Camping is a year-round activity, but it's an activity that's certainly more comfortable during warmer months.
These innovative camping must-haves include kinetic flashlights, hybrid kayak shelters, inflatable canoes, and outdoor cooking gadgets.
Implications - The economic recession and subsequent credit crunch caused many consumers to eschew lavish international family vacations in favor of staycations and camping trips in places closer to home. Savvy designers responded by creating innovative camping products to help make inexperienced campers' experiences more comfortable. Companies can take advantage of this growing opportunity by infusing nostalgic elements of camping -- such as rafts, tents, hiking gear and campfires -- into consumer products, ad campaigns and publicity stunts.
49 Camping Must-Haves
49
Sleeping Bag Suit
The Selk'bag
48
Folding Backpack Bikes
The Collapsible ‘Zoomla' Bicycle by Eric Stoddard
47
Forza Hardpack Protective Backpack
46
See Through Kayaks
Transparent 'Molokini' Lets You Explore Underwater Without Getting Wet
45
Wearable Canoe
44
Hammock Tents
The Nyamuk
43
Pop-Up Campgrounds
Import.Export's Skyscraper-Like 'Urban Camping' Structure
42
Fire Starting Flashlight
41
Wearable Sleeping Bag
Selk Bag
40
Mobile Car Tents
Hannibal USA Rooftop Tents
39
Man-Eating Sleeping Bags
The 'Bear' by Eiko Ishizawa Swallows You Up, Literally
38
Hardcore Outdoor Boots
Nike SFB Tactical is Made Tough for Extreme Athletes
37
Swiss Glamour Camping Kit
Have All Your Neccesities In One Place
36
Glowing Tents
The Orange Solar Tent Communicates With Other Campers
35
On-the-Go BBQs
The Notebook Barbecue Grill Makes Cooking Convenient
34
Mobile Pod Kitchens
The Futuristic 'EGGo' Kitchen Survives Your Camping Trips
33
Eco Poverty Camping
Tents and Tarps Give Hope to the Homeless in Dignity Village
32
Backpack Tent + Hammock
The Respite
31
Sleeping Bag Outfits
Prjonsdottir Vik's ‘Sealpelt'
30
Camping Rafts
Floating Cabins
29
More-Than-Extreme Hiking
Mt. Hua in China
28
Customized Moots
Free Bird Boots Creates One-Of-A-Kind Masculine Footwear
27
Nouveau Vintage Camping Gear
Etsy Accessories Fit for Your Next Springtime Adventure
26
Fashionable Camping
'South 2 West 8' Fall 2009 Editorial Has an Outdoor Theme
25
Chopper RVs
BadAss Camping Gear
24
Boom Box Backpacks
The Jam Session Stay-Puff Comes With Built-In Speakers
23
Hybrid Kayak Shelters
Kahuna Adventure Tent Kayak Makes Camping Sleek
22
Dress Tents
When Fashion Becomes Architecture
21
Flashlight Maps
Owen Song's Light Concept Guides You Through Your Adventures
20
Connected Camping
Kampgrounds of America Launch North American Wi-Fi
19
iPhone Fever
Crowd Control and Camping Out
18
Solar-Powered Tents
Daniel Thomas' 'Star Gazer' Tent Has Illuminated Interior
17
Campsite Publicity Stunts
Zipcar Creates Sidewalk Couch & Camping Display
16
Fashion That Transforms Into Tents
IZAT Clothing-to-Shelter
15
Pre-Heated Portable Ovens
The Rolly Cook Spins Food So It Doesn't Get Burnt
14
Laptop Sleeping Bags
The Mini Sleeping Bag Air
13
Solar-Powered Cooking
The Solar Steam System to Serve 20,000 People Daily in Shridi, India
12
Kinetically Powered Flashlights
Shining a Light on the Self-Powered ShakerScope
11
Water-Powered Flashlights
The NoPoPo Mini Lantern Shines Through the Rain
10
Portable Fridge
Backpack Picnic Fridge
9
Emergency Hand Crank Radio Phone Flashlight Siren
Eton Voice Link Radio
8
Bungee Cord Backpack
Lighten Your Load
7
Bombproof Backpacks
Mono 365 Gives Super Security to DJ Equipment
6
Flashlight Weaponry
The Porcupine Light with Retractable Spikes
5
Culinary Camping Gadgets
Electric Marshmallow Toasters
4
Star Wars Bedding
