Best Camping Gear 2021: Favourite Backpacking Kit From a Year Outdoors

Introduction

Some years leave you with a gear cupboard that finally makes sense. This one included a self-built camper van, a lot of miles on foot, and a steady rotation of packs, shelters and sleep systems that had to perform in real conditions rather than simply look good on a specification sheet.

The list below covers the kit that earned a permanent place in the pack over twelve months of trips. Every item here was used repeatedly rather than once, and each one solved a specific problem: carrying a camera and winter layers, sleeping comfortably on cold ground, or staying warm when temperatures drop below freezing.

What Made This Year’s Kit Stand Out

Four things separated the keepers from everything else. First, comfort over long days: a pack or a sleeping pad only proves itself after several hours of use. Second, versatility, because gear that works across seasons and trip types saves both money and shelf space. Third, weight that stays reasonable without giving up durability. And fourth, reliability in poor weather, since wind, rain and cold are where equipment tends to fail.

Each item below was measured against those standards across spring, summer and autumn trips, with a handful of genuinely cold nights included.

Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor: The One-Pack Option

The Flex Capacitor arrived at the end of last year and saw heavy use through the first half of this year. It is the pack that comes closest to covering everything: day hikes, overnight trips and longer weekends without needing a second bag in the cupboard.

That versatility is the whole point. If only one backpack could stay, this would be the one, because it adapts to different loads and different trips without asking the user to compromise much.

Gregory Paragon 58: Comfort With Extra Capacity

The Paragon 58 came into the rotation when camera gear and winter clothing started pushing loads beyond what a smaller pack handles comfortably. It provides that extra space, and it matches the comfort of the Osprey Exos 48, which had long been the benchmark for a full day under load.

What sets it apart is the feature set rather than one headline specification. Side access makes it easy to reach items without unpacking, the top pocket and hip belt pockets keep small essentials close at hand, and the bottom opening section adds another way in. Across recent trips it has been the pack that gets picked first, which is why it takes the top spot for the year.

Tarptent Scarp 1: A Four-Season Shelter

The Scarp 1 arrived in April and immediately became the tent of choice. It weighs 1.47 kg, which is modest for a four-season shelter, and it still offers plenty of internal room. There is enough space inside to cook, which matters on wet evenings when staying under cover is the entire plan.

Wind performance is where it really earns its place. It copes well in gusty conditions, and nothing else used this year has come close to that combination of low weight, interior space and weather resistance.

For anyone who camps through the colder half of the year, that balance is the reason to put it on a shortlist.

Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme: Comfort That Insulates

After years of searching for a sleeping pad that is genuinely comfortable, the Ether Light XT Extreme settled the question. It weighs 720 g and carries an R-value of 6.2, which means it insulates effectively from cold ground. That combination of cushioning and warmth is why it has been the go-to pad for the last six months.

There is one clear trade-off. The packed size is large, so it takes up more room in a pack than a minimalist mat would. For trips where comfort and warmth matter more than a compact roll, that is a fair exchange.

Stormin’ Norman Cone: A Simple Alcohol Stove

Alcohol stoves have a way of winning people back, and this cone setup is the reason. It is simple to use, reliable in all conditions, efficient, and the cone makes it notably wind resistant.

The catch is availability, because this particular stove is no longer easy to find. Even so, it earned its place as the stove of the year, and it shows how much a lightweight, fuss-free cooking setup can deliver on a long trip.

UGQ Outlaw Hybrid Quilt: Flexible Warmth

The Outlaw Hybrid Quilt arrived in June and has been used many times since. It takes the quilt format and adds a full-length zip, so it can be used like a conventional sleeping bag when conditions demand it, sealing out drafts on the coldest nights.

It weighs 750 g with a comfort rating of around minus one degree Celsius. Build quality is among the best seen in this category, and the hybrid design makes it more adaptable than a plain quilt.

That flexibility is what makes it the sleeping option of the year rather than just another quilt.

GoPro Hero 10: Rugged Footage in a Pocket

The Hero 10 has been a dependable companion for capturing trips. It is small enough to carry without thinking about it, it produces strong video quality, and it handles the sort of conditions where a larger camera would stay in the bag.

For anyone who wants to record outdoor days without carrying a full camera kit, this is the straightforward option.

iPhone: The Camera That Does Everything

Most of the filming this year happened on a phone. The iPhone handled recording and editing, and even website updates, all from a device that lives in a pocket. Having capture and editing in one place is what makes it so practical.

The takeaway is simple: if you are starting out and wondering what equipment you need, the phone already in your pocket is enough to begin.

Buying Advice: Matching Gear to the Trip

The right purchase depends on the trips actually being planned. A versatile pack such as the Flex Capacitor covers the widest range of uses, while the Paragon 58 makes more sense for anyone carrying camera equipment or bulky winter layers.

For shelter, the Scarp 1 suits year-round use and exposed pitches. For sleep, the Ether Light XT Extreme prioritises comfort and warmth, and the Outlaw Hybrid Quilt adds flexibility on cold nights, while the packed size of the sleeping pad is worth planning around in a smaller pack. The alcohol stove remains a light and reliable choice if one can be found. On the tech side, the Hero 10 covers rugged footage and the phone covers everything else.

Conclusion

This year’s kit worked because each piece had a clear job. The Flex Capacitor stays as the do-everything pack, the Paragon 58 handles heavier loads with more comfort and more access points, the Scarp 1 covers four-season shelter without much weight, and the Ether Light XT Extreme and Outlaw Hybrid Quilt make cold nights genuinely comfortable. Add a simple alcohol stove and a pocket-sized camera setup, and the whole system covers everything from a quick overnight to a long, cold weekend. Match the gear to the trips you actually take, and most of these choices will keep earning their place year after year.