The best camping stoves for your next trip, tried and tested
The key is finding a stove that fits your style of camping. What works for a solo hiker eating freeze-dried meals on a windy ridgeline won't make sense for someone cooking tacos for a group. Different people camp differently, and different trips call for different setups. I'd recommend paying attention to the BTU (British thermal unit) rating, which measures the amount of heat the stove produces. For basic cooking, opt for at least 10,000 BTU/hr, while for more adventurous outdoor cooks, look for a burner that features a 30,000 BTU/hr.
The best camping stove on test was Camp Chef's kodiak camping stove. I found it to be powerful and high-quality yet not too expensive. If you're looking for something more budget-friendly and just need a single burner, I'd thoroughly recommend Coleman's classic one-burner. But for the full review, keep reading.
How I tested
After researching and consulting fellow camping enthusiasts, I put a range of different camping stoves to the test to see how each one held up.
I ran through a mix of real-life camp meals, trying everything from grilling burgers and hot dogs to frying eggs and bacon to boiling water for pasta and backcountry-style meals. Some stoves handled quick solo tasks with ease, while others felt better suited for group cooking with more space and control. During the testing session, I paid close attention to everything from heat control to setup and cleanup, but I also timed how long it took to bring water to a boil, and assessed fuel efficiency, ease of use, portability, and size.
Having been an outdoor gear tester for 10 years, I've learned how much a stove's design and usability can shape the cooking experience. Using this real-world experience and trials, I've found the camping stoves that are worth your money.
Why you can trust IndyBest U.S. reviews
IndyBest U.S. is the ultimate destination for product reviews from The Independent, all of which are a result of real-world testing. As an outdoor gear tester with nearly a decade of experience, Rachel Cavanaugh has reviewed everything from hiking boots and camping chairs to tents and travel coolers. When it comes to camping stoves, she knows what to look for when tracking down high-quality options that will be practical and durable.
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The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
From Cornwall to the Outer Hebrides, these are the best campsites in the UK for families
When it comes to summer family getaways, nothing beats the freedom of camping — kids will love roaming wild by day and eating their weight in marshmallows by the campfire before heading off to bed under canvas. But finding the right place to pitch your tent can make all the difference to your holiday. Make sure you end up with happy campers of all ages by choosing a campsite with plenty to do, good facilities and wild spaces on the doorstep. Whether you're after sea views, safari adventures or just some peace in a sunny meadow, the UK has a host of wonderful campsites where you can pitch up and swap screen time for outdoor adventure. From the white-sand shores of the Outer Hebrides to animal encounters in Cornwall and wild swimming in a lost Welsh valley, these handpicked, kid-friendly sites offer something for every kind of clan. 1. Bluebell Lane Glamping, Newry, Northern Ireland Perfect for crafty kids At the foot of Northern Ireland's mountainous Ring of Gullion, in meadows rich with wildflowers and yellow gorse, is Bluebell Glamping. This bucolic site is the brainchild of Pádraig Carragher, who set out to rewild this 20-acre site, now dotted with wooden pods, shepherd's huts and safari tents among yellow gorse bushes and groves of young native trees. Each glamping option has its own bathroom facilities and there's also a communal kitchen. Meander along a nature trail, listen to birdsong or try your hand at vanishing rural arts offered on site, such as willow weaving, lace making or butter making. Pádraig's wonderful woodturning classes are a must for older kids, while little ones will enjoy the on-site playground. Glamping from £90 per night Book now Best for: mountain-mad families How's this for a great day on earth? Wake up in a tent, climb Scafell, England's tallest mountain, cool off with a swim in Wastwater, the country's deepest lake, then have a well-earned drink in the Wasdale Head Inn, one of Britain's most remote pubs. You can do it all from this lovely National Trust campsite, the perfect base for adventurous older kids. There are a hundred pitches across a grassy green valley site at Wasdale, plus hard-standing spots for campervans. Or you could live the life of luxury and book a pod, a tipi or a bell tent. The pods are heated, while the tipis have snug