Written by Shawna (@shawna.go)
Even when the weather is cold, I’m always looking forward to the start of camping season. As someone who only started camping a few years ago, my gear closet is always evolving as I find new favourite products that I can’t live without. The holidays are my favourite time to get the best deals on camping gear for myself or the other campers in my life, with many of my favourite items going on sale. These picks are perfect for new and seasoned campers alike.
1. GSI Selkirk 540+
Camping often evokes the idea of cooking over a campfire, but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. As an often solo camper, I’m looking for anything that makes camp tasks simpler since I don’t have anyone to share the workload. Wet wood, uneven temperatures and long cooking times over a campfire - a camp stove can eliminate these challenges and make whipping up meals at camp a breeze! The GSI Selkirk 540+ has plenty of power, twin burners with tons of space for big pots and pans, windscreens for blocking out windy weather (like gale-force winds in P.E.I. - speaking from experience), and the durability to handle years of outdoor adventures. There’s even a piezo ignition on one of the burners for quick starts, and the powder coating makes cleaning up messes a breeze. This has been one of my favourite gear upgrades of the year!
2. Aeropress
Coffee just hits differently in the great outdoors. As a self-professed coffee addict, I don’t want to settle for instant coffee or messy French presses that leave my coffee full of grinds. The AeroPress Coffee Maker combines the best of both worlds, with a full-bodied brew and easy cleanup. AeroPress makers use microfilters to catch grinds and oils, which eliminate the bitter taste you might find with traditional coffee presses. I love my AeroPress so much that I use one at home for my daily morning brew, and stash an extra one at work for my mid-day caffeine fix. The big-chain coffee doesn’t hold a candle to what I can make at home with an AeroPress. Don’t forget to grab an extra pack of filters!
My friends joke that I am a maximalist when it comes to my frontcountry camping setup, so finding cookware that lets me go from the campfire to the camp stove is key to reducing the amount of gear I need to pack. The GSI GuideCast line has the quality of traditional cast iron, while weighing 20% less. Whether I’m camping solo and batch-cooking to make my life easier, or sharing meals with friends, the spacious size of this deep frypan has me covered. I love that it comes with a lid, which helps me cook my meals faster. This is a quality piece of kitchen gear that will last for years to come.
4. Grangers Tent & Gear Cleaner & Repel Spray
As a frugal shopper, it’s important that I keep my gear in great condition to get the most life out of it. From cleaning to treating, Grangers Performance Care products are up for the task. Surface dirt, dust, and impurities can impact the water repellency of outdoor gear. Instead of throwing away gear before it's time, cleaning and treating outdoor gear and equipment can give your gear a second life. I like to clean and treat my tent before storing it for the off-season, so I know it’s ready to go as soon as the weather warms up. Grangers Tent & Gear Cleaner along with the Repel Spray are a must for any gear closet. If you’re shopping for a camper that already has everything, you can’t go wrong with products that help extend the life of their camping gear.
If you’re looking to spoil the camper in your life, a new tent is a surefire way to go. The Mountain Hardware Aspect 2 tent offers lots of headroom and great waterproofing. I chose this 3-season tent because it’s lightweight enough for both frontcountry and backcountry camping, and has roomy vestibules for gear storage. Setting up solo is easy with the loop-and-hook technology. The dual doors are handy for trips where I’ll be sharing my space - no climbing over your tentmate for middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks! Consider adding on a footprint to prolong the life of your tent. It even comes with a pole-splint for field repairs, and the included stakes can handle rocky or dried-out soil conditions. If you’re looking for a little more space, the Mountain Hardware Aspect is also available in a 3-person!
About the Author
Shawna is a content creator and year-round adventurer from Centre Wellington, Ontario. She's hiked the entire 900 km Bruce Trail and is always chasing her next outdoor adventure — whether it’s camping under the stars, hiking new trails, or paddleboarding on Ontario’s lakes. Passionate about inspiring others to get outside and explore, Shawna shares real moments and adventures to show that nature’s always worth the trip.
