2026 Camping Gear

Sweeney

Administrator
We're rapidly approaching camping season! That means two things:

1] Finding camping spots
2] Buying more gear!

What is the latest gadget or item you've loaded into your vehicle, or added to your home kit to make camping easier?

------ I'll start! -----

I recently got my hands on a Mr. Heater Fuel Keg system and a couple kegs. I did not buy this specifically for camping, but keeping my mr heater running in my van to keep me warm in the field. If you use 1lb tanks this system is a real time and money saver. The Big Buddy heater will suck through 2 propane tanks in a couple of hours. I don't use it inside the camper, but it keep sy side room toasty, and my side room toasty.

The process to fill is simple and safe - I've filled 6 or 8 cans so far. The fill kit is around $25 and each keg is $18 -- I've got 4 kegs -- 2 in the heater, 2 in reserve. So say $100. The best price is $5 each on the kegs, so I'm 1/3 of the way to return on investment in 2 months. The other part is, I'm not throwing away steel after 1 use...becuase lets face it there's no way to really recycle the single use cans.

The cost of a refill is about $1.30 for the propane assuming you use the horrible blue-rhino exchanges. Less if you actaully fill your own 20 pounder.

I'm really impressed with the system. The only hard part is you need to plan to fill when it isn't 0 degrees! I had to put my 20lb cylender in a heated garage to get it warm enough, then stand outside for 10 minutes while I actually filled my kegs -- lack of planning on my part though has nothing to do with their product.
 
My most recent purchase (over a year ago) was for boondocking in the shoulder season when it’s colder. Of course Amazon doesn’t have the exact one anymore, but search Amazon for ‘heated sleeping bag liner’. That, plus multiple (charged) usb battery packs and it warms up the bed nicely when you don’t have an electric site / boondocking. I don’t have a furnace in my 550. Usually one battery pack lasts the night on the low setting. I have 3 battery packs, because I usually do long weekends, so that gets me thru a long weekend, toasty sleeping.

Of course, also multiple wool blankets and/or other blankets as well to retain that heat.
 
My most recent purchase (over a year ago) was for boondocking in the shoulder season when it’s colder. Of course Amazon doesn’t have the exact one anymore, but search Amazon for ‘heated sleeping bag liner’. That, plus multiple (charged) usb battery packs and it warms up the bed nicely when you don’t have an electric site / boondocking. I don’t have a furnace in my 550. Usually one battery pack lasts the night on the low setting. I have 3 battery packs, because I usually do long weekends, so that gets me thru a long weekend, toasty sleeping.

Of course, also multiple wool blankets and/or other blankets as well to retain that heat.

Are you using them in a sleeping bag or a DC powered mattress pad? I am finding that I don't sleep well wiht a mattress pad left on, what I have started doing is pre-warming things....then usually waking up mid night and having to turn it back on...'high' to just bump the temperature. If I leave it on low (comfortable temperature) I just dont' get the rest.

I can't help but wonder if there is something more to the sensitivity to electricity....DC may not be as bad if it is. Dunno.
 
The problem with number two buying more gear is Reconfiguration!

The Black Friday deals I purchased… solar panels and battery will take some reconfiguration of the packing. I have a plan but you never know till you put it in motion
 
I don’t have a sleeping bag, I toss and turn a lot.

My layers when around 32 F (or less)
Lowest layer: wool mattress topper
Flannel Fitted sheet
Heated sleeping bag liner, with battery packs, lowest setting, tucked along my side, with outer side facing the door, warm side facing me.
(Me, probably with a hat on too)
Flannel blanket
Heavy wool blanket.
Top most layer: winter weight down comforter (to retain any heat that may have escaped the other layers.

If it’s between say, 45-60F, I won’t need the heated sleeping bag liner, and only one or two of the top layers.

For comparison, in the summer it is…
Still wool mattress topper.
Cotton fitted sheet
(Me)
Summer weight down comforter.

I am the kind of person that needs some kind of weight on me while sleeping. Even just a single sheet isn’t enough for me.

I also have froli system under the factory mattress, super comfy.

Edit: I don’t remember anymore where I got the wool mattress topper, it was at least 5+ years ago, but it is this style https://a.co/d/02gn1Tou , that isn’t a specific recommendation, just wanted people who might be interested to know what type of matress topper I use. I primarily camped in Wisconsin / Illinois / Iowa, so it is usually cooler weather I plan for. The wool topper comes inside all winter and airs out in the storage room, it does not get stored away or compressed, so that helps I believe in maintaining loft.
 
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Im interested in the heated sleeping bag liner but can't get Big A to fire up so will search that later.

This could launch in to, or maybe already has , a conversation about sleeping in the cold. When we were having minus 20 degree days in Wisconsin this winter and concerned about power loss in the houses, we were having conversations about how to stay warm. And I have that pretty dialed in from the teardrop.

Diver Bob, Im a big fan of hot water bottles at feet and core.
Sherry, I also have a wool mattress topper and love it. For me I have to warm up under neath the best and then the rest works better.
Sweeney, I dont much like sleeping with an elec grid going around me either. Just feels creepy. I'll warm the bed and then turn it off but I dont want it running.

One of my best and very long lasting pieces of gear has been a Northface full size sleeping bag. I keep looking a new ones but havent pulled the lever to update that. It really holds the heat in and then I can pile up warmies on top. I have a 20 degree rectangle down bag with a hood. When it's opened flat over top, I use the hood as a tent over my head to hold in heat but still have fresh air.

So, still trying to get to see what that heated liner is! Thanks, Sherry!
 
I blinked while shopping at REI and suddenly noticed I owned this Nemo Stargazer Evo-X. Not the lightest or cheapest but on the former, I figure it's for camp, not backpacking. And it is absolutely GLORIOUS to sit in. Looks weird, but super well designed and has lifetime warranty. (I'm a sucker for different, innovative design takes.) This one won out on a massive chair bakeoff on YouTube's Outdoor Empire channel.

 
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