Where to Find Cheap and Used Camping Gear Near Chicago

Used Camping Gear Near Chicago

Camping in Illinois doesn’t have to be expensive if you know where to find cheap or used camping gear! There are plenty of people and companies out there selling used gear or even renting it if you’re just trying the outdoors for the first time. Take a look at our roundup of the best places to find out how to save 40% across the board with cheap camping gear in Illinois!

It can take a lot of gear to feel comfortable enough to venture into the great outdoors, between finding the best tent for your family, skillets for cooking over the perfect fire, or making the perfect cup of coffee on your camp stove, the cost can rack up fast! Luckily, there are great recycling and reselling programs offered at the largest outdoor retailers and other campers upgrading or ditching last season’s gear after just a few times under the stars that can help shave a few bucks off your new hobby.

Cheap Chicago Camping Retailers

Chicago Retailers with Cheap or Used Camping Gear

Mountain Warehouse – Cheap Gear Retailer

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Located at Chicago’s Premium Outlets in Aurora and Chicago Fashion Outlets just outside of O’hare (and Blue Line accessible!), Mountain Warehouse is a unique retailer in that they only sell the Mountain Warehouse brand, making products cheaper by cutting out the middleman, but also heavily limiting their selection so check out their supply before you head out there.

Much of the discount can be found in accessories as opposed to the largest items like backpacks or tents. For example, at time of writing, they are selling a reclining camp chair for $60, compared to the ~$100 you would pay at REI.

REI Garage Sales – Premium Used Gear

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While REI is typically known as a more expensive retailer, they frequently hold ‘REI garage sales‘ to offload returned merchandise or even parts of merchandise in large, yard sale-style days. This is only available for members and they are not regularly scheduled so you’ll need to keep an eye on your email and drop the $20 for a lifetime membership to REI first.

While REI is typically known as a more expensive retailer, they frequently hold ‘REI garage sales‘ to offload returned merchandise or even parts of merchandise in large, yard sale-style days. This is only available for members and they are not regularly scheduled so you’ll need to keep an eye on your email and drop the $20 for a lifetime membership to REI first.

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If you do go to a sale, you can expect a lot of other people there right at the start (like Black Friday) so go early and have an idea of what you’re looking for ahead of time! Garage sales can be a great way to grab a couple of stakes, some tentpoles to replace the ones damaged in that last storm, or a gently used sleeping bag!


Camping Gear Rentals Near Chicago

Rental Programs for Short-Term Camping Gear

Illinois County Forest Preserve Camping Rental Programs

forest preserves facebook

Lots of Illinois country forest preserves and park districts offer rental programs. For example, the Forest Preserves of Cook County offer camping gear rentals to camp near Chicago with a tent, flashlight, chairs, sleeping bag(s), pillow(s), and binoculars for around $100 – $200 for a weekend, depending on the number of people. If you have some gear, you can rent a la carte as well!

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If you are making a reservation at any of the county-run campgrounds in Will County, the Will County Forest Preserves offers a “No Gear, No Problem” program. The full package for two runs $25/night and includes a lantern, sleeping bags, and a tent but must be reserved in advance.

REI Camping Gear Rentals | Vernon Hills, Illinois

Only select REI locations will rent out camping gear and availability is highly limited – give the Vernon Hills REI location a call at (847) 573-0356 to find out more. Both members and non-members can rent gear but non-members will pay a higher nightly price alongside a deposit!


Online Camping Gear Rentals

Shipping-Based Camping Gear Rental

LowerGear | National Gear Outfitter

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Lowergear is a company that started as a camping gear rental outfit in Tempe, Arizona but now ships their gear rentals nationwide to give access to the outdoors to all! All you have to do is re-box the gear when you get home and drop it off at your nearest shipping location. Their packages run between $170 for 3 days to $279 for two weeks for two people and include the same gear as the county rental programs plus dining sets and a propane stove!

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LowerGear Rental Package

Online Used Camping Gear

In addition to the traditional outdoor retailers like Patagonia and generic online marketplaces like Craigslist, Ebay, and Facebook Marketplace – We’ve also found a few specialty online gear stores that focus on offering a place for ‘gently used’ camping gear to be sold (and shipped straight to Chicago!)


Used Camping Gear Online Marketplaces

Geartrade – Best Used Gear

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Geartrade is a site that is focused on keeping gear out of the landfill by allowing anyone (retailers, individuals, or manufacturers) to sell used, returned, or repaired gear. Depending on how much wear and tear you’re able to tolerate, you can get 30% – 60% off compared to the full price of a new item. For example, the backpack I used hiking a section hike of the Appalachian trail was selling for over $100 cheaper than what I paid for it (and it looks like it’s in much better condition than mine is now after a Mouse burrowed through to grab a granola bar I had forgotten about).

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Geartrade covers a lot of categories and especially great deals on backpacks compared to other sites we’ve used.

OutdoorsGeek – Used Gear & Rentals

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OutdoorsGeek is a site offering both used gear sales, new gear, and gear rentals. The best part about OutdoorsGeek is the ability to rent and then purchase the equipment if you enjoyed using it! This gives you a low-risk way to test out how much you like your gear before committing to the full price. They have a category specifically for gently used kids gear to help see if your kids are interested in camping for a hand-me-down price!


Outdoor Retailers with Online Used Camping Gear Shops

Patagonia Worn Wear

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Patagonia runs a used gear section on their website that offers discounted gear of varying conditions. Even the lowest-rated “Good” condition is still barely noticeable and can snag you a pack at 40% off just for discoloration on the interior like this example below! They detail the reason for the discount just below the condition rating and you can sort by condition easily on the website.

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REI Used Gear

REI used gear

Similar to Patagonia, REI offers a resale shop from returned gear that can be ordered right to your home! While they didn’t have a directly comparable Osprey Exos 48 to see the price relative to Geartrade, they do have very similar sizes offering 40% off of the regular price! REI will likely be easier to work with if you have any issues compared to Geartrade as they have exceptional customer service.

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Generic Online Marketplaces for Used Camping Gear

Craigslist

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Craigslist is a great way to find bundles of items quickly to get ready for a last-minute venture to the outdoors from Chicago! Compared to the markets above, people on Craigslist are more likely to be selling multiple items at the same time, may be willing to haggle, and are looking to offload their items as quickly as possible. If you aren’t picky about the specific gear, you can get great deals like the one below that has a tent (Our favorite tent for couples), sleeping bag, backpack, water bottle, blanket, cooking pots and pans, and a knife for only $250!

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Facebook Marketplace

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Facebook Marketplace can either be used to find local gear or used gear to ship to your home. In comparison to other online marketplaces, Facebook can be a great place to find more kid-specific gear that families are outgrowing, like this Kelty carrier backpack. While one version behind the current one, you could have this carrier by the weekend for $50 compared to purchasing their new model for over $200 – That’s 75% savings!

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Conclusion

Are we missing your favorite retailer or rental program? Let us know on Twitter! Finish up your budgeting with our breakdown of the cheapest camping options in Illinois and then head over to our Illinois campground guides to find a site and make a reservation!

Best Open Fire Cooking Skillet | 3 Best for Campfire Cooking

Open Fire Cooking Skillet FeatImage

Cooking over an open fire exposes your skillet to high heat and tough soot – requiring the right materials to make a delicious meal during your next trip!

This buying guide takes all the important factors one needs to consider before buying a skillet for campfire cooking. We have also included our four favorite options and reviews of pros and cons to help give you a clear understanding about what to expect from each open fire skillet and allow you to make the most informed buying decision. Let’s start looking into these factors and choices!

MSR Alpine Fry Pan

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Home-Complete Cast Iron Skillet

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Boundless Voyage Titanium Frying Pan

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Best Stainless Steel Skillet 

Best Cast Iron

Best Ultralight Skillet for One

Material

Stainless Steel

Cast Iron

Titanium

Diameter

7.7"

12"

7"

Weight

0.83 lbs

7 lbs

.27 lbs

Sneak Peek: Best Skillet for Open Fire Cooking

MSR Alpine Fry Pan

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  • Aluminum bottom heats more evenly than pure stainless steel
  • Incredibly light
  • Detachable handle for easy storage
See Current Price!

What to Consider

There are several important factors that you need to consider while you are looking for an open fire cooking skillet. The most important factor to consider is material. The material that a skillet is made of can affect the quality and durability of the skillet when used over a campfire.

Material

The material your open fire cooking skillet is made from is an undeniably important aspect of finding the right skillet to make all your meals. Since you will be using the skillet over an open fire, you need to ensure that the material can withstand the intense heat of the fire while also evenly distributing this heat across the pan.

The three most common kinds of material for open fire skillets are cast iron, aluminum and stainless steel. Below, we will investigate these in more detail to find out which works best.

Cast Iron

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Cast iron is a classic and unbeatable material when it comes to cooking over an open fire. Since cast iron skillets are heavy and thick, they are great at retaining the heat inside them. Their thickness also enables them to endure the strong heat of an open fire, making them more durable than most other materials.

Typically, cast iron skillets come pre-seasoned. With subsequent usage the seasoning continues to build up in the pan, making it easier and easier to clean. This creates a distinct non-stick barrier in the pan.

Cast iron skillets are usually very heavy to carry around, making it inconvenient for camping trips where there will be a lot of walking or backpacking involved. It’s still a great option if you will be camping in an RV or a tent near your car!

