cup after a big daytime meal to stave off a siesta thanks to its brightness.

Tandem Coffee Roasters Danche

• Weight: 7 g
• Tasters鈥� Rating: 7/10

The Danche from this Portland, Maine鈥揵ased roaster delivered a more acidic taste than the other Ethiopian blends (that dominated this test). While the Danche still offered enough balance between acidity and sweetness to remain enjoyable, the extra kick made it stand out from the other 24 coffees and drink more like a traditionally brewed cup. 鈥淚’m tasting lots of acid. It’s really nice to have this contrast in the table for sure. It really tastes less like an instant coffee,鈥� Case said.

The Instant Coffee Test

I started by trying to find the newest offerings of instant coffees from brands that I have tried in the past. While I haven鈥檛 ever performed a head-to-head instant coffee evaluation before, I have, by my estimation, tested more than a dozen different instant coffees for one-off review consideration for 国产吃瓜黑料.

I scoured the internet for best instant coffee reviews and took note of which brands received the highest marks. I reached out to those brands and received hundreds of servings of instant coffees. For ten weeks, I only drank instant coffee when making coffee for myself at home, making notes on the flavor and user experience. (I work from home and drink a minimum of two cups of coffee a day, so I had ample opportunity to get through the lot.) I also weighed a single serving of each of the coffees in their packaging on my kitchen scale to give an accurate idea of how many grams you are adding to your pack per serving.

I then took 24 of the coffees I tested to my satellite office, in Ashland, Oregon. Local award-winning roaster and coffee shop owner Tim Case helped me set up the last part of the test, which was a proper cupping of all 24 of the instant coffees we tested. Case and his team of two seasoned roasters poured eight ounces of water that was right around 170 degrees (as per the brewing instructions of the instant coffees) and stirred them up. We tasted them blind, waiting until the coffees cooled enough that the heat wouldn鈥檛 overload our palettes. We gave each one an individual score out of one to ten and took tasting notes. It is worth noting that coffee is pretty subjective, so we did our best to make sure the top picks would make everyone happy.

The instant coffees listed here made our final list because they taste as close to the coffee you can make at home with a pour-over or french press. While they would probably lose in a taste test to a properly brewed version of themselves, any coffee on this list tastes better than a traditionally brewed mainstream coffee like a Folgers.

More Gear Reviews

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I, like many, feverishly guard my Yeti gear. My water bottle cabinet is stacked with Ramblers and my garage has four different-sized coolers neatly stacked and waiting for my family鈥檚 next adventure. The cooler and drinkware brand鈥檚 stuff is so good that it鈥檚 found a permanent place in my rather large but ever-rotating gear collection that鈥檚 fed by my job as a gear tester.

That said, there鈥檚 one piece of Yeti gear that I was rather happy to give away to friends. After lugging the Yeti Trailhead Camp Chairs on several camping trips, I decided that I wanted them gone and gladly shuffled them off to other garages. Those chairs, I will admit, are more comfortable than any other camp chair on the market. But they鈥檙e also the heaviest and bulkiest camp chairs I鈥檝e ever tested and were a royal pain in the ass to lug around. Their bulk took up an absurd amount of space in my truck bed, and hauling two around a campsite felt like lugging sacks of stones. Bottom line: The comfort was not worth the effort.

Given that experience, I was curious鈥攁nd skeptically hopeful鈥攁bout Yeti鈥檚 new beach chair. I鈥檝e now been testing the Hondo Beach Chair for a few weeks, and, thankfully, it is exactly what I鈥檝e been hoping for and will absolutely become part of my permanent Yeti gear collection.

Yeti Hondo Beach Chair Wear-Test Review

Made from a powder-coated aluminum and slung with a breathable and UV-resistant mesh, the Hondo is rated to hold 350 pounds. Weighing 11 pounds, it鈥檚 not (their Chair One comes in at 2.25 pounds), but it is two pounds lighter than the Trailhead, which is noticeable when walking around a campsite or from your car to your kid鈥檚 soccer game. It also comes with a removable padded shoulder strap that makes carrying two or three at a time a total breeze.

The biggest difference, however, is in the bulk. Like most beach chairs, Yeti鈥檚 version folds flat and, packed down, is only about 2.5 feet on its longest side. You can stack two or three into your car and only take up a few cubic feet of space. In my truck, the chair disappeared against the side of my bed, unlike the Trailhead, which squeezes down into an awkward cylindrical shape that never fits anywhere well because of its girth.

Like all beach chairs, the Hondo sits closer to the ground on two lengthwise braces instead of four individual feet so that it鈥檚 more stable in sand. People accustomed to taller camp chairs might balk at the lower-to-the-ground design, but I鈥檝e found it to be an advantage. By sitting closer to the ground, I鈥檓 actually closer to the coals of the campfire, which is where the heat is. The chair doesn鈥檛 sit so low that it feels awkward to get out of, at least for someone like me, still relatively young and spry. In terms of seating height, the Hondo feels similar to the Helinox Chair One, so you won鈥檛 be a total outlier. When I hauled the chair to my son鈥檚 soccer game, I found that I had to scoot a little forward to not be blocked out by other spectators in taller chairs, but that was no big deal.

Beach chairs are also built to recline so you can sunbathe, and I鈥檝e found this to be an advantage for camping as well. When the stars come out at night, it鈥檚 been fun to haul the chair to a dark spot, recline it as far as it will go and stare up at the constellations. During the day, leaning the chair back has also facilitated great naps.

I have yet to take the chair to the beach, but it will obviously do its job well when placed in the sand and next to the water. There鈥檚 a sturdy cup holder, and plastic tabs on both arms are designed to integrate with other Yeti products like the SideKick Dry one-liter gear case that will hold daily items like sunscreen and car keys.

Like all Yeti products, the Hondo is pricey at $300, but as we always say about the brand, the investment is worth the initial pain. I know that I鈥檒l gladly haul this chair around to camping trips and beach outings for the next 10 years, toss it around in my truck, leave it out in the sun, and generally abuse it without ever worrying that it will break or not be the most comfy seating option during every adventure.

See our full gear guide to 2025 camp chairs.

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Few things can tank morale on a camping trip like a bad night鈥檚 sleep. Fortunately, with so many stellar sleeping pads available, there鈥檚 no reason your gear should keep you from getting your beauty sleep, especially when you鈥檙e car camping and you鈥檝e got the room to go big. We spent 50+ nights testing every type of sleeping pad for camping (and even cots) that prioritize comfort over weight and packability鈥攆rom smart options designed for literal car campers to plush camping sleeping pads that can double as a guest room mattress. The options below delivered our best nights of sleep.

Updated August 2025: We added two new picks to this list, including the game-changing Zempire Monstabed Twin, a tall camp bed that鈥檚 as comfy as it gets. We also added the Sea To Summit Pursuit Plus鈥攁 do-it-all option for car campers who occasionally backpack, too.

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