Introduction
My no-BS list of camping gear that I actually use and love. This isn’t some Pinterest perfect checklist. It’s gear that gets muddy, makes my life easier, and helps me enjoy being off-grid without losing my mind.
Morning Rituals: Coffee First
- Nescafe Clasico Instant Coffee: Nothing fancy, just fast caffeine. I stash a small tub of it in my drawer with a teaspoon and bam. Hot water, stir, money!
- Fire Maple Camping Stove: It’s the budget version of a Jetboil but still get’s the job done. Compact, quick, and perfect for boiling water for ramen or coffee.
- Unicorn Squadron: While you’re at it, score yourself a dope-ski Unicorn Squadron camping coffee mug!
👉 Shop Nescafe Clasico Instant Coffee
👉 Shop Fire Maple Camping Stove
👉 Shop Unicorn Adventure Camping Mug
Stayin’ Fresh in the Dirt
- Dude Wipes: For when showers aren’t around or for the occasional cat-hole. Refreshing, and less awkward than using baby wipes. Even though they are biodegradable, please follow LEAVE NO TRACE principles and pack them out.
- Mrs. Meyer’s Dish Soap + Homaxy Waffle Weave Dish Cloths: Smells good, cleans better.
- Fosjgo Dish Basin: Collapsible, easy to drain, and actually fits all my camp cookware.
👉 Shop Homaxy Waffle Eave Dish Cloths
Fire, Food, and Forks
- Coleman Triton+ 2 Burner Stove: The OG of the stove game and still holds true. 11,000 BTUs per burner with a large cooking area, can’t beat it.
- MalloMe Camping Cookware: Lightweight, stacks neatly, and tough enough for trail breakfasts or late-night ramen.
- Hot Logic Electric Food Warmer: When I’m feeling lazy, I used this lil bad boy. I plug it into my rig and warm up pre-made meals while I set up camp. Total game-changer.
- Teivio 24-Piece Dinnerware + Travel Utensils: Reusable, durable, and doesn’t feel like eating with a toy set.
👉 Shop Coleman Triton+ 2 Burner Stove
👉 Shop MalloMe Camping Cookware
👉 Shop Hot Logic Electric Food Warmer
👉 Shop Teivio 24 Piece Kitchen Dinnerware Set
👉 Shop Quatish Camping and Travel Utensils
Shelter and Sanity: My Camp Setup
- Gazelle T4 Overland Edition Tent: Roomy, rugged, and takes 90 seconds to pop up. It’s the best thing I’ve ever slept in outdoors. The Overland Edition has stronger stakes and seems a lot better built than the Non-Overland version.
- Milliard Foam Mattresses (Full & Queen): Whether I’m camping solo or with others, I’ve got a setup for it. I use a full-sized foam mattress cut to fit perfectly in the back of my 4Runner. But if it’s a group trip, I switch to the queen-sized version for extra space.
- Supa Modern Cooling Pillows: These stay cool and comfy all night.
- Naturehike FT11 Table + YL08 Chairs: Lightweight but sturdy. I was shocked by the quality of Naturehikes products. The chairs support all 200 lbs of me and break down very small. They’re also a fraction of the cost of higher end camping furniture without sacrificing quality.
- Thermacell Mosquito Repeller: Bugs can literally ruin a camping trip. This bad boy keep the bugs away from the campfires.
👉 Shop Gazelle T4 Overland Edition Tent
👉 Shop Milliard Tri-fold Memory Foam Mattress
👉 Shop Supa Modern Cooling Pillows
👉 Shop Thermacell Mosquito Repeller
Tools of the Trail: Useful When I Break Things
- Mossy Oak Knife + Fiskars Hatchet: For cutting rope, prepping firewood, or even self defense.
- Dekopro 228 Piece Tool Kit: It’s simple and has the basic tools needed for most jobs.
- Rexbeti Folding Saw: Small but mighty. Makes gathering firewood 10x easier.
- Waterproof Chargeable USB Lighter + Bic Multipurpose Lighters: Fire at the push of a button, even when things get wildy.
👉 Shop Dekopro 228 Piece Tool Kit
👉 Shop Rexbeti 11″ Folding Saw
👉 Shop Waterproof Rechargeable USB Lighter
👉 Shop Bic Multipurpose Lighters
Light, Power, and Chill
- Etekcity Camping Lanterns: Bright, reliable, and doubles as a flashlight.
- Odoland Lantern with Ceiling Fan: Pair this with the bug screens and you’ll have solid airflow at night.
- Iceco VL35 Fridge: Keeps my drinks cold and my food fresh. Way cooler than a cooler.
- Anker C1000 Power Station: This powerhouse runs my fridge, charges my devices, and feeds all my power needs. Next thing is to go solar!!
👉 Shop Etekcity Camping Lanterns
👉 Shop Odoland Lantern with Celing Fan
👉 Iceco VL35 ProS Refrigerator
👉 Shop Anker C1000 Power Station
Final Thoughts: Comfort is the New Hardcore
I camp to connect with nature, reset my brain, and find peace in unplugging from the world.
Everything on this list has been road tested, rained on, and relied on. If you’re looking to build a smarter, comfier camping setup start with a few of these essentials.
Ready to upgrade your camping gear?
Click on the links above to shop the same gear I use and love. Every click supports the blog and helps me keep chasing sunrises and stories.
