It’s an American summer tradition: pack up the car, load the kids, and sing some old songs along the way to have a good time in the woods. There have been many technological advances since you learned how to use a compass, and believe it or not, there are new and innovative camping items out there that make the outdoors even more great.

pack it well

Any good camping supplies pack starts with the pack itself. Find a durable, lightweight backpack with many sections, padded shoulder straps, and reflective stripes. Many are designed for electronic devices with holes for headphones and speakers. Depending on the type of camping you’re doing, consider one that has waterproof material, chest or waist straps, or extra cables to attach gear. You’ll thank yourself later.

Recharge in your Store

After a long day, all you want to do is get some rest, look at photos of your adventures, and put on your “under the stars” playlist. There are a variety of pop-up tents designed to keep you and your electronics safe and powered up, complete with solar panels, LED lighting, and even Wi-Fi. Solar and rechargeable USB battery packs are affordable and useful to keep you charged throughout the day.

Get going

Now that you have the right foundation for your trips, you need to make sure you bring the right camping supplies. In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you might want to check out some of these new outdoor tech:
– Waterproof and fire-resistant blankets, backpacks, clothing and electronics
– Portable radios, refrigerators, heaters, air conditioners and washing machines
– Air mattresses, pillows and fast-inflating pads
– Barbecues and folding stoves, pots, kettles, sinks, chairs and cots
– Tiny cameras, speakers, torches, lanterns and blankets
– Many-in-one gadgets with tools including a flashlight, compass, first aid kit, wire saw, and emergency whistle
– Personal hygiene products such as wet wipes the size of a towel or portable showers
– Tents that hang from trees, are assembled higher than standing height, or extend to the size of a subway train
– A host of new options for coffee and wine lovers, as well as campers with kids and pets.
– Quirky but useful gadgets like a solar-powered fridge and clothes that convert into a sleeping bag and tent.

Purify, hydrate and recharge

Hydration is the first safety precaution; It keeps you awake and alert better than coffee. Always pack your travel purification system and consider water backpacks. For foods, dehydrated or freeze-dried options have the best shelf life, and there are many MRE (meal ready-to-eat) options that are tastier than ever.

Focus and expect the unexpected

Regardless of where you’re headed, your camping supplies should include survival gear. In addition to a first aid emergency preparedness kit, be sure to pack a GPS system. Some newer GPS systems have features including hunting and fishing options, moon phase guides, sunrise alerts, weather sensors, barometers, thermometers, compasses, AM/FM/SW/LW radios, Bluetooth, walkie-talkies, solar charging and low battery consumption. .

Now that you’re ready to hit the road, your toughest challenge will probably be forcing yourself to come home!