10 Awesome Gadgets for High-Tech Camping and Hiking
Credit: BioLite
Contrary to what some might think, being a techie and loving the outdoors aren’t mutually exclusive.
But if you are a techie, you might want to elevate your hiking and camping experience to your high-tech standards.
Since it’s summer, we’ve curated a list of awesome gadgets and gear for camping, backpacking and hiking – including both essential tools and tech-oriented accessories.
Continue reading to learn about 10 awesome gadgets for high-tech camping and hiking.
10 BioLite Campstove 2
Food just tastes better when you’re outdoors. But, to cook that food, you’ll need a stove. You could go for a generic camping stove, but if you’re reading this, you might want something a bit more high-tech. Enter this compact and feature-packed camp stove by BioLite.
This is a portable camping stove that nests in itself for easy carry. It burns wood, so you don’t have to lug around extra fuel. But its most notable feature is that it actually converts the heat it generates into electricity — which you can store in the built-in 2,600 mAh battery and use to charge your devices via USB. $129.95
9 Petzl NAO+ Headlamp
When you’re camping, a headlamp is often a much more convenient source of light than a flashlight since it frees up your hands for other tasks. But don’t just opt for any regular headlamp. This high-end option by Petzl features some high-tech additions that will put any regular light to shame.
It sports a brightness sensor that can automatically adjust the luminosity and shape of the beam. But the beam can also be controlled from your smartphone thanks to its built-in Bluetooth technology. Its rechargeable lithium-ion battery can be powered up with a standard USB cable. $196.90
8 Leatherman Wave
It’s hard to overstate how much of an essential a good knife is when you’re in the wilderness — even if you’re high-tech camping. But you can go further than just carrying a pocketknife and opt for a multitool, which packs a lot of functionality into a single form factor.
And when it comes to multitools, Leatherman undoubtedly makes some of the best and most durable tools on the market. It includes two knife blades, a bottle opener, scissors, various screwdrivers and a file, among other capabilities. With a 25-year warranty, you can rest easy knowing that the Wave will last you many, many years to come. $84.95
7 LuminAID PackLite 2-in-1 Phone Charger
The outdoors gets dark, and you can’t just rely on your iPhone’s flashlight to illuminate your campsite at night. But rather than just getting a standard camping lantern, you can pack some extra functionality into your kit with this 2-in-1 inflatable and solar-charged option.
It can output up to 150 lumens for 3 to 5 hours on a charge, providing you with plenty of light for night-time camping. But it also packs a 2,000 mAh battery so you can charge up your smartphone. Its durable design allows it to be used in any weather or environment, and the solar panel lets you harness the sun’s energy for renewable power. $34.99
6 Wacaco Minipresso GR
Just because you’re in the outdoors doesn’t mean that you have to give up all the little luxuries of home. That’s especially true if you want to go high-tech camping. If you can’t survive without your daily caffeine fix while camping, look no further than this compact, lightweight and versatile hand-held espresso maker.
All you need is good-quality ground coffee and boiling water. That’s it. With its efficient and easy-to-use hand operation, it doesn’t require electricity or compressed air. Its convenient nesting design also includes a coffee scoop and a built-in espresso cup. $49.90
5 RAVPower Solar Charger
While there are a few other solar-powered charging gadgets on this list, if you want to truly maximize the sun’s energy to power up your devices, you’ll need something bigger and more powerful. This RAVPower Solar Charger is an excellent choice.
It features a rugged, waterproof design to withstand any outdoor environment. But it also sports tech features like iSmart technology, which optimizes the output to charge your devices faster. But even though it packs a punch, it still manages to be incredibly portable and lightweight — so it won’t bog you down if you’re hiking or backpacking. $63.99
4 Multi-Function AM/FM/WB Radio
A good portable radio is an essential survival and camping item that can come in handy in a wide variety of scenarios — from informing you to entertaining you. But this option comes with a few more capabilities than the standard AM/FM radio you might already have.
In addition to AM and FM bands, this emergency radio allows you to listen to NOAA weather broadcasts (an often overlooked but essential feature). And it packs an LED flashlight, a built-in solar charger and battery to charge your smartphone, and a hand-crank to use at night or in inclement weather. $28
3 Sawyer Water Filter
Water is the most basic necessity for life (yes, more than Wi-Fi). While you can carry water with you into the wilderness, it’s a good idea to have a more sustainable option for something so incredibly important. That’s where a water filter comes in —protecting you by filtering out dangerous bacteria and protozoa present even in clean-looking water.
This Sawyer Water Filter is one of the best options on the market. It’s small enough to bring with you backpacking, but also has a high-performance filter that can purify up to 100,000 gallons of water. It also comes with a reusable pouch-style bottle, a cleaning kit, and a drinking straw. $17.61
2 HomeSpot Rugged Bluetooth Speaker
Whether you’re deep in the backcountry or just camping out at your local county park, you might want to listen to music sometime during your trip. And while your smartphone speakers are okay, they pale in comparison to the audio quality of a good Bluetooth speaker.
This speaker by HomeSpot was also designed with the outdoors in mind. It features a rugged, rubberized exterior for durability and impact resistance, and its rated with an IP66 dust- and water-resistance. But it doesn't compromise on the sound quality with two 6W acoustic drivers and a passive bass subwoofer. $29.99
1 Stearns Sun Shower 4
Sometimes, camping means having to forego a daily shower — particularly if you’re backpack or dry camping. But with the Stearns Sun Shower 4, you can take a warm shower basically anywhere you have sunlight.
This clever portable shower holds up to 4 gallons of water. But it is also crafted with heat-locking materials so that the sun’s energy will warm that water — even on cooler days. It also sports a strong carrying handle for portability and a built-in thermometer so you can see the water temperature at a glance. $19.99