Products curated from the most popular purchases on Amazon.
Tap a group to open its picks.
A sleeping bag rated colder than you think3 options
Being cold at 3am is the reason most people say they hate camping. Night temperature drops far below the daytime figure you looked at.
- Check the comfort rating, not the extreme rating - the extreme number is survival, not sleep
- Rate it about ten degrees below the forecast low
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
Coleman Brazos 20/30°F Adult Cool-Weather Sleeping Bag with No-Snag Zipper & Stuff Sack, Machine Washable, Great for Campi...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Teton Celsius Regular, 25F, 20F, 0F Degree Sleeping Bags, All Weather Bag for Adults and Kids, Camping Made Easy and Warm,...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Teton LEEF Lightweight Mummy Sleeping Bag for Camping, Hiking, Backpacking; Cold Weather Option, Compression Sack IncludedCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
A sleeping pad3 options
The ground pulls heat out of you far faster than the air does. A pad is more about insulation than about softness, which is why a thick blanket underneath does not fix it.
- Look for an R-value - that is the insulation number
- Self-inflating pads are less faff than a pump on a first trip
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
Lost Horizon Option3 Self-Inflating Foam Camping Mattress, Full, 4.5" | Air & Foam Comfort, Adjustable Firmness, R13 Insulation, All-season ready, Sleeping PadCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
OGERY Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad, 3" Memory Foam Camping Mattress | Built-in Foot Pump, Insulated Foam, Memory Foam, Car ...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
FUN PAC Camping Sleeping Pad, Ultralight Camping Mat with Pillow, Built-in Foot Pump Inflatable Sleeping Pads Compact for ...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
A headlamp, not a torch3 options
Everything you do after dark at a campsite needs two hands - a tent, a stove, a zip. A torch gives you one.
- Check it has a red-light mode so you can move around without blinding the tent, and note whether it takes batteries or charges by USB
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
Blukar LED Headlamp Rechargeable, 2000L Super Bright Headlight Flashlight | 8 Modes&Stepless Dimming,Spotlight&Floodlight&...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
EverBrite 350LM Rechargeable Headlamp with Red White Green Light | Tail Light, White Red Green Light, Memory Function, Dim...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
DARKBEAM Red Light Headlamp LED Rechargeable Headlamps for Night Astronomy | Redlight Only Headlight Head Lamp, Waterproof...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
A camp stove and fuel3 options
A hot drink in the morning changes the whole character of a cold campsite. It is also the difference between eating and driving to find food.
- Check the fuel type is one you can actually buy nearby, and that the fuel canister is bought separately - it usually is, and it usually cannot ship with the stove
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
Coleman Cascade 18 1-Burner Camping Stove, Portable Cooktop with 8000 BTUs & Matchless Lighting, Fits 12-Inch Pan, Great for Outdoor Cooking, Camping, Tailgating, Grilling, BBQs, & MoreCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
Coleman Tabletop 2-in-1 Grill & Stove with 2 Adjustable Burners, Propane Grill/Stove with Push-Button Starter, Wind Guards, Grease Tray, & 20,000 BTUs of Power for Camping, Tailgating, & MoreCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
Gas One Portable Butane Camping Stove with Case: Automatic Ignition, Precise Heat Control - Camping & Tailgating and Outdo...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
A dry bag or a few waterproof sacks3 options
One night of rain or heavy dew and a bag left in a porch is wet. Wet spare clothes turn a good trip into a short one.
- Check the roll-top closes with at least three folds
- Sizes are in litres - a 10 litre holds a change of clothes
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
MARCHWAY Floating Waterproof Dry Bag Backpack 5L/10L/20L/30L/40L, Roll Top Sack Keeps Gear Dry for Kayaking, Rafting, Boat...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
HEETA Dry Bag Waterproof Backpack with Phone Case 5L/10L/20L/30L/40L | Roll Top Lightweight Dry Storage Bag for Women Men,...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Frelaxy Dry Bag 5 Pack, Ultralight Waterproof Dry Sack for Outdoor Use | Durable material, Waterproof coating, Secure roll...Check price on Amazon (paid link)