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The best cheap camping gear deals for summer 2020

Now is a great time to score some deals on camping essentials in preparation for the warmer weather. Before you head into the great outdoors, be sure to check out these deals on affordable camping gear that can make life away from civilization a little more comfortable. We’ve rounded up more than a dozen of the top deals available right now on a wide variety of equipment, from waterproof and windproof gadgets to cooking and survival tools and all of the hiking gear in between.

If you’re looking for cheap camping gear and accessories for your camping trip, but don’t want to go to a store, you’ve come to the right place.

At A Glance:

  • Coleman Sundome tent –  $47 – $142
  • Reebow Tactical First Aid Kit – $19
  • Mountaintop 40-liter hiking backpack — $40
  • Honest Outfitters Camping Hammock — $30
  • Brunton TruArc 3 baseplate compass — $15
  • Estbit ultralight folding pocket stove — $13
  • Therm-a-Rest compressible pillow — $20
  • Bahco Laplander folding saw –$27
  • Rome Industries Pie Iron — $14
  • RavPower foldable 16-watt solar charger — $48
  • Maglite XL50 LED flashlight — $31
  • Lightning Ever LED headlamp – $7
  • VicTsing waterproof Bluetooth speaker — $18
  • Minipresso espresso maker — $48
  • Life Gear stainless steel carabiner mug – $8
  • SlimK LED light bulbs, 2-pack — $9
  • Limitless Equipment Mark 1 Survival Kit — $22
  • Sawyer mini water filtration system — $22
  • Mpow waterproof phone pouch, 2-pack — $8

Coleman Sundome tent – $47 – $142

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Tents are an absolute camping staple, it is after all what serves as our shelter in the great outdoors. Nowadays, they come in all shapes and sizes but those looking to get a bang for their buck won’t be disappointed with what the Coleman Sundome Tent has to offer. It is available in two, three, four, and six-person variants and guarantees an easy setup that won’t take you longer than ten minutes to build. It also boasts a spacious interior as the smallest size can fit one queen-sized air mattress.

You’ll surely be able to sleep comfortably through the night in Coleman’s Sundome Tent. It is weatherproof with inverted seams and welded corners, plus a rainfly to prevent water from coming in. You won’t be waking up in a pool of sweat either with large windows and ground vent to maximize airflow. Rest assured, the tent’s polyester taffeta 75 denier flysheet and strong frame can withstand winds and rains up to 35 mph. You can also keep small essentials organized in the sewn-in storage pockets as well as stay connected through its E-port.

Reebow Tactical first aid kit – $19

camping gear deals - first aid kit
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As fun as camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities can be, the unfortunate reality is that Mother Nature is a harsh mistress and accidents do happen. It therefore behooves any modern rough-and-tumble adventurer to pack a good first aid kit for those bumps and scrapes that are bound to occur when you’re far away from civilization.

The Reebow Tactical kit includes 115 first aid items from an Food and Drug Administration-registered medical manufacturer. Everything you need, from bandages to antiseptic wipes, is packed in a handy nylon zipper case, with the whole thing weighing in at just a pound.

Mountaintop 40-liter hiking backpack — $40

camping gear deals - Mountaintop hiking backpack
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If you’re trekking to your campsite on foot or going on an extended backpacking excursion, you need a way to comfortably carry your kit. A good hiking backpack like this 40-liter example from Mountaintop is a great choice that, unlike many packs, is not too bulky, yet it provides more than enough interior and exterior real estate for all your gear.

External straps offer plenty of extra space for blankets, sleeping bags, tent poles, or any other bulky items you need. You’ve got a variety of great colors to choose from with the Mountaintop hiking pack.

Honest Outfitters Camping Hammock — $30

cheap camping gear deals -- hammock
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If you’d rather ditch the tent and sleep under the stars, or if you just want a nice place at your campsite to sit back and relax with a book, then a portable hammock is an indispensable piece of kit that’s light and easy to carry. The nylon material of the Honest Outfitters camping hammock is thin yet durable, cutting down on bulk and letting you easily roll the whole thing up into a small package for tucking into your rucksack.

Despite its lightweight and low profile, however, the double-layered nylon material can comfortably support up to 400 pounds. Thick straps and steel carabiners provide sturdy attachment points, and the storage bag is attached right to the hammock once you’re ready to pack it up.

Brunton TruArc 3 baseplate compass — $15

camping gear deals - Brunton truArc 3 compass
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Another mandatory camping tool and one of the 10 essentials is a good compass (and no, your smartphone’s GPS doesn’t count). The super-affordable Brunton TruArc 3 is loaded with all the tools you need to gain your bearings and help you plot a precise course using a topographical map.

