1. An Osprey Daylite Pack so you can bring all of your essentials along on day hikes out of camp no problem. Its water bottle pockets are huge, the zippers are sturdy, and it has two main compartments for easy organization. I have this bag and love it, yes for day hikes, but also as a camping "purse" and for general travel, too. Osprey just doesn't miss.

REI

Promising review: "I've had this daypack since 2016 and it's held up great. Recently, I donated it in good condition, and I missed having it so much. I decided to get a new one. I've used this for backpacking/traveling abroad, my Peace Corps service in Mozambique, along with many day hikes and escapades stateside. It's the perfect size for a water bottle, camera, snacks, and whatever else you need to carry, plus it has great ventilation. My favorite daypack!" —Asha

Price: $65 (available in six colors)

2. A Flexlite Air Chair so you can take a load off on any outdoor jaunt. Weighing in at just one pound and packing down into a nice little stuff sack, it's perfect to bring as a low-profile seat on a car camping trip, a nice ~luxury item~ on a backpacking trip, or to toss in your car as a just-in-case, anytime chair.

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Promising review: "I never knew how much I could enjoy my PB&J on a grueling day hike until I ate it ensconced on my new throne — the Flexlite Air Chair. Easily assembled and cradled by comfort, I was the envy of every other hiker (except the one who also had this chair). We nodded to each other knowingly. Go ahead — sit on the cold ground if you want. We have seen luxury. And it is the Flexlite Air Chair. The opportunities to use this chair are endless — don’t be constrained by convention. It’s earned a permanent place in the trunk of my car, ready to deploy at a moment’s notice for long checkout lines, swapping out those awful plastic chairs at outdoor concerts at wineries, and staging impromptu sit-ins. Thank you, REI." —Sole Sister

Price: $69.89 (originally $99.95, available in three colors)

3. An REI Co-Op Base Camp 4 Tent so you and your camping crew have the perfect place to lay your heads at night, safe from the elements and ready for anything. Two big doors provide excellent ventilation and ensure you don't need to crawl over sleeping friends to get in and out, and the big ol' vestibules give you the perfect place to put extra gear.

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A good rule of thumb for how many folks can fit in a tent is the number of people listed squished all together *or* that number minus one, with room to spread out and for gear.

Promising review: "This tent worked really well our first weekend in it--overnight lows in the '40s outside Austin, TX in November. There's a ton of space for us, two average-sized adults, our 5-month-old baby, and two Border Collies. Think we could easily fit one more child before needing to go larger. We'd previously used the Quarter and Half Dome tents with the dogs and knew we wanted to stick with the REI tents. Setup was simple, the head height was appreciated, airflow is great, and the vestibule is very generous." —KWood

Price: $355.49 (originally $474)

4. A four-function whistle that's a compass, magnifying glass, thermometer, and, of course, emergency whistle all in one handy-dandy little tool. Perfect to clip onto your pack just in case.

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Promising review: "Good multitool I like to have on my daypack. Clipped onto my sternum strap for easy access. Very lightweight." —Luis M

Price: $6.50

5. An REI Co-Op Sahara Shade Hoodie to keep your skin protected without having to get all kinds of greasy. UPF 50+ protection keeps your arms happy, and the hood means you can cover up that neck, too, especially when you tuck it under or over a hat or helmet.

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Promising review: "I LOVE this hoodie! I burn quite easily, and I can't believe I've gone this long without a long-sleeved UV shirt. I love the thumb holes. It fits true to size. I wore it for a four-day trip to Miami, in and out of the ocean, hiking in the Everglades, and out to eat for dinner. It works for everything!" —Sarah

Price: $34.89 (originally $49.95, available in women's sizes XS–XL and 1X–3X in six colors and men's sizes S–XXXL, including some tall sizes, in eight colors)

6. An 18-liter folding cooler so you can keep your car-camping dinner and breakfast items nice and chilly overnight. Going to bed after a hot meal and a cold drink and waking up to a cold glass of OJ all in the middle of the woods is one of the great joys in life.

