Whether you’re a casual camper or a hardcore backpacker, 2026 is shaping up to be a great year for gear. Brands are working hard to create lightweight, smart, and eco-friendly stuff, and the results are super impressive! Let’s dive into some all-new and seriously upgraded gear that you’ll want to check out.
Big Agnes Pitchpine VST 1.5
Big Agnes has been crushing it with their sleeping bag tech, and the Pitchpine VST 1.5 is a great example. The “VST” tech uses a hybrid baffle construction to keep moisture out of the down fill. It’s rated for 1.5-season use, making it versatile and suitable for a range of conditions. Plus, the integrated pad sleeve keeps you from rolling off your pad during the night.
Why You’ll Love It: VST tech solves a real problem by keeping the moisture out. A dry down bag makes a huge difference on a cold night.
Sea to Summit Camp Kitchen Clean Up Kit
Doing dishes at camp isn’t exactly the highlight of anyone’s trip. But Sea to Summit has made the process a lot less painful with this well-designed cleanup kit. You get a 10-liter collapsible kitchen sink with a sturdy rim and base, a compact pot scrubber with a built-in scraper, a washcloth with two sides (one for scrubbing and one for wiping), a quick-drying towel, and a refillable bottle of biodegradable soap. The entire kit weighs just 7.6 ounces and packs down to the size of a large coffee mug.
Why You’ll Love It: Sea to Summit didn’t just toss a few cleaning items in a bag. Every piece is designed to work together to get things done while taking up as little space and weight as possible.
BioLite FirePit+ with SmartGrill
The BioLite FirePit+ has a loyal fan base, and now it’s even better with the SmartGrill accessory. BioLite’s airflow tech reduces smoke output, seriously upgrading your campfire cooking and general fire enjoyment. The SmartGrill adds an adjustable cooking grate system with direct and indirect heat zones, so you can cook a legit camp meal. Plus, the whole system packs flat for easy transport.
Why You’ll Love It: This fire pit doesn’t smoke you out, and you can cook a proper meal – a solid campfire upgrade!
Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are often overlooked, but Black Diamond’s Distance Carbon FLZ represents the best of the best. These ultralight, carbon fiber poles collapse into three sections for easy pack attachment and deploy in seconds. The FlickLock Pro adjusters are rock-solid and easy to use with gloves on, the grips manage sweat well over long days, and the carbon construction dampens vibration on rocky terrain (which aluminum poles just can’t match). At 9.6 ounces per pair, they’re among the lightest functional poles out there without being too fragile.
Why You’ll Love It: Good trekking poles make a real difference in your hike, protecting your knees and improving your balance. The Distance Carbon FLZ does all that and packs down so small you’ll forget they’re there.
Flextail Tiny Repeller
This tiny device from Flextail clips onto your pack or belt and releases a constant stream of repellent vapor, keeping mosquitoes at bay. It’s rechargeable, uses standard repellent mats, and weighs almost nothing. If you hate mosquitoes – and who doesn’t? – check out this little gem.
Why You’ll Love It: It’s one of those products you don’t know you need until you use it. It’s a lightweight, effective, and solid upgrade for anyone who hates mosquitoes.
Gossamer Gear Murmur 36 Backpack
Gossamer Gear’s Murmur 36 is a strong contender for best frameless pack of 2026. At just over 5 ounces, it somehow manages to carry 36 liters of gear! The design uses your sleeping pad as a frame sheet, and unusually wide hipbelt straps deliver excellent load transfer. The Murmur 36 is for experienced hikers who know how to pack light and want a bag that gets out of the way.
Why You’ll Love It: When a pack weighs less than your water filter, you know you’re in the right place. The Murmur 36 is for backpackers who’ve put in the work and want gear that matches their skills.
ULA Ultra Polarity Pocket
ULA Equipment might not be a household name, but their gear has a loyal following amount thru-hikers and serious backpackers. The Ultra Polarity Pocket is a lightweight hip-belt accessory pocket that attaches to most pack systems, giving you instant access to your phone, snacks, and other essentials. It’s made with super-tough materials and thoughtful stitching that punch above its price point.
Why You’ll Love It: A good hip pocket is hard to come by. Once you try easy-access hip storage, going back to digging through your pack feels like a pain.
Helinox Chair Zero High Back
The original Helinox Chair Zero set the bar high for ultralight camp seating, and the new High Back version raises it even higher. With added lumbar and upper back support, it’s still featherlight, weighing under 2 pounds. It’s still got Helinox’s signature DAC aluminum alloy pole construction and snaps together in under a minute. But this one is sturdy enough to handle up to 265 pounds and can be packed into a tiny stuff sack for years of heavy use.
Why You’ll Love It: Camp seating should be comfy, period. The Chair Zero High Back delivers genuine back support at a weight that makes it a no-brainer to bring along every time.
Kahtoola MICROspikes Ghost
Kahtoola’s MICROspikes have been a winter trail staple for years, and the Ghost edition is a refined, lighter-weight version. The Ghost uses a lower-profile chain system and refined stainless steel spikes that bite into snow and ice without adding weight. They slip on in under 30 seconds and fit over almost any trail shoe or boot. Slippery trails are no joke; if you hike in the shoulder seasons or winter, a pair of traction devices like these is essential.
Why You’ll Love It: The Ghost takes an already amazing product and makes it lighter and sleeker. You can walk confidently on surfaces that would have you white-knuckling a trekking pole otherwise.