wood burners and proper double beds. The campsite is open year-round, and however you kip here, there are hot showers, a great shop and a drying room. Pitches from £22, glamping from £84 3. Comrie Croft, Perthshire, Scotland Perfect for Highland high-jinks Arriving at Comrie Croft, a 'farm reimagined for you and nature', you may find yourself taking a deep breath – this sprawling site of meadows and woodland on the edge of the Highlands has an instantly relaxing effect. Leave your car and trundle your belongings by wheelbarrow to one of 20 pitches or to a beautiful Nordic kata (a teepee-style shelter) set among birch trees. There's so much on offer at the Croft that you may find yourself staying put. Every pitch has a firepit, and on-site facilities include hot showers, toilets, washing-up areas, a farm shop, a tea garden and miles of walking and cycling trails. But if the wilds are calling, older kids may love putting on hiking boots to bag a Munro or two. Pitches £30, Kata £135 per night Book now 4. Wild Orcadian, Orkney, Scotland Perfect for camping on the wild edge of Britain Want to escape the rat race? You can't get much further from the urban sprawl than the Orkney Islands. Catch a ferry or cross a causeway to reach South Ronaldsay, the most southerly of the archipelago, to find Wild Orcardian. Half campsite, half kitchen garden, these friendly camping fields come complete with big views of sea and sky wherever you pitch up – just peg in your tent or park up a campervan or motorhome on one of 20 pitches. Cooks are well-catered for – there's a covered communal kitchen area and an honesty shop selling organic farm produce grown just metres away, as well as fresh eggs from the farm's cosseted hens. Hot showers, toilets, washing machines and drying lines will keep you warm, clean and dry, and small wildlife lovers will adore walking to the beach to spot seals. Pitches from £25, glamping from £50. Book now 5. Greenhillock, Forfar, Scotland Perfect for an eco escape An eco-friendly site set among rolling meadows of wildflowers, Greenhillock is a family-friendly haven that's all about low impact and high adventure. The car-free site encourages kids to roam wild, build dens, and join nature workshops while parents soak up the peace. Facilities may be green but they're still great quality, including compost loos and hot showers. There are 30 spaces pitches, each with a firepit, or if you fancy a roof over your head, book one of three pretty Hobbit houses kitted out with bunk beds for smaller guests. The wild beach of Lunan Bay and the heather-clad hills of the Angus Glens are nearby for bigger outdoor adventures. Pitches £25, Hobbit houses £105 per night Book now South east 6. The Sunnyfield, Kent Perfect for: car-free calm A site that's sunny by both name and nature. There are just 15 pitches in this balmy, grassy meadow on the Kent Downs, and if you're lucky enough to nab one, you can spend a few days relaxing in total peace and quiet. The North Downs Way and some great quiet cycle routes go right past the site if you fancy getting active, and it doesn't matter if you get back a bit sweaty – the site has smart showers made from converted horseboxes. A clutch of bell tents are beautifully decked out if you want to keep some creature comforts, and elsewhere you'll find long grass for hide-and-seek, fire bowls for evening marshmallows, and simple eco-friendly facilities. The site's car-free policy means children can play freely and safely, and on weekends, food trucks rock up to feed hungry campers. Pitches £38, bell tent £120 per night 7. Woodfire Camping, Sussex Perfect for mini foodies Set your sights on Sussex, where Woodfire Camping run three beautiful back-to-nature campsites. The focus here is on feasts and foodie experiences, so if you fancy something a bit more special than barbequed sausages every night, these culinary-minded campsites are perfect. Chapel Field, at the foot of the South Downs, has 25 pitches and sweeping views — ideal for walkers and families, while Westerlands, a shady spot in ancient woodland near Petworth, offers 30 pitches and real forest magic, plus a sauna and plunge pool. Planning a big gathering? The Round Hill site is bookable for exclusive use for up to 60 people. All sites are car-free, with eco loos and hot showers, and best of all, their seasonal outdoor kitchens serve up hearty, family-friendly meals every night to share around the fire. Pitches £21 per adult, £10 per child South west 8. Macdonald's Farm, Cornwall Perfect for animal fun Afternoon stroll with alpacas, anyone? Animal-mad little ones will be in heaven on Macdonald's Farm, where campers and glampers get to rub shoulders with some special neighbours – the goats, pigs, ponies, alpacas, rabbits and more animal mates who live in the on-site petting