Primus Micron III: first impressions

My first experience with a camping stove was an old army surplus Trangia stove. It was battered and weighty and I can still remember my frustration as the phrase “a watched pot never boils” rattled around my head while the water for my coffee slowly transitioned from lukewarm to somewhere close to boiling without ever seeming capable for getting there.

Since then there have been incredible advancements to camping stove technology, whether you require something complex or simple. I tested the Primus Micron III over the summer, mainly using it for boiling water for dried hiking meals and much-needed morning coffee.

The Micron III has a simple design that directly screws on top of a standard threaded gas canister. The three pot supports fold diagonally to ensure an ergonomic profile, and all lock into place with a satisfying click.

This model has no built in ignition or regulator. However Primus does have a version with an external matchstick style igniter at the cost of a little extra weight.

There is no gas regulator on either model however, so anyone planning to use this in very cold conditions should take note that this could affect the performance.

Weight and packability

The most notable feature of this stove is undoubtedly its weight (or lack of it) - coming in at 2.11oz (60g) with the included nylon bag and 2.01oz (57g) without if you are seriously counting grams.

Primus has used aluminium throughout the construction to keep the weight down. The dimensions of the stove are tiny too. At 2.44 x 1.61in (62 x 41mm) it fits snuggly in the palm of your hand. I kept the stove within my pot and gas system, but can see how easy it would be to lose such a small part of your gear if not kept somewhere safe.

Folded out for use, the stove sits at 3.14in (80mm) high with a 3.74in (95mm) wide base for your pot. Given the quite minimal dimensions of the stove when in use, it is more suited for wild camping where boiling water for dehydrated meals is the top priority, than using with heavy pans.

Cooking speed and functionality

The stove works as most do. You thread it on to the canister, turn the pleasantly grippy and oversized valve handle and ignite the gas. It took quite a few turns to get the flame to full power but the flame is highly directional and puts out 2600w of power with the valve fully open.

The flame is designed to be wind resistant, but I found that, as the stove stands so tall off the canister, that it can be quite susceptible to wind if there are strong gusts blowing. The stove sits at 5.5in (140mm) tall when attached to a standard 3.5oz (100g) canister, and I found this affected its stability. The flip side to this height is increased functionality when using a pan if you want to heat food directly rather than just boil water.

Primus claims that the stove can boil 500ml of water in 2 mins 30 secs. In sheltered conditions I was able to get the water boiling in 2 mins 27 secs. When using it in the porch of my tent however, with a whipping wind coming under, this stretched to between 2 mins and 50 secs to 3 mins and 15 secs. By comparison, my Jetboil took 2 mins 38 secs in sheltered conditions and 3 mins 37 secs when it was windy.

Primus recommends that you use its Essential Trek pots with this stove, as they have a slimmer profile and therefore in theory will boil quicker. The pot I was using was slightly wider than an Essential Trek pot, so it’s good to know there’s potential for the process to be sped up further. Overall, I found the power of the stove to pack quite a punch, even with slightly increased boil times due to the wind.

• How Advnture tests products

Trail, or Trail Outdoor Leisure, to give it its full, less-catchy title, is a relatively new entrant to the British camping scene, having been founded in 2017. Based on the edge of Dartmoor National Park in Southwest England, it crafts the full gamut of camping gear, from tents through to camping kitchens, as well as inflatable SUPs.

The brand highlights quality, affordability and industry knowledge as its selling points. A look at its products reveals some great-value options, as well as mid-range gear. If you’re a Brit looking to purchase decent camping kit without massive price tags, this brand appears to be a good choice.

I was new to Trail when I set out to test several of its products, including its Falcon Padded Camping Chair, which comes as part of a two-piece set, ideal for camping couples or trips with mates. I loaded the car, invited another two generations of my family along and headed for North Wales’ Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park to test it out.

First impressions

When I liberated the Falcon from its carry bag and opened it up, the first thing that struck me was the high backrest. A veritable throne! With its wide arm rests and padded back support, it was immediately inviting. First sit revealed a very comfortable chair indeed.

The curved apex of the backrest is more for show than support however, as it sits above the steel frame and simply folds over if any weight is applied to it. So, it’s not a chair you can rest your head back into, unless you want neck ache. Nevertheless, the height of the frame means that the upper back is well supported, making it a comfortable place to sit and read, enjoy a brew or simply take in the views.

The chair isn't particularly spectacular to look at. It has a standard camping chair design and aesthetic, like the folding-frame options that fly off the supermarket shelves in the lead up to Glastonbury festival. However, comparing it to a bargain bucket chair is a little unfair, as it’s solid quality and a closer inspection reveals strong components.

Features

As with many such camping chairs, the Falcon comprises a padded fabric seat that arcs up into a backrest, with twin arm rests and a folding frame beneath. The right arm rest has a can-sized cup holder for beers or a flask, which will suit festival goers and family campers down to a T – or a tea, as it may be. The holder is lightly insulated and made from a black fabric, so provides a little extra insulation for both cold and warm drinks. Hanging down from the right side of the seat is a large compartment for storing a book or magazine. A nice touch.

The main fabric is a hardwearing 600-denier polyester that’s treated with a water-resistant PVC coating. It’s not exactly soft against the skin but then I wouldn’t describe it as rough either. The interior padding is held in rectangular baffles and is subtle but effective. It’s obviously not as plush as your armchair at home but it’s cozier than most lightweight camping chairs.

It folds down courtesy of its durable tubular steel frame, which is powder-coated to shield against wear and rust. It’s scissor-style legs fold inwards, creating a relatively compact unit when packed down.

In storage, it stretches to 38.5in (98cm), making it quite long, perhaps due to its high backrest. It’ll fit lengthways in a car’s trunk or along the footwell in the back, but it’s perhaps still a little longer than I’d have liked. The chairs come with their own carry bags that have a rudimentary carry strap and drawstring closure.

On the campsite

I’ve been testing the Falcon throughout the summer, on a beach break to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and a car camping trip to Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park.

The headlines are that it’s a perfectly good, comfortable chair that’s about as fancy as you’d expect considering its price point. The original price of the Falcon 2-piece set was £99.99 but it’s currently available at £49.99 on Trail’s website. That’s just £25 per chair, making the set extremely good value. Sure, there are much lighter options on the market and there are also more luxurious options too, but these are markedly more expensive.

It's very easy to fold away when not in use and I was also able to adjust the height of the arm rests by sliding them up and down the side steel supports. The way the slider stays in place during use is a clever design touch, maintaining your desired height.

It took me a while to notice I had a handy side storage space for stashing items such as a magazine or book. As someone who likes to kick back and lose myself in a novel while on vacation, I found it a nice touch.

I can happily report that I made full use of the insulated cup holder too, while enjoying a craft beer or two with my father. This tended to be in the evening, when temps were beginning to drop, so I can’t totally put it down to the holder’s insulation that my brew remained relatively chilled as I set about draining cans sup by sup.

Also consider

Comparison table

Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft sleeping pad: first impressions 

A while back, we asked Therm-a-Rest for its recommendations on the best pads for different types of camping, and when it came to one for car camping, they suggested we try out the new NeoLoft. We took them up on the offer and can't remember having a better night's sleep in the wild.

Pioneers of the closed-cell sleeping pad, Therm-a-Rest has always excelled at designing pads that deliver excellent weight-to-warmth ratio but not necessarily a whole lot of loft. Well, all that comes to an end with the NeoLoft, which has a giant 4.6in stack to keep you well off the ground.

Its rectangular shape means it’s a dream for side sleepers, and the vertical sidewalls increase the available real estate. The surface is made of a plush stretch knit fabric that’s far softer to the touch than most pads you’re probably used to. The underside is reinforced to protect it against rocks under your tent or any debris that might have found its way into your tent.

For all that, you’re probably assuming it’s huge and heavy, but amazingly, this cushy mattress is actually quite technical. For starters, with a 4.7 R-value, you could use this in three seasons and most conditions you're likely to want to camp with.

It's not ultralight, but at 2lb (910g), it’s not a whole lot heavier than the Therm-a-Rest Prolite Apex, and it packs down to a respectable 5.7 x 9.5 inches – so you could actually fit it in a backpack if you didn't mind a little extra weight. It’s got the TwinLock Valve system for inflation and deflation, which in layman's terms means you can blow it up without losing air between breaths (though it comes with an inflation sack, which does make life easier) and an Out valve for very fast deflation.

Of course, there is a catch, and that’s that it’s one of the brand’s pricier options, owing to its supreme comfort and versatility.

Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft sleeping pad: in the field 

I'm no stranger to uncomfortable, cold nights in the wild and have even spent a week in winter conditions in Yosemite Valley with only a foam pad between me and the ground without quitting. That said, I'm certainly not averse to comfort or a good night's sleep, and I'm a longtime fan of Therm-a-Rest, so I was excited to hear about its new, thick air mattress.

I've taken this car camping and on a one-night backpacking trip this summer to test out if it's as comfortable as they say.

Here’s how it performed:

Weight and packability

I own a couple of pretty light and very packable pads, and this one isn't exactly in the exact same ballpark, but it's definitely light and packable enough for backpackers on a short trip once it's inside its stuff sack.

At 2lb, it's about the same as chucking a couple of cans of soup in your backpack, which isn't nothing, but it's less than twice the weight of my lightest pad, and it packs down to a decent size that I can fit in my Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor pack along with my sleeping bag and tent without running out of room.

Size and comfort

Compared to my other pads, which are all mummy shape, this rectangular pad has acres of space for sprawling out. This, Therm-a-Rest explains, is all down to the vertical sidewalls, which it says eliminate the tapering edges of non-3D pads and increase the sleep surface by 20 percent. Whatever it is, I feel like I have tons of room on the regular-sized pad to sleep in any position, including starfish.

As for comfort, let me just say this is the comfiest pad I've ever slept on. I like it fully inflated for a nice, firm sleep surface, and it's super stable like that. It almost feels like a real mattress, and the fabric is really soft if my face ends up touching it.

Warmth and noisiness

I've been testing this pad in warmer (or at least mild-to-cool) conditions, and the fabric combined with the ridges allows for some air flow, which is welcome. That also means I haven't had the opportunity to put it through its paces once the temperatures drop, but I'm experienced enough with Therm-a-Rest pads to trust its R-value rating and will update this review if I'm wrong about that.

No one likes a crinkly mattress, not least your neighbor if you camp with a partner, but this one is about as quiet as a camping mat can be, totally devoid of squeaking, rustling or any other annoying noises in the night.

Ease of use and value

This pad has two valves: one marked In for inflation and another marked Out for deflation. I started out trying to inflate this one by mouth just to see how long it would take. With it being such a high volume pad, I expected it to take a bit longer than usual, and when I got to 50 breaths, I was feeling a bit lightheaded so I switched over to the inflation sack.

This is essentially just a nylon sack with a valve that inserts into the In valve, and an opening at the other end. You simply 'catch' air in it, then start rolling it up, and it squeezes the air into the sack. It's really easy and a great option for anyone with asthma.

Anyway, when this didn't work, I realized it was because the Out valve had somehow come open, so perhaps I could have done the whole thing by mouth, but once I realized how easy the inflation sack makes things, I've just stuck with that. Long story short, expect a couple of minutes to get this inflated. When it's time to pack up camp, you can just pull the Out valve and all the air comes out in a split second.

As for value, like a lot of really high-end outdoor gear, it all depends on, well, what you value. If you want a good night's sleep above all else, you're not going to find a better pad than this, and perhaps won't mind the high price. If you can compromise a bit on sleep, you'll find cheaper mats out there that aren't quite as thick but get the job done.

Also consider

Comparison table

• How Advnture tests products

One of my favorite quotes from the seminal TV drama series The Wire was a line from Michaewl K. Williams’ Omar character: ‘You come at the king, you best not miss.’

You might ask: what does this have to do with camping coolers? Well, the world of camping coolers has a clear king at the moment. Yeti’s perennially popular premium coolers have made a once moderately unfashionable item cool. Not only this, the brand has raised the bar in terms of the quality customers should expect when investing in a cool box. So, if you bring a new cooler to the market, you’d better make sure it’s up to the task, otherwise you might get iced. Just ask Orca. You come at the king, you best not miss.

Now, Trail Outdoor Leisure’s price points aren’t as bloated as the numbers Yeti is able to command. This relatively new British camping gear brand sets its stall out with quality, industry knowledge and, crucially, affordability, as the supporting pillars. Affordable and Yeti aren’t two words that have ever occupied the same sentence, so I had to be mindful of this when testing Trail’s cool box offering.

Trail’s range comprises the mini 5L Cool Box, the 22L Camping Cool Box and the Large 45L Cool Box on Wheels. I was delighted to give the latter a go this summer, taking it along on my beach and camping vacations. It’s currently available for £89.99 on the brand’s website, apparently down from £199.99. This makes it a much cheaper option than the equivalent Yeti, the Tundra 45 Cool Box, which retails at £300 in the UK, and $325 in the States.

First impressions

To look at, Trail’s Cool Box sits somewhere between something you might pick up cheap in the supermarket and a top-notch cooler of the sort Yeti craft. This should come as no surprise considering its price. It feels more ‘plasticky’ than a premium box but classier than a budget one. Available in Charcoal (grey) or Navy Blue, it's fairly good looking and the chunky wheels, latches and handles radiate a sense of ruggedness.

At 12lbs 9oz (5.7kg), it's noticeably light, especially if you’re used to Yeti’s coolers, which weigh around twice as much. This makes it easier to carry around but does raise an eyebrow when it comes to longevity and performance. We’ll deal with the latter in a moment but for the former, only time will tell.

Features

The Cool Box uses a dense, closed-cell polyurethane (PU) foam at the centre of its three-layer design to retain its interior temperature. It’s this that retains ice and thus keeps everything nicely chilled inside. The exterior is a hardened polyethylene and polypropylene shell that’s highly resistant to impact and makes for a half-decent seat. It’s rigid to the touch and gives an impression of ruggedness. Meanwhile, the interior liner is in line with EU regulations when it comes to food safety and is easy to wipe clean too.

All the closed-cell PU in the world would be for naught unless the lid creates an airtight closure. Two chunky locking catches secure it in place while a rubbery rim bonds the lid to the body of the box. There are two circular slots on top of the lid for holding cups or cans, just like those you get on trains or planes. This is a handy feature for when you’re using the box as a makeshift table.

One of the standout features of the Cool Box on Wheels is exactly that: it’s got wheels. This is an especially useful feature when the box is full of ice, beverages and food, providing an easy option for getting from A to B. The opposite end of the cooler has a fold-away tow handle with a sticky grip for straightforward pulling. At the other end is a shorter fold-away handle too, for when a two-handed carry is the better course of action. This also provides the option of a two-person lift. In short, there are several ways to get this cooler into situ, empty or full.

When it comes to the end of the trip, there’s a plug that can be unscrewed towards the bottom of the box on the wheel end. This makes it easy to tip the meltwater out using the long tow handle.

In the field

I’ve been using the Cool Box throughout what was a gloriously sunny summer in the UK, taking it on beach breaks and a camping trip to Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park.

So, how long did the Cool Box stay chilled for? What was its ice retention like? I took the scientific approach to the question on my camping break to Eryri. At the start of the trip, I added 22lb (10kg) of ice cubes, as well as several beers and the food I’d need to keep chilled for the duration of the long weekend. Trail states that the PU foam insulation should provide up to 72 hours cooling.

