Best Christmas Gifts for Campers: Camp Gear They'll Actually Use

Best stocking stuffer for any camper

Who it's for: Any camper, backpacker or hammock sleeper who still uses a rolled-up jacket as a pillow.

Sportsman's Warehouse: $36.97 on sale ($49.99 regular), ships to home · Weight: 6.4 oz · Owner rating: 4.7 from 228 reviews

Ask a camper what they skimp on and a lot of them will say the pillow. Most stuff a jacket into a sack and call it good. The Klymit Luxe is a real pillow that packs to about the size of a soda can, and at Sportsman's it has 228 ratings averaging 4.7 stars, 176 of them five stars. It was also marked down 26% on November 9.

Sportsman's lists it at 22 x 12.5 x 5.5 inches inflated, 3 x 7 inches packed and 6.4 ounces. An air bladder sits inside a quilted, soft-touch cover that comes off and goes in the washer and dryer. Owners mention the cover a lot: it keeps the pillow from crinkling against your ear, which is the usual complaint with air pillows. One owner used it every night for two and a half months on an Army TDY, and another took it on a four-night backpacking trip in Wyoming's Wind River Range and says his neck was supported every night. A hammock camper says it's hard to beat for the price.

The caveat is loft. Sportsman's review summary says a few strict side sleepers find it a touch low, and one owner wishes it held its shape better. If they sleep on their side with broad shoulders, they may want to add a folded fleece underneath.

See it at Sportsman's Warehouse →

Best gift for the camp coffee maker

Who it's for: Car campers and anyone who makes coffee or tea over the fire.

Fire Maple: $39.95, in stock · Capacity: 1.2 L · Weight: 10.9 oz · Owner rating: 4.6 from 9 reviews

The person who's up first at camp, making coffee for everyone, will use a good kettle every trip. Fire Maple's Antarcti 1.2L Campfire Kettle is the second-best-selling item on Fire Maple's own site by its best-selling sort on November 9, and it's built for the fire, not just a stove.

Fire Maple lists SUS304 stainless steel, a 1.2-liter (40.6 oz) capacity, 10.9 ounces and a wide body that holds a standard 8 oz (230 g) fuel canister inside for packing. Fire Maple's FAQ says it can go over camp stoves, hot coals and controlled campfires, and that soot and heat discoloration are normal. Fire Maple also says it does not whistle and the stainless handle gets hot, so they'll want a glove or a stick to lift it. Fire Maple ships free in the U.S. over $64.

Be honest with yourself about the signal: the kettle has only 9 reviews on Fire Maple's site, and several aren't marked as verified buyers. A verified owner calls it a great little kettle for camping and coffee; one unverified reviewer says it isn't durable for the price. Its sales rank is the stronger signal here. If they mostly boil water on a backpacking stove, the Petrel G3 kit below is the better Fire Maple gift.

See it at Fire Maple →

Best gift for hikers and backpackers

Who it's for: Hikers, backpackers and road-trippers who refill from taps and streams.

Sportsman's Warehouse: $44.95, ships to home · Filter: 2-stage, membrane rated to 1,000 gal · Owner rating: 4.6 from 556 reviews

A filter bottle is the rare camping gift that also gets used at home, at the gym and on vacation. The LifeStraw Go 22 oz has 556 ratings at Sportsman's averaging 4.6 stars, the second-largest review base in this guide.

LifeStraw says the membrane microfilter removes bacteria (including E. coli and Salmonella), parasites (including Giardia and Cryptosporidium), microplastics, sand and cloudiness, and the carbon stage cuts chlorine and odors. LifeStraw rates the membrane for up to 1,000 gallons and the carbon filter for about 26 gallons, roughly two months, before replacement. The bottle is BPA-free and made with 50% recycled plastic. Owners write about taking it on a cruise, using it with hard tap water, and one simply says: no giardia for me.

The trade-offs show up in the three-star reviews. Owners say you have to suck a little harder through the filter, one's air vent squeaks, and pressure can push water out of the straw on a plane at altitude. LifeStraw's own claims are about bacteria and parasites; check its listing before you count on it for anything else. For a full trip filter, see our camping water filter guide.

See it at Sportsman's Warehouse →

Best gift for RV and backyard campers

Who it's for: RV, car and backyard campers who sit outside after dark in bug season.

Sportsman's Warehouse: $59.99, "only a few left," ships to home · Zone: 20 ft (Thermacell) · Owner rating: 4.5 from 247 reviews

Mosquitoes are the thing that sends campers into the tent early. Thermacell repellers are the gift a lot of campers already know about, and the EL55 is the rechargeable version with a built-in light for the picnic table. It has 247 ratings at Sportsman's averaging 4.5 stars.

Thermacell says the EL55 creates a 20-foot zone of mosquito protection, reaches full protection in 15 minutes and runs up to 9 hours on its USB-C rechargeable battery. There's no flame, no smoke and no butane: it heats a refill cartridge, and one 12-hour cartridge is in the box. The dimmable light works independently of the repeller. Thermacell says its formula was independently tested and EPA reviewed, and it's for outdoor use only. An RV owner bought one after trying a neighbor's, and another owner uses it both in the backyard and while camping.

