Best camping gear: from tents to cooking, the essential gear you need

Best for: light, compact design with a kitchen’s-worth of functions

Simply calling this BioLite kit a ‘stove’ feels like an gross underestimation - in truth, it can do so much more. It burns wood, wood scraps and pellets without generating any smoke, so no more shuffling around trying to avoid the plumes. Burning also generates electricity, which you can use to power your devices via the USB port.

There’s a medley of accessories too, including a portable grill (with space for four burgers) which comes with a rubber lid for clean and easy transportation, a KettlePot which can boil a litre of water in less than five minutes and in which the stove can neatly fit (saving packing space) and CoffeePress attachments so you won’t have to go without your morning brew.

Midnight feasts are covered too - there’s a FlexLight with ChromaReal LED technology included to illuminate the cooktop, letting you cook even when night falls.

Grill, boil, cook and charge all in one. You’ll wonder how you ever camped without it.

Also available at BioLite and Millets

Ideal if you want to pitch in a flash and get on with your holiday, this inflatable tent feels really spacious inside thanks to a generous 70cm width allowance per person in the bedroom. The entire structure is inflated in one go and the bedroom is pre-assembled for minimum hassle, though be warned there is only one so this tent may be better suited to families with younger children or those who don’t mind sharing personal space.

There are all sorts of other considered features to make your camping trip as comfy as possible including a heat reducing, sun protection fabric to stop you from roasting inside the tent, a 2000mm HH rating and patented Fresh & Black technology to reflect the sun’s rays and guarantee 99 per cent darkness in the bedroom. Our only gripe is that a hand pump isn’t included – not something you’d want to discover the first time you unroll the tent on a campsite – so make sure you buy before you go.

Weighing a sprightly 4.15kg, the 2018 Omega 250 basecamp tent may be designed for expeditions but it serves perfectly well as your festival HQ too.

Average pitch time is just 12 minutes, and for once the listing as a two-man lives up to the hype - thanks to the compartment design. The zipped sleeping compartment is separated from the large living area giving you dedicated spaces to sleep and change clothes so you always look your festival best. It’s a necessary addition if you want to keep the mess to a minimum and sleep in a mud-free zone.

Channel a new-age Tutankhamun in Therm-A-Rest’s SpaceCowboy sleeping bag, made with synthetic fabric and fibres to keep body heat where you want it - inside the bag.

Weighing 780g, it won’t take up much space in your kit bag at just 20 x 26cm when packed. You’ll stay comfortably warm even in lows of -6 degrees. The side zip makes it easy to get in and out of, helpful for midnight loo breaks. Best for sleepers 6ft and under.

Elevate impromptu cookouts to luxe chef standards thanks to this portable little grill made in collaboration with food wizard Heston Blumenthal.

The CUBE may be small (at table top size) but it sure is mighty, allowing you to cook, clean and store with the firebox easily. It uses charcoal to cook your grub, leaving that delicious chargrilled flavour on whatever’s on the menu.

A great little investment for yourself, or a gift for the BBQ lover in your life.

If you’re worried about accidental fires, you’ll love the peace of mind that the Campingaz Party Grill 400 CV gas stove offers. It can be used as a griddle, barbecue or a wok, and comes complete with its own carry bag to make getting from A to B less than a mess.

Two features stand out: the super-smooth matchless ignition, and the water compartment, which doesn’t just make cleaning easier by stopping grease and cooking juices from sticking but cuts the fire risk, too. It’s incredibly compact, and fantastically easy to assemble: the three legs simply twist in, although you’ll need a screwdriver to attach the two handles on either side of the lid, which doubles as a wok so be sure to pack it with your utensils.

The universal nozzle means you can use either CV300 Plus or CV470 Plus gas canisters.

Was: £91.36

This has been designed as a backcountry touring backpack – hence the abundance of technical features designed to crank up the comfort, maximise space and reduce wear and tear.

The 420-denier recycled nylon fabric on this backpack felt incredibly tough, yet still had a certain breathability which prevented us overheating when wearing it for prolonged periods.

