Gear review: Camping

Camping season is in full swing, and these products are sure to please, whether you’re backpacking, car camping, or just hanging around outside.

Luno Packable Camp Pillow

Designed to provide as good a night’s sleep as your own bed pillow, this camp-size dream definitely delivers. It strikes an excellent balance between the most comfortable, full-size memory foam pillow and a smaller (16.5″ x 11″ x 6″), packable one that easily rolls into its stuff bag. You can add or subtract volume to the pieces of zipped-in memory foam, though I found it perfect just the way it came — and my neck is pretty finicky. My head felt literally cradled within the cloud-like, noiseless, comfy foam. The removable, washable case includes moisture-wicking jersey knit on one side to promote cooling during hotter nights and a warmer polyester blend for chillier nights. It also doubles as a convenient-to-carry seating pad while camping or traveling long distances. Hands down, it’s the best camp pillow I’ve found. $59.99 (large, 24″ x 13″ x 6″ $69.99), lunolife.com.

NESTOUT Flash-1 LED Light 

This LED light makes setting up camp at night and hanging out a delight. Its included tripod attaches to the light’s power source: NESTOUT’s portable, rechargeable power bank — a must-have that delivers 32 watts of power (enough to recharge a phone three times) for just $64.99. It’s simple to customize the exact brightness you need, from up to 1,000 lumens for reading to an ambient glow, along with color temperature. Plus, its adjustable angle allows you to point the beam for directional lighting. Power lasts from 4 ½ hours to up to 26, depending on how bright you turn it up. Measuring 3.94″L x 1.38″W x 4.69″H and weighing 7.76 ounces, it’s easy to travel or backpack with, using the drawstring storage pouch. $44.99 (see sales price), nestout.com.

EXPED Ultra 3R Pad and MegaSleep Duo Bag

No-wobble, ultra-comfortable 2.75-inch cushioning meets a super lightweight (16.4 ounce) sleeping pad. Along with its insulation rating for temperatures dipping down to 20 degrees, it all translates to a great night’s sleep in summer, fall, and spring — something critical for a great backpacking trip. The Schnozzel Pumpbag makes inflation quick and easy; deflation and stuffing it back in its sack is just as easy. Packed, it takes up just over 9×4 inches, so it’s a go-to for any trek, be it on foot or wheels. Yet, it affords plenty of sleeping room at 72×20.5×3 inches; it’s also available in longer and wider sizes. Plus, recycled 20D ripstop polyester adds durability while reducing its manufacturing footprint.

Meanwhile, the MegaSleep Duo is perfect for cozying up with that special someone,or going solo when driving (as opposed to backpacking) to camp. Its two warmth ratings — down to 25 or 40 degrees — and various configurations make it an extremely versatile sleeping bag. Just zip the two single bags — which also fully unzip to double as large camp/festival blankets — together for a double-wide bag. It compresses more than average rectangular bags and still accommodates a 6.5-foot person. Color coding reminds you to place the burgundy side up to stay toastier in cold weather (down to 25 degrees) thanks to recycled Texpedloft polyester insulation, while the blue side up supports cooler sleep during warm summer nights. Quality insulation maintains its loft, even in damp weather, and draft tubes along the zippers and drawcords at the head help keep heat in when necessary. Pad, $139.95; bag, $249.95, expedusa.com

Sea to Summit Pursuit Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad and Boab Synthetic 30-degree Sleeping Bag

As Sea to Summit’s lightweight (as opposed to ultralight) pad, this is still lighter and more compact than most traditional self-inflators. And its 3R rating keeps me plenty warm. I like the rectangular version, with its increased room to move around, but even the contour style provides 12% more area above the waist than usual pads do. Foam-supported air channels provide stability and comfort, and its 2-inch thickness accommodates side sleeping without any soreness. A single, low-profile, flippable valve makes self-inflation and deflation simple — deflate mode prevents air from seeping in as you roll it up into the side-loading stuff sack.

Likewise, the midweight Boab synthetic is both roomy and warm, with two different models rated for 30 degrees and 15 degrees and various sizes. Again, I prefer the more spacious rectangular shape, though the mummy version is wider than most. You can cool off with ventilation through dual zipper sliders, and the Boab opens completely for use as a flat blanket. Of course, I usually need warmth, so I appreciate the draft tube along the zipper. At such a low price point, this bag delivers both quality and value. Plus, Boab is made with recycled fabrics and is one of Sea to Summit’s 1% for the Planet products. Regular pad, $139 (available in four sizes, up to $169 for large rectangular); bag, $119-$139 depending on size (also comes in 15-degree rating for $139-$159), seatosummit.com.

BioLite Solar String Lights and Site Lights

BioLite’s solar-powered string lights amp up festive vibes both at camp and at home. Choose from 10- to 20-bulb strings (18 feet and 44 feet long, respectively) of warm, white, shatterproof lights that last up to 40 hours on a single solar or USB-C charge. The strings provide up to 140 lumens, with low, medium, and high settings (lasts 8 hours on high). The multicolor version provides up to 26 hours of ambient lighting on one charge. When it’s time to pack up camp, the string rolls up into its portable unit, complete with solar panel. As an added bonus, its 4,000 mAh battery can also charge your phone away from home. 

Packs of six Site Lights offer another option to illuminate camp; you can hang, stake, or carry the lights, which also offer 20 hours of light on low. Unlike the string lights, they need to return neatly to their case to charge, but the case charges them twice with a full battery. Though I’ve only used them in spring and summer, both models are designed to stand up to wintery weather, offering plenty of fun uses. Strings, $54.95-$99.95; Site Lights, $99.95, bioliteenergy.com.