These nine gear items will ensure you enjoy your home away from home when you pull up to that ideal campsite this summer.
SLEEP
Big Agnes Big House 6 Deluxe
Here’s a car-camping mantra to live by: Always go big. Just because this summer-home of a tent says it’s for six people, there’s no reason you should use it as a four-person luxury shelter. That gives you plenty of room to spread out, stay out of each other’s personal space—and stand up and stretch thanks to 78-inches of space above your head. $400; bigagnes.com
SNUGGLE
Thermarest Vela HD Double Quilt
and NeoAir Camper Duo
This insulated pad-and-quilt system just might keep you and your sig other out of couples’ therapy this summer. Made with 650-fill down that stays warm even when wet, the quilt proves far more comfortable than that all-too-often all-too-hot sleeping bag. The cushy pad actually combines two mattresses, giving you lovebirds the ability to spoon up together or stretch out for a little personal space during the night. $280 (quilt), $300 (pad); thermarest.com
SIP
Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch Bourbon
The Cowboy State craft distillers keep impressing us with their flavorful hootch. The bourbon offers just the right buzz to inspire philosophical discussion around the campfire. $41; wyomingwhiskey.com
WAKE UP
Alpine Start Dirty Chai Latte
A blend of traditional chai spices, black tea and soy milk spiked with Colombian Arabica coffee, this classy instant provides just the kick you need to shake off the morning cobwebs and head out all charged up. Or toss it in your pack along with a backpacking camp stove for a little jolt on the trail. $9; alpinestartfoods.com
CHILL OUT
Otterbox Venture 45
with All-terrain Wheels
It’s no problem to lug that stocked cooler out of the back of your vehicle and onto a picnic table, but what about those times when you want to take those iced beverages to a site that’s a bit off the road? Otterbox’s solution is this adjustable chassis that fits all sizes of its bomber coolers (we like the 45-liter version for its versatility) and goes mobile with three-inch wide, 10-inch diameter wheels. $350 (cooler), $225 (wheels); otterbox.com
TAKE A SEAT
Yeti Hondo Base Camp Chair
It’s the usual Yeti story. You say “$300 for a chair?!” We say, “Just put your butt in it.” Discussion over. $300; yeti.com
STAY WARM
Dakota Grizzly Sean
In these days of every moment is a potential Instagram post, you need to look good even when you are just accessing some atavistic memories by stoking a campfire. This blanket-weight, double-brushed flannel hoody will garner a whole lot of likes while keeping you cozy. $88; dakotagrizzly.com
ACCESSORIZE
Chaos Nina Beach Rafia
This packable UPF 40+ sun hat can withstand all the abuse of your kids and dog trampling on it in the back of the car. $38; chaoshats.omc
SEND THE BAT SIGNAL
WILDLIFE ACOUSTICS Echo Meter Touch 2
When the sun sinks, the bats come out. All too often, you simply see them out of the corner of your eye. But download the Echo Meter Touch app and connect this device to your Android or iOS device, and you can find them and listen their ultrasonic echolocation calls. $179; echometertouch.com
