The Perfect Camping Gear For Every Type of PersonThe Perfect Camping Gear For Every Type of Person

Free-ranging is encouraged when the wilderness is your backyard for the weekend—whether car-camping or pulling a backcountry hike-in, kiddos can stay connected (and parents more at ease) with a comms system that works through everything from dense forest to desert, with a reach of up to 3.7 miles. A rechargeable battery with a 48-hour life keeps conversations going for hours; the built-in flashlight is handy, too. 

smallable.com, $62 for a pair 

The prepared-for-it-all camper who lives to get out there and pitch a tent has met their match. This sleek trio of safety-first adventure tools packs a punch with a small footprint: a Quikcord multi-purpose paracord, Outdoor Element Fire Flute for emergency signaling and a sturdy, compact Rill Daytripper Katana Tonto flip knife can be slipped into any pack. 

bespokepost.com $70

Any burgeoning camper who has the basic needs checked may look for some upgrades. This sensible sock can make the difference between boot break-in misery and staying toasty and blister-free. Darn Tough is beloved for comfort, durability and their unconditional guarantee: if they aren’t the longest lasting socks you’ve ever owned, you can return them or another pair—no receipt needed, no questions asked. 

darntough.com $25

There are waterproof field notebooks, and then there are these oft-sold-out waterproof notebooks made with long-distance hiking in mind. Totally waterproof and tearproof, the dotted pages include trail specific extras like a trail register to keep track of trail names, start and finish dates and distances traveled, plus plenty of space to collect trip musings along the way. No doubt these are keepsakes—but if not, Thrunotes memo pads are recyclable.

trunotes.com $10

Any camper who seeks out the landscapes less traveled needs a water bottle that comes through when you need it most. Here is one with a built-in and on-the-go filtration and purification system makes 24 ounces of clean drinking water in just eight seconds, using water from anywhere—from even the gnarliest water sources!—on earth. 

grayl.com $99.95

Coleman has been lighting up since 1900. Since then, there’s been a steady evolution of features and function—the newest Coleman lantern has a rechargeable battery and lifetime LEDs—but the original essentials are still going strong. This kerosene classic creates a steady glow that reaches up to 11 meters (just make sure it’s on a solid surface to eliminate any fire hazard). 

coleman.com $129.99

This handy pass opens up a world of natural splendor for the family that hits the dusty trails together, covering entrance and day-use fees at federal recreation sites across the country, including all national parks. From Acadia’s Cadillac Mountain to the lush rainforest of Olympic National Park, it’s something for everyone—and valid for a full year of adventure. 

nps.gov $80

Dedicated backcountry cooks who already have a trusty skillet—a major camp kitchen upgrade is nigh: After a 15-minute preheat, the temp reaches up to 700 degrees for bubbly cheese and a perfect brick-oven crust; users can venture out and use it for breads, meat, and vegetables, too. 

campchef.com $170

Tech-forward campers will appreciate the efficiency of a tent that charges electronics and makes its own light for dark nights in the wilderness. A specialized battery pack—powered by solar technology at the top of the rain fly—all but removes the inconvenience of device death and flashlight searches. Plus, those exterior LEDs? They make for a charming entrance to that woodland home-for-the-night. 

summitridgeco.com $999

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology empowered a new wave of birding enthusiasts with its avian song ID app. For those who want to take their knowledge up a notch, they also offer a full roster of self-paced, intel-packed classes through their Bird Academy—like Bird Song Basics: Getting Started with Birding by Ear and Understanding Bird Behavior.

birds.cornell.edu $39.99