The 30 Best Expert-Recommended Gifts For Campers

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Camping is a notoriously gear-heavy activity—but that’s all part of the fun. From decking out your campsite with all the creature comforts to sleeping in a rooftop tent under the stars, no camping experience looks the same for every camper. When it comes to buying the perfect gift for the camper in your life, you have some choices to make.

Are they an avid car camper who loves a lush setup with comfy chairs and cozy twinkle lights? Do they prefer taking a minimalist approach to camping with only the essentials? Are tech-enabled gadgets and top-of-the-line gear more their speed?

Sure, sticking with the basics like hiking socks or water bottles is a safe bet. But you can also go the extra mile to find a gift tailor made to their unique camping style. For example, an outdoor chef might love a new camping kitchen, or true wilderness adventurers might value the gift of preparedness. Understanding the type of outdoorsy person you’re shopping for is key to buying the best camping gifts.

We sought out a wide range of camping gifts so your giftee can soak in nature and enjoy their time outside to the fullest.

What to Consider When Shopping for Gifts for Campers

Consider Their Camping Style

Like snowflakes, all campers are unique. Some (like myself) are maximalists and pack everything but the kitchen sink before heading to the campground. I like to call this “comfort camping.” Others might keep it simple and bring only the necessities with them outdoors. The beauty of camping is that everyone can make the experience their own.

Some common styles of camping include car camping (where you park your car at the campground), backpacking or hike-in camping (where you carry all your gear in a backpack), and overlanding (where you camp with and out of your vehicle).

Get to know the camper in your life and how they like to spend their time outdoors. You’ll likely want to buy more compact, lightweight gear (think: headlamps and hiking socks) for the minimalist type and can mix it up with heavier-duty gear for traditional campground campers (think: camp chairs and coolers).

Shop For the Season

Seasonality has a big impact on where, when, and how campers venture outdoors. Factor in the common weather patterns and climate for where the camper you’re buying for lives or travels. Are they based in the Southwest? Warm-weather, 3-season gear would be a safe bet. Do they love traveling to the Pacific Northwest? You won’t go wrong with water-resistant gear.

What Not to Buy

Unless you’re shopping for a loved one whose sleeping habits you’re very familiar with, I’d recommend shying away from purchasing sleeping bags and camping mattresses. Most campers have strong opinions about their sleep preferences and setup. For example, some folks might be okay with a no-frills sleep system (like the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad) while backpacking, while others may want to sleep in bedroom-like comfort (like the NEMO Roamer Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad) while car camping.

Sleeping bags and pads all range widely in use case, material and comfort, and temperature rating. Not to mention, sleep systems tend to be high-ticket items—costing you a small fortune, especially if it’s name-brand. We did include a couple of sleeping bag and pad recommendations in our roundup, but it could be wise to consult with your giftee before making your final pick.

How We Selected Gift Ideas For Campers

Because there’s no catch-all way to camp outdoors, this guide aims to provide a variety of camping gear ranging in use case, camping activity, and overall price points—from $5.50 to $599. That said, many fall under $100. These gifts represent a wide variety of outdoor retailers and brands—and will speak to all types of campers ranging from ultralight backpackers to gear-heavy car campers.

We did not focus this guide on camping during a particular season, time of year, or region. You can rest assured most of the gear on this gift list is appropriate for all types of camping adventures regardless of where or when the person you present these presents to ultimately goes. Many pieces of the camping gear on this list I either own myself or have tested in the past. For any of the gear I haven’t had the chance to try out, I extensively researched product information, specifications, and user reviews—mostly on REI.

Skyward Chair

Most campsites (at state parks, national parks, and national forest areas) come with a wooden picnic table, and if you’re lucky, some repurposed tree trunks to sit on around the fire. But you can’t beat a comfortable camp chair for relaxing at the campground.

REI’s breathable and durable mesh Skyward Chair distributes body weight to create a comfortable lounge. Oversized armrest and drop-down pockets keep gear close and secure too.

Travel and Camp Pillow

A restful and comfortable sleep in nature is totally doable with the right gear. The Coop Original Travel & Camp Pillow blends memory foam and microfiber for optimal comfort that can be customized—just unzip and remove undesired fluff to create an ideal loft.