Aluminium

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Aluminum is another common preference when it comes to open fire cooking skillets, especially when packing light is a priority. It can be a great choice of material when it comes to backpacking or primitive camping spots.

In addition, aluminum is a great conductor of heat and will be able to retain heat and endure the flames of an open fire.

Some aluminum skillets tend to come with non-stick coatings that allow you to cook your food conveniently without worrying about the surface chipping off. However, make sure you check whether the coating contains toxic chemicals or not. Ceramic non-stick coating is typically safer to use than materials like Teflon.

It’s also important to use gentle, non-scratch sponges and rags to clean your aluminum skillet. Roughness and scratchy material can cause the non-stick coating to start to peel off.

Stainless Steel

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Stainless steel is another lightweight option for camp skillets. If you’re looking to minimize the amount of weight you will be carrying around, then stainless steel might be a good choice.

Stainless steel can retain heat well and withstand the intensity of open flames, making it convenient to use over an open fire. However, it’s important to note that stainless steel skillets are usually much thinner than their cast iron counterparts which makes them less durable.

For this reason, it’s important to make sure you buy a premium stainless steel skillet and not opt for the cheapest option. While stainless steel skillets are more expensive than aluminum ones, they will probably last you longer while also being just as light and portable.

Detailed Reviews

Now that you know more about what types of materials will keep your camping skillet strong and perfect for cooking, it’s time to look at some products! Look through the products below and their descriptions to help you make an informed decision and ensure you end up with an open fire skillet that meets all of your camping and outdoor cooking needs!

All of these products are good choices when it comes to open fire cooking skillets. They differ on the basis of their material and features so make sure you keep your personal needs in mind!

MSR Alpine Fry Pan

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Pros

  • Attached aluminum disc at the bottom of the pan evenly distributes heat across the pan
  • Foldable/Removable handle convenient to manage the pan while cooking
  • lightweight and portable
  • Easy to clean the pan with liquid detergent

Cons

  • Handle may become hot if too close to the coals

The MSR Alpine fry pan is a stainless steel frying pan with a folding and adjustable handle that is also removable. It does a great job at retaining and distributing heat (this is aided by an aluminum disc at the bottom of the pan).

It is lightweight, portable and efficient. When it comes to your camping and outdoor cooking needs, you should definitely consider this pan. Its depth also ensures enough space within the pan for you to do your cooking.

Home-Complete Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

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Pros

  • The cast iron material ensures maximum heat retention as well as even heat distribution across the entire skillet
  • The pre-seasoned coating makes it durable and healthy
  • Withstands high heat from direct fire
  • You only need water to wash the skillet
  • Its long handle on one side enables you to hold and manage the skillet conveniently

Cons

  • It is quite heavy and not suited for hiking-in campgrounds or backpacking
  • It does not come with an attached turner
  • The handle of the pan will also get quite hot so you may want to consider a handle sleeve

The Home-Complete Skillet is a high quality, durable cast-iron skillet for your camping and outdoor cooking needs. This skillet gives you even heating across the pan to thoroughly cook your food.

Its pre-seasoned coating ensures excellent heat retention while also making it easy to clean. You don’t need to worry about it losing this coating as it will just continue to season over time with more usage!

Boundless Voyage Titanium Frying Pan

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Pros

  • This pan is a healthy and hygienic option for cooking in outdoor settings
  • The heat is evenly distributed and retained in the pan
  • It is lightweight, portable and comes with a drawstring bag
  • There is an anti-fingerprint blasting on the surface of the pan
  • It is resistant to rust, corrosion and extreme weather conditions

Cons

  • Campfire may leave a bit of soot on the outside difficult to remove

The Boundless Voyage titanium frying pan is an extremely lightweight option for your outdoor cooking and camping needs. Made from titanium, it ensures good heat retention and distribution while also working well in all kinds of climates.

With a folding handle, smooth bottom, and portability, this skillet is a great choice when it comes to travel, camping, as well as daily use. Its versatility and depth are also good features that make this frying pan convenient and efficient.

Conclusion

Remember, it’s extremely important to consider the material of the open fire cooking skillet before you purchase one. Make sure the material you decide on meets your individual needs. Think about how often you plan to use this skillet, the weather conditions it will face, and what activities you will be using the skillet for. Don’t pick a cast iron skillet for your solo backpacking trip through the mountains!

Now that you have a better understanding of open fire skillets and the factors to consider when buying one, you can make an informed choice to buy the best open fire cooking skillet for you and your family!

So, go ahead, find your skillet and start cooking!

If you’re still looking to round out your set, check out our favorite kettles for campfire cooking!

You Might Also Like…More Open Fire Cooking Gear Guides

Open Fire Cooking Gear

Best Open Fire Cooking Pots | 4 Best Pots for Campfire Cooking

Best Open Fire Cooking Pots

Avoid ruining your kitchen cookware by using quality open fire cooking pots that stand up to the heat! When you’re cozied up around the fire at your favorite campsite, the last thing you won’t worry about is messing up dinner because you brought the wrong pots and pans! Not all pots can hold up against the heat of an open fire, but how do you know which ones will? When it comes to looking for an open-fire cooking pot, the options on the market can be endless and overwhelming. We’ve done the research for you and are here to inform you of the best cooking pots built for the open campfire!

Overview

Homful Camping Cookware Set

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Lixada Cookware Set

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Primus Stainless Steel Cookset

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MyLifeUNIT Camping Pot

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Best Value Open Fire Pots

Full Set of Open Fire Cookware

Stainless Steel Pick 

Largest Camping Pot

Manufacturer

Homful

Lixada

Primus

MyLifeUNIT

Material

Titanium

Titanium

Stainless Steel

Aluminum

Capacity

Pot: 1.1L (37 oz)

Cup: 420ml (14 oz)

Lg Pot: 1.6L (54 oz)

Pot: .75L (25 oz)

Cup: .4L (13.5 oz)  

Lg Pot: 1.8L (60 oz)

Pot: 1.0L (34 oz)

Cup: .5L (16.5 oz)  

4.7L (160 oz)

Set Weight

< 0.5 Lbs

< 0.5 Lbs

2.8 Lbs

1.5 lbs

In the Box

Titanium Pot, Cup, Spork, & Mesh Travel Bag 

Two Titanium Pots, One Cup, Spork, Storage Sack

Two Pots and One Frying Pan

One Aluminum Pot with Lid

Sneak Peek: Best Pot for Cooking over an Open Fire

HOMFUL Cookware Set

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  • Lightweight & Durable
  • Two sizes for various uses
  • Foldable handles on each pot for tripod or grill usage
  • Bundled with utensils & storage bag

What to Consider When Finding the Best Open Fire Cooking Pots

Let’s look at a few things you need to know about the camping cookware available on the market!

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Material

Stainless steel is one of the most popular choices for material because it typically heats food evenly. It is often preferred because of its durability and because it doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. Stainless steel camping dishes are often affordable cookware sets and quite easy to clean. If you are a backpacker, however, you should take into account that stainless steel is a bit on the heavier side when compared to other materials such as aluminum.

Another material option is titanium. Titanium is a very lightweight material great for camping or backpacking. However, just because titanium dishes are lightweight does not mean they do not also have strength. Titanium is also highly resistant to corrosion! Something to note about titanium is that it heats up very quickly. This could be an advantage or a disadvantage depending on how skillful of a chef you are! The downside of titanium is it’s a pretty expensive choice, and it does not conduct heat as evenly as stainless steel. Make sure you’re watching the heat at all times when cooking with titanium dishes!

A third popular material for camping cookware is anodized aluminum. This is an oxidized material and does a great job at resisting abrasions and scratches. This is a huge advantage when you consider the environment your cookware is going to be used in! Anodized aluminum is also a durable material, and you might enjoy hearing we have no downsides to report about this material!

The last material that we’ll mention – but won’t cover in this article – is cast iron. Cast iron cookware runs in its own class. Cast iron by far the heaviest of all options but is virtually indestructible. Slightly harder to clean than other pots and pans but will never falter under the heat and will heat food evenly. We are focusing on lighter materials for this roundup.

Weight

When you are choosing camping cookware it is important to consider weight because you won’t have a good experience if you’re exhausted from carrying heavy pots and pans! If you want to take cookware along on your camping journey, you must consider the weight of each utensil.

The thicker the utensil, the better it will be at keeping your food from burning. However, it will also likely be significantly heavier than thinner utensils. If you are a backpacker, you don’t want to feel weighed down by heavy utensils. Lightweight items are easier to carry but not all of them are as efficient when it comes to cooking the food. It’s better to invest in thicker, heavier utensils if you are a frequent car or RV camper.

Design

The final factor to consider is the design of the cookware. It is important to understand that most cookware falls into two categories: ones that can be hung on tripods and ones that are made for flat surface cooking. Let’s learn more about the differences between these two categories!

Tripod Focused Open Fire Pots

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Open fire cooking pots with the ability to hang on a tripod come in basic and complex models. The basic ones typically have three metal legs and some chains for you to hang your utensils, such as pots and pans, over the fire. They are good if you are cooking potatoes or other vegetables in the pot over a steady flame. You can also use the live coal later on for a barbeque on a big grill if you have one.