REI

Price: $27.89 (originally $39.95, available in three colors)

7. Or a splurge-worthy Yeti Tundra 45 Cooler, famous for keeping your food and drinks colder than you could ever imagine for days at a time. Especially if you pre-cool it before you load it up, everything from seltzers and beers for campfire time to bacon, eggs, and OJ for a special backcountry breakfast will be ready to rock.

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Promising review: "This is the first Yeti cooler I have ever purchased, and I am in love. We used this while camping, and the drinks were so cold they may as well have been in our refrigerator. We did prime the cooler to get it chilled before loading it up, which was simple and made a huge difference! There was ice in our cooler three days after camping, and the drinks were still cold after sitting in our house without AC for four days in 85- to 90-degree heat! (It’s a bummer, I know.) That really says something about the quality! 10/10 if you're considering a Yeti, get a Yeti." —Steph_keen_

Price: $325+ (available in eight colors)

8. A wide-mouth Nalgene because once you make the switch to this lightweight, affordable bottle it's hard to go back to bulky metal ones, especially for outdoor adventures. My love for Nalgenes is well-documented. They're everything you need and nothing you don't, and indestructible to boot.

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Promising review: "These things are practically indestructible (cap attachment excluded, but I have a solution for this). I have to repurchase these because I lose them, not because they break. I’ve tried knock-off brands and have experienced them breaking in some bad places — a few miles into a hike, etc. My Nalgene? Rolled off a cliff ledge and was still intact when I hiked down to get it. I recently purchased a stainless steel ring separately that fits on the Nalgene with a carabiner loop. This should hopefully fix the reason I lose them: I clip it to my bag by its lid, and after a few years, the lid strap breaks, no longer able to do this, *then* I leave it places. I will purchase these again and again! Love this purple color!" —NNYOutdoors

Price: $17 (available in four colors)

9. A classic Coleman two-burner camping stove perfect for whipping up a full meal in the great outdoors. With two burners, a windshield, and heat control, you're gonna be the head chef of the wilderness, and everyone will be so glad to have a hot meal in their bellies before snuggling up for the night.

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Promising review: "We love our Coleman stove! This is the best car-camping stove we have. I am mostly a backpacker, but car camping has become more frequent as of late, so I decided to get a double-burner stove for those camping trips with friends and family! Works great and is perfect for putting stickers on the back of to document all of our adventures." —roseferg

Price: $97.49 (originally $130)

10. Or for more lightweight adventures, a Soto Windmaster backpacking stove I'd long heard amazing things about and can now confirm TOTALLY rules. This thing boils water in a snap, has a built-in piezo lighter that ignites super easily, and the temperature control is smooth as can be — and all weighing in at just 3.1 ounces! I thought all backpacking stoves were basically created equal, but that was before I encountered this beauty. Also great for bringing along if you want an easy coffee setup while car camping, just sayin'.

Rachel Dunkel / BuzzFeed

Thanks, Mom and Dad, for getting this for me for Christmas last year! Holy moly, I really was out here thinking that most stoves were the same, but I was totally proven wrong when I finally got to take the Soto Windmaster for a spin. I was using a decade-plus-old backpacking stove. No shade. I loved that thing, and "use what you have" is a really important attitude to have and share regarding gear. You don't need every new gadget. BUT! I'm really happy to say that this stove is a distinct step up. It weighs a whisper, and even though the fold-out prongs and temperature dial are tiny, they feel relatively sturdy, especially when folded in. I was shocked at how quickly water boiled for me. I didn't time it, I was busy, uhhhh, enjoying my life, but it was noticeably faster than my old one. I love the built-in piezo igniter. Just so nice to know that if I forget a lighter, I'm not up a creek, and unlike my old stove, I really only have to click it once for it to ignite. Can't wait to put a decade on this stove!

