Best Gear for Group Camping By MSR | Our top picks for gathering the tribe.
Adventure junkies rejoice! It's time to get the whole posse out for a summer-defining adventure—be it a coastal trip with friends or a family affair island-hopping by canoe. Whatever you choose to do, group camping is about sharing and exploring the outdoors with others. It also happens to be the perfect setting for backcountry feasts, card games and good old-fashion conversation. To equip you with gear that all of that easier, here’s a round-up of our top picks for group adventures.
WindBurner® Stove System Collection
With their windproof designs and fast boil times,
WindBurner Stove Systems are a favorite of backcountry and frontcountry campers alike. With a wide range of sizes and pot options, you can boil water fast for morning coffee
and concoct gourmet feasts at night - all with the same system.
The
2.5 L pot is great for simmering sauces, while the
large 4.5 L Stock Pot is excellent for pastas and soups. All this versatility comes with the WindBurner’s superior windproof performance and fuel efficiency to make cooking in backcountry conditions just that much easier.
Photo by Scott Rinckenberger
AutoFlow XL 10L Gravity Water Filter
The fast and high-capacity AutoFlow XL is custom made for high-use situations.
With its pump-free design, you simply scoop up unfiltered water into it's easy-fill 10L reservoir, hang it high and let gravity do the rest. A convenient bottle adapter lets you connect it directly to a wide range of
bottles, and other collection vessels, delivering 1.75L of clean water per minute. A handy shut off valve pinches the hose when you want to stop filtering and, with 10 liters hanging around, you have all the water you could ever need for a night at camp.
Elixir™ 4: Family & Four-Person Group Tent
Combining a sturdy construction with a spacious interior, the
Elixir 4 tent is a staff favorite for group and family camping. Its durable design withstands abuse from wild and unruly occupants like dogs, children, and overflowing gear. And its generous head and shoulder room can comfortably sleep four, or three with room to sprawl.
Despite its size, the Elixir 4 is incredibly easy to setup, with color-coded poles and clips. Finally, this mountain mansion comes with extra livability features, such as gear lofts to keep small items organized and in reach.
Rendezvous™ Wing Group Shelters
From van camping to multi-day river trips, every group adventure needs a communal zone that’s protected from the sun and rain.
Rendezvous Wings, available in two sizes, were designed as the perfect canopy for just that. They’re fast and easy to set up and impressively light, making them an option for backcountry camping.
Alpine™ Deluxe Kitchen Set
Every chef needs a tool kit, and the
Alpine Deluxe Kitchen Set is the ultimate solution for whipping up backcountry gourmet fare.
From pancakes to stir-fry, it has you covered with innovative, multi-functional utensils, a stainless steel knife, cutting board and more—all packed into a clean, hard case that delivers easy access, so that you’re ready to slice, dice, stir and strain like a pro.
Flex™ 4 Cook Set
If you have a favorite stove and just need the pots and mess kit, our
Flex 4 Cook Set has parties of 4 or more covered.
Two large pots offer the capacity for big meals on everything from family road trips to overnight kayak adventures. The set’s four plates and mugs nest conveniently inside, creating a truly compact and packable system for any group backcountry outing.
Photo by Scott Rinckenberger
Dragonfly® Stove
Just need a stove to go with your favorite pots? The
Dragonfly has long been a top choice of guides and a mainstay of large-camp cooking.
Trusted for its stable pot supports and its supreme simmering capabilities, this celebrated stove is built tough and offers excellent versatility. With its ability to burn multiple types of fuel, the Dragonfly also excels for international travel.
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Updated. Originally Published November 9, 2018.
