Road Trip Essentials

28 Gear Picks for Summer Trips

By Melissa McGibbon & Jenny Willden

Whether you’re hitting the road or headed to a local campground, check out our favorite summer gear to better your next adventure.

SealLine Blocker Compression Dry Sack

Have the best packing experience ever with this handy waterproof compression sack. Use the purge valve to squeeze out trapped air to save tons of space. $32–$49

First Secure 90-Piece Emergency Roadside Kit

Stay safe on the road with this kit for roadside emergencies that includes a 250 PSI air compressor, jumper cables, flashlight, window hammer, first-aid kit, and seatbelt cutter. $49

Boatgirl Weekender Tote Bag

This bag may as well belong to Mary Poppins because it fits everything! Water repellent and made from tough Sunbrella marine canvas fabric to keep your stuff safe and dry. $289

Kelty TruComfort Double Wide Sleeping Bag 20°

This sleeping bag might be made for two people, but that shouldn’t stop you from having the warmth, space, and luxury to yourself. Features zip-off top layer and foot vents! $179

MSR Elixir 3-Person Backpacking Tent

Sets up in a pinch and is shockingly light for a 3-person tent, Elixir is designed with smart details like glow-in-the-dark zippers, optimal headroom, and two large easy-access doors. $299

Leatherman Signal Knife

Great to have in the wild, this 19-tools-in-one Leatherman includes outdoor tools like a firestarter, hammer, and emergency whistle. $119

Stasher Reusable Bags Bundle

Let’s stop feeding plastic to the whales. These reusable bags are great
to travel with on every trip. Made of pure platinum silicone from
natural resources and are BPA and filler-free. $53

Therm-a-Rest Airhead Pillow

You just don’t expect a travel and camping pillow to be this good. It’s bafflingly comfortable and packs down small. Made with super fabrics for next-to-skin comfort, firmness, and loft. $35

Therm-a-Rest ProLite Apex Mattress

Gone are the days of blowing up your camping sleeping pad. This game-changing, self-inflating, light and stable mattress has a crazy warmth-to-weight ratio and packs down oh so small. $119-$139

Titan Rolling Deep Freeze Rolling Cooler

If you need a way to store 60 cans of cold beer for three days, this cooler is for you. It’s collapsible, has all-terrain wheels, and a retractable handle for easy maneuverability. $54

Eagle Creek Wayfinder Waist Pack Small

Stash your stuff without slinging around a purse or backpack. Keep your hands free with an organized fanny pack that features plenty of pockets, key fob, and fleece-lined electronics pocket. $30

The best headlamp is the one you forget you’re wearing, and this ultrathin model never slips or bounces. Its moisture-wicking headband is comfortable during activity, and the whole thing is micro-USB rechargeable. $50

Traeger Scout Grill

Now wood-fired cooking isn’t just for the backyard. Bring Traeger’s Scout along for gourmet grilling on the go. This wood pellet grill travels well and cooks meat, pizzas, veggies, and even fruit cobbler desserts. $300

TrailFork Dehydrated Meals

Backpacking food can be gross—and bad for the planet thanks to all the packaging. That’s why TrailFork came up with these vegetarian and vegan meals in fresh, tasty flavors like Thai Peanut Noodles, Coconut Chana Masala, and Peanut Butter Banana Oats with 100% compostable packaging. $8.50–$11.50

Wonderbag Portable Slow Cooker

Slow cook real food on the road or at camp with this non-electric, portable cooker. Bring your food to a boil first then put the pot inside the Wonderbag to cook for up to eight hours without electricity or fuel. $40

Alpine Provisions Castille Soap

Go natural with this organic castile soap made with olive and coconut oils. It’s biodegradable and smells divine thanks to its essential oil-sourced scent. 2-ounce $4, Full size $12

GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker Chair

Make everyone at the campsite jealous with this rocking camp chair that let’s you lounge around the fire in comfort. Features beverage and phone holder side pockets, and packs down to fit inside included carry bag. $65

Olloclip Essential Lenses

Upgrade your smartphone camera with this clip-on lens pack. Fisheye, Super-Wide, and Macro Essential Lenses capture stunning perspectives without lugging a large camera along. $100