The TruArc 3 features a rotating azimuth ring, a declination adjustment that lets you correct for the difference between true and magnetic north, imperial and metric base plate measurements, and a global needle – meaning this compass is good to go in both hemispheres.

Estbit ultralight folding pocket stove — $13

cheap camping gear roundup
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There are a lot of clunky, multipiece portable camping stoves on the market, but leave it to Estbit to come up with something much simpler. The pocket-sized Estbit ultralight foldable stove is perfect for hiking and backpacking, and it’s a great alternative to those larger gas canister stoves that can weigh you down on the trail.

This tiny piece of cookware uses small fuel tablets to heat your food or drink. Simply unfold the stove, fire up a tablet, place your food or drink container on top, and your little camp kitchen is ready to rock.

Therm-a-Rest compressible pillow — $20

cheap camping gear roundup
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When it comes to sleeping at your campsite, you’ve probably either brought a full-sized pillow from home or some weird little travel pillow that wasn’t particularly comfortable, or you simply roughed it and went without. No more: The American-made Therm-a-Rest compressible pillow gives you the comfort of normal bedding in a handy size that packs down to fit in your bag, in your tent, and on any bed.

The soft polyester shell contains expanding foam pellets that let the pillow provide comfort and support while you sleep, yet compresses for easy storage when you’re ready to break camp. It’s great for camping, as well as long flights and car rides.

Bahco Laplander folding saw –$27cheap camping gear roundup

For the serious adventurers and survivalists out there, a good folding saw is a must-have piece of camping equipment for gathering and processing firewood — especially in colder weather. Sweden is known for making some excellent bushcraft knives, but it’s also home to some great toolmakers like Bahco.

The Bahco Laplander foldable saw boasts a seven-inch blade, so it’s a compact piece of backpacking kit, but its seven teeth per inch ensure that it easily gets through small- to medium-sized branches.

Rome Industries Pie Iron — $14

cheap camping gear - Rome pie iron
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There’s nothing better than being under the night sky and cooking a meal over a warm fire. However, we often find ourselves stuck roasting hot dogs, marshmallows, or some other easily skewered food. With the Rome Industries pie iron, you can expand your campfire menu to include toasted sandwiches, small pies, and many breakfast favorites.

Made from solid cast iron, this delightful bit of cooking tech will last for years. So if you love kicking back by the fireside and crafting a quick and delicious meal, pick up a Rome Industries pie iron and get cooking.

RavPower foldable 16-watt solar charger — $48

Camping gear deals roundup
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What’s more ideal for the outdoors than a portable charger? A solar-powered one like this top-rated charger from RavPower. Unlike power banks that need to be plugged in to recharge after a few uses, RavPower’s portable charger features large solar panels for powering up your devices using energy from the sun, making it a great solution for times when you’re far away from traditional power sources.

Two USB ports let you juice up two devices simultaneously, and the charger folds up for easy storage in a bag or large pocket. The RavPower solar charger also has a handy pouch for tucking away the USB connectors or your connected device to keep it out of the way (and out of the sun).

Maglite XL50 LED flashlight — $31

Camping gadgets roundup
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A good light source is indispensable in the field, and Maglite flashlights are tough to beat when it comes to value. You probably know Maglite for its bulky C- and D-cell flashlights, but in recent years the company has released a number of smaller LED models like the excellent XL50. The compact XL50 delivers an extra-bright output of up to 200 lumens, with a beam projection distance of more than 700 feet.

Three different light settings include both high- and low-power beams, as well as strobe signal mode. The unit runs on standard AAA batteries and can last for as long as 25 hours on low power. Like all Maglites, the XL50 is manufactured in the U.S.

Lightning Ever LED headlamp – $7

camping gear deals - LED headlamp
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A traditional flashlight is great to have in your pack, but a headlamp like this one from Lightning Ever is also a necessity if you’re regularly doing things at night. This keeps your hands free while providing good low-light visibility for tasks like land navigation, tent setup, or even just relaxing with a book after the sun has set without disturbing others.

The Lightning Ever headlamp features 18 bright, energy-efficient LED lights. Three different settings let you use two, 10, or all 18 of the bulbs depending on how much light you need. The headlamp runs on standard AAA batteries (included) and is totally splash-proof.