After 51 hours, some of the ice had melted, though much of it was still intact. The box was still keeping my drinks and closed food items nicely chilled, though it was difficult to store food that had been opened by this point, without it getting thoroughly wet. Some form of compatible basket would be nice for this sort of thing.

On the morning of our departure, 64 hours after I’d added the ice, some cubes remained, although there was a lot of water now. Crucially, the box was still chilled. So, for a long weekend, the Cool Box does provide a good option, though next time I’ll perhaps increase the amount of ice I add to begin with.

One thing’s for sure, I very much enjoyed my super-chilled craft beers on the second night of the trip, watching the sun sink between some of North Wales’ most iconic peaks. That moment was worth the price alone.

Capacity wise, you can fit quite a bit in here depending on how much ice you pile in initially. For my three-person, weekend camping trip it was a little bit overkill – I still had loads of space for more food, cans, bottles, whatever. So, it’s a decent option for a large group at basecamp or for a festival.

General usability is also good. As mentioned, it’s easy to pull along thanks to its wheels and tow handle, and I like how the handles have been made from a softer, grippier material. The locking catches on the lid are easy enough to open and close. There are no latch points or tie-down slots, as you get on some coolers, so it’s not the best option for loading onto a water-bound vessel.

So, on the whole, it’s a pretty decent cool box. It’s not as obviously high-performing or robust as a Yeti cooler, the king in the cooler market. But, it doesn’t miss the mark either. I’d say its target audience is somewhat different to Yeti's: it’s for those who want a good cool box for their outdoor adventures without splashing too much cash. For these thrifty folk, it’s a great option.

Also consider

Comparison table

Founded in 2017, Trail Outdoor Leisure (I’ll be referring to it as Trail henceforth) is a relative newcomer on the British camping gear scene. It’s a brand that creates quality yet affordable camping gear, from family tents and windbreaks, to campsite kitchens and coolers.

Folding camping and beach trolleys have been growing in popularity in recent years. Highly useful for park days, family vacations, festivals, beach and camping trips, they’re basically a great way to move large amounts of stuff over medium to long-distances, letting the wheels do the work on sometimes challenging terrain. That agonizing trudge from the car park to the tent at a festival just got a whole lot easier. The sweaty walk from the van to the sun loungers on the beach just became a breeze. Best of all, kids love being pulled along too.

First impressions

One of the key features of these kinds of trolleys are the way they fold down, making them easy to slot into the car for trips away. When compacted, the Camping Trolley measures just 30 x 12.5 x 8in (77 x 32 x 20cm) and is long and impressively thin. It looks neat and tidy when packed away in its carry case, its four wheels poking out below the unit. Draw a couple of eyes on it and it could almost pass for a Star Wars droid in this form.

Having peeled away the Velcro straps and liberated the unit, I was impressed at how quickly and easily the trolley unfolds and takes shape. It feels reassuringly sturdy and moves relatively smoothly too. I immediately like some of the subtler touches, such as the metal D-rings that can be deployed when securing bulkier items and the design of the D-shaped handle with its ergonomic grooves.

Features

The design of the Camping Trolley is nothing new. These kinds of carts are becoming a mainstay in the camping, festival and beach break worlds. Young parents are cottoning on to how useful they can be and every summer more and more are appearing. They all feature a clever folding frame that supports a rectangular fabric bucket when folded out.

This bucket is made from a highly durable 600-denier polyester that feels reassuringly rugged to the touch. It’s detachable and is affixed to the frame via four chunky screws, one in each corner, as well as by four Velcro sleeves. The frame is forged from steel that’s powder-coated to protect against rust and wear.

There’s a separate hard-backed, foldable base, which slots into the carry bag when not in use and forms the foundation of the bucket. When it was time to pack out, all I had to do was remove the base and pull the tab in the centre of the bucket. This pulls the whole thing upwards, folding the frame inwards like a concertina. Very clever.

At one end of the cart is an ergonomic, D-shaped handle on the end of a telescopic, 31in (79cm) pole. This is used to pull and steer the trolley when extended and the pole can be shortened to 20in (50cm) when it’s time to pack the unit away.

The trolley is front-wheel drive, meaning the two wheels by the handle are free to swivel, while the back wheels are fixed in place. The wheels themselves are made from polypropylene and are 1.5in (3.5cm) wide. A diamond-shaped tread pattern provides the grip. Both the front wheels can be locked via supermarket trolley style pedals – should you ever need to pause on a particularly steep incline.

A nice touch is the inclusion of four metal D-rings, two on either side of the bucket. This enables the user to strap bulkier cargo into place using cord when pulling over uneven terrain or for longer distances. They could also be used for attaching small items, though the rings aren’t the most rugged. Think large shoelace D-rings rather than carabiners.

It weighs a not inconsiderable 24lb 4oz (11kg), so it’s a heavy addition to your camping canon. However, when you consider the effort that having it along for the ride will save, it’s worth loading the extra weight into the car. When assembled, it can carry 176lb 6oz (80kg) of gear, which isn’t as much as some options on the market but it’ll do most jobs just fine. Just don’t have one too many beers and then decide to jump in with another friend for a midnight joyride around the campsite, as you’ll undoubtedly be over the limit. However, it’s always fun pulling the kids around and it’ll easily fit and cope with the weight of three pre-schoolers.

Last but not least, the water-resistant carry bag is nicely designed too. When the trolley is folded down, it would be quite challenging to fit the bag over the frame, as it's quite a snug fit. Fortunately, Trail has made this process easy by including a zipper down one end of the bag, which enabled me to open it up when sliding it onto the frame. All I had to do then was tighten it back up once everything was in place. The bag is then secured to the frame using two Velcro straps that slot through D-rings at the bottom of the frame. Finally, the foldable base slots into a dedicated pocket on the carry bag. The tension in the whole system means that everything is held together nice and tight. Carry handles on the top and side give the option of carrying the unit upright or horizontally.

On the beach and in camp

I’ve been testing the Camping Trolley during a beach break to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and a camping trip to Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. It made life easier on many occasions and my 3-year-old daughter loved jumping in and getting wheeled around at any opportunity. It took up very little space in the car too.

The campsite was where it truly excelled, making the pitching process less effort and much quicker. Its bucket is big enough to take a packed down family tent and several other items at the same time. Even when fully loaded, it was easy to steer and pull across fairly rough terrain.

On the beach, the width and design of the Camping Trolley’s wheels let it down a little, making moving it across dry sand trickier than with some models. The wheels just aren’t wide enough, nor is the tread deep enough, to excel on this kind of terrain. If you’re looking for a beach trolley, you’re much better off going for the all-terrain wheels on Trail’s Folding Beach Trolley. Nevertheless, it was still a useful tool for getting all of the kit from the car park to the edge of the sand – this can often be quite a long walk, especially at more secluded beaches.

After a full summer of use, I’m pleased to say that I’ve had no issues with durability – everything still works as it should. I’ve been hauling some heavy loads, running around the campsite with my 3-year-old child in the back and pulling it across varied terrain. As mentioned, it was only on the beach that I found its design wanting.

So, if you’re after an affordable trolley for general use, or camping trips, this is a good option. For beach goers, invest in a dedicated beach trolley with specialized wheels instead.

Keen to get outdoors and enjoy a few cozy nights in the wilderness before the winter weather kicks in? You might need a new tent, and now is the perfect time to get one, as we've found a great deal on this model from Coleman.

Right now, you can get your hands on the trail-ready Coleman Peak1 2-person backpacking tent for just $191.99 at Backcountry, a whopping 40% off its list price.

With a packed weight of 6lb 1oz, this tent may not be the lighted - we'd recommend splitting it between two trekkers, but it's a great intro to wild camping and is designed to offer protection from strong winds and heavy rain, thanks to Coleman's Weathertec Plus system. It's kept up by 7000 series aluminium poles, capable of withstanding winds up to 45mph (72kmph), and features a 2,000mm hydrostatic head rainfly.

Once you've set up camp for the night, you can lie back and watch the stars, thanks to this tent's Star View window, which unzips from the inside.

If you're not in the US, you can look below for today's best Coleman tent deals where you are.

• The best camping tents: for superb backcountry adventures
• The best 4-person tents: spacious tents for camping with friends and family

Big Agnes Torchlight EXP 0°: first impressions 

Sleeping bags can be warm and technical, and they can be roomy, but they're not often both at the same time, so imagine our surprise when this bag came along touting both characteristics.

The Torchlight EXP 0° from Colorado brand Big Agnes boasts a patented expandable side panel design. This basically means that, in addition to the regular zip along the side that opens your bag up, there's a second, parallel zip, which adds up to 10in (25cm) of space for sleeping on your side or on your back with knees bent.

What's more, this space can be opened up wherever you want it, around your shoulders, hips, knees, feet or along your whole body.

Fully insulated with 650 Fill Downtek PFC-Free water-repellent down, this bag holds up against frigid temperatures, and has a cozy hood to seal out drafts. The shell fabric is silky, soft, and not noisy.

If you're using it with a sleeping pad, the integrated PadLok Sleep System attaches to your pad so you don't roll off. The Pillow Barn allows for natural head movement while keeping your pillow securely in place, and the cozy hood is just like the one on your favorite down jacket.

Though it comes with a carry sack, you need to buy the stuff sack separately, and we recommend that you do, because it's a bit bulkier than your average sleeping bag and, while not the heaviest we've tested, it's definitely not ultralight. It's feasible that you'd take this on a short backpacking trip, but where we think it truly excels is for longer, cold expeditions where you're transporting your gear in a duffel.

Big Agnes Torchlight EXP 0° sleeping bag: in the field 

For the past couple of years, I've eschewed restrictive sleeping bags and favored my Sea to Summit camping quilt, but for the trek to Everest Base Camp, I knew I'd need something really warm. Though we'd be sleeping in teahouses, those teahouses aren't heated, and at elevations of 16,942ft (5,164m), I was warned it could get well below freezing at night.

I also knew my gear would be carried by porters, so while I had a strict weight limit of 15kg to fly to Lukla, I wasn't quite as conservative as I usually am.

I slept with this bag for 11 nights on my trek to and from Base Camp, and have taken it on one ensuing car camping trip in Scotland this summer.

Here’s how it performed:

Comfort and design

This sleeping bag is easily one of the softest and coziest I've ever enjoyed, at least on par with the zipless Sierra Designs Night Cap. The shell fabric is super soft, and the down filling feels quite sumptuous. Even though the beds I was sleeping on during my trek in Nepal came with bedding, including a comforter, the cleanliness wasn't always pristine, and I was quite happy to just throw this over the top and sleep inside it every night.

Of course, the main reason it's so comfortable comes down to its innovative design, which allows it to be expandable, and I used this feature every night. It gives so much extra space that I was able to sleep inside it on my back with my legs crossed in a basket, which I understand is unusual, but hey, it works for me.

I'm a bit of a sprawler, and without the usual restrictions, I got better sleep and never ended up with achey hips like I sometimes get from lying like I'm inside a coffin.

Warmth and breathability

On the trek to Base Camp, I tested these measurables out in some pretty cold conditions, even though I was indoors and not on the ground. With just thin wooden walls, by early evening my room would be too cold to relax in, so I'd usually get inside my bag to recover from my hike before dinner, then get right back in it for bedtime.

Exactly why Big Agnes have called this bag the EXP 0° is something of a mystery, since that number doesn't seem to relate directly to any of the product's temperature ratings, which range from ISO 18°F/-7.8°C for comfort, to 6°F/-14.4°C for limit. It's possible that the bag has an unpublished extreme rating of 0°F/-17.8°C, but we'd never advise using an extreme rating as a guide, since that is a temperature at which you might well survive in a bag, but could be risking hypothermia - you can learn more about sleeping bag temperature ratings here.

However, all that said, the Big Agnes Torchlight EXP 0° sleeping bag is incredibly warm. Even in the challenging conditions described above, I was often able to unzip it a bit, so I wasn't anywhere near the edge of the comfort limit, which I had been a little concerned about.

On the other end of the spectrum, it has proven a bit warm for summer camping here in Scotland, but it does come in 20° and 30° ratings if you want something for milder weather, but like the sound of the expandable design. I'd also add here that it's really quite breathable and I've never suffered a sweaty night in it.

Weight and packability

Though this isn't heavy, like an old flannel sleeping bag, it does have considerably more heft and girth than my camping quilt, and I personally wouldn't bring it on a backpacking trip, no matter how much I love it.

That said, it's not super heavy, and I think with a proper stuff sack, it's an excellent choice for serious alpine expeditions where you're transporting your gear to a base camp. Or car camping, of course.

Also consider

Comparison table

• How Advnture tests products

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Topo Luxe sleep mat: first impressions

I first had the chance to try out the Thermarest Neo-Air Topo Luxe on a chilly March night in the Brecon Beacons. My usual set up often finds me opting for a weighty self-inflating mat due to my fear of ending up on the ground with a dreaded puncture.

This has always fostered a slight paranoia of mats that are as big and inflatable as the Topo Luxe. However, the apparent robustness of the Topo Luxe has left me feeling it is possible to have bed-like comfort in an inflating mat without sacrificing lightness, packability and durability.

Upon inflation the Topo Luxe immediately looked like a comfortable mat. The horizontal baffles and rectangular shape give an immediate impression of something more akin to a standard air mattress than a conventional hiking mat, and if you're looking to shave grams, do bear in mind it does not have a mummy-shape option.

The mat has a smooth finish with a contour pattern that errs on the slippery side, so in a sleeping bag you may find yourself sliding off. When weight is less important (yes, I have used this mat at festivals) I have gotten around this by adding a cotton top sheet. But if you're thru hiking with this mat and don't want the extra load just be prepared for a bit of erm, mobility in the night, especially if you're sleeping on a slope.

There's no doubting the comfort though, thanks to the plush 3.9in (10cm) thickness and generous size. Just make sure you check the length works if you're planning on sleeping on it in a backpacking tent. The Large and XL versions are both 77in (196cm) long, which left it touching the top and bottom ends of my backpacking tent. The Regular and Regular Wide options are 72in (183cm) long, and we think this is a much more manageable length for one or 2-person tents.

The mat has a simple twin lock valve set up - one for inflation and one for deflation. The large deflation valve works excellently at expelling the full mat of air for pack down, and can allow for releasing small amounts if you need to tweak the firmness in the middle of the night. Similarly, the inflation valve is one way and easily placed by the head to allow for top ups if needed. I did find the twisting of the inflate valve a little tricky with thicker gloves on, but not to an unusual extent.

There is a pump sack included within the bag for the mat. However, it took me over seven minutes to inflate with the sack versus two minutes by mouth. Having recently watched someone else blow up a similar mat with a pump sack in seconds, it's clear there is a knack to it that I have yet to master, but overall I found the process fiddly compared to just blowing straight into the valve or using a mini-pump.

It is worth learning how to do it properly though, as using the pump sack is designed to prevent moisture going into the mat, and in the long term moisture can cause mould. So if you’re serious about the longevity of your purchase, then it’s worth taking the extra time to use it.

The completely open valve means it deflates for pack down in seconds.

Warmth

This mat boasts an R value of 3.7, which is impressive given its thickness and amount of air used to inflate it. The first time I used it I could have benefitted from a slightly higher R rating as it was the start of spring, and it was a cold night. However, despite being set up on an exposed ridge, the thickness of the mat combined with the relatively high R value kept me warm and somewhat protected from the gusts of wind that were ripping under my porch and into the inner tent.