Flat Grill Focused Campfire Pots

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If you are not confident about cooking on a tripod that can hang the utensils over a flame, you should consider a grill grate. These are rather simple to use and when you have an open fire as the source, they are very useful. This design creates a stable space for you to make your meal by putting a pan or Dutch oven directly on the flame. These mostly look like camping grills which have a small table that is made of metal on top. If you keep food like bacon away (because the fat will be dripping) you can contain the sparks on flame and keep the whole operation safe.

Detailed Reviews: Best Cooking Pots for Campfires

With those factors in mind, let’s see what the best open fire cooking pots are on the market. These are our choices for the best open-fire cooking pots for your next camping trip.

#1 Homful Camping Cookware Titanium Cooking Set

Best Open Fire Cooking Pots

best open fire cooking pots

Pros

  • Lightweight & Durable
  • Two sizes for various uses
  • Foldable handles on each pot for tripod or grill usage
  • Bundled with utensils & storage bag

Cons

  • Peak height isn’t very impressive
  • Some customers said a few seams were not well sealed

This is a cooking set from Homful. The dishes are made of pure titanium which makes them lightweight, durable, and resistant to corrosion and rust (with the added bonus of being hypo-allergenic). The dishes are also odorless which is very important when you are dealing with food.

The set has three pieces which include a 1,100 ml pot, a 420 ml cup and a foldable spork. Whether you are hiking, camping, backpacking, or just planning a picnic near home, it is a great choice.

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The utensils have round bottom edges which makes heating the food inside easy and cleaning a breeze!

The handles of all the utensils are foldable which makes packing easy and keeps it compact. You also get a mesh bag in the box which makes keeping the whole set together a piece of cake.

#2 Lixada Camping Titanium Cookware Set

Pros

  • Built with titanium – durable, lightweight and resistant to corrosion
  • Includeed storage sack to prevent scratching
  • Small pot is easy to use for cooking or drinking
  • No smell or metal aftertaste

Cons

  • More expensive than other options on this list

Our second choice is a three-piece cookware set which is also made of titanium. Included in this kit is a 1,600 ml pot, a 750 ml pot, a 420 ml cup, and a foldable spork which is perfect for your camping, backpacking, and hiking adventures.

This is also a lightweight and durable set thanks to the titanium build. It is resistant to corrosion and promises to last for a long time. When you are using the dishes, you will notice that they don’t smell of the food or beverage that was in them which is always a plus. You also get a lid that helps you minimize the loss of heat while cooking. This is not just energy-efficient but also makes the process of cooking faster. The dishes have round edges which makes heating the food and cleaning the dishes easy.

The dishes come with collapsible handles making storage easy and includes a bar on the spork to lock the handle when you are using it to help avoid any kind of accidents.

Each of the dishes is packed into a storage sack which means you can break up the set if you want and still carry it with ease and efficiency.

#3 Primus Stainless Steel Campfire Cookset

Best Stainless Steel Open Fire Cooking Pots

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Pros

  • Aluminum bottom advantage over stainless steel counterparts
  • Easy stackable storage
  • Resistant to corrosion and rust
  • Durable construction

Cons

  • Lids are not interchangable
  • More expensive than other options on this list

This is a cooking set made of stainless steel. It comes with a frying pan, two saucepans with lids and integrated colanders. And despite the number of items, it is easy to carry around because they stack up well. You get a 1.8-liter saucepan and a 1-liter saucepan along with a storage bag.

Both the saucepans come with handles that can be wrapped around the pot when you are not using them. The frying pan also has a foldable handle that must be locked in place when being used. It has an aluminum bottom so you don’t have to worry about the even distribution of heat when you are cooking.

The 18/8 stainless steel is durable and is resistant to corrosion. You will notice that it is easy to clean too. This set has been created by Primus to make sure that you don’t have to compromise on the quality of your cooking just because you are out in the wild. This is a great assortment of pots and pans for a campsite where you will be cooking on an open fire.

#4 MyLifeUNIT Camping Pot Cookware

Largest Pot for Open Fire Cooking

Pros

  • Premium aluminum construction makes it sturdy and durable
  • Includes chain that allows you to hang it on a tripod
  • Lightweight and easy to clean
  • Has excellent heat resistance for even cooking
  • Large enough for couples or small families
  • Great value

Cons

  • May be too large for solo campers
  • Not a non-stick pan

This is a portable camping pot with a capacity of 5 quarts and is made of premium aluminum alloy. This is a safe and harmless choice from a health point of view especially if you are planning to use it for a long time. It is a classic round pot that is gray in color and has a compact structure that makes traveling with it a pleasure.

When compared to cast iron pots, this is much lighter and still meant for outdoor cooking. Despite it being lightweight, it is of good size and can handle cooking an entire meal. The pot is resistant to corrosion and rust and also fights off scratches effectively. It is quite easy to clean the inside of the pot as well. The fact that it is legless is a big advantage because it means more surface area of the pot will be coming into contact with the fire.

In Conclusion

Whether you want a whole new set or just one pot for campfire cooking, there are plenty of options on the market. Remember to consider what kind of material you are looking for, how much space you have and if it will be carried in the car or on your back!

Still trying to fill out your open fire cookware? Check out our reviews of the best campfire kettles and more gear reviews!

You Might Also Like…More Open Fire Cooking Gear Guides

Tents for a Family of Three | 4 Best Choices for 2021

Best Tent for Family of Three

When buying a tent for a family of three people, size is not the only thing to consider. You need to evaluate several factors, like ventilation and strength of the structure, to prevent your kids from being cold and wet when the first surprise storm pops up in the middle of the night.

Overview

Name

Eureka! Timberline

Gazelle T4 Pop-Up Portable

Big Agnes Copper Spur

Core 10-Person Cabin Tent

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Overview

Best Value Tent for a Family of Three

Upgrade Pick

Best Backpacking Tent

Best Cabin Tent for Families

Manufacturer

Eureka!

Gazelle

Big Agnes

Core

Color(s)

Green

Orange or Green

Orange

Orange or Wine

Capacity 

4 People

4 People

4 People

10

Weight

6 Lbs

30 Lbs

5.3 Lbs

28 - 31 lbs

Sneak Peek: Best Value Tent for a Family of Three

Eureka! Timberline

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  • Durable and easy to set up
  • High quality fabric
  • Lightweight
  • The classic tent design!

Factors to Consider When Buying Tents for a Family of Three

For starters, since it’s a three-person tent it is not just about your comfort, it’s about picking the one that makes all of you the most comfortable. For that, you want to know a little bit about functions and materials. Let’s go through the buying guide so that you know how to avoid the obvious trappings.

Capacity

Most tent manufacturers list the capacity as number of people but only a few of them actually consider the amount of gear you’ll need to have with you. While you may be looking at three person tents for your family of three – we’d recommend going for a four person one to give yourself some room to move around and bring a friend or pet in the future!

Seasonality

This is an important factor because it is pertinent not only to the time of the year when you want to go camping but also the weather of the place you are going to. The last thing you want is to be uncomfortable when the temperatures take an unexpected dip.

You will find that three-season tents are a popular choice in the market because they are essentially shelters in place and although they are big enough for more than a couple of people, they are still lightweight.

These tents have the ability to keep up with temperatures in spring, summer, and fall. To make that happen, manufacturers construct them with enough mesh panels so that the tent has good airflow.

These panels are also very useful in keeping bugs and other insects out of the tent even though they are less great at keeping sand out. If you get a rainfly and pitch it well, a good three-season tent can handle a decent downpour. Of course, if you are stuck in windy weather or worse, like snow, there isn’t much you can do.  

Then there are three to four-season tents. These tents are meant for those times of the year when a little snow is expected. Three- to four-season tents are meant to balance ventilation, retain warmth and be strong.

You will notice that most of them, if not all, come with one or more poles but don’t have as many mesh panels as three-season tents. That’s why they are relatively more sturdy and warm. Also called extended-season tents, these models are good for those who like camping in high-elevation campsites that are slightly more exposed.

The next level is four-season tents. Now, these can handle fiercely windy weather and a good deal of snow load. They are mountaineering tents and are good for use throughout the year. The main goal of these tents is to be firmly grounded when the weather above the treeline is really unkind, which you’ll find when camping in mountain ranges primarily.

These tents, as you would expect, use heavier fabrics and have more poles to help them secure. They have a dome design on the top to prevent snow accumulation. The rainflies will be closer to the ground which means you will feel warmer in mild winters but if the wind is howling, you will be safe inside the tent.

Rainfly

Speaking of rainflies, a good rainfly is critical to guarding you from rain or dew. It can also help add some extra warmth to the tent. When you are going to tricky campsites with family or friends, you want to make sure you have this as a back-up for unexpected weather changes.

There are two types of rainflies in the market. The roof-only rainflies will offer a little protection from rain but still allow some amount of light into the tent. Full-coverage rainflies will cover significantly more of the tent sides and offer full protection from rain and wind.

Ventilation

This is where you need to consider the number of mesh panels. These panels are usually found on the doors, windows, and ceiling of a tent. When you have three people in a tent, you want to make sure there is enough ventilation so that it does not get too hot in the dead of summer.

Mesh panels make room for cross ventilation and also manage condensation. If you don’t manage condensation, your clothing, cots, and anything that has come into contact with the surface of the tent are going to be damp. And if you are going camping during the hot and humid months of the year, you want to get a tent that has large mesh panels.

