Overlooked Camping Gear You Can’t Live Without
Any camper worth their salt knows to pack a tent, sleeping bag, provisions, fire-starter, and appropriate clothes, but even the most seasoned camper or outdoors enthusiast can some overlooked camping gear. We asked ourselves the deep question;
Contents
“What Overlooked Camping Gear Do You Absolutely Need?”
We even reached out to some of our favorite camping blogs and outdoor influencers for their opinions as well. After much deliberation and decision, we think we put together a list of eight pieces of gear that can enhance your camping experience.
Outside of the basic necessities of survival and camping, an absolute must-have item is a titanium firebox. It makes cooking and small fires so much more convenient when in the wilderness. They fold up small and are so easy to store in any pack making them perfect for multi-day trips. The firebox is one piece and folds flat, so you don’t have to be worried about losing and little pieces. They last forever and will pay for itself time and time again. (Sam Maizlech, Gunivore.com)
Bushcraft Essentials Outdoor Stove Bushbox
Product
Bushcraft Essentials Outdoor Stove Bushbox
Multi-fuel option
- Very small, nevertheless foldable
- 14 x 10 x 10 / 5.5 x 3.9 x 3.9 in (unfolded);
- Weight: 470g / 16.58oz;
- Uses wood, organic matter, Trangia & Esbit.
- 100% stainless steel.
Our rating 
Details
- Very small, nevertheless foldable
- 14 x 10 x 10 / 5.5 x 3.9 x 3.9 in (unfolded);
- Weight: 470g / 16.58oz;
- Uses wood, organic matter, Trangia & Esbit.
- 100% stainless steel.
Of all of the camping gear that I have used throughout the years, Luci Lights have always been one of my essentials. Using a photovoltaic panel, Luci Lights use sunlight to charge a built-in battery, which can then be used to power a small light for hours.
Luci Lights have always been a useful tool. They provide a nice source of ambient light, and can be used to illuminate a camp kitchen, for example. The Luci Powerbank not only maintains a constant light source, but it can be used to charge electronic devices. All one needs to do is let the Powerbank passively charge during the daytime. Come night, the Luci Powerbank can be inflated, and used to light up your camp while also charging a smart phone, battery, or GPS device. (Timothy Carlson, Hike the Pla.net)
MPOWERD Luci Inflatable Base Solar Light & Power Bank
Product
Luci Inflatable Base Solar Light
Fully solar powered
- Completely powered by the sun
- Quick charge via USB in 5-6 hours
- Recharge in direct sunlight for 28 hours
- Shines up to 360 lumens
- Lasts up to 50 hours on a single charge
Our rating 
Details
- Completely powered by the sun
- Quick charge via USB in 5-6 hours
- Recharge in direct sunlight for 28 hours
- Shines up to 360 lumens
- Lasts up to 50 hours on a single charge
Every hunter or outdoorsman knows a quality pair of binos is crucial to any outdoor endeavor, whether looking for game, or just assessing a long off possible route. What most outdoorsmen miss though is the best way to carry their binos. Neck-straps are literally a pain in the neck, standard bino harnesses are too elastic and leave your glass exposed to the elements, meaning snow or rain render your binos useless.
A proper chest pack keeps your binos clean, dry, and ready for use with a moment’s notice. The AGC packs are the best in my opinion because of their additional features like the included range finder pouch, side pockets for your Havalon or windage, a flat back pocket for your tags or maps, and a top elastic pouch for your phone of GPS. (Paul Ronto, Runrepeat.com)
Alaska Guide Creations Kodiak CUB Bino Pack
Product
Rugged Bino Harness
- Main compartment: 6.5″ tall x 6″ wide x 3″ deep
- Front Compartment: 4″ tall x 6″ wide x 1.5″ deep
- Side Compartment: 3″ tall x 2.5″ wide x 1″ deep.
- Rear Compartment: 4″ tall x 6″ wide
- Weight: 15.2 oz.
Our rating
Details
- Main compartment: 6.5″ tall x 6″ wide x 3″ deep
- Front Compartment: 4″ tall x 6″ wide x 1.5″ deep
- Side Compartment: 3″ tall x 2.5″ wide x 1″ deep.