The flip side of the mat being this thick was with my tent being rather low profile, I did spend a lot of the night with my head claustrophobically close to the top of the inner sheet, something to consider if you are working with a smaller set-up.

Returning to use this mat later in the season, I had no issues with the insulation at all and I really appreciated the home-like comfort. Using a bigger tent also meant the claustrophobia was no longer an issue - if you’re using a coffin style tent you may find it’s just too much of a tight fit due to its height and the length of the two larger sizes.

Weight and packability

The mat has a total pack weight of 2lb 1oz (947g), or 1lb 13oz (850g) if you are stowing it away without the pump sack, repair kit etc.

For a mat of this thermal rating, surface area and pack size it has no right weighing this little, especially given this was the Large size. I was able to pack and roll this down to roughly around the size of a litre water bottle and my only gripe is that the included carry sack is much larger than the size of the rolled mat and could benefit with some form of compression system to make for easier bag storage.

Size and comfort

The Topo Luxe is a rectangular mat, and I am more used to mummy shape mats. Thanks to its generous size, I found the size Large to be palatial in comparison to what I would usually use (I’m 6ft 2in / 186cm tall).

Given the generous size I was able to position myself comfortably throughout the night and this was a positive given that the top side is fairly slippery. My camp spot was not entirely on flat ground but I found that with the increased surface area there was much less chance of ending up with limbs sliding off.

However, if you opt for a smaller size you may find this to be more of an issue.

• How Advnture tests products

The cold nights and frosty mornings of autumn are almost upon us, and there's no better way to see in the new season than with a cozy camping trip.

If you're planning a night or two in the wilderness, you may need to invest in some new gear, including a warmer sleeping bag and better protection from the rain. A snug pair of camping slippers could also come in handy, keeping your feet warm when flip-flops are no longer enough.

The men's Nupse Mule Bootie slip-ons from The North Face are designed to stop your feet from freezing in the colder seasons and are now half price - available for just $39.50 at Backcountry.

Crafted with sustainability in mind, the Nupse Mule Bootie slip-ons feature uppers made from 100% recycled polyester and outsoles composed of 20% recycled rubber. Once inside, the lofty Goose Down insulation aims to keep your feet toasty, whether you're pitching a tent or relaxing by the fire.

This pair features an easy slip-on design and foldable heels, so you can put yours on in seconds.

If you're looking for something a little more subtle, the men's Nupse Mule Bootie slip-ons are also available with a corduroy design, and are reduced by 30% to $62.26 at Backcountry.

If you're not in the States, you can look below for today's best slippers deals from The North Face where you are.

• The best hiking sandals: breezy footwear for casual walks
• The best hiking boots and shoes for wide feet: stride out with confidence in well-fitting footwear

Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System Isobutane: first impressions 

Jetboil took its award-winning Genesis Basecamp System and made it compatible with standard isobutane fuel canisters. This ingenious double-burner stove combines lightweight portability with ferocious power to give you a complete kitchen when you're car camping.

The Basecamp System comes neatly packed inside a carrying bag with a handle, and the savvy stove folds in half and easily locks shut for stowing and transportation. When you're ready to cook, unfold it and screw on your fuel regulator – the gas canister can fuel both rings at once.

To ignite the rings, turn the knob and flick an ignition switch. The burners will roar to life and you can juggle a 5l FluxPot to cook pasta, rice, potatoes or soup as well as a ceramic-coated nonstick fry pan for eggs, veggies, burgers or whatever camping meal you fancy on the day.

Water will boil in under three minutes and your frying pan will heat up lightning quick, but you can turn the burners down and manage heat flow quite well. The included wind screen isn't the best we've tried, but you'd need to be cooking in a gale for wind to pose any real threat to the flame.

When you're finished cooking, the materials barely retain any heat so you can pack them up instantly and get on your way if you're in a rush.

Neat, efficient, light and easy to use, this camping stove is an absolute dream for any car camper and the only thing that will make you think twice is the high price.

JetBoil Genesis Basecamp System Isobutane: in the field 

I've been adventuring with my Jetboil Flash 1.0 for a while now, which is great for quickly making a backpacking meal or hot chocolate, but if I'm car camping with my partner and family, it's always been our trusty Trangia that feeds us.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Trangia for reasons I've written about here, but when I heard that Jetboil had updated its double-burner Basecamp System, I jumped at the chance to give it a shot.

I first tested this out in the backyard so I wouldn't find myself struggling with it in the wild with hungry children glaring at me, and the pictures I've shared here are from that experiment. However, we've since had it out on every car camping trip this summer.

Design and features

My only other experience with a double-burner stove is the Vango Combi IR Grill Compact, which folds up like a suitcase, but this one has quite a genius design.

The neat, circular stove folds in half to stack the two burners for transport and storage. There's a handle on both sides that clips away and means you can easily pull it out no matter which way it was facing when you packed it. Simply unclip the rubber leashes that secure it and unfold it, and you have two circular burners side by side.

The fuel connector screws into the stove and into any isobutane canister, and there's a knob on each burner to control the gas flow, with two ignition levers to light them.

The stove comes with a 5l FluxPot and 10in (25cm) ceramic-coated nonstick fry pan, both of which are lightweight and have handles that remain cool when you're cooking and fold away. The 5l pot has a lid to help boil water faster, and there's a windscreen included.

Weight and packability

The whole package is designed to easily pack inside the 5l pot, and it comes with a cylindrical carry bag with handles that makes it super-easy to carry from car to campsite. There's even a little extra room for other kitchen utensils (I keep a spatula, sporks, and chopping board in there now).

Compared to a lot of other portable double-burner stoves, it's really quite light and a lot more packable, easily stashing into the very small trunk of our tiny car or behind the front seats.

Ease of use and performance

In my initial field test, I wanted to see how far I could get without reading the instruction manual, and in fact, it's all pretty intuitive.

I unfolded the stove and connected the fuel. I only needed to check the manual to find the ignition, which is a small red lever that I had to flick once for fire. The burners roared to life ferociously, and I set about bringing one liter of water to a boil and frying an egg.

Because I was only boiling one liter of water, it was bubbling in about two minutes, while my egg started to bubble away before I realized I needed to turn the heat way down underneath it. Suffice to say, it all happens in a Jetboil flash.

Because I was just giving the stove a quick test, I packed it all up almost immediately and was pleased to find the equipment wasn't super hot and I didn't have to hang around waiting for it to cool.

Over time we've figured out how to cook food at a lower setting. Now, our eggs don't have bubbles in them and this summer we've successfully made pasta, sausages and mash, and several nice cooked breakfasts.

We've managed to nail the simmer function, but if you want to cook things on a really low heat, you might struggle, but that's not a priority for me at camp because the aim of the game is always food, fast. The only drawback, compared to my Vango stove, is that you can't make toast.

Unusually for Scotland, we've not had to contend with much wind recently, which is good because the Basecamp System's wind screen isn't the best. It's a plastic sheet that site near the stove, but it's a little flimsy and unwieldy. That said, I think it would take a serious wind to affect the burners, and in that instance, I'd think about setting up elsewhere. Since this stove is designed for car campers, you could obviously use your car as a wind screen.

Durability and value

This stove is built of tough stuff and doesn't creak unnervingly like my Vango, which makes it seem cheap in comparison. The pans are equally sturdy and well designed.

The Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System Isobutane is a top-of-the-line double burner and in comparison to the competition, it truly excels in packability and weight, ease of use and quick boiling performance. You won't be surprised to hear that it's easily the priciest we've tested, but you certainly get what you pay for, and if you love car camping, there's no reason why this spend won't make you very happy.

Also consider

Comparison table

• How Advnture tests products

Big Agnes Rapide SL Pillow: first impressions 

Inflatable camping pillows have a bit of a bad reputation for being, well, useless, but this game-changing cushion from Colorado's Big Agnes is here to help rewrite that unfortunate narrative.

It arrives packed away in a stuff sack and is so small you can easily pop it in a pocket or clip it to your backpack. Made using a soft, four-way stretch nylon (that's puncture and tear-resistant), this pillow inflates with just a couple of puffs to become a decent-seized support system that's not as big as your pillow at home, but still gives your head plenty of wiggle room. You can adjust it to make it softer or firmer depending on your needs.

It's designed with ergonomic thickness and shape for a comfortable sleep position, whether you're on your side or back, and it stays nice and stable while you sleep, thanks to what the brand calls a 'minimalist offset I-Beam construction'. Basically, it's quiet, soft and stable.

And if that's not all you need from a camping pillow, it has advanced heat reflective technology so it helps keep you warm and cozy after the temperatures drop, and an
antimicrobial treatment inside the pillow prevents micro-organism growth to keep your pillow fresh and stink-free.

When it's time to pack up and move on, this pillow easily deflates and rolls away. It's on the higher end of pricing for pillows we've tested, but easily worth every penny and turns a camping pillow from nice-to-have to must-have for backpackers who hate waking up with sore necks.

Big Agnes Rapide SL Pillow: in the field 

I've been using my old Klymit Cush pillow for camping for at least 15 years and I love it for its light weight packability, but I often have to fold it up to get the correct thickness, and it struggles to fully deflate these days, so when I heard that Big Agnes was breaking into the UK market, I was excited to try some of their ultralight gear on my adventures.

I actually got this pillow to use on my trek to Everest Base Camp, which turned out to be unnecessary as the pillows along the route were all sufficient, but I've spent the summer using it along with the Big Agnes Rapide SL Sleeping Pad on all my camping trips.

Here’s how it performed:

Weight and packability

When you can roll up a fleece jacket and stick it in the stuff sack of your sleeping bag to rest your head on, it's easy to rule out hauling the extra bulk and weight of a camping pillow, but this model eliminates any debate for me. I often like to give a comparison to help understand how much an item I'm reviewing weighs, but at just 50 grams with the stuff sack, it literally feels like nothing in my hand. Even if I were trying to fastpack my way along the Appalachian Trail, I wouldn't think twice about bringing it.

It packs down into a little stuff sack and fits in the palm of my hand, and it's squashable, so it's easy to fit inside any pocket or even my camping mug. If you really don't have room inside your pack, clip it to the outside via the loop on the stuff sack.

Size, comfort and noisiness

The problem, if there was one, with my old pillow is that it's designed to be versatile, so it's quite long and thin and can be used as a seat or doubled up for a pillow. It's a great design, but it made me think there was no way an inflatable pillow could feel like a regular one, and it turns out that's not true.

This inflates to about two-thirds the width of my pillow at home, which is a decent amount of real estate and means if I'm on my back and want to roll onto my side, I don't have to adjust my pillow.

I like it inflated all the way and find the thickness just right for my neck, even on my side, and it's soft against my skin and nice and stable and supportive.

The soft fabric means it's not crinkly or rustly which also helps me get a better night's sleep.

Ease of use and value

Some valves are really fiddly, but this is super easy to inflate and deflate. I'm not sure if this is what I'm supposed to be doing, but basically, I use one finger to press the middle of the valve then put my mouth over it to blow air in. It takes me precisely two big breaths to inflate it, and all the air doesn't come rushing back out when it's time to close the valve.

My old pillow has an annoying habit of holding onto a little air, and fortunately, this one doesn't share that trait. When I want to pack it away, I just press the center of the valve again while I squeeze the air out, and before I know it it's packed away and I'm back on the trail.

It's not the priciest pillow on the market, but at $50 I can see why lots of backpackers would want to give it a miss. I've always prided myself on a more minimalist approach, but now I know how comfortable this pillow is, I'd happily pay the price and won't go camping again without it.

Also consider

Comparison table

• How Advnture tests products

The end of summer is sadly in our sights, but if you have no intention of letting the weather get in the way of your camping plans, you're going to need a warmer sleeping pad.

Right now, you can pick up the top-rated Nemo Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad for just $149.89 at REI. That's a rare savings of 25% off this sleeping pad, which REI customers give a perfect 5 stars.

This deal is part of REI's massive Labor Day sale going on through September 1 with up to 30% off some of the best hiking and camping equipment.

The Tensor All-Season Ultralight has an impressive R-value of 5.4 and features the brand's proprietary Spaceframe baffle design, which utilizes low-stretch fabric trusses to create stable support and offer just the right amount of give for a great night's sleep.

This deal apples to both the regular and regular mummy sizing, while you can also makes savings on the wide and long versions if you want a bit more real estate.

If you're not in the US, scroll to the bottom of this article for the best Nemo Tensor sleeping pad deals where you live.

The regular mummy sizing weighs just 14oz but inflates to give you 3.5in of loft and keep you well off rough ground. The included Vortex pump sack provides easy and fast inflation, saves your breath at elevation and minimizes moisture entering the pad.

If you're not in the US, you can look below for today's best Nemo Tensor sleeping pad deals where you are.

• The best sleeping pads: comfy mats for all camping trips
• The best sleeping bags: for comfort in camp
• The best camping pillows: tested for comfort in the backcountry

Are you on the hunt for a cozy new tent to take the family camping? Act fast, and you can save loads on this large, three-season model at Backcountry. The Marmot Halo tent boasts living space for up to four people, and is now available for $389.99.

It's made from a combination of 68-denier polyester ripstop and 40-denier polyester no-see-um mesh, designed to keep you cool and cozy in spring, summer, and fall. When the weather worsens, you're protected from the rain by a PU-coated 86-denier nylon rainfly and 70-denier nylon floor, which boasts a hydrostatic head rating of 3,000mm.

Hydrostatic head ratings indicate how waterproof your tent is, reflecting the amount of water, in millimeters, that the fabric can withstand before it leaks. Anything with a hydrostatic head rating over 1,000mm is considered waterproof, and a rating of 3,000mm is more than enough to withstand heavy rainfall.

Inside, there's 64sq ft (5.9m²) of floor space, and multiple storage compartments, so you can keep your belongings organized and maximize the available room.

This large Marmot tent is designed for heavy use with the family, or multiple friends. If you're looking for something a little smaller, you can check out our guides to the best one-person tents and two-person tents.

If you're not in the States, you can look below for today's best marmot tent deals where you are.

• The best camping tents: for superb backcountry adventures
• The best pop-up tents: backpacking and camping tents for speedy setup

As someone who attended every rally and protest about the recent attempt by a wealthy landlord to remove the right to legally wild camp on Dartmoor, and a regular wild camper myself, I dread waking up to news reports such as this one, claiming there has been a surge in fly camping since the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the general public retaining the right to spend the night on the moor.

The first thing that raises my hackles (after the fact that some people will stoop to such conduct) is the instant and seemingly gleeful conflation of wild camping with nuisance camping and general bad behaviour in the outdoors. Although the article does admittedly make an attempt to explain the ethics of wild camping as opposed to fly camping, the dots are neatly set out for the casual reader to join the two activities, as if one is an inevitable consequence of the other.

In reality, the fly camping described in the BBC piece has absolutely nothing to do with wild camping, and there are already laws in place proscribing such destructive behaviour. Wild camping involves hiking or biking some distance into a remote place with things you can carry in a backpack (ie not a generator, large speakers and a coolbox full of beer), and then leaving the area at least as pristine as you found it (many wild campers will remove litter left by others).