zoo. Camping with kids should be as comfy as possible, and if you like a site with all mod cons, this is the place to pitch up – there's a café, play areas and posh loos and showers, or you can get cosy in colder weather in a safari tent or a swish cabin as well as camping on 60 pitches. Beaches and more adventures, such as Camel Creek Family Park and Newquay Zoo, are nearby. Pitch £28, glamping from £110 per night Book now 9. Cornish Tipis, Cornwall Perfect for splashy swimmers Head down a shady country lane near the north Cornwall coast to find the perfect hidden valley. Sleep in a tipi or your own tent, cook freshly caught fish over the fire and mess about on the water of a limpid deep lake. Across 20 off-grid acres are 93 pitches in total. These include the namesake white tipi tents of this very special campsite, dotted about a large meadow or pitched in their own private forest glades, and all encircling a glassy green quarry-turned-swimming lake where there are boats to borrow and life jackets for little water explorers. You can also park campervans and pitch tents in the main field near Cornish Tipis' café-in-a-polytunnel. This is the perfect spot to escape from real life (and from any wifi connection) to sleep under the stars and slow right down. Pitches £50, tipis from £116 per night 10. Little Meadow, Devon Little Meadow near Ilfracombe is well-named – it's home to 50 grassy pitches, each with a sweeping view of the indigo water of Combe Martin Bay. Terraced fields make this site feel small and intimate – it's like having your own wildflower garden to camp in, and you might even spot a bunny or two sharing your space. This adults-and-kid-friendly site is quiet, clean, and ideal for families looking for a calm coastal break. Walk to the seaside, head to the pub or stop for a cream tea in the Storm in a Teacup café. There's also a well-stocked shop and good loos and showers for washing sandy feet. 11. Troytown, Isles of Scilly Perfect for island adventures Troytown is one of the loveliest campsites in Cornwall, and that's saying something. It's a journey to get to the Isles of Scilly, but it's worth hopping on a tiny plane or chugging across the sea on a ferry to get to this dreamy sub-tropical archipelago, where you can explore white sand beaches and kayak along the coastline of car-free islands. Camp at this grassy family-run site on the island of St Agnes with a view out to sea from 34 pitches or book a pre-erected bell tent, then spend your days swimming in the ocean, launching paddleboards from the beach next door or just picking the perfect homemade ice cream flavour from the farm shop (they also sell their own cream, milk and meat). Pitches £12.50 per person, bell tents £63 per night 12. Harry's Field, New Forest Perfect for a forest escape Harry's Field is hidden among ancient woodland in heart of the New Forest National Park ponies and offers the perfect recipe for happy family campers – 40 spacious pitches (and comfy bell tents for glampers), clean facilities, walks in all directions, and fire pits for cosy evenings toasting a marshmallow or two. Children can cycle around the safe, flat site or head into the forest for wild play – you may even spot the free-ranging ponies and donkeys (and their friendly foals) that call the park home. There's an award-winning pub just a stroll away, plus family attractions such as Paultons Park, which is home to (whisper it) Peppa Pig – so you may never get to leave, and the New Forest Wildlife Park is nearby. Pitches £50, bell tents £190 Book now Wales 13. Bert's Kitchen Garden, Llyn Peninsula, Wales Perfect for coastal charm At this perfectly pastoral campsite, sandwiched between the mountains and the sea on the Llyn Peninsula, pitches are mown out of wildflower meadows and campsite life revolves around the site's lovely restaurant, set in the heart of a kitchen garden and serving homegrown produce. Bert's has no electric hook-ups, no wifi and is car-free, so kids can be properly free-range. And with treehouses to make forts in and rope swings to dangle off, you may barely see them once you've pitched your tent. The practical stuff is taken care of by shower blocks stocked with eco-friendly toiletries, composting toilets, BBQs to hire, an on-site sauna and a kitchen with fridges and sinks for washing up – and there's even free hot chocolate on tap. There are also three smart shepherd's huts complete with king-sized beds. 14. Chapel House Farm, Herefordshire Perfect for peace and quiet – and pizza Chapel House Farm is a charming, low-impact campsite that welcomes families with a love of nature to a peaceful corner of the Golden Valley of Herefordshire. With 20 car-free pitches scattered across wildflower meadows and woodland, children have the freedom to roam safely here, and the site also offers