Fall Is the Best Camping Season. Here’s 15 Pieces of Gear We’re Loving Right Now.

As fall sets in, it’s good to fortify. That means protecting your belongings with another weatherproof layer. A waterproof soft cooler like this is a great way to do so as it functions more like a spacious messenger bag ready for any weather forecast. I’ve been taking mine out on the river to fly-fish or slinging it over my back for a bike commute, even in the rain. The shoulder strap is uber-comfortable, the extra webbing loops are great for attaching more gear (per a longer camping trip), and the insulation is impressive. It loads and unloads efficiently and the 14 liters of volume is just about ideal for the day-long ventures. Pack some cans on ice for the beach or throw your valuables and a change of clothes in there for a day on the raft.

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The latest from Nestout is a savvy little heater built for warming bleachers, camp chairs, sleeping bags, and more. It’s a cool-weather camping centerpiece, delivering an impressive 60W of power and tested to 32 degrees F before being released to the wild. The topography-themed pattern is a nice touch, as is the efficiency of the thing, which powers up way faster than the vast majority of electric blankets we’ve tried—not to mention it produces more heat. Go with the BOOST mode for a speedy warm-me-up or the SLEEP setting for consistent comfortable temperatures as you settle in for the night. It rolls up to about the size of a sub sandwich when not in use, making it road-ready. And we love how easy it is to pull off the removable cover when it’s time for a quick hand wash. Note the higher power intake as you plan your next weekend trip as some standard car outlets and similar may not make the cut.

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I’ve been wearing Vermont Gloves for a couple of fall and winter seasons now and love how they completely take the sting out of cold air. Not only that, but you pretty much retain your full range of finger movement, meaning you can wear these guys even when carrying out camp chores. The hand-stitched goatskin leather is flexible, soft, and tough, and the double-stitcher fingertip seams add another force field layer of sorts. With the holiday approaching, consider this as an optimal gift, especially as you can add a custom branded monogram.

The newest puffer from Columbia packs down to a micro size and offers generous amounts of warmth. Inspired by the wildlife of the arctic, this jacket shakes the cold in style. The Omni-Heat approach is a cool one, harnessing the heat of the sun and putting it to work in your jacket. It does it all without bulk, allowing you to go in and out of bitter weather without worrying about what layer to go with next. The coating even repels moisture and the goose down interior truly insulates. Tighten those drawcord-adjustable hem seals when the chill really sets in and pack it down to roughly the size of your hand when not in use. Oh, and this mighty jacket weighs just a little over 10 ounces.

The latest from Camp Snap goes full ’70s, like a great disco track or oversized automobiles. The 110D is a lovely little point-and-shoot, without a distracting screen and set up with a host of vintage filters. Because it’s so thin and can handle up to 500 pics on a single charge, it’s great for outdoor adventures. Be sure to pack it along on your next campout, roadtrip, vacation, or mountain hike. The battery-saving technology is quite good especially if you like to extend your outings and the fact that it comes with a lanyard and travel case makes it all the more portable.

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Whether you’re still looking to hit the water without the frigid toes or are hiking on trails likely to turn to mud, a good pair of waterproof socks is key. This option not only fends off the H2O but offers tremendous support and fits essentially like a compression sock. While they can be a bit tricky to get on, once they’re set, they’re going to be the difference between a comfortable SUP paddle on a chilly evening and one that involves chattering teeth and a premature ending. There’s extra cushioning in the footbed, making even your favorite boating sandals or hiking shoes all the more comfortable, and the wicking is top-notch, pulling any sweat away from your busy feet. Just remember that if it’s a somewhat tight fit to begin with, hang dry them after cleaning so as to avoid further shrinkage.

Easily one of the best camping pillows we’ve tested, the latest from Luno is pulled straight from a hotel. Not only does it pack exceptionally well, but it touts memory foam and a dual-sided nature that’s equally good, flipped or not. It comes with washable covers and offers two distinct sides, one fuzzier and warmer for cool nights and the other made of polyester and highly breathable (great for cooling off on warmer nights or if you just sleep hot). Best, unlike so many camping pillows, it offers comfort without any unwanted noise. Even if you’re a burrower and toss and turn in your sleep (or your partner does), you can do so atop this pillow without so much as a peep. Still not convinced? You can even adjust the firmness level of the memory foam.

