The Best Family Camping Gear of 2021

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Thule Tepui Explorer Autana 4

Any parent can relate to the (sometimes fruitless) quest to balance adventure and a good night’s sleep. Hedge your bets with this shelter: The Autana 4 has the largest sleeping footprint of any rooftop tent on the market (slightly larger than a king-size bed), and is rated for four seasons thanks to the waterproof, 600-denier nylon canopy. Buy Now / Read the Full Review

Osprey Poco LT Child Carrier

Most full-featured child carriers offer the suspension and storage of a multiday pack, but are huge space hogs (and heavy). Not the Poco LT, which folds flat for storage and travel and weighs less than most competitors. “It finds the right balance between heavier, more complicated carriers and lighter, less-supportive ones. The single harness strap is also much easier to put on than other models I’ve used,” one parent says. Buy Now / Read the Full Review

Adventure Medical Kits Backyard Adventure Kit

It’s never too early to teach kids the 10 essentials and encourage their self-sufficiency outdoors. Luckily, being prepared never looked so cute. These animal-themed medical kits attach to any gear loop on your child’s pack via an included carabiner and contain enough bandages and antibiotic ointment for small scrapes and cuts, as well as sanitizer gel packets—all in a simple zipper pouch that your tiniest wilderness first-responder will be able to open with ease. Buy Now / Read the Full Review

Sunday Afternoon Kids’ Ultra Adventure Storm Hat

The adult version of this hat won an Editors’ Choice Award in 2018, and the kid’s version packs the same great features into a tinier product. From sun to rain to snow, we reached for this hat to shelter our favorite little faces. Buy Now / Read the Full Review

Patagonia Baby Torrentshell 3L Bib

Wet kids equal unhappy outings and frustrated parents. Sure, you brought a rain jacket, but didn’t you know your kiddo would beeline for every puddle on the trail? With the Baby Torrentshell, they can splash away to their heart’s content, thanks to three-layer waterproof/breathable fabric and the full-torso coverage offered by the bib fit. Buy Now / Read the Full Review