Looking for the best camping gear? Picking out gear for your next trip or adventure can be overwhelming! From a sleeping pad to a headlamp to trekking poles, not only do you need to figure out what items you need to get outside responsibly, but trying to narrow down your options between brands, sizes, colors, and more can take forever. This list breaks down some of the very best outdoor brands for camping and hiking to help you understand all of your options. These favorites cover all the camping essentials from tents to apparel, making sure all of your camping and hiking gear needs are covered. If you want more information, reach out to a Camping & Hiking Expert here on Curated.

Apparel

Arc’teryx

Arc’teryx is based in the Coast Mountains of Canada, and the company gains its inspiration for outdoor gear and apparel from its location. Using the rugged Coast Mountains as a gear test site, Arc’teryx believes that developing gear in the environment it is intended to be used in will produce the best gear for that environment. With this philosophy, Arc’teryx has become a top outdoor apparel brand primarily known for its durable outerwear, including rain shells, technical pants, and insulated winter jackets. With a focus on developing products to withstand the harsh elements faced while rock climbing, skiing, and hiking, Arc’teryx gear and apparel is built to last. And from responsible manufacturing to community partnerships, Arc’teryx is not only making long-lasting, high-quality gear, but they are doing it with a focus on sustainability.

Darn Tough

Founded in 2004 in Vermont, Darn Tough is a sock company known for making “the sock unconditionally guaranteed for life.” And the company has backed that, making it easy to return any pair of socks for a new pair if they don’t last you a lifetime! Using sustainably sourced Merino wool, as well as other carefully chosen materials, Darn Tough makes socks that are long-lasting, durable, and comfortable for many types of outdoor activities, including running, hiking, skiing, and even just moving about your everyday life. With plenty of fun, colorful designs to choose from, including mountainscapes, flowers, animals, and vegetables, there’s truly a pair of Darn Tough socks for everyone.

Patagonia

Patagonia is recognized worldwide as one of the best outdoor clothing brands—on any trail, mountain summit, chairlift, or desert campsite, the Patagonia logo can be spotted on kids and adults alike. While Patagonia sells apparel from outerwear to underwear, and manufactures gear that is specific for outdoor sports ranging from skiing to surfing, Patagonia is also well-known for its sustainability efforts and environmental activism. Through projects such as 1% for the Planet, and its investment in regenerative organic practices, Patagonia has focused on having a positive impact on the planet since it was founded in 1973.

Backpacks

Deuter

Deuter was founded in 1898 in Germany, where its headquarters are still located. Specializing in backpacks, Deuter has a pack designed specifically for all of your outdoor adventures—backpacking, skiing, biking, climbing, and even packs for travel and everyday life. Deuter is best known for its hiking and backpacking packs, which range in size from day hikes to multi-night trips into the backcountry. Deuter packs have many technical features and bells and whistles that make them comfortable, well-fitting, and functional, including the VariSlide system for the perfect torso length fit, the Aircontact system for effective load transfer and control, and unique designs such as the “+ 10” line, which allows the backpack to expand its volume by 10 liters, creating added versatility.

Osprey

Osprey is one of the most well-known backpack companies in the outdoor industry, making custom-fit, high quality backpacks since 1974. Today, Osprey manufactures packs of all shapes and sizes, from minimalist lightweight trail running vests, to casual commuter sling packs, to 85-liter multi-day backpacking packs, and travel luggage. Osprey carries packs that are specific for all outdoor wilderness activities too, from hiking to mountain biking, skiing, and scuba diving. Each product is backed by Osprey’s famous “All Mighty Guarantee”, which promises to repair any damage or defect for any reason free of charge, regardless of when the item was purchased. Osprey has a large focus on sustainability, only using fabrics and materials with a low environmental impact, and has partnered with multiple non-profit organizations in the following five areas: Environmental Stewardship; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Health and Recreation; Building Communities; and Outdoor Education.

Camping Essentials

Big Agnes

Based out of Colorado, Big Agnes strives to inspire people to love and appreciate the backcountry. While it sells sleeping bags, sleeping pads, apparel, and camp furniture, the company is best known for its tents and shelters. From its Crazylight line of tents to its heavier and larger car camping line for family camping, Big Agnes has proven itself a maker of high-end, durable products, and a pioneer in making ultralight gear, having recently released a two-person backpacking tent that weighs less than two pounds!

NEMO Equipment

NEMO, which stands for New England Mountain Outfitters, was founded in 2002 in New Hampshire. Their intention was to bring high-level design and engineering to the outdoor industry, and that’s exactly what NEMO has done and continues to do. NEMO specializes in shelters and tents of all sizes, ranging from 1-person to 8-person tents, and all capacities in between. They also manufacture unique “spoon-shaped” sleeping bags, with options made from synthetic insulation or with down-fill insulation designed to provide comfort to the side-sleeper. NEMO also offers sleeping pads and camp furniture. And as a bonus, all of NEMO's equipment is backed by its lifetime warranty!

