14 High-Tech Outdoor Essentials For the Connected Camper

Camping has traditionally been about returning to nature, escaping the hustle and bustle of the daily grind, and connecting with the great outdoors. While this typically means unplugging, forgoing most contemporary conveniences and creature comforts, and utilizing a spartan and primitive array of kit, modern technology has increasingly permeated the outdoor gear space, changing this notion and giving way to everything from state-of-the-art camping gadgets to jackets and sleeping bags that benefit from the use of cutting-edge materials or construction techniques. In a bid to highlight some of today’s latest, greatest, and most advanced pieces of outdoor kit, we’ve rounded up the best high-tech camping essentials currently out there. 

COAST RL35R LED Headlamp

Headlamps already offer a hands-free lighting experience, but the COAST RL35R takes this concept to the next level by introducing cutting-edge voice-recognition technology, allowing you to control on/off functions or cycle through its four colors or myriad of brightness settings, all by just speaking. IP54-rated, this voice-controlled LED headlamp comes armed with 1,100 lumens on tap, and boasts a throw of over 600’. The RL35R also comes loaded with COAST’s ZITHION-X ZX850 rechargeable battery pack which offers up to 14 hours of burn time per charge, plus the light can also run off a pair of readily-available store-bought CR123 disposable lithium batteries. The entire thing also comes backed by a lifetime warranty. 

LARQ Bottle PureVis 2

Whether in the city or off-grid, keeping hydrated is essential. And few other products make this as easy as the LARQ Bottle PureVis 2. Offered in 23oz or 34oz versions across four colorways, this smart bottle features a double-walled, insulated 18/8 stainless steel construction, as well as a detachable handle, connectivity to a smartphone app, and a removable filter straw. What makes it special, however, is its dual-stage filtration system which consists of a Nano Zero filtration system and LARQ’s UV-based PureVis technology which eliminates up to 99.9999% of bio-contaminants like salmonella and E.coli. Thanks to a bevy of onboard sensors, this smart bottle also tracks your drinking and hydration.

Brevoy Portable Espresso Maker

Spending time off-grid often means having to go without many of the comforts and conveniences of city life — and that very much includes being able to get a decent cup of coffee, latte, or espresso. With Brevoy’s Portable Espresso Maker, enjoying an espresso in the backcountry is as simple as popping in a K-Cup-style pod and pressing a button. Running off of a 9,000-mAh battery, this camp gadget accepts double shot and single shot Nespresso Original Capsules, though can also be used with coffee grounds. Heating up to 205°F in 200 seconds, this portable espresso maker is also extremely rugged with an IPX6 rating, plus weighs in at only 1.5lbs. 

Snow Peak x Rumpl Nanoloft Takibi Blanket

After previously joining forces on two other occasions, Snow Peak and Rumpl have now linked up again for the duo’s third collaboration, this time with the Nanoloft Takibi Blanket. Measuring 50” x 70” (or 17” x 5.5” when packed), this limited edition item puts a high-tech spin on regular field blankets with its outer face being composed of Snow Peak’s fire-resistant recycled fabric and the inner face being Rumpl’s recycled 20-denier ripstop nylon. The entire thing is stuffed with Rumpl’s proprietary NanoLoft insulation — a lightweight yet ultra-effective synthetic insulation that mimics the properties of down despite being derived from recycled contents. Rounding out this rather high-tech camp blanket is machined alloy hardware with laser-marked co-branding. 

Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0

Epitomizing high-tech camping gear, the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 is the second-generation version of what was already the world’s most popular smokeless fire pit. Crafted from stainless steel, this 14-inch-tall fire pit features a cleverly-designed double-walled design that provides super effective airflow and enables a steady secondary burn. This allows wood to burn at much higher temperatures than regular camp fires, which eliminates the presence of smoke and lean behind only fine ash. At a little over 23lbs, we wouldn’t recommend trying to carry one of these into camp, but if you’re off-roading, overlanding, or drive-in camping, these make a stellar addition to any basecamp. These things are also offered in a variety of sizes and colors, and can be optioned with a range of available accessories, too. 

L.L.Bean Waterproof Primaloft Packaway Jacket

The L.L.Bean Waterproof Primaloft Packaway Jacket is a warm yet incredibly lightweight jacket with a modern technical design that includes under-arm ventilation zippers, Velcro-adjustable cuffs, an insulated hood with cordlocks, a main zipper with a full-length windflap, and a total of five pockets. What makes this jacket high-tech, however, is its construction style and materials. The thing is constructed around a shell that’s cut from two layers of waterproof TEK that’s been stuffed with NASA-developed Aerogel. The entire jacket is also extremely packable and stuffs and stows away in its own pocket. 

Outdoor Research Prevail Heated GORE-TEX Gloves

Though they might look like ordinary gloves, the Outdoor Research Prevail Heated GORE-TEX Gloves have quite a bit going on under the surface — and more than their fair share of tech. The gloves feature a waterproof and windproof GORE-TEX insert, leather palms, and a glove clip. What’s more, in addition to touchscreen-compatible fingertips, these gloves also feature onboard electric heating elements that draw from an ALTIHeat Lithium-ion battery pack. Between ample insulation and the heated elements, these gloves — which come backed by OR’s Infinite Guarantee lifetime warranty — offer incredible levels of warmth. 

