6 Camping Gear Must-Haves

Rough it in style with easy-to-pack camping gear essentials.

Nothing to Bug You

This chair is pretreated with odorless repellent, meaning the built-in drink holder just might lead to the only buzz of the night. $65; TravelChair.com

More: 5 Tips to Beat the Bugs

Light on Your Feet

Don't dread the wee hours—skip to the loo in these LED flip-flops. They are also great for setting up camp and gathering firewood in the dark. $50; Teva.com

More: How to Pick the Right Hiking Shoes

Save Face

Prechill this waterproof, insulated case in the freezer to keep makeup, meds or snacks from melting en route. $40; Cool-ItCaddy.com

Get Charged Up

No need for batteries with a solar-powered flashlight-radio. Cloudy day? Use the hand crank. And it has a USB port to fuel other essential gadgets. $40; Brookstone.com

Ray Ban

Wicking, sun-shielding material saves you from reapplying sunblock on a sweaty hike and lets you enjoy goop-free coziness post-swim. $40 to $60; Coolibar.com

H2O on the Go

Pack light—UV light, that is—on your next hike, and purify that sparkling stream water in 48 seconds. The reusable pen zaps more than 8,000 canteens' worth of water. $100; BuySteripen.com

More: How to Purify Water in the Outdoors

Active logo Put this gear to the test at a campsite.


SELF gives you great advice on being healthy, happy, slimmer, fitter and less stressed.

Join the SELF Healthy Cities Goal on Active Trainer. We'll add weekly goals to log and members of the healthiest city will get a free online training plan! 

Discuss This Article