Safety-reviewed gear

Gear guides

Getting Started

Everything you need for a first trip, and a realistic account of what you can borrow, rent or skip. You do not need a $400 tent to spend a night outside.

All 78Tents & Shelter5Sleep Systems6Cooking & Water10Clothing & Footwear5Tools & Lighting11Camp Comfort10Safety & First Aid3Getting Started8Tips & Planning20

8 guides

A teal enamel camping mug sits on forest floor debris at golden hour, with crumpled foil and a small figurine beside it.5 picks
Gear

Best Camping Gifts Under $50 — Gear They'll Actually Use

Discover practical camping gifts under $50—from lighting and hydration to first aid—matched to the recipient's camping style so you choose gear they'll genuinely use outdoors.

From $8Read guide
Green and black hiking backpack resting on grass at sunset with a river and mountains in the background.6 picks
Gear

Best Hiking Backpacks Under $100 — Fit First, Features Second

Learn how to measure your torso for the perfect hiking pack fit and discover six top-rated backpacks under $100 that balance comfort and value.

From $25Read guide
Red insulated water bottle beside a green and yellow tent in a sunlit forest clearing at sunset.6 picks
Gear

Fall Camping Gear — What Actually Changes When the Nights Get Cold

Learn the specific gear swaps fall camping demands—air, ground, head, and hand layers—that keep you warm when temps drop 20-30 degrees after sunset.

From $86Read guide
Trekking pole leaning against a tent at golden hour, overlooking a serene mountain lake.6 picks
Gear

Best Budget Trekking Poles: Cheap Hiking Poles Under $40

The best budget trekking poles and cheap hiking poles under $40: which pairs hold up, how to size them, and the tradeoffs you accept at this price.

From $20Read guide
A person in a hooded jacket sits by a campfire next to an empty green Coleman folding chair in a forest.6 picks
Gear

Best Camping Chairs for Tailgating Under $50

The best camping chair under $50 for tailgating: the Coleman with a 4-can cooler for comfort, or the ONETIGRIS Tigerblade if you need it lightweight.

From $27Read guide
A blue dome tent pitched beside a stone fire ring on a rocky lake shore with mountains in the background.5 picks
Gear

Best Camping Fans for Tents: Rechargeable & Battery Fans Under $40

The best camping fans and tent fans under $40: rechargeable, battery-powered picks that run all night on low, plus how to size and set up a fan in your tent.

From $22Read guide
Dome tent pitched in a pine forest with sunrise filtering through trees, backpack resting at the entrance.6 picks
Essentials

Cheapest Camping Setup for Beginners (Complete Guide)

You can start camping with gear you might already own. This guide shows exactly what to buy and what to skip to get a complete setup for a fraction of what a gear shop will sell you.

From $7Read guide
Two men sit beside a tent at a lakeside campsite, golden sunset light streaming through pine trees.6 picks
Beginners

How to Start Camping With No Gear

No gear? No problem. Here's exactly how to camp for the first time with zero equipment, borrowing what you need and renting the rest.

From $10Read guide