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I am a former editor and contributor to the BuzzFeed shopping team with over seven years of experience testing and recommending products that help make life a little easier, whether that’s ultralight gear, holy grail serum, jeans that fit just right, or anything in between.

I have one of these little cameras, and they're so fun! Truly perfect for the outdoors. Durable and "analog" feeling while still being super easy to transfer memories to your phone. The picture quality is kind of like an old-school digital camera, which is fun and actually looks great a lot of the time! Just really neat.

Promising review: "This is the hat I’ve been looking for! Getting older and needing some shade on my noggin, face, and neck. I’ve purchased a few other hats, but this one is the most comfortable and breathable, and covers my neck and long nose, too. The wife says it looks good on me and she’s picky!" —Danny Dorado

Price: $99 (available in sizes 7–8 and four colors)

Promising review: "Great color and easy to use! Have used it for a while and have yet to have any issues with it!" —NOCH

Promising review: "I love this press. It's expensive but works better than many, and it seems unbreakable. I have had no problem with leaking or dripping, as a few other reviews have stated. The locking lid makes it easy to pour, unlike the presses, where you have to keep turning the lid and looking for the slotted pouring area. The press is firm and easy. I have had no trouble with it being hard to press down. The screen is so much easier to clean than the other models I've used. The grounds just rinse off with no effort. It's weird having the hole in the lid that can't be sealed, but since most other presses have loose lids, it seems no less safe than others. It retains temperature for a long time. I usually cold brew, and it's perfect for that. Or hot. And it's stable. My cat has brushed against it without knocking it over, and if she had, it's metal, so it wouldn't break like glass ones. So that's the summary. Stable, very easy to clean, and it works great. Whether it's worth full price instead of buying a cheaper one, that's up to you. I used points and a gift card. On the other hand, I've replaced cheaper ones to avoid them breaking and from the screens getting gross. This one will last." —Joby

Price: $29.95 (available in four colors) 

Promising review: "Worth every penny! No matter how long you’ve been camping, there comes a time when doing it the way you did it when you were young just doesn’t work. I camp for lots of reasons, and in lots of settings. But one of the things I ALWAYS want to do when I’m camping is relax and do it COMFORTABLY. I don’t need a Winnebago, but the old camp chairs — just about ALL of them — don’t work for me anymore. But this one — no kidding — DOES. The best addition I’ve made to my gear in a LONG time." —Rainfisher

Price: $179.95 (available in five colors)

It comes with five small and five bigger carabiners, all made of plastic. 

Promising review: "I went car camping and tied this around a tree to use as a galley. It was perfect for hanging pots, pans, and utensils to dry after washing, as well as a small garbage bag for trash. How did I ever manage a camp kitchen without it?! I mean, yes, the s-biners are plastic, but there are 10, and you can always replace them. Smart buy!" —AFCA

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 to document all of our adventures." —roseferg

Promising review: "Bought as a lightweight travel jacket for events, site visits, and hikes. Great for flights too, as it's compressible and doubles as a pillow. Great build quality and materials. Very happy." —lain

Price: $229 (available in sizes XS–XXXL and seven colors)

Promising review: "Took this lantern out for a two-day camping trip. I was pleasantly surprised by the light output and how long it lasted on a charge. The first night, I turned it on full brightness and used both sides of the lantern. I quickly realized that I really only needed about half the brightness and that using only one side of the lantern was enough for our campsite. I was able to get two nights of light out of it this way and still had 50% battery life left. This lantern works great and is plenty bright. My only complaint is the charging cable that is attached to it. It’s simply too short, and I wish it were longer." —Eddie H

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

Promising review: "I purchased this bag in 2022 after a long search for a day pack as I got into hiking. Little did I know it would quickly become my travel-everywhere pack. I've had it barely full for short day hikes to exploding at the brim on month-long road trips. It easily takes on whatever I throw at it and shows zero signs of stopping. I could not be happier with this purchase. Definitely try it out if you're looking for a chameleon bag that can do it all." —Heather takes on hobbies

Price: $99.95 (available in five colors and two sizes)

I have these trekking poles (though the model from 2021, I want to say), and I really do think they'll be the pair I use for the rest of my life. I LEAN on these bad boys, and I trust them endlessly. Adjustability is easy. So easy that I happily dial in the lengths between going uphill and down, since you want slightly different measures for each. The cork handles were the real selling point for me. I have extremely sweaty hands *and* am quite blister-prone, so plastic handles just feel yucky, and foam handles won't last. The cork is moisture-wicking and easy on the hands. The price tag is a lot, but you really do get what you pay for! 

