36 Best Camping Gear Brands to Fit Every Budget (Updated 2025)

You’ve wanted to go camping for years now, but the overwhelming number of camping brands isn’t just confusing—it’s literally keeping you from the outdoors.

Finding reliable gear you can actually trust makes the difference between finally experiencing those mountain sunrises or letting another summer slip by while your adventure dreams collect dust.”

Don’t worry! We’ve done all the research. We’ll break down the high-end, mid-range, and budget options so you can make the best decision for your needs.

Whether you’re looking for a tent or hiking boots, we have you covered!

What is a Camping Gear Brand?

For the definition and purposes of this article, a Camping brand is a company that makes products or services to get you into the great outdoors.

Great outdoor products have a mix of quality, fit, and price that excite you to use them while keeping you safe and extending your outing.

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$ Budget-Friendly Camping Gear Brands

Perfect for beginners, occasional campers, or those who want reliable gear without breaking the bank. These brands offer solid performance at entry-level prices, typically 50-70% less than premium options.

1. Columbia Sportswear

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Camping and everyday wear
• Location: Portland, Oregon
• Best Products: PFG Tamiami Shirts
• Cost: $

Created in 1937 as the Columbia Hat Company, Columbia Sportswear has continued growing. Columbia is known for great-looking middle-range outdoor clothes and footwear aimed at the budget-minded outdoor enthusiast.

3. Moosejaw (Updated MooseJaw officially closed August 3rd, 2024)

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Skiing, Snowboarding, and the general outdoors
• Location: Madison Heights, Michigan
• Best Products: Men’s Down Jacket and Women’s Hooded Insulated Jacket
• Cost: $

Made for the Michigan winters, Moosejaw products cocoon you top to bottom, keeping you warm and toasty. The shells are made with breathable and waterproof fabrics for dry all-day comfort.

4. Primus

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Camping stoves
• Location: Sweden
• Best Products: Camping stoves
• Cost: $

When Roald Amundsen became the world’s first explorer to reach the South Pole, he took the world’s first soot-free kerosene stove! As it was the first, the company decided to call it Primus (meaning first). The Primus name became synonymous with reliable stoves, becoming the primary choice for people heading off on demanding expeditions.

5. LuminAID

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Camping
• Location: Chicago, Illinois
• Best Products: PackLite Nova USB, PackLite Firefly, and PackLite Spectra USB
• Cost: $

We designed our inflatable solar lantern to pack flat and be easily distributed after disasters. The simple, rechargeable lantern is lightweight, easy to use, and a safer alternative to hazardous candles or toxic kerosene.

6. TERRA MAP APP

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Camping trail navigation
• Location: Tuscany, Italy
• Best Products: Terra Maps
• Cost: $

Terra Maps is the best GPS app for hiking, cycling, and all outdoor sports! Discover all the benefits of Terra Maps.

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$$ Mid-Range Camping Gear Brands

The sweet spot for most outdoor enthusiasts. These brands balance quality, durability, and affordability, offering professional-grade features without the premium price tag. Perfect for regular campers who want gear that will last for years.

7. The North Face

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Camping gear, Mountaineering gear, and Everyday clothing
• Location: Portland, Oregon
• Best Products: Women’s Denali 2 Jacket and Women’s VECTIV™ Levitum FUTURELIGHT™ trail shoes, Small 2 person tents
• Cost: $$

Named for the most challenging side of the mountain, The North Face has equipped explorers since 1966 to reach their dreams. Driven by the mantra of Never Stop Exploring™, our expeditions inspire us to test the outer limits of performance and possibility.

8. REI Co-op

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Camping, Alpine sports, and general use
• Location: Kent, Washington
• Best Products: Wicking underwear, Running shorts, Rain gear
• Cost: $$

REI started using collective buying power to get better prices for members. To bring the best prices to its members, REI also produces its own clothing line. This clothing line is great for the budget-minded. I buy their wicking underclothes for running and gym workouts.

9. Mountain Hardwear

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Camping Trip
• Location: Richmond, California
• Best Products: Ghost Whisperer/2 and Stretchdown
• Cost: $$

After falling off the radar, former brand leader Mountain Hardwear has been working its way back with a new product lineup and focus.

10. L.L. Bean

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Outdoor Clothing
• Location: Freeport, Maine
• Best Products: Sleeping bag, Car Camping, and Canopy Tent
• Cost: $$

The first thing I ever bought from L.L. Bean was Duck boots. To this day, the company remains one of my favorite brands. I bought a blue check shirt from L.L. Bean many years ago. When the shirt arrived, I could not believe how thick the material was; I had never had a shirt as warm and pleasant.