Going wild

Had the recent court case gone the other way, this problematic activity would very likely still be happening (especially in a summer that has seen four freakish heatwaves so far), but all the responsible wild campers would have been criminalised or deterred from spending time on Dartmoor as well, leaving fewer people to help clear up the resulting mess and/or alert authorities to serious wrongdoing taking place in the National Park.

To draw an analogy: it’s currently perfectly acceptable all over Britain to enjoy a picnic in a park with friends, but that doesn’t make it OK to drive across the grass, chuck empty soda cans and McDonald’s wrappers all over the place, bust out a sound system, hold an impromptu rave and leave your old sofa and busted fridge in the hedge.

These two sets of behaviors are pretty clearly distinct from one another, right? Well, it’s the same with wild camping and fly camping. Except no one is suggesting that a countrywide ban on picnicking is a good idea, or that responsible sandwich munchers should all be criminalized.

Under Pressure

Did the court case and media coverage of it draw attention to the fact that Dartmoor is the only place in the whole of England and Wales that you can legally camp in a natural setting without paying for the privilege? Yes, of course it did. And that has inevitably increased the numbers of people visiting the moor to do just that, which only goes to highlight how ludicrous that situation is.

Some people literally drive down the country to Devon from the North and the Midlands, passing all kinds of wonderful wild places, just so they can enjoy a night under the stars on Dartmoor without the threat of getting moved on. And the vast majority of these people proceed to wild camp completely responsibly, but they should be free to do this in myriad remote spots around the country.

To draw another analogy – currently anyone and everyone is free to fish from any publicly accessible beach or headland in Britain, without a permit (and, sadly, some of the people who interpret that right in entirely the wrong way leave broken beer bottles and fishing line laced with hooks behind on the sand for kids and dogs to find with their feet the next day). Can you imagine if ‘wild fishing’ was legal in just a couple of coves in one county – picture the pressure that would put that small piece of coastline under.

Optics and evidence

Part of the problem with fly camping is that it only takes a few groups of people doing it to create a massive and very visible mess. An increase in real wild campers is much harder to monitor, because they leave no trace (and therefore cause no problems).

“We have seen lots more wild campers coming to spend time in popular areas such as Postbridge recently,” says Gillian Heally – who is a Dartmoor Guide, running walking excursions across the moor, and a co-ordinator for The Stars are for Everyone, a group that has been at the forefront of the fight for the continued right to wild camp on Dartmoor. “But the next day you wouldn’t know anyone had been there.”

Sadly, the same is not true when you get an increase in vehicle visitation, whether people stay overnight in vans or tents (and, once again for those at the back, camping by your car is not wild camping), or just come for the day.

“I’m on a forum for outdoor leaders, and there has been a lot of talk this summer about the rise in problem behaviour like littering in popular outdoor areas across the country,” Gillian tells me. “And just look at the state festival sites are left in. We live in a throw-away culture. I think the best solution is through education – not through putting up barriers stop people going outdoors.”

Access and education

And this is the crux of the problem. If you make it hard, or impossible, for groups and families to take children out and legally spend quality time in the wilderness, how can you expect the next generation to know how to behave in, or to properly value, green spaces? And corralling campers into paid-for sites (as good as many of them are) just teaches people there’s a litter bin on every corner, which isn’t the case in the wild, where you need to pack everything back out with you.

The fact there’s still only one tiny corner of one county in the whole of England and Wales where you are allowed to do something as simple as sleep outside is staggering. And the attention that has been brought to this ridiculous situation has obviously increased pressure on parts of Dartmoor – especially in a post-lockdown era of outdoor online influencers (many of whom, to be fair, do stress the importance of leave no trace ethics) with enormous followings.

And this is why organisations such as the BMC are pushing for an expansion of the right to wild camp across the country, in a campaign I passionately support. But wherever you stand on the issue, make sure you leave the spot at least as green, clean, pretty and pristine as it was when you found it in the first place.

Are your backcountry kitchen skills in high demand? You're going to need a proper knife for cheffing it up at camp, and we've found a deal just for you.

Right now, you can grab the highly rated GSI Outdoors Santoku Knife Set for only $9.57 at Steep and Cheap. That's a massive 40% off the regular asking price for this gourmet prep set that's perfect for camping and backpacking.

With an average rating of 4.7 stars, this knife set is praised for its sturdy construction and usefulness outdoors. The sharp, stainless steel blade is 8.25in in length, making it more useful than your pocket knife for slicing and dicing and comes with a protective sheath, rolling cutting board, and mesh bag to pack it all away so you can stash it in your backpack when you're on the go.

If you're not in the US, scroll down to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on camping knives where you are.

Not in the US? These are today's best deals on camping knives where you are:

• Best camping knives: folding knives for wild expeditions
• The best multitools: for camping, hiking and other outdoor adventures

If you're new to camping, setting up your tent can be a bit of a mission. Detailed instructions, different connecting poles, and plenty of pegs can all seem a bit overwhelming, especially if you're only planning a short trip.

Beginner-friendly pop-up tents aim to eliminate the hassle by setting up in seconds, without the need for fiddling around. They're not as stable as dedicated camping and backpacking tents, but are well worth considering for rookies, and we've found one of our favorite models for a whopping 60% off!

The Regatta Malawi 2 tent is a compact and lightweight 2-person model that pops up instantly, and is now available for just $48 on the Regatta website. It's made from breathable 100% polyester fabric and comes with a 70-denier Hydrofort flysheet, which boasts an impressive 3,000mm hydrostatic head waterproof rating.

The Malawi 2 holds a place on our guide to the best pop-up tents as the best model for festival use, where we described it as an "archetypal tent" for festival goers and beginner campers.

"We found it to be a nice light weight, a compact and easy-to-store size and it pops up instantly and folds down quickly into a circular carry bag," continues our guide.

Not in the US? Look below to check out today's best Malawi 2 pop-up tent deals where you are.

• The best 2-person tents: for backpacking and car camping
• The best camping tents: for superb backcountry adventures

If you're spending time outdoors, you never know when you'll need to trim, pry, sharpen or whittle, and a good blade is key. Among the great pocket knife makers, Portland-based Gerber Gear is one of the heavyweights, known for its high-quality blades, and right now, you can grab the popular Gerber Gear Swagger Folding Pocket Knife for just $24.94 on Amazon.

That's a massive 41% off this highly-rated camping knife, which receives an average of 4.4 stars among customers and makes a great gift.

"This Gerber you can count on for years," writes one reviewer, who calls it the best knife they've ever purchased.

This pocket knife weighs 4.4oz and has a 3.25in stainless steel G10 blade built to stand the test of time for your outdoor adventures, and designed for Every Day Carry.

The Swagger uses an assisted opening that makes it safer to use, and while some reviewers note that it's a little stiff the first few tries, it soon loosens up and becomes pleasingly easy to open with just one hand.

If you're not in the US, scroll down to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on Gerber knives where you are.

This simple but essential camping knife comes with a lifetime warranty and is perfect for camping, hunting, bushcraft and just opening packages at home.

Not in the US? These are today's best deals on Gerber knives where you are:

• Best camping knives: folding knives for wild expeditions
• The best multitools: for camping, hiking and other outdoor adventures

Keen to squeeze the last out of the summer with a few more camping adventures? Check out this insane deal on one of our favorite 4-person tents, which is now a whopping 63% off at Amazon.

The Sierra Designs Nomad 4 tent is a spacious and easy-to-use model with enough insulation for three-season use, and it's now available for just $159.95.

This well-rated freestanding tent is made from 15-denier no-see-um nylon material and uses a 68-denier polyester taffeta floor and flysheet to protect against rainfall in the wilderness. It's also very lightweight for a 4-person tent, weighing in at just 12lb 13oz (5.81kg). This is a little heavy for one person to lug around the wilderness, but it works well for four campers sharing the burden.

Along with its minimal weight and decent protection from the elements, the Nomad 4 stands out due to its super-quick and simple set-up. It takes only minutes to pitch after just "a glance at the instructions," according to camping expert Sian Lewis, who gave the tent a four-star rating in her review for Advnture.

"We were impressed with the bedroom size and dimensions when we tested out the Nomad on a multi-day camp on Dartmoor," she continued.

"It doesn’t quite offer room to stand but is still far roomier and taller than most lightweight four-person tents on the market."

Not in the US? Look below to check out today's best Sierra Designs Nomad 4 tent deals where you are.

• The best 2-person tents: for backpacking and car camping
• The best pop-up tents: backpacking and camping tents for speedy setup

Leatherman has launched a voluntary recall of two of its popular multi-tool models due to a design flaw that may pose a risk of injury to users.

According to an alert by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Portland-based multi-tool pioneer has issued a recall of the models after discovering the flaw, which Leatherman says only affects “a small portion of units.” According to the official recall, the tip of the knife blade in some units may not fold fully into the handle, which may result in a “laceration hazard.”

Approximately 17,000 of these products have been sold in the United States at REI, hardware, cutlery and other stores and online at Leatherman and Amazon between July 2024 and March 2025. There have been no reports of injuries from the flaw.

This recall involves the Leatherman Charge Plus and Charge Plus TTi multi-tools. The Charge Plus multi-tools come in both black and stainless steel colors with a black MOLLE or black nylon sheath. The Charge Plus TTi multi-tools are stainless steel and have a black nylon sheath. Both have the brand name “Leatherman” etched on them.

If you believe you own either of these products, you should immediately stop using it and visit Leatherman’s recall page to determine if your multi-tool requires recall. If your item is affected, you will not be required to show proof of purchase and will receive a pre-paid shipping label to return it to Leatherman to be repaired free of charge.

• The best multitools: for camping, hiking and other outdoor adventures
• Best camping knives: folding knives for wild expeditions

More people head outdoors in summer than any other season, but with the right gear you can hang out and roast marshmallows all year round. Right now, you can pick up the highly-rated Solo Stove Yukon Backyard Bundle 1.0 for just $599.99 at Steep and Cheap. Yep, we know, that sounds pricey, but it's a gigantic savings of 50% off the regular asking price for this smokeless fire pit, which Solo Stove customers give a 4.7-star rating.

"Absolutely the best," writes one Solo Stove customer, who say they use a combination of oak and ash when using it, and it goes completely smokeless after about 20 minutes.

Unlike some of its more portable models like the Solo Stove Lite, the Yukon is a burly affair that's built for backyard cookouts and long campsite gatherings where you don't want smoke flying around you.

This unique fire pit controls its wood-burning fire with 360° Signature Airflow Technology, which creates optimal airflow and a secondary burn to eliminate smoke before it gets in your hair and clothes.

If you're not in the US, scroll down to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on Solo Stove fire pits where you are.

The Yukon can be placed anywhere in your yard or campsite thanks to the included Yukon stand, while the Yukon shield and shelter protects you and your loved ones from loose ash, and your stove protected from the elements.

If you're not in the US, here are today's best offers on Solo Stove fire pits near you:

• The best wood-burning stoves: for cooking up campsite cuisine with natural fuel

Getting my hands on MSR's new Hubba Hubba LT tent several months before it’s officially released in Europe felt a bit like pushing to the front of a queue at a big gig or popular club… but I wasn’t going to let that stop me. And besides – you want to know what to expect when one of the world’s most iconic tents is re-launched, right?

If you’re not familiar with the Hubba Hubba – a tent so good they named it twice – you might be wondering what all the excitement is about. Isn’t this just another lightweight shelter? Well, no, not really – not if you’ve spent years wandering trails and hanging out in crags and campsites where the Hubba Hubba has been an ever-present feature for two decades, an immediate indicator that the people within it know what they’re doing in the outdoors and value quality kit.

Hubba Hubba History

Back in 2004, Mountain Safety Research (an American brand better known as MSR) launched the first Hubba Hubba tent, and promptly transformed overnight hiking experiences for a generation of multiday walkers, thru hikers and backpackers.

A freestanding hub-style shelter, with a semi-geodesic dome shape, the original Hubba Hubba was the first widely available 3-season packable tent to offer a large living space with decent headroom, plus two doors and spacious vestibules – all while being lightweight enough to take hiking and remaining easy and quick to pitch.

Besides the two-sided symmetrical hub, a major innovation was the ‘brow pole’, a short pole positioned perpendicularly to the main cross pole, which pushed the side of the structure out, vastly improving the useful space in both the inner tent and the vestibules. This, combined with the use of cutting-edge materials and some super smart design, resulted in a shelter that provided reliable 3-season protection from the elements, plus excellent comfort levels and enough covered outdoor space for hikers to store their walking boots and backpacks, and use a camping stove in rough weather. It was a game changer, and would go on to be one of the most popular backpacking tents of all time.

Hubba Bubbles

For the next 15 years, MSR incrementally evolved the design of the Hubba Hubba, adding little innovative elements such as internal drying/hanging lines, a loft and rain gutters on the fly, carefully refining what many regard to be the classic 2-person shelter to arrive at the MSR Hubba NX, which came out in 2019. The brand also adapted the Hubba design to produce a 1-person tent for solo campers , launched a 3-person Mutha Hubba, a 4-person Papa Hubba, and developed a 1-person and 2-person iteration of the tent specifically for bikepackers.

Earlier this year, however, came the exciting news that, after two decades, MSR had decided to substantially reconfigure the Hubba Hubba. The new design – the LT – would be on sale in January 2026 (in Europe, and a bit earlier in the United States), with 1-person, 2-person and 3-person versions available.

I was lucky enough to get a preview of the new designs at the Outdoor Trade Show in June, but having been teased with a tantalising glimpse, I couldn’t wait another six months to properly test this exciting new-generation tent out. So I travelled to Midleton in County Cork in the Republic of Ireland, where Cascade Designs (MSR’s parent company) have their European HQ, to get my hands on an early sample of the Hubba Hubba LT 2-Person Backpacking Tent, and then I took it out into the wilds in the Wicklow Mountains. Here is how I got on.

Ch ch ch changes

Before we get overexcited – please note that, at first glance, the Hubba Hubba LT doesn’t immediately look dramatically different to the NX – at least not on the outside.

It retains essentially the same shape and the flysheet’s neutral color scheme is a subtly different shade (the U.S. and European versions differ from one another in color slightly too). And to be fair, these elements didn't need to be tinkered with – the symmetrical shape works well for dealing with wind while offering good amounts of living space, and the natural color is ideal for discretion when you’re wild camping – so why change them?

There have been some changes to the design of the design of the DAC pole skeleton, however, with the four legs in the >–|–< shape being lengthened, and the brow pole being slightly extended, adaptations that have increased the internal living space and the usefulness of the vestibules. The corner hardware, where the ends of the poles slot into the feet at the four corners of the groundsheet, has also been upgraded, so the components are now all metal and highly durable. The new pegs are lightweight, but very sturdy, ‘mini groundhog’ stakes.

And although it looks similar, the materials used in the flysheet (and the floor and internal mesh walls) are now solution-dyed, a process that reduces carbon emissions by a minimum of 80% compared to the fabrics previously used by MSR (and other brands). The window vents have also been enhanced.

It's worth noting, however, that while the flysheet retain a hydrostatic head (HH) rating of 1,200mm (the same as the NX), the HH rating of the tent body (ground sheet) has dropped from 3000mm on the NX, to 1,800mm on the new LT. For a hardier (but heavier) tent, have a look at the Hubba Hubba HD, which includes a rainfly with a HH of 3,000 and groundsheet with a 6,000mm rating.