- Rear Compartment: 4″ tall x 6″ wide
- Weight: 15.2 oz.
As an avid backcountry hiker and camper, one item I can’t live without in the backcountry is trekking poles. They save my knees on the steep descents and give you power to climb up hills. They are also great to help you balance on uneven terrain or crossing streams.
Trekking poles can also serve many other purposes like pitching a tent, fending off wildlife or pesky shrubs, and clearing spiderwebs from the trail in front of you. I love the Leki Micro Vario Carbon Trekking Poles because they can be collapsed to fit in any bag, so they are great for travel. (Tim Davis & Jennifer Dombrowski, luxeadventure traveler.com)
LEKI Micro Vario Carbon DDS Trekking Poles
Product
LEKI Micro Vario Carbon DDS Trekking Poles
Ultralight Trekking Poles
- Dynamic Suspension System
- Push-button lock system
- Adjustable up to 20 cm
- Kevlar®-reinforced tension cord
- Weight: 1.1 pounds
Our rating
Details
- Dynamic Suspension System
- Push-button lock system
- Adjustable up to 20 cm
- Kevlar®-reinforced tension cord
- Weight: 1.1 pounds
Common activities on the trail or at the campsite that require a knife include brush and limb clearing, stake cutting, firewood chopping or sawing, bark stripping, etc. These activities require a sharp blade that keeps an edge, a strong blade that allows swinging and striking, and an aggressive saw blade for cutting thicker branches.
I have always found Gerber knives to have sharp blades that maintain their edge after multiple uses. The Clearpath Machete is incredibly strong for aggressive chopping and includes an equally important comfort grip and retaining strap to keep the knife from leaving your hand.
The sawtooth backside of the machete is incredibly sharp and strong for cutting through relatively large branches. The knife comes with a very lightweight and comfortable carrying case and is very reasonably priced. Next time you head into the woods, give it a try! (Ron Hume, postmm.com)
Gerber Compact Clearpath Machete
Product
Bushcraft Essentials Outdoor Stove Bushbox
Multi-fuel option
- Corrosion-resistant stainless steel blade
- Crosscut sawtooth technology
- Gatorgrip handle for improved comfort
- Safety lanyard for easy tethering
- Compact, packable sheath
Our rating
Details
- Corrosion-resistant stainless steel blade
- Crosscut sawtooth technology
- Gatorgrip handle for improved comfort
- Safety lanyard for easy tethering
- Compact, packable sheath
The worst thing about camping, especially for multiple days, is often the cold. Not so much when you’re up and moving but when you’re trying to relax and enjoy your time outdoors. A portable propane heater can be a godsend – it only needs a small propane container so you can carry it anywhere. It can turn your ice-cold tent into a cozy getaway. Mine only weighs around 6 pounds – it’s a no brainer as a practical heat source. Not to mention the usefulness in an emergency! (Craig Anderson, applianceanalysts.com)
Mr. Heater Little Budd
Product
Winter Camping Must-Have
- For rooms up to 95 square feet
- Continuous odor-free, 45-degree heating angle
- Automatic low oxygen shut-off system (ODS)
- maximum BTU: 5.6 hours
- Low-oxygen sensor and auto shut-off for safety
Our rating
Details
- For rooms up to 95 square feet
- Continuous odor-free, 45-degree heating angle
- Automatic low oxygen shut-off system (ODS)
- maximum BTU: 5.6 hours
- Low-oxygen sensor and auto shut-off for safety
Thank you very much to everyone who participated in sharing their most vital piece of camping gear.
What piece of camping gear can’t you live without? Share on social media, tag us and let us know!
My articles appear in Marketing Edge Magazine, on Gizmogrind, and with various Medium publications. But one thing hasn’t changed in all of my life: no matter where I was or what I was doing. I’ve always loved to be outdoors.
A man needs nothing more than a good flannel shirt, a well-worn pair of jeans, and comfortable hiking boots. I don’t go for all the fancy luxury stuff. Suits are uncomfortable and shaving sucks.
