We’re currently out on a family camping trip, and it’s the perfect time to share a full look at the gear we’re using this season.
Some of the equipment is brand new, while other items are long-time favorites that have stood the test of time. We’ll kick things off right at the car—where every car camping adventure begins.
Power and Food Storage
One of the biggest upgrades for our car camping setup has been bringing along a fridge powered by a portable power station. We’re using the Anker Solix C1000, which provides plenty of power to get through a full weekend without worry.
Along with that, we pack a food box filled with unrefrigerated dry goods and rely on the ICECO VL35 fridge for everything else.
Compared to a traditional cooler, this setup is a total game-changer. If you camp often and have the space, investing in a powered fridge system is absolutely worth it—for both convenience and comfort.
Sleeping Gear – Tent #1
Now let’s dive into the sleeping setup.
The tent is the REI Wonderland 6, a spacious six-person model that comfortably fits two adults, our toddler Harris, and our dog Cooper. It features a massive door opening, full standing height, and tons of mesh for airflow.
It’s roomy, breathable, and makes the whole experience far more enjoyable.
Sleeping Systems – Tent #1
For our primary sleeping setup, comfort is the priority—especially when camping as a family.
My wife sleeps on a Sea to Summit self-inflating sleeping pad, paired with the Zenbivy standard bed with zippers. It’s become her go-to sleep system.
The built-in hood is a game-changer for car camping, allowing the use of a full-size pillow from home.
Our son Harris is cozy in a Big Agnes Little Red 20° synthetic sleeping bag, snuggled up with his National Parks blanket. He’s on a torso-length Nemo pad—a great fit for kids, though sadly no longer in production.
My own setup includes the Sea to Summit Comfort Plus XT sleeping pad, which features dual-zone inflation. This lets you adjust firmness for the top and bottom separately, making it easy to get the exact comfort level you want.
My sleeping bag is the Sea to Summit Ascent, a 2024 model rated to 15°F. With multiple zippers, it opens up like a traditional bed.
For pillows, I bring a compact memory foam pillow from Amazon and layer it with a second Zenbivy pillow to dial in just the right height.
We also pack duffel bags for clothes and personal gear, plus a CYO crate filled with small essentials—lanterns, battery banks, a knife, gloves, and more. It’s a simple but efficient way to stay organized on the go.
Sleeping Gear – Tent #2 (Kids)
Our family has grown, and one tent doesn’t work for all of us anymore. So, our two oldest daughters now use a second tent—the REI Half Dome SL 3 Plus. It gives them plenty of space.
Gear Issues (REI Half Dome SL 3 Plus)
Quick heads-up here. Just want to share a few issues we had with the REI Half Dome SL 3 Plus.
This doesn’t happen often—we usually have great luck with gear. But this tent gave us a couple of problems on its first outing.
First, one of the connectors on the rainfly ripped right out. It’s the part that attaches to the brow pole. That piece helps center the fly and keep everything tight. It tore during cleanup. Not ideal.
Second, the zippers were sticky. Really sticky. The kids had a tough time closing them at night. Not fun when you’re just trying to crawl into bed.
I’ve reached out to REI. Still waiting to hear back. Just wanted to be honest and flag it, in case you’re looking at this tent.
Kids’ Sleep Systems
Let’s talk about the kids’ sleep setup.
They’re on a Recharge Double Wide pad from Paria Outdoor Products. It’s a solid pad. Affordable too. We’ve had it for about eight years now, and it’s still going strong.
Lucy sleeps in a UGQ Bandit top quilt. It’s youth-sized and rated for 20°F. Perfect for kids under 4 feet tall. Super warm. Packs down small. Totally worth the investment.
Men has outgrown the quilt, so she’s upgraded. She’s now in a Cumulus Light Line 400. It’s an adult-sized bag but slim enough for kids. Cozy, warm, and just a great fit for her.
Camp Kitchen Setup
We love eating well when we’re out camping. Good food just makes the whole experience better.
First up, our table. It’s from Moosejaw. Folds down small but stands at a comfortable cooking height. No hunching over. There’s a mesh basket underneath too.
Great for keeping things off the ground but still easy to grab.
For cooking, we use the Primus Kja two-burner stove. It’s awesome. Unlike other stoves, it doesn’t have big side wings. That means you can actually fit larger pans—like our Gerber griddle—without fighting for space.
Simple, smart setup. And it works.
Cookware and Tools
We’re using a Gerber cooking set, and it’s pretty dialed in. Big griddle. Multi-board cutting system. A spot to stash utensils.
The Gerber knives are sharp and solid. We’ve made everything from quesadillas to pancakes, eggs, and bacon. The griddle has a nice raised edge and a removable handle. Super handy. We use it a lot. And we love it.
We also grabbed the new 2024 Sea to Summit Detour stainless steel set. It comes with a big pot, collapsible mugs, and two bowl/plate combos that flatten down. Nice space savers.
For plates, we’ve got four from Gerber. The rest—more bowls and mugs—are from Sea to Summit. All stored in a half-size CYO crate.
And no, this isn’t sponsored. We just genuinely like their kitchen gear. We also keep all our utensils and other little cooking extras in the same crate. Keeps things neat and easy to find.
Propane and Grill
We’re using the Ignik 5B Growler propane tank. It’s compact and refillable. Super easy to pack. And cheap to refill—just about $3 before this trip. Can’t beat that.
Tomorrow’s dinner? Steak and chicken on the Nature Grill. We’re big fans of this one.
You load charcoal into a small cylinder, light it up, and flip on the battery-powered fan. It heats up fast and cooks evenly.
And the flavor? So good. Real charcoal taste without the hassle.
Water Storage
For water, we’re using the HydroBlu Jerry Can—about four gallons of capacity. If we run out, we can refill from a lake or stream.
It includes both a carbon filter and a hollow fiber filter, so you’re covered for clean water.
Gadgets & Comfort Items
Now for gadgets and luxuries we love. During hot days, we’ve got the Claymore battery-powered fan. It’s powerful, charges fast, and keeps us cool—even on spring days in the desert.
We also have a big Claymore light. You can hang it in a tree or use it in the tent. It’s great for cooking at night.
Lastly—our new chairs! A Christmas gift from Santa: low-profile Kelty chairs, including the loveseat for Katie and me, and single chairs for each kid.
We love them.
One thing I want to say—you don’t need to spend a ton of money to go camping with your family. Some of this gear is expensive, but a lot of it isn’t. You can absolutely have a great time on a budget.
Hopefully, this gives you ideas for gear and how we make camping comfortable and fun for everyone—especially our kids.
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