Perfect Kit to Cozy Up Your Campsite

Look up at the stars in comfort with this camp chair from NEMO, which reclines far enough for you to take in a panorama of the cosmos without having to crane your neck. Tensioned straps on the seat’s sides create a hammocklike feel, and the whole thing sets up in seconds without assembly: Just expand the frame and sit. It holds up to 300 pounds and is protected by the NEMO Lifetime Warranty. But be warned: The recliner’s padded headrest, cushy back panel and gentle swing might turn wide-eyed constellation spotting into a drowsy session on how to stargazzz.   

Limbo afficionados aren’t the only ones who can get down. With this low-slung loveseat from Kelty, festivalgoers, car campers and soccer parents can see how low they can go too. The durable, steel-frame loveseat boasts insulated drink holders on both armrests and comes with a padded roll-tote storage bag. But be warned: Four-legged friends also love this two-seater. “It was a joke around the office for years that ‘your dog stole my chair,’” laughs Kelty product category manager Nels Larson. This dog joke spurred the creation of the three-person version, the Lowdown Couch, so Fido can have his own spot.  

First introduced in 2014, the Rumpl puffy blanket has snuggled into the hearts of hygge-seeking campers everywhere. This warm layer is not only deliciously cozy but it also resists water, stains and debris, making it the ultimate accessory for cozying up at camp. It squishes into a stuff sack about the size of a large roll of paper towels (hashtag: portability) and is made from recycled polyester and plastic bottles. This means Rumpl users are helping save the environment (or at least mitigate their footprint) even before they deploy the blanket’s Cape Clip—a super feature that allows them to secure the quilt at their shoulders for hands-free warmth. 

Set the mood with this waterproof, inflatable solar lantern from BioLite. It has eight color modes for fine-tuning the vibe, plus a color cycle option for impromptu disco parties. The light recharges in seven hours in direct sunlight and lasts up to nine. Reading in your tent late at night? Hang the beam from a gear loop using its fixed base strap. When it’s time for lights out, hit the two-second shut-off button and deflate the lantern back down to the size of a salad plate. 

Wash off anything anywhere with this easy-to-use pressure shower from NEMO. Unlike some backcountry rinsers that rely on gravity for water flow (and therefore must be hung from a branch or hook), this nearly 6-gallon vertical reservoir works from the ground with an included foot pump. Simply fill it with water, screw on the easy-grip cap and tap the pump with your foot. You can manually spray the nozzle, which functions like a garden hose, or set it to continuous mode and drape it on a branch or hook for 7 to 10 minutes of hands-free showering. Pair it with a privacy shelter (sold separately) for a little extra discretion.

The ultrasoft fabric used in the Original Towel from Nomadix has far more going for it than a luxe hand-feel and nearly a dozen different print options. The full-length towel is durable, quick-drying, überabsorbent and treated with an antimicrobial wash to keep odors at bay. Those staking out at beaches and other gritty spots will appreciate that sand struggles to cling to the towel’s recycled polyester/nylon material, making it easy to shake out before packing up. And at just a little over a pound, this towel adds little weight to a gear bin or picnic tote.

Good news: You're no longer limited to beer and canned wine at camp. Instead, you can impress your campmates by whipping up an aperitif using this cocktail shaker from YETI. The puncture- and rust-resistant mixer is durable enough for knocking around a campground, and a leak-resistant top helps keep your cocktail (or mocktail) contained until it's time to pour. Double-wall insulation means your drink will come out ice-cold even on warm days. To keep your sips chilled, serve them in a YETI Rambler Stackable Lowball (sold separately).

In most scenarios, water and electronics don’t mix. Not so with this rugged, fist-size speaker from BOTE: It’s both buoyant and waterproof when submerged in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. Tote it to your campground or bring it to the lake, and you can bust a move to the tune of two 5-watt, 43-millimeter speakers. The magnet in its base means you can safely stick this party-to-go to any compatible BOTE watercraft, including the WULF Aero Inflatable Paddle Board with Paddle. The speakers play for six hours between charges, which are easy with the included micro-USB to USB cable. Always remember to follow Leave No Trace principles by keeping your volume low and respecting quiet hours at campgrounds. 