The caveats: it's a gift for next bug season unless they camp in the South this winter, and refills are an ongoing cost. Sportsman's review summary says effectiveness can drop in a breeze, and a few owners still got bitten or had a unit stop turning on. Sportsman's showed "Order Soon! Only a few left" on November 9. The cheaper butane MR300 ($37.99) was ship-to-store only that day, so we went with the EL55.

See it at Sportsman's Warehouse →

Best stove gift for backpackers

Who it's for: Backpackers and solo hikers who boil water for coffee and freeze-dried meals.

Fire Maple: $72.95, in stock at Fire Maple's U.S. warehouse · Total weight: 8 oz · Owner rating: 4.8 from 238 reviews (shared with the G3 pot)

For a backpacker, a stove kit is the gift that turns a cold granola dinner into hot coffee and a real meal. Fire Maple's Petrel G3 600ml Stove Kit pairs Fire Maple's heat-exchanger pot with its Hornet II titanium stove, and it was No. 4 on Fire Maple's best-selling list on November 9.

Fire Maple lists a 600 ml aluminum pot with a heat-exchanger base, a titanium stove rated at 8,531 BTU/h (2.5 kW), and a total weight of 8 ounces (1.7 oz stove, 5.7 oz pot). The stove and a small 4 oz (110 g) fuel canister nest inside the pot, and Fire Maple backs it with a 3-year warranty. The listing shows 238 reviews at 4.8 stars, but most are for the G3 pot sold by itself, so treat that as a review of the pot. One owner who says he's owned MSR, Snow Peak and Jetboil writes that this one "stomps em," and another used the pot through a five-day hike on Isle Royale.

Two honest notes. One owner melted a hole in the heat exchanger by running his stove at full blast with the pot empty, so tell them to put water in before lighting it. Another lost the lid to the wind. A 600 ml pot is sized for one person; for two, look at a bigger pot. Fuel isn't included. More options are in our camping stove guide.

See it at Fire Maple →

Best gift for kids who camp

Who it's for: Kids about 3 to 10 on family trips, scout campouts and backyard sleepovers.

KingCamp: $74.99, all three colors in stock · Fits: kids up to 4 ft 7 in · Owner rating: 4.8 from 5 reviews

"Camping gifts for kids" is up 100% in Google searches this month, and a kid's own sleeping bag is the gift that makes them feel like part of the trip. KingCamp's Galaxy Zoo C 300 is No. 19 on KingCamp's best-selling list and has a feature parents will like: it grows.

KingCamp says straps roll the bag between three lengths, fitting kids from about 3 to 10 years old and up to 4 feet 7 inches. It has a cotton flannel lining, 300 g/m² polyester fill, a water-resistant shell, anti-pinch zippers, a foot vent, reflective zipper pulls, and a compression sack with outdoor knowledge cards for kids. It weighs 3.09 pounds. KingCamp rates it at 45°F comfort and 35°F limit. A parent says it kept a 4-year-old warm on 40-degree nights, and another says the kids love the feel of the flannel.

The cautions: it has just 5 reviews, so the signal is thin. KingCamp also lists an 8°F "extreme" rating; treat that as a survival number, not a sleeping temperature, and plan on the 45°F comfort rating with a pad underneath. KingCamp ships free on orders of $99 or more, so it pairs well with the loveseat below.

See it at KingCamp →

Best gift for dad (most-reviewed pick)

Who it's for: Dads, grandparents and car campers who want a real seat at the fire.

Sportsman's Warehouse: $90.00, ships to home, free shipping · Capacity: 250 lb · Owner rating: 4.6 from 1,116 reviews

"Camping gifts for dad" is a Breakout search this month, and if there's one thing dads guard at camp, it's their chair. The GCI Freestyle Rocker is the most-reviewed gift in this guide by far: 1,116 ratings at Sportsman's, averaging 4.6 stars, with 923 five-star ratings.

Sportsman's lists a powder-coated steel frame with GCI's spring-action rocking, a mesh back, a cup holder and a carry handle. It's rated to 250 pounds, weighs 11.9 pounds, folds flat to about 5 inches thick, and carries a limited lifetime warranty. Owners use it at camp, on the porch and at kids' games; grandparents say it's easy on old bones, and several mention GCI's warranty service sent a replacement quickly.

The weak point is the fabric. A cluster of low-star reviews describe seats that tore or rotted after a year or two of sun, and owners say GCI doesn't sell a replacement seat. Store it out of the sun and it should last longer. If they're over 250 pounds or want a side table, Sportsman's also carries the Freestyle Rocker XL with a side table ($95, 284 ratings). More picks are in our camping chair guide.

See it at Sportsman's Warehouse →

Best gift for camping couples

Who it's for: Couples who want to share one seat at the campfire.

