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 50Tents & Shelter3Sleep Systems4Cooking & Water7Clothing & Footwear3Tools & Lighting6Camp Comfort5Safety & First Aid2Getting Started7Tips & Planning13

7 guides

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 $112Read guide
Trekking pole leaning against a tent at golden hour, overlooking a serene mountain lake.6 picks
Gear

Best Budget Trekking Poles Under $40 — Worth It or Waste?

Compare which affordable trekking poles actually work for hiking and backpacking, and learn what tradeoffs come with the lower price.

From $21Read 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 Under $50 for Tailgating and Campfires

Find the perfect budget-friendly camping chair with this guide covering weight capacity, packed size, seat height, and must-have features for tailgating and campfires.

From $32Read 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 Portable Camping Fans of 2024 — Battery-Powered Cooling for Tent and Campsite

A good camping fan turns a stuffy tent into a livable space. Here are the best battery-powered fans that actually move enough air to keep you cool at camp.

From $24Read guide
Dome tent pitched in a pine forest with sunrise filtering through trees, backpack resting at the entrance.3 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 $10Read 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