Its versatility was a huge bonus – for example, the strap system which can be used to carry skis or a snowboard can be removed. The features designed with ice tools in mind came in handy for other items too, and the roll-top closure allowed us to expand it when we needed more room for larger items such as bulky sleeping bags.

We also loved the fact that the fabric has Bluesign certification, awarded to companies which use sustainable and resource-saving production techniques.

We’re not going to lie; the colour of the Tensile was a concern, simply because its white exterior scheme means it’s not going to be too forgiving when it comes to dirt, dust and bonfire ash – all of which you’ll find in abundance at the average campsite. However, the sheer quality of this 25L backpack convinced us to ditch our colour concerns.

This is an incredibly tough bag which is wonderfully comfortable and has plenty of room for essential camping kit, too. The use of recycled laminated ripstop nylon minimises the risk of rips while reducing waste, and things got even better when we looked inside.

There’s plenty of room and multiple pockets for smaller items such as cameras, keys and toiletries. A sturdy closure system, which used metal (not plastic) buckles, ramps up the ruggedness.

Best for: streamlined camping

We’re all for anything that makes our lives easier, and this airbed with an integrated sleeping bag has won us over for streamlining the camping experience. The top-rated design offers plenty of room with double bed-size proportions and can inflate in 60 seconds with the help of a pump (not included). As well as an attached XL sleeping bag, pillows are included too! Less things to pack means less chance of forgetting something crucial. Comes with a carry bag and repair kit.

This neat 6-in-1 meal kit covers the essentials of outdoor dining, with a fork, spoon, shallow bowl, mug, and a bamboo lid that serves as both colander and chopping board.

Whereas some camping meal kits can be quite tricky to pack away correctly after use, this one offers plenty of leeway, with ample space between the lid and bowl for the other parts. This is despite the fact the whole meal kit is small, light and convenient to carry. Its hexagonal shape is particularly well-suited for stuffing inside a trekking backpack.

Prepare to turn the rest of your camping party green with envy with a camping chair that heats up. It’s just the thing you want in case the weather takes a cold or wet turn.

Bringing tech to tent life, this clever folding chair comes with a heated seat and backrest which warms when you plug in your portable power bank. There are three levels of toastiness to sink into with padding to make things feel even more luxurious. And there’s an insulated cup holder to keep your drinks at just the right temperature for longer. The dreamiest a camping chair can get.

Weighs 5.1kg and comes with its own carry bag.

Available in an array of colours - green, blue, red, white and black - the chair comes with a handy cupholder. The frame folds shut and doesn’t require deconstructing, just pop it into the carry bag and sling it over your shoulder to find the next sunspot.

Best for: solar lighting and charging

Camping lanterns often fall by the wayside when it comes to packing, mainly because of their bulk. However, no such trouble with this design: it’s inflatable! It folds flat when not in use and offers a soft but bright glow when you need it.

What’s more, not only is the camping lantern lightweight, but it’s solar charged and it can juice up your phone when your battery is low too. Don’t worry, there’s a USB cable power option if the weather doesn’t play ball.

Best for: powerful illumination

No sun? No problem. Have strong light at your fingertips with this unassuming little square from Biolite, powered by an integrated solar panel. It takes seven hours of sunlight to fully charge but there is also a USB charge for a quicker route which will only take two hours.

It’s perfect for illuminating the inside of the tent and can stay upright thanks to the little kickstand at the back. We also like the cycling ‘party mode’ - perfect for creating the right vibe at festivals.

Within the bounds of ordinary camping experiences, nobody likes to be wet in a tent. So, here’s a smart piece of kit that will help you dry off after bad weather or lukewarm campsite showers.

Lifeventure’s SoftFibre travel towel has incredible drying power, with the ability to absorb up to nine times its own weight in water. The towel itself also dries off remarkably fast and well, especially if you can find a sunny, well-ventilated place to hang it up (a guy rope when the sun comes out will do).

While this towel comes in a few different prints and colours, our clear favourite is this tropical design, with its vibrant crop of Swiss cheese and bird of paradise plants.