KingCamp: $109.99, Black/Grey and Black in stock · Weight: 13.4 lb · Owner rating: 4.8 from 48 reviews

"Camping gifts for couples" is another Breakout search this month, and nothing says it like one seat for two by the fire. KingCamp's CANNA C20 Loveseat is No. 13 on KingCamp's best-selling list with 48 reviews averaging 4.8 stars.

KingCamp lists a steel frame, padded 600D Oxford seat with a mesh surface, 21 x 55 x 36 inches open and 13.4 pounds, folding into a 36-inch carry bag. It has two cup holders and two clips for stemmed wine glasses. One owner calls it a staple of camping with his girlfriend; another says it felt as solid as a full-size couch. A mom says her two small boys nap on it at the race track.

The caveat is width. A wife who sits in it with her husband (150 and 180 pounds) says it's a close fit and she wouldn't recommend it for larger people. KingCamp doesn't list a weight capacity on the page, so check with them if that matters. Three of five colors were sold out on November 9; Black/Grey and Black were in stock. KingCamp ships free on orders of $99 or more.

See it at KingCamp →

Best big gift for the camp cook

Who it's for: Family car campers and hunting-camp cooks feeding a group.

Sportsman's Warehouse: $159.99, ships to home · Burners: two 30,000 BTU · Owner rating: 4.7 from 126 reviews, none one-star

For the family that car camps, or the guy who cooks for hunting camp, a real two-burner stove on legs changes the whole kitchen. The Camp Chef Explorer has 126 ratings at Sportsman's averaging 4.7 stars, with no one-star reviews.

Sportsman's lists two 30,000 BTU/hr cast aluminum burners, 448 square inches of cooking area, a 3-sided windscreen, detachable legs, and a 3-foot hose and regulator for a propane tank (not included). It fits Camp Chef's 14-inch accessories, such as a griddle or BBQ box, so the gift can grow. It weighs 30.5 pounds. One owner cooked 300 clams and 21 lobsters for 23 people on Labor Day on his third Explorer; another says it's way more heavy-duty than expected; a third added it to hunting camp.

The caveats: it's heavy and big, so it's for car camping, not backpacking. One owner says the burners sit off-center so a skillet heats unevenly, one reported gas leaking where it shouldn't, and one had a leg nut break. Check fittings with soapy water before first use, and use it outdoors only. Our camping stove guide compares smaller stoves.

See it at Sportsman's Warehouse →

Best gift for better sleep at camp

Who it's for: Tall or side-sleeping campers who are done with sleeping on the ground.

Sportsman's Warehouse: $199.99, ships to home · Rated: 600 lb · Owner rating: 4.7 from 329 reviews

The gift that does the most for an older or bigger camper is getting them off the ground. The Teton Outfitter XXL has 329 ratings at Sportsman's averaging 4.7 stars, 275 of them five stars.

Teton lists a sleeping area of about 35.5 by 80 inches, a 600-pound rating and 600D canvas, with a patented pivot arm that levers the last, tightest crossbar into place, the step most cots fight you on. It folds to 42 x 12 x 7 inches, weighs 26 pounds, and has Teton's lifetime warranty. Owners who are 6 foot 4 and 6 foot 5 say they have room, an elk hunter uses it at base camp, and one buyer says it'll be warmer than sleeping on the ground.

The trade-offs: at 26 pounds it's bulky, it's for car camping and wall tents, and a cot doesn't insulate, so in cold weather they still need a pad on top. Owners mention loose end caps and a weak carry bag, and one couldn't get the pivot arm's pin to work. Make sure their tent fits a cot 86 inches long. See our camping cot guide for lighter options.

See it at Sportsman's Warehouse →

Best big gift for RV and car campers

Who it's for: RV, van and car campers who run lights, fans, a small fridge and phones off-grid.

BLUETTI: $289.99, in stock · Capacity: 288 Wh LiFePO4 · Weight: 9.48 lb · Owner rating: 4.85 from 107 reviews

"RV camping gifts" broke out in searches this month. For RV, van and car campers, a small power station runs lights, fans and phones at a site with no hookups, without a generator's noise. The BLUETTI Elite 30 V2 has 107 reviews averaging 4.85 stars on BLUETTI's site, 97 of them five stars.

BLUETTI lists 288 Wh of LiFePO4 battery rated for 3,000+ cycles, 600 W of pure sine wave output and nine outlets, including a 140 W USB-C port. It weighs 9.48 pounds, recharges to 80% in 45 minutes from the wall, takes up to 200 W of solar, and has a 5-year warranty. BLUETTI's own estimates: a phone about 16 times, a laptop about 4 times, or a 10 W camp light for about 24.6 hours. One owner ran a portable fridge for two weeks off it with a 200 W solar panel; another powered a five-day festival campout.

Know the limit: 288 Wh is small. It won't run an RV air conditioner or a microwave for long, and BLUETTI's 1,500 W "lifting power" only applies to simple resistive loads. Solar panels are extra. For bigger units, see our portable power station guide.

See it at BLUETTI →