Gadgets aren’t just for your desk – take them into the wilderness too! Here are some high tech camping gear essentials to bring out on your next excursion.

One of the latest trends in camping is glamour camping, better known as glamping. Not everyone is on board though. Even if you think glamping is a cop-out on real camping, that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of the latest high tech camping gear when you’re in the great outdoors.

Technology affects every part of our lives these days and there are plenty of high-tech camping gadgets for the outdoor-loving techie. Let’s look at some of the latest camping technology.

1. BioLite CampStove 2

The BioLite CampStove 2 is a wood-burning camp stove that can boil water and cook super efficiently. But even better, it converts heat into electricity, providing up to 5 watts of power to charge your smartphone, GPS unit, or various other devices.

It will burn sticks, scrap wood, or pellets so you don’t need to pack any special fuel. The stove itself only weighs a little over two pounds so if you’re packing all your gear on your back, it won’t weigh you down. And you won’t need to carry any propane bottles into the backcountry with you. As long as you can find wood to burn, you’re all set.

The CampStove 2 includes a FlexLight to light up your campsite at night and is available in a bundle with a portable gmg trek grill and KettlePot attachments. The stove packs up into the size of a 32oz water bottle so when you’re on the move, it will tuck out of the way.

2. Dedicated GPS Unit

Most modern smartphones include a GPS so almost everyone has one in their pocket. But if you’re venturing into the outdoors, you might want to think about carrying a dedicated GPS like GoFindMe.

A dedicated GPS will give you better navigation if you’re outside of the service area for your cell phone. It connects to the GPS satellites for its maps and location information so it doesn’t need a data connection. Cell phones download maps over the internet.

If you know you won’t have service, you can download the maps to your phone for offline use but that can take up a lot of space, which will affect how many photos and videos you can take.
The other big advantage of a dedicated GPS is that most of them run on standard AA or AAA batteries. If the batteries run out of juice, swap in a fresh set and you’re good to go. There’s no need to worry about how to recharge it.

3. Solar Charger

There are lots of portable power packs that use a backup battery to recharge your phone and other devices. The larger ones will have enough juice to recharge them a few times but they have one big disadvantage – they’re heavy. If you’re packing all your gear on your back, that’s a problem.

Solar chargers can be much more space- and weight-efficient. A lightweight, folding solar charger won’t take up a lot of space or add a lot of weight but when you need to charge your devices, you can strap it to your backpack while you’re hiking under the sun and let it do its thing.

If you need something that can provide a bit more juice, you can also find larger solar-powered generators like the ones found at https://PoweredPortableSolar.com.

4. Lifestraw

Water is an absolute necessity when you’re camping. And the more active you are, the more water you’ll need. This isn’t a problem if you’re camping somewhere with a convenient water source but if you’re off the beaten path, it means you either need to pack your own water with you or find a clean natural source.

The Lifestraw is a water filter that is exactly what it sounds like – a large straw. You can drink water directly from lakes, streams, or anywhere else you find it. A single Lifestraw will filter up to 1,000 gallons (4,000 liters) of water and removes more than 99% of bacteria, parasites, and particles like soil, silt, and microplastics.

The Lifestraw only weighs 2 ounces so it won’t add a lot of weight to your gear. Even if you have another source of water, it’s a good idea to carry one or two of these in case of an emergency. If you find yourself without water unexpectedly, it can be a lifesaver.

5. GorillaPod Camera Tripod

The GorillaPod is a small, bendable tripod that you can mount almost anywhere. The legs can be wrapped around a small tree or adjusted to balance on a rock, for example, letting you set up your camera virtually anywhere in the outdoors.

They will work with cameras or smartphones and come in various sizes that can support up to 11 pounds. Whether you’re using a compact pocket camera, your phone, or a larger DSLR, there’s a GorillaPod model that will work for you.

“Traditional” High Tech Camping Gear

The camping technology we’ve covered here is truly high tech but more “traditional” camping gear like tents, sleeping bags, survival or emergency food options, and backpacks have also come a long way over the last few years. They’re made with new materials that are stronger and lighter than ever before.

If you’re into “car camping” and don’t have to carry all your equipment on your back, you’ll have even more options. You can get inflatable tents that need almost zero setup, tailgate cooking stations with all the conveniences of your kitchen at home, and portable showers that will provide hot water on demand.

Don’t Be Afraid to Go High-Tech

You might think “glamping” isn’t real camping but that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of the latest high tech camping gear. There are lots of high-tech camping gadgets that still let you experience the outdoors the way it was meant to be.

And if you do like the idea of glamping, the sky’s the limit. You can set yourself up with a campsite that has all the same technology you enjoy at home but all the great things about being outdoors as well. It’s the best of both worlds.