Three Brands Changing How We Camp

Gear for people in motion is constantly evolving. And that’s no surprise. As Americans have been increasingly drawn to the open road over the past decade (interest in car camping has risen 41% since 2019), countless brands and products have emerged to support the lifestyle. And some of those innovations have come directly from folks who were on the road themselves, and would later build something to serve their fellow travelers.  

Here, we take a look at three brands that have released products over the past several years that are, quite literally, changing the way we live on the road and at the campsite. From kitchen hacks to bedroom upgrades and enhanced illumination for outdoor spaces, these companies are pushing gear into the future. 

Nomad Kitchen Co

Speciality: Slide-out camp kitchens

Location: Emeryville, CA

The concept for Nomad Kitchen Co. emerged organically when the brand’s founder was on a solo road trip and realized most camp kitchens were clunky, heavy, and not particularly easy to set up or stow away. In the years to follow, Nomad launched a series of modular kitchen and drawer systems that could be mounted in any vehicle. 

The Original Nomad Kitchen ($1,199) features a slide-out system that includes a washbasin, a bamboo cutting board, a drawer for a two-burner stove, storage space, a drying rack, and more. When you’re finished cooking, the kitchen slides back into a wood box, completely contained and ready for the next adventure. 

Hest Sleep Systems 

Specialty: Portable sleep systems 

Location: Seattle, WA

The traditional air mattresses and sleeping pads that campers haul around have left many wanting something, well, more. That was on the mind of Hest founders when they began developing a sleep system based on technology from the mattress industry, rather than iterating on products that came from other outdoor brands. 

The Hest Sleep System ($449), uses an inflatable base built with the drop-stitch technology commonly found in stand-up paddleboards (meaning you won’t lose any air). But the actual sleeping platform eschews air altogether and is made from one layer polyurethane foam and one layer of memory foam. The result? A sleep experience most people only dream about in the outdoors. 

Devos Outdoor

Speciality: Outdoor lanterns 

Location: Springville, UT

For decades, lighting a campsite involved jury-rigging systems to hang lanterns or blinding your companions with flashlights and headlamps. The founders of Devos Outdoor had these problems in mind when they  began developing their flagship camp light, the LightRanger. 

The signature trait of the LightRanger is that it sits atop a telescoping pole (8 to 10 feet high depending on the model), meaning your light source is out of the way, illuminating the space below almost like a street lamp—but brighter. For instance, the LightRanger 1200 ($174.99) can illuminate a 60-foot area and has four separate zones. It also has adjustable brightness settings and can be purchased with a battery pack, solar panels, and light filters.