Promising review: "I was reluctant to use poles for the longest time because I felt that they were unnecessary, but as soon as I got them, I realized what I'd been missing all these years! Lightweight, durable, and packable, they've accompanied me through all four seasons of rigorous hiking and backpacking, and despite getting considerably beaten up against rocks, there is no rust or sign that they'll need to be replaced anytime soon. And I've had them for 6+ years! I know $200 seems like a lot of money to pay for a pair of poles, but when you consider their longevity, I promise you that you'll save yourself a lot of money in the long run by not having to replace them. And your joints will thank you for it." —GP18

The set comes with one squeeze screw-on water filter, two 32-ounce collapsible pouches, one replaceable pop-up drinking spout, and one syringe filter cleaner. It only weighs three ounces. It removes bacteria such as Salmonella, cholera, and E. coli, as well as protozoa such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium.

Note: If you’re immunocompromised, be sure to read all the package instructions to make sure it’s safe for you.

I adore this water filter for its ease of use, adaptability, small size, and zero wait time. Just fill the bag, screw on the filter, and roll the bag to squeeze the filtered water into your bottle. You don't need to wait for it to be done like with water treatment pills or gravity systems, and there's no funky taste — just fresh, clean, crisp water. If even the bag-filling situation sounds like it would take too much time, you can also screw the filter DIRECTLY ONTO A WATER BOTTLE and drink straight from it. Game-changing. Either way, it's a quick, lightweight system that I completely recommend.

Promising review: "I've taken this on a couple of backcountry/backpacking trips and it's so handy and easy to use. I find I prefer to carry two Smartwater bottles with me (one for dirty water, one for filtered water), screw the filter to the top of one, and squeeze clean water into the second bottle. I also love that it's small and lightweight. It's perfect for backcountry trips." —sarah279

Promising review: "I bought this as a small water-tight container for boating to hold small items such as my wallet, cell phone, boat remote, etc. I clipped it to the railing on our tritoon at the helm. It’s like a stylish waterproof glovebox. Perfect for my use of it. I am thinking of buying two more and trying to rig up something similar with them on our kayaks." —Pontoon storage

Price: $55+ (available in two sizes and seven colors)

Promising review: "Getting into longer distance running, and this is perfect for carrying food and water needed during longer efforts. The provided water bottles are good for a two- to three-hour effort, and it's nice to have the option to add a water bladder for longer runs. The mesh is comfortable and breathable. There's a back pouch that is big enough for a light jacket. Front clasp is adjustable, which is nice." —Max T

Price: $100 (available in sizes XS–XL and two colors)

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

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

Promising review: "Migrated to Garmin after a decade+ with Fitbit trackers. The watch uses much higher-quality materials and offers a better software experience than previous Fitbit products. The device is comfortable for all-day use and for sleep tracking. Setup was very easy, and the watch immediately synced with both my phone and existing Connect account. Battery life is impressive, especially if not using GPS. When comparing to a Garmin bike computer with a chest strap and speed sensor, the GPS and heart rate tracking of Vivoactive 6 produced almost identical results on a 15-mile test ride. Completely satisfied with the purchase." —KD Cagle

Promising review: "Amazingly comfy and durable! These socks are like walking on clouds in comparison to cheaper options. The price, I feel, is justified not only by how comfy they are but also by the lifetime warranty. Just don’t lose them!" —Jake

Price: $26 (available in men's sizes M–XXL and nine colors)