fire pits, eco toilets, hot showers and stunning views of the Black Mountains, which bigger explorers will love to tackle on foot. Nearby, you'll also find rivers for paddling, local cider farms and scenic walks to proper pubs. Top tip – camp on a Friday, when the farmhouse serves up freshly cooked pizzas from their wood-fired oven. They also sell local beers and ciders and meat from the farm for slap-up evening feasts. Pitches £30 Book now 15. One Cat Farm, Ceredigion, Wales Perfect for rewilding in Wales Croeso cynnes (that's a warm welcome in Welsh) to One Cat Farm - who knew going off grid could be this wonderful? At One Cat Farm (now actually home to five friendly rescued felines), four cosy and fully kitted-out wooden cabins perch around a wild swimming lake in a remote valley. The land here is being rewilded, and you and your little campers may all that way too as you explore the Cambrian Mountains to the east and the hidden coves of Cardigan Bay to the west of the site - you may even spot dolphins in the deep. Back on the farm, kids can play on rope swings, relax in a hammock spotting red kites above them or row the boat moored up on the lake while you get busy lighting the campfire. Cabins from £131 per night
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
Stunning campsites in Britain from £10 a night – including a posh estate with a brewery next to woodland theme park
One has resident alpacas and others are in the grounds of cosy pubs CAMP OUT Stunning campsites in Britain from £10 a night – including a posh estate with a brewery next to woodland theme park CAMPING is one of the cheapest and most enjoyable ways to embrace the great outdoors during the summer holidays. Campsite specialist Pitchup has revealed its cheapest sites with stays from just £10per night this summer - with options across the UK, some are run by pubs, others have microbreweries and neighbouring alpaca farms. Advertisement 7 These campsites are some of the best and all cost from £10 per night Credit: Pitchup 7 The Farm Camping is very near the beWIlDerwood play area Credit: BeWILDerwood On the private Worstead Estate in Norfolk is a pop-up summer campsite called The Farm Camping. Until September 1, 2025, campers can pitch up on the estate that is also a working farm and there's lots to do. The estate has an on-site microbrewery called the Wildcraft Taproom. On sunny days, campers can enjoy an alfresco pint on the picnic tables outside. For anyone heading over there with children, the adventure park BeWILDerwood is close by. Advertisement The park has BeWILDerboats - a boat ride into a 'swamp', as well as the Tricky Tunnels and a Muddles Maze. As for facilities, the campsite has toilets, showers, a washing-up area. There is Wi-Fi and visitors can bring a barbecue for cooking up alfresco meals. Prices for a non-electric grass tent pitch starts at £15 per night. Advertisement In Derbyshire is the Greystones Nawab campsite - a great base for anyone exploring the sprawling Peak District National Park. It's also perfect for animal lovers as peacocks and rare-breed chickens roam the site, plus there's a donkey sanctuary next door. Top Of The Woods Campsite in Pembrokeshire 7 7 The Farm Camping is found on the sprawling Worstead estate Credit: Google Maps Advertisement Nearby attractions include Go Ape Buxton which is a 15 minute drive away, and you can get to Alton Towers theme park within 40 minutes. On-site facilities include showers, toilets, washing-up area and charging points. One visitor to the site commented: "Camp owner seemed friendly as were our fellow campers. The donkeys are a welcome sight in the morning too." Non-electric grass tent pitches start at £10 or opt for an electric grass touring caravan pitch at £15. Advertisement Further north is Pepper Hall Campsite in Yorkshire which is for anyone who loves the great outdoors. The surrounding fields are full of grazing by Swaledale sheep and cattle. This campsite is a little unique because you can only get there by foot - so no caravans are allowed. To get to the campsite, you have to cross a shallow ford and small stream on the stepping stones. Advertisement For some hearty meals, head to the local pub in Langthwaite village. Non-electric grass tent pitches here start from £18. 7 One pub run campsite has an alpaca paddock and you can book a walking experience Credit: Pitchup The Crown Inn and Campsite is a family-run north Wales pub site by the river Alwen. Advertisement It's a bargain stay with non-electric grass/earth tent pitch starting from £12.50. For anyone who doesn't want to opt for a tent, you can stay in caravans, cabins or a bed-in-a-shed from £42.50 per night. And you'll not go hungry with lots of options at the on-site pub - where they serve ribs, sausage and mash, chilli and fish and chips. This pub sits in a pretty village which you can explore, there's easy access to forest trails and fishing on the riverbank is popular too. Advertisement There's even a private alpaca paddock on site, and campers can book a walking experience with the woolly animals. One visitor said: "Quiet, clean and friendly site. I have stayed a few times now, with my kids and for a break away with my wife. "The kids love playing in the stream and digging holes up in the woods. The pub has great food and drinks selections and is well-priced." 