We have been obsessed with camping and hiking gear since day one here at The RV Atlas headquarters. Testing and reviewing camping gear and RV gadgets is baked into the DNA of our podcast, and our website. In fact, right now, as I write these words our new two-car garage (at our new home) is being renovated. Thick installation and new sheetrock are being installed so that our garage will be more clean and comfortable for every day use. I plan on being out there testing gear all winter long.

I can't wait to unpack all of my camping and hiking gear and get it organized so its ready to be deployed for our next adventure. Stephanie tends to be more of a camping minimalist. Though she still loves the simple pleasures that a good piece of gear can bring when it is being used as it was intended to be used. I tend to be more of a gear maximalist. I want to test everything new that comes out. As the co-host of The RV Atlas podcast, I consider it to be part of my job to know what gear is worth buying. And I love sharing my top picks with you.

Camping and Hiking Gear that is Perfectly Designed.

The camping and hiking gear that we feature in this blog post and podcast, are, in my humble opinion, perfectly designed. I think that if you tried to improve upon any of their design features you might just ruin them. All of them, except one, are also reasonably priced. Are you are one of the legions of new campers that have discovered the great outdoors and the pleasures of the RV and camping lifestyle in 2020? Then this list will help you put together your own world class camping kit.

If you are a crafty veteran of the RV and camping lifestyle, then you may end up nodding your head in approval, or disagreement, with the following picks.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

--Jeremy

Camelbak CHUTE® MAG 25 OZ (.75L) BOTTLE ($14.00)

Camelbak Chute water bottles are durable, affordable, and intuitive to use. They also come in a variety of bright and attractive colors that should be easy to match with your favorite daypack or hiking outfit. According to Camelbak, "the universal cap features a magnetic top that stows securely out of the way when open, [and] is leak-proof when closed." We can attest to both parts of this claim. We also love that this bottle is dishwasher safe and BPA free. Camelbak has been refining their water bottles for years, and we think this one is as good as it gets. That's why we own four or five of them. If you are starting your camping and hiking gear collection then getting a Chute for each member of the family might be a great place to start.

Lodge Pre-Seasoned 10.25" Cast Iron Skillet ($14.88)

 

Most of my camping and hiking gear is in storage right now, so I had to go out and buy another 10.25" Lodge Cast Iron Skillet. Thank goodness they are such a bargain. The sub $15 price point on this iconic piece of cookware is a miracle of American manufacturing. How does Lodge do it? My guess is that they sell thousands and thousands (and thousands more) of them. From a design perspective everything here is done right. The handle is comfortable, and the pour spouts are practical.  Lodge's robust pre-seasoning process also makes this easy for an amateur to use and maintain. What else can you buy for about 15 bucks that will easily last a lifetime?

 

Luci Color ($24.95)

The design team at MPOWERD Inc. makes beautiful solar lanterns. The Luci Color is my personal favorite. This INFLATABLE solar lantern has 8 different colors and can last 9 hours on a single charge. It packs up easily too, so you can bring a few of them to camp without sacrificing much space. If you have a tiny trailer, or you are tent camping and space is at a premium, then this is a perfect light for you. The Luci Color is so adorable and affordable that you mi...