Best Camping Gadgets | Gifts for Campers

Global Sun Oven - Solar Cooker
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The Global Sun Oven uses the power of the sun to cook food. Yes, really! You can make cookies, bread, stews, cook meat, and lots more, without a power source. The Global Sun Oven can reach an internal temperature of 360° F / 182° C. It can take a little longer to cook food than a conventional oven, but is surprisingly effective.

The Sun Oven is a great way to cook when you're camping. You don't need fuel. And it's just a really neat gadget! It's great for science projects too - kids are amazed that this oven can actually work. And these solar cookers are used in the developing world too as they are cheap to run because they don't need fuel.

The Global Sun Oven makes a great family camping gift. Also great for people who will be spending a lot of time working or volunteering in a developing country.

Coleman PerfectFlow Insta Start Grill Stove
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OK, so the Solar Oven is great for lots of things, but I know you want to grill steaks, burgers, hot dogs, fish, tomatoes and other veggies (now I'm hungry). The Coleman PerfectFlow Insta Start Grill Stove gets good reviews and is compatible with a whole range of Coleman cooking accessories. The PerfectFlow uses propane bottles which are straightforward to use and it's well-designed and looks very smart too.

This stove makes a great gift for anyone who is new to camping and needs to build up their kit, and for long-time campers who might need an update to their equipment.

Coleman Camping Coffee Maker
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Can't cope without coffee? The Coleman Camping Coffee Maker fits on a camping stove burner to make brewing coffee easy. And it's not just for coffee, you can use it to make tea or hot chocolate too (you have to have hot chocolate when you go camping!) This makes a great gift for campers who love their coffee.

Add a thermos flask to keep coffee hot for hours so you can enjoy coffee throughout the day without needing to brew it every time.

Work Series 1.25-qt. Bottle
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I got a Thermos Work Series Flask for Christmas last year and it's brilliant. This flask keeps drinks hot for hours and hours. Ideal for camping. You can make coffee in the morning and keep it hot all day.

It's also great for keeping liquids cool, fill it with fresh cold milk from home or a store and you'll have fresh milk for your hot drinks and breakfast cereal.

Of course you can use it on days out too. I love to fill my Thermos with hot chocolate on a cold day.

The sCharger-5 is a Powerful Solar Charger That Can Both Charge and Actually Run at the Same Time iPod, iPhone, Droid, Blackberry, Palm, eReaders, and Other Devices Direct from Solar Energy
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Now I like to take gadgets with me when I go camping. My iPhone in particular is essential. This compact solar charger is more powerful than many small chargers but it's still only 6-1/8" x 11.5" / 15.5 x 29.2 cm.

Coleman Free-Standing Tent Fan
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Keep the air moving in your tent or RV with the Coleman Free-Standing Tent Fan. If you plan to go camping in hot weather then this is the camping gadget for you. Camping is no fun if everyone is too hot and uncomfortable to sleep.

Coleman 4-in-1 Quickbed
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If you want a good comfortable night's sleep when camping then the Coleman 4-in-1 Quickbed is a good option. This inflatable camping bed is very versatile, you can use it as two twins, a king-sized bet or even a tall twin with the mattresses stacked. The tall-twin option is great for senior campers who have trouble getting in and out of a low bed but don't want to miss out on the fun.

Modern inflatable beds are very comfortable, we have one that we use regularly (it's not as versatile as this one though - I wish we'd know about it.) The Coleman 4-in-1 Quickbed gets good reviews and you'll be able to use it as a spare bed when you stay with friends or have visitors - we use ours frequently when we have a houseful or visit friends who don't have enough spare beds for all four of us.

You'll probably want a pump to inflate the matress, the best option for camping is the Coleman Rechargeable Pump which you can charge before your trip:


Coleman Rechargeable Quick Pump
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Coleman 62-Quart Xtreme Wheeled Cooler (Blue)
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Keeping food cool is always a challenge on a camping trip. The Coleman 62-Quart Xtreme Wheeled Cooler solves this problem well. It has a 65 quart capacity and will store 85 drinks cans. It claims to store ice for up to 5 days in 90 degree heat (and reviewers agree).

Fill with ice and food items that you need to keep cool. You can also freeze milk and other items first so you have fresh milk for longer. Several reviewers mention that they have replaced other coolers with Coleman Xtreme coolers because they perform so well.

The wheels make it possible to move this cooler to just where you need it.

Victorinox Swiss Army SwissChamp XAVT
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For the camper who likes to be prepared for all eventualities! The Victorinox Swiss Army SwissChamp XAVT is absolutely packed with tools. It's got all the usual tools you might imagine (and a few more you wouldn't think of) and it also has a digital clock, altimeter, barometer, and thermometer! And there's a fish scaler, magnifying glass, ballpoint pen and an LED light. This is a great luxury gift for a camper.

Victorinox have lots of less spectacular but still well-designed and useful pocket knives too.

Coleman LED Quad Lantern
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The Coleman LED Quad Lantern is a fun and practical camping gadget. It's a big family lantern that can split into four hand-held lanterns. The smaller lanterns are lightweight and easy to move around. Great for midnight calls of nature and when everyone wants to head in different directions for a while.

The Quad Lantern looks great too. This makes a great practical gift that is interesting enough to be well received by the whole family.