11. Cotopaxi

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Outdoor-wear
• Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
• Best Products: Cada Día, Teca Fleece Hooded, and Fuego Down
• Cost: $$

Cotopaxi creates gear to enhance outdoor experiences and impact global change. They are dedicating 1% of their revenue to nonprofits that help communities experiencing poverty. They promise to make durable gear as ethically and sustainably as possible and use our company to support communities in need.

12. Eddie Bauer

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Camping gear
• Location: Bellevue, Washington
• Best Products: MicroTherm and CirrusLite
• Budget: $$

Eddie Bauer is a staple in the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1920 in the back of a local hunting and fishing outfitter, the company quickly evolved into a committed outdoor brand. It patented the first quilted down jacket in 1936.

13. Topo Designs

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Camping and all-around use
• Location: Denver, Colorado
• Best Products: Rover Pack
• Cost: $$

14. Therm-a-Rest

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Camping air mattress
• Location: Seattle, Washington
• Best Products: Sleeping pad and sleeping bag
• Cost: $$

15. Rab

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Camping and General outdoor wear
• Location: Derbyshire, UK
• Best Products: Microlight Alpine and Neutrino Pro
• Cost: $$

Here’s the deal – Rab is the UK’s best-kept secret, delivering Arc’teryx-level quality without the heart-stopping price tag.

16. Hydro Flask

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Seaside to mountain tops and all points between
• Location: Bend, Oregon
• Best Products: 20 oz All Around™ Tumbler and 32 oz Bottle
• Cost: $$

Simplicity shapes our products and our company’s purpose. For a great alternative to single-use bottles and to-go cups, try Hydro Flask bottles and cups. Hydro Flask makes double-wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel water bottles backed by a lifetime warranty.

17. BioLite

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Car Camping trips
• Location: DUMBO, Brooklyn
• Best Products: FirePit+, CampStove 2+, and BaseCharge 600
• Cost: $$

BioLite is on a mission to bring Energy Everywhere™ with revolutionary products that transform how we cook, charge, and light our lives.

18. Sorel

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Winter and Summer footwear
• Location: Portland, Oregon
• Best Products: JOANIE™ III ANKLE STRAP WEDGE SANDAL & WOMEN’S KINETIC™
• Cost: $$

What began decades ago with premium boots crafted with an unparalleled balance of construction and protection is now dedicated to functionality and fashion.

19. OtterBox

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Water-tight storage for your valuables
• Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
• Best Products: iPhone 14, Galaxy A14 5g, and Apple Watch Series
• Cost: $$

OtterBox creates products that enable human connection in our increasingly mobile world. Founded in 1998, we stand apart in our dedication to quality, durability, and purposeful innovation.

20. Royal Robbins

Key Features

• Suggested Use: From the office to outdoors
• Location: San Francisco, California
• Best Products: ReadyDry, VentureLayer, and Bug Barrier
• Cost: $$

Royal Robbins was one of the first high wall climbers to embrace the term Clean Climbing in the early 1970s. The company he started adopted the same clean aesthetic and functionality.

21. Olympus

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Outdoor use, waterproof, shockproof, and frostproof
• Location: Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
• Best Products: Tough TG-6
• Cost: $$

Olympus started in 1919, and though it got off track in the 1980s and 1990s, it has made a comeback and is more committed than ever with a rugged exterior and sophisticated OM SYSTEM technologies.

ng how people enjoy their day while cycling. Electric Bikes and scooters have enjoyed increasing popularity because even people with limited mobility can easily use them.

22. Himiway Bikes

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Electric bike use on the trail or commuting
• Location: Carson City, Nevada
• Best Products: Himiway Cruiser, Himiway Zebra, and Himiway Big Dog
• Cost: $$

The Himiway Cruiser is a powerful all-terrain fat tire bike for tackling snow, sand, and hills. The Himiway Cruiser is an affordable all-purpose electric bike that combines performance and comfort, whether commuting or off-roading.

23. Work sharp tools

Key Features

• Suggested Uses: Knife and tool sharpeners
• Location: Ashland, Oregon
• Best Product: Ken Onion Work Sharp
• Cost: $$

One of the hardest things to do is keep your tools sharp. Work Sharp has been making sharpening products since 1973. The company is a fourth-generation family-owned business, and is proud of the product they make.