In numerical terms the increases might seem minor – with the new pole design you get 1in (2cm) extra head space, and the rectangular inner has 4in (11cm) additional length and 2in (5cm) extra width (to give you 32 sq ft of space total) but these changes make a tangible difference to the comfort levels.

As soon as I pitched the LT, rolled out my camping mat and sleeping bag, and stashed my stuff in the vestibule, the tent felt substantially larger than the NX. And as I got changed out of my hiking pants and crawled into bed that evening, I certainly appreciated the additional headroom.

I was testing the 2-person Hubba Hubba LT on my own this time, but you can very easily lay two large rectangular Thermarest Neoloft camping mats side by side in this tent (I’ve tried it), which is more than can be said for the vast majority of 2-person shelters. (As an aside, the new 3-person Hubba Hubba LT can comfortably work as a 4-person backpacking tent, if you use mummy shaped sleeping pads.)

The vestibules are also longer, and although they are slightly narrower, the useful amount of porch space has been increased, which comes in extremely handy when you are storing muddy hiking shoes and walking boots, or boiling some water for a brew.

Best of all, because of the change in fabric used for the inner, this size upgrade has been achieved for less of a weight penalty, with the LT weighing just 3lb 6oz (1.54kg), as compared to 3lb 13oz (1.72 kg) for the NX.

The main tent is now made mostly from solution-dyed micromesh, which is very lightweight but provides excellent breathability (vastly reducing condensation) and bug protection. You can pitch the tent and leave the flysheet off on cloud-free nights, to enjoy some stargazing before you drift into a slumber.

I was camping in the middle of a heatwave that was sizzling (even in Ireland), and I was very comfortable in a lightweight 2-season sleeping bag, but I can’t help thinking the use of this mesh will affect how warm the Hubba Hubba is during the colder months, lowering the internal temperature – this is something I’ll monitor as the seasons change.

Another alteration that becomes immediately obvious when you start looking more closely at the LT is to the internal doors. Instead of the old-style D-shape doors on the inner tent, there is a triangular shaped opening, with two separate zips meeting at the point of the right angle. The benefit of this is that the zips are more durable, easier to use with one hand, and the zipper always ends up in the same place, so you know exactly where to find it without scrambling around with a headlamp in the middle of the night.

One other change I noticed on the inside of the tent is the addition of cable ports in the wall pockets, so you can have things like mobile phones and smartwatches neatly plugged into powerpacks for recharging, without wires dangling all over the place.

I have many more adventures planned involving the new LT2, during which I will test the thermal properties of the redesigned inner tent (outside of a heatwave), and I will be uploading a full review here in due course.

You can purchase the Hubba Hubba LT2 in the United States now, and it will be available in the UK and across Europe from 1 January 2026. In the meantime, look out for deals on all iterations of the Hubba Hubba NX, which remains a superb backpacking tent.

Three-season tents are ideal for campers who want to steer clear of the winter cold and make the most of pleasant conditions during the rest of the year. The best combine a lightweight and breathable exterior with enough protection and waterproofing for when things get a little less comfortable.

If you're in the market for a model to see you through the summer and into the colder nights of fall, then this Big Agnes tent could be the one for you. The Blacktail 4 is built for trying conditions in spring, summer, and fall, and is now available for just $243.73 at REI.

The Blacktail 4 is made from a durable combination of breathable polyester mesh and lightweight aluminium poles, and features several fly vents, designed to increase airflow on sticky summer days. Inside, the sixty square feet (5.5m²) of floor area is large enough to sleep four, while the symmetrical pole structure increases head space, so everyone can fit in comfortably.

Good weather is never guaranteed in the wilderness, and the Blacktail aims to protect you from the rain with a waterproof floor and rainfly. Both are made from polyester and feature a 1,500 mm waterproof polyurethane (PU) coating to shield against the elements.

The Blacktail 4 sleeps four campers. If you're looking for something smaller, the Blacktail 2 and Blacktail 3 tents are perfect for two and three-person adventures and available for their list prices on REI.

If you're not in the States, you can look below for today's best Big Agnes tent deals.

• The best 2-person tents: for backpacking and car camping
• The best camping stoves: backpacking and double burner stoves

Side sleeping is the most common sleeping position for adults. Research shows that around 54% of us roll onto our sides when we want to get some kip, whether that's in a comfy bed at home or inside a toasty sleeping bag in the wilderness.

With so many people sleeping on their sides, it's a surprise that there aren't more sleeping bags like this one. The Big Agnes Sidewinder Camp 35 features a cocoon-style fit that hugs the contours of your body when you roll onto your side, and it's now available for just $100.73 in men's sizes and $118.73 in women's sizes at REI.

The side-sleeping design aims to increase comfort and keep insulation close to your body to stop irritating air pockets. Everything down to the thermally efficient footbox mimics the shape you make lying on your side.

Along with its unique design, the Sidewinder Camp 35 was built to be a reliable and insulating model that can keep you warm in temperatures down to 35°F (-2°C). It's made from dependable ripstop nylon and features a PFC-free water repellent finish to protect against the elements. It's filled with toasty FireLine Eco 100% post-consumer recycled polyester and stops heat from escaping with a no-draft anti-snag locking zipper.

If you're after something a little warmer, the Sidewinder Camp 20 model is rated down to 20°F (-7°C), and is also available in men's and women's sizes at REI.

Don't worry if you're not in the US, you can look below for today's best Big Agnes sleeping bag deals where you are.

• The best sleeping bags: camp in comfort
• The best camping pillows: tested for comfort in the backcountry

For nearly 20 years, Yeti has dominated the quality corner of the camping cooler market. But all that started to change this spring when Coleman, long known for its decidedly more budget-friendly gear, decided to take a leaf out of the Austin brand's book.

The result is the new Coleman Pro line of hard and soft-sided coolers, which will keep your food and drinks cold for days, not just hours. Constructed using the same rotomolding process that Yeti uses to make coolers like its perennially popular Tundra 45 Hard Cooler, the Coleman Pro Hard Coolers are a seamless coolbox built through the heating and rotating of a plastic resin.

They're not as pricey as Yetis, but owing to their quality construction, they're not exactly cheap either – until now. Right now, you can scoop up the Coleman Pro Heavy-Duty 17qt Ultra-Light Premium Hard Cooler Lunchbox for just $74.99 at Amazon.

That's a massive 44% off the regular price for this robust but compact cooler, and the cheapest it's ever been on Amazon.

Built for day trips and tailgating, this locking cooler holds 14 cans and 9lbs of ice and keeps them cold for days. It's a little neater than the Yeti Roadie 15, but similar in terms of capacity and, hopefully, performance.

This is a limited-time deal, so we suggest you act fast if you want to make great savings.

Not in the US? Scroll to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on Coleman Pro coolers near you.

If you're loading this cooler up in the back of the truck or bringing it on deck, rubberized boots to prevent it from sliding around. An interior antimicrobial treatment helps prevent odor, mildew, and mold and even though it's a neat size, it still doubles as a handy stool round the campfire.

If you're not in the US, here are today's best deals on Coleman Pro coolers where you are.

• The best camping coolers: keep food and drinks delightfully chilled

When the Nemo Stargaze camping chair first came out in 2018, it was more or less an overnight hit among campers who loved the first-ever swinging and reclining camping chair design. Who could blame them? We didn't think there was much to improve upon, but the New Hampshire brand has other ideas.

The Nemo Stargaze Evo X, available now, has taken the tried-and-tested approach to comfort at camp and made it even more convenient. Now constructed as a single, permanently connected structure, the brand says the new design can be set up – or as they say, "smoothly unfurled" – in just one step.

“Integrating the seat and frame into a single permanently connected structure was a key decision that makes instant setup feel natural and satisfying," says Nemo Senior Furniture Designer Rich Woessner.

Compared with the previous design, the steel frame of the Evo X has six points of contact (rather than four) and a "flared foot geometry," so it's also more stable when you've set it up on rocky ground or at the beach.

Once you've set it up, the brand says you can expect body-cradling comfort thanks to cushioning at pressure points, the padded headrest, and flexible back support. Of course, it's got the same relaxing swinging motion that made its predecessor so perennially popular, you can simply lean back to gaze at the stars and two integrated cup holders are available for your beverage of choice.

The Stargaze EVO-X has a 300lb (136kg) capacity and weighs 13lbs 12oz (6.2kg), so it's not as light as something like the Helinox Chair One, but it's also less minimalist.

It comes with a handy roll top carry case for portability and is available now in 5 colors from Nemo for $179.95 / £168.

• The best camping chairs: kick back in style on your vacations
• The best camping coolers: keep food and drinks delightfully chilled

When Leatherman launches a new product, most who love the wilder side of life tend to sit up and take notice. But we usually expect it to be a multi-tool. After all, the Portland-based brand is the pioneer of multi-use tools featuring blades, screwdrivers, corkscrews, and more that hikers and campers never leave home without. But while the new launch from Leatherman is still pocket-friendly and enormously practical, there's a sharp difference: they're all knives.

Leatherman's new knife range isn't a total departure for the brand – it's dabbled in limited-edition blades in the past. But now it looks like the brand, which launched the very first multitool over 40 years ago, is taking a confident step into the competitive world of premium folding knives.

Calling the range "a natural evolution" (and we'd have to agree on this point), Leatherman says the new line, which features five sleek-looking models, is "built for those who live with purpose."

At first glance, it's clear the new blades share plenty of DNA with their multi-use cousins, and by that we mean they're slim, designed for Everyday Carry, and expertly crafted in Portland using premium materials. They're also pricey.

Leatherman knives: the goods

All five models are built with MagnaCut steel, which was developed specifically for EDC blades and is known for its durability, corrosion-resistance and edge-retention. Machined G10 handles are made using fiberglass soaked in resin, which the brand says is both durable and provides better grip, while "jimping" – a process that cuts ridges – on the knifepoint spine also improves grip and handline control. Radius edges also help with a comfortable grip and give the knives an impressively clean look.

The lightest models in the range weigh less than four ounces (104g), or about the same as a deck of cards, and all models are fitted with a deep carry pocket clip that's adjustable for right or left-hand pockets.

If you like to move fast without being weighed down, the two lightest models are the Blazer, which is designed as a go-anywhere-do-anything versatile blade, and the minimalist-by-comparison Glider, which looks ideal for fastpacking. Both feature the patent-pending Compression Wedge Lock for safety and ease of use.

For a tougher design, the Pioneer is heavier-duty and weighs substantially more to perform against difficult tasks that will be loved by bushcraft experts, while the Trac looks to be an all-rounder that will work for every activity from hunting to foraging.

Finally, if you're just looking for something reliable for whipping up a great meal at camp, check out the Rustle, which at $279.99 is a little cheaper than everything else on the list, all priced at $299.99.

Leatherman's new range of knives is out now and you can browse the full range here. If you're searching for something with more versatility, take a look at our article on Leatherman multitools.

• Best camping knives: folding knives for wild expeditions
• The best multitools: for camping, hiking and other outdoor adventures

When I think of coolers, I think of Yeti. The popular US brand began life in 2006, when fishing brothers Roy and Ryan Seiders got sick of the same old coolers that wouldn't last after relentless use. The pair set up Yeti to create coolers durable enough to last the course, with effective cold insulation for all your food and drink.

These days, Yeti is one of the world's biggest cooler brands, known globally for its durable, high-quality designs. With this stellar reputation, Yeti coolers are usually expensive, and deals are rare, so we're over the moon to tell you about these epic Yeti bargains, available as retailers across the web slash their prices in an attempt to keep up with the Amazon Prime Day sales.

Right now, you can get your hands on the portable Yeti Hopper M15 cooler for just $240 at Yeti.

This dependable soft cooler is one of Yeti's most popular models, and can carry up to 32 cans at once, so you won't run out of drinks on your camping trip. Its extra-wide magshield access mouth makes use of magnets to become 'ultra leak-resistant' according to Yeti.

The Tundra 45 cooler can fit even more, and is now on offer for $259.99 at Dick's Sporting Goods.

This model is a hard cooler, made from tough rotomolded polyethylene, so it's even more durable than its soft counterpart. Inside, there's space for up to 37lb (16.8kg) of ice or 52 cans, which are kept cool by Yeti's own PermaFrost insulation technology.

Don't worry if you're not in the US, you can look below for today's best Yeti deals where you are.

• The best camping coolers: keep food and drinks delightfully chilled
• The best lightweight camping gear: tents, backpacks, sleeping bags and more

After months of anticipation, Amazon Prime Day is here and in full swing, offering great deals on all sorts of outdoor gear on Amazon. There are plenty of bargains to choose from, including big reductions on well-rated Garmin sports watches, trail running shoes, and more, but funnily enough, many of the best camping deals aren't on Amazon at all.

Several big-name outdoor retailers have also cut their prices in a bid to keep up with Amazon's Prime Day madness. As a result, there are loads of great outdoor deals to choose from at other retailers like REI, Backcountry and Dick's Sporting Goods.

To save you time and money, we've scrolled through all the major sales to find the top five camping deals currently available.

Among our picks, you'll find insulating sleeping bags like the Kelty Cosmic 20 and Patagonia Fitz Roy Down, which are both over $100 off. There are also great backpacking tent deals to take advantage of, including the waterproof Tadpole SL tent from The North Face, which can be stuffed into a small portable bag and is now available for just $300 at Dick's Sporting Goods.

Read on for our full list and a roundup of today's best tent, sleeping bag, and camping stove deals from across the web.

Our favorite camping deals

More epic deals

Stick with Advnture for handpicked deals from the Amazon Prime Day sale, which runs until July 11.

• The best camping tents: for superb backcountry adventures
• The best sleeping bags: for comfort in camp

REI's massive July 4 sale is in full swing, and while there are great savings to be made on big-ticket items from brands like Therm-a-Rest, there are plenty of discounts to be found on small-but-essential gear for camping that will help you budget this summer.

We've found some super savings on cooking gear for camping as well as safe hydration from top brands MSR and Lifestraw.

This sale runs through July 7, and among the thousands of items that are discounted by as much as 50%, you can make savings on top-quality camping gear like camping stoves and coffee presses from MSR, as well as water filters from Lifestraw.

Seattle-based MSR is owned by the same parent company as Therm-a-Rest and is well-known for its reliable camping and mountaineering gear, and we've found 25% off its MSR Switch Stove System if you need a lightweight and simple solution to cooking on the trail.

LifeStraw's Swiss-made water filters were originally developed to help people living in developing nations, but have taken over the backpacking and camping world to help people find safe water in the wild without having to spend ages filtering water. Right now, you can grab the highly rated LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Water Filter System for 30% off at REI.

We've outlined our favorite deals from MSR and LifeStraw below, and you can shop the entire sale here. Remember, the sale ends on July 7, so don't hit snooze if you see something you like.

If you're not in the US, scroll to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on MSR and LifeStraw camping gear.

MSR deals

LifeStraw deals

Not in the US?

Still hunting for great deals? Look below for more of today's best deals on MSR stoves and LifeStraw water filters.

• The best camping stoves: backpacking and double-burner stoves
• The best water purifiers and filters: clever devices for supplying safe drinking water on the trail and in camp

Let's be honest, camping isn't always about getting off-grid and unplugging. If you're a tech junkie, you'll love innovative camping gadgets and one of the most interesting ones we've seen in recents years is currently up for grabs at a big discount.

Right now, you can pick up the highly-rated BioLite CampStove 2+ for just $149.94 at Amazon. That's a hefty 25% off the regular asking price for this wood-burning camping stove that does more than just cook your dinner.

