It’s time to dust off your paddles, dig out your maps and charts and start planning your summer 2025 paddling adventures! In the spirit of summer adventures, the Paddling Magazine team headed out to Canoecopia in Madison, Wisconsin, in search of the best new camping gear for paddlers.
Here’s what we found:
Nocs Provisions
These waterproof binoculars from Nocs Provisions come in a variety of sizes and colors, making them the perfect addition to your camping gear collection. While the standard size fits nicely in the clamshell of some PFDs/lifejackets both the Field and Pro issue are perfect for wildlife watching on your paddling and camping trips this summer.
Beyond the binocular setup, Nocs are also easy to pair with your phone camera with their smartphone adapter to photograph all the critters you spot while paddling. Time to level up your iNaturalist game! In addition to wildlife watching, a good pair of binoculars can be helpful for scouting routes and lines, and observing real time conditions on the water from a distance.
Wintergreen Trail Cap
Located at the edge of the popular Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Wintergreen Northern Wear has a legacy in producing some of the best winter gear on the market. Now, they’re diving into summer camping gear for paddlers as well!
The Wintergreen Trail Cap is made with a buoyant rim, breathable mesh back, and 3-ply Supplex nylon with DWR (Durable Water Repellent) and collapsible to pack easily into a canoe pack.
NRS Campfire Shirt
What’s a camping trip without your favorite flannel? The new NRS Campfire Flannel with UPF 50+ sun protection is ideal for those chilly early season trips with late nights around the campfire and early mornings with a coffee in hand.
With a pocket on the chest and the NRS logo doubling as a spot to stash your sunglasses, the campfire flannel is a timeless classic for your paddling trips.
Therm-A-Rest Boost Sleeping Bag and NeoLoft Sleeping Pad
New in spring 2025, Therm-A-Rest is shaking up sleep systems with the thick new NeoLoft sleeping pad and the new Boost sleeping bag featuring armholes and a centre zipper allowing you to customize the shape of the sleeping bag to your comfort level and the surroundings.
The NeoLoft sleeping pad comes in at one pound 9 ounces (0.71 kg) in the regular size, with an R-value of 4.7. Packed, the NeoLoft is slightly larger than a one litre Nalgene. The Boost sleeping bag features 650-fill RDS-certified hydrophobic down and is two pounds two ounces (0.95 kg) in the size regular.
MSR Switch Stove System
New in Spring 2025, the MSR Switch Stove System makes it possible to switch between the quick-boiling switch pot and a pan by flipping out supports on the side of the stove, making the stove compatible with a variety of pots and pans.
The complete MSR Switch Stove System weights 13.8 oz (392 g). The versatility of the Switch Stove makes it easily some of the best new camping gear in 2025.
Agawa Boreal24 Saw
Ideal for clearing brush or cutting logs for a campfire, the Agawa Boreal24 folding bow saw is designed with packability in mind. The Agawa Boreal24 opens smoothly and is one connected assembly, cutting out the need to fumble for or potentially lose parts.
Whether out on a canoe trip or clearing out your local portage or put-in after a windstorm, the Agawa Boreal24 is a handy addition to your 2025 camping gear kit.
MHO Adventures Dried Eggs
Everyone has heard of dehydrated full meals, but have you considered building out your trip pantry in dehydrated bulk? For example, pack a container of dehydrated eggs from MHO Adventures in lieu of packing out whole eggs to save space, weight, and have fresh food for longer.