Peak Height

This is the height of the tent and is very important if you like to be standing up when you’re changing your clothes or like to stretch in the morning. And when there is more than one person in the tent, you definitely want some space over your head.

There are a couple of types of tent styles in the market, that will affect the peak height. First, there are cabin-style tents with sides that are pretty much like walls. They increase the overall height and space inside the tent. Some cabin tents also come with features like dividers and vestibule doors which can be useful for creating a semblance of privacy when camping with friends or family.

Then there are dome-style tents. These models have an advantage when winds pick up and the weather turns for the worse. They are tall in the middle and have slanted walls that reduce the space inside the tent but will still be big enough to house a family of three.

Floor Length

After height, you must consider the length of the tent’s floor. If you are over 5′ 10″, you’ll likely want the floor-length to be at least 90 inches.

Tent Doors

The number of doors and their orientation is an important factor when camping with friends or family. If your tent has multiple doors, you won’t have to cross each other while exiting the tent, say when someone else is taking a nap. Cabin-style tents typically have more access points than dome tents.

Also, keep in mind that doors are zipped and you want them to make as little noise as possible each time you open or shut them. Look for YKK zippers that don’t easily snag or break.

Materials

You must look for the denier count. Tents that are made of high denier fabric are more rugged. You must also choose the ones with seam tape for the floor of the tent to prevent leakages.

Now that you are caught up on the basic specifications of evaluating the best tents for a family of three, let’s show you some of the best models in the market.

1. Eureka! Timberline SQ Three-Season Backpacking Tent

Best Value Tent for a Family of Three

51IFJO7HrML. AC SL1200

Pros

  • The classic tent design
  • Durable and easy to use
  • Made of high-quality fabrics
  • Warm and thick
  • Comes with good upgrades

Cons

  • Peak height isn’t very impressive
  • Some customers said a few seams were not well sealed

Our first choice is this backpacking tent from Eureka! The excitement is not just limited to the brand name but extends to the features of the tent too. The manufacturer claims that the strength and stability of this tent is unmatched. It is a three-season tent and provides ease of entry too. It is a four-person tent which means you will have more legroom than you initially hoped for.

The interior of the tent is 60.8 square feet and its poles are made of aluminum alloy. The design is proprietary and the tent itself is built in an A-frame style with plenty of space on the inside.

Frame tents are designed such that there is no pole in the middle of the tent which means the layout has no obstructions. So, if you are going to have children in the tent, you don’t have to worry about them knocking it down accidentally.

This is a full-coverage tent which means the tent is safe against elements of the weather. It has a 15.3 square foot vestibule in the front which is a great place to keep wet boots, cooking gear, and such.

The ventilation system of the tent is meant to have controlled airflow regardless of the outside weather thanks to the high/low vent. It has two D-style doors and large windows which make it easy for you to move in and out of the tent.

The peak height is about 59 inches. When you pack it down it comes to 7 x 26 inches. The tent weighs 9 pounds and 12 ounces along with the body, poles, stakes, fly, and guylines.

Eureka! Has been around for over a century making gear that ranges from cooking systems to sleeping bags to tents. Their aim is to provide camping furniture that is reliable and easy to use.

2. Gazelle 22272 T4 Pop-Up Portable Camping Hub Tent

Tents for a Family of Three Upgrade Pick

81cUPCRMUhL. AC SL1500

Pros

  • Very easy to set up thanks to the pop-up design
  • Unique boxy design gives a lot of space
  • Good peak height
  • Comes with water-resistant technology
  • Durable zippers
  • Comes with rainfly and integrated poles
  • Has a removable floor

Cons

  • Not very good for windy nights
  • Heavier
  • Doesn’t come with the strongest stakes

Our upgrade choice when looking for tents for a family of three is the Gazelle hub tent meant for four people. It is so easy to set up that it actually takes only 90 seconds. When it is not standing tall, this square-shaped tent can be packed into a 67.5-inch duffle bag.

The peak height is 78 inches and the floor space is 61 square feet. It is made of a 50+ UV-rated material and can resist water, wind, and mildew, which not only makes it impressive but is also extremely convenient.

This tent comes with a waterproof rainfly that has integrated poles and taped seams. You must insert the poles in all corners before you pop it on the roof. The tent itself comes fully assembled which means you just need to pop it open for set up. The innovative framework uses metal hubs and fiberglass for the structure and it resists strong winds quite well.

The floor is held together by a hook-and-loop tape that can be seen on the interior thanks to the extra strip which also gives it strength. And it can also be removed easily if you want to shake the dirt and sand. And by the way, the two doors of the tent are equipped with durable YKK zippers which are known not to snag or break.

3. Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL

Best Backpacking Tent for a Family of Three

Pros

  • Great fabric, good color
  • Very high-quality proprietary materials
  • Vestibule gives more options during rain
  • Lots of space and easy to set up
  • Pockets on the inside are a bonus

Cons

  • Low peak height
  • Might need more stakes to set it up
  • Might need to get an extra footprint for the floor

This tent is designed such that the walls are steep and the poles are high. This increases the overall volume of the tent and creates a nice living space also because it is a freestanding model. This is a full-featured tent from the Copper Spur HV UL series and it is ultralight, strong, and easy to set up. This particular model has a few new features and is made of proprietary materials.

The floor and the fly are made of silicone-treated double rip-stop mixed denier nylon and have a 1200 mm waterproof polyurethane coating. The tent has two doors that open and close quickly and easily with the well-made dual zippers. Those zippers come with an easy grip for ease of entry and exit from the tent and are also easy to access. There is also a quick stash doorkeeper which means unzipped doors can be easily stowed.

You will also find a two-tone mesh that gives you privacy while making room for stargazing. This tent comes with a Copper Hotel HV UL2 Accessory Fly but it can be interchanged with a standard fly. Convenient, huh? The fly can be connected to the pole structure with velcro tabs that are perfect for pitching and extra stability.

The two vestibules, also called awnings, are well protected from both sun and a little drizzle and both of them have storm flaps on their zippers. They have double zippers for multiple access.

You can set up the tent using trekking poles or regular tent poles and use extra guylines to stabilize the structure. The low-vent vestibule doors also help reduce condensation and the high fly vents make both active and passive airflow possible.

There are 3D bin pockets that make it easy for you to store your gear without taking away sleeping space that can be hard to come by with tents for a family of three. These are at the foot but with elevated storage. There is an oversized ceiling pocket too for extra storage. You will also find media pockets for your electronic devices.

It also has a TipLok Tent Buckle which combines three functions into one. The pole tip is secure and won’t release while you are still setting up the tent. That’s comforting, right? A rainfly is attached to the tent along with a tensioner and a stakeout loop. You will also find reflective guylines—which are pre-cut by the way—and webbing on the corners of the tent which is convenient for visibility at night.

There are several interior loops if you want to attach gear and accessories inside the tent. And the lifespan of the floor of the tent which measures 29 square feet can be extended with a footprint but you will have to buy it separately.

4. Core 10 Person Straight Wall Cabin Tent

Best Cabin Tent for Families

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Pros

  • Great for those who want a cabin on their camping trip
  • Set up is easy thanks to the color-coded poles and sleeves
  • Has space for air mattresses or sleeping bags
  • Gear loft keeps the space on the ground available
  • Comes with 8 guylines and 6 two-way plastic pole joints

Cons

  • Rainfly has very limited coverage if it starts raining
  • Does not come with a footprint or tarp

The final tent on our list is a 10-person tent from Core. This can fit two queen-sized air mattresses or four Core sleeping bags inside the tent. It has ground vents and a room divider that can partition the tent into two.

You will find two doors in the front and back each. The tent itself is made of H2O block fabric which is coated with polyurethane and is water-resistant. It also has taped seams that keep the moisture out.

There is a gear loft with pockets in this tent which makes it easy for you to store your knick-knacks. And it has a lantern hook too. There is an electrical cord access port that is water-resistant and can be used from outside the tent to inside or vice versa. When you are not using it, the port is fully closable. You will get the package with the tent, rainfly, gear loft, tent poles, stakes, room divider, and a carry bag. It also comes with a one-year warranty.

Is that it? Not even close.

This is a 14 x 10-feet tent with an 86-inch center height which makes it very convenient to walk around the tent rather comfortably. The walls are straight, which makes it spacious. All the doors and windows come with mesh panels for privacy. You will also find a fully-taped rainfly that can be removed when the weather is warm. And even then, you will have a mesh on the ceiling.

Each side of the tent is equipped with adjustable ventilation which keeps the hot air out and lets cool air in. The poles and sleeves of the tent are color-coded which makes setting it up that much easier. And the storage pockets are all strategically placed.

That’s a Wrap

We hope you found our detailed buyer’s guide helpful in figuring out what to look for when purchasing sifting through all of the best tents for a family of three. Our curated list of some of the top three-person tents on the market should make your purchasing decision a lot easier too!

Check out our other gear guides for more of the best tents for couples campingbackyard camping tents, great open fire kettlescamping mugs, and more!

Gear GuidesIllinois Camping Guides

Best Tent for Backyard Camping | 4 Best Tents for 2021

best tent for backyard camping

Finding the best tent for backyard camping keeps your kids safe and dry when venturing out into the great unknown behind the house! Take a look at our list of five tents to find the best tent for your backyard below!

