Where did the year go? It’s hard to believe that the holidays are right around the corner. As a full-time traveling RV family, we’ve curated list of our absolute favorite, personally-tested gear for camping, backpacking and RV life!
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RV, Camping & Backpacking Gear Gift Ideas
Jetboil Genesis 2-Burner Stove
We’ve used a single-burner stove ever since we got on the road, but it’s about time for an upgrade — so we got the Jetboil Genesis 2-Burner Stove. What’s awesome about this stove is that it’s more compact than what we previously had, and obviously doubles the capacity for camp meals. It’s compatible with standard propane bottles, has an advanced simmer control, an attachable windscreen and a carry bag included. If your outdoor lover needs something smaller, consider the Jetboil MiniMo Stove.
POP-Up Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard
OK — so I know this is a pretty penny — but consider this an annual gift for your special someone (or for yourself). You know, Happy Birthday-Easter-Anniversary-Christmas. ? We’re obsessed with paddleboarding, and so we partnered with OutdoorMaster on testing their inflatable stand-up paddleboard. The Ace iSUP board is 10’ long, only 23lbs and provides 32” of deck width for ultimate stability and balance while standing. We can easily fit Steven and one of our boys on it during our Baja travels. We loved our paddleboard so much that we’ve opted for a second one — the Synergy Yoga iSUP, which is also lightweight and great for yogis!
Eagles Nest Outfitters SingleNest Hammock
Every outdoor adventurer needs a hammock, especially after a long day of hiking and exploring! While there are a number of hammock options out there, we like the Eagles Nest Outfitters SingleNest Hammock because it’s light enough for backpacking and packs down to the size of a softball into its integrated sack. It’s also easy to hang and incredibly durable. And it comes in 15 different and fun colors!
RTIC Backpack Cooler
Looking for the perfect cooler for your next trip to the lake or beach, or your next fishing trip? This RTIC Backpack Cooler is exactly what every outdoor family needs. It has enough room to pack a picnic lunch for everyone, including cold drinks. This backpack is super comfortable due to its extra padded straps, and I love that the front pocket doubles as a pop-out drink holder. Be sure to pick up some reusable ice packs too, as it’s not recommended to dump ice into the backpack directly.
Husqvarna 13″ Wooden Hatchet
Let’s face it — every camper needs a hatchet to build the ultimate campfire. Steven has been using the Husqvarna 13″ Wooden Hatchet since I can remember (3-4 years?)! He likes this one because it’s relatively small and light, and comes with a protective leather edge cover. Steven uses this to cut branches and chop wood into smaller pieces/kindling, which is nearly every day on the road. Complete your gift with this blade sharpener!
Stoic Madrone 4 Tent: 4-person 3-season
While we’ve been van camping the past year, we’re no strangers to tent camping. In fact, we’re considering doing a bit more of it in 2021! We’re eyeing the Stoic Madrone 4 Tent: 4-person 3-season for good reason — it’s an incredibly well-made tent without the high price. It’s also spacious and easy to set up. It’s designed as a car camping/weekend tent, but could easily be split between Steven and I’s packs for an overnight backpacking trip.
Stoic Groundwork Double Sleeping Bag: 20 Degree Synthetic
A sleeping bag can literally make or break your camping trip. That’s why we’re recommending the Stoic Groundwork Double Sleeping Bag: 20 Degree Synthetic. This double-wide sleeping bag is made for adventures with your significant other or for siblings. It can also unzip into individual sleeping bags, making it dual purpose if you want to use something smaller. This sleeping bag has a water-repellent finish that helps shed light dirt and water.
Cliq Camping Chair
We recently got the opportunity to test out the Cliq Camping Chair, and we’re seriously impressed with the design and comfort of this campsite staple. It’s super compact when folded, and ridiculously easy to set up (seriously, it only takes 5 seconds). The chair is super stable with durable legs and a comfortable seat. While it’s a bit too heavy to take on a backpacking trip, it’s totally ideal for camping, beach/lake days, BBQs or just lounging around the backyard.
Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp
Every camper, hiker and backpacker needs a Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp. Steven picked these up for his big backpacking trip a few years ago, and liked them so much that he grabbed me the same one. We use this headlamp to set up camp after dark, make cocktails and trek to the bathroom. It’s waterproof and offers multiple light settings — including red, blue and green for nighttime, which the boys think is so cool!
YETI Rambler Lowball 10oz
There are items that we use every single day — sometimes twice a day. The YETI Rambler Lowball 10oz falls into this category. The cup keeps our coffee piping hot in the morning, and our cocktails ice cold in the evening. Each of us have our own cup in different colors to distinguish whose is whose. This is a MUST-HAVE item for any camping family! If it drives you nuts that it doesn’t fit in your vehicle’s console, add expanding cup holder this to your cart.
Portable Fire Pit
No camping trip is complete without a campfire! But with all of the wildfire bans happening the past few years, it’s better to opt for the safer route and go with a propane-fueled fire pit like the options here. No need to chop firewood, no mess and no gross campfire smell permeating your hair and clothes!
Luci Lights by MPowerd Solar String Lights
No outdoor evening is complete without some twinkle lights! I discovered the Luci Lights by MPowerd Solar String Lights on Backcountry.com and immediately added it to my Christmas list. When we set up camp, I love having twinkle lights hung up to elevate the vibe. These solar-powered lights have warm white LED bulbs that add ambient light to any situation. Bonus: It has a USB port can be used to recharge, power lights, or charge your phone!
Happy Holidays from Our Outdoor-Loving Family to Yours!
While the holiday season is about much more than gift-giving, I hope this helps make your holiday shopping a little bit easier this year. Don’t forget to check out our guide on the Best Hiking Gear for Families and Gift Ideas for Travel-Loving Kids for even more ideas!