7 The Green Dragon Inn has an option to stay in little shepherd huts Credit: Pitchup Advertisement The Green Dragon Inn is another pub campsite found in Buttington, Wales. Camp out at a country pub to make the most of a stay on the Welsh borders. The Green Dragon Inn is a short distance from Offa's Dyke, the Shropshire Hills and Snowdonia National Park. The cosy pub serves home-cooked food seven days per week, including a Sunday roast. There are ales on tap and a large pub garden, so drink them in. Advertisement Campers can choose from mixed hardstanding and grass pitches, and have access to a washing-up area, baby changing facilities and a well-maintained bathroom block. Non-electric grass pitch tent-only pitches start at £15 or choose an electric-optional hardstanding for a tent, motorhome or touring caravan starting from £20. Or for those who want to camp but would rather sleep in a bed, there are two camping pods on site. There isn't much inside, but there is a double bed, sofa and small tea-making station. Advertisement These cost from £60 per night for two adults. For fans of camping and going abroad, check out this Ibiza 'paradise' with private pool and glamping huts has stays under £95. Plus, the UK's best campsites revealed with flawless 10/10 reviews, honesty shops & even resident deer. Advertisement
The Guardian
5 days ago
- The Guardian
‘The only thing that gets me out of my tent': the camping essentials you need (and what you don't)
Packing for a camping trip isn't easy, especially if you're not an experienced adventurer. Newbie campers often overpack while simultaneously leaving more useful items at home. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. As a lifelong city dweller, my lack of knowhow has been exposed on trips with my camping-savvy family in the US. It turns out that House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski and a medium-sized Bluetooth speaker aren't must-haves on a four-day wilderness hike. Who knew? An extra water bottle would have been a better use of that space, something I learned through a series of hardships. For guidance on this topic, I asked experienced campers – including parents with young kids, festival-goers, outdoor guides and lone wild campers – for their must-pack items. Whether you're taking a £20 tent to a muddy field, glamping in a yurt or going fully off-grid, this list is sure to feature an item you'll be thankful you threw in the bag. For a comprehensive list of essentials, you should always consider the particulars of your upcoming trip. For more help on getting started, I recommend practical checklists from organisations such as the Ordnance Survey and the Camping and Caravanning Club. Northcore Kick Back hammock £34.95 at SurfSurfSurf This hammock is great. If you're camping in, or near, a woodland, you can quickly set it up between a couple of trees to read a book, listen to the birds or take a nap. Dave, north-west London Hennessy Expedition zip hammock £139.95 at Hennessy My hammock is ultra-light compared with a conventional tent; it can be fully zipped open, or closed and covered by the accompanying tarp. It comes with webbing straps to prevent any damage to trees. While my hammock is snug – and not the cheapest option – it's a really novel, comfortable and fun shelter to take on overnight adventures or multi-day expeditions, and an excellent choice when camping in wooded areas. Joe, Cambridgeshire The Filter's top pick for camping: Black Diamond Storm 500R £54.95 at WildBounds£65 at Cotswold Outdoor The Filter's top pick overall: Petzl Swift RL £84.99 at Decathlon A head torch is a non-negotiable. Its usefulness compared with its weight and cost is unmatched. After dark, it's much harder to do basic tasks such as pitching up, prepping a fire or nipping out of the tent in the middle of the night for a loo break. Get one. Adam, East Sussex Everbeam H6 Pro headlamp £16.99 at Amazon There are two main reasons I love this compact little Everbeam torch. First, it's rechargeable via USB, so easy to keep topped up, either at home or on the go using a battery pack. Second, it has an adjustable angle, so no more tilting your head back and forth; just change the angle of the lamp while it's on your head! Also, it comes with a great carry case, protecting