From car camping with your family to base camping at the foot of your next serious adventure, you’ll want to have the right gear for the occasion. Below our staff at Switchback Travel breaks down the best camping gear of 2024 from tents and sleeping bags to cookware and chairs. Because weight and packability aren’t nearly the concerns that they are with backpacking, camping gear provides much more in the way of creature comforts and bells and whistles. The sleeping pads are plush, the tents spacious, and the cooking experience much more gourmet than you would have deep in the backcountry where you carry in everything on your back. Enjoy!

Camping Gear Buyer's Guides

The North Face Wawona Camping Tent (installing pole clips)

Best Camping Tents of 2024

Spacious, user-friendly, and feature-rich, camping tents are made for a relatively luxurious experience in the outdoors. Many of these behemoths offer enough room to set up cots or even chairs and a table for card games on a rainy day. For car campers...
Roofnest Sparrow Eye at viewpoint

Best Rooftop Tents of 2024

Rooftop tents have never been more popular, and it’s easy to see why. Rather than having to meticulously stake out and assemble your tent and sleep system once you arrive at camp, rooftop designs pop up...
Camping chair (sitting in Nemo Moonlight at camp)

Best Camping Chairs of 2024

Thoughts of camping chairs may conjure up images of $10 specials out front a big-box retailer, but let’s reorient ourselves to a slightly higher standard. We expect a proper camping chair to not only fold up for easy transport, but to be comfortable...
Camping stove (Camp Chef Everest 2X on picnic table)

Best Camping Stoves of 2024

You can leave your dehydrated, salty, and unsatisfying meals at home—today’s camping stoves bring a whole new level of gourmet to your car camping and basecamping adventures. Unlike for backpacking, there’s no need to scour Pinterest for workarounds...
Camping mats (setting in front of tent)

Best Camping Mattresses of 2024

Well-versed campers are comfort experts, and one item they don’t compromise on is a sleeping mattress. Unlike backpacking where weight and packed size are limitations, car camping mats put a premium on plush cushioning and support with thick foam and...
Unzipping The North Face Trail Eco Bed sleeping bag

Best Camping Sleeping Bags of 2024

No matter where your travels take you, from national parks to backwoods to back porches, a sleeping bag for camping remains a trusty companion. Since space and weight are not at a...
Camping and backpacking pillows (lined up on sleeping bag)

Best Camping and Backpacking Pillows of 2024

While small and relatively unassuming, a quality outdoor pillow can go a long way toward improving your sleep, whether you’re spending the night at your local state park or trekking miles into the...
Camping blankets (Therm-a-Rest and Kelty blankets by the campfire)

Best Camping Blankets of 2024

Comfort is the number one consideration for many campers (ourselves included), and a quality camping blanket can go a long way toward keeping you warm and cozy while out in the wilderness. Synthetic-insulated designs are the most common, while...
Cooler (Yeti Tundra on tailgate)

Best Coolers of 2024

Whether you’re headed to the beach, tailgating before your favorite sporting event, or camping in the wild, there's a good chance you'll want to keep your food and drinks cold. Thankfully, the market is packed with high-quality coolers that excel at...
Wheeled coolers (walking with Orca 65 on trail)

Best Wheeled Coolers of 2024

If your cooler must-haves include easy portability, large capacity, and maximum ice retention, a wheeled cooler is the way to go. Like standard hard-sided models, many of today’s top wheeled coolers can keep ice frozen for several days with the added...
Soft coolers (lined up in front of tent)

Best Soft Coolers of 2024

Hard-sided coolers lead the charge in ice retention and durability, but for those that don’t need a week’s worth of cold food and drinks, a soft-sided cooler can be a viable alternative. Compared to hard models, soft coolers are considerably lighter...
Backpack coolers (lined up on rock)

Best Backpack Coolers of 2024

Backpack coolers offer the ultimate in portability for covering longer distances, whether you’re headed to a campsite deep in the woods or hiking in for an afternoon paddle at your favorite lake. While a step down from traditional hard-sided coolers in...
Camping lantern (hanging Black Diamond Apollo inside tent)

Best Camping Lanterns of 2024

Camping lanterns have come a long way since their inception. Nowadays, the market is flush with modern options that combine impressive brightness alongside fun features like multicolor lighting modes, USB ports for powering your electronics, and even...
Headlamp (drinking tea at night)

Best Headlamps of 2024

If you've ever gone camping, hiking, backpacking, climbing, mountain biking, trail running, or nearly anything else in the outdoors, chances are you've used a headlamp. While this handy piece of technology requires little introduction...
Rooftop cargo boxes (storing skis in Yakima SkyBox)

Best Rooftop Cargo Boxes of 2024

Whether you drive a small hatchback or a large SUV, adding a cargo box to your vehicle’s rooftop can go a long way toward improving organization, carrying capacity, and comfort. These boxes come in a range of sizes to accommodate your gear (including...
Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler and Patagonia Black Hole duffel bags in Tofino

Best Duffel Bags of 2024

Whether you’re traveling by air, driving up to a cabin for the weekend, or venturing across the world on an expedition, you’ll likely be using a duffel bag to get your gear from one place to the next. Duffels...
Inflatable Paddle Board (Standing on Boardworks SHUBU Raven)

Best Stand Up Paddle Boards of 2023

Inflatable stand up paddle boards (SUPs, for short) are taking the boating scene by storm, and it’s easy to see why. These compact vessels are easy to transport (no car rack required), surprisingly durable...
Packrafting out of mountains with skis

Best Packrafts of 2023

Packrafts are an impressive feat of modern engineering: They’re incredibly durable and capable, yet many pack up small enough to fit into a backpack or bike bag. As a result, packrafts have become popular for all manner of human-powered...
Best Camping Gear (setting up camp at Lake Wenatchee)

Best Camping Gear of 2023

Shopping for camping gear is no small feat, whether you’re a first-time camper or a seasoned veteran. But once you set up your tent, lay out your sleeping bag, and settle in by the campfire, the effort is well worth it. After researching and testing ...

