Shop These Winter Camping Essentials for Under $50

I’ve been camping since I was a kid, and the experiences sparked my adventurous lifestyle.  Soon after college, I moved out West to live in the mountains full-time. Today, my family spends our free time outdoors year-round, including refueling in between adventures, often around a crackling fire.

But just like any fun hobby, having the right camping gear is essential to your enjoyment. So I’ve rounded up a list of my favorite gifts for outdoor enthusiasts. My picks include cold-weather essentials and tailgating necessities. All my selections are under $150, and include a few thoughtful stocking stuffers, too.

Best Winter Camping and Outdoor Essentials Overall

• Stanley Wildfare Go 14-Piece Stainless Steel Prep & Cook Set, $35, originally $45 at amazon.com
• Hotkoko Puffy Printed Camping Blanket, $32, originally $34 at amazon.com
• Hydro Flask 20-Ounce Food Jar, $30, originally $40 at rei.com
• Stanley 1.1-Quart Heritage Classic Vacuum Bottle with Handle, $23, originally $35 at amazon.com
• Yeti Rambler 42-Ounce Straw Mug, $32, originally $45 at yeti.com
• Igloo Tag Along Too Cooler, $35, originally $50 at amazon.com
• Sea to Summit 10-Liter Folding Bucket, $26, originally $35 at backcountry.com
• IEJ Ultralight High-Back Camping Chair, $28, originally $33 at amazon.com
• iClimb Mini Solo Folding Picnic Table, $26, originally $33 at amazon.com

Best Winter Camping Cookware and Utensils

Food just tastes better when it’s enjoyed outdoors with friends, and open-flame cooking infuses dishes with delectable smoky flavors. Still, cooking and eating outside can be cumbersome without a Stanley stainless steel cook set that easily stows for transport and

• Stanley Wildfare Go 14-Piece Stainless Steel Prep & Cook Set, $35, originally $45 at amazon.com
• Quatish Travel Utensils with Case, $8, originally $10 at amazon.com
• GSI Outdoors Pioneer Chef’s Tools, $18, originally $25 at rei.com
• Stanley 12-Piece Wildfare Core 8-Inch Fry Pan Cookset, $41, originally $55 at rei.com

Stanley Wildfare Go 14-Piece Stainless Steel Prep & Cook Set 

My camping crate, which stays fully stocked for adventure, includes this Stanley cook set with enough pots, pans, and utensils to serve two. All the stainless steel and BPA-free pieces, including two non-slip cutting boards, two bowls, two sporks, and a spatula, stack neatly inside the pot, secured with a locking lid.

Stanley 12-Piece Wildfare Core 8-Inch Fry Pan Cookset

If your camping menu includes fried eggs and bacon in the morning, opt for this 12-piece fry pan set. In contrast to the saucepan set above, this set gives you more cooking space. It includes much of the same prep tools but swaps bowls for plates and a serving spoon for a spatula.

Best Winter Camping Gear

If you spend any sort of time outside, even once temperatures plummet, these cold-weather must-haves will come in handy. A portable fire pit will keep you warm and is nice to have on hand for backyard bonfires, and Hawana rechargeable hand warmers can be tossed inside gloves or pockets for added warmth during any outdoor activity. 

• Alps Mountaineering Spark Fire Pit, $150, originally $200 at rei.com
• Hotkoko Puffy Printed Camping Blanket, $32, originally $34 at amazon.com
• Cascade Mountain Tech Lightweight Aluminum Frame Snowshoe Set, $41, originally $80 at amazon.com
• HotHands Adhesive Toe Warmers, $29, originally $50 at amazon.com
• Hawana Rechargeable Hand Warmers, 2-Pack, $10, originally $20 at amazon.com
• Hydro Flask 20-Ounce Food Jar, $30, originally $40 at rei.com

Alps Mountaineering Spark Fire Pit

Break out this puppy après-ski to fire up hot dogs and hamburgers in the parking lot. This portable fire pit is made of aluminum and stainless steel and comes carrying case, making it easy to transport. It’s compatible with firewood or charcoal for instant ambience while tailgating, and folds flat once the fire’s out.

Hotkoko Puffy Printed Camping Blanket 

Okay — this might be my favorite camping essential of all. This blanket can be used for sleeping under the stars, but it also comes in handy on the sidelines of fall soccer games. It’s filled with a poly-insulation that equals the warmth of down, and comes equipped with buttons along the perimeter for use as a sleeping bag or shawl. 