it from damage when you just chuck it in your bag. It has two white brightness settings and a red light for when you need a low-light option. Dave, north-west London The Filter's top pick: MSR Hubba Hubba NX £476 at Cotswold Outdoors£476 at Snow and Rock I do like a minimal tent. I'm only using it for sleep after all, so I don't need fancy extras. And I like the feeling of being fully enclosed. A small tent is all a single camper needs, and it provides more shelter than one of those military-style bivi bags, which I'm not a fan of. Michael, Shropshire Coleman Darwin 2 Plus £89.99 at Mountain Warehouse£82.52 at Amazon I love this Coleman tent's extended porch cover. You can leave your pack and shoes outside your tent, so you get less muck inside. This leaves plenty of room indoors for a couple of people, plus a medium-sized dog. The canopy keeps your stuff dry if it rains in the night. Saskia, west London For more, read our guide to the best tents for camping The Filter's favourite chair for two: Kelty Loveseat £130 at Mountain Warehouse£130 at Ellis Brigham My partner and I have enjoyed using this double-camping chair from Kelty for years. It's sturdier and higher quality than the typical camping chairs you may be used to, and it's comfortable enough for one person to curl up on and have a nap. Kelty also makes an Essential single version of this chair, as well as a Deluxe Lounge one, and all are available in the same smart colour schemes. Luke, Watford For more, read our guide to the best camping chairs Anker Soundcore Boom 3i £99.99 at Soundcore£99.99 at Amazon This Bluetooth speaker is more than just waterproof: it floats, it's saltwater resistant, and it can even self-right itself in choppy waters. The Boom 3i packs a hell of a punch too, with powerful bass and a 50W/96dB speaker. The RGB lights add to the fun, bringing a party atmosphere to your pitch, but you can always turn them off if you find them tacky. Remember to always adhere to your campsite's noise rules and regulations: if there's a designated quiet time, respect it – or else incur the wrath of every other family sharing the site. Tom, north-west London The Filter's top pick: Coleman Pro £129.99 at Amazon Coleman 15l Performance cool box £35 at Argos My mates all said it was a waste of space to bring a massive cooler on a two-night camping trip. But who was laughing at the end of the day … when I was the only one with drinkable beer? Coolers aren't even expensive, and when you factor in the savings from not having to drive out of camp to the nearest petrol station to pick up a few cold cans, it's more than worth the initial spend. William, South Yorkshire For more, read our guide to the best cool boxes The Filter's top pick: MSR Switch £115 at LD Mountain Centre£114.75 at Amazon Jetboil MightyMo £75 at Blacks Jetboil MicroMo £134.95 at WildBounds A Jetboil is essential for us whenever we go camping. It doesn't matter if it's a family outing or a week-long wilderness trek – the Jetboil is the first thing we pack. It's lightweight and can bring water to the boil faster than any other camping stove we've tried. I'm always grateful to have it when I'm prepping dehydrated meals at the end of a long day's hike. Don't forget to bring a spare fuel canister. Tommy, Wisconsin, US For more, read our guide to the best camping stoves Blue Mountain Starlight 150L lantern £12 at Cotswold Outdoor £12 at Snow and Rock It's a small thing, but the few pounds I spent on this little lantern were more than worth it. So useful after dark when you need to look for something in your tent, or get up during the night. It also adds a cosy vibe to your haven in the wilderness. Saskia, west London Nilaqua no-rinse body wash, 500ml £6.99 at Victoria Health£6.99 at Boots Clean Life no-rinse foaming body wash, 237ml £4.66 at iHerb£9.99 at Amazon The best recommendation I ever got for camping was to get a no-rinse foam wash. It's mainly used by carers, and it cleans you up without water, so it's worth its weight in gold when you can't shower. It was a life-saver for my pits at El Dorado festival last year. Mel, south London Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion Snugpak The Sleeping Bag WGTE £42.69 at Amazon For UK camping, from spring right through to early autumn, you don't need anything too hardcore. The Sleeping Bag by Snugpak is exceptionally snug and comfortable in a wide range of temperatures. Officially, it is rated suitable in climates from -7C. At less than £50, it's a great buy. Luke, Watford Exped Schnozzel pump bag £26.96 at Alpine Trek The Exped pump bag is my must-have if you want to pack light, since it makes getting ready for bed way easier. First off, it lets you inflate your sleeping mat quickly – and without moisture getting into the mat. Then, it doubles as a waterproof