Overview

Finding the best tent for backyard camping requires different needs for different families and friends. Each tent offers a different set of specifications for campers to view and find to meet their camping needs or desires. Below examines the top tents on the market for backyard camping.

Name

Coleman Sundome

Coleman Pop-Up Tent

Gazelle T4 Pop-Up Portable

Moon Lence Tent

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Overview

Best Value Tent

Best Pop-Up

Upgrade Pick

Best Value Traditional Tent

Manufacturer

Coleman

Coleman

Gazelle

Moon Lence

Color(s)

Green or Navy

Green

Orange or Green

Green

Capacities Available

2, 3, & 4 People

4 People

4 People

2 & 4 People

Weight

7.17 - 9.75 lbs

7.1 lbs

30 Lbs

5.95 - 7.50 lbs

Sneak Peek: Best Tent For Backyard Camping

Coleman Sundome

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  • 10 minute setup
  • High Quality Weather-resistant build
  • Lightweight (4 lbs)
  • Lots of room & a high peak (6 ft. high at center)

What to Consider When Finding the Best Tent for Backyard Camping

Material & Stitch Quality

As your backyard fabric shelter, having high-quality materials and strong seams can make or break your fight against the rain. Most tents are made out of polyester or nylon. Nylon is used for lightweight backpacking tents while most family tents will have polyester fabric. Some tents are made out of cotton trading off insulation with poor weather management as they don’t stand up as well in the rain.

We recommend looking into polyester or nylon tents since they are sturdy and keep the elements at bay. Take a look at recent tent reviews to ensure the manufacturer quality is up to par and you won’t wake up in a puddle!

Safety

Camping with kids can be dangerous; A child can trip over a stake not fully in the ground, get their fingers caught in a zipper, trip over a line for the rainfly, and more! It is important to stake down the stakes all the way into the ground and minimize any risks that take place around the tent to ensure a safe camping experience.

Peak Height

Outside of capacity, this could be the most important factor for comfort in your tent design. Higher peak heights that allow you to stand up in the middle can feel like a luxury after trying to change in a short backpacking tent for a few days. Peak height is usually easy to understand from the photos and design of the tent itself but take a look at the product descriptions to make sure it meets your needs!

Seasonality

Many tents are rated as 3-season tents and shouldn’t be relied on for shelter in the winter. 4-season tents have thicker fabrics and fewer air vents to try to keep you warmer camping in the snow. The vast majority of tents marketed towards car campers are 3-season tents. 4-season tents are used for mountaineering and other cold-weather activity camping. We’ll stick to mostly 3-season tents in this guide. Most backyard campers are camping in only 3-seasons and tend to ignore the winter months due to the frigid cold (and the kids aren’t usually as interested around then anyway!)

Capacity

The best tent for backyard camping can see a wide variety of capacity needs from a couple to an entire family. It is important to have the right amount of space but also not overlook ease of setup. Some smaller tents set up much easier than larger tents, but do not offer the same peak height or spaciousness inside the tent. This guide takes a look at 2, 4, and 6 person tents that can be used to accommodate an entire family’s camping needs!

1. Coleman Sundome

Best Tent for Backyard Camping

91UtIcQA4VL. AC SL1500

Coleman has always put out great value products and the Sundome is no different. The Sundome uses a two-pole system for the frame and has mesh walls on two sides of the tent, making this a perfect choice for the summer humidity. Coleman uses thicker fabric than a lot of other value brands that help repel the rain if you get caught in the rain. The Sundome also has a 6-foot peak height to stretch your legs comfortably and stand inside the tent.

Some of the smaller features include two side pockets within the tent for your personal gear and a small pocket intended for running power cords from a generator, car, or electric box into the tent. Bring a power cord and you won’t have to worry about running out of juice for directions on the way home.

All of this combined with the reliability of the Coleman brand makes this the best tent for couples that are looking for a general-purpose car camping tent!

2. Coleman Pop-Up

Best Pop-Up Tent for Backyard Camping

815YuUHaILL. AC SL1500

The Coleman Pop-Up Tent offers camping comfort at a value-based price. This tent is ideal for the campers who do not want to deal with setting a tent up as it only takes 10 seconds for the tent to assemble. Preassembled poles pop up into place.

The pop-up tent offers water and fire-resistant polyester fly that allows for ease of handling poor weather conditions. The floor seams are taped to keep everyone dry while the ground is wet. The Coleman brand also ensures that you will be receiving a quality product backed by a warranty if anything goes wrong as they have been in business for a very long time.

All of this plus the Coleman brand make this pop-up the upgrade pick for best tent for backyard camping!

3. Gazelle Pop-Up Portable

Best Upgraded Pop-Up Tent

A1R%2B9BYvN6L. AC SL1500

The Gazelle Pop-Up Portable Tent is a great tent upgrade from the Coleman pop-up tent for serious campers. The tent sets up in 90 seconds and packs into a small duffle bag.

The materials are 50+ UV rated with resistance to water, wind, and mildew. The rainfly is waterproofed with taped seams. The floor can be removed easily allowing for sand and dirt to be shaken out of the tent for easy cleaning. There are durable zippers and fiberglass poles to create a solid structure to resist stronger winds.

This tent is not for the faint-hearted as it weighs 30 lbs. While it would not make a good backpacking tent, it offers extreme spaciousness with a 78″ peak height making it a must-have for backyard campers.

For an upgrade from the other pop-up tents, be sure to select the Gazelle Pop-Up Portable tent!

4. Moon Lence

Best Value Tent for Backyard Camping

best tent for backyard camping

Moon Lence has put together a great value tent that offers a quality product. The Moon Lence Family Tent offers 100% polyester materials with 1000mm water resistance and excellent UV resistance. This will allow for fairly strong resistance to water leaking inside of the tent. The design is breathable with mesh tent surroundings and D-shaped doors with dual zippers.

Setup is a breeze with this tent as it uses 2 shock cord connecting poles with clips. According to the company, Even one person can set up the tent in less than 15 minutes.

All of this combined allows for a value-based tent that is perfect for families camping in the backyard on the weekend!

Conclusion

There are a lot of tents on the market and you don’t want to be left wet and cold by choosing the wrong one! Check out our other gear guides for more of the best tents for couples camping, great open fire kettles, camping mugs, and more!

Best Tent for Couples Camping in Comfort – Top 6 2021 Couple’s Tents

Best Tents for Couples

Overview – Top Three

The best tent for couples is a tent that fits both of your needs and won’t leave you drenched at the first hint of rain! Find backpacking tents, true ultralight tents, traditional domes, and 4-season tents below in this roundup giving you the best tent for couples with different needs!

Coleman Sundome

Featherstone Backpacking

Naturehike

Cloud-Up

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Best Value

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Overview

Best Value Tent

Best Value Backpacking

Best Beginner Ultralight

Manufacturer

Coleman

Featherstone

Naturehike

Color(s)

Green / Navy

Granite / Orange

8 Different Variants

Capacities Available

2, 3, & 4 People

2 People

2 & 3 People

Weight

7.17 - 9.75 lbs

5 lbs

5.5 - 6.6 lbs

Sneak Peek: Best Tent For Couples

Coleman Sundome

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  • Weighs only 7 pounds
  • Thicker rain repellant fabric and reinforced corners
  • Large mesh windows for air flow
  • Built-in power cord passthrough

What to Consider When Finding the Best Tent for Couples

Material & Stitch Quality

As your mobile fabric shelter, having high-quality materials and strong seams can make or break your fight against the rain. Take a look at recent tent reviews to ensure the manufacturer quality is up to par and you won’t wake up in a puddle!

Peak Height

Outside of capacity, this could be the most important factor for comfort in your tent design. Higher peak heights that allow you to stand up in the middle can feel like a luxury after trying to change in a short backpacking tent for a few days. Peak height is usually easy to understand from the photos and design of the tent itself but take a look at the product descriptions to make sure it meets your needs!

Weight

If you’re car camping, weight may not be a critical factor but for primitive campers and backpackers, every ounce counts. When you’re hauling every bit of supplies out to the site, a pound over a mile or three will really add up! Pay special attention to the backpacking tents below if you’re looking to save on weight.

Seasonality

Many tents are rated as 3-season tents and shouldn’t be relied on for much shelter in the winter. 4-season tents have thicker fabrics and fewer air vents to try to keep you warmer camping in the snow. The vast majority of tents marketed towards car campers are 3-season tents. 4-season tents are used for mountaineering and other cold-weather activity camping. We’ll stick to mostly 3-season tents in this guide.

Considerations When Buying the Best Tent for Couples

Capacity

While many of these tents are listed as two-person capacity, a lot of manufacturers don’t take gear space into realistic considerations. We’d recommend the three or four-person tents to make sure that you have plenty of room to make your tent a home! You’ll definitely want to think about jumping up a size if either of you are tall or uncomfortable in small spaces.

1. Coleman Sundome

Best Value Tent for Couples

Coleman has always put out great value products and the Sundome is no different. The sundome uses a two-pole system for the frame and has mesh walls on two sides of the tent, making this a perfect choice for the summer humidity. Coleman uses thicker fabric than a lot of other value brands that help repel the rain if you get caught in the rain.

