Finding the right camping gear can make or break a trip, especially when you’re camping with kids. At Mom Goes Camping, gear reviews come from real use in the field, not just spec sheets. From the mountains of Serbia to trails across the Balkans and beyond, every product recommendation on this site has been tested in actual camping conditions with children in tow.
This category covers everything you need to camp comfortably and safely as a family: tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, camp kitchens, lighting, backpacks, child carriers, and more. You’ll find honest comparisons, budget-friendly picks, and ultralight options for families who want to move fast on the trail without sacrificing comfort at camp.
Whether you’re outfitting your first camping trip or upgrading gear you’ve had for years, the reviews here are written to help you spend your money wisely. No sponsored fluff, no gear you don’t actually need. Just honest recommendations from a mom who has been camping with her kids for over a decade.
A camping kitchen is NOT a must-have item. I usually just set up my stove and cooking items on a picnic table or directly on the ground. I always call out “stove alert” (to the tune of the Octo Alert song from Octonauts) when lighting it so my kids don’t come barging through and burn […]
Best Portable Camping Kitchens Read More »
While I’m a big fan of digital detoxing, there are plenty of good reasons to bring a portable solar panel camping, like charging your phone, emergency communication devices, GPS, headlamp batteries, photo equipment…
Best Portable Solar Panels for Camping Read More »
When it first came out in 2009, the Big Agnes Fly Creek was the lightest double-wall two-person backpacking tent on the market. Over a decade later, it is still one of the lightest semi-freestanding tents available. However, the tent is far from perfect. The Fly Creek is notoriously cramped, has sagging walls, and only has
Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 Alternatives Read More »
A hatchet can be incredibly useful to have while camping. But, honestly, most camping hatchets are gimmicky and are used more like toys than tools. Before you get a hatchet for camping, please consider whether you really need a hatchet and understand how to use it without being a jerk. This guide will go over
Best Camping Hatchets (And How Not to Be a Jerk When Using One) Read More »
One of my big pet peeves when camping is watching people take out all of their “toys.” Don’t get me wrong – I can understand the appeal of cool camping gadgets like solar showers, coffee makers, and solar panels. But a camping saw isn’t just unnecessary (even for firewood!), it’s often incredibly stupid to bring
9 Reasons You DON’T Need a Camping Saw Read More »
My husband is a photographer and I’m a lightweight backpacker, which are two things that don’t go well together. When we started going on backpacking trips together, we’d inevitably get into arguments about packing: “You’re really packing a 5lb tripod and all that other gear!?” Meanwhile, I was dehydrating toothpaste to shed weight from my
Best Lightweight Tripods for Backpacking Read More »