SUMMER IS OFFICIALLY here. And whether you’re a front-country weekend warrior or a hardcore backcountry camper, you no doubt have a few camping trips lined up this season. Now’s the time to take stock of your gear closet to see what’s missing, what’s busted, and what needs an upgrade.
We cover all the latest and greatest outdoor gear every year in the Men’s Health Outdoor Awards. But, in this guide, we’re covering just the greatest. Whether it’s all new for 2026 or it’s been around for years, these are our favorite camping and outdoor gear picks for backpacking, car camping, and everything in between—the gear that we love and pack for every trip.
Tents
This entry-level tent strikes a good balance of pack weight, affordability, and reliability. It’s roomy enough to sleep two with a dash of gear and sets up faster than most at this price point (even with the included rain fly) for easy-breezy camping in almost any season. Bonus: A limited lifetime warranty.
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Nemo’s Aurora 3 ticks all our must-have boxes for a midrange, mid-sized tent. It sleeps three (tightly) or two who appreciate spreading out with more gear. A generously sized interior, plus oversized doors and vestibules, provides a much more livable space. We love that the hubbed pole design makes for a dead-simple setup and teardown. Plus, Nemo’s commitment to more eco-friendly gear means a bluesign-approved recycled tent floor and PFAS-free rainfly.
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New for 2026, Sea to Summit upgrades its already fantastic Telos Evo tent line to be even more livable and weatherproof. A dedicated roof vent (with storm flap) promotes better airflow and reduces condensation. The versatile design also offers multiple pitch options, including hangout and stargaze modes. So it’s not only a reliable backcountry sleep space, but a day/night lounge when you need it.
Sleep Systems
Marmot sought to reinvent the wheel, er, sleeping bag with its all-new Wraptor. The clever design swaps traditional zippers for overlapping flips and magnetic snaps, ensuring a more versatile camp sleep setup. Shed the layers in warmer weather or bundle up when the temperature drops—it’s flexible in every temperature. This same adjustability caters to sleepers who appreciate a “swaddled like a baby” mummy bag and hybrid campers looking for more room to spread out on their stomach and side. Also available in a 15-degree option.
Exped’s midrange Terra line is our go-to bag for anyone looking for real, 650-fill-power duck down that’s affordable. The 15-degree temp rating makes this a solid three-season option that’s capable of four-season camping in a pinch. It’s comfy enough for car camping, and with a roughly three-pound pack weight, compact enough for backpacking overnighters. The glow-in-the-dark zipper pull and internal pocket are nifty features.
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With the Cot One, Helinox creates an instant sleep surface that’s flat, level, comfortable, and off the ground. Fully set up, it’s the perfect front-country camp bed that supports over 300 pounds. It packs down surprisingly small into the included zip case and weighs less than five pounds. Optional leg extensions are available to lift the cot up to 15 inches off the ground for maximum comfort.
You typically get what you pay for in the world of inflatable air pads, but Klymit’s Static V Base is something of a unicorn. It’s plenty comfy for front-country camp setups, but it really shines in the backcountry with a compact, featherweight construction that’s surprisingly durable to survive rock punctures and uneven ground. Most impressive? It’s typically available for less than $50.
We’ll take a proper foam pillow over an inflatable any day. Therm-a-Rest’s fan-favorite compressible relies on an upcycled foam fill and a plush polyester cover for serious front- and backcountry sleep comfort that’s the closest thing to your home bedroom setup. The cinch adjuster (hence the name) allows campers to tweak the pillow’s firmness to their liking. Plus, it packs down to about half its size for easy travel.
Kitchen
For front-country campers with access to electricity (or even a portable power station), Nestout’s Outdoor Cooker adds serious versatility to your outdoor kitchen. The 500W capability is plenty powerful for cooking rice, boiling, steaming, or whipping up everything from soup to oatmeal. At less than two pounds, it’s compact and lightweight enough to stash in the back of your rig until you need it.
Yeti’s newest cast-iron skillet is also the largest in its lineup. The 14-inch size makes it ideal as an all-in-one pan for car campers looking to pack less cookware. The oversized design comes polished and pre-seasoned, so it’s ready to go straight out of the box. An additional grab handle and dual pour spouts make it safer and ultra-versatile for cooking up just about anything.
This portable fridge from BougeRV is the perfect accompaniment to your existing cooler. Stash the temperature-critical foods (meat, eggs, bacon, etc.) in the former and everything else in the latter. It’s small enough to fit in the footwell of most passenger vehicles, and the included 240Wh detachable battery keeps it cold for more than a full day. What’s more: It’s more affordable than most premium mid-sized coolers.
For campers who value weight and packability above all else, BioLite’s CampStove 2+ is a game-changer. The clever design runs on pretty much any organic material (twigs, pinecones, leaves, wood) to keep it stoked off-grid almost indefinitely. The dual-purpose output charges your phone, GPS, headlamp, and other small devices (at up to three Watts) in the backcountry, and it doubles as a stove at mealtime.