Best Winter Camping Drinkware

Yeti and Stanley lead the pack when it comes to on-the-go drinkware and travel mugs, and I own several. Among my favorites for wintertime sipping are a Stanley Heritage thermos, similar to the one my dad used to tote to football games, and a Yeti water bottle because drinking water freezes outside during winter.

• Yeti Rambler 42-Ounce Straw Mug, $32, originally $45 at yeti.com
• Stanley 1.1-Quart Heritage Classic Vacuum Bottle with Handle, $23, originally $35 at amazon.com
• Stanley 12-Ounce Everyday Camp Mug, $19, originally $25 at rei.com
• YETI Rambler 26-ounce Bottle, $28, originally $40 at amazon.com

Yeti Rambler 42-Ounce Straw Mug

Personally, I think Yeti’s Rambler Straw Mug far outperforms the trendy Stanley Quencher. This tumbler mug is better balanced, making it sturdier, and comes with a burly lid that’s easy to clean. Plus, its BPA-free straw has a stopper at the end to prevent loss, and it’s cup holder-compatible to boot. 

Stanley 1.1-Quart Heritage Classic Vacuum Bottle with Handle 

When it comes to thermoses, Stanley knows what’s up, because they’ve been making vacuum-insulated bottles since 1913. This one, reminiscent of the brand’s first thermos, is “built to last a lifetime” and is backed by a warranty that proves it. It keeps drinks hot or cool for up to 24 hours and comes with a lid that doubles as a drinking cup. 

Best Winter Tailgating Gear

My favorite winter pastime includes tailgating in the parking lot after a day of winter adventure. In fact, living near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, it’s a community ritual. These few items make it doable, like a Yeti flask to warm up my insides (some locals even ski with one in their coat) or an Igloo travel cooler I can swing over one shoulder to keep all the accoutrements from freezing.

• Igloo Tag Along Too Cooler, $35, originally $50 at amazon.com
• Yeti Flask, $40, originally $50 at yeti.com
• Gas One Dual Fuel Stove, $30, originally $33 at amazon.com
• Sea to Summit 10-Liter Folding Bucket, $26, originally $35 at backcountry.com

Igloo Tag Along Too Cooler 

Come winter, a small cooler stashed in the trunk will keep a bottle of wine from freezing. I use Igloo’s Tag Along Cooler for this purpose because its MaxCold insulation keeps contents cold in summer and protects them from freezing in the winter. It features a locking lid and an adjustable strap for portability. Also, the six vibrant colors and coordinated interiors make this cooler a party pleaser. 

Yeti Flask

This iconic stainless steel flask makes a great stocking stuffer for any skier, snowboarder, or hockey enthusiast. It features a curved design that fits into a pocket and kitchen-grade stainless steel that won’t retain flavors or odors. It also comes with a stainless steel funnel for no-spill fill-ups. 

Best Winter Camp Chairs and Tables 

Gathering outside in the winter calls for portable furniture that keeps you out of the snow. I prefer this Moon Lence Portable Camping Chair over the larger folding chairs because they assemble in seconds and pack down to nothing. I also use a portable camping table to prep my food before cooking over an open fire. 

• IEJ Ultralight High-Back Camping Chair, $28, originally $33 at amazon.com
• iClimb Mini Solo Folding Picnic Table, $26, originally, $33 at amazon.com
• Moon Lence Portable Camping Chair, $28, originally $34 at amazon.com
• Naturehike Portable Camping Table, $38, originally $76 at target.com
• Crazy Creek The Chair Perfect for Stadium Seats, $32, originally $40 at amazon.com

IEJ Ultralight High-Back Camping Chair

This chair checks all the boxes: it’s made of durable carbon steel and tear-resistant Oxford fabric, has a sturdy high-back design that can hold up to 270 pounds, and features all-terrain “frog feet” that keep it stable on grass, rocks, dirt, or snow. Plus, it weighs only 2 pounds and packs down to the size of a 2-liter soda bottle. 

iClimb Mini Solo Folding Picnic Table 

I love creating backcountry charcuterie boards, and this nifty camp table comes in handy for housing my creations. With an aluminum alloy tabletop, it weighs only 19 ounces and supports up to 33 pounds. This table’s low design makes it more stable than other camping tables (watch out for snooping dogs), and it features a perforated top in the event of spills. 

So take it from a pro — winter camping can be both enjoyable and comfortable when you have the right gear, and my picks will help you get started. These essentials cost as little $8 apiece and will outfit any gearhead for their adventures ahead, making great Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers, too.