Gear Editors Pick the 40 Best Camping Gifts to Give This Summer

By all means, enjoy the peace and quiet under the stars but sometimes you need a musical pick-me-up on your camp trip. That's where the portable speaker comes in. JBL's newest Flip offers robust sound waterproofness, should you want to take it to the lake or river. We found it extremely durable, standing up to drops and knocks without a skip. It pairs with ease, comes with a case, and even has a handy clip for hands-free transit. While small, the speaker delivers some serious bass and treble. No wonder it found a spot in our 2025 Outdoor Awards.

A sleeping bag is a core piece of gear at the campsite. Marmot’s new Wraptor is one of the best to come out this year thanks to an innovative layering system that offers tremendous insulation and versatility via smart design. While other sleeping bags can feel too snug, this one offers all the warmth without the sensation of being wrapped up like a burrito. Plus, it comes in cool colors and patterns. It has found a permanent spot in the camping gear cabinet.

A good sleeping pad can make or break a camping adventure. Don't gamble but rather go with a reliable option like this luxurious pad from Exped. We found it to be more comfortable than a lot of home mattresses, with thick foam that's great for a pair of sleepers. Even if your partner is restless, you won't feel the stirring with this well-made number. There's even enough insulation at play to get you through the shoulder season and winter (which is a long time off).

About the only complaint is that it's a but cumbersome and packs with a bit of bulk. Small price to pay for a night's sleep that's on par with what you'd get at a nice hotel. With a reach of 80 inches, this one is great for couples of if you're sleeping with kiddos.

Read More: Best Camping Sleeping Pads

Camp chairs don’t come lighter and comfier than Helinox’s Chair Zero. The new LT version offers a new GhostGrid fabric and improved stability with an X-strap stabilizer. At 1 pound 3 ounces, this is the ultimate ultralight chair.

Whether it's trying to set the scene for an enjoyable night out or just some extra lighting, this rechargeable lantern has enough settings to do it all. Plus, it has a multicolor setting, so it's great for kids, too. But it does more, which is why we named it our top camping lantern in recent testing. There's a soothing candle setting and even a color-changing lave lamp mode. It's light and therapy all in one, creating the ultimate vibe in and around your tent.

Read More: Best Camping Lanterns

REI's legendary four-person, three-season tent offers plenty of room and is incredibly adaptable. Camp on the ground or set it up with your vehicle as it's ever-compatible. There are ample doors and windows, the rain cover is ideal, and there's even a heavy duty storage sack. And there's nearly 60 square feet in this airy tent. Who says you can't bring the comforts of home to your campsite?

Read More: Best Camping Tents

Give the gift of more adventures with this membership from All Trails. It'll outfit your giftee with all those perks, from maps and trail reviews to personalized features. And it's more than just a database for 450,000 trails and counting, it's a resource for mountain bikers, backpackers, trail runners, off-road drivers, anglers, and more. You can even find great campsites via the app and website.

Midlayers are arguably the most important layer when camping in the warmer months. And Helly Hansen’s new Odin Breeze Hooded Fleece is second-to-none with weight-to-warmth ratio. It’s incredibly lightweight, insulates well, and still breaths plenty to keep that moisture from accumulating.

We tried out many hikers in creating our Outdoor Awards and a few really stood out. Meet the N45, an adventure-ready option with abrasion resistance and great breathability. They made even the most strenuous trails feel like walks in the park. And the sole can be replaced, meaning you can hold on to that old shoe comfort for years and years.

Take the chore out of camp cooking with this five-piece set. The nesting set includes a three-liter pot that's compatible with gas or induction cooking as well as a pair of bowls and a pair of cups. We were surprised by the even temperature distribution of the pot courtesy of a three-ply base. It's a real space-saver and great for camping couples.

Nobody likes losing juice while they're hiking for miles on end. Give them the gift of an ever-full battery with this solar power bank. There's no doubt they'll be thankful to have this. We were, and could not believe that a full charge-up only took about 30 minutes.

Read More: Best Camping Solar Panels

A good multitool is totally a wingman, getting you through challenging situations in a variety of ways. Leatherman tends to lead the charge in this department, offering options that somehow fit so much into so little. You won't ever feel wanting with this tool of tools, which includes more than a dozen useful tools including a strong stainless steel blade and a nice grip to boot.

Yeti for the win yet again. You already know the brand for its iconic, hard-to-beat coolers. And if the person you're shopping for already has one in their collection (or they want a more portable option), get them this. During a recent weekend warrior phase, I found that the cooler never leaks, can easily take on a 12-pack, and has a shell that keeps all of the contents safe.

Packing cubes are taking over and it's easy to see why. They make travel all the easier and that's no different for a camping adventure. This bundle from RUX is unrivaled, made of a proprietary fabric that's tough as nails without weighing you down. Included are three cubes, including two-liter, 10-liter, and 20-liter options. There's also a larger dry bag and a smaller carry case for little valuables. We could no get over how rugged the set is and loved keeping gear in order and safe while camping. Light as a feather while waterproof to fend off the elements, this bundle is a must.

Everyone needs a pair of baggies for summer camping. And Outerknown’s All Time Stretch version of its Volley Shorts is a worthy addition this season. These 4-way stretch shorts are ready for the trail, the water, and even the gym in a pinch.

Here's one for the truck camper or tailgater out there. The 80-liter capacity is great for all that outdoor gear and the mossy look adds some style. You can get dividers for organization and the whole thing is durable and weatherproof. The latches work great and you can even lock the thing up should you be traveling with valuables.

Staying hydrated is key on any adventure but it should be more of a hands-free afterthought. Enter the Paragon Hydration, our favorite overall hydration pack for a variety of reasons. This one is dishwasher safe, leakproof, and comes with a strong five-year warranty. It also wears like a charm and has the best valve in the game, period.

Could there be a better campsite shoe than the classic Birkenstock Arizona? The answer is probably not. Whether they choose to wear their pair with socks or without, these are sure to be in their camping gear rotation for a while. We pack them first, right up there with the sleeping bag and tent.