Call it the era of social media-shoppable camping gear. Maybe REI really does have nothing on Instagram.
From portable campfires (no fire-making skills needed!) to things that fold away, here is the coolest camping gear on our radar, now that we have a trip or two under our belt.
(Don't forget the campfire recipes for a gourmet meal, either. 🔥)
Matador
Cool, arctic green has your millennial heart singing? Matador has the full range of camping gear, all perfect for the nearest REI and Instagram feed drop.
Matador's claim to fame seems to be the The Pocket Blanket, which seems small enough for us (it seats two people, followed by a wide bevy of dishes), though if you really want to enjoy some intimate solo or one-on-one time, there is the Pocket Blanket Mini.
(We are also big fans of the Travel Earplugs Kit, which comes in a keyring carrying case for its ingenuis design, which hook on a luggage strap handle easily enough for easy access.)
Solight SolarPuff
Solar electricity is... electricity you don't have to pay for! (It's also a source of renewable energy.)
These tiny solar-powered lanterns are perfect for camping, reading and charge through a battery on the bottom of each SolarPuff. They are easily attachable to the outside of a camping backpack during the day to easily recharge in time for the night.
They also happen to look great sitting around the house.
Radiate Campfire
I don't know if you have ever tried to build a fire from scratch, but it is definitely not as easy as it looks. Radiate Campfire makes portable campfires that take the guesswork out of it -- and you can move it from place to place, without lugging around coals.
(Because lugging around coals is so not actually fun.)
It pretty much ticks off all then right boxes-the lid is used to snuff out the fire, and there is no clean up afterwards. It is also a sustainable traveler's wet dream: the materials are made from recycled paper briquettes and a recycled wax blend.
ECOlunchbox
Our favorite is the ECO Adventure Kit, which includes a Tri Bento, steel spork, and pot gripper (the best thing since sliced bread).
Based off the concept of Indian tiffins, the Tri Bento is perfect for heating in the oven or under a low flame on a campstove. It is also fantastic for those easy camp meals, aka instant noodles. 😂
(In personal use, it is also great for picnics or using as mise-en-place bowls for cook prep! It is actually not the best for bringing to the office à la office.)
Because it is also made out of stainless steel, its pretty easy to clean with a good scrub of Bar Keepers Friend and/or a good water-and-vinegar solution to get rid of steel discoloration.
The pot gripper makes it easy to pull out of the stove or oven without much accident, and there hasn't been a messy spill yet!