In-Depth Gear Reviews

Yakima SkyBox NX 16 roof box (putting snowboard in box)

Yakima SkyBox NX 16 Review

The roof box market is a pretty stagnant space, so it’s notable when a big-time product gets a revamp. And that’s just what happened with the Skybox NX, which effectively replaces the Carbonite model in Yakima’s lineup. Offered in 16- and 18-cubic-foot...
Nemo Aurora Highrise 6P (exiting through massive door)

Nemo Aurora Highrise 6P Tent Review

Nemo makes some of our favorite backpacking tents but has been a relatively small player in the car camping market for some time. That’s changed with the Aurora Highrise, which lands in the heart of the very competitive premium tent space. We tested...
REI Co-op Wonderland 4 Tent (camping in Utah)

REI Co-op Wonderland Tent Review

In a surprising move, REI replaced their popular Kingdom series with the Wonderland line last year. We’ve had a chance to test both the four- and six-person versions (note: The photos below are of the Wonderland 4), and we have to admit that the new...
Nemo Aurora 3P tent (sitting outside tent with dog)

Nemo Aurora 3P Tent Review

New Hampshire-based Nemo is a strong player in the premium backpacking tent space, but their Aurora takes aim at those looking to maximize livability without breaking the bank. Recently updated with more sustainable materials and a stronger...
Thule Motion XT XL Roof Box (loading Paddle)

Thule Motion XT XL Review

Thule’s rooftop cargo box collection is undeniably extensive, from luxurious designs with felt-lined interiors and built-in lighting to soft-sided models for cheap and compact storage. The Motion slots in as their premium all-rounder ...
​​REI Co-op Skyward 4 camping tent (zipping up door)

REI Co-op Skyward 4 Tent Review

REI gave their camping tent collection a shakeup for 2022, including replacing their mid-range Grand Hut series with the all-new Skyward. Offered in four- and six-person capacities, we brought the smaller version to Moab for testing this spring and...
Yeti Roadie 24 cooler (lifting out of canoe)

Yeti Roadie 24 Cooler Review

The Yeti name carries a lot of weight in the cooler market: Their coolers are impressively effective insulators, hold up very well over the long term, and boast the brand’s laudable polished look. Their smallest hard-sided offering is the Roadie 24...
Big Agnes Big House 6 camping tent (sitting in tent with dog)

Big Agnes Big House 6 Tent Review

Big Agnes makes some of our favorite camping and backpacking tents on the market, and their aptly named Big House slots in as an impressively tall and livable option for families and larger groups...
REI Co-op Base Camp 6 (setting up camp)

REI Co-op Base Camp 6 Tent Review

Featuring high-quality materials and a traditional dome shape, REI Co-op’s Base Camp has been a long-time staple in their tent lineup. Offered in four- and six-person capacities, the car camping-focused model is a top choice among those looking to...
Exped MegaMat Duo 10 sleeping pad

Exped MegaMat Duo 10 Review

Sitting towards the top of the premium camping mattress market is Exped’s MegaMat Duo 10. This double-wide, luxurious pad easily sleeps two, and its generous cushioning and high R-value make it a great companion for year-round adventures. After...
Nemo Stargaze Recliner camp chair (mountain views in Telluride)

Nemo Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair Review

Camping chairs are a fairly static category with few noteworthy innovations each year, but New Hampshire-based Nemo came up with a very intriguing design in their Stargaze Recliner...
Coleman Sundome 6 tent (at campsite)

Coleman Sundome 6 Tent Review

A popular choice among car campers and festival-goers for years, Coleman’s Sundome 6 (also known simply as “the Coleman Dome Tent”) is offered at a bargain-basement price that is tough to match. With enough floor area to fit two queen-sized mattresses...
Yakima SkyBox 16 Carbonite Cargo Roof Box (removing snowboard)

Yakima SkyBox 16 Carbonite Review

Yakima has been a leader in the cargo roof box game for some time, and their core and arguably most versatile product is the SkyBox Carbonite. We’ve had the 16-cubic-foot model on the top of our vehicle for a few years now and have found it to be...

Camping Gear Learning Center

Camping stove (cooking by creek)

How to Choose a Camping Stove

There are so many factors that go into choosing the right camping stove. How many people are you cooking for? Do you like to make intricate meals? How far will you have to shuttle your gear from car...
Campsite scene (group prepping meal)

Camping Checklist for 2023

Whether it’s your first time camping or you’ve been at it for years, it never hurts to have a checklist. To help you get out of the house with all the essentials in tow, we’ve outlined everything you need, including group gear like a camping tent...
Camping gear (sitting around campfire)

Good Camping Gear on a Budget

Most top-of-the-line camping gear is loaded with luxuries and features that mimic the comforts of home. But unless you're getting out every weekend or like to “glamp” (a glamorous version of camping), the latest and greatest technology isn’t a...
Tent brands (setting up REI Flash Air 2)

Best Tent Brands of 2024

Whether you’re car camping at your local state park for the week or venturing deep into the backcountry, you’ll need a quality shelter that’s spacious enough for your group, reasonably weather-worthy for the conditions, and able to withstand regular...