Katadyn BeFree 3.0
For thru-hikers and fast-packers, Katadyn’s BeFree has been the go-to water filter for years. Its hollow-fiber design gets the job done quickly with no need to pump. The 3.0 update brings some sweet upgrades, like a longer-lasting filter cartridge (good for 1,000 liters) and a more packable flask material that rolls up tight when it’s empty. The filter screws directly onto standard hydration flasks from multiple brands, making it super versatile. Just fill ‘er up from a stream, give it a gentle squeeze, and you’re drinking clean water in no time. It’s also a great backup filter for RV owners when campground water quality is sketchy.
Why You’ll Love It: The BeFree is all about speed and simplicity, and the 3.0 takes it to the next level. It tucks away in your kit until you need it and then works like a charm every time.
MSR Habiscape 6 Tent
MSR always builds top-notch tents, and the Habiscape 6 is their latest masterpiece. This semi-freestanding dome tent is perfect for group trips that need loads of space without sacrificing stability. The super-roomy interior sleeps six comfortably and features a center height of almost six feet. It uses MSR’s tried-and-true Easton Syclone poles for solid stability in bad weather. Plus, you get dual vestibules for realistic gear storage on both sides.
Why You’ll Love It: The Habiscape 6 strikes the perfect balance between base camp luxury and backcountry durability – and you can trust it in sketchy weather, which is a huge plus.
HOKA Speedgoat 7
Few trail running shoes have had as much impact as the Speedgoat, and version 7 continues HOKA’s tradition of building a maximally cushioned trail shoe that’s still precise underfoot. The Speedgoat 7 gets an updated Vibram outsole, revised upper design for a snappier fit, and better rock protection. Whether you’re trail running, fast-packing, or just hiking long miles with a loaded pack, these shoes deliver. They’ve become a legit choice for thru-hikers who want cushion without sacrificing grip.
Why You’ll Love It: The Speedgoat 7 has figured out how to be both pillowy and precise, the holy grail in trail footwear. Your feet will thank you on mile 15!
NEMO Dragonfly OSMO 2P (& 1P, 3P)
NEMO’s Dragonfly OSMO is still the best in the ultralight tent category, now in solo, double, and three-person sizes. The big deal here is OSMO fabric, NEMO’s own blend of polyester and nylon that prevents sagging. Traditional tents get waterlogged and go limp, but OSMO stays taut even in rain, keeping you dry and making setup a breeze. The 2P version is crazy light without sacrificing space, and the hubbed poles make setup super fast, even in fading light.
Why You’ll Love It: The no-sag OSMO fabric! A tent that stays tight in the rain is a tent that keeps you dry, simple as that.
REI Co-op Flash Shade Hoodie
Sun protection gear has gotten really good lately, and the Flash Shade Hoodie is one of the best examples. This UPF 50+ pullover is perfect for high-output hiking in sunny areas. It’s super lightweight but still structured enough to block serious UV rays. The thumb loops, stretch panels, and athletic cut make it super comfortable for just about any situation.
Why You’ll Love It: It’s the sun hoodie that doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a paper bag. Great range of motion, excellent protection, and it packs down to almost nothing.
Suunto Vertical GPS Watch
GPS watches are the real deal for backcountry navigation, and Suunto’s Vertical is one of the best. It’s serious hardware with offline maps, a precision altimeter, and multi-GNSS positioning. The battery life lasts over 60 hours in GPS mode, and the sapphire crystal lens is tough. The interface takes some time to learn, but it’s deep and useful.
Why You’ll Love It: The Vertical is a genuine navigation tool built for people who go places with no cell service.
BioLite SolarPanel 10 Plus
The BioLite SolarPanel 10 Plus is the real deal, delivering 10 watts of charging power through a built-in USB-A port. This compact unit features BioLite’s sunlight optimization tech, an integrated bubble level and lighting indicator that lets you know when the panel is perfectly angled towards the sun. It weighs just under a pound, stands up on any flat surface, and can charge a smartphone from zero to full in about two hours in direct sunlight.
Why You’ll Love It: That sun angle indicator is pure genius. It’s compact, effective, and gets the job done. While not meant to power your RV’s air conditioning, it’s a clean and effective way to keep small devices alive.
Black Diamond Spot 400-R Headlamp
Headlamps have come a long way in recent years, and the Black Diamond Spot 400-R is the cream of the crop with 400 lumens of output and a rechargeable battery via USB-C. The PowerTap tech lets you switch between full power and dim modes with just a tap on the housing, so no more fiddling around with AAA batteries or strobe modes at 2 a.m. when you just want to find the bathroom. It’s also waterproof, so a rainy night hike or accidental dip in a puddle isn’t a disaster.
Why You’ll Love It: The Spot 400-R is the headlamp that never gives you a headache. It’s rechargeable, bright, intuitive, and built to withstand a beating.
REI Co-op Radiant 20
For campers on a budget, the REI Co-op Radiant 20 is a solid choice. It’s a synthetic sleeping bag that uses REI’s in-house insulation to deliver warmth, even when wet. The mummy cut is roomy, and the draft collar and hood are well-done at this price point.
Why You’ll Love It: Not every trip needs a $500 down bag! The Radiant 20 delivers solid warmth, handles moisture well, and won’t break the bank.
Gear Up and Get Going
2026 is a great time to be an outdoor enthusiast. From smarter shelter fabrics to GPS watches that actually work, the industry is solving real problems that matter – and these products represent solid choices worth your money. Happy camping!
Leslie is a freelance travel and health/wellness writer who gets butterflies from telling stories and sharing information with readers across the globe. Her voice comes from a place filled with passion and dreams.
With over 10 years of experience in crafting words and years of embarking on travels that have taken this Montana girl to some incredible places, Leslie loves the adventures of both body and mind that her writing takes her on.
To see what Leslie’s up to in the writing and design world, visit her website here.