Z/1 Classic Sandal

If your giftee loves rocking an outdoor aesthetic, make the Chaco Z/1 Classic Sandal your pick. Some call Chacos “the unofficial footwear of outdoorsy folks” because they’re deeply loved for their ability to hold up on hikes, paddles, bike rides, beach days, and practically any adventure.

Bonus points if whoever you gift these to ends the summer with a coveted “Chaco tan” on the top of their feet.

Eve Light Weight Hiker Crew Socks

Every hiker needs a solid pair of socks to keep their feet sweat- and smell-free. For a loved one who camps, you can’t go wrong with the soft yet durable Eve Light Weight Hiker Crew Socks by ToughCutie.

Made of merino wool, these lightweight hiking socks naturally wick moisture—keeping feet feeling fresh mile after mile.

Assert Pocket Knife

For those handy camper types, you can’t go wrong with this stainless steel beauty. The Assert Pocket Knife is an ultralight, 3-inch foldable pocket knife that’s sharp and stylish. It’ll come in handy for all types of camp chores, from cutting open the firewood packaging to stripping twigs off larger branches.

You can also customize a tailor-made version of the Assert on the Gerber website—picking out every little detail from colors and clip type to a personalized logo or pattern on the blade.

OGs Polarized Sunglasses

Everyone needs a good pair of sunnies. Whether they’re into summiting mountain peaks on bluebird days or sun tanning in their camp chair with a cold one in hand, Goodr’s classic sunglasses will keep their eyes squint-free and safe. They’re non-slip and fit snug, which means they double as great running and biking glasses.

Nomad Cooking Kit

Take in nature while cooking a forest feast. The five-piece Nomad Cooking Kit comes with everything they need to cook outside—including a serrated folding knife for cutting bread, dense cheese, and meat, a peeler for prepping veggies, and an 8- by 5-inch cutting board. An included microfiber cleaning cloth doubles as a carrying pouch for the kit.

Opinel has handcrafted knives for over 130 years, so rest assured this craft cutlery will stand up to wear, tear, and rugged adventure for years to come.

Wonderland 6 Tent

Camp with the entire crew—family, friends, and fur pals—in the deluxe REI Co-op Wonderland 6 Tent. With a whopping 83 square feet of floor space, bugproof mesh windows and vents, and two huge doors, it’s a dreamboat of a car camping tent. It’ll fit six people comfortably inside.

A whole slew of inner pocket organizers and color-coded tent fabric and poles simplify storage and setup—that way there’s more time for campfire hanging and less time setting up and searching for gear.

AlpenGlow Mini

Skip the boring camp lantern and opt for this multi-color light that turns the campsite into an instant party. The AlpenGlow Mini fits in the palm of your hand but packs a punch with its color-changing features.

Switch up the mood depending on the desired vibe—its warm white glow that creates a calming ambiance, “horizon” mode which transitions through sunrise and sunset hues, or single and cycling colors to keep it simple. This small but mighty lantern lasts up to 40 hours and can be recharged via USB.

Jazz Sleeping Bag

Pair a comfortable camp mattress with an equally comfortable sleeping bag: the NEMO Jazz. High-tech camping brand NEMO is known for its quality camp gear—and the Jazz doesn’t disappoint.

Its synthetic insulation will keep them warm down to 32 degrees, and thoughtful features like a draft collar foot and upper body venting give sleepers the ability to adjust airflow for optimal comfort.

Nanoloft Flame Blanket

Give the gift of cozy campfire hangs. This fire, stain, and water-resistant puffy blanket makes the perfect campfire companion with the ability to sit close to the flames without fearing rogue sparks.

Tent Whisk with Dust Pan

It might seem silly when you’re basically sleeping in the dirt, but this mini dust pan makes a big difference in keeping the tent clean and tidy. From beach camping to multi-day camping trips (especially with dogs and kids) they won’t regret having this in their gear bin.