The Tauntaun Sleeping Bag Has a Saddle and Light Saber Zipper
3
Boat In A Bag
Folbot Edisto's Folding Kayak Lets You Portage in Style
2
Wear Your Seat
French Designer Creates Chair / Backpack / Art
1
Canoe Made of 7,382 Chopsticks
Related Ideas
Top 10 Publicity Stunts
Human Mirrors, Train Station Mobs and Dorm Light Shows
45 Badass Backpacks
From Backpack Bikes to Bulletproof Knapsacks
Bowties and Denim
10 Different Neckwear Looks for Menswear in Spring 2010
Glittery Thigh-High Male Boots
Givenchy Gets Men on Over-the-Knee Footwear
Thigh-High Garter Boots
Hussein Chalayan Shows Daring Shoes for Fall 2009
28 Camping Innovations
You Won't Find These on 'Survivor Gabon'
Snuggies for Babies
The Peekaru Totes Your Babe in a Pouch
Taxidermy Footwear
Iris Schieferstein's Bizarre Horse Hoof Boots (UPDATE)
Folding Backpack Bikes
The Collapsible ‘Zoomla' Bicycle by Eric Stoddard
Bootstrap Heels
Litter Takes the “Yee-Haw” Out of Western Footwear With Edge
Viral Peekaru Parodies
The Baby Snuggie Hits Official Internet Meme Status
Backpack Bicycles
The 'Collapsible Bike' Minimizes Storage Space and Back Strain
15 Terrific Tents
Thigh-High Clogs
Friendly but Fierce Over-the-Knee Boots for Fall 2009
See Through Kayaks
Transparent 'Molokini' Lets You Explore Underwater Without Getting Wet
39 Backpacks and Laptop Bags to Make "Back to School" Stylish
Creative Cooking Contraptions
Kitchen Supplies That Exemplify & Enable Culinary Art
20 Garage and Parking Innovations
Hammock Tents
The Nyamuk
49 Innovative Mapping Innovations
From Horizonless Projections to Swine Flu Outbreak Maps
36 Unique Bears
From Teddy Bear Guns to Panda Fashion
9 Crazy NYC Sightings
From Nudes in the Street to Extreme Publicity Stunts
20 Planted Publicity Stunts
Multipurpose Convertible Dresses
Work to Flirt Dress
Ultra-Light Bicycles
Ionut Predescu's Tensegrity Bike Balances Compression & Tension
20 Space-Saving Designs for Your Kitchen
Stylish Semi-Suits
S/S '10 Menswear Pairs Blazers With Shorts on the Runways
Inflatable Homeless Shelters
The ParaSITE Project
DIY Personalized Nike Sneakers
Nike Sportswear Bespoke Store Lets You Work With Designers
Luxury for the Homeless (UPDATE)
Faux-Cardboard or Clochard Duvet Covers
Earthen Cooking Structures
Cob Ovens Are Eco-Friendly and Fuel Efficient
Fall Shoe Styles
Over-The-Knee Boots Will Be All The Rage Next Season
White Eco Bicycles
The ‘Green Shadow' Bike Scores Top Green in Transportation
Cowboy Scarves
Fashion Foulards as Menswear Key Accessory Pieces for Spring 2010
Backpack Mountain Bikes
The ‘Bergmonch' is Lightweight and Hard-Hitting
Body Bag Couture
Morbid Fashion Heads from the Funeral Parlor to the Runway
15 Glamorous Camping Ideas
From Choo Rain Boots to Designer Pen Knives, Make the Outdoors Chic
Mobile Car Tents
Hannibal USA Rooftop Tents
Photobombed Infomercial Products
Snuggies Won't Go Away But At Least They're Official
BBQed Shoes
Adidas Window Display Suggests Eating Old Soles for Dinner
Man-Eating Sleeping Bags
The 'Bear' by Eiko Ishizawa Swallows You Up, Literally
Convertible Couture
Merlin Castell All-In-One Dress
1980s Graffiti-Inspired Sneakers
Psychedelic Boots From Louis Vuitton and Stephen Sprouse
Instrumental Baggage
Pratesi's Guitar Backpack is Perfect for Music Lovers
10 Bright Flashlight Designs
BBQ Steam Cleaners
The Grill Daddy
Cartoon Sitcom Sneakers
'Glen Quagmire' Nike SB Dunk Hi for "Family Guy" Fans
Portable Kitchens
Dzmitry Samal's 'Kitchen for Singles' Rotates for Prep, Storage and Cooking
Glass Jug Torches
21st Century Indoor Conversation Pits by Planika Fires
Merkin Flashlights
Naughty Illumination With Hands-Free Functionality
Laptop Backpacks
Is There Finally A Unisex Computer Bag to Be Excited About?
