Contemporary Camping Gear to Take Into the Wild

Going camping? Depending on who you ask, reactions range from an absolute love of the outdoors and waking up with the birds to suppressed memories of mosquito bites and backaches in the morning. Either way, camping has undergone a major transformation over the last decade – from a budget-friendly tourism niche to mainstream. Times like these when you desire to go into social isolation whenever necessary and surround yourself with nature have caused a further upswing in camping gear. Add to this the increasing variety of such experiences – bivvying, tent or rooftop camping, campervanning and glamping to name just a few – and the many product innovations in this field, you make yourself accessible to a number of possibilities all gathered under the term "outdoor hospitality".

The award-winning products in the category of "Sports / Outdoor / Bicycles" of this year’s iF DESIGN AWARD demonstrate exactly how this contemporary outdoor gear looks like. At the same time, they reflect the motivation you have when you engage in such experiences. It’s a tale of searching for moments in which you can reward yourself with a sense of mastering survival skills. With the pocket knife "Otter 153-2 Sheepfoot", for instance, you’re all set for an unforgettable camping experience. In addition to that, motives for camping are the same as for travelling: There is a need to escape, to feel free and to find relaxation. In that sense, forests, mountains and beaches are places where everything feels lighter, the air is fresher and the possibilities of life seem endless. Nature recharges your energy and camping puts you right in the middle of it.

One of the biggest trends lately is car camping. It's a fun and easy way to get outside – whether it’s for a day trip, a long weekend or a prolonged time. You don’t have to worry about setting up a tent and you can move smoothly from one place to another. The hashtag #vanlife has yet grown to represent an entire lifestyle. For example, the car camping kit "Egoé Nestbox Tramp + accessories" gets you closer to this specific way of living. It’s a plywood module that can turn your car into a camper in a matter of minutes. Or do you prefer a more glamorous way of travelling with an already installed kitchen area? The camper van "ALPHAVAN" might be your choice. The full use of digitization means you can turn this vehicle into a smart home on wheels.

Forget plastic chairs and mosquito nets: Contemporary camping gear has nothing to do with the struggles of the past. There’s a new, modern way to camp. Designers have come up with clever ways to make the most of it. The recipe for success is to improve already existing products and services while minimizing discomfort associated with outdoor experience. For those sunny mornings with birds chirping, the portable coffee maker "Pipamoka" is just what everyone needs. Thanks to a special vacuum pressure system, you can brew your own coffee inside the cup. Looking for a comfortable chair? "Moonlite" is a well-designed mesh sear and allows you to adjust seating position on the fly, from upright to fully reclined. If you are a fan of multifunctional products since space saving, the "Flat type mobile battery with LED light" is just fine for you. It can be used as outdoor work light, photography light and mobile battery. With gadgets like the "Portable Solar Panel" and the solar charger "xSolar" you can make use of a self-sufficient energy supply boosting your travel comfort. The search for comfort is not new, but designers are finding more and more ways to surprise you.