Promising review: "Such a great stove, I returned my daughter's MSR (Mountain Safety Research) for another of these. No fuel leaks when you attach the fuel canister like the MSR. Also, the four prongs felt more stable in boiling water. The quick ignite was like magic. Love this purchase!!!" —Patsy

Price: $69.95

11. A mini multi-towel you'll find basically endless uses for while you're out in the woods. Trust me. And after you're done using it as a sweat rag, for cleaning your dishes, or drying your hands it folds up super tiny in its stuff sack ready to get machine washed when you get home.

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Promising review: "Great sweat towel. I clip this on the strap of my backpack. Lightweight and easy to carry. If you get a little sweaty, just pull it out. After wiping the sweat off my face, it just hangs and the breeze dries it off, ready for the next time." —Lee

Price: $6.89 (originally $9.95, available in three colors)

12. A Stanley 14-Piece Wildfare bowl prep and cook set that has everything you need to prep, cook, and eat simple campground meals. Stanley may have recently gotten popular for their big ol' cups, but never forget they started in the rugged, reliable camp gear game.

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The kit comes with a 1.5-liter saucepan with a fold-and-lock handle, a lid with vent and strain holes, cutting boards, removable trivets, two bowls, two two-piece sporks, and a two-piece spatula. And it's all dishwasher-safe, so cleanup is super easy once you get home from your adventure. 

Price: $33.69 (originally $45)

13. A Rumpl Camp Pillow if you don't want to sacrifice your home pillow to the wilderness gods but still want somewhere soft to lay your head. I *love* this pillow for its double-sided fabric (one cooling, one soft), perfectly plush feel, and ability to fold in half into this little stuff sack.

Rachel Dunkel / BuzzFeed

I thought I was done with outdoor pillows for good until this one from Rumpl walked into my life. Wanting something outdoor-specific, but disappointed by inflatable models, my backpacking brain transitioned me fully to just using my clothes bag, even when car camping! But thank goodness I've finally found an outdoor pillow I dig, so I can get a good night's sleep when on trips with a little more gear! It really is so plush and comfy, and at the end of the day, that's all I really want from a pillow! I use the fleece side because I tend to sleep cold, but it's nice to know the cooling side is around for the next time I'm on a humid trip. Is the pillowcase machine-washable? You bet! That's the Rumpl way.

Price: $59.95 (available in two colors)

14. An REI Co-Op Siesta 20-degree sleeping bag that's oh-so-roomy, oh-so-cozy, and the perfect place for you to snuggle up on car camping trips where you can really make yourself at home. Reviewers especially love that you can separately unzip the bottom for ventilation or even unzip it all the way into a quilt. Where are my "sticks one foot out of the blanket to sleep" friends at? This is the sleeping bag for you.

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Plus, the polyester shell and lining fabrics have a non-fluorinated, durable water repellent to help bead up moisture on the surface so that you stay nice and dry while you enjoy the great outdoors.

Promising review: "I bought this bag for car camping, and it is my favorite bag. So far, one trip (two nights), and it only got down to the high '40s, so I stayed plenty warm. I did bring a flannel sheet, but I didn't really need it for warmth on this trip. The bag is roomy and comfortable. I love that the hood is big enough to accommodate my pillow, and I can turn easily in the bag. I also appreciate that in warmer weather, I can unzip the bottom of the bag to put a leg out (didn't need to on this trip). I usually sleep hot, but this bag did not feel confining like a mummy bag. Would recommend!" —Stedmanb

Price: $111.69 (originally $149, available in medium, medium wide, long, and long wide sizes)

15. Or a Sea to Summit Spark 15 sleeping bag if you want a bag you can add to your backpacking setup (and probably cut some pack weight while you're at it), or take for a ridiculously comfy night of car camping. Its 850+ fill goose-down packs down ridiculously small thanks to the included compression sack, and keeps you toasty warm. Its 15-degree rating means you can push into the shoulder seasons and more camping = more good days.

