Tents, sleeping bags, camp stoves, lanterns, coolers and camp chairs.
Camping gear performs differently depending on conditions. A tent rated to three seasons does not handle snow loading. A sleeping bag rated to 20 degrees Fahrenheit is too warm for summer camping and inadequate for winter. A backpacking stove runs on fuel canisters that are not always available at rural stores. The guides here cover camping gear by season rating, weight, dimensions and the specific conditions each product is designed for.
8 guides in this section
A camp chair provides seating at a campsite from a folding or collapsible frame with fabric or mesh seating. Weight capacity, packed size, weight, seat height, armrest width, canopy availability and cup holder placement determine comfort and practicality for different camping styles.
4 picks · 5 sourcesUpdated September 28, 2026
A camp stove burns propane, butane-propane blend or white gas fuel to provide a controlled flame for cooking outdoors. Stove output in BTUs, number of burners, packed size, fuel canister compatibility, boil time and wind performance determine which stove suits a specific camping style.
4 picks · 5 sourcesUpdated September 28, 2026
Chair weight capacity, seat height from ground, frame material (steel versus aluminum), folded size and carry bag dimensions, armrest type and whether the chair has a cup holder determine which camping chair suits car camping and backpacking.
4 picks · 5 sourcesUpdated September 28, 2026
Cooler capacity in quarts, ice retention time in days, insulation thickness, whether the drain plug is leakproof, dry ice compatibility, lid seal type and handle style determine which camping cooler suits weekend car camping and extended base camp trips.
4 picks · 5 sourcesUpdated September 28, 2026
Lantern lumen output, burn time per fuel source or battery charge, whether it uses LED or incandescent, battery type (AA versus lithium versus USB rechargeable), waterproof rating and whether the lantern folds or compresses for pack storage determine which camping lantern suits campsite and tent use.
4 picks · 5 sourcesUpdated September 28, 2026
Burner output in BTUs, fuel type (canister versus liquid fuel versus propane), boil time for a liter of water, stove weight and packed size, windscreen availability and whether the stove has a simmer control determine which camping stove suits backpacking and base camp cooking.
4 picks · 5 sourcesUpdated September 28, 2026
Tent capacity versus sleeping pad footprint, pole material (aluminum versus fiberglass), hydrostatic head rating of the rain fly, vestibule space for gear storage, freestanding versus non-freestanding design and packed weight determine which tent suits car camping and backpacking.
4 picks · 5 sourcesUpdated September 28, 2026
Temperature rating versus expected overnight low, fill type (down versus synthetic), fill power for down bags, packed size and weight, zipper draft tube construction and shell fabric water resistance determine which sleeping bag keeps a camper warm through the night.
4 picks · 5 sourcesUpdated September 28, 2026