Some of the smaller features include two side pockets within the tent for your personal gear and a small pocket intended for running power cords from a generator, car, or electric box into the tent. Bring a power cord and you won’t have to worry about running out of juice for directions on the way home.

All of this combined with the reliability of the Coleman brand makes this the best tent for couples that are looking for a general purpose car camping tent!

2. Featherstone 2 Person Backpacking

Best Value 2-Person Backpacking Tent

The Featherstone backpacking tent is a two-person, three-season tent intended for backpackers. At only five pounds, this is the second lightest tent on this list, but it will run you a lot less than the Naturehike. The Featherstone includes a built-in vestibule on both sides, providing a large amount of storage space for both of you.

Set-up is a breeze with the single-pole frame, so you won’t have to tangle with figuring out which pole is longer than the others at the end of a long hike, drive, or ride. Lastly, and maybe most importantly, the thick fabric making up the bottom of the tent rises well above the normal floor in a ‘bathtub design’ that helps prevent leaks at the seams.

3. Naturehike Cloud-Up

Best Tent For Couples Building an Ultralight Gearset

Clocking in at only 3.75 pounds, the Cloud-Up is the lightest two-person tent on this list. With a full mesh top (and rainfly to cover), this three-season tent can provide strong ventilation and protection from the elements. If you’re looking for a little bit more room than some of the other tents on this list, they offer a three-person option that is still lighter than the Featherstone two-person tent.

The Cloud-Up offers a different type of footprint than many other backpacking tents – with the door and vestibule designed to be closer to your head or feet, you can still move around without waking your partner but the sound of the zipper will likely be a little closer than with the Featherstone.

4. Marmot Limelight

Best Tent for Couples Who Camp in the Cold

The marmot limelight is a 4-season tent that is built to withstand the weather, no matter what time of year you’re looking to camp. Huddle up in the winter using this compact igloo tent that features a unique pole design to provide vertical walls and really make the most of the tent’s footprint.

Weighing in a little over five and a half pounds, the Limelight isn’t the lightest tent on this list if you’re camping in the summer but for cold weather, this is a must-have.

5. Forceatt Camping Tent

Beginner’s Backpacking Tent for Couples

If you’re just starting out and looking for your first backpacking tents for couples, the Forceatt provides a low-cost option to experience backpacking together. With a two and three-person option, this tent is about a pound and a half heavier than the Naturehike Cloud-Up (and half the price!). The benefit of having the heavier weight is that thicker fabric may allow you to stretch the use of this tent later in the season than other, very thin ultralight tents.

The Forceatt Camping Tent includes a sealable vestibule, providing extra storage similar to the Featherstone. All in all, this a good tent for the amount they’re asking for. Similar to the Moon Lence, it is not going to last you more than a few years but you will know how much you’ll use a backpacking tent at that point!

6. MOON LENCE Camping Tent

A Great Value Beginner’s Tent

The Moon Lence Camping Tent is a great tent for beginners finding their first tent. While the two-person model runs a bit small, the four-person offers enough room for two, plus a few bags or your dog! The tent can hold up in good wind when set up properly, and will also provide protection from most storms with a standard tarp (that is not included with the tent).

Given its higher weight, this tent is definitely better for car camping rather than being a tent for couple’s backpacking together. By and large, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a tent of this quality, at this low of a price. For that – I wouldn’t expect it to be your forever tent, but it can definitely get you through your first year!

Conclusion

Ready to put that tent to use? Check out our Illinois State guide for campsites that allow you to explore canyons and waterfalls, find seclusion nearby Chicago, or camp along the Illinois River in Will County.

Still having trouble figuring out which tent would give you the best outdoor experience? Head over to our tent buying tool to easily sift through over one hundred tents on the market today! Our tent purchasing guide infographic can tell you exactly which retailer, tent type, or brand to focus on!

Best Double Burner Camping Stove in 2021

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Single burners don’t cut it when feeding more than one! Avoid accidentally burning dinner on the open fire by using the best double burner camping stove! Tried and tested, these stoves will give you the power to make the same meals in the woods that you would in the home.

Coleman Classic

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Coleman
Triton

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Camp Chef
Explorer

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Camp Chef
Everest

71hOJo6ft0L. AC SL1500

 

Best Value

Upgrade Pick

Highest Heat Output

Portable High Heat Stove

Total Heat Output

20,000 BTU

22,000 BTU

60,000 BTU

40,000 BTU

Power Source

Propane

Propane

Propane

Propane

Weight

11.5 lbs

4.9 lbs

30.5 lbs

12.0 lbs

Sneak Peek: Best Double Burner Camping Stove

Coleman Classic

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  • Great value
  • Reliable heat output except at very low setting
  • Embedded handle in steel frame
  • Decades of proven success with campers

What to Consider when Purchasing a Double Burner Camping Stove

Heat Output

British Thermal Units, or BTU, are the measurement units used to represent the power your burners can produce. Normal home stoves hover between 7,000 and 12,000 BTU while the stoves on this list top out all the way at 60,000; with both burners running, that’s 120,000 units of cooking power! While higher BTU usually indicates more power, that isn’t going to be useful unless the stove is well protected against the wind and able to transfer that heat to your pans (luckily all these stoves come with a windscreen!).

Weight

Since you’ll likely be carting this to and from the car a few times, lower weight will make it easier to pack and use! The double burner camping stoves we have found range from only five pounds (the Coleman Triton) all the way up to a whopping thirty pounds! Lower weight can mean higher quality materials or the stove may just have less features.

Size

These stoves come in a range of sizes, from the small and light Coleman Triton to the large free-standing Camp Chef Explorer! The best double-burner camping stove for you is the one that fits your needs. If you are setting up camp for a long period of time, the Camp Chef likely fits your needs better.

If you are looking for a trusty stove for car camping a few times a year, the Coleman stoves might be more up your alley! You can store them easily and move them in and out of the car as many times as needed without having to take too much apart.

1. Coleman Classic

Best Value Double Burner Camping Stove

coleman classic - best double burner camp stove

The Coleman Classic has truly earned its name. Around for decades, this is the stove that many remember (including myself) when they think back to boy scouts, family camping, or bonfires with friends. With a simple but sturdy design, this is the best double burner camping stove for those first looking to upgrade from the unreliability of the open fire and jump into propane.

The stove has adjustable burners that won’t give you quite as much control as you have at home but will still give you enough heat options for the vast majority of meals. With an expandable windscreen, the stove can accommodate small or large pans!

2. Coleman Triton

Double Burner Camping Stove Upgrade Pick

81I2FRV%2B9nL. AC SL1500

If you’ve already spent some time with the Coleman Classic and like that style of adjustable windscreen, burner control, and fuel hookup – the Coleman Triton is your ticket to the best double burner camping stove built for the 2020’s.

Weighing in at less than half of any other stove on this list, the Triton is a breeze to carry from the car to picnic table. The real difference that makes the Triton worth the price difference is the updated burner and fuel system. The Coleman Classic has a tendancy to blow out when trying to simmer with too much wind – the Triton’s “PerfectFlow” technology, which they spent about five minutes naming, gives significantly more stability in higher wind conditions with low flame. If you like to make meals that require a perfect simmer – the Triton is absolutely worth the upgrade.

DON’T FORGET: The best open fire tea kettle for tea, coffee, and more!

3. Camp Chef Explorer

Double Burner Camping Stove with Highest Heat Output

51DpBw71XqL. AC

Some campers look at the double burner camp stoves by Coleman and scoff at the size. For a full portable stove that you can hook the big tank up to, the Camp Chef Explorer is for you!

This freestanding stove come equipped to connect to a large propane tank and offers a combined 60,000 BTU of power (about 3x the Coleman Classic) to cook literally anything you can fit on it. For the family reunion camping trip or just the group that likes a full diner breakfast on a Sunday morning – the Camp Chef Explorer requires a bit more setup but can be placed on any flat ground and mimics a full stove set-up like at home.

Our chief complaint is you’ll need to splurge extra to get a carrying bag since it doesn’t come with the primary kit. Take a look for more details using the link below!

4. Camp Chef Everest

High Heat Output Upgrade Pick

81W9rjjSt5L. AC SL1500

The Everest contains two burners with a combined power of 40,000 BTU! For higher altitudes, colder climates, or those that really want the instant start – the Camp Chef Everest packs a major punch in a small package! Almost twice the burning power of the Coleman Triton, you’ll never have to worry about getting caught with wet matches or shaky fingers to get the burners started.

In addition to the matchless instant ignitian, the Everest includes all of the standard features you’d expect from one of the best double burner camp stoves like a windscreen, adjustable heat output, and latching cover. Similar to the coleman stoves, you’ll need an adapter to use with the higher capacity propane tanks.

For some real camp stove power – check out the Camp Chef Everest below!

Conclusion

Now that you’ve found your new camping stove – check out our other gear guides to get you going cooking outdoors! Ready to hit the road? Check out the best campgrounds in Illinois, camping near Chicago, or our other county camping guides!

Best Open
Fire Kettles
Best
Camping Kitchen
Best Ultralight Coffeemakers

Best Electric Camping Kettle | 4 Electric Kettles for Hot Water – Fast!

Best Electric Kettle

Heating up water on a brisk morning outdoors can be made as simple as the push of a button when you’re working with the best electric camping kettle! Use your campsite electric box or your car’s cigarette lighter to power these kettles and get that coffee brewing!

