REI’s Base Camp tent is our pick for the best overall camping tent for its classic dome design, weather-resistance, and four-person capacity. The mesh roof provides extra ventilation and gives you the option of stargazing from the comfort of your tent. Color-coded poles and sleeves make setup quick, even if you’re pulling up to the campsite after dark. The vestibule covers both the front and back, with just enough room at the front to keep gear outside the tent. The interior of the tent has a bunch of pockets and hang lines for those who like to keep a tidy “home” while out in the wilderness.

The Coleman Sundome is a favorite for campers who want solid performance without a high price tag. This straightforward dome tent sets up in about 10 minutes and comes in multiple sizes, making it a flexible option for solo trips, couples, or small families. It covers the basics well, with a durable frame and Coleman’s WeatherTec system—welded corners, inverted seams, and a rainfly—to help keep you dry in typical three-season conditions.

We chose this camping air mattress from Alps Mountaineering as our best overall air mattress. The 6-inch thickness, compact design, and 3.5-pound weight (for the twin size) make it easy to stash while packing up your camping gear. We also love the multiple inflation options, including via your car’s 12-volt outlet or with the rechargeable battery-powered pump. It comes with a drawstring stuff sack for storage, and you can also purchase a queen-size version if your tent is extra spacious.

REI Co-op’s Magma 30 sports a fitted, mummy-style silhouette with plenty of footroom and a hood that leaves space for a pillow. Packed up and compressed, this sleeping bag stuffs into a 2.6-liter sack and weighs less than 2 pounds. The Magma 30 is designed with a durable, water-resistant lining and stuffed with 850-fill-power goose down, which makes it one of the warmest sleeping bags. And its price tag is much lower than that of other premium sleeping bags with similar designs.

The Cascade offers 24,000 BTU of cooking power across its two adjustable burners. Its removable cast-iron grill, griddle, and cast-iron pan support make it easy to prepare campfire pancakes for the whole family at breakfast and a dinner of pan-fried chicken while you watch the sunset. The stove features knob rotation for precise simmer control and a quick, matchless rotary ignition. It includes two guards to shield its burners from the wind, and it’s compatible with 16-ounce propane cylinders.

For campers who want a more complete backcountry kitchen, this Magma nesting cookware set delivers serious versatility in a compact footprint. The 10-piece collection includes multiple saucepans, a sauté pan, lids, and removable handles, all designed to stack together into less than half a cubic foot of space, making it ideal for RVs, vans, and tight gear bins. Its durable stainless steel construction with a nonstick coating offers easy cooking and cleanup, while triple-clad bases help distribute heat evenly across camp stoves or induction burners.

This compact OXO set covers the essentials for camp cooking without overcomplicating your setup. It includes a silicone turner, spoon, stainless-steel tongs (with a built-in bottle opener), and a heat-resistant silicone tool rest that doubles as a wrap for clean, organized storage.

When our team tested the best coolers, this one earned the title of easiest to transport. That’s because it adds all-terrain wheels and a sturdy handle to its durable, 45-quart capacity. The wheels are oversized and easy to haul over dirt, gravel, or grass. We were even able to drag it down a sandy beach with relative ease while it was fully loaded. It also has great insulation and keeps food and drinks cold for over three days.

Reviews Editor Tom Price chose the FireFast Torch from Zippo as the best camping lighter after conducting thorough, hands-on testing, in large part because it provided the most powerful flames. The slider works similarly to other lighters, though it provides a much wider range of flame heights and lengths. This makes it particularly useful for campfires and candles, where getting the fire to the right spot is just as important as actually starting the flame.

No more sticks! The Rolla Roaster Marshmallow and Hot Dog Roasting Forks are extendable tools designed for reliable campfire cooking. Each features stainless-steel prongs and a heat-resistant wooden handle with a rotating knob, so all it takes for an even roast all over is a simple turn of your thumb. The forks extend up to 42 inches, enabling you to sit at a safe distance from the fire, so they’re a great option for families camping with little ones.

When we reviewed the bestfirst-aid kits, we spoke with an EMT who recommended this kit for groups of up to 4 people heading into the backcountry or on a remote camping trip. Its combination of medications (antihistamines, diamide, ibuprofen) and first-aid items (gauze, benzoin, closure strips, antibiotic ointment) is unmatched. And the included blister aids set it apart and will probably be the first thing you use up. The kit also has two watertight bags to keep everything dry, and it even includes outdoors-specific items like a roll of duct tape and splinter tweezers.

We named this the best headlamp overall when writer Dan Stout and our Director of Product Content, Will Egensteiner, reviewed nearly a dozen. Egensteiner found the RL35R’s band was comfortable on his head and well-balanced between the housing at the front and the battery pack at the back. The headlamp has both spot and wide beams, and it shines up to 550 feet away. What really sets it apart, however, is its voice controls, which make an inherently hands-free product exceptionally convenient to use.

When we tested the top flashlights, we chose this as the best overall. Contributor Steven Wright and Test Editor Brad Ford said this one performed on par with brighter lights in practical testing despite its relatively lower 342 lumens. The ML50L has five functions: high, low, eco, strobe, and momentary on. We found setting the desired function relatively easy, as it requires only a single, double, or triple click.

Safety is of the utmost importance when spending time in the wilderness. And even if you are a veteran at campfire tending, having a fire extinguisher on hand is always necessary, just in case. We chose this First Alert extinguisher as the best portable option because you can keep it safely in your car or in an emergency box at your campsite. The EZ Fire Spray extinguishes fires involving all kinds of fuel, such as paper, fabric, wood, and grease, as well as electrical fires.

If you’re headed to a campsite or a trail with little to no cell service, invest in a satellite communicator. These handheld devices let you call and text in off-the-grid situations. This one from Garmin has auto-tracking and an accompanying app. All of this, plus its ease of use, is why we named it the best satellite communicator.

When Reviews Editor Danny Pereztested hiking boots, he raved about this pair. He enjoyed the EVA midsole and plush footbed, the waterproof leather upper, and the toe cap and heel counter that protected him from jagged rocks and rough terrain. He says the Kaha 3 has excellent traction—the most of any lightweight hiking boot he’s tried—on wet surfaces as well as smooth rock faces.

Skip the sticky bug spray; this Thermacell repeller creates a 20-foot “no-fly zone” by diffusing a scent-free, invisible repellent that keeps mosquitoes at bay in as little as 15 minutes. Powered by a rechargeable battery, it runs for several hours on a single charge and operates silently, making it ideal for campsites, patios, or anywhere you want low-maintenance protection.