25. LT. Wright

Key Features

• Suggested Uses: Camping and Bushcraft belt knife
• Location: Wintersville, Ohio
• Best Products: GNS Scandi, Bushcrafter, and Custom Kydex Work
• Cost $$

One of the things I’ve noticed in recent years is the cost of handmade basic utility bushcraft knives going through the roof. LT. Wright Knife Works is a full-service custom knife maker specializing in bushcraft and working knives that don’t cost a fortune.

26. KEENS

Key Features

• Suggested Uses: Watersports and Hiking
• Location: Portland, Oregon
• Best Products: Newport H2
• Cost: $$

Founded in 2003, Keen is an American footwear and accessories company renowned for its durable and versatile products designed for heavy use, particularly in marine environments.

27. Paka Apparel

Key Features

• Suggested Uses: All-natural clothing for the outdoors
• Location: Cusco, Peru
• Best Products: The Original Crew Neck Sweater, Hoodies, and Base Layers
• Cost: $$

Founded in Peru, our mission is to create natural, all-purpose clothing for people who love the outdoors. We’re doing this by innovating with alpaca fiber and other materials that are healthier for people and the planet, so that consumers can connect to our natural world, make more conscious choices, and support the communities where our products come from.

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$$$ Premium/High-End Camping Gear Brands

For those who demand the absolute best. These brands use cutting-edge materials, innovative designs, and meticulous craftsmanship. While expensive, they offer unmatched performance, durability that spans decades, and features that can make the difference in extreme conditions.

28. Arc’teryx

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Technical Mountaineering, Alpine sports
• Location: North Vancouver, Canada
• Best Products: Atom L.T. and Beta AR
• Cost: $$$

Arc’teryx designs and builds products for outdoor professionals. Drawing on over 50 years of collective design expertise, we work extensively with guides, rescue teams, and snow safety personnel to identify equipment solutions. These collaborations with industry professionals result in efficient and durable systems that are purpose-built.

29. Patagonia

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Backpack Camping and everyday wear
• Location: Ventura, California
• Best Products: Fjord Flannel Shirt, Nano Puff Hoody, Nano Puff Vest, and Torrentshell 3L Jacket
• Cost: $$$

Patagonia is a company on a mission, not just to create incredibly long-wearing clothing. But we are also reducing the scale of landfill waste, CO2e gas pollution, and poverty, so endemic in the garment industry. Your purchase benefits the environment and provides a living wage for production workers.

30. prAna

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Wear around town or camping and yoga
• Location: Carlsbad, California
• Best Products: Yoga pants, Women’s ReZion, and Brion™ Pant II
• Cost: $$$

In 1992, Beaver and Pam embarked on a journey to make sustainable but stylish fashions for active lifestyles. They have stayed committed to quality and style since their early days working in their garage, making products by hand.

7. Black Diamond Equipment

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Rock Climbing, Mountaineering
• Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
• Best Products: First Light, Mission, and StormLine
• Cost: $$$

Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, also started Chouinard Equipment in 1965 to sell his handmade mountain climbing gear. From this humble beginning, they’ve become Black Diamond Equipment.

31. Fjällräven

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Outdoor
• Location: Örnsköldsvik, Sweden
• Best Products: Abisko Midsummer Jacket and Vidda Pro Trousers
• Cost: $$$

Hailing from the small town of Örnsköldsvik in Sweden, Fjällräven is an outdoor clothing and equipment company that’s committed to making nature more accessible. In true Swedish style, they focus on simplicity and practicality and respect the environment. Fjällräven’s signature G-1000 fabric, used throughout most of their lineup, is a 65 percent polyester and 35 percent cotton blend. G-1000 can be re-waterproofed anytime by simply rubbing some Greenland Wax into the fabric.

32. Norrøna

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Outdoor wear
• Location: Oslo, Norway
• Best Products: Lofoten, Trollveggen, and Falketind
• Cost: $$$

33. Mont-bell

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Camping gear, Ultra Light thru Hiking
• Location: Osaka, Japan
• Best Products: Down Sleeping bag
• Cost: $$$

Montbell focuses on “Light & Fast™” without compromising on quality, durability, or function.

Norrøna has been a family-owned business for four generations. So unlike other brands run by a board sacrificing quality to realize profits. Norrøna has complete control from concept to creation; their in-house team of designers and craftsmen is compelled to stretch the limits of innovation.