Olympic Inpsired Shoes
Nike Clark Kents Bejing 2008 Sneakers
Alternative Homeless Shelters
The EDAR Project Provides Mini Mobile Units
Self-Stirring Sauce Pots
Cem Tutuncuoglu's Wrinkle Cooking Pot is Like a Sous Chef
Mobile Pod Kitchens
The Futuristic 'EGGo' Kitchen Survives Your Camping Trips
Eco Poverty Camping
Tents and Tarps Give Hope to the Homeless in Dignity Village
Wireless Cooking Dishes
Lotus Kitchen Hob Lets You Cook Food Anywhere
Geeky Chic Menswear
Restricted Fashion by Mjolk for Spring/Summer 2010
Odorless BBQs
The Libero Point by Electrolux Uses Air Filtration System
Incredible Space-Saving Kitchens
Futuristic 360° Column Solves the Culinary Conundrum
Sneaker-Sandal Hybrids
'Remixed & Recut' Nike Footwear by Nancy Wu
Camping Rafts
Floating Cabins
Shoes As Musical Reflections
Nike Air Force 1 Project Thompson Trainers
Instant Eco Grills
Baja BBQ Firepack
Ceiling-Mounted Subway Maps
GPS System Pinpoints Location on Subway Car Ceilings
Cooking With Lasers
Electrolux's Laser Oven Concept Cooks Food in No Time
Ankle-Breaking Boots
Two-Tone Gareth Pugh Futuristic Suede Ankle Boots
Interactive Bombing Maps
Carlos Labs Scary Scenario Maps Lets You Test Virtual Weapons
Paul Frank Log Backpack
Statement Bag Comes with Purse Axe
Nouveau Vintage Camping Gear
Etsy Accessories Fit for Your Next Springtime Adventure
Backpack Furniture
Galerie Kreo Compact Stool and Sofa Combo
Wedge Buckle Boots
Chloe Sevigny Teams With Opening Ceremony for Footwear
Imposter Animal Fur Decor
Sheepskin Polar Bear Rug
Concerto Cooking
Electrolux Re-Mix Prepares Food on Beat
Graffiti Advertisements
ASPCA's Street Art-Inspired Campaign
Star Wars Backpacks
Snuggle Up to the 3 Foot Darth Vader Back Buddy
25 lb Folding Bikes
The Strida Mas Special
Eco Butt Backpack
The Back Peach
21 Wild Camping Innovations
Boom Box Backpacks
The Jam Session Stay-Puff Comes With Built-In Speakers
Sleek Portable BBQs
The 'Compact Firebowl' Lets You Port Your Grill
Solar-Powered Vatican
Holy City Installs Rooftop PV Panels
Solar-Powered Fridges
Emily Cummins Develops Portable Cooler for Developing Countries
Suspended Car Parking Lots
The LIFT
Solar-Powered Tents
Daniel Thomas' 'Star Gazer' Tent Has Illuminated Interior
Campsite Publicity Stunts
Zipcar Creates Sidewalk Couch & Camping Display
Korean-Style Indoor BBQs
The Pebbles Stone Grill Cooks Fish Fast
Fur-Clad Conventions
Furries Frolic to London for Annual Celebration
Public Parking for Toy Cars
Ad Proves Hot Wheels Are As Lifelike as Their Full-Sized Brethren
Transit Map Jewelry
NYC Metro Cuffs Make Navigating the Big Apple Easy
Luxe Grilling Gear
Mobile Cooking Design's 'Cheope' All-in-One Outdoor Kitchen is Great for Small
Transformer Towels
The Convertible Beach Bag
Backpack Bird Cages
The PetPocket
Booze-Detecting Flashlights
The Mini Keychain Breathalyzer Is The Ultimate Driver Must-Have
Home Eco Awareness
'Global Warming' Polar Bear Rug
Retro-Futuristic Sneakers
Kanye Promotes 'Nike Air Yeezy'
Jet Kayaking
Shaun Baker's 330cc Engine Gives Kick to the Traditional Kayak
Toy Shaped Knapsacks
The LEGO Brick Backpack
BBQ Spas
Jones Serves Up BBQ Food and Foot Massages
Laptop Sleeping Bags
The Mini Sleeping Bag Air
Zipcar Drive In
Drive In to Arctic Tale, Don't Drive Out
Solar-Powered Beach Totes
Charge Your Gadgets With This Handy Juice Bag
Flash Print Knapsacks
Eley Kishimoto Collaborates With Eastpak on Flashy Backpacks
Kinetically Powered Flashlights
Shining a Light on the Self-Powered ShakerScope
Golden Car Blankets
Gilded 'Auto Garage' Parking Lot Project by Ines Tartler
Eco-Friendly Recession Blankets
Snuggies Gain Popularity Due To Ridiculous Branding
Human Cooking Thermometers
UV Monkey Protects Against Sunburns
Google Maps Typography
Rhett Dashwood Turns Aerial Shots Into the Alphabet
Golfing Backpacks
TaylorMade Tourino Stand Bag Comes With a Double Strap
Urban Kayaks
The Transformer TRAK
Microfiber Maps
Rand McNally Waterproof 'fabMAP' Doubles as Handkerchief and Screen Cleaner
Street Map Quilts
Stitched Soft-Maps Turn City Streets to Warm Sleep
Venice by Kayak
Ditching Gondolas for DIY Travel
Culinary Camping Gadgets
Electric Marshmallow Toasters
Mapping Evolution
Time Machine Effect Launches With Google Earth Historical Images
Guerrilla Tennis Courts
Mischief Making In Supermarket Parking Garages
Boat In A Bag
Folbot Edisto's Folding Kayak Lets You Portage in Style
Solar-Powered Wineries
Far Niente
Mobile Interactive Maps
Google Earth for iPhone
Solar-Powered Retail Stores
Wal-Mart Canada
Creepy Rodent Flashlights
Flashfright Eerie Eyes Character Torches
Candle Holder Flashlights
LED Castlight
Spreadsheet BBQ Grills
The ‘Gridus' Barbecue Grid From Art Lebedev