10 gifts for campers

Looking for THE 10 best gifts for campers? Here is a list of 10 top gift ideas for campers to suit both big and small budgets. Seeing as it sometimes takes years to gather all the gear needed to create the perfect camping kit, one of these suggestions is bound to make someone… A very happy camper!

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A camping chair to make sitting by the fire more comfortable

Nothing better than a bit of comfort when you’re camping. When it comes to sitting down to eat, drink your coffee or relax by the fire, a camping chair is the ultimate luxury. And we’re not talking about those rigid, uncomfortable chairs with a straight back, but about the kind of foldable chair that will make it so that once you’re sitting down, you won’t want to get up (except to add logs to the fire or to refill your drink). Whether you’re looking for something ultra-light and minimalist (and compact enough to fit in a backpack), or something padded and heated for the camper who’s always cold, find the model that’s bound to make someone happy!

A gift for campers who want to sleep like a baby: a camping mat

Sleeping in a tent sounds like a nightmare for some. The ground is too hard, too soft, too cold… We all know someone who’s just like the Princess and the Pea! And all you need to resolve this problem is a good camping mat. Forget about those thin foam pads, or those inflatable mattresses that deflate in the middle of the night: the most recent models are made using the latest technology, which is both innovative and reliable. Take the baffle construction inflatable camping mattresses, for example. They are comfortable, provide great weight distribution and excellent cold insulation thanks to an internal layer of ultrathin thermal film. No more excuses for poor sleep!

Would you like to know more about how to choose a camping mat? Read our blog article.

A three-season tent for memorable nights under the stars

One of the best parts of camping? Setting up your tent and feeling at home, even in the middle of the wilderness. Giving a tent to a camping enthusiast can therefore be the ultimate gift. But to get it right, you need to know the person you are giving it to, and what their needs are. Are they a car camping fan, or do they prefer multi-day hikes? Do they like to have plenty of room or are they more on the minimalist side? In the first case, the The North Face’s Wawowa 4 or 6-Person tent is a safe bet, with a very lofty lobby and a peak height that allows campers to stand up comfortably inside. For backpackers, set your sights on the Big Agnes Blacktail 3-Person tent, very light and sturdy, and very quick to set up.

If you’d like to know more about how to choose a tent, or to discover other great tent models, read the articles on our blog.

A sleeping bag to sleep like a log

A sleeping bag is probably the most important item in a camper’s gear kit. It is virtually impossible to have a good camping experience if you are too warm, too cold or if the shape of your sleeping bag doesn’t fit your body. When choosing a sleeping bag, it is therefore very important to choose the right level of insulation based on the time of year you plan on going camping (sleeping bag temperature ratings vary between 15 °C and -40 °C, and you should take into account both the comfort and the limit ratings), as well as the bag’s material (down insulation is warmer, but also more expensive than synthetic insulation, for example), its shape (mummy sleeping bags are more popular as they reduce heat loss) and its size (small, regular, long).

To know more about how to choose, maintain or store a sleeping bag, click here!

Heaters to keep you warm

The person you’ll give a heater to will likely be eternally grateful. And so will his or her toes! Joking aside, the evenings can be cold when camping early or late in the season, and a portable heater can bring just the right touch of comfort. Whether they have to be plugged into an outlet or run on propane gas, heaters provide a safe, gentle heat that will be very much enjoyed by those campers who tend to always feel chilly.

A cooler to keep food fresh

A cooler is one of the perfect gifts for campers who like to eat (and drink) well, even in the wilderness. As quality coolers can sometimes be expensive, they can make a great surprise gift for someone you love. Start by looking for something sturdy with good cold-holding power to keep food fresh. Yeti has become a staple brand in this area over the last few years. Its colourful and virtually indestructible coolers will tag along on every camping trip and last for decades. The SAIL brand also offers great value products.

For other camping gift ideas, read our article on camping kitchen essentials.

A camping lantern to warm up the tent

For those with smaller budgets, here is a simple but effective idea. Candles and lanterns can light up the picnic table, and give your camping set up a warm and cozy atmosphere at the same time. Some products, such as UCO’s, were even designed to warm up your tent. A candle in a tent? Seriously? No worries at all: the UCO candle lanterns are safe, and there is no risk of setting your gear on fire. Candles provide a comfortable warmth (while also getting rid of the humidity) and natural light for up to nine hours. A perfect gift for campers who want to see clearly!

A knife for all occasions

An experienced camper always carries a good knife! Used for cooking, to fix equipment or to chop firewood, it is an essential accessory for any outdoor living enthusiast. There are many types of knives around, from the simplest pocket knife to the cleverest multi-tool. Amongst those brands offering the widest choice of products, Leatherman always delivers excellent value.

Camping dishware, so you can eat as well camping as you would at home

If going from an occasional camper to a more regular one, it can be a good idea to get the right equipment to eat well while out camping. To make it easier, there are some very clever dishware and cooking sets. Compact, light and sturdy, their nesting design ensures all dishware (including mugs, bowls, plates and sometimes pots) fit together and use up as little space as possible. Some of the models which have proven themselves amongst experienced campers include the SAIL Cook Lite (for two or four people), the MSR Quick 2 or Flex 4, and the GSI Infinity.

A stove to cook on, to warm up or to recharge your phone

This gift for campers is for those who need comfort and technology… even in the middle of the woods. Biolite, which has won awards for the ingenuity of several of its camp stoves, offers two truly remarkable products. The first one is the Campstove2+, which turns fire into electricity. Running on branches and twigs, it uses combustion technology to create a vortex of smokeless flames which allow you to cook your meals while also charging your electrical devices.
The FirePit+ is an electric campfire that produces warmth, and the smell and crackle sound of a real campfire, without any of the smoke. All you have to do is add charcoal to turn it into a portable hibachi-style grill (a Japanese-inspired cooking device). For other cooking system ideas, have a look at our range.

To know more about how to choose a camping stove, read our article on the topic.