We have gone back through all the reviews from 2023 to find the most innovative and high-quality travel and camping gear that we put to the test this year. These selections were not easy and were based on quality, innovation, etc. So, in short, if you see it here, we consider this product to be exceptional. We have tested everything from portable power supplies to tents to ebikes to geo locators, so we hope you find this list as inspiring as we do. Special thanks to all of our writers and editors who helped assemble this list of award winners.
BOTE Zeppelin 10′ Aero Kayak
This inflatable Kayak packs down small, is easy to set up and inflate (w/pump), and is both stable and comfortable. This little vessel is perfect for weekend adventures on the lake, calm rivers, or flat ocean conditions.
Pro tip – GET THE PUMP
SPOT X – Off-Grid Communications Device
This device is absolutely clutch for backpackers, hikers, overlanders, and anyone traveling in off-the-grid situations. The look and feel of this device will be familiar to those old enough to remember Blackberrys and Palm Pilots. The SPOT X features a full keyboard and easy-to-use menus and fits easily into your bag or can be hung conveniently with the included carabiner. The SPOT X provides 2-way satellite messaging when traveling off the grid or away from cell service. We sent a text message to ourselves while hiking in a dead zone, and sure enough, it was on our cell phones when we got back. This device is so good we keep it with us anytime we travel.
REVV 1 Ebike by Ride1up
At first glance, the Revv 1 feels more like a stripped-down cafe racer motorcycle with its bench seat, black steel frame, and oversized headlight rather than an ebike. Calling the Revv 1 an ebike is pushing the limits, but that’s why we love it; it’s just pure fun and unapologetic about it. If you can’t have fun with this thing, then maybe it’s time to retire and head to the nursing home. The Revv 1 is one of the best values for the money in the entire category as well.
Space Acacia
Quite possibly the coolest tent we have ever seen. Perfect for all-weather camping/glamping, easy to set up and features a three-component design that allows users to customize their kit. Whether you are heading to Burning Man or Coachella or getting lost in the wilderness for a few weeks – this tent is a game changer.
EcoFlow Delta 2 Max + Solar Panels
We get a lot of portable power solutions to review, and this one was one of the most impressive we saw all year. The EcoFlow Delta 2 Max Portable Battery is a powerful and versatile portable power station that provides a consistent and eco-friendly solution for all your power needs. With its high capacity, fast-charging capabilities, and a range of output options, the Delta 2 Max is a standout device in the portable power station market. Fantastic for festival camping or going off-grid!
LifeSaver Wayfarer
For those hiking into the backcountry, overlanding, or putting yourself in a situation where you can’t carry a ton of water, the LifeSaver Wayfarer is a great choice. This compact and robust unit easily fits into a backpack, allowing you to safely drink dirty, microbiologically contaminated water from ponds, streams, and lakes. This model is designed for one or two people max and can purify up to 5,000 liters. Another good application for the Wayfarer is if you are at a music festival and want to purify the drinking water offered at the bottle-filling station. Often, this water could be better and more or less right out of a garden hose.
RAB Ionosphere 5.5 Sleeping Pad
The Rab Ionosphere 5.5 Sleeping Pad is a lightweight, compact sleeping pad offering exceptional comfort and insulation for tent campers and backpackers. Getting a good night’s sleep when you are tent camping is not always easy and can make a huge difference in how you feel the next day. A crappy night’s sleep almost guarantees a lack of energy, poor mood, and ‘wet blanked syndrome.’ This is one of the most comfortable and lightweight sleeping pads we have ever tested.
Elecom’s NESTOUT component battery and lighting system
We’ve seen a lot of batteries, outdoor lights, and solar solutions lately, but nothing quite like the Nestout component system. These guys have created a system with three distinct functions that can be mixed and matched for various outdoor power and lighting solutions. The products include batteries, lights, and solar charging and mounting solutions built to withstand the riggers of hardcore campers and overlanders, oh and festival campers too.
Trelino® Evo S • Portable Composting Toilet
Yes, it seems very appropriate to have a toilet featured in this year’s Editor’s Choice Awards: it was indeed a crappy year. However, if you have to take a bio break out in the middle of nature, this is one of the best toilets on the market. One of the unfortunate realities of camping is that you have to eventually go to the bathroom without a “bathroom.” The Trelino Evo S makes this process much easier with less stink and easy clean up. So if you are living the van life, camping at festivals, or out in the middle of nowhere, this portable toilet is a must.
Ever since I was a little kid, I have been obsessed with media. It sounds strange, I know. When I was just 9-years-old, I created a newspaper and offered my mother the job of editor, which she happily accepted. Distribution was small but that didn’t deter me—I had the Citizen Kane virus. And then at age 23, I started another publication called BPM CULTURE Magazine (eventually dropping the word "Culture"), which evolved into a media company called Overamerica Media Group. I found myself in the media business because I love sharing information—telling great stories, sharing ideas and most importantly, informing people about great music! Like most ‘creative types,’ I dabbled in just about everything—from DJing, to producing, and even to creating a record label. And my list of other interests (hobbies) goes on and on; I will leave that for my autobiography. After Overamerica, I spent some time on the client side in fashion, then consulting for various start-ups, only to lead me back to where I started—a start-up media company. It all happened over dinner one night, a friend said why don’t you start up another magazine about EDM—Magnetic was born.
