Every piece of gear for your first car-camping weekend or your first backpacking trip, from tent to headlamp.
Updated October 2026
best for: Your first few car camping trips
The easy, affordable way to start car camping. Get the version with the full-fly vestibule for better rain protection.
best for: Couples or small families who want to stand up inside
Stand-up height, two doors and great airflow. Outside's favorite after testing 29 car camping tents.
best for: Families and groups who want a real basecamp
The tent three different testing outlets named best overall. The giant vestibule is basically a covered porch.
best for: Campground weekends plus the occasional backpacking trip
One tent for campground weekends and occasional backpacking trips. Comes with a footprint.
best for: Summer car camping on a budget
Surprisingly warm for the price. Great for late spring through early fall car camping.
best for: Trying backpacking without overspending
One of the cheapest good down bags. Warm enough for most three-season trips.
best for: A pad that can never pop
A foam pad that can't pop. Use it alone in summer or under an air pad for extra warmth.
best for: Comfy, warm car camping
A warm, comfy pad for car camping that mostly inflates itself.
best for: Backpackers who camp into the cold seasons
Thick, warm and quiet. The test pad lasted 29+ nights down to about 23°F with no leaks.
best for: Cooking real meals at the campsite
A powerful two-burner stove that boiled water in just over 3 minutes at 5,000 feet.
best for: Your first backpacking stove
Tiny, reliable and affordable. Screws onto a fuel canister and boils water in minutes.
best for: Windy, exposed campsites
The best canister stove when the wind picks up.
best for: Long trips where ice has to last
A tough wheeled cooler you can actually roll across a campground.
best for: Everyone — the one light you can't skip
Hands-free light for cooking, bathroom trips and finding stuff in the tent.
best for: Lighting up a tent for cheap
A pocket-size lantern that lights up a tent or picnic table.
best for: Campsite ambiance and long battery life
Bright, rechargeable and full of fun color modes. The best all-around camp lantern.
best for: Backpackers drinking from streams and lakes
Drink safely from streams and lakes. Screws onto most standard water bottles.
best for: Drinking straight from the filter on the go
Drink straight from the soft flask. Cleans with a quick shake, no tools needed.
best for: Campfire nights on a budget
The classic folding chair with a built-in cooler pocket. A Wirecutter pick since 2016.
best for: Bigger folks who want a sturdier chair
An oversized, super-sturdy chair for long nights around the fire.
best for: Staying dry without spending a lot
Three different testers named it the best budget rain jacket. Has pit zips, rare at this price.
best for: A tougher shell for frequent outdoor use
A tougher three-layer shell that's still reasonably priced.
best for: An organized kit that lives in your car or pack
98 quality pieces in labeled pouches, so you can find what you need fast.
best for: Basic cuts and scrapes at the campground
An affordable kit for everyday cuts and scrapes. Keep it in the car.
For car camping, start with a tent, a sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, a headlamp, a camp stove, a cooler and a chair. Add a first aid kit and a rain jacket. Everything else is a nice-to-have.
Car camping gear can be big and heavy because you park right next to your site, so you can prioritize comfort and space. Backpacking gear has to be light and packable since you carry it, which usually costs more.
Yes. The ground pulls heat out of your body all night, even in summer. A pad's R-value measures its insulation: around 2 is fine for warm nights, and 4 or higher keeps you warm in spring and fall.
Pick a bag rated about 10°F colder than the lowest temperature you expect. A 30°F bag covers most summer car camping, while a 20°F bag is safer for shoulder seasons and higher elevations.