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Camping is a quintessential summer activity, but being one with Mother Nature isn’t the most glamorous activity. Sometimes it’s hot, most of the time there are bugs, and showers are often few and far between. While these inconveniences are just the facts of life, there are some ways you can make camping feel a little more luxurious. We’ve rounded up the best gear, so your next trip is a lot more “glamping” than camping.
Keep scrolling forFIRST‘spicks for the best cool camping gear before you set out on your summer adventures.
Gone are the days of cramming the whole family into a four-person tent. Designed to shelter a dozen people, the Instant Cabin feels more like a tent mansion. Its water-repellant fabric will keep everyone dry, even during an unexpected thunderstorm, and when the weather clears up you can remove the top layer to increase air flow. But even better, the tent comes with pre-attached poles, so it can be easily set up in two minutes flat.
Taking a relaxing (and secluded) shower is one thing you may miss when you're in the great outdoors — unless you have the Stinky Pete Deluxe changing room tent, that is. It comes with an interior adjustable strap to hang your towel, as well as a sturdy hook to hold a three-gallon shower bag, so you can bathe in private while still feeling like you're one with Mother Nature. It can also double was a bathroom or changing room if need be.
Calling all coffee lovers, you can still enjoy your morning brew even while camping with Simpresso's Portable Espresso Maker. Even in your lack-of-caffeine-induced brain fog, whipping up a steaming mug of coffee is simple using the espresso maker's easy-to-use pump mechanism. This handy gadget comes with espresso pods, but feel free to use your grounds of choice.
Grilling hot dogs and roasting marshmallows is one of our favorite things about camping. Starting the fire, however, is not. Lucky for us, a Solo Stove's portable wood-burning unit simplifies the cooking process. All you do is fill the stove with dry twigs and sticks, then light it. The cooking ring that attaches to the top makes this wood-burner super easy, so you can heat pots, pans, and kettles for a truly gourmet meal al fresco.
Matador's Pocket Blanket is perfect for spreading out on some grass and basking in the sun. As the name implies, the 66-inch by 44-inch blanket folds up into a teeny-tiny square that can fit in your pocket. But don't let its lightweight design fool you, it's waterproof and tear-resistant. Plus, it comes with built-in stakes so it won't flap in the wind.
Mosquitos can be a buzzkill (pun intended) when you're camping — but they don't have to be. Ditch the messy bug spray with Thermacell's Patio Shield Mosquito Repeller. It creates a 15-foot-wide mosquito-free zone so you can focus less on swatting away pests and more on having fun with your family.
Camping is a wonderful opportunity for the whole family to unplug, but you'll still need a working phone in case of an emergency. This lightweight solar-powered phone charger can add juice to two phones simultaneously, and it doubles as a flashlight. Every USB port is covered with a rubber cap, so it should survive a fall in water. It's also made of a flexible silicone rubber that'll absorb the impact of a fall without damaging the device.
Wise Owl's nylon hammock is soft yet durable, and the DoubleOwl version can hold two people. It comes with tree straps and carabiners, so you won't need to learn any difficult knots to set it up. And when you're all done, simply toss the hammock in its carrying bag.
No matter how cushy the sleeping bag, trying to doze off on the ground or even on a cot is not comfortable at all. For a truly luxe camping experience, we recommend investing in a self-inflating camping mattress. The Velocity Air Bed from ALPS Mountaineering is made of a lightweight polyester so you can easily toss it in the trunk before heading out. The twin size can support up to 250 pounds while the queen mattress can handle up to 500 pounds.
If you're looking forward to reconnecting with your partner this camping trip, a loveseat will bring you guys closer — literally. This padded option from Kelty comes with built-in cushions, adjustable armrests, and insulated cup holders. It also ships with a wrap-around case that makes it easy to transport.
What a time to be alive! Ensure your marshmallows are roasted evenly with the Cuisinart S'more To Love Roastin' Reel. This tool works similar to a fishing rod, except you'll reel in perfect golden brown marshmallows. Hot dogs and sausages are also fair game with this rotating gadget.
Popcorn is a great low-calorie snack you can nibble around the campfire. This outdoor popcorn popper works with most stoves, including gas, wood-burning, and charcoal and has a long wooden handle so you can stay far away from the fire. In just four to five minutes you'll have three quarts of freshly popped popcorn ready to be enjoyed — just don't forget the toppings.
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