Camping Gear Recommendations

Are you starting from scratch with your camping gear? Looking to upgrade some older items? Searching for more family-friendly options?

I get asked a lot about what specific gear we use for camping. We have used these items for many many trips at this point after careful research and having, in some cases, tried many others. I plan to write more in depth reviews of each of the below items, but for now please enjoy this list of the basic items that Cece and I use for camping! (Note: We currently only camp in state parks with drive-up sites, so know that none of these are light weight!)

• Tents

  • Sierra Designs Alpenglow 4p and 6p (we own both - the 4p for 1 adult/1 kid, shorter trips, the 6p for 2 adults/1 kid or for longer trips where we want more space)

  • https://sierradesigns.com/alpenglow-4-person-tent/

• Sleeping Mats

  • Exped MegaMat10 (used for both adult and kid age 3 and on)

  • www.exped.com/en/products/sleeping-mats/megamat-10

  • REI Camp Dreamer (used for both adult and kid age 3 and on)

  • www.rei.com/product/216296/rei-co-op-camp-dreamer-xl-self-inflating-deluxe-bed

• Sleeping Bags (Kids)

  • REI Down Time 25 Kids Sleeping Bag (Cece uses this bag, starting at age 3, between 32-40 degrees (haven’t had the opportunity to go lower, but would feel comfortable going as low as 20 with appropriate base layers)

  • www.rei.com/product/185189/rei-co-op-down-time-25-down-sleeping-bag-kids

  • Coleman Kids 50* Sleeping Bag (Cece uses this bag, starting at age 2.5, between 40-60 degrees with varying amounts of unzippedness)

  • https://a.co/d/9LcSilS

  • Morrison Outdoors Baby & Toddler Sleep Bags (used until age 3)

  • https://morrisonoutdoors.com/collections/kids-sleeping-bags-1

• Sleeping Bags (Adult)

  • Nemo Disco 15 Endless Promise Down Sleeping Bag - Women’s (Kelly uses this bag between 20-45 degrees with varying amounts of unzippedness)

  • www.rei.com/product/228439/nemo-disco-15-endless-promise-down-sleeping-bag-womens

  • Nemo Forte 20 Endless Promise Sleeping Bag - Men’s (Kelly uses this bag between 45-60 degrees with varying amounts of unzippedness)

  • www.rei.com/product/215920/nemo-forte-20-endless-promise-sleeping-bag-mens

• Pillows

  • Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Pillow (Kelly)

  • https://a.co/d/i5yhBwD

  • Toddler washable travel pillow (Cece)

  • https://a.co/d/4eRsjEZ

• Night Light

  • Lumipets Junior Rechargeable Night Light

  • https://a.co/d/0d1J2Ym

• White Noise

  • AIRSEE White Noise Mini Portable Sound Machine

  • https://a.co/d/bv6gui5

• Hammocks

  • Wise Owl Outfitters Kids Hammock

  • https://a.co/d/fFKvRCY

  • Eno DoubleNest Hammock

  • https://a.co/d/c8k2Q92

• Chairs

  • Baby Delight Go with Me Venture Portable Chair (used from approx 6mo old to 2.5yo without tray)

  • https://a.co/d/c8k2Q92

  • REI Camp Chair - Kids (used from age 2.5 onward)

  • https://www.rei.com/product/847189/rei-co-op-camp-chair-kids

  • Arrowhead Outdoor Double Camping Chair

  • https://a.co/d/1qI3sOy

  • Nemo Stargaze Reclining Chair

  • https://www.rei.com/product/216203/nemo-stargaze-reclining-camp-chair

• Camp Blankets

  • Horizon Hound Down Camping Blanket (1lb6oz) (used while sitting outside in 25-45 degrees, or instead of a sleeping bag at night in 50-60 degrees)

  • https://a.co/d/1HzCjDh

  • Horizon Hound Down Camping Blanket (1lb1oz) (used while sitting outside in 35-55 degrees, or instead of a sleeping bag at night in 55-65 degrees)

  • https://a.co/d/fYrlYHR