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1. A Coleman three-burner camp stove perfect for whipping up a full meal in the great outdoors. With two burners and heat control, you're gonna be the head chef of the wilderness.
2. A tiny tube of Blister Balm to avoid any dreaded foot pain caused by friction. Even with outdoor shoes that really work for me, I always swipe some of this on to make doubly sure my feet stay A-OK.
3. An REI Wonderland 4 tent because the best part of camping is that it's basically an excuse to have an outdoor sleepover with your besties, and this beaut is as spacious as can be!
4. Or an REI Half Dome two-person tent if you're looking for a shelter that you could also use for backpacking. It's big enough for you and a bud (or you and a dog) to be snug or simply you and your big ol' pack.
5. A Coleman lantern perfect for car camping trips — it's essential to keep your path illuminated (and stay safe) with this classic piece of gear.
6. An Osprey Daylite pack so you can carry all of your outdoor essentials comfortably and conveniently during your day hikes. Its 13-liter size should be just right for plenty of water, snacks, and emergency first aid.
7. An Aeropress coffee and espresso maker that brews top-notch coffee anywhere boiling water is available. It's also small, durable, and easy to clean, so bringing it to the ends of the earth with you is a no-brainer.
8. A pull-string fire starter because you're probably a little rusty on your Boy Scouts skills and no one in your camp crew is going to give you a badge anyway. Put the sticks down – this'll do all the hard work for you!
9. A Kelty three-season mummy sleeping bag that's a superb bag for anyone in search of a versatile, warm, reliable, and lightweight bag. I use my Kelty mummy bag for backpacking and car camping trips alike, and love it all-around.
10. A Goal Zero Flip 24 Power Bank so you can charge your devices, no problem — from phones to navigation devices to lamps, it'll be a relief to know you won't have any essential electronics poop out without a backup battery.
11. A set of collapsible trekking poles with cork handles because I don't think I could ever fully express to you just how helpful they are when it comes to long, vertical hikes. You'll love these for the assistance going up and perhaps even more for the relief on your joints going down. Even on flat hikes, they help with rhythm, pacing, and all-around getting in the ~groove.~
12. A pair of Injinji sock liners that may look silly at first but will truly help keep your feet *so* much more comfortable on hikes of any length (or just in regular life, tbh!). They prevent blisters, wick moisture, and give your toes their full range of motion so you can rock scramble with the best of 'em.
13. A Helinox ultralight chair, because after a long day of putting on the miles the last thing anyone wants to do when they get back to camp is perch on a rock or lug around a heavy chair. This seat weighs just over a pound and packs down super small.
14. A 32-ounce lightweight Nalgene that's a super simple and lightweight way to carry just the right amount of water with ya wherever you may roam. My love of Nalgenes is well-documented, and this particular one fits the bill for utilitarian water storage while hiking.
15. A thick foam sleeping pad if you're headed out on a car camping trip and want to take advantage of being able to pack large, comfy items in your trunk. Sleeping like a rock instead of sleeping on a rock is a camping best case scenario.
16. Or a Big Agnes Rapide sleeping pad for a more packable option that's also ready to fit in with your backpacking setup. I have a slightly different but similar Big Agnes pad that's so comfy it's also what I use on car camping trips!
17. Extendable skewers so no knuckle hair is harmed in the making of scrumptious s'mores. Gathering around the fire just got even better (aka tastier).
18. A Yeti Rambler mug with a lid whose double-wall vacuum-insulated construction has a single-minded focus on keeping your hot beverages hot. Coffee outdoors on a brisk morning just got even better.
19. A compressible camping pillow so you have the perfect place to lay your head as you dream of building the perfect campfire and toasting the most delicious marshmallow to ever exist.
20. An inflatable lounge chair that will make a sunny outdoor nap feel like the height of luxury. You inflate it just by whipping it in the wind, meaning no pesky hand pumps or electricity needed!
21. A Coleman camping chair that has its own side table (with a built-in cupholder!) so you can keep your drinks, snacks, and speaker on hand while you kick back and bask in the natural ambience.
22. A Yeti Tundra 35 cooler because they really do make some seriously splurge-worthy coolers to accompany you on car camping trips. This one has an impressive 4.8-star overall rating for its durability and, of course, ability to keep things cold for a wildly long time.
23. A puffy Rumpl indoor/outdoor blanket to keep you cozy and off the dirt no matter what the weather's up to — whether you grab it for some time around the bonfire or add it to your sleep setup. Its smooth surface is water- and dirt-resistant, so there are no worries about exposing it to the elements.
24. A pair of Altra Lone Peak 6 trail runners whose wide toe box, quick dry time, and great grip and support will likely have you ditching hiking boots for good. The older model of these shoes totally changed my life — backpacking miles came easier, blisters and foot pain on trail nearly disappeared, and my boots went bye-bye.
25. A pair of Smartwool Mountaineer Maximum Cushion crew socks so you have the perfect pair for day hikes out of camp *or* some snuggly sleep socks. I love my Smartwool socks and highly recommend getting a few pairs of outdoorsy socks for any major trips you have coming up.
26. A multipurpose Buff you can wear tons of different ways to protect your neck and head from the sun or the cold thanks to a super breathable fabric. Popularized by Survivor, beloved by hikers.
27. A down hoodie if you're really looking to invest in a high-quality jacket to accompany you on any and all adventures. Even in the spring and summer it can get chilly, especially at high altitudes, and having a packable insulated layer is a smart move.
28. A tiny, foldable backpacking stove to help you whip up delicious backcountry meals, make coffee in the morning, and to sanitize water in case of emergency. Just screw it onto a fuel canister and voilà! Your kitchen awaits you. Even for car camping trips, if you don't feel like lugging around a large stove, you don't need to forgo a small hot meal or a tasty cup of coffee.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.