34. YETI

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Hunting, Camping, and Fishing
• Location: Austin, Texas
• Best Products: Coolers and Drinkware
• Cost: $$$

In 2006, YETI was founded with a simple mission: build a cooler we’d use every day, one created for the serious outdoorsmen or women rather than the mass-discount retailers. One that could take the abuse we’d put it through that other cooler companies could not. One that wouldn’t break.

35. Hanwag

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Hiking and Mountain boots
• Location: Vierkirchen, Bavaria
• Best Products: Alaska Wide GTX, Valpega Lady, and Blueridge Low Lady ES
• Cost: $$$

From 1921 to this day, Hanwag stands for traditionally handcrafted quality combined with technical expertise, continuous innovation, durability, and tradition. Together with experienced professional athletes – alpinists, trekkers, and mountain guides – our shoe designers and developers create innovative outdoor footwear that is perfect down to the smallest detail.

36. Juiced Bikes

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Electric bike use on the trail or commuting
• Location: San Diego, California
• Best Products: RipCurrent S and CrossCurrent Top-Rated Commuter Bike
• Budget: $$$

Juiced Bikes founder Tora Harris inspires us to think like Olympians, asking ourselves, “Is this the best we can do?” If not? Then push harder.

37. ACR Electronics

Key Features

• Suggested Use: Emergency Personal Locator Beacon
• Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Best Products: ResQLink 400
• Cost: $$$

Since 1956, ACR’s wide range of survival products has been the choice of NASA, the U.S. Military, the U.S. Coast Guard, and everyday explorers and adventurers across the globe. Personal Locator Beacons are a must-have for remote location travel. When activated, the ResQLink will connect to multiple geostationary satellites and then send your exact location to the Coast Guard and other Wilderness Rescue teams.

38. Western Mountaineering

What Makes a Camping Gear Brand High-End? Understanding Premium Outdoor Equipment

When investing in high-end camping gear brands, you’re not just paying for a logo – you’re investing in superior performance, durability, and comfort that transforms your outdoor experience.

Premium camping gear distinguishes itself through advanced materials and construction like ultralight Dyneema composite, 1000-fill power goose down, natural fibers such as alpaca wool (which offers exceptional warmth-to-weight ratios), and aerospace-grade aluminum alloys that dramatically reduce weight while increasing strength.

Top-tier tents feature silicone-impregnated ripstop nylon with waterproof ratings exceeding 3000mm, while budget alternatives typically max out at 1500mm.

Innovative design and engineering separate luxury camping equipment from mass-market alternatives through thoughtful features like body-mapped insulation in sleeping bags, variable ventilation systems, and ergonomically designed backpack suspension systems.

These technical innovations translate to measurable improvements in comfort, efficiency, and safety during extended backcountry adventures. Premium brands employ teams of engineers and outdoor professionals to refine every detail, from YKK zippers and DAC aluminum poles to triple-stitched seams that resist failure even after hundreds of nights outdoors.

The exceptional durability and specialized performance features of expensive camping gear justify the investment for serious adventurers. High-end brands incorporate plasma-treated water-resistant down, thermally-efficient sleeping pad designs with R-values exceeding 7.0, and multi-fuel stove systems that function reliably at high altitude.

While a premium tent might cost three times more than a budget option, it’s engineered to withstand years of heavy use, ultimately saving money and reducing environmental impact.

Brands like Arc’teryx, Western Mountaineering, and Hilleberg excel in ultralight backpacking gear, while Snow Peak and Helinox dominate the luxury car camping segment with beautifully crafted, durable equipment that enhances every adventure.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it – 37 camping brands that’ll transform your outdoor adventures, no matter your budget.

Here’s the thing: you don’t need the fanciest gear to make incredible memories. If you’re dipping your toes into camping, those budget brands will absolutely get the job done.

Weekend warriors? The mid-range sweet spot gives you durability without the sticker shock. And if you’re hitting the trails every chance you get, then yes – splurging on premium gear is worth every penny (it’ll probably outlast you anyway).

The real magic isn’t in the gear itself – it’s in those moments when your kids see their first shooting star, when you finally nail that perfect campfire coffee, or when you wake up to a view that no hotel could ever match.

Ready to gear up? Pick the brands that match your adventure style and budget, then stop overthinking it. The mountains are calling, the trails are waiting, and your next adventure starts the moment you lace up your boots.

See you out there! 🏕️