This nifty gadget is fueled by sticks, wood scraps, or pellets to cook your meals and boil water – it also converts heat into electricity, so you can charge your phone, headlamp, camping lantern, or other battery-powered tech whilst you cook dinner.

This deal applies to the stove only, but you can also save 25% off the complete kit, which includes a portable grill, KettlePot, coffee press, FlexLight, 2x stuff sacks, and micro USB cable.

If you're not in the US, you'll find the best deals on the BioLite Campstove 2 near you at the bottom of this article.

Devices can be charged via the integrated USB port. The thermoelectric generator generates 3 watts of power for real-time charging, and stores power in the 3,200 mAh battery for use even when fire isn’t burning. This clever camping stove even has a dashboard to show you battery status.

Given all the functions it performs, it won't surprise you to hear that it’s a hefty size (5in x 7.9in) and weight (2lbs), so best used for camping holidays rather than backpacking trips.

Not in the US? Here are today's best deals on the BioLite Campstove 2 near you.

• The best camping stoves: backpacking and double-burner stoves
• The best wood-burning stoves: for cooking up campsite cuisine with natural fuel

Why put off till tomorrow what you can do today? Amazon Prime Day kicks off on July 8, but REI has decided to get on the action early with a massive July 4 sale and we've found super savings on camping sleep gear from top brands Therm-a-Rest and Kelty.

This sale runs through July 7, and among the thousands of items that the outdoor retailer has slashed prices on, you can save big bucks on top-quality camping gear like sleeping pads and bags from Therm-a-Rest and Kelty.

Therm-a-Rest is best known for being the innovator of the inflatable, open-cell foam mats that have revolutionized backpacking and camping, and we've found 40% off its classic Trail Pro Sleeping Pad as well as deals on cozy sleeping bags.

Colorado-based Kelty started out life as the pioneer of the external frame backpack and has been making trustworthy camping gear for over a century. Right now, you can grab the award-winning Kelty Cosmic 20 sleeping bag for up to 29% off.

We've outlined our favorite deals from Therm-a-Rest and Kelty below, and you can shop the entire sale here. Remember, the sale ends on July 7, so don't delay.

If you're not in the US, scroll to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on Therm-a-Rest and Kelty sleeping gear.

Therm-a-Rest deals

Kelty deals

Not in the US?

Still hunting for great deals? Look below for more of today's best deals on Therm-a-Rest and Kelty sleeping gear.

• The best sleeping bags: for comfort in camp
• The best sleeping pads: comfy mats for all camping trips

On the lookout for a new tent to shelter you from the elements? Then look no further, as there are loads of the best tent deals to check out in the huge REI Independence Day sale.

This giant sale runs until July 7, and has slashed hundreds of dollars from all sorts of outdoor equipment. Among the deals, you can save plenty of money on well-rated tents from outdoor experts like Coleman and Kelty.

Both brands are heavily featured in the sale and have excellent reputations for crafting reliable, sturdy tents for use on the campsite or in the wilderness.

If you're after something to pack up and take wild camping, then check out the compact Coleman PEAK1 backpacking tent, which offers room for two and is now over $80 off at REI.

Want a tent for the family? The Kelty Discovery Basecamp tent boasts enough space for six campers and is now available for just $169.95.

To save spending hours browsing, we've handpicked our favorite Coleman and Kelty tent deals from the Independence Day sale. Alternatively, you can have a snoop at the full sale for yourself.

Coleman deals

Kelty tents

After more epic offers? Look below for more of today's best deals on loads of great tents from Coleman and Kelty.

• The best 2-person tents: for backpacking and car camping
• The best four-season tents: backpacking shelters to protect you all year

Amazon Prime Day is still nearly two weeks away, but camping season waits for no one, so outdoor retailer REI has decided to get in on the action early. The brand launched its massive July 4 sale today, and if you've been looking for a deal on a Yeti cooler, camping blanket or travel mug, the news is good.

Right now, REI members can save 20% off any one full-price Yeti item. That means you can pick up the top-rated and bestselling Yeti Roadie 32 Wheeled Cooler for just $300 at REI.

The 32 handles 50 cans or 36lb of ice, making it ideal for day trips, and falls in between the bestselling-but-hefty 48 and lightweight 24 models.

Obviously, the bigger the price tag, the more you'll save, so if you have the need for a spacious cooler, the best deal is on the massive Yeti Roadie 60 Wheeled Cooler, which you can scoop up for a healthy $380. But when you're shopping for coolers, you need one that suits your lifestyle and adventure needs, and we've given high marks to smaller Yeti coolers in our field tests, including the more totable Yeti Roadie 15 Hard Cooler and Yeti Hopper M15 Soft Cooler Bag, which are both up for grabs at 20% off.

We've outlined some of our favorite deals below, but the discount applies to all full-priced Yeti gear and you can shop the whole Yeti line here. When you find something you like, just log in to save 20% on your selected item at checkout.

Not an REI Co-Op member? You don't have to miss out – just head over to REI's membership page and join today for a one-off payment of $30. Then you get an annual 10% back on all eligible purchases plus more membership benefits for life, such as exclusive sales like this one.

If you're outside of the US, you can still find great savings on Yeti gear. Just scroll to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on the Yeti Roadie 32.

Yeti is the gold standard when it comes to coolers thanks to their famous built quality (bear-proof when fitted with appropriate locks) and exceptional insulation, so while they might cost more than competitors, it's reasonable to assume this is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase.

If you're not in the US, here are today's best deals on Yeti coolers:

• The best camping coolers: keep food and drinks delightfully chilled
• The best camping stoves: backpacking and double-burner stoves

Packing for a camping trip can be a tricky job. With limited space and loads essentials to bring, it can be hard to organize and compartmentalize everything properly.

That's where Heimplanet's latest set of kit aims to help. Their new Motion Edition set of packing cubes aims to make travel "smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable," according to the brand.

Three packing cubes are designed to store five t-shirts, five pairs of socks, and five sets of underwear, so you can reduce the chaos and reach for whatever you need at a moment's notice.

A large 13.3in x 7.9in x 2in (34cm x 20cm x 5cm) cube is built for t-shirts, while smaller 9.4in x 5.9in x 2in (24cm x 15cm x 5cm) cubes carry your pants and socks.

The 60% nylon, 40% polyester cubes are made from surplus material from Heimplanet's Motion series of backpacks and tent accessories, as to not create unnecessary waste.

They come with a handy PU coating on the inside and a DWR coating on the outside for added protection from the elements.

Like what you see? You can pick up the new Motion Series Packing Cubes for $47 on the Heimplanet website.

• The best hiking backpacks: from the lightest daypacks to sturdy alpine haulers
• The best daypacks: for shorter hikes and casual walks

If your idea of cooking up a hot meal at camp involves effortless stove set up, boiling water in two shakes of a lamb's tail and a delicious freeze-dried meal in front of you in under 10 minutes, there's a new minimalist camping stove in town and you're going to want to pay attention.

Primus, the camping brand behind portable stoves from the foldable Classic Trail Backpacking Stove to the capable Profile Portable 2-Burner has launched its lightest camping stove yet.

The Primus Micron III weighs just two ounces (58g), making it lighter than the Garmin Fenix 8 watch and even lighter than the Primus Firestick, which made it to our list of the best camping stoves.

Perfect for backpacking and thru-hiking trips where you want to cook for yourself and a partner, the tiny Primus III boasts a wind-resistant 2600W flame that the brand says can boil a liter of water in under four minutes. That might not be Jetboil fast, but by the time you've set up your Helinox Chair Zero and opened your backpacking meal, the water will be ready to go.

Packed down, this featherlight stove folds down to 2.4 x 1.8in (62 x 46mm) so you can stash it safely in your pocket or the top lid of your backpack. It comes with a nylon storage bag to protect the hinges from any grime in your pack. When it's lunch time, the simple screw-on setup threads into the gas canister and means it’s up and running within minutes.

According to the Swedish brand, the design "reflects a broader shift in how younger generations approach the outdoors - choosing lightweight, easy-to-assemble gear that gives them the freedom to move quickly and explore further."

"We’re seeing a real return to simpler, more self-sufficient adventures. This stove is built for that - minimalist, reliable, and versatile enough to go just about anywhere," says Neil Yoxall, UK & Ireland Sales Manager at Primus.

The stove has folding pot supports and is compatible with various is said to enhance flame precision so you can keep things under control.

The Primus Micron III is available now for $60 / £60 from Primus Equipment.

• The best camping stoves: backpacking and double-burner stoves
• The best camping coolers: keep food and drinks delightfully chilled

When Helinox issued the Chair Zero back in 2017, it changed everyone's expectations of what a camping chair could do and where you could take it. A comfortable seat that you can attach to a backpack and take on lightweight adventures? Yes please.

Right now, you can pick up the Helinox Chair Zero for just $97.97 at Amazon. That's a Hefty 30% off the list price for this super innovative camping chair that packs down to the width of a standard 32oz water bottle and weighs just a single pound thanks to the ultralight polyester seat and advanced DAC aluminum frame.

This deal applies to the White colorways, so as long as you don't mind the odd stain, it's a brilliant deal on one of the most popular camping chairs out there. We suggest you move fast if you don't want to spend the rest of the summer sitting on your cooler.

Not in the US? Scroll down to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on Helinox camping chairs near you.

Helinox chairs might be light, but they're reasonably sturdy thanks to DAC anodized poles, and can handle loads of up to 265lbs. When you've had a long day on your feet, the single shock cord pole structure makes for an easy setup that takes seconds.

If you're not in the US, here are today's best deals on Helinox camping chairs where you are:

• The best camping chairs: kick back in style
• The best camping coolers: keep food and drinks delightfully chilled

Amazon just announced the dates for this summer's Prime Day, but we've found some amazing deals on camping gear that you won't want to wait on.

Right now, you can pick up the lightweight Therm-a-Rest Prolite Plus Sleeping Pad for only $81.22 at Amazon. That's a massive savings of 35% off the regular asking price for this sleeping pad, which has an average 4.5-star rating from campers who have enjoyed a good night's sleep with it.

"The compact design is perfect," writes one reviewer.

"Plus, its amazingly light weight. I really enjoy how this sleeping pad provides with cushioning and helps keep me warm,"

With a 3.2 R-value, this pad provides ample protection for spring, summer and fall. It inflates to 1.5 inches thick to keep you comfortable without weighing you down, adding just 1lb to your backpack.

This deal applies to the regular sizing but if you're looking for a larger pad, you can save a healthy $50 and grab it for just $94.22.

If you're outside of the US, scroll to the bottom of this article to find the best deals on Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads near you.

Equipped with a dependable and rugged WingLock valve, the pad inflates three times faster than a standard valve and features lightning-fast deflation and packs down to just 11 x 6.8in for easy portability.

If you're not in the US, you can look below for today's best deals on Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads where you are:

• The best sleeping pads: comfy mats for all camping trips
• The best sleeping bags: for comfort in camp
• The best camping pillows: tested for comfort in the backcountry

There's always something around the campsite that needs tightened, tweaked, opened or secured and for those jobs, nothing beats a Leatherman multi-tool. These high quality tools aren't cheap, but we've spotted some rare deals on them recently.

Right now, you can pick up the sleek Leatherman Wingman multi-tool for just $55.96 at Amazon. That's a rare savings of 20% off the list price for this superb piece of kit that campers say has a "perfect design."

This lightweight, stainless steel tool is easy to keep in your backpack for those last-minute jobs and durable against rusting.

In addition to an outside-accessible, one-hand opening blade, it boasts pliers, wire cutters, scissors, screwdrivers, a can opener and a bottle opener. Basically, it can do anything you need it to, whenever you need it to.

We suggest you act fast as these discounts don't usually last long, but if you're still shopping, we've spotted good deals in recent days on both the Leatherman Wave+ and the Leatherman Rebar.

Not in the US? Scroll down to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on the Leatherman Wingman multi-tool mear you.

Open all the tools with one hand, even the ones that aren't accessible from the outside. With a locking blade, you can cut with confidence.

If you're not in the US, here are today's best deals on the Leatherman Wingman multi-tool where you are:

• The best multitools: for camping, hiking and other outdoor adventures
• The best camping knives: outdoor survival

Owning a Yeti cooler usually requires a significant financial investment (or a very generous gift) but we've been digging around and found a great deal to brighten up your summer day trips.

Right now, you can scoop up the Yeti Roadie 32 wheeled cooler for only $300 at Yeti. That's a generous $75 off the regular list price for this cooler, which the brand released last year and campers love for its "perfect size."

The 32 handles 50 cans or 36lb of ice, making it ideal for day trips, and falls in between the bestselling-but-hefty 48 and lightweight 24 models.

Like all Roadie coolers, it has a telescoping handle that makes it easy to wheel between your car and your campsite, with single-piece tires to handle rocky roads and beaches without risk of punctures. LipGrip handles in the sides give you plenty to grab onto when lifting it in and out of your vehicle, and BearFoot non-slip feet prevent it from sliding around while you drive.

This deal applies to the zesty Key Lime hue, which is a seasonal colorway for the model and means supplies will be limited, so we suggest you act fast.

Not in the US? No problem, just scroll to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on the Yeti Roadie 32.

The Roadie 32L comes with a dry goods basket included as standard, and is compatible with existing Roadie dividers, hard cooler baskets, and cup caddies, so you can switch them between your coolers as you need them.

If you're not in the US, here are today's best deals on the Yeti Roadie 32.

• The best camping coolers: keep food and drinks delightfully chilled

Here at Advnture, we love to invest in the best 2-person and family tents that will last for years, but there's no doubt that festival culture is encouraging the habit of single-use camping gear. In the UK alone, around 250,000 tents are left behind at festivals each year, adding to the huge environmental burden of outdoor events.

As part of a campaign to curb the problem of waste camping gear, an international outdoor retailer is offering a refund on any tent purchased this summer.

Customers who buy a tent online or in-store between June 9 and September 14 this year can return it before September 14, with proof of purchase, to receive the full value back as a gift card.

The initiative, available only in the UK, targets festival-goers and summer-season campers who often buy low-cost tents and abandon them after a short period of use.

How to buy your fully refundable tent

French retailer Decathlon will be running its Summer Tent Pledge for 2025, which it says will help end tent waste. It has promised that if you buy a Decathlon tent this summer – we love the Quechua MH100 Fresh&Black because it stays cool in hot temperatures – you can return it and will get your money back no matter how many times you have used it.

However, check the terms and conditions because if the tent is "damaged, stained, wet, contaminated, altered, or in any circumstance where its resale value is significantly diminished, Decathlon will reject its return."

To take advantage of the scheme, you need to buy your tent online or in-store between June 9 and September 14, 2025. Once you've enjoyed your summer adventures, you can return it to any Decathlon store with proof of purchase before September 14, 2025. You'll receive the full purchase value of your tent back as a Decathlon gift card – you just need to be a Decathlon Member at the time of return.

Organizers say that as well as ensuring that tents stay out of landfill, the buyback scheme fuels Decathlon’s Second Life scheme, which gives campers the opportunity to upgrade their current setup at a new accessible price point.

Where possible, the used tents will be sold on second-hand online or in-store.