Rachel Dunkel / BuzzFeed

The Sea to Summit Spark is game-changing for cutting weight and volume in your backpacking setup while staying wildly comfortable, even in the cold. The down in this baby is so floofy and voluminous, and well-thought-out details like the draft collar both along the neckline *and* the entire zipper really keep heat in. I've used it for cowboy camping, where you REALLY see sleeping bags' weak points since you're exposed to so much wind, and I didn't notice any "cold spots," even along the seams. The hood is especially cozy, which is going to be even more of a delight once I get to use this baby in late fall. *Sigh* isn't the first year with a new piece of gear you love so exciting?

I love that the compression stuff sack is included with the bag, and it helps soften the splurge, in my opinion, since lots of people buy additional compression sacks to store their bags anyway. It really does get the bag down unbelievably small. The power of down at work! If I have one complaint it's that the drawstring that pulls the hood taught is oddly hard to *undo* (unless I'm missing something) and the zipper can be a little catch-y (though never resulting in a rip or true snag), but those are small compared to the reasons to love this bag — just want to tell you everything I know since it's a hefty tag! But I really recommend this for anyone looking for a super light mummy bag to take them into the shoulder seasons.

Price: $411.69+ (originally $549+, available in regular, long, and double sizes)

16. A Leatherman Signal multitool that slams a whopping 19 tools and functions into one little package so you're prepared for anything that comes your way in the backcountry. Okay, and in regular life, when you just need a bottle opener.

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The tools on this Leatherman include a stainless-steel blade, needle-nose/regular pliers, wire cutters, screwdrivers, saw, awl, can/bottle opener, carabiner, safety whistle, and a fire-starting ferro rod.

Promising review: "I'm amazed at how many useful tools are crammed into this Leatherman. It took me a good hour to read through all the instructions to discover all there was. Very comfortable and easy to grip and use. Truly an amazing tool." —JoeM

Price: $139.95

17. An Eno DoubleNest Hammock for relaxing amongst the trees. I literally can't imagine anything I'd like to do more than chill in a hammock on a camping trip.

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Check out the Eno Atlas straps for a simple setup!

Promising review: "The best hammock I've ever bought! I swear there is something magical woven into the material because the moment you slide in = instant relaxation mode! I wish I had purchased this hammock earlier in the season. Super easy to set up (you do need to have your own anchor straps), and VERY dog friendly. I'm excited for many years of magical moments with my pup in this hammock. Worth the price tag! Very well made and VERY cozy." —Jennifer

Price: $56.19 (originally $74.95, available in 10 colors)

18. A BioLite AspenGlow mini lantern that packs a whole lotta light into a teeny, tiny package. With a diameter of just three inches, it's a breeze to pop into any bag, and an integrated bungee makes it easy to hang almost anywhere. It's USB rechargeable and can run for 40 hours on its lowest setting, though it'll be hard to resist playing with the "party" setting which cycles through its multicolor modes. Fun! 🤩 🪩

Rachel Dunkel / BuzzFeed

This little lantern RULES. I'm just a huge fan of BioLite generally, but have been really impressed by how bright and reliable this little guy is. And at the end of the day, those are the two things you really want a lantern to be! The little bungee on the back really is useful for putting it up in your tent or somewhere unconventional, and the dimmer is so easy to dial in.

Promising review: "Ordered this to have a light in our tent. It’s small and compact — perfect for car camping. Also rechargeable. I also like that the lights can change color." —MLS

Price: $49.95 (available in two colors)

19. A pack of Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes so you can freshen up a little bit between showers, much to the satisfaction of your campmates' noses. These specific wipes never dry out my skin, and the resealable packaging really does stay closed in my experience, keeping the remaining wipes moist and ready to use whenever you need 'em.

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I looooove these wipes, and you'll usually find at least a few in my backpacking and camping setup!

Promising review: "I couldn’t have gone without these, five days with no running water (or baths), and these got pine tar off super easily AND helped keep the BO to a minimum. 10/10 would bring again." —kbhobbyhiker

Price: $5.19+ (originally $6.95+, available in two sizes)

20. A tasty freeze-dried Mountain House meal like their Kung Pao Chicken or Pad Thai (both of which have rave reviews, as do most of their offerings), because outdoors, just like at home, sometimes you just don't feel like cooking! Just add some boiling water to the packets, let them sit while you get camp set up or light the campfire, and dig in.

