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Car camping gear you ACTUALLY will use
23
items Tested items that you will actually use over years of month-long road trips, quick weekend getaways and everything in between.
Sections
4
Sleeping
Vehicle
Cooking
Electronics
Sleeping
This is the closest modern product to what I use for sleeping. I use a vintage thermarest self-inflating sleeping pad from the 90s that was a hand-me-down from my parents and it had never faltered. I can only hope that thermarest quality hasn't dropp...
BaseCamp Self-Inflating Foam Camping Mattress | Therm-a-Rest
This would be a budget friendly self-inflating pad to get you started on your car camping adventures. And if its not great? Its walmart!
Ozark Trail Self-Inflating Camp Pad with Pillow - Grey, Adult, 78" L x 25" W x 2" H
This is the newer version of my do-everything tent. I have used a single halfdome SL 2+ since 2019 and I liked it so much I bought a second one in 2022 to keep in storage for when my original wears out. It's been on dozens of multi-day backcountry tr...
REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Tent with Footprint | REI Co-op
I use the X-pillow frequently as it folds up small, is suprisingly comfortable and holds up to abuse really well.
Camping Pillows | Lightweight Sleep Comfort
I use these Loop earplugs every time I sleep outdoors or around others. They are comfortable to sleep on your side with and block out just enough noise so you don't startle at every leaf that falls, but you can still be aware of your surroundings.
Loop Quiet: Noise Reduction for Deep Sleep
Excellent construction, great weight to warmth ratio. I own a 20 degree down bag from this company and would buy one in every temp range they make if I were rich! The 20 degree packs down very well and lofts relatively quickly as well.
Down Sleeping Bags | Handcrafted in Seattle | Rated from 40ºF to -60ºF
This is my winter bag and it hasn't failed to keep me warm. I have used this bag down to -6 Farenheight in January, in Wyoming and it does the job. It is on the slower side for lofting but has a very high loft volume when its finally ready. Packs dow...
Phantom™ 0F/-18C
Storage hack! Get a bin that fits all of your sleeping gear AND fits nicely into a space of your car. Easy to pack up in the house and carry to the car then on the trip itself everything is ready to go and no digging through piles to find the tent or...
Sterilite Large Storage Bin, 18 Gallon Plastic Storage Container with Snap-On Lid, Gray - Walmart.com
Vehicle
Useful tools and things for getting out there (and for when things go wrong)
For sidewall patch in a pinch, might be better than throwing on a dinky spare if you dont have a full size spare in your loadout. Haven't had to use it but theoretically it would at least get me back to pavement or cell service. Better safe than sorr...
Sidewall Seal Kit
Nice to have peace of mind when taking your compact SUV (subaru or rav4) anywhere that might be sandy, muddy, or snowy. I also put them under the rear wheels to level out the car for sleeping! Keep them out of the sun and they will last a very long t...
BUNKER INDUST Off Road Traction Boards 2Pc
This is the air compressor I keep in my car at all times. Since I live in an apartment it's nice to be able to top off air pressure without paying at a gas station for a machine that may or may not work. For the more serious off road adventures of co...
AstroAI Portable Tire Inflator 12V DC Pump
ALWAYS have a well stocked first aid kit in a location that you can reach in 30 seconds. Most kits don't come with everything, so pick a package size you like and go through it, replacing the things like bug repellant with better dressings, clotting ...
First Aid Kits
Cooking
Everything I use for cooking at camp
Can't go wrong with ole coleman! I am still using the stove that my parents used in the 90s. This thing probably has a million hours of use and has never needed more service than to be wiped down. If you take care of it, it'll be generational.
Classic Propane Gas Camping Stove, 2-Burner
It sure boils the heck out of water! If that's something that you do a lot, then get a jetboil!
Jetboil
Usually the best deal for use with a campstove. (or if you have a sams membership they sell 6-packs :)
Coleman All Purpose Propane Gas Cylinder 16 oz, 4-Pack
This is what I use in my MSR Whisperlite for cost-effectiveness. This fuel also burns predictably so useful to start a charcoal grill or a campfire (when appropriate, Safety First!)
Coleman Fuel 1 Gallon
Very dependable backup stove or useful for long haul backcountry trips where you can't risk carrying fuel canisters.
MSR® WhisperLite™ Liquid Fuel Backpacking Stove
The most useful item I bring is a stanley pot with a folding handle and lid that locks down for storage. It's the worst when stuff slides around while you drive or rumage through your cooking bin so a self-contained cook set is so handy. Stainless st...
Camping Cookware l Stainless Steel Cook Sets l Stanley
This is the best spork. I will not elaborate. I own 6 of these, dispersed amongst my car, backpacks, cooking kits, etc. Ergonomic, lightweight, easy to clean, the perfect size to fit in a tuperware.
humangear GoBites Bio Uno Spork | REI Co-op
These blue diamon pans from walmart are a great budget non-stick (but not teflon) option for camp meals. Easy to clean afterwards with just a paper towl and you're ready to go. Stainless fans HATE this one trick!
Blue Diamond Toxin Free Ceramic Nonstick Safe Open Frypan/Skillet, 10" - Walmart.com
Electronics
This is what I use almost daily to keep my older phone battery charged. I trust it deep into the backcountry in both hot and cold weather.
Anker PowerCore 10K Compact Power Bank
They have changed their design a bit since I got my Petzl Actik Core headlamp wayyy back in 2015 but it seems that they are still absolute beasts for reliabilty. Mine is still rocking the OG battery core and still provides hours of even, dispersed li...
Petzl Actik Core Headlamp | REI Co-op
1
This is my favorite Garmin watch I've owned, with so many features and expedition mode that gives me nearly 40 days of battery life, downloadable maps and all in a small package. I prefer this watch to the fenix 8, it is a better bang for your buck. ...
fēnix® 7S Pro – Sapphire Solar Edition