10 Camping Gear Essentials That Are Easy to Pack

Folding campsite chairs are easy to find, but a comfortable reclining version is a bit of a unicorn. Those with a collapsible lightweight frame and a carrying bag, like WolfWise's Ultralight Folding Camping Chair, will be useful beyond camping—keep it in the car for concerts, picnics, and the beach. WolfWise's version only weighs about two pounds, and it's perfect for kicking back after a quick set up.

Price and Where to Buy: From $33 on Amazon

Skip clunky lanterns in favor of portable battery-powered campsite lamps—they're just as bright and easier to use than assembly-required lanterns. Small-yet-bright plastic versions like the Black Diamond Moji Lantern are kid-friendly and easy to toss in cup holders and on campsite tables—or to clip onto tents, branches, and backpacks.

The Moji Lantern has a collapsible clip attached to its three-ounce frame and lasts up to 70 hours on its lowest light setting (or 13 hours on its brightest) and requires just three AAA batteries. It's also water-resistant, and because light is a camping necessity, this lamp option is perhaps the best portable piece of camping gear.

Price and Where to Buy: From $26 on Amazon

Fast-pitch tents with pre-attached poles make it harder to lose those crucial assembly pieces—a mistake that could one day render your pricey camping gear useless. Invest in a larger tent with convenient attachments, since it won't cost much more than a standard two-person tent—and you'll be grateful for the extra space. Coleman's Steel Creek 6-Person Fast-Pitch Dome has an included screen room big enough for two small chairs, just in case the bugs start driving you crazy. It also includes an adjustable rain cover, so you'll have one less purchase to make.

Price and Where to Buy: From $117 on Amazon

Whether or not the campsite has electricity nearby, you'll need a back-up electronics charger with plenty of power behind it. A campsite-friendly version, ZeroLemon's ToughJuice External Battery can charge an iPhone 7 up to 11 times, and most other phones up to seven times; it has an anti-shock exterior and 12-month warranty, making it a camping gear essential worth stashing in the glove compartment.

Price and Where to Buy: From $70 on Amazon

Even if, like me, you prefer "camping lite"—what I call campsites that have running water and bathrooms—it's not a bad idea to have an emergency water filter handy in case you get lost or something goes awry. Water is a basic necessity, and what's available to you in the wilderness might not be drinkable. Water-filtering bottle attachments like LifeStraw remove 99.9 percent of waterborne bacteria and parasites, making dehydration and sickness much less likely if you stray completely from plumbing and electricity, on purpose or otherwise. LifeStraw is a practical water bottled-attached filter for all types of hikers and campers, and comes with a packable mini survival-tool kit.

Price and Where to Buy: From $48 on Amazon

Packable sleeping bags are another wise camping gear accessory to keep in your car—you might be surprised how tiny they can pack down for storage. Sea to Summit's Traveller TR1 sleeping bag compresses into a 1.5-liter pack and is filled with ultra-dry down—making it a wise alternative to bringing along your giant bed comforter.

Price and Where to Buy: From $199 on Amazon

Forget lugging what's usually the heaviest piece of camping gear: a plastic cooler on wheels. Instead, try a lightweight collapsible version in a size that suits your needs. Kelty's Folding Cooler comes in three sizes and can compress down when it's empty, for storage or to be used as a flat cup-holder tray. You can choose from 17-, 27-, or 55-liter versions, all made with rip-stop fabric and foam insulation.

Price and Where to Buy: From $40 on Amazon

Depending on the type of camper you are, you might want a reliable speaker for when you get tired of listening to the sounds of the wilderness. Yatra's Aquatune 5712 Bluetooth Speaker is lightweight and can provide 12 hours of battery-powered music. It's shockproof and can be immersed in water for up to 30 minutes, so you won't have to worry about it succumbing to the elements. The best part is the price point: This speaker won't cost you more money than most other high-performance Bluetooth speakers despite the fact that it's as durable enough to be considered essentialcamping gear.

Price and Where to Buy: From $40 on Amazon

Some people need more support than just a down sleeping bag when it comes to slumbering on the ground. Foam sleeping pads are much more reliable than an air mattress, and TNH's Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad expands when you unroll it, providing more comfort than a standard sleeping pad. Put 1.5 inches of foam between you and the hard earth and don't worry about deflation as you would with an air-inflated pad. When you're done, roll it up tight to pack it into its stuff sack.

Price and Where to Buy: From $45 on Amazon

Campsite cooking is much easier when you have a reliable prep surface, and roll-top tables pack smaller than any folding table. REI's Co-op Camp Roll Table comes apart into near-flat pieces when it's not in use, so you can leave it stowed in the car between trips. Aluminum legs and a spacious rolling tabletop make this roll-top table lightweight and durable so it'll last. Its tabletop is five square feet when it's open—enough space for all your plates, pots, and pans.

Price and Where to Buy: From $65 on REI's website