• Complete your overnight setup with one of the best camping mattresses
• Keep fueled with the help of one of the best camping stoves

Ready to get outdoors on some summer adventures? You're going to need a great cooler for that. Right now, you can pick up the legendary Yeti Tundra 65 hard-sided cooler for just $279.93 at REI.

That's a rare 20% off this popular model, which has an average 4.8-star rating among REI customers who love its reliability and durability.

"Everything should be built this way," writes one reviewer, while another writes that the quality is beyond their expectations.

Yeti coolers rarely go on sale, and REI advises that stocks are selling fast, so this is a deal well worth checking out.

The Tundra is the Austin brand's original, reliable design and the Tundra 65, with extra thich Permafrost insulation, will comfortably hold 77 cans or 58 lbs of ice, or ample food for a family adventure, and keep it chilled all day. This bear-resistant design has a lid that doesn't just close, it seals shut with a freezer-quality gasket around the entire lid to minimize air exchange and keep your goods chilled for days.

This deal applies to the classy Wild Vine Red colorway that's sure to brighten up your summer picnics and river trips and be the envy of every campsite.

If you're not in the US, scroll down to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on the Yeti Tundra 65 where you are.

The Yeti Tundra 65 has a rotomolded construction (the same process used to make whitewater kayaks), to ensure excellent impact resistance and long-lasting durability. ie-down slots are molded into the cooler body for solid mounting in your boat or truck so the cooler can be secured without preventing access.

If you're not in the US, here are today's best Yeti Tundra 65 deals near you:

• The best camping coolers: hard and soft cool boxes, tested and rated

First impressions

Big Agnes has built a strong reputation in the US for making lightweight backpacking gear that doesn’t compromise on comfort or performance – and the Copper Spur UL1 continues that tradition in fine style. It’s a solo tent aimed squarely at thru-hikers, bike-packers and wild campers who need something light and packable, but who also want to enjoy their time at camp (not just survive it).

The tent weighs in at just 2lb 6oz (1.09 kg), which is very respectable for a fully enclosed one-person setup, and packs down to around the size of a wine bottle – seriously impressive given the amount of usable space it provides. This makes it easy to stuff into the bottom of a rucksack without reshuffling all your other gear.

Price wise, it falls firmly in the premium bracket. For context, it's costs roughly the same as the MSR Hubba NX solo, and a lot more than the average one-person tent. But what you’re paying for here is comfort, liveability and ease of use – and in those areas, it more than delivers.

In the wild

I tested the Copper Spur UL1 over a number of months, in everything from sunny summer wild camps to stormy overnighters. My first outing was a solo mission to Dartmoor, where I pitched it atop one of the national park’s exposed tors. With gusts whipping across the moorland all night, it got a proper shake-down – but it held up remarkably well. For something this light, the structural integrity is seriously impressive.

I also took it on a multi-day wild camping trip across the Brecon Beacons in warm weather, where the excellent ventilation kept things dry and breezy, even during muggy evenings. Add in a few casual overnights in local woodland, and I’ve clocked up around 10 nights in total – enough to confidently say this is one of the most comfortable one-person backpacking tents I’ve used.

Features

The first thing that struck me about the Copper Spur UL1 was just how easy it is to pitch. The hubbed pole system is brilliantly simple – you just clip the corners into their colour-coded lugs, pop the poles together, and you’re done. It’s an inner-first pitch, which could be a worry in persistent rain, but I found it so quick to set up that even in a Dartmoor downpour, it didn’t matter. You’re inside and out of the weather in no time.

Once you’re in, the tent really starts to shine. For a solo shelter, the amount of usable space is impressive. Big Agnes has opted for steep, almost vertical sidewalls, which totally change the feel of the interior. You can sit up comfortably, get changed without contorting yourself, and move around without brushing against mesh or sagging fabric. It feels more like a compact two-person tent in terms of volume, which is a rare and very welcome surprise at this weight.

Those steep walls also bring some real-world performance perks. Because the fly sits taut and upright, rain just runs straight off – I never saw any pooling, even in heavy weather. And structurally, it holds its shape well in the wind. On Dartmoor, I had it pitched in the open on top of a tor, and it stayed solid through overnight gusts of around 30mph. It doesn’t just look stable – it is.

Living in the tent for a few nights also gave me a real appreciation for how well thought-out the interior is. There’s a large overhead pocket above your head – perfect for a lantern or keeping small items close to hand – plus corner pockets and a couple of stash points that help keep everything organised. If you’ve ever spent a night in a tent where you’re constantly fumbling around for your headlamp or trying not to lose your phone, you’ll know how valuable this is.

The door design is another clever touch. You can roll it back entirely to open up the tent and let the air in, or – my favourite setup – prop it up with trekking poles to create a makeshift awning. It’s great for a bit of extra shade or rain protection while cooking, and it keeps the air flowing without leaving you completely exposed. On warm evenings, I spent a lot of time lounging just inside the door, with the breeze drifting in and everything within arm’s reach.

Ventilation throughout is excellent. The lower half of the inner is solid nylon to block out draughts, while the upper half is mesh to let the air circulate. There’s a vent on the fly, and the door zips are two-way, so you can crack the top open to let warm air escape. Even in cool, damp conditions, I didn’t have any condensation issues – which is more than I can say for a lot of tents I’ve used over the years.

Finally, it’s worth mentioning the Fast Fly setup, which lets you leave the inner at home and pitch just the fly with a compatible footprint (sold separately). I didn’t test the Copper Spur UL1 in this stripped-back mode, but I’ve used a similar configuration on Big Agnes’s Fly Creek model before. Personally, I found it a bit too exposed for UK conditions – there’s a lot of space between the fly and the ground, and on breezy nights it can feel pretty draughty, even in a winter bag. Still, if you’re heading out in reliably dry weather and want to cut your pack weight right down, it’s a handy option to have.

Durability

You don’t buy an ultralight tent expecting indestructible materials, but the Copper Spur UL1 still feels reassuringly well made. The silicone-treated nylon fly is tough for its weight, the stitching is tidy throughout, and the construction has clearly been well thought out. After 10 nights, mine still looks practically new.

That said, I’d still be cautious where you pitch it – thorns, sharp rocks or rough ground will always pose a risk to lightweight fabrics. I wouldn’t drag it across grit or throw it down on Dartmoor scree. But treat it with a bit of care, and I’m confident it’ll last years.

The bottom line

I’ve used plenty of solo tents over the years, but the Copper Spur UL1 stands out for how genuinely comfortable and well thought-out it is. It’s light enough for serious backpacking, yet roomy enough to actually enjoy being inside. The fast, intuitive pitch, clever storage, and excellent ventilation all add up to a tent that feels like a little home in the hills. Yes, it’s a big investment – but if you’re out often and value comfort as much as weight savings, it’s one that makes a lot of sense.

• How Advnture tests products

We all know that Austin-based brand Yeti is the gold standard when it comes to keeping your food and drinks chilled at camp, but did you know that not every Yeti cooler is a hard-sided behemoth? In recent years, the brand has branched out with soft-sided, adventure-ready coolers that you can easily carry a short distance down the trail and pack away neatly at home when you're not using them.

Right now, you can snag the top-rated Yeti Hopper M20 2.0 Backpack Soft Cooler for just $259.93 at REI. That's a rare saving of $65 off the regular price for this cooler, which fans say is "fabulous" and "excellent quality."

This deal applies to the classy Wild Vine Red colorway that you can load up with up to 18 cans, or 26lbs of ice, throw on your back and head out to your favorite spot by the river.

REI advises that inventory is running low on this model, so we recommend you act fast to seal this deal.

Not in the US? Scroll down to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on Yeti Hopper coolers.

This cooler features the brand's MagShield access for easy opening and leakproof carrying, plus closed-cell foam insulation. The soft sides make it easy to pack, tote around and store when you're not using it.

If you're not in the US, here are today's best deals on Yeti Hopper coolers:

• The best camping coolers: keep food and drinks delightfully chilled
• The best camping knives: outdoor survival

Leatherman invented the multi-tool and needless to say, the Portland-based brand knows its tools are the best, which is why you seldom see them at a discount. Right now, however, you can snag the pocket-sized Leatherman Rev for just $39.96 at Amazon.

That's a healthy 20% off the regular list price for this indispensable multi-tool, which reviewers say is the "best one yet" from the brand and keeps a toolbox full of functionality at your fingertips.

Whether you're cracking open a cold one at the campsite or tinkering under the hood of your truck, the Rev has you covered, with 14 tools including an outside accessible 420HC blade.

Weighing just 5.8oz and less than four inches long when closed, the handy Rev boasts multiple pliers and screwdrivers, a file, bottle opener, can opener and more.

Not in the US? Scroll to the bottom of this article to find the best deals on the Leatherman Rev near you.

This slim and ultra-portable tool is perfect for those new to multi-tools and makes a great gift for anyone outdoorsy in your life. Not sure if it's the right tool for you? Check out Leatherman's guide to the best multi-tools for hikers, campers, trail runners and climbers.

If you're not in the US, you can look below for today's best deals on the Leatherman Rev where you are:

• The best multitools: for camping, hiking and other outdoor adventures
• Best camping knives: folding knives for wild expeditions

"You happen to be on the same trail as me? I knew you were coming, and now we're here together. So, why don't I make you a tasty treat?" It's a simple sentiment from Canadian chef, restaurateur and star of The Bear Matty Matheson, who's teamed up with pizza oven brand Gozney to release the portable Tread in limited-edition orange.

Supposedly great pals with Gozney head Tom Gozney, Matheson said the idea came from just "two great minds mashed into one great thing." He hopes it will bring "the good times of high-temperature cooking to places you never thought possible".

The limited-edition oven has the same portable, durable and lightweight features found in the original Gozney Tread oven, which launched in early 2025. However, the bright orange finish helps to invoke a hint of Matty's personality.

It is designed to be used outdoors, thanks to its integrated carry handles and gas-powered fuelling system. However, it weighs 29.8lb / 13.5kg, so you'll need a car or some very strong pals to hoick it to your camp spot.

The oven has a wide temperature range that can reach 900°F / 482°C in 15 minutes using a lateral gas burner rather than wood-fired flame. This gives even and consistent heat distribution, meaning restaurant-quality pizza.

Accessories include the Venture peels, now available in limited-edition orange. There's also the Venture stand, which helps create a stable platform and the Roof Rack, which can turn the top of the oven into a prep station.

You can buy the Matty Matheson Tread from June 18, 2025 for £549.99 (UK) at select retailers and www.gozney.com.

• The best camping stoves: backpacking and double-burner stoves
• The best camping coffee makers: brew on the move

Around 800 people attempt to climb Mount Everest each year, braving extreme conditions for the chance to say they've stood on top of the world.

Along with rigorous physical and mental training, hopefuls need to prepare for the harrowing effects of altitude atop Earth's tallest mountain, where the amount of oxygen taken in with each breath is drastically lower than at sea level.

Traditionally, climbers have acclimatized by spending significant time in the mountains, heading up and down to prepare their bodies for the dizzying heights, and reducing the impact of altitude sickness. This tried and tested method has proven effective for the past 70 years of Everest expeditions, but comes with one major drawback: time.

Without four to six weeks to dedicate to acclimatization, many Everest hopefuls are now turning to modern technology to help them prepare, sleeping and exercising in specialist acclimatizing 'hypoxic' tents, which do away with the need to spend months in the mountains.

As alien as it may sound, hypoxic tents, otherwise known as altitude tents, have become increasingly common in recent years, used by alpinists and climbers to prepare for harsh conditions.

This year, a group of British veterans in their forties and fifties used hypoxic tents in combination with controversial Xenon gas to speed-climb the mountain, summiting a record four days after arriving in Nepal and effectively going from sea level in London, to the highest peak on the planet in 5 days.

The very next day, US-Ukrainian climber Andrew Ushakov claimed to have broken their record, after spending over 400 hours acclimatizing in a hypoxic tent. Ushakov says he went from New York to the Everest summit in just 3 days, 23 hours, and 27 minutes.

So what are hypoxic tents, and how can they help climbers achieve these once-unthinkable feats? Read on for everything you need to know.

What is a hypoxic tent?

Put simply, hypoxic tents mimic the low oxygen levels of high-altitude environments.

The air at sea level contains 20.9% accessible oxygen, a number that drops dramatically the higher you get. At Everest base camp, it falls to around 10.4%. By the summit, it's down to just a third of the accessible oxygen quotient at regular sea-level.

In healthy individuals, blood oxygen saturation levels sit around 98% to 100% at sea level. At altitude, that number drops to roughly 87% to 92% This has a weakening effect and can cause altitude sickness.

Hypoxic tents simulate this mix with a generator or pump, which removes oxygen and replaces it with nitrogen, reducing the amount of oxygen in the air to high-altitude levels.

Sleeping in the simulated altitude conditions of a hypoxic tent triggers your body to saturate your blood oxygen levels, releasing red blood cells and ready your system for conditions at 20,000ft (6,096m).

Why do climbers use hypoxic tents?

“As you expose yourself to altitude, your kidneys release EPO [erythropoietin], which starts this physiological change that leads to an increase in red blood cells, but more so into a better ability to transport and utilize oxygen,” Brian Oestrike, CEO of Hypoxico Altitude Training Systems tells us.

Climbers like Ushakov use hypoxic tents to ready themselves for the unforgiving mountain conditions atop the globe’s tallest peaks. Saturating your blood oxygen levels can be beneficial in several ways, reducing the risk of altitude sickness and preparing your body for the tiring effects of altitude.

“You improve your comfort and safety margin as you’re ascending up through the mountains,” Oestrike explains. “You sleep like garbage if you’re not acclimatized, you lose your appetite, so you wither away as those things happen. By acclimatizing beforehand and using this equipment, you can offset your expedition, it improves your safety and your comfort margin.”

By mimicking arduous alpine conditions, hypoxic tents can reduce the time it takes to acclimatize.

“Most people, if they’re going to the Himalayas, historically have a six to eight-week expedition itinerary,” continues Oestrike. “It takes that long for your body to slowly adapt and build the red blood cells that carry oxygen and allow you to climb safely."

Ultra-running superstar Kilian Jornet slept inside a hypoxic tent for eight weeks before his maiden ascent of Mount Everest, mimicking altitudes of 13,000ft (3,962m) to 16,000ft (4,877m) without leaving sea level.

He then became the fastest man to climb Everest alone and without oxygen, summiting the 29,000ft (8,850m) behemoth in just 26 hours.

The limitations of hypoxic tents

Although they're becoming increasingly popular with climbers and other extreme athletes, hypoxic tents do have their limitations and experts say they cannot be trusted as the sole method for acclimatization.

"It's not the full acclimatization. I would say it's the first step," says Grégoire Millet, Professor of Exercise Physiology at the Institute of Sport Sciences in Lausanne, France.

He explains that, even after months of sleeping in a hypoxic tent, "you will use some acclimatization, but not the full spectrum. You can be fully acclimatized in the tent, and not acclimatized to the real mountain".

In other words, hypoxic tents cannot fully prepare the body for the rigours and difficulties of climbing at very high altitudes. In the Himalayas, elite climbers (and paying clients) on expeditions aiming for the highest peaks enter what is known as the Death Zone, an extremely dangerous zone above 26,247ft (8,000m), where besides having to deal with temperatures potentially tumbling to -31°F (-35°C) and highly technical terrain, the oxygen in the air is so low it's impossible for humans to survive for long.

"You have to go to the real mountain for at least a few days before you travel," advises Millet, an expert in acclimatization technology.