Rachel Dunkel / BuzzFeed

I looooove Mountain House Kung Pao Chicken! The sauce has a little kick, the veggies are chunky and substantial, the chicken is great, and it all rehydrates super well. I also love that Mountain House bags are short and squat, so you don't have to reach your hand wayyyy down into a bag to scoop, it's closer to eating out of a bowl. Love! 

Promising review: "This meal was fantastic! Great flavor with some spice. The rehydrated noodles stayed together instead of becoming mushy. Enough chunks of chicken and veg to provide good texture. I would suggest adding 1–2 minutes to the first mix and sit in boiling water (step 4) as well as 1–2 minutes to the mix and stand (step 5). This will give the chicken enough time to fully rehydrate. Overall grade: A+" —madt

Price: $12 for the Kung Pao Chicken, $12 for the Pad Thai, and check out all of their meals here

21. A Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil roll-top dry sack because keeping your camp clothes and electronics dry is absolutely essential for any fun, safe camping trip. My love for these lightweight waterproof bags can't be stifled.

Rachel Dunkel / BuzzFeed

On my camping trips, I always bring two of these bags. One serves as my clothes bag, and the other is my food bag, since it's easy to hang as a bear bag as well. Sometimes I bring a third for my electronics, but sometimes they just go in with my clothes. Enough of my packing specifics — the point is, they're incredibly reliable, actually waterproof, and compact. Being able to pack them down nice and small as you take things out of them is amazing out in the wilderness and for storing at home.

Promising review: "Bought this last minute for a three-day backpacking trip (3L size) so I could stuff my day food in the outside mesh pocket of my pack, that way I wouldn't have to go inside my pack to find my food while on the trail. It's a great size for various items and fits easily in the outside pocket. Stayed dry during the rain, and it is easy to fold over and keep secure. Love this little bag. Might get more for other items." —Jenni

Price: $17.19+ (originally $22.95+, available in six sizes and four colors)

22. A self-inflating sleeping pad so you don't have to huff and puff into your pad after hiking all day while setting up your campsite. I recommend this pad for car campers or backpackers looking to get their feet wet and start to build out a kit. It's not the lightest, *but* at under $100, it's a great deal for the quality and on the low end of the price spectrum of what a typical fully inflatable backpacking pad costs.

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Promising review: "I love this pad so much. It keeps me warm in the winter and is the most comfortable pad I’ve ever slept on. The material doesn’t stick to you. 10/10 recommend. I love it so much I just deal with the weight and take it on my backpacking trips too." —HarryAH

Price: $67.39 (originally $89.95, available in short, regular, regular wide, and long wide sizes) 

23. Or an Exped Ultra 3R Sleeping Pad for a great night's sleep while backpacking or a pad you can roll up super-duper small at the end of your car camping trip. Hooray, easy carrying and storage back home! Inflatable pads are especially beloved for side sleepers (including myself) since your hips are nice and suspended above the ground.

Rachel Dunkel / BuzzFeed

^Look at me lovin' my Exped sleeping pad! I've long been an inflatable sleeping pad convert, but had yet to find my, "Holy moly this is the best," model...until recently when I tried this baby. Other pads I've liked — but not loved — felt too narrow and, because of the kind of insulation they used, were SUPER noisy with every move I made in my sleep. It was like sleeping on a Mylar balloon! But this pad is quiet as can be. Thank goodness! I also opted for the medium wide version, which gives me a little more room to spread out — no more feeling like I'm teetering. That extra room and a 3-inch height keep me super comfy as a side sleeper. The wide version is a little heavier (obviously), but even as a backpacker who can be really picky about base weight, I find the extra ounces totally worth it for getting a better night's sleep. The MW (minimum weight) is about one pound and seven ounces. Not too shabby!