Turtlebox Gen 2 Speaker

The Turtlebox Gen 2 Speaker is a tough-as-nails outdoor Bluetooth speaker with a crush-proof, stainless steel-reinforced, ABS housing that’s completely waterproof (IP67-rated) and drop-tested to 10’. Armed with Bluetooth 5.0 and Multi-sync connectivity, the speaker features a 6” x 9” subwoofer paired with a 1” titanium tweeter — a setup that comes backed by a powerful Class D digital amplifier. Offering 25 hours of music playback time, the speaker’s 85Wh Lithium-ion battery also allows it to double as a mobile power bank. Alongside being built like a tank, what makes this speaker so special is its legitimately high-fidelity audio quality. Part of its unparalleled sound quality is also owed to the fact that it’s sound frequency curve has been tuned specifically for outdoor listening.

Benchmade PSK

Though we tend to think of gadgets when talking about “high tech outdoor gear,” I’d argue the Benchmade PSK is actually pretty high-tech, as far as knives go. For starters, its handle is crafted from two different composites — G-10 and carbon fiber — that are set over an alloy liner. Next, it’s not only fitted with Benchmade’s ultra-sturdy AXIS lock mechanism, but it also features a spring-assisted blade deployment, as well as a secondary lock located on the spine of the handle that can double lock the blade open, or lock it when closed, preventing the blade from opening. Last but certainly not least is the PSK’s blade, which is forged in Crucible Industries’ revolutionary CPM MagnaCut blade steel which is unequivocally one of, if not the single most advanced blade steel currently out there.

Traeger Ranger Grill

With digital displays and an ultra-precise electronically-regulated, pellet fuel supplies, Traeger grills offer a more advanced and high-tech alternative to grilling with gas or charcoal. And Traeger’s Ranger allows you to enjoy its high-tech and precise grilling from just about anywhere. Able to cook at temperatures of up to 450°F, this grill offers 184 square inches of cooking space and features an eight-pound hopper capacity and easy-to-clean porcelain coated steel grates. The Ranger also comes with an included meat probe and a cast iron griddle, too. 

Goal Zero Yeti1000X

The Goal Zero Yeti1000X is unquestionably one of the most crucial high-tech camping essentials out there, as this one device enables you to keep the rest of your gadgets juiced up while off-grid, from your laptop to your smartphone to your Bluetooth speaker to your outdoor projector. Thanks to being armed with a massive  983Wh cell, this mobile power station can even be used to charge up e-bikes or serve as a backup power supply for your home as it has no problem keeping major appliances going for hours. As a point of reference, it can also charge up your average smart phone more than 80 times over, your average tablet more than 30 times, and your average laptop 20 times. 

Stone Glacier Chilkoot 15°

Sleeping bags are another type of item that doesn’t normally spring to mind when discussing high-tech outdoor essentials, though there’s definitely an argument to be made here as certain models like the Stone Glacier Chilkoot 15° are cutting-edge, though and through. Its material selection is fairly state-of-the-art with a 15-Denier Pertex Quantum shell that comes stuffed with 22.4oz of 850+ fill power HyperDRY Grey Goose down. Other advanced features included a complex differential cut construction, vertical pin-tucked baffles, an articulated footbox, and a unique neck baffle seal system. All this adds up to a sleeping bag that can keep its user comfortable at temperatures down to 15° all while weighing just 2lbs, 3oz and breaking down to a 7.0” x 15.0” form when compressed in its stuff-sack. 

Dometic CFX3 35 Powered Cooler

When we think about the luxuries of home left behind when camping, major kitchen appliances often come to mind. With modern high-tech outdoor gear, you no longer have to abandon this ammenitity and can now bring it with you thanks to the Dometic CFX3 35 Powered Cooler. Measuring 27.3” x 16” x 15.6”, this cooler offers 36 liters of storage space and can reach temperatures as cold as -7°F, meaning it can also serve as a camp freezer, as well as a fridge. This powered cooler can also be monitored via its onboard color display, or through a smartphone app that the CFX3 35 connects to. As far as coolers go, they don’t get much more high-tech than this. 

EXØD AIR STATION POD-01

Constructed around an inflatable skeleton design inspired by kite-surf wings, the EXØD AIR STATION POD-01 is technically an inflatable tent, but it’s probably better described as an inflatable room or studio apartment. Utilizing an HT Dacron skeleton, seam-taped construction throughout, and wall sheets cut from 70-denier ripstop poly with a PU membrane, this mobile dwelling weighs less than 20lbs and can be fully erected in just five minutes — plus can be broken down and packed away just as quickly. Engineered for four-season, year-round use, this revolutionary design can comfortably accommodate four adults and features a myriad of modular walls and dividers that allow you to arrange the AIR STATION POD-01 however you see fit.  

The Best High-Tech Everyday Carry Gear & Essentials

Want to check out another list of high-tech gear? Then be sure to head over to our guide to the best high-tech everyday carry gear for a curated, cutting-edge selection of state-of-the-art EDC items.