Are you and your family preparing for some outdoor travel soon? Whether you’re preparing to camp near a lake, or hike up mountains, there are some outdoor travel gear that you might want to grab before going on your trip.
The outdoors can be an unforgiving place, and no one can truly plan for the best outcome, that’s why it’s important to make sure you’re prepared for anything.
Whether you want to make sure you can protect your family from the elements or ensure that no matter what you all have a great time, these are some essential travel gear that you need if you’re traveling outdoors.
RELATED: Household Gadgets That Make Life Easier
Different Kinds of Outdoor Travel
What does outdoor travel really mean? If you’re wanting to get travel gear but are not sure what to get, it’s best to identify what really means as outdoor travel. This isn’t just traveling in your car outside of the house or flying on a plane out of state. Outdoor travel truly means traversing through the outdoors. But what kinds are there?
There are several different kinds, but the most common include camping, kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, rock climbing, and even safari adventures. This can also be as simple as cycling, which can be as extreme as mountain biking. For the snow lovers, this can include skiing or snowboarding. Or maybe get a Western vibe going with horseback riding.
This could also vary from a day trip to a whole weekend plan. Whatever the case may be, the best way to prepare and know what to bring is dependent on what exactly you’re planning on doing.
How to Prepare
Outdoor traveling can be tricky, especially due to so many variables that could cause the trip to go wrong. But thankfully, you are able to prepare in case some things do end up happening.
For instance, if you’re planning on camping around a campground, there are several amenities that the campground might offer that you don’t need to worry about like a bathroom, picnic tables, water spigots, and even firepits. If you’re going off that doesn’t have these amenities, you’ll need to think a bit about what else to bring to help.
You should also think about who else is coming along with you, because that can also determine what else you might want to bring or not. If you have kids or babies, then obviously you’ll need to prepare a lot more than usual. Even just bringing along you pup will have you packing some more. For instance, a dog bed or a waterproof sheet to put on the ground can help your pup say dry, which will prevent any extra stress for you down the road.
And of course, if you’re dealing with anything that involves water, there are so many more ways to prepare. You’re more likely to get wet, and maybe even soaked, so bringing something that will help you dry off and stay warm is ideal. Therefore, knowing what you’re doing can help you plan better for your trip.
Best Outdoor Travel Gear
10. Nalgene Sustain Water Bottle, $16.99
Nalgene is one of the best water bottle brands out there. Forget Yeti, Stanely and Hydroflask. For a simple, impact resistant, leakproof and durable water bottle, Nalgene is the way to go.
On their website that have several different varieties and add-ons, like this water filter that uses CoreXchange technology that helps remove up to 99.99% of tap & outdoor water contaminants such as chlorine, lead, microplastics, PFAS and more.
One of their bestselling is the 32 oz, wide mouth bottle with 4.8 out of five stars and 15,500 reviews. The product is made out of 50% certified recycled content to help offset the use of fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions, making your purchase beneficial for not only yourself, but the world you want to travel across.
9. Wise Owl Hammock, $29.95
Hammocks are an essential part to any outdoor travel experience. Whether you’re camping, hiking, kayaking, or whatever. You’re going to take a break, and you’re going to want to rest.
One of the best options is a hammock, whether that’s to sleep through the night under the stars, or just to put up your feet for a second. The Wise Owl Hammock is one of the best options that you could find. With 4.8 out of five stars and over 48,000 reviews, this is a great option.
It comes with various different colors with two different sizes, from a single medium size that fits one person up to 400 pounds, or a large, double use that fits 2 people and up to 500 pounds. It has 210-threat rip-resistant Nylon with an adjustable height and a quick and easy set up time.
CHECK OUT: Best Portable Wireless Speakers
8. Blavor Power Bank, $28.99
Portable chargers are arguably one of the most important things to bring when you and your family are traveling outdoors these days. Not only does it provide a bit of entertainment, but it can also keep us safe, especially if we’re traveling to more dangerous areas.
If you’re hiking with the family and want to make sure everyone can stay in contact, you’ll want these bad boys. And the best reviewed portable charger, or power bank, is the Blavor Solar Charger Power Bank with a 4.3 out of 5 star rating with 42,300 reviews.
It provides a 2023 USB-C Input and Output as well as a wireless charging area. It’s waterproof, shockproof and dustproof. It even comes with a dual bright LED flashlight that can last up to 100 hours fully charged, reaching 164 feet. If you need more travel gear and love the outdoors, this is the power bank for you.
7. Portable Bushcraft Stainless BBQ Cooking Grill, $18.85.
One of the biggest reasons I camp is because of the food. There’s nothing better than wrapping potatoes and beef in tinfoil with butter and salt and placing it on the open fire for a while. And don’t get me started on Smores.