An R-value of 2.9 makes this perfect for three-season backpacking, but especially in warmer months. On a recent camping and surf weekend near Santa Barbara, it kept me perfectly comfortable. It was seriously the best night of sleep I've gotten outdoors in quite some time. ILY, Exped!

Promising review: "I used it for 500 miles on the AT (Appalachian Trail) last year and plan to use it again this year. I'm going to pair it with a lightweight foam pad to protect it from punctures, which I have had before, and increase the overall R-value. I don't recall noise issues, and the pad was comfortable for a big guy who's a side sleeper. If money and/or comfort are no issue, you can find lighter pads." —Mike

Price: $139.95 (available in medium, medium wide, and long wide sizes)

24. *OR* a Hest Foamy Sleeping Pad for anyone who refuses to be any less comfortable sleeping outdoors than they would in their comfy bed back home. More power to ya! This rollable pad has two layers of memory foam, a waterproof bottom in case your tent gets wet, and a compression harness that doubles as a welcome mat. Aw, home sweet home.

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No pumping required for this pad, just unroll and enjoy! It has a handle so you can carry it to your site, and the cover is machine-washable (thank goodness).

Promising review: "If you are looking for a mattress for car camping or an extra bed in a hotel, this is it. So much more comfortable than any air mattress or sleeping pad. I'm 6'3" and 230 pounds, and this mattress is better than half of the hotel beds I have slept on. It's incredible." —Jlendo

Price: $223.19+ (originally $279+, available in short, regular, and regular wide sizes)

25. A Garmin inReach Mini 2 to help you stay in touch with loved ones or in case of emergency when you're out in the backwoods. This little nugget can send messages, update friends back home about your location, and most importantly send SOS messages, all without cell service. A huge relief to have for hikers of all kinds, especially if you love nothing more than a good solo trip.

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To use the Garmin on your trip, the device requires a monthly service fee of $7.99+. But don't worry, if you're just planning on one trip, the monthly plan only requires a 30-day commitment, so you can bail after your hike and reactivate the next time you go on an adventure. It weighs just 3.5 and has 11 different types of subscription plans available for individuals, professionals, and teams.

Promising review: "Recently used the Garmin inReach Mini 2 on a seven-day backpacking trek in the northern Yosemite wilderness. I kept it on during the day, sent two to three preset check-in messages per day, and turned it off overnight (and kept it in my sleeping bag). After six nights/seven days like this, I still had 40% battery life left. Messages usually took about a minute to send with no/minimal tree cover, and the Bluetooth-connected phone app makes typing messages from your phone very easy. I'm so glad I had it with me to get info about the Washburn fire that started while I was on the trail. Overall, I (and my loved ones back home!) am very happy with how the Garmin performed." —Elyse

Price: $349.99 (originally $400, available in two colors)

26. An iconic Nemo Chipper seat pad so you can join the veritable army of outdoor enthusiasts who swear by this simple and elegant little "chair." Use it to keep your bum clean while you take a rest, give yourself a little more padding wherever you need it when you sleep, as a placemat... the list goes on and on. Plus, it's made out of reclaimed and remolded foam scraps, hence the funky, cool colors.

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Promising review: "This is a luxury item but the kind you can easily justify because of its compact size, lightweight, and versatility. I'll throw it in both a backpacking pack and a day pack. I've used it under my sleeping pad to add a little more padding under my hips, to make a picnic bench cleaner and softer, to sit on in a parking lot while changing shoes, to widen the top of my hammock so it's not closing in on my head, and of course just to sit on when taking a break. I rest my pack against a tree and use it and the Chipper to make a nice recliner in the woods." —GorillaJason

Price: $19.95 

27. A Kula Cloth, aka the most amazing reusable pee rag money can buy. It has a waterproof external layer (that's the pretty printed one), an antimicrobial ~wiping~ side, and snaps that keep the cloth closed when you're not using it. If you're tired of doing a weird pee dance or having straight-up damp underwear after going in the woods, here is the long-awaited solution! If you didn't know, now you know.