Explorer 14 2-Burner Stove

This gift goes out to the true camp chef in your life. The Camp Chef Explorer 14 2-Burner Stove was made for cooking for a whole crew. No matter if they’re whipping up a meal for the family, a group of friends, or guests from one site over, the camp chef in your life will love this sturdy and reliable camp stove.

Even with its larger size, it’s completely portable. Foldable legs and a convenient carrying case make breakdown and setup a breeze. It’s compatible with a full-size propane tank and can be paired with many Camp Chef accessories—from the Professional Grill Box to the Italia Artisan Pizza Oven.

Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack

A stylish pick, the Patagonia Mini Hip Pack is compact and sleek—and perfect for day hiking. Its lightweight yet durable design will hold up to wear and tear on the trail. The 100% recycled ripstop nylon keeps water out and contents inside safe and secure.

For shorter day hikes they’ll appreciate having this hip pack slung around their shoulder or strapped around their waist for carrying snacks, a first aid kit, and other trail essentials.

GO Compact Camp Table

Snag this bamboo-top table that makes for a perfect addition to the campsite. At just over 20 pounds, it’s a bit heavier than your average camping table. However, the tradeoff with a heavier table is versatility.

The GO Compact Camp Table adjusts to three different height settings: coffee table height, kids' table height, or dining and food prep table height. Unfolded, the table's dimensions are 39.37 inches long by 27.36 inches tall by 25.59 inches wide.

From playing cards around the campfire to adding extra table space to the kitchen, this one’s for someone who wants to spread out and spruce up the campsite.

Kitchen Sink

Dishes outdoors are inevitable. Make their life easier with this compact and collapsible kitchen sink. It’s not hot, but it’s a camp essential that makes chores more efficient. Plus, they can use it to collect water too!

35 Hard Cooler

If buying ice isn’t their thing and cold beers are, snag this cooler with a cult following. Campers (and river tubers) love the YETI 35 Hard Cooler for its ability to keep food and drinks cold for hours upon hours. It comes in several larger sizes too, depending on how much they plan to pack.

Ditty Sack

When gear starts to get unwieldy, REI’s Ditty Sack pack makes a big difference in staying organized. Simple, stuffable, and handy, they can fit a variety of odds and ends—from headlamps and tent stakes to camp snacks and dirty clothes. The variety three-pack comes with a color-coded range of sizes (2-liter, 3-liter, and 7-liter).

Standard Issue 8 x 25 Waterproof Binoculars

No matter if they’re a wannabe or seasoned birder, Nocs’ compact, fun, and affordable binoculars are a great pick. A thick, rubber housing and high-impact rubber means they’ll outlast the occasional fumble or less-than-ideal weather. They magnify subjects 8x and offer a field of view up to 357 feet.

15" Bushcraft Hatchet

Kindling makes all the difference to get a campfire going. The Gerber 15” Bushcraft Hatchet will make a firemaster out of anyone. They can split big logs or harvest fallen forest wood with ease, no matter if they’re into wilderness survival or just trying to have a little fun.

Yeti 200X

For the friend who can’t disconnect (it’s fine, we get it), this portable power station can juice up tablets, phones, computers, lanterns, and all kinds of electronics. The Yeti 200X is Goal Zero’s lightest battery pack in the current collection.

The 187-watt-hour battery pack is compact, lightweight, and convenient for charging electronics wherever the adventure. Recharging is simple too: Plug the Yeti 200X into a wall and bring it back to full battery capacity in 4 hours.

Go Travel Coffee Press

Brewing a cup of camp coffee doesn’t have to be complicated. The AeroPress compact Go Travel Coffee Press can brew up to 3 cups of coffee in just 1 minute—just add a filter and fill, stir, and plunge. It’s great for backpacking and car camping alike plus the carrying case doubles as a mug so there’s less they’ll have to pack.

Mug

Don’t let their coffee (or hot toddy) get cold. The Hydro Flask Mug keeps drinks hot for hours. It’s lightweight, coated in a soft-touch finish, and comes in a mix of colors to fit their vibe. Cold drinks work great in this mug too and its sliding mouthpiece opens wide enough to fit a straw.