Sneak Peak

Best Electric Camping Kettle for Wall Outlet

LOUTYTUO Ultrathin

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  • Five minute boil time
  • Collapsible design takes up very little space
  • Weighs less than two pounds
  • Reliable auto-shutoff safety

Best Electric Camping Kettle for Cigarette Lighter

Qiilu Electric Car Kettle

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  • Largest capacity electric camping kettle
  • Does not require a wall outlet
  • Weighs less than two pounds
  • Reliable auto-shutoff safety
See Current Price!

Overview

LOUTYUTUO Ultrathin

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Qiilu Electric Car
Kettle

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IronRen Portable Electric Kettle

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Fdit Portable Car Electric Kettle

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Best Electric Camping Kettle

Best Cigarette Lighter Camping Kettle

Wall Outlet
Value Pick

Cigarette Lighter Value Pick

Electric Source

Outlet

Cigarette Lighter

Outlet

Cigarette Lighter

Capacity

29 oz / 0.85 L

40 oz / 1.2 L

29 oz / .85 L

34 oz / 1.0 L

Time to Boil

5 Minutes

20-25 Minutes

2-5 Minutes

20-25 Minutes

Weight

0.5 Lbs

4.4 Lbs

0.5 Lbs

6.25 Lbs

What to Consider When Selecting the Best Electric Camping Kettle for You

Electric Source

These kettles are made for car campers! With two major sources of electricity, your major decision is if you’ll always have access to an electric outlet or not! Half of the electric camping kettles on this list use the normal wall outlet style plug, just like what you might find at home to plug in the TV or vacuum.

The other two kettles plug directly into your cigarette lighter! On the one hand, you’ll need to use gas and turn the car on to get the juices flowing but this is far more reliable than reserving an RV pad just so you can make some tea.

Capacity

The last major consideration is the capacity of the kettle. Keeping in mind that one cup of tea may run you 8 – 16 or even over 20 ounces of water (0.5-0.6 L), depending on which type of camping mug you’re using, a family will need significantly more capacity than a couple boiling water using these electric camping kettles.

The portable kettles made for wall outlets on this list hold significantly less than their cigarette lighter counterparts so even though the Ultrathin may only take five minutes to boil, you’ll need almost three pots to reach the same amount of hot water as the Qiilu cigarette lighter kettle.

Time to Boil

With such different power sources and sizes, it’s no surprise that these will take dramatically different timespans to get water near-boiling. The traditional outlet focused models have a low time to boil at 5 minutes or less while trying to boil water from your car engine is likely to take 4 or 5x as long.

While that sounds like a clear dealbreaker – remember the smaller capacities in other portable kettles as well as the reliability of always having your car around. Even at twenty minutes, the best electric camping kettle is the one that doesn’t require making a fire while you’re still groggy from the morning sunrise.

1. LOUTYUTUO Ultrathin

Best Electric Camping Kettle

best electric camping kettle

The aspect that immediately stands out about the best electric camping kettle for plug-in outlets is its small packaging – the ability to collapse down to just 2 inches high gives you much more space than one of the larger more traditional open fire kettles and weighs significantly less! The silicon exterior won’t insulate as well as our second pick for plug-in kettles and likely won’t last nearly as long as a more sturdy stainless steel exterior but we think the size convenience makes up for those drawbacks!

With dual-voltage, you can use this electric camping kettle almost anywhere around the world where you can find an outlet. Get your water boiling today with Loutyutuo’s ultrathin collapsible camping kettle!

2. Qillu Electric Car Kettle

Best Cigarette Lighter Camping Kettle

61ypAbzuI%2BL. AC SL1001

For the van dwellers and car campers among us, the Qillu offers a great source of hot water through just a cigarette lighter! With a five cup capacity, you’ll be able to make coffee or heat up some ramen for the whole crew.

As with all cigarette lighter electric camping kettles, you’ll need around 20min to head up the water but you can use that time to warm your toes up too if you sit with it in your vehicle! With an insulated exterior, your water will stay much hotter inside the thermos of water the kettle produces (especially compared to the silicon kettle above)!

3. IronRen Portable Electric Kettle

Wall Outlet Value Pick

619jngiyMyL. AC SL1500

The IronRen kettle is a wall outlet electric camping kettle that offers similar boil time and capacity as the Loutyutuo Ultrathin housed in an insulated stainless steel interior & exterior. More suited to hold water for a longer time, this kettle has a design and profile than most portable kettles but cannot collapse like the Loutyutuo.

For a great all-around outlet-based travel kettle that offers great insulation camping in the cold, this is the kettle for you!

4. Fdit Portable Car Electric Kettle

Cigarette Lighter Value Pick

71GZb2iYfZL. AC SL1001

This cigarette lighter electric camping kettle is the closest thing you’ll find to the traditional kettle design, but with a more portable power source! A little smaller than Qillu’s car kettle, this will also boil water in about twenty minutes when hooked up to your car. About two pounds heavier than Qillu’s, this electric camping kettle might add some more to your overall loadout but shouldn’t affect too much since you’ll be using it primarily in your car!

With a primarily plastic exterior, this kettle is a great pick if you aren’t ready to splurge on the absolute best electric camping kettle and want to drop a lower dollar amount on your first try!

Conclusion

Hopefully, you’ve found a great way to heat up your water while braving the elements in your car or van! If you want a more rustic experience, check out our favorite open fire kettles! Ready for a cup of backcountry joe? We’ve also found the easiest ways to make great coffee with ultralight gear.

If you’re like me and leave your drink around for twenty minutes before remembering to drink it – check out our opinion on the best insulated vacuum mugs for camping!

5 Sturdy Open Fire Kettles

Open Fire Kettles

One of the best parts of camping is building a fire to cook with. These open fire kettles won’t melt in the high heat of the coals or fire so that you don’t need a stove or other specialized equipment to enjoy your tea, coffee, or water boiled meal!

Sneak Peak: Best Open Fire Kettle

TOP PICK
31mmOmLTU6L. AC

Fire-Maple Antarcti Portable

33.8 Oz Capacity

Secure lid and standing handle for safe handling

< 1 Lbs

View On Amazon View On Backcountry

Overview

Image

Product

Features

Price

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Fire-Maple Antarcti Kettle

Best Open Fire Kettle

  • Wide bottom for fast heating

  • Holds 27 oz / 0.8L

  • Weighs under a pound

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Alocs Camping Kettle

Ultralight Open Fire Kettle

  • Holds 44 oz (1.3L)

  • Weighs  0.5 lbs

  • Temp resistant handle

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GSI Outdoors Tea Kettle

Best Enamel Camping Kettle

  • Holds 81 oz (2.4L)

  • Weighs 4.4 lbs

  • Enamel retains heat well

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Docooler Camping Kettle

Best Value Ultralight Kettle

  • Holds 37 / 54 oz (1.1/1.6L) depending on size

  • Temp resistant handle

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Granite Ware Coffee Boiler

Largest Enamel Open Fire Kettle

  • Holds 100 oz! (3L)

  • Weighs 6.25 lbs

What to Consider When Buying Camping Kettles

Weight

As with any camping gear, the weight is going to be more important the further your planned campsite is. For backpackers, every ounce will make a difference. For primitive campers, you have a little more leeway to choose heavier materials as long as you don’t mind carrying it a quarter mile or more!

The main factor influencing weight is the material the kettle is made of.

Material

There are two types of open fire kettles on this list – Enameled and Aluminum. Enameled kettles have a layer of porcelain on the outside of the kettle to protect it from rust and heat as well as ensure a more even temperature. The downside of enameled camping kettles are their significantly higher weight. The good news is that they will last you for years if well maintained.

The second type are the aluminum camping kettles. These are going to be significantly lighter (up to 92% lighter!) but cannot stand as high of heats. For best results, let the fire die down to hot coals or use a shovel to pull some embers out and place the aluminum kettle atop the coals. Aluminum kettles may also be more prone to rusting if they are left wet or exposed to the elements for long periods of time.

Capacity

The last major consideration is the capacity of the kettle. Keeping in mind that one cup of tea may run you 8 – 16 or even over 20 ounces of water, depending on which type of camping mug you’re using, a family will need significantly more capacity than a couple boiling water using these open fire kettles.

The enameled kettles typically hold more water than the aluminum ones. Unless you’re willing to boil multiple pots or really need to save the weight, enamelware may be the best way to go.

1. Fire-Maple Antarcti Portable

Best Open Fire Kettle

Made of pure stainless steel, the Fire-Mable portable has all the hallmarks of a good camping kettle – easy to clean, weighs under a pound, and is the perfect size for about two cups having a capacity of 0.8L. The kettle’s wide base helps it heat water up quickly (some reviews claim it will boil in a minute and a half) and the handle allows it to be hung right over the fire!

TOP PICK
31mmOmLTU6L. AC

Fire-Maple Antarcti Portable

33.8 Oz Capacity

Secure lid and standing handle for safe handling

< 1 Lbs

View On Amazon View On Backcountry

2. Alocs Camping Kettle

Best Ultralight Open Fire Kettle

With a unique design and weighing in at only half a pound, the Alocs camping kettle is the best open fire kettle around. The 1.3 L capacity is enough for at least two cups of coffee or tea. Boasting a boil time around five minutes, you can go from tent to coffee first thing the fire is started and coals are hot. The kettle ships with a cloth to help protect your hands when pulling this off the coals or opening the lid.

