Throughout much of the pandemic, airlines threw out their guidelines for how they priced flights as 2020 airfares sank to unimaginable lows. But after two-plus years of pandemic deals on airfare, the tide has turned: Travelers are now faced with soaring fares for both domestic and international flights.
And now, aspiring travelers are faced with an important question: vacation or staycation? Well, many of us have turned to the age-old recreational activity of camping, which falls somewhere in the middle. From Gen Z to old-timers, it seems people of all age groups and backgrounds have been taking on this outdoor activity. With the hottest months of the summer hopefully behind us, September and October are some of the best months to go outside and play.
Whether it’s in a camper, airstream (hello hipsters), or in an old-fashioned tent, we’ve got you covered, with 16 camping essentials to bring to your annual camping trip, or to gift to your first-timer camping friend.
Gifts for Having Fun
UNCOMMON GOODS
$80
Add a little international flavor to your camping trip with Scatter, a Finnish lawn game that can be enjoyed drink-in-hand. The game set comes with everything you need—except the math skills—stored in a convenient cotton tote. Handmade in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
SPEAQUA
$35
Keep your friends close, and your music closer with the Cruiser H2.0 bottle opener speaker. Secure your music to your wrist, backpack, or tent – and let the adventure begin. Pocket friendly, shock, dust, sand and water-proof.
FREEIN SUP
$300
You don’t have to compromise space or cost with this 2-in-1 Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board with Kayak Seat, a great board that is durable and strong enough to glide through waves and flat water. This inflatable SUP comes equipped with all the bells and whistles you need to go on an epic camping adventure.
ELAKAI
$150
This handcrafted mahogany cornhole set comes ready to hit the trail. Utilize the premium padded backpack to easily store and carry the boards anywhere your camping adventure may take you!
Gifts for Taste (Literally)
1927 SMORES
$27
The Whiskey Salted Caramel kit is a celebration of camping & cocktails. All grahams and marshmallows are handcrafted from scratch using ingredients from local purveyors that provide extraordinary products. An ideal gift for those malt and wilderness appreciators.
BAREBONES LIVING
$150
The All-in-One Cast Iron Grill is an outdoor cook’s dream.Its cast iron base, domed lid, grill grate, baking steel, tripod stand and coal tray are perfect for expanding your outdoor dining options. Done cooking? Pack it all down into a single self-contained bundle to minimize what you carry.
VSSL GEAR
$40
Attention coffee lovers! You don’t need to sacrifice your coffee quality during your upcoming camping trip. The AeroPress Go travel coffee maker brews 8oz of coffee at one time, or up to 3 shots, espresso style.
Makes an ideal travel companion for those with an active lifestyle, from office, to your hammock in the woods.
NCAMP GEAR
$139
This bundle truly has all your camping cooking essentials: The Multi-fuel Stove, the Gas Adapter, the Prep Surface, the Café, and finally the Carry Case, which is durable and designed to carry its bundle members. All the elements you need to chef it up at the campsite.
Gifts to Kick-Back and Relax
WOODS
$79
The Woods Siesta Reclining Padded Camping Chair is the holy grail of camping chairs. If you have ever lazed around a campfire, you know that regular folding chairs are tough on the back. Try this one out. It reclines into three different positions and has an extra padded comfortable backing, plus includes a cup holder for your beverages. Enough said.
EAGLES NEST OUTFITTERS
$75
The 1k+ reviews of this award-winning hammock truly speak for themselves here. From camping beginners to fanatics, this one’s for you.
RUMPL
$175
Enjoy lounging by the fire with this Rumpl blanket. Made of impossibly soft sherpa fleece, it promises to keep you toasty all season long. Waterproof and stain resistant, so you don’t have to worry about laying it on wet terrain, or humidity getting through.
OSTRICHPILLOW
$45
Camping is nice, but some of us like to do so in style (and comfort!)
Not a fan of waking up with the sun, or worse, to the sound of mosquitoes hitting your tent or camper wall? This Light Versatile Pillow is for you. It may not be an obvious one, but trust us when we say it will take your camping comfort to a whole other level.
Gifts for Practicality
BAREBONES
$70
Convenient, everyday LED flashlight with a nod towards its vintage cousin. Cage styling with hammertone style texture paint gives this flashlight a classic look with a modern appeal. Features an additional hook on the bottom to make it easy to hang at eye level in the tent. Perfectly sized to fit in your hand. A must for your upcoming camping trip!
YETI
$300
A waterproof gear fortress that doesn’t flinch in the face of high tide or rain, keeping your belongings nice and dry, no matter what camping activity you may take on.
S’WELL
$45
Enjoy fresh-tasting water wherever you are with this leak-free filter cap and water bottles set. Comes with a 2-pack filter replacement. A perfect gift for your thirst-quenching, adventure-seeking friends.
SNOW PEAK
$70
The Multi Container is a Japanese-designed canvas case. Ideal for cutlery and small cookware pieces, the Multi Container features reinforced inserts, function-first canvas and sturdy handles for easy carrying, in style.
All photos are from the respective brands included in this post. Our Gifting Intelligence™ was used to select each product. To&From may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.