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High-tech camping gear to make the outdoors more comfortable

Camping has always been a favorite American pastime, especially during the summer months. Thanks in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, pitching a tent in the great outdoors is more popular than ever -- RV sales soared and campgrounds already started booking to capacity late in the spring of 2021. Some people go camping to disconnect from technology and go back-to-basics; to cook over a campfire, rely on candlelight to read; and use a manual compass to guide the way. For the rest of us, there's this guide.

Enter the rising trend of "glamping" -- all of the outdoor fun with none of the headaches, thanks to smart gear and extra-comfy mobile accommodations. Forget boiling water to decontaminate it. Forget sleeping on hard, uneven surfaces. Camping has evolved -- and now even a tenderfoot can rough it without feeling too rough. CBS Essentials has rounded up the lightest and most innovative gear, including an all-season tent, cooking equipment and other camping staples that will help make your outdoor adventure a little less wild.

Sawyer mini filtration system

Nothing can derail a camping trip like a stomach illness. The Sawyer mini filtration system is a portable gadget that, per the company, removes 99.99 percent of all bacteria (salmonella, cholera, and E. coli) and 99.99 percent of all protozoa (such as giardia and cryptosporidium) so you can drink water without worry. It easily attaches to a bottle, pouch, or hydration pack, but users can even drink directly from any fresh water source.

You can find the complete list of high tech camping gear, put together by Leah Groth here.

LAST UPDATED

May 8, 2022

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CBS Essentials

Media Mentions from CBS Essentials

Original reporting and trusted news with content and perspective found nowhere else.

MEDIA MENTIONS

Fresh drinking water is essential. This water filtration system ensures you will never run out as long as there is a nearby natural water source. It can filter out bacteria, protozoa and microplastics.

Allen Foster

MEDIA MENTIONS

Faster and more efficient than pumping or waiting for chemical treatments, the Sawyer Squeeze System offers on-the-go hydration at a good flow. This product is long-lasting, affordable, reliable, cleanable, and very user-friendly.

Alan Dixon
AdventureAlan

MEDIA MENTIONS

But Sawyer was way ahead of me — 15 years ahead, to be precise. In 2008, the brand started its Clean Water for All initiative, which provides Sawyer filters to developing countries around the world. And the company spends 90% of its profits funding it.

Shauna Farnell