In a time where anything analog is en vogue, the no-screen, point-and-click film cameras of the ’90s have made a comeback. Unfortunately, most versions are good for about 30 snaps before heading to a landfill. Enter this digital yet screenless photo-taker from Camp Snap, which takes 8-megapixel pics using either a pre-installed vintage filter or one of several downloadable options. You can even turn on an LED flash. One charge of the reusable lithium-ion battery is good for up to 500 photos, though that’s just one quarter of what the preinstalled 4 GB tf microSD card can actually hold. 

Cornhole can now fit in your gear bin thanks to this travel-size iteration from Outside Inside. In transit, beanbags as small as a wireless earbud case store inside two compact game boards. When it’s time to throw down, untuck the foldable legs and get tossing. 

If your version of roughing it involves using an air pump or electric cooler, count a portable power station among your essentials. This water-resistant option from Goal Zero withstands cold temps, boasts 500 watts of continuous power output and handles surges up to 1,000 watts without breaking a sweat. When it’s out of juice, simply plug the power station into a solar panel, like the Goal Zero Nomad 50 Solar Panel, or your vehicle’s 12-volt adapter using the included charging cable. For an especially quick power boost (think 0% to 100% in just over an hour), connect to a standard outlet with the included power cable. Thanks to its long-lasting rechargeable battery, your go-anywhere power source can last 10 years or longer.

Coolers might be the outdoor refrigeration workhorses, but nothing says campsite classy like stashing drinks in a double-wall, vacuum-insulated beverage bucket from YETI. Chill a six-pack of suds or three bottles of vino for hours on end in this drink holder made of puncture- and rust-resistant stainless steel. A transparent lid makes it easy to see if it’s time to resupply. 

This sleeps-six tent from CORE Equipment sets up lightning fast thanks to preattached poles that click into place, but cozy campers will love the shelter’s integrated lighting system most of all. The LED bulbs are built into the ceiling poles. Power them using a portable power pack or four D batteries and turn them on or off using the integrated wall switch. The shelter also boasts large storage pockets, a 72-inch peak height and full-coverage rainfly, making it the ultimate place to relax outside. 

You might remember using a utility camp cot during your scouting days. Don’t worry, this isn’t that. This cozier version from REI Co-op features a burly steel frame and water-resistant ripstop (and recycled) polyester fabric. Extra-wide foot pads protect your tent floor from punctures and swivel to ensure even weight distribution. You’ll sleep a luxurious 18 inches off the floor, with room to stash your pack conveniently underneath. Add any sleeping pad to boost insulation and cushion—the REI Co-op Campwell Sleeping Pad works especially well thanks to cord loops designed to keep it in place. The whole cot accordions into itself and fits in an included carry bag.

If a cot isn’t your jam but you like to sleep aloft, check out this aptly named behemoth from Zempire. Its impressive 42-centimeter stack height and dual-chamber construction contribute to its 10.5 R-value, keeping you cozy and insulated even during winter months. A 3D self-inflating top mat with a durable, soft-touch surface and a base inflates quickly using the compact Monstapump (sold separately). The 10-pound setup is heavy but packs down to roughly the size of a stuffed duffel bag for storage. 

If you’re planning a relaxing weekend at a tentsite, then a cozy pillow is a necessity. This one from HEST hits all the marks: shredded memory foam stuffing, a curved shape for neck support, and a supersoft stretch-woven nylon surface for comfort. A removable polyurethane-coated nylon cover resists dirt and water at camp; add it to your machine-wash loads after camping. “Long gone are the days of using a balled up puffy coat as a pillow or stuffing a sweater into a pillowcase from home,” says HEST founder Aaron Ambuske. Available in small, medium and large sizes. 

Heavenly items are welcome on car camping trips where weight isn’t an issue. So, pump up this 4-inch pad from Exped on your next vehicle-assisted adventure. Campers will appreciate the self-inflating mat’s one-way, low-profile valve and its open-cell polyurethane foam for added warmth and comfort (the 8.1 R-value means it’s great for four seasons of adventures). When it’s time to count sheep, luxuriate in the soft-to-the-touch, breathable and fully recycled polyester sleep surface. Then fine-tune the firmness by pressing gently on the opening’s one-way flapper. The 100% recycled laminate on the sleeping pad’s bottom and sidewalls helps deter snags, and the whole thing is easy to deflate when it’s time. Available in long X-wide and medium wide sizes.