Winter is in the rear view mirror, spring has sprung, and the dog days of summer are drawing near. As the weather warms, more of us are gearing up for camping trips to reconnect with nature. To help you get ready, we’ve pulled together a mix of eco-friendly camping products you might want before you take off on your nature retreat. Ahhh, we can almost smell the campfire now.
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Natural Nutshell Fire Starters
Speaking of campfire, what’s a camping trip without one? These Macadamia Nut Eco Fire Starters from Double Brush are handmade using Hawaiian macadamia nuts and unscented, dye-free soy wax. Great for campfires, fireplaces, and fire pits, they also work with grills. Your food will taste so much better when you start your fire naturally!
Solar Power Portable Battery Charger
The Blavor Qi Wireless Solar Power Bank is a power source you can take with you. With 10,000mAh capacity, it charges your devices via USB port — or wireless charging for Qi-enabled devices. Plug in the power bank for a full charge before your trip and use solar charging for emergencies and to supplement the charge.
Splashproof, dustproof, and shockproof, the 24.2-ounce power bank is great for camping and outdoor activities. It comes with a handy built-in dual LED flashlight and compass kit to keep you safe. Never worry about your device losing its charge again — you’ll have an extra charge right in your backpack.
Plastic-Free Water Bottle
Tree Tribe Water Bottles are double layered for insulation to keep cold water cold and hot liquids hot. The stainless steel exterior is tough and corrosion resistant, and the food-grade stainless steel interior maintains cleanliness and integrity of taste. The airtight silicone lid gasket ensures your bottle won’t leak, and the lid is capped with sustainable bamboo.
With a lifetime guarantee, if your bottle ever breaks, Tree Tribe will replace it. And Tree Tribe promises to plant 10 trees for every sale.
Upcycled Gear Pouches
Why not carry your camping essentials in pouches made of upcycled, post-consumer materials? The Green Guru Zipper Pouch is a simple, stylish, and comes in a range of sizes. Each pouch is made from upcycled bicycle inner tubes so your gear stays protected and dry. Green Guru’s extra-large pouch has a soft fabric liner that protects electronic devices, first aid kits, tools, and more.
Natural Insect Repellent
Anyone who has ever been camping knows that bugs just come with the territory. Repel them the natural way with All Terrian’s Herbal Armor Natural Insect Repellent. Sweatproof and waterproof, this non-irritating repellent is proven 100 percent effective for 2 hours and 95.8 percent effective for 3 hours.
Containing six naturally repelling oils (soybean, citronella, peppermint, cedar, lemongrass, and geranium), Herbal Armor is safe and effective for children and people with sensitive skin. Herbal Armor Natural Insect Repellent is DEET-free, cruelty-free, and GMO-free.
All Natural Sunscreen
Although we hope you have sunshine for your camping trip, you need protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays even if the weather is overcast, so don’t forget your natural sunscreen. Jersey Kids all natural sunscreen SPF 30 is 100 percent natural, organic, biodegradable, and reef safe. The lotion is scent-free, and the sunscreen stick is lightly scented with natural orange and vanilla. Free of petrochemicals, Oxybenzone, and PABA, it’s safe for babies and the whole family.
Buy the sunscreen stick on Amazon
The GoSun Go Portable Solar Cooker weighs just 2 pounds and cooks a meal in as little as 20 minutes. In full sunlight, it can reach temperatures of 550 degrees F. And its insulated cooking chamber captures a broad range of radiation, so even on cold and cloudy days, as long as there is a bit of sunshine, this super portable solar oven will do the job.
Feature image courtesy of Jens Mahnke
Editor’s note: Originally published on May 4, 2015, this article was updated in May 2019.