One of the major reasons we enjoy our camping and hiking trips is because of the refreshing minimalism they demand. But there are a handful of gadgets that really help to improve the experience of your trip without tainting it with unnecessary accessories. It's a fine line but we reckon we've nailed it.
Some of our picks, like the Biolite CampStove 2, truly embody the spirit of the “gadget” by bringing together traditional functions with cutting edge and exciting technologies. Others, like the WACACO Nanopresso or Helinox Chair One, can be considered luxury options – they are not required items by any stretch of the imagination, but they always succeed in making us smile at the end of a long day.
Meanwhile, others like the Survivor Filter Pro, Garmin eTrex 10, or the what3words app, are, in our minds, essentials. They offer high functionality that cannot be missed and a simplicity of execution that makes them an absolute pleasure to use.
The best camping gadgets in detail:
Just so you know, while we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections.
Camping is a doddle, so long as you've got the essentials nailed down. One of these essentials is a biggie u2013 water. Whether you're hiking, trekking, backpacking, or wild camping, the Survival Filter Pro is a water filtration system that'll give you unlimited access to clean drinking water. The device's filters are proven to remove 99.9 per cent of bacteria and viruses, and reduce the presence of heavy metals, like mercury. Its small size means that it's easy to pack and transport, too. It'll filter 500ml of water every minute, and the hose allows for filtration straight from a wild water source. It's simple, quick to use, and a trusted friend for our expeditions.
Arguably the only problem with the great outdoors is the absence of coffee shops. This problem is solved with the Nanopresso, as it allows delicious espresso coffee to taste at base camp with ease. It uses ground coffee, hot water, and internal pressure-creating pistons, the compact device delivers the perfect hillside coffee in a matter of seconds. It's only small too, fitting into a backpack's bottle pocket.
The Biolite CampStove 2 is a seriously smart piece of campsite technology, with every feature linking and aiding another. Fuelled by sticks and twigs, the stove provides the ideal spot for cooking up a fireside feast. Excess heat is reclaimed by the attached heat probe and converted into electricity, which can be used to power a USB device. Unused power charges an internal battery pack for later use. Some of the power is diverted to internal fans, which stoke the flames and ensure optimum fuel efficiency, and reduces smoke output by 95 per cent. On the side, three LED gauges feedback to the user on fire, fan, and power performance.
With no flame and no harmful chemicals, the MR300 will successfully repel flying insects like mosquitos, gnats, and midges, preventing them from becoming a blight to your camp. The gadget uses a small butane cartridge to heat a pad dowsed in an odourless natural insect repellent, found in chrysanthemums. The area that's affected is around 4.5m by 4.5m. It'll run for 12 hours, and can be connected to a pack if required.
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The Gerber Folding Shovel is a great tool to have on hand at camp, allowing you to stoke fires, clear debris, and dig latrines (aka. toilet holes) in more rural locations. This shovel's carbon steel construction makes it robust enough to handle any situation, and also doubles as a hammer, allowing you to replace your mallet in a backpack. Plus, it comes with a stow bag. Camping is all about being economical, so anything that has more than one function is a winner.
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The ground is a damp and chilly place to sit without protection, but carrying a big old picnic blanket is a waste of space. Thankfully, the Matador Pocket Blanket is here, offering a pocket-friendly, lightweight, and waterproof nylon blanket for any situation. When it's unfolded, it'll comfortably seat two people. Four corner pockets allow for the use of natural anchors like sand or pebbles, and there are also some small tethering pegs included.
Goal Zero is a very cool company that delivers not only brilliant power solutions but is itself powered by a great ethos. The Nomad 10 provides 10 Watts of power but weighs a mere 0.51kg. It is foldable and you can easily attach it to your pack so it charges devices as you hike. But the Nomad 10 also has a kickstand to use if you need it. It's no fragile thing either - the Nomad 10 is durable as designed specifically to cope with hiking conditions.
The Helinox Chair One is ideal for camping because of its extremely lightweight design, which incorporates light, but very strong, steel tubes to build up the frame of the chair. The seat itself sits very close to the ground, which also helps to reduce the amount of material needed in the construction. The result is an item that folds down to a small, hike-friendly package and weighs only 960g.
A handheld GPS is an ideal gadget for hikers. The eTrex 10 is a simple but highly effective GPS unit, bearing a global base map and geocaching in order give you the necessary information regarding position and terrain. IPX7-rated and up to 25 hours battery life on two AAs.
What3words is one of the most powerful safety tools you can access, and it's free. The app has broken down the entire world into 3 x 3-meter squares, each tagged with a unique three-word combination. In the case of an accident, these words can be passed onto emergency services, allowing your location to be told with extreme accuracy. This allows you to avoid having to repeat complex coordinates in high-stress situations. For example, the peak of Ben Nevis becomes "marble.messaging.hacksaw", rather than 56.7969u00b0 N, 5.0036u00b0 W. Please note: your smartphone will require activated GPS/Location to work with this app.
The Pocket Rocket 2 is an ultra-lightweight stove option, and certainly one of our favourites. It locks onto the top of a gas canister and provides the support arms for a saucepan or mess tin. It only weighs 73g but can boil one litre of water in under four minutes, and slips easily into a backpack pocket. The only issue some may find is the lack of windproofing, so some good cover will be needed to attain the quickest boil, or you can use it with a flat, lightweight foldable windshield.
If you've got a Petzl headtorch (if not, why not? They're great) then you'll want the Noctilight. A headtorch, headband and all, fits inside to become a lantern with a diffused light. The soft-touch case allows the torch to be fully operated, and the elasticated hook and fabric loop allows for various tent or backpack attachment possibilities. This is a simple and highly versatile purchase.
This travel safe and bag hybrid provides peace of mind when camping. The material is reinforced with steel mesh, and the stainless steel cable both fastens and anchors the bag, with the help of a three-digits combo lock. We use it for all sorts, including watches, cash, Kindles, smartphones, and tablets. The Pacsafe Travelsafe isn't just useful for campsites, but any public place where your attention isn't 100 per cent dedicated to your valuables u2013 beaches, parks, airports, and hotels. This is the smallest of five sizes going up to 25 litres.