Genesis Basecamp Stove

Kick pesky fire starters, smoke plumes, and burned knuckles to the curb. The two-burner Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Stove simplifies campground cooking with an easy-to-start igniter, simmer control, and fast and efficient setup.

This stove is compatible with EN417 valve propane fuel canisters from brands including Jetboil, Gigapower, MSR, Primus Snowpeak, and more.

Horizon 20oz Cocktail Shaker

Unleash their inner mixologist and toast to adventure with Camelbak’s Horizon Cocktail Shaker. From the backyard to the campground, this 20-ounce leak-proof mixer elevates the outdoor cocktail experience.

Since it’s vacuum sealed and stainless steel, you won’t have to worry about warm drinks. This keeps shaken cocktails ice cold until it's time to enjoy them around the campfire.

Camp Cocktails: Easy, Fun, and Delicious Drinks for the Great Outdoors by Emily Vikre

Now how about camp cocktail recipes? Camp Cocktails puts an outdoorsy spin on classic drinks to enjoy in nature. Stir and shake things up with dozens of camp-themed drinks like the Marshmallow Mule and Northwoods Sidecar.

Foamy Camping Mattress

Camping doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. In fact, HEST designed a camping mattress so comfortable, it rivals almost any mattress back at home. Trust us when we say: it offers the best night’s sleep a camper can have.

Van lifers and car campers alike swear by HEST’s high-performance memory foam that molds and shapes to the user's body and masks bumps and lumps (rocks and roots) underneath. Its impressive 8.8 R-value (an industry-standardized insulation rating system) means a warmer sleep than most other portable camping mattresses on the market.

Cosmo 350 Headlamp

It’s not fun tripping over a tree root or fumbling for your tent zipper in a pitch-black campsite. Help them see after sunset with this 350-lumen light that straps securely on their head. Headlamps are a game-changer when you need your hands to clean up and carry gear in the dark.

The Cosmo 350 Headlamp includes three settings: red night-vision, strobe, and dimming. Power this headlamp using 3 AAA alkaline batteries (which come included) or using Black Diamond’s rechargeable BD 1500 lithium-ion battery.

Chair Zero Camping Chair

Just 1 pound, this camp chair takes lightweight to the next level. It packs down to roughly the size of a large water bottle, yet despite its size, feels as comfortable as a regular camp chair.

For a friend or family member who values packing light, opt for the Helinox Chair Zero. It’s a great gift for campers who also love backpacking too.

DoubleNest Hammock

Who wouldn’t want to hang out at camp? Constructed with durable nylon, the ENO DoubleNest fits up to two people comfortably and only takes a few minutes to set up between two trees. They can take a nap in it, read a book in it, or even sleep in it overnight. Heads up: You’ll need to buy ENO’s compatible tree straps too.

Q+A With Expert Camper Erica Zazo

How do I know what type of camper I’m buying for?

It’s as easy as a simple conversation. As I mentioned before, all campers have different preferences and desires for their dream gear closet. Before you buy expensive outdoor gear they may ultimately not even use, consult with them about where they’re planning to camp, hike, and explore.

Thankfully, REI has an awesome return policy for members too, plus you get 10% back on all purchases. I highly recommend investing in a REI Co-op membership (only $30 for a lifetime membership) before you start buying camping gifts.

Many gear brands sell seemingly similar gear. How do I know which is the best?

That’s a tough one since all gear isn’t created equal. However, always buying the most expensive gear doesn’t mean it’s always the best. Likewise, saving money by sacrificing quality will end up costing your giftee in the long run.

Do your homework by reading up on gear reviews and comparing prices while you do so. I’d say falling somewhere in the middle on price point is a safe bet. However, like my mom always said, “You get what you pay for.”

What are the best gifts for beginner campers?

Stick to the essentials. It’s helpful to build up a solid foundation for the camping basics like a quality tent, a comfortable camp chair, durable cookware and utensils, and a rechargeable headlamp.

From there, you can move on to more specialty items like camp stoves or a higher-end sleep system (like a down sleeping bag or self-inflating sleeping pad). In my opinion, though, there’s always room in the gear closet…so it’s hard to go wrong.

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