He advises climbers to use the tents in combination with traditional acclimatization methods, like sleeping atop smaller mountains, before tackling any major peaks.

"It's better to use the tents, and then before you go to the Himalayas, it's recommended that you go for at least a few days to the Alps," he says.

He says your body acclimatizes differently at real altitude and, despite their many benefits, hypoxic tents cannot fully replicate the tough conditions and and lack of oxygen in the mountains.

Who else uses hypoxic tents?

It's not just mountaineers who put hypoxic tents to good use. All manner of sports people, from swimmers to footballers, use simulated altitude environments to expand their physical capabilities and access the benefits of altitude training.

“If you can transport and utilize oxygen better, that leads to better performance benefits, and literally just more ability to consume oxygen,” says Oestrike.

"Most of the elite athletes, they have a hypoxic chamber at home," adds Millet.

"It's not a tent, but it's a real chamber. It's the same idea, you decrease the oxygen concentration in the room."

By training and sleeping at altitude, athletes can increase what's known as their hemoglobin mass, which boosts the amount of oxygen they can utilize during exercise.

As Millet explains, this requires considerably more time than mountain acclimatization: "Every 100 hours sleeping in the tent, you will increase your hemoglobin by one percent."

Every member of the US Olympic rowing quad who won gold at the Paris 2024 games reportedly slept in hypoxic tents for six weeks before racing.

Do you need a hypoxic tent?

Although they’re designed for elite athletes, hypoxic tents can be useful to outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities, helping to build fitness and intensify workouts.

When it comes to climbing, Oestrike suggests that hypoxic tents are even more useful to amateurs than professionals.

“Most people who are committed to an 8,000m (26,247ft) peak know what they're getting into, they know what the training looks like, and they know what it takes to prepare.

“High-level athletes are already training super intensively. So the person that's more modest and maybe needs to lose a little weight, they're going to see a greater upside.”

Of course, hypoxic tents are not required for easy-to-medium-difficulty ascents. Nor are they absolutely essential to climb giants like Mount Everest. Traditional, slower, acclimatization has proven itself as an effective, stress-tested method of alpine preparation.

Rather, hypoxic tents are an additional and convenient method of acclimatizing, to be used along with high-altitude climbing and intensive training.

You can read our exclusive interview with Andrew Ushakov here.

For more on climbing preparation, check out our expert guide.

• The best ice axes: for tackling frozen terrain
• The best climbing shoes: get a grip both indoors and out

Are you itching for a camping adventure out in the wilds this summer? If you're planning an overland trip somewhere remote, travelling prepared is key. Now Heimplanet is seeking to satisfy the needs of four-wheeled explorers, with an improved version of its Cloudbreak air pole tent.

This large four-person tent is designed to provide a comfortable and stress-free camping experience, with a separate sleeping cabin and common room area. It's 7.5ft (2.3m) high and 16.4ft (5m) wide, so there's plenty of room for multiple inhabitants to share.

The updated Cloudbreak is made from highly breathable 75D ripstop polyester and 70D nylon inner to stop you from overheating, and comes with a waterproof 75D recycled polyester ripstop flysheet to protect against the elements.

It comes preassembled, using a pump to inflate the single airframe, meaning you don't need to pump air into several different points and can have your tent ready quickly after arriving at your spot.

At 33.7lb (15.2kg), it's certainly on the heavier side, and suited to transport in the back of a car, truck or 4x4 rather than on foot.

We can't ignore the new Cloudbreak's list price. At $3,299 it's a considerable investment, and you'll need to pay more for the Cloudbreak groundsheet ($239), double-action floor pump ($57), and Stormline set of durable pegs and ropes ($57).

In comparison, our favorite four-person tent, the Kelty Dirt Motel, is available for just $380 (£370).

The latest Cloudbreak tent and all its accessories are available on the Heimplanet website.

Not in the US? Don't panic, Heimplanet ships worldwide. You can also look below for the best four-person tents where you are.

Heimplanet began on a Portuguese surfing trip, when its two founders, both named Stefan, became fed up with flimsy tents that couldn't cope in the rain and took ages to pitch.

Heimplanet's range of inflatable tents is built to withstand the elements and eliminate hassle. You can find the full range on the Heimplanet website.

• The best 2-person tents: for backpacking and car camping
• The best pop-up tents: backpacking and camping tents for speedy setup

Can't sleep while camping? Coleman may have the answer. The outdoor brand has just released three new models of its popular Darwin tent range, featuring proprietary BlackOut technology. The tents employ special fabric that is designed to block out 99% of all light.

This should not only ensure a dark space for continued slumber when the sun rises, it also keeps the tent's interior up to 9°F (5°C) cooler during the day, according to the firm. With the summer camping season getting underway, these features are set to be extremely attractive to discerning campers.

As well as the benefits of the BlackOut technology, these tents provide SPF50+ sun protection, fire retardant fabrics and high levels of waterproofing.

Darwin 2 BlackOut

The Darwin 2 BlackOut Tent is the smallest and lightest in the range, weighing in at 7lbs (3.2kg). It's a compact, 2-person tent that's ideal for lightweight trips and wild camping, though it's a little heavier than some of the featherweight options around. It's easy to pitch, making use of fiberglass poles to assume its structure and providing stability in challenging conditions.

As you'd expect, the tent has fully taped seams and its PU-coated, polyester flysheet boasts an impressive hydrostatic head (HH) rating of 4,500mm, so it'll keep even torrential rain at bay.

The Darwin 2 BlackOut Tent is on sale now for £109.99 in the UK.

Darwin 3+ BlackOut

The Darwin 3+ BlackOut Tent benefits from the same great fabrics and technology as the Darwin 2 BlackOut, while offering a larger sleeping space and a peaked roof for additional headroom. This also provides a larger porch area by the door, complete with bathtub groundsheet – ideal for storing wet, muddy gear after a day on the trail. It weighs 11.5lbs (5.2kg), making it a great option for spontaneous car camping weekends and the like.

The Darwin 3+ BlackOut Tent has a list price of £169.99 in the UK.

Darwin 4+ BlackOut

The Darwin 4+ BlackOut Tent is the largest and heaviest in the range, weighing in at 15lbs (6.7kg). This 4-person tent has the same fabrics and tech as the others in the range and will accommodate up to four adults. Like the 3+, it benefits from a large porch area with a bathtub groundsheet.

The Darwin 4+ BlackOut Tent has a recommended price of £149.99 in the UK.

Despite the name, camping coolers didn’t actually used to be cool – until the Yeti brand came along and turned the industry on its head with its sought-after cool boxes that are now the envy of every camper.

In the 19 years since Yeti was founded in 2006, it has easily surpassed its competitors in the field, and while we’re sure that branding played a big role in its success, we also can’t deny that the Yeti coolers we’ve tested are seriously tough, verging on bulletproof.

It’s no surprise that Yeti coolers are exceptionally high performing – the brand was born out of a need for serious protection against the blazing hot sun. Brothers Roy and Ryan Seiders are keen fishermen from Texas who needed something to protect their catch from the scorching heat.

Much like Tim Leatherman designed his own multi-tool to deal with gear issues in the field and John Burroughs engineered the first Therm-a-Rest camping mat to get a better night’s sleep in the mountains, the Seiders brothers took things into their own hands and came up with the now-legendary Tundra cooler.

The Tundra used what's called Rotomolded construction – a method that creates a seamless piece of plastic, eliminating weak points where heat could penetrate. In addition to three inches of insulation, the result was a seriously rugged and high-performing cooler.

Less than two decades later, Yeti now makes coolers of all sizes, from soft backpack-style to behemoth wheeled ice chambers. If your old cooler has finally seen its last camping or fishing trip, there's a good chance you’re thinking about upgrading to a Yeti, so we asked the brand which models are best for some of our favorite activities. Here’s what they recommended:

Car camping: Yeti Tundra 45

When you’re loading up the car for a night or two at camp and you want to keep all your food plus a few brews ice cold, Yeti recommends the cooler that started the whole story. The Tundra 45 is a solid all-purpose size that holds overnight camp provisions for four people if you’re camping with your family.

It comes with a removable dry goods basket so you can keep your snacks separate from melting ice and has a bearproof design to keep you and your food protected if you’re camping in bear country. Though it fits a whopping 54 cans (without ice) or 37lb of ice, you can still grab it by its handles when it’s full and easily transport it from trunk to camp kitchen.

Festivals: Yeti Roadie 32

If you’re heading to a music festival or tailgating at a concert, let’s be honest, you’re probably looking at more drinks than food, and you’ll be glad for a wheeled cooler that lets you easily trundle along over rough ground without messing up your carefully curated distressed denim and Uggs outfit.

The Yeti Roadie 32 is just what the doctor ordered, letting you roll up to 50 cans into the party zone without so much as breaking a sweat. This cooler has the same cold-holding power and durability as the Tundra for sitting out in the baking sun, but with the added portability of a telescope handle and the brand's NeverFlat wheels.

You can even pay a little extra for the Roadie Wheeled Cooler Cup Caddy, which attaches to the cooler and holds two beverages. This one isn’t bearproof, but if you want to safeguard your goods from other festivalgoers, it is compatible with the Yeti Security Cable Lock.

Beach days: Yeti Hopper Flip 12

Heading to the beach for a few hours of wild swimming or surfing and just want to bring lunch and a few cold ones? You'll be glad to know that not all Yeti coolers are mammoth-sized.

The Yeti Hopper Flip 12 is a soft-sided cooler made of seriously tough closed-cell rubber foam. It’s lightweight enough that you can easily tote it over one shoulder using the carry strap, so you don’t need to worry about getting sand in the wheels or hinges, but it still holds up 24 cans and you can easily brush it clean.

If you’re hauling refreshments for two, or the whole family, check out the larger Hopper Flip 18.

Short day hikes: Yeti Hopper M12

Yeti is known for its beefy, robust coolers so you might be surprised to learn that there’s a model that’s suitable for short day hikes. We’re obviously not talking about mountain summits here, but if you’re taking a quick walk to a scenic spot and want to bring a more extravagant lunch than a simple sandwich, the Yeti Hopper M12 boasts a unique backpack design that delivers extreme portability.

You can load up this cooler with a bottle of bubbly and your favorite snacks, seal it using the strip of ultra-strong magnets, and throw this cooler on your back. The soft Dryhide Shell is built to withstand punctures on the trail, and there’s a kangaroo pocket so you can pack essentials like your phone and keys, a first aid kit and sunscreen.

If you’re feeling strong, it also comes in a larger M20 design that fits up to 36 cans.

Road trips: Yeti Roadie 15

Taking to the open road? You can save money on pit stops and bring healthier food options along with a Yeti cooler that doesn’t take up your entire trunk.

The Roadie 15 easily fits in the wheel well or behind the driver’s seat of a small car, and even though it has a decent capacity at up to 20 cans, it’s easy to take to and from the car thanks to the super comfortable carrying strap.

This compact cooler has a drain plug for easy drainage by the side of the road, and we gave it super marks in our field review. If you need a bigger capacity for a longer road trip, go for a Roadie 24.

Water sports: Yeti Tundra 35

Whether you want something to keep your daily catch cold or you need to bring along enough food and drinks to keep the crew happy on the water, you need a rugged cooler that can handle being hauled in and out of a boat. Enter the Tundra 35.

Like the 45, this cooler is built to withstand practically everything you throw at it, and it’s a bearproof design if you’re fishing out west. Non-slip feet prevent it from sliding around in the boat if you hit some bumps or want to pick up the speed and as an added bonus, this cooler fits in an inner tube if you want to go floating. Most importantly, it features the brand’s legendary insulation to keep ice cold for days.

Hunting: Yeti Tundra 125

If outdoor adventure for you looks like setting up camp for the week during deer or elk season, you’ll want a lot of room inside your cooler. Not only will you need to cart in multiple days' worth of food and drinks, but if you get lucky, you’ll benefit from being able to keep a carcass fresh till you get it home.

The beefy Tundra 125 is built for exactly this kind of pursuit, as well as deep-sea fishing and even cross-country road trips. This massive cooler fits nearly 200 cans and is packed with PermaFrost insulation to keep your catch or kill cold. It’s bearproof, of course, and so big you can use it as a card table in the evenings.

• The best camping coolers: keep food and drinks delightfully chilled
• The best camping tables: for backcountry vacations and garden BBQs

You can flick through the glossy pages of luxury travel brochures from the best holiday companies but we bet you'll never find an image of a room with as good a view as the one above.

This summer, Swiss outdoor brand Mammut is calling on photographers and nature lovers around the world to capture their unique view of the outdoors, and to submit it for a chance to win incredible photography and outdoor-gear prizes. First prize alone is worth over $13,500 (€12,000).

We reckon Advnture.com subscribers, with your love for scaling summits and vertiginous adventures, are in with a great chance of scooping outdoor goodies. However, this contest isn’t just for peak-baggers. It’s about storytelling, connection, and emotion – and Mammut is encouraging everyone to enter.

Whether you like to take great photographs on your smartphone or have learnt to photograph the outdoors like a pro, enter your snaps online.

How to enter

The contest is open to people of all experience levels. Mammut is looking for photos that showcase stunning places, moving encounters and the magic of being outdoors.

The categories are:

• Book a Room with a View – landscapes and base camps
• Don’t Miss the Sights – favorite locations
• Chill with the Locals – unforgettable encounters with people or animals
• Avoid Tourist Traps – hidden natural gems
• Dine Under the Open Sky – culinary outdoor moments
• Check-In Early – exclusive Instagram category

The overall winner will receive: premium SL2-S Kit with Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70 from the German camera manufacturer Leica; two Swiss air tickets and two one-day Swiss travel passes for unlimited travel within Switzerland. The overall winner will also receive the same prizes awarded to the category winners.

Each of the six category winners will receive Mammut summer gear, including the Comfort Fiber Sleeping Bag -5C, Ducan Guide Hardshell Hooded Jacket, Mountain Tough Pants, Ducan Spine 28-35 backpack, Core T-shirt, Aenergy Light Cap, Smart Wallet Ultralight, First Aid Kit Pro, pocket knife.

Additionally, the category winners will receive a one-day guided mountain experience with two nights’ accommodation in Zermatt, Switzerland (excluding travel and food costs, valid until December 13, 2026), and a one-year membership in the Mammut Collective Pro Deal Program.

The remaining 24 finalists will each receive a Mammut ultimate summer kit, including a Ducan Spine 28-35 backpack, Core T-shirt, Aenergy Light Cap, Smart Wallet Ultralight, First Aid Kid, Pocket Knife, as well as a one-year membership in the Mammut Collective Pro Deal Program.

Visit the Mammut website for more information and to share your best shots.

Take part in the global treasure hunt

As well as the photo contest, Mammut is organizing Finders/Keepers – a global treasure hunt to kick off the contest.

Along with international outdoor stars – including Adam Ondra, Jérémie Heitz, Brendan Carberry, Lena Drapella, and Katie Burrell – Mammut is hiding more than $67,500 (€60,000) worth of outdoor gear and Leica cameras at secret spots around the globe.

Anyone can take part: if you find a hidden box, you get to keep the gear – and use it for your photo contest entry. Clues will be posted on Mammut’s social media channels.

• The best hiking shoes: capable summit-baggers and fast-paced walkers
• The best gilets 2025: stay cozy to the core on all your backcountry adventures