Pack Right: 11 Cool Camping Gear Essentials You’ll Actually Use

Want to save money on your next vacation (maybe)? Go camping!

That’s what more than 81 million Americans did last year, including my family — even though our first camping trip a decade ago started with me getting lost in the woods on the way to the bathroom and ended with the tent falling on me in the early morning hours.

Since then, I’ve learned how to use Google Maps (although I don’t think our campsite had much cell service) and become much better at finding the best gear for the best prices. Travel on a budget is what I do.

If you’re planning your first crisp-weather campout, here are the camping gear essentials by category, plus why each one matters and some of my favorite cool products.

Tent

Your tent is home base. When winds pick up and temps dip, space, stability, and weatherproofing count. For shoulder season or light winter camping gear overlap, pick a solid 3-season tent with sturdy poles and full-coverage rainfly.

Choosing a tent is a matter of personal preference, budget, and how many people are sleeping in it — but my philosophy with tents is always: the bigger, the better. No one (even teenagers) will ever complain they had too much room to sleep.

My pick: Ozark Trail 8-Person Cabin Tent ($199.00)

With a 2-minute setup, you can accommodate a couple queen-size air mattresses. The tentpoles include ambient lighting and there’s storage pockets for small items. Even though it claims to hold eight people, that might be tight — six would probably be quite comfortable — but this is a great price for so much space.

Sleep System

Sleeping bags can cost hundreds of dollars, but unless you plan to star in a season of Alone, you don’t need to spend that much. Choose a bag rated ~10–15°F lower than your expected low for fall. (Kids run colder, so plan accordingly for theirs.) And don’t forget the sleeping pad, which protects against ground dampness, smooths out roots and rocks, and helps you sleep longer and deeper — huge for next-day energy and mood.

My picks: KingCamp 3-Season Cold Weather Sleeping Bag ($29.99) and Ozark Trail Foam Lightweight Sleeping Pad ($36.92)

This sleeping bag will keep you warm in temps from 27 to 54 degrees and weighs just three pounds — it compresses for easy carrying and comes in three colors — while the pad is a mere 1.1 pounds and can accommodate those of us under 6 feet tall.

Cooking Setup

What’s a camping trip without food? A medium pot and a sturdy skillet (cast iron or hard-anodized) cover most meals; don’t forget the heatproof spatula, tongs, knife, and a small cutting board. Bring more fuel than you expect — wind and cold increase consumption — along with biodegradable soap and towels for cleanup.

My picks: Kenmore 2-Burner Portable Tabletop Retro Gas Grill, Black and Copper and Lodge Cast Iron Savor the Outdoors 9" Seasoned Fry Pan

We’ve been using this two-burner tabletop retro grill from Kenmore for all our camping trips. It’s lightweight and fits perfectly on the tailgate of our Toyota Tacoma; my husband cooks eggs, burgers, sirloins, and juicy ribeyes for our family and even a few friends. It’s been one of our best camping investments. Also, I swear by Lodge cookware and have used their pan for burgers, stir-fry, steaks and eggs for more than a decade.

Cold Storage

As with tents, you can find coolers in any size and at any price point. The important thing is that it keeps your food safe from spoiling (and from wildlife). A 50–70 qt. capacity serves most long weekends with a family; go larger for groups.

My pick: Igloo 72 Qt. Overland Ice Chest Cooler

We typically look toward Igloo because we’re too cheap to buy Yeti. This 72 qt. cooler for under $100 should fit your family’s camping needs. The rubberized latches and built-in locking plate can help secure it from bears (or teens seeking midnight snacks). It has a bottle opener, UV inhibitor, antimicrobial liner, and a leak-resistant drain plug.

Light

It’s a good idea to have a flashlight on-hand when you’re camping, especially since fall nights are longer. (Headlamps can also double as reading lights, and a table lantern keeps the ambiance going alongside the campfire.) Bring backup batteries or a power bank just in case.

My pick: Jeep High Lumen Metal Rechargeable LED Flashlight

Thanks to a partnership between Jeep and Energizer, you can have an on-trend flashlight powered by two top brands. Plus, you don’t need batteries — ironically, given the brand — since it charges via USB-C; it can also recharge your other devices, like phones and tablets.

For more power, here’s my Anker SOLIX Portable Power Station next to the solar panel that powers it:

Bluetooth Speaker

Let’s talk about fun. No camping trip is complete without tunes, but you don’t want to drain your car battery blasting your radio.

My pick: Soundcore Boom 3i by Anker 

It’s lightweight enough to take on hikes, IP68 waterproof and dustproof for any situation, and delivers sound that’s way bigger than you’d expect for its size — with deep bass, big sound and no hassle. This speaker goes with us anywhere.

More Camping Gear Essentials

• First-aid kit: Stock blister care, pain relief, antihistamines, and kid-friendly bandages.
• Clean water: A 2–5 gallon cube at camp for storage + personal bottles for hikes.
• Camp chairs: Real seats transform mealtime.
• Fire aids: Fire starters make damp wood less of a heartbreaker.
• Hot drinks: Insulated mugs keep cocoa and tea warmer, longer.
• Warm clothes: Base layer (moisture-wicking, no cotton); mid layer (fleece or light puffy for insulation); shell (windproof, waterproof jacket); I have this Sitka Gear jacket and LOVE it. Also: beanie, gloves, thick socks — critical for chilly fall mornings. Pack duplicates for kids because spills happen.
• Footwear: Happy feet = happy campers. Light slip-ons for around camp; supportive trail shoes/boots for hikes. Extra socks or packable boot dryers if rain’s in the forecast.
• Navigation: Download offline maps; carry a paper map where service is spotty.
• Sunscreen & bug repellant: Even in fall, you can get burned or bitten.
• Trash and food storage bags: You can never have enough. Hefty Contractor are the bags we use for major cleanups. Leave no trace!

Gear doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective. Start with the above camping gear essentials framework, upgrade piece by piece, and your entire family (pets included) should — with a little luck — be warm, fed, and happy under the leaves.