Camp Stoves

Coleman

From tents to camp kitchen equipment to survival gear, Coleman is the camping brand that has everything you need for your outdoor adventure, whether you are off-grid in the backcountry or in your backyard! Founded in 1900, Coleman originally developed gas-powered lanterns and went on to develop camping grills and stoves in the ’40s, coolers in the ’50s, and tents in the ’60s. Best known today for making affordable yet quality camping gear, Coleman helps all outdoor enthusiasts create the perfect camping setup.

Jetboil

Founded in 2001 in New Hampshire, Jetboil specializes in lightweight camping stoves and camping cookware. From its ultralight cooking systems that weigh well under a pound, to its base camp double burner stoves that still come in under 10 pounds, Jetboil designs its products with backpackers in mind, making it a premier camping brand. And, just because Jetboil focuses on building lightweight products, that doesn’t mean they skimp on quality. A Jetboil camp stove is durable and efficient, and has the ability to boil water quickly while maintaining stability on any surface you may come across in the backcountry.

MSR

MSR, or Mountain Safety Research, was founded in 1969 with one focus: to improve the safety of climbing equipment. Now, MSR is one of the leading camping brands, known for making top-of-the-line tents, tent and camping accessories such as extra-long stakes, camping stoves, and cookware including pots, pans, mugs and bowls. MSR allows climbers, backpackers, hikers, campers, and any outdoor adventurers to have lightweight, quality products. They even make a camp stove that is small enough to fit in your pocket! In addition to making some of the best camping accessories and durable gear that you can count on, MSR is partnered with numerous organizations such as Utah Avalanche Center, Winter Wildlands Alliance, and American Mountain Guides Association in a commitment to educate and encourage safe and respectful recreation.

Therm-a-Rest

Therm-a-Rest was founded in 1971 by a group of climbers who were simply looking for a way to get a comfortable, good night’s sleep under the stars. Today, Therm-a-Rest is the industry leader in outdoor sleep systems, focusing solely on products the outdoor adventurer needs for sleeping. Their sleeping pad options range from self-inflating to closed cell foam, lightweight and packable to large, double-person, air mattress style pads, and everything in between. Therm-a-Rest not only manufactures sleeping pads, but also sleeping bags, pillows, cots, blankets, and sleep system accessories, and offers ultralight options, car camping options, and choices to fit any budget. Using technology such as Thermacapture, Neoair Mattresses, and Ridgerest and Z-lite mattresses, Therm-a-Rest is a leader in camping comfort.

Apparel and Camping Essentials

Marmot

Originally called "Marmot Mountain Works" when it was founded by two friends in 1971, Marmot is an outdoor gear and apparel company best known for tents, sleeping bags, and apparel of all kinds, from rain jackets to base layers to and everything in between. Marmot’s gear comes in all shapes and sizes, and there is something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a family car camping set up, or gear for a rock-climbing expedition in extreme conditions, Marmot is a trusted outdoor and camping brand for any person at any skill level looking to get outside and enjoy nature!

Mountain Hardwear

Mountain Hardwear is an outdoor gear and apparel brand manufacturing just about anything you need for camping and spending time outdoors. They make tents, sleeping bags, and backpacks, as well as rain gear, down jackets, gloves, beanies, and even garments for yoga and casual everyday wear. Mountain Hardware was founded in 1993 with the goal of keeping quality standards high and “staying true to the needs of outdoor athletes.” The brand focuses on using durable materials that offer advanced warmth, waterproof barriers, and wind protection, making their products high-quality, long-lasting, functional, and comfortable. Mountain Hardware uses innovation such as the patented RECCO technology, a rescue system built into their winter outerwear making its gear not only functional but safe for the outdoor adventurer.

The North Face

The North Face has nearly any item you may need for your outdoor adventures, including tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, hiking boots and footwear, and apparel. Perhaps best known for its apparel, The North Face sells tops, bottoms, base layers, fleeces, jackets, accessories, and apparel specific for hiking, climbing, skiing and snowboarding. There are even options for trail running or just hanging out around the campfire. Starting off in 1966 as a mountaineering store, The North Face expanded in the 1980s to include ski equipment, and has continued to grow since then. Featuring technology such as Futurelight, Thermoball, Gore-Tex, and Goose Down, The North Face’s apparel and gear are designed to encourage its customers to “Never Stop Exploring,” which is its motto.

If you have any questions about these hiking and camping brands, or want to pick out some of their camping supplies for your next camping trip, chat with a Camping & Hiking Expert here on Curated for free, personalized advice and recommendations. We want to help make your choices a breeze—no matter your needs or price point—so that after a long day of hiking, you have everything you need to enjoy the outdoors.