For those like me that enjoy a great meal but want something a bit sturdier than just hotdogs on sticks over a flame, you can back up a portable folding grill.
There are several portable grills that you can take that a bit pricier for those that want to whip up an amazing meal for your family, but for those that want to travel lighter and want a more real experience of camping, these portable, folding grills are the way to go. Plus, you can fold and back them for easy travel if you’re planning on hiking or kayaking to your spot for the night.
6. Venture Pal Ultralight Backpack, $25.99
When hiking, you really don’t want to be lugging around something exultantly heavy. Being able to bring the essentials in a small, lightweight pack is ideal.
Thankfully, the Venture Pal is made specifically for that. It comes in various colors and has a chest strap with a buckle, stress points that are reinforced with bar-tacks, adjustable straps, and double-layer bottom for extra protection as you move through your environment. When unpacked, you’re able to pack it from a 20-inch x 7.8-inch bag to a 7.9-inch x 8.9-inch pouch.
The material is made with water and tear resistant Nylon material and even has a padded, sturdy shoulder strap so it’s not only comfortable, but is made to hold anything you put in. The product has a rating of 4.6 stars out of five on Amazon with over 16,400 reviews,
5. Amazon Tarp, $23.66
Growing up, my family didn’t bring tarps when we camped. We pitched the tent and then went on our way to enjoy the campgrounds. However, as I’ve gotten older, I realized the benefits of tarps. Laying them on the ground under the tents provide a bit more cushion between the hard sticks and damp floor and our sleeping bag.
It can also be laid over out tent for more insulation if the night is a big colder than expected. If you’re planning on camping, it might be worth investing in a tarp just in case. This can also help if you have a rainy night and don’t want to stress about leaks. You and your family will surely thank you for some added warmth and protection for the elements.
4. GearLight LED Headlamp, $19.99
Lighting is another very important addition to any outdoor travel gear list. However, there are several different kinds that you might be interested in. Personally, I really enjoy headlamps. The bands that have a bright LED light that you place on your head to light your bath at night to use the restroom or find the marshmallows for smores is truly a great purchase. However, some might want to just buy a few lamps.
Either way, I’ll add the stationary lamp here and the headlamps below. If you have kids, this is also a saving grace, because they will definitely be asking for help to see as you move around any area, whether you’re camping, or maybe hiking in the evening.
RELATED: Best Kids Telescopes to Drive a Love of Science
3. Wacaco Minipresso, $54.90
While this isn’t really for the family per say, this is still a must item for the parents and adults out there. If you’re outdoor traveling with your kids and need a quick pick-me-up before the day starts in utter chaos, you need a portable espresso machine.
A shot or two in the morning not only wakes you up faster, warms you up, but really makes you feel like you can bring some of that beloved luxury from home with you as you go. Just because you’re in the outdoors does not mean you have to drink watered down coffee. Don’t forget, you need to enjoy your time as you travel around. For those wanting to bring their drinks with them, check out this amazing minipresso with 4.4 stars out of 4 and over 4,600 reviews.
2. Ocoopa Hand Warmers, $19.59
Spending any lengthy period outside can be a lot of work. And if you’re a fan of the water, that could also mean that you’re going to get cold. But maybe you just don’t go out much until it’s a bit chillier outside. I know I don’t, but that’s mostly because I can’t stand the summer.
That being said, having something to keep you warm is crucial. Whether you have wet clothes and need to get warm and dry, or you’re spending your day hiking up a mountain that’s a bit chillier, these amazing hand warmers are the way to go. With 4.6 stars out of 5 and over 28,900 reviews, these are the best options within the category to ensure you stay warm and safe.
1. Ladder Toss Portable Game, $32.99
It can be hard to spend any extended period time outdoors, especially with kiddos. You might enjoy hiking, but your family might not want to. Or you might want to spend the weekend camping, but your family could loathe it. So how do you encourage them to stay outside a bit more? Games!
It would be wrong of us to write a list on outdoor travel gear for the family without including outdoor games. For the families that need to get out more but don’t want to leave behind the fun and excitement, try picking up some outdoor games.
Some games that are perfect for kiddos include Ladder Toss and Cornhole. Both of which can be portable and compact. Personally, I love cornhole, but ladder toss might more of a favorite for kids. I’ll include cornhole here, and the ladder toss below.
Conclusion
Whether you’re traversing across the mountains, or just pitching a tent in a campground, there are several various ways to travel outdoors. The main thing is to stay prepared with your family and find the best travel gear.
And whether you’re looking for budget friendly items, or ready to spend a bit more for some luxury, these are the best outdoor travel gear that can make your life that much easier with family.