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Yeah, the Kula Cloth is life-changing if peeing in the woods gets you down. It's also super useful for general travel if you're traveling anywhere with an unreliable TP situation. There's also a little loop on the corner so you can just carabiner it to the outside of your pack if you're backpacking. Ya know how people who drive Jeeps nod at each other on the road? People with Kula Cloths on their packs nod to each other on the trail. It's a thing.

Promising review: "I've had one for years now, and it has been such a game-changer for backpacking, camping, or just hiking. We take them everywhere outdoors, and I consider this one of the best outdoor inventions ever. If you don't want wet panties or have to pack toilet paper into a baggie to pack out, this is the ticket! I wouldn't be without one outdoors!" —outdrgrl

Price: $20 (available in five patterns)

28. And a portable outdoor bidet — you heard me right — to get that tush of yours squeaky clean even if the nearest bathroom is miles and miles away. Just fill the chamber with water, squeeze it 'til you're clean, and you're good to go.

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Promising review: "I've been using a peri-bottle I once got at the hospital, but this thing is a seriously great upgrade. I bought it to go on a trip that requires wag bags, and I didn't want to backpack out a bunch of used TP. The bulb and spout direct a cleansing stream of water right where you want it. After six days of using this and a Kula Cloth to pat dry, I was fresh as a daisy, as they say. Everyone who was on the trip wants one now." —Amy B

Price: $12.49 (originally $17.95)

29. A BearVault Bear Canister — the most trusted way to keep your food away from bears — for your safety and theirs. Pictured is the smallest model, which is great for solo adventurers and quick trips, but it also comes in larger sizes for longer trips or for people sharing one can. To lock, simply twist to close and to open it back up, just press on the black nubs on the lid whenever they get to the stopper.

Rachel Dunkel / BuzzFeed

These are popular in the western United States, where in some areas with grizzlies, they're required, but they're useful almost anywhere if you want a surefire way to keep food untouched by all kinds of critters.

When I moved to the West Coast, I was sooooo excited that I finally had to get a bear canister! They may be heavy and tough to put in a pack, but hey, they're iconic! This smaller size fits into a pack relatively easily and holds a lot, especially if you're keeping volume in mind while shopping. And they really are useful beyond just for bears. I brought mine to Joshua Tree this past weekend because the last time I was there, there were a ton of mice, and there's just no good place to hang a food bag. Enter: the can! And hey, don't forget to put your trash and any other scented items like toothpaste in there for the night, too.

A lot of official car-camping sites have bear lockers if you need them, but not all, especially if you're a fan of off-road and off-grid adventures. But for backpacking, it's absolutely the move since you're often sleeping away from official sites or stops.

Promising review: "I love this thing. It fits easily into my pack and can fit electrolytes, snacks, a collapsible mug, matches and fuel, and 6–8 freeze-dried meals. Even witnessed an inquisitive deer who accidentally rolled it down a rocky hill and not a scratch or crack on it!" —stace

Price: $76.95 (also available in larger sizes)

30. A Rumpl Backcountry Puffy Blanket to stay comfy outside, whether you're in need of extra warmth in your tent, the perfect picnic blanket, or anything in between. With a small packed size, lightweight, tough fabric, and dirt- and water-resistance, this blanket is up for basically any and all adventures. My personal favorite feature? It's machine washable and dryer safe!

Rachel Dunkel / BuzzFeed

The extra features on this blanket feel limitless. Oh look, a little zipper pocket on the corner! Oo, neat, a paracord loop on the other corner! Hey, a cape clip so you can wear the darn thing! I've been rocking the same original Rumpl blanket since 2019 and have loved it from day one, but the Backcountry model is a really tasty upgrade. Highly recommend for anyone who goes outside, and yes, I know that means basically everyone.

Price: $149+ (available in two sizes and seven colors)

Also check out my full review on the OG Rumpl blanket for more deets on why I've been all-in on these insulated beauts for years.

Reviews have been edited for length and clarity.