3. GSI Outdoor Tea Kettle

Best Medium Sized Enamel Kettle

For a tough and sturdy enamel kettle that is easy to clean, check out the GSI outdoor tea kettle. With a classic blue speckle design, this kettle can fit in at any campsite. At 4.4 pounds, this kettle would not be suited for backpacking but can add some great style and function to your car camping setup. to top it off, this kettle can boil up to 2.4L of water, almost double the capacity of most ultralight open fire kettles!

4. Docooler Camping Kettle

Best Value Ultralight Open Fire Kettle

Docooler’s camping kettle comes in four sizes, ranging from 0.8 liters through the largest 1.6 liter capacity – giving you a lot of versatility to find a kettle that fits your exact group size and needs! Made of anodized aluminum, this kettle sports an easy to remove top, covered rubber handle, and has one of the lowest prices we’ve seen on open fire kettles.

The short spout and included carrying bag make it easy to attach to the back of your backpack and reduce the amount of space this kettle takes up. Take a look at the image below or click the link to find out more!

5. Granite Ware Coffee Boiler

Largest Enameled Open Fire Kettle

With a whopping three liter capacity, the Granite Ware Coffee Boiler can support the whole family on a single boil! While this extra capacity comes with a significantly higher weight, this kettle is perfect for making high capacities of tea or coffee over the fire or coals. Serve the whole party hot cocoa in this porcelain coated, coffee-colored pot should hold up to high temperatures but be careful with the hot handle when taking it out!

Conclusion

At the end of the day, as long as the water boils and the pot doesn’t fall apart – you can’t go wrong with any kind of adonized aluminum, cast iron, or enameled pot. Let us know if you have any thoughts about our picks above and enjoy making your hot chocolate, tea, coffee, or freeze dried meals with these best open fire kettles!

Tips for Using your New Camping Kettle

How to Use Your Open Fire Camping Kettle

To use these camping kettles on the open fire, you want a hot and steady source of heat to give the kettle the energy it needs to boil water. If you’re using a fire, try to let the fire die down until it has a strong bed of coals to use as the heat source, as opposed to using the kettle on roaring flames.

How to Descale a Camping Kettle

If you start to see a white powdery buildup inside your kettle, boil 1 – 2 cups of white vinegar inside of the kettle, let it cool, and rinse the pot. Give it a good clean (boil clean water inside to be safest) and you’re all set! If you need to, repeat the process for stubborn buildup.

How to Clean a Dirty Camping Kettle

You’ll likely get some soot on the outside of your kettle when you start to use it in the campfire. Most of the time, simple soap and water will be enough to wipe the marks off but for particularly difficult stains, try using oven cleaner on the exterior for extra firepower!

Can you use the Kettle on a Grill?

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Yes! You can use these open fire kettles on top of pretty much any heat source, although be careful with kettles that have any kind of meltable or flammable equipment on the handles since you’ll basically be putting the kettle in a charcoal-fired oven

You Might Also Like…More Open Fire Cooking Gear Guides

Best Vacuum Mug for Camping | Keep your Drinks Hot in 2021!

Vacuum Mug FeatImage

The easiest way to ensure that drinks stay cold or hot when you’re out in the snow, desert, or mountains is to use a great mug! We found the best vacuum mug that will fit your camping needs so that you don’t need to spend your days diving into reviews. Take a look below for the five best vacuum mugs for camping!

Overview

YETI Rambler

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Zojirushi Insulated Mug

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EMSA Germany

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Contigo Handled Autoseal

81zT%2BFVHcRL. AC SL1500

CIVAGO Insulated Mug

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Color

18 Varieties

Black

6 Varieties

4 Varieties

20 Varieties

Weight

13 oz

7.2 oz

3.5 oz

11.5 oz

12 oz

Capacity

14 oz

16 oz

17 oz

16 oz

12 oz

What to Consider to Find the Best Vacuum Mug for Your Camping Plans

Day to Day Use

At the end of the day, the most important factor is going to be what fits your needs the best! If you’re looking for something great for coffee or eating soup, the wider mouthed YETI Rambler might better fit your needs than a tall handled mug like the Zojirushi. The Zojirushi would be far better suited as a dedicated coffee cup for hiking with its lockable lid.

Lid Type

There are two major lid types for the five vacuum mugs on our list:

  • Open Mouth: These mugs – the Rambler & CIVAGO mugs – have open mouths and cannot fully close. These may splash around a little more if on the move but still provide great insulation and easy access. These also have clear lids that help you see exactly what’s going on inside the mug!
  • Lockable: Lockable mugs are helpful in ensuring that there aren’t any leaks if you take your coffee on a hike, but are more difficult to clean than the open mouth mugs

Capacity

If you need a big cup of coffee to start each morning (or my personal favorite: a hike ending cup of tea!) then be sure to take a look at the capacity of each of these mugs. The largest mug on this list is EMSA’s with 17 oz and each of the other two lockable mugs coming in just behind at 16 fl oz. That should give you about two cups of volume to work with!

Weight

As with most of our gear guides – any camper needs to consider the weight of the product before you buy! While these mugs are mostly the same weight, every ounce counts if you are backpacking or planning to take these into primitive backwoods campsites!

1. YETI Rambler

Best Vacuum Mug for Camping

best vacuum mug

Available in eighteen different colors, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a Rambler that you like! We think that YETI makes the best vacuum mug for camping with its high-quality manufacturing and wide-brimmed cup. The YETI Rambler is a great all-around mug that can be used for coffee, stew, chili, margaritas, and more without leaving any kinds of smells behind! It’s even dishwasher safe if you like to give everything one last good clean before packing up to await the next trip.

The Rambler has a double-wall vacuum that keeps contents cold or hot pretty much as long as you’ll need to. The biggest problem I’ve had is getting my tea to a cool fast enough to avoid burning my mouth!

61+ovDWW1qL. AC SL1500
81hbhWPlDPL. AC SL1500
71YyyaoS96L. AC SL1500

Quick Tip: Be sure to take off and clean the rubber ring that lines the top to make sure that nothing begins to build up behind it.

61bnH%2Bbg%2BWL. AC SL1500

Best Vacuum Insulated Mug for Camping

2. Zojirushi Travel Mug

Best Vacuum Mug with a Lockable Top

616 ZK5q99L. AC SL1136

The Zojirushi mug was manufactured as a travel or commuter mug rather than for camping around the open fire but its high-quality lockable top and easy to clean design makes it perfect in more settings than the car or train! Constructed with stainless steel and a vacuum insulated interior, this is the best vacuum mug for hikers and backpackers that want to wake up and hit the trails with something hot (or cold).

71ppYTG ecL. AC SL1500

Forged with thin stainless steel, this mug has a surprisingly low profile with almost the same amount of capacity as the large plastic mugs you’ll find in stores. The top can be unlocked, opened, and re-locked with one hand, allowing for easy access from backpacks or while hiking. The one downside is it lacks a clear space to hook a carabiner or other kind of secure fastening.

61vEDZojh2L. AC SL1041

Best Lockable Vacuum Insulated Mug

3. EMSA Germany Mug

Lightest Vacuum Mug

51pLFq91etL. AC SL1000

EMSA’s Travel Mug is the largest and lightest model on this list. With a unique push to lock design, the EMSA mug keeps liquids locked inside and has a silicon collar that is nicer on the hands during cold mornings. This mug will not leak, no matter where you throw it in your backpack.

81Jrn25pE5L. AC SL1500

The one downside of using this as a camping mug is the locking mechanism requires a hard surface or second hand to be pushed on making it harder to use on the trail with one hand. Since it has a more traditional shape, this mug is the best vacuum mug for car or lawn chair cup holders if you are the wake and hang type or need to jump right into the car.

51tnkzyyWTL. AC SL1000

Uniquely Designed Lockable Mug

4. Contigo Handled AUTOSEAL

Best Vacuum Mug with a Handle

If you really want a handle for it to be your best vacuum mug for camping – the Contigo AUTOSEAL should fit all of your needs! With a low weight, high capacity, and firm gripped handle, this travel mug is easy to unlock and use with just one hand. Take a look at the five color options using the link below!

81bDs62YBcL. AC SL1500

Best Vacuum Mug with a Handle

5. CIVAGO Stainless Steel Mug

Best Value Vacuum Insulated Mug for Camping

71xViV6 MgL. AC SL1200

The CIVAGO stainless steel mug was clearly inspired by the YETI Rambler and seems to hold up fairly well with a more value-focused price. The insulation works well and they offer unique designs not available at most other manufacturers.

CIVAGO’s lid has a diameter about half an inch smaller than the YETI Rambler however it should still be wide enough to use as an open bowl – if slightly less comfortable. If you aren’t sold on the idea of a vacuum insulated camping mug – this is the perfect option to see if you want to upgrade to a higher quality version a year or two down the line!

6181VpzbgtL. AC SL1200

Best Value Vacuum Mug

Related Gear Guides

Now that you have the perfect mug – check out our guides for great camping kitchens, triple burner stoves, and coffeemakers!

Camping KitchensOpen Fire Kettles
Triple Burner Camp StovesUltralight Coffee Makers