sack to keep your phone (and spare underwear) dry. Molly, Minnesota, US Kelty Cosmic Si Mummy sleeping pad £56 at Decathlon£69 at Mountain Warehouse Maybe you don't want to bother with inflating your sleeping mat at all, in which case I can recommend the Cosmic Si Mummy. To get this mat ready, all you need to do is lay it out flat, unscrew the valve and … actually, that's it. Come back later, tighten up the valve and go to sleep. In my experience, it takes about 30 to 40 minutes to fully inflate, but if you're in a rush, you can still inflate it manually. It's comfy to lie on and easy to pack down too. Tom, north-west London For more, read our guide to the best camping mattresses and sleeping mats The Filter's top pick: Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-port 20k £79.99 at Argos£79.99 at Amazon Juice Eco Max+ 24,000mAh portable power bank £34.99 at Argos I got this power bank before a long weekend of climbing and camping in Suffolk. It kept three phones charged up enough for the three-day trip, which is all you can ask for. There are more expensive ones that will charge your phone faster, but I wanted one that specifically charged up to three devices at once and had a large capacity. This one does the job perfectly. Tom, north-west London For more, read our guide to the best power banks Halfords Advanced 2l jump starter power bank £60.99 at Halfords Halfords 6-in-1 jump starter power pack £99.99 at Halfords You may never actually need it, but trust me – I'm speaking from experience – you don't want to be stuck in the middle of an empty campsite in the New Forest with a dead car battery, in the rain and sleet. One of those things that's better to have and not need than the other way around. Tom, north-west London Sea to Summit collapsible X-pot 4l £79.99 at Sub Zero Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight collapsible 2.2l pouring pot £62.95 at Outdoor Action£90 at Cotswold Outdoor Sea to Summit makes practical cooking pots with silicone sides that pack down flat for easy transport. The lid can be used like a sieve to pour out excess liquid when cooking pasta, plus these pots double up well as basins to do your washing-up in. Luke, Watford Lifeventure all-purpose biodegradable soap From £4.99 at Lifeventure£4.99 at Amazon An all-purpose soap is good for cleaning your body, doing the washing-up or anything that needs a quick de-griming. Once, I didn't wash at a festival, and my friends refused to stay in the same tent as me (although now that I think about it, that was kind of a bonus). Alba, Norfolk The Filter's top pick for women: Lowa Renegade Evo GTX £219.95 at Cotswold Outdoor The Filter's top pick for men: La Sportiva TX5 From £210.99 at Amazon Danner Women's Trail 2650 Campo £110 at Naked Ape Danner Men's Trail 2650 Mid GTX £200 at Ellis Brigham I have a pair of Danner boots that I always wear when I go hiking or camping. My whole family loves Danner. They're the most reliable shoes for hiking as far as I'm concerned, with a snug fit that makes you feel more balanced as you make your way through the forests and hills. They also come in lots of colours. Gwyneth, south-west London For more, read our guide to the best hiking boots for men and women GSI Mini espresso set 1 cup £41.20 at Rock + Run You can't start a day without a decent cup of coffee in your system. Little coffee makers such as these are awesome for camping because they're easy to clean and pack away when you're done. The promise of a proper espresso from one of these is the only thing that gets me out of my tent in the morning. Matteo, north London Flip 7 £9.95 at Zatu Games£13.99 at Waterstones If you go camping with your family, you should buy the game Flip 7. It's our new favourite filler game. It's easy to play, you can teach it in a couple of minutes, but you can play it for hours! It's just fine for three players, but it can go up to 12 or more. It's also cheap. You don't even need to look into it, just buy it. Trust me, you're going to love it. It's the greatest card game of all time. It says it right on the box. Clayton, Wisconsin, US Those little bug zappers that you can hang in your tent or place on a table. When bugs are thick enough to be an issue, it can't get all of them. You'll inevitably end up with some mosquito bites anyway. Stick to using good old-fashioned bug spray, and don't leave your tent unzipped if there are lots of critters about! Saskia, west London The 'overnight' bug spray that you fully saturate your clothes in, only for the effects to wear off in less than a day. The bad smell sticks around for longer! Bill, South Dakota, US Oversized, multi-room tents are just a waste of space and money. Why do you need to walk around fully upright in your tent? You won't be spending that long in there anyway. Matteo, north London
