Do you and your partner love camping and backpacking? Before your next adventure, check out my favorite camping gear for couples!
Are you one half of an adventurous couple?
Is your camping gear all from your single days?
If you and your partner love camping and backpacking, there will come a day when you realize that your gear needs an upgrade.
Do you need a lighter tent for an overnight backpacking adventure, and are having a hard time finding an affordable, lightweight two-person tent?
Did you suddenly realize that your one-person water filter won't cut it for your upcoming two-person trip?
Maybe one of you is a side-sleeper and needs a sleeping pad with a little extra cushioning.
Or maybe you simply want to surprise them with a gift before your next getaway.
Below is a collection of my favorite camping and backpacking gear for couples. This gear is made with two people in mind!
Want more gear ideas? Check out my picks for the best backpacking gear, hiking gear for men, the best women's hiking shoes + boots, camping gear for women, tips for camping in the rain, and the best gifts for campers and national park lovers.
Setting Up Camp for Two
If you're camping as a couple, make sure to set up a cozy campsite!
Bring along a sleeping pad made for two people. Don't pack two sleeping bags, pack one quilt!
We use the Therm-a-Rest Vela Double 20 quilt. But if you need an even warmer quilt, we’ve heard very good things about the quilts from Enlightened Equipment.
And of course, you'll need a tent that fits two people.
Our Favorite Sleeping Pad for Couples
This Exped Duo sleeping pad is AMAZING.
We recently upgraded our too-thin sleeping pads for this cushioned, lightweight pad.
Why?
Because after several sleepless, cold nights in Yosemite, I said I would never backpack again unless we figured out a better sleeping situation.
Sleepless nights make me grouchy.
The Exped Duo sleeping pad fits two people on one sleeping pad (yay!).
This pad weighs under 2 pounds, rolls up compactly, and is comfortable even for side sleepers. It has an R-value of 2.9, so it's a three-season sleeping pad.
Curious about how to interpret R-values? Here's a good explanation.
Our Favorite Backpacking Tent for Camping Couples
This River Country trekking pole tent isn't exactly a spacious glamping tent, but it is PERFECT for backpacking.
Or any other time when you don't want to pack a heavy tent.
This tent uses trekking poles for support instead of tent poles and stakes, so you're only carrying the weight of the tent itself in your pack. We use our Kelty trekking poles with this tent.
This tent is perfect for two people because it uses two trekking poles. How convenient!
Plus, it's about $400 cheaper than the cheapest 3lb backpacking tent at REI! Love it!
Our Favorite Car Camping Tents for Couples
If you prefer a little more space in your tent, check out the Coleman sundome tent.
When we car camp, we usually opt for a 3-person tent (not a 2-person tent), because it adds a little extra room for our bags.
This Coleman sundome tent is a solid, high-quality option.
Recently we decided to try out this UNP 6-person tent, an extra-spacious cabin style tent.
The UNP 6-person tent is tall enough to stand up in, as well as making it much easier for two people to move around without bumping into things! When it comes to camping gear for couples, a little extra room makes a difference.
Read up on more of my suggestions for buying a tent.
Camping Hammock for Couples
Want a portable hammock you can string between the trees to lay back and relax in?
This nylon Wise Owl Outfitters camping hammock comes in one- and two-person options. You can adjust the straps to keep yourself a comfortable distance from the ground.
If you're hiking in very hot weather, though, or you don't like to be extra cozy, two one-person hammocks might work best.
Camp Kitchen for Two
Most kitchen camping gear can work just as easily for one person as it can for two, but here are a few of my favorite camp kitchen essentials.
And they're all perfect for couples.
Our Favorite Camping Espresso Maker
If one or both of you love to start your day with coffee, don't compromise while you're camping!
Skipping your morning coffee (or drinking bad coffee) is a recipe for a grouchy hiking partner.
Instead, grab this Wacaco minipresso!
My husband likes to make us a cup of espresso in the morning AND when we reach our destination on the trail.
If you want to make espresso on the trail (or at a campground), make sure to pack a backpacking stove (or camping stove), some water, and espresso grounds (we love Illy coffee grounds). With a barista kit, you can even make double espressos!
For more ideas, see my post on how to make coffee while camping.
Camping Wine Glasses
When my husband and I first started camping together, we brought along plastic wine glasses.
And from day 1, the plastic glasses were ANNOYING.
Plastic wine glasses almost always have an uncomfortable rim with a flat, sharp edge. And after a few uses, those plastic glasses started to look scratched.
Plus, wine doesn't taste quite as delicious in a plastic glass.
Recently, we replaced our plastic wine glasses with something a little more durable. These stainless steel wine glasses are perfect!
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