I recently came across a Food & Wine article titled “Camping for Over 10 Years Taught Me I Can’t Leave Without These Top 12 REI Checklist Items.” As someone who’s been camping for four decades throughout the PNW, I need to be blunt: this list is affiliate marketing disguised as camping advice, and it is horrible.
Reading through the list of essentials that the author who claims that she has “been camping for over a decade. I’ve backpacked through snowy Alpine glaciers, slept under the Utah desert stars, car camped in upstate New York” either is lying about her experience, or was just writing this as a hack piece or Food & Wine to drive affiliate sales.
Whichever it is, I’m going to go through and shred her “can’t live without” list. Follow along.
Overpriced Too Small cooler
Their pitch: Premium Yeti cooler with 14-liter capacity, hands-free strap, one-handed latches.
The reality: Yeti makes good products, but the fact is that this is far too small of a cooler for anything other than a six-pack of your favorite beverage.
What you actually need: For a weekend of camping, you need something in the 45-55 quart range. That gives you room for food for 2-4 and ice for the weekend.
Better choice: Coleman Vintage 54qt Cooler – $199
Frying Pan
Their pitch: A tiny 8″ cast iron pan.
The reality: Cast iron is a great choice for camp cooking, but this pan is far too small to cook more than one steak at a time in.
What you actually need: In reality, if you are car camping, weight isn’t an issue, so go for the 10.5″ cast iron pan. Lodge ones are fine for camping and this one is big enough to cook a real meal in.
Better choice: 10″ Lodge Cast Iron Pan
Overpriced Water Bottle
Their pitch: An adorable Stanley water bottle (in pink of course) and a name that makes people say “ooooh”.
The reality: I’m sure the IceFlow is perfectly fine, but camping is more about function than pretty in my book, and 20 ounces is not much water.
What you actually need: Grab yourself something big from Klean Kanteen. Their bottles are powder-coated, recycled stainless steel, and feels like it would make a good last-ditch weapon against a bear.
Better choice: 32 Ounce Stainless Steel Water Bottle
The Wrong Stove
Their pitch: A sexy looking Coleman propane camp stove with griddle plates
The reality: Coleman generally makes good stuff, but I don’t love this stove. The wind screens are tiny, and the grill pans are too light and pointless if you already have a cast-iron pan with you. Want a nice flat cook top? Grab a cast iron griddle to put on top. It will work way better than the ones that ship with the 3-in-1.
What you actually need: My choice would be a Coleman 222 camp stove. It still has kind of wimpy wind screen, but doesn’t have the tiny grill pans, but keeps the upgraded controls.
Better choice: Coleman 222 Camp Stove
Too Cute Cook Set
Their pitch: The OXO Outdoor Camp Kitchen Prep Set
The reality: I’m sure it is a fine set, but it is bulky for what is in it and doesn’t leave you a lot of room for any spices/oil.
What you actually need: For this one, what you really need is a big knife, a little knife, and containers for oil, salt, pepper, and whatever seasoning salt you like. How and what you cook will largely dictate what needs to be in your kit, and you should likely build your own chuck kit for car camping.
Better choice: Glad Knife and Cutting Board Set
Freeze Your Ass Off Sleeping Bag
Their pitch: The Coleman Arch Bay 30 Sleeping Bag
The reality: In my experience, a 30-degree bag is only good if you are camping in the hottest part of the summer.
What you actually need: Buy one big, super warm, comfy sleeping bag that will do 3-season duty. Outfitter-style bags that are flannel-lined are way more comfortable than backpacking sleeping bags.
Better choice: Coleman 0F Big & Tall Sleeping Bag
Pro-tip: If you camp as a couple, get a double sleeping bag, so that you can keep each other warm at night. Dont forget the sleeping pad too for extra comfort!
Just A Little Too Clasic Of A Mug
Their pitch: They claim you need one of these classic enamelware mugs.
The reality: Single-wall enamelware mugs were fine when great-great-grand daddy was camping. The fact is that they are on the small side, don’t keep things warm, and really were added to this list just so they could put “From $5” on it.
What you actually need: My suggestion is a big, insulated mug that will handle anything from coffee or hot chocolate to oatmeal or soup. I’m partial to the Hydro Flask 24 Oz mugs. On top of this, they are tough, seal well, and keep your coffee hot!
Better choice: Hydro Flask Big Mugs
Not So Comfy Camp Chair
Their pitch: They are suggesting the REI Co-Op Flexlite Camp Chair
The reality: The Flexlite is a perfectly fine chair, if you are going backpacking. It is meant to be relatively comfortable, but light enough to hike 10 miles down the trail with.
What you actually need: If you are car camping, weight isn’t an issue, so go big and go comfy. I wrote a whole post on camping chairs for seniors, and if they are comfy enough for grandma, you will love sitting in it too.
Better choice: GCI Camp Chairs
Over Engineered Multi-Tool
Their pitch: The Gerber Stakeout Spark Multi-Tool
The reality: Gerber is not a name that screams quality when it comes to knives or multi-tools. They like to get too fancy, and lose sight of making products that just work.
What you actually need: The classic Leatherman Wingman is really the go-to multi-tool for general camping. It has the tools you need to solve most problems, without all the BS. If MacGyver carried a multi-tool (and why didn’t he?) it would have been this one.
Better choice: Leatherman Sidekick Multi-Tool
An OK Tent I Guess
Their pitch: The Kelty 4-person tent
The reality: This isn’t the worst choice when it comes to tents. But it is lower than you really need.
What you actually need: When weight isn’t an issue, go for a little more space. Taller side walls make things like changing clothes much easier.
Better choice: Naturehike Cape 4 Tent
Rechargable Hand Warmer
Their pitch: Premium cooler with 14-liter capacity, hands-free strap, one-handed latches.
The reality: This is literally their #1 “essential” before shelter, sleeping bag, or fire-starting capability. A cooler. For $200.
What you actually need: A basic Coleman or Igloo cooler ($30-50) does the exact same job. I’ve used the same $35 Coleman for 15 years. It keeps ice for days. The only reason to spend $200 on a Yeti is if you’re more interested in the logo than keeping your food cold. A real camper knows that pre-chilling your cooler, using block ice, and packing smart matters way more than premium rotomolding.
Better choice: Coleman 16-Quart Excursion Cooler – $25
Pointless Stormproof Matches
Their pitch: Old school survival matches in a waterproof case
The reality: Should you have these in your emergency kit? Yes. Are they what you are going to start your campfire with? No. That isn’t what they are made for, so why spend the money.
What you actually need: I think butane lighters/torches are a much better option. They burn hot and light fires like a champ. Plus, they are refillable!
Better choice: Butane Camping Lighter