VicTsing waterproof Bluetooth speaker — $18

cheap camping gear roundup
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Bluetooth speakers let you wirelessly stream tunes from your mobile device so you can take your party on the road. Most models aren’t built for rough conditions in the outdoors, so if you don’t want to risk bringing a normal Bluetooth speaker camping, you should consider a waterproof model like this one from VicTsing. This Bluetooth speaker boasts a rating of IPX4, meaning that it is fully protected against dust and water splashes from any direction.

Along with being waterproof, the speaker’s tough rubberized housing is impact-resistant, so it’s safe for use in virtually any outdoor environment or tent. The small unit also features a built-in mic for hands-free calling when synced with a smartphone, and its carabiner makes it the perfect backpacking accessory.

Minipresso espresso maker — $48

Camping gadgets roundup
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Nobody wants to give up their coffee when camping, and there’s nothing like having a hot cup of joe on those crisp mornings at the campsite. Making coffee can be a hassle in the field, but it doesn’t have to be thanks to the aptly named Minipresso. The Minipresso easily fits in your bag and can whip up a cup of espresso in minutes.

Like a regular espresso maker, the Minipresso uses pressure to squeeze hot water past finely ground coffee to create a thick, foamy cup of coffee. This is done by manually depressing the piston plunger – no batteries required. While this obviously won’t create the same amount of pressure as a professional-grade machine, it’s more than sufficient while camping, and is even more impressive considering its size.

Life Gear stainless steel carabiner mug – $8

camping gear deals - steel carabiner mug
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With a good stainless steel mug, you no longer have to be without your favorite drinking cup while you’re in the wilderness – nor do you have to worry about packing a ceramic mug that is likely to break. The sturdy Life Gear mug is just the ticket for enjoying cold and hot drinks on your next camping trip, thanks to its 10-ounce capacity and lightweight, durable, and easy-to-clean metal construction.

The Life Gear mug also features a carabiner handle, allowing you to clip it right onto your gear so that it’s there when you need it and you don’t have to waste precious storage space inside your pack. If you’re looking to add some decent camping gear to your pack, this mug is a great addition

SlimK LED light bulbs, 2-pack — $9

Camping gadgets roundup
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Ditch your big, bulky lamps in favor of these cool SlimK LED light bulbs, which give new meaning to the term “portable lantern.” Roughly the size of a standard light bulb, the SlimK lights run on AAA batteries and feature a simple on/off switch. Energy-efficient LED bulbs save power while putting out more light (and staying much cooler) than traditional incandescent bulbs. Convenient built-in hooks make it simple to hang them up in your camping tent or around the campsite. At this price, you may as well buy a few two-packs to have enough lighting for the whole crew.

Limitless Equipment Mark 1 Survival Kit — $22

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Camping can be an enjoyably cheap outdoor activity for as long as you’ve packed everything you need. That said, it is wise to have a handy survival kit ready for good measure. The Limitless Equipment Mark 1 Survival Kit includes 40 essential items that could help you live through any imaginable emergency. The best part about it is that you can easily find a place for it in your pocket.

Whether you’re out camping, fishing, hunting, or hiking, you can consider this kit as the ultimate safety backup. You sure can cook, dig, sew, and dress wounds as much as you can make yourself a fire or make use of the lightsticks. And the mini compass will certainly point you towards the right direction.

Sawyer mini water filtration system — $22

cheap camping gear roundup
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Many portable filters, while fairly compact, are still too clunky to lug around when you’re on the move. And chemical-based water purification additives can impart an unpleasant taste to your water — not to mention they are a finite resource and do nothing to filter particulate matter from your drink. Enter the Sawyer mini filter, a lightweight and compact personal filtration system that can enables you to drink clean water from virtually any source.

The Sawyer filter functions much like the popular LifeStraw, removing more than 99.9 percent of waterborne bacteria and protozoan parasites, and it can clean up to 100,000 gallons of liquid before needing to be replaced. Unlike the LifeStraw, however, the Sawyer filtration system features a handy liquid pouch and screws onto standard plastic bottles, so you can carry your water with you.

Mpow waterproof phone pouch, 2-pack — $8

Camping gadgets roundup
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Even when trying to get away from it all, it’s a smart move to bring along a phone on outdoor adventures in case of an emergency or if the weather gets lousy — or if you don’t have anything else to keep you busy. You’ll also want some means to shelter your devices, and these Mpow waterproof pouches are like outdoor clothing for your phone.

Along with keeping your stuff dry, the Mpow pouches feature touch-sensitive material that lets you use the touchscreen of your phone while it’s sealed in the bag. The pouches are totally waterproof, so they can be safely submerged if need be. The Mpow waterproof bags are also useful for keeping things like money and credit cards safe.

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