For serious front-country campers, Jetboil’s Genesis Basecamp is near-perfect. The dual-burner system allows for more elaborate meal preparation than single-burner alternatives with up to 10,000 BTU output and maximum flame control. A 5L pot and 10-inch ceramic-coated nonstick fry pan are included, so you can prep just about anything for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The all-new Daytrip 20L combines Yeti’s legendary all-day, keep-cold insulation with the portability of a traditional backpack cooler. It’s roomy enough for a six-pack, two lunches, snacks, and an ice pack, making it perfect for day-hike lunch breaks or even as add-on cold storage for weekend trips. A large top opening provides easy access, while external pockets add extra storage for keeping smaller essentials within easy reach.
For long weekends at the campsite or off-grid, we love this oversized cooler from RTIC. The 78-can capacity offers plenty of cold storage for a family getaway, and RTIC’s premium insulation ensures it stays chilled for up to five days. The lightweight design is easier to carry, and all-terrain, puncture-proof wheels make it easy to wheel from the car to the campsite, too.
General Camping Gear
Car camping is dirty business—literally. That’s why we love simple, versatile adventure storage that just works. Upgrade your existing loadout with this gear box from Gregory. It’s waterproof/dustproof, and the translucent lid makes organization infinitely easier than traditional storage totes. Plus, the clever lid opens either way for easy access.
Solo Stove has long been a perennial favorite for us here at Men’s Health. Its latest Basecamp fire pit combines a just-right size that’s roomy enough for four adults yet compact enough to easily transport from the backyard to the backseat for car camping. And, of course, it still features the same smokeless design and maximum burn efficiency that the brand is known for.
The brand that invented the ultra-packable camp chair sought to make it even better. With an extended backrest, it’s now more comfortable and supportive than ever, with all the same backpacking-friendly packability as before. The shock-corded pole structure makes for easy setup, and the 100% recycled polyester seat fabric is a nice, eco-friendly touch.
The aptly named GigaPower Folding Torch is the single best way to start a campfire in any conditions. It uses the same small disposable fuel canisters that you’re probably already packing. Yet it’s powerful enough for starting large fires while car camping and compact enough to stash in a backpack if you’re planning to backcountry camp. Plus, it’s just so damn fun to use.
Our go-to camp table, the Moonlander features a clever dual-height design that’s versatile enough for just-off-the-ground picnic lunches and proper meals where you want a little extra height. The aluminum construction balances weight and durability, with a dead-simple design that makes setup and breakdown easy. The nearly flat silhouette slots neatly into the laptop sleeve of a backpack or soft cooler, too.
Bluetti’s Elite 100 V2 is the portable power station to buy if you only want to buy one. It’s relatively lightweight and compact enough to stash in the footwell of most vehicles. But the 1800-Watt peak output can power everything from smartphones and laptops to rice cookers and blenders. It’s surprisingly affordable, too, especially compared to the competition. Just add a 100-Watt folding solar panel for virtually limitless off-grid power.
Simple touches can elevate any car camping setup. Rumpl’s aptly named Everywhere Mat combines a great-looking microsuede topside that’s stain- and water-resistant with a durable waterproof bottom. So, you get the added livability of a true outdoor rug, including a softer place to walk and for your kids/pets to rest, and a way to protect your gear from stains, wet ground, and errant sticks and rocks.
Another solid storage option, Thule’s new Chasm 55L (and Chasm 80L) is plenty durable for outdoor use, with a molded waterproof base. The semi-rigid structure stays upright when you need it, and the included movable panel lets you customize the interior layout to fit your setup. A zippered lid cleverly folds open and secures magnetically, so you can use it in either the full-open or half-open position.
Black Diamond’s straightforward Spot 400-R offers everything you need and nothing you don’t in a basic headlamp. With a max 400-lumen output, it’s plenty bright as a task or navigation light, and the integrated red light adds more usability for stargazing. The built-in 1,500mAh lithium-ion battery lasts up to 225 hours (in low mode) and is micro-USB rechargeable.
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He’s kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South Africa, and survived a near-miss great white shark attack in Mexico. His travel advice has appeared on the websites for Forbes, Travel + Leisure, CNET, and National Geographic. He loves the great outdoors and good bourbon, and (usually) calls Tulsa, Oklahoma home. Mike also enjoys speaking in the third person.
Ryan Brower is the Senior Gear and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, where he tests the best products in outdoor gear and tech. Baseball, surfing, and camping occupied most of his time growing up. He also trained in martial arts for 12 years and holds a third degree black belt. He has written about the outdoors for nearly two decades and was previously the Managing Editor, Content Performance at Gear Patrol. He is also a Certified Beer Server and previously covered the craft beer industry. Ryan currently lives on the water in New Jersey with his wife and their dog.
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