For many people, camping is an opportunity to get away from the rigors of everyday life, to let their hair get wild and their souls get loose. It means simple living, cooking over a camp fire and sleeping under the stars. At least, that’s what it means for some. For others, it sounds like an absolute nightmare. No lattes? No leisurely, steaming hot showers? No cell service?! That’s where some just draw the line. As miserable as it must be to go without all the creature comforts of home for a few days, there have been significant advances in the field of outdoor gear that allow us to enjoy some of those luxuries even when we’re miles from the nearest town. Here are some of our favorite made-for-camping accessories that seem more at home in a high-rise condo than in the wild blue yonder.
GSI Outdoors Stainless Steel Mini Espresso Maker – $32.96
People can go on for hours debating the differences between regular coffee and espresso beans, and we don’t have the heart to tell them the difference is not in the beans, but in the preparation. Pretty much anyone can cook up a bad cup of cowboy coffee, but with some finesse, a very fine cup of cowboy coffee can be made on any camping trip. French presses are a great go-to coffee preparation method for the outdoors, but if that still doesn’t whet your sophisticated whistle, you’ll want to check out this stainless steel one-cup espresso maker from GSI Outdoors. It brews a double shot of piping hot espresso in 90 seconds, and comes with easy instructions and recipes. Of course, you’ll need to supply your finest espresso grind, but if you need your morning coffee done right, do it with your own espresso brewer.
YayLabs! Play and Freeze Ice Cream Ball with Inflatable Cover – $31.95
Who doesn’t love a big scoop of ice cream after dinner, or for breakfast, or whenever you feel like it? Just because you’re out in nature doesn’t mean you have to forgo your favorite dessert. As an added bonus, whatever sweet treats you make over the campfire can now be a la mode! This Play and Freeze ice cream maker from YayLabs! is an ingenious outdoor gadget that makes ice cream while you play with it. We can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t have this camping wonder ball. Like most traditional ice cream makers, it requires ice, salt, and an ice cream mixture of your choice, but unlike traditional ice cream makers that require you to crank a handle for hours to churn the mixture into sweet ice cream, you simply tighten the lid on the Play and Freeze ball, toss it around for 10-15 minutes, and get the ultimate reward in the end! Suitable for all ages, so make sure the grownups share with the kids.