Promising review: "Bought these for my late season (October) hike up Gray's Peak, the highest point along the Continental Divide in NA. There was snow pack and ice from the daily thaw/freeze cycle for about 75% of the climb. These worked wonders. Tremendous stability and lots of compliments for thinking to bring them. Many others on the trail were sliding and falling. As soon as you take a step, you can feel them bite right in. L was a perfect fit on my size 13 TNF Hedgehogs. I could feel them get a little slick in slush, but not bad — just not as planted as on snow or ice. I didn't feel as stable on dry rock patches, as if they weren't centered perfectly on my foot. But that's really not what they are for." —UrbanFlatlander

Price: $83.95 (available in sizes XS–XXL and three colors)

Promising review: "I'm sure that this works great with cold beverages, but I primarily bought it for my morning coffee and afternoon tea. It happens: You get to work and get pulled away from your desk, forgetting to bring your coffee with you. With the Yeti mug, that coffee will be just as hot as you left it, even if you're returning one to two hours later. It truly is remarkable. I find that if I want to start drinking my coffee right away, it is best to fill the mug and leave the top off for a few minutes. Trust me, it will save you a burnt mouth. While the mug is stainless steel, regular coffee drinkers will notice a slight buildup of discoloration over time. I'd suggest buying some Bar Keepers Friend, as it will have the stainless steel looking like new in no time." —RobertRuns

The Eno has long been the gold standard in outdoor hammocks, and I'm SO happy I finally got one! Life's too short not to be napping in a forest. I'd always heard how easy they were to set up, but I really was blown away. It maybe takes 30 seconds if you have the right trees. Just wrap each strap around, connect each end of the hammock to the straps along the daisy chain via the carabiners at the end of the hammock, and get to swingin'. 

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 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: $74.95 for the hammock (available in seven colors) and $29.95 for the straps 

I can't say enough good things about Altra and, specifically, the Lone Peak series. An older model of these has been totally changed by (outdoor) life. The zero drop and wide toe box make my feet feel like they're more ~connected~ with the ground, which is so useful when groovin' on the trail. I feel sure-footed and stable. I'm also someone who prefers their three-season outdoor shoes to be quick-drying instead of waterproof, and these fit the bill. I've been rained on a ton in these (ohhhh the joys of section hiking the Appalachian Trail!), and they dry pretty darn fast. Love, love, love.

Promising review: "I'm now hiking in my second pair of these Altra 9 trail running shoes, and I could not be more satisfied. Zero break-in period, and the toe box is perfect on my rectangular feet (even in extreme downhill hiking). I'm putting about 60 miles a week on them, prepping for the Camino, and these shoes have not produced one blister or hot spot. Their grip on the fine sandy trails means I rarely have to navigate 'skiing' downhill. Light, comfortable, grippy, ecstatic feet... these check all the boxes." —Darby

Price: $145 (available in men's sizes 7–16, including wide sizes, and eight colors)

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 primed the cooler to chill it 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_

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: $84.95 (also available in larger sizes)

The device has a small screen that means you can use it even if your phone is dead. Phew! But if you have juice, the device pairs with your cell and is very easy to use with the Garmin app. In the app you can text (including photos and voice notes with this model), send pre-loaded check-ins, and get a weather check. You do need to have a Garmin subscription with a sliding scale pay structure based on the number of messages per month you want to send/receive. I opted for the Essential plan for $14.99/month and found it more than enough for a weekend trip in the Sierras. Plans start at $7.99. 

Promising review: "I was thrilled with this unit when I first used it because of how well it punched through the dense tree cover here in the Southern Appalachians (unlike some other things I've tried), but then I was really upset because of how fast the battery dropped. Close to half the battery in a couple of days. I thought the unit was defective. I worked with support staff at Garmin. Turns out, in settings, you can choose between 'Performance' and 'Low Power.' Once I put it on low power the battery seems to last basically forever. Evidently, when the battery was draining so fast, I had it stowed somewhere where it couldn't send and connect, but it kept trying because of the performance setting. I'll put it on performance if I am ever in trouble and really want to get a message out fast. The rest of the time, low power is the way to go. When I was testing the unit for battery life after working with Garmin support, I left it outside for about three weeks. Not only did the battery drop by only the smallest amount, but it seemed completely unaffected by the weather." —bradgad

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...and some practical, unexpected, budget, and outdoorsy options, plus finds from Uncommon Goods, Walmart, and Wayfair.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews for this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.