A good pair of rain pants is practically a necessity this time of year, especially if you live in a temperate climate and like to keep busy outside. This pair from Patagonia wears like a regular pair of pants, without the constriction and ill-fitting nature that so often plagues the category. Responsibly made without any added PFAs, the pants include fabric and a reliable membrane and a pair of hand-warming pockets that really live up to their name. The fabric is recycled, the side zips make wearing hightop boots super easy, and they’re under 12 ounces all told, making them decidedly streamlined and ready for just about anything.

Chances are good that you’ll want a little extra juice in the fall months, as the need for heat and light (and other power-sucks) tends to rise. That’s where a good power station comes in, feeding that gear and those devices even while well off the so-called grid. While we’ve tested quite a few of these life-giving boxes, this one from Jackery really won us over. The packability and relatively condensed size is one big perk but so too is the 1,500W output (can go up to 3,000W). It doesn’t hurt that it looks way better than most power stations, plus the foldout handle and lightweight build make it surprisingly sleek. Sure, it’s great for backcountry and camping adventures, but keep it at the ready at home as it’s a great way to power your kitchen or other significant areas of your home if and when the power goes out during a fall storm.

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In addition to making some great workout shirts, Proof is up to some serious fleece wear too. This mid-layer is as good as they come, made of ultralight material (to the tune of just 85 grams) and never wrinkling even when you stuff it into a bag. It dries exceptionally fast and wicks well too, making it the hard-working quarter zip you never knew you needed. This functional piece offers all of the insulation of your more traditional furry fleeces sans the over-the-top fuzziness and extra substance. That makes it just about perfect for long treks outside, when you’re most interested in performance.

Longer nights spell an opportunity for illumination. This spotlight from COAST is a handheld wonder, spitting 2,500 lumens to light up that boat route, evening campsite, or night hike to the tide pools. We found you could get up to about 20 hours on a single charge, provided you stick to just the low function. Higher-powered beams like the spot function strain the thing more but you can still get an impressive four to five hours there. The USB-C port makes charging a thoughtless task and the dual-beam function really cuts through the fog and offers a nice panorama. We were skeptical of being able to fully submerge the thing, but alas, you can do so up to about three feet in depth, so don’t worry if you drop it in the drink for a sec.

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We fell for this base layer the moment we tried it on. There’s no chafing, the thumb loops keep the sleeves in place, and there’s ample warmth by way of Merino. You get four-way stretchiness and even after arduous outings at elevation, we were impressed by the handling of moisture (sweat) and retention of warmth. The base layer screams snow days on the mountain but it’s a great garment to weave into your chilly fall repertoire as well. And while it’s almost certainly going to be hidden under your other layers, the cool patterns are nice and showy so feel free to sport the get-up as your go-to pair of camping pajamas too.

A great outdoor speaker knows not what month of the year it is. That’s because it’s built to handle everything from a downpour and snow to excessive heat and the dirt and dust and muck that comes with life outside. At just five pounds, this booming music-maker can be lugged anywhere and even floats. We’re not sure the “party mode” does a whole lot besides allow you to sync fellow speakers but it doesn’t matter because the acoustics are already mighty and the thing throws some serious sound, even from the splashy surface of a raft. This one is not only great for beach and campground hangs but in your garage or while working on DIY projects at home.

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Getting out there can become a little trickier in the offseason, especially if you don’t have the right rig. Enter Outdoorsy, the Airbnb of car and RV rentals. This is a great chance to at least dip your toes in the RV or van life, at a time when conditions are cooler and you might like a little more over your head at night. Perhaps you just need a four-wheel drive for a long weekend to get you safely out to that remote spot you’ve always wanted to overnight at.

While not technically camping gear, this standout SUP from Red is great for autumnal adventures. Why? Because it breaks down to a surprisingly small size, meaning you can stow it away with your other camping gear and have on hand as a “just in case” sort of scenario. When the sun breaks or you feel like donning the rain gear and hopping on, you’ll enjoy a quick pump-up process, stellar stability and control, and several durable straps for extra gear. The all-around board sits a bit lower to the water thanks to a relatively shallow 4.7-inch, making it both easier to hop back on after a fall and give you a lower, walk-on-water sort of profile while paddling. The 11’6″ length is perfect for all kinds of water and cuts through currents nicely. Go with the full package, which includes pump, paddle, strap, fin, and all-terrain backpack to store it all in.

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