Top 10 Outdoor and Survival Gadgets for 2023

Whether you're camping, day hiking or bugging-out, having gear that makes your life easier or helps you survive is definitely preferable to the alternative. With that in mind, I have put together a list of the top ten outdoor and survival gadgets for this year. There are a variety of products on this list that will assist with different aspects of being or living outdoors for a period of time.

1. Portable Waist Fan

Let's start with a gadget that I absolutely love, especially, for here in South Georgia! The Portable Waist Fan will give you some relief from the summer heat when you're outside. Powered by a USB rechargeable 6,000 mAh li-on battery, you can choose between three speeds. Just clip the compact fan to your waist band underneath your shirt and you're ready to roll. It has a tough ABS housing with a clip for your waist band and two clips for your shirt tail.

2. Handwarmer and Power Bank

On the other side of the spectrum is staying warm in the winter and your fingers and hands need to do that to work. the Handwarmer and Power Bank is a sleek, space-aged looking device that your hand fits comfortably around, plus, it can be used, in a pinch, to charge your smart phone. The double-sided handwarmer is made of silver aviation aluminum and white ABS, giving it a tough and durable construction. Red lights indicate which of the three heating modes it's in and it can be charged via the included USB cord.

3. Portable Fire Pit

Continuing with the "staying warm" theme, this next product is an absolute must-have anytime you're going to be sitting out in the cold. The Portable Fire Pit is a safe, easy, and packable campfire for anywhere you go that's rugged and easy to transport. It can go where a traditional campfire can't go. The portable fire pit sets up in seconds and provides an adjustable flame that is visible through the mesh sides and radiates heat to where you need it. The ammo can design has collapsible legs, a removable lid and a quick-release 5' hose with an adjustable regulator so that everything is included in one easy-to-carry package. The plug and play fire pit uses propane, putting out 38,000 BTUS's to assure that you're nice and warm in the worst situations.

4. Trailblazer Camp Lantern and Bug Zapper

Don't underestimate how important light is to your well-being in the wild. Not only does it keep you from stumbling around in the dark, but it can also boost morale during the night hours. What I really like about Trailblazer's Camp Lantern is that it's also a Bug Zapper to help keep you from being eaten alive by insects. The multi-light has COB lights for the lantern, a 180-lumen LED flashlight with a 150-meter range and a UV bug zapper light. The light's modes of operation include lantern, low flashlight, high flashlight and SOS, which are powered by a rechargeable battery that can be charged either by the solar panel on top or the USB port (cord included). The tough, all-purpose camp light and bug zapper has a water-resistant, orange ABS construction with a metal hanger on top and two rubberized activation buttons.

5. 10,000 mAh Folding Solar Charger and Power Bank

If you don't have a power bank in your gear to keep your electronics charged, you need to get the Folding Solar Charger and Power Bank right now! Many of the items on this list can be charged via a USB cord and this assures you that these important electronics continue to be of service to you. The power bank has a powerful 10,000 mAh li-polymer battery that can itself be charged via a USB cable (included) or more importantly, in the wild, by its four crystalline silicon solar panels. The compact charging tool has a heavy-duty construction with three USB ports including a micro-USB port and it also features LED emergency lights.

6. Portable Folding Solar Panel Set

Another option to the power bank above is the Portable Folding Solar Panel Set. It assures you that you'll never be without a source of electricity no matter where you are as long as the sun is shining. The five, high-quality panels are monocrystalline, putting out 40 watts of power each. The panels are enclosed in a tough, folding nylon case with a Velcro closure and a sturdy TPR and nylon webbing carrying handle. It also has two metal grommets for hanging at the best angle to catch the sun's rays and there are two USB ports and a DC jack.

7. COB Rechargeable Keychain Light

Like I said above, having a reliable light so that you're not stumbling around in the dark is important. Packing quite a punch, the Trailblazer Rechargeable Keychain Light is so convenient to carry anywhere because of its small size and, with its magnet, 180-degree handle and carabiner, it can be placed anywhere at any angle you need it. The 500-lumen COB light has four modes including high, middle, strobe and the maximum brightness with a long push of a button. A Type-C port lets you easily recharge the compact light, which also has an integrated bottle opener.

8. BugOut Portable Air Pump

I've included the BugOut Portable Air Pump on this list of top ten gadgets because it's so incredibly versatile. One of the things I look for in a survival tool is how many ways I can use it and how much space it will take-up in my gear. Rated up to 120 PSI, it will inflate almost anything, making it useful for countless tasks that might come up if you're bugging-out whether it's pumping up a vehicle tire or bicycle tire or inflating an air mattress or raft. The tough ABS pump is powerful, works in minutes and is easy to use with a compact, lightweight design so that it can be carried anywhere. It has a large LCD digital display and features intelligent pressure detection. It has a 2,000 mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery that also powers the two integrated LED emergency lights, and a USB charging cable is included along with various valve adaptors. BTW, this is also an absolute must-have to just keep in your vehicle in case of a roadside emergency!

9. BugOut Arc Lighter and Flashlight

Arc lighters are the perfect fire-starting gadgets since they're completely flameless, which means they'll work in any weather or environment. Rain and wind doesn't affect them, so you'll always be able to light your campfire or the Portable Fire Pit on our list above. One of the best on the market is the BugOut Arc Lighter because it also has an integrated flashlight that offers a normal and flash mode. The way this lighter is constructed with a sealed O-ring and locking clasp cover assures that it will work even after it's been soaked in water. The pocket-sized, aluminum alloy body makes it lightweight, and the lighter comes with a lanyard. Powered by a lithium polymer battery, it can be recharged with the included USB cable. Just a reminder of the importance of adding the Folding Solar Charger and Power Bank or Portable Folding Solar Panel Set to your gear.

10. Kaito Voyager Max Digital Weather Radio

When it comes to staying informed while you're living in the wild or on the run, a weather radio is an absolute necessity. Forewarned is forearmed! You need to be able to prepare for bad weather or bad situations coming your way. So, the last thing on this top ten list of gadgets is the Kaito Voyager Max Digital Weather Radio. It's a digital, portable receiver designed for both everyday use and emergency preparedness applications. One of the key things about this radio is that it offers different methods of keeping the built-in lithium battery powered up including hand cranking, the included USB cable and an adjustable solar panel, which provides power for the radio even when no battery is installed. The radio has a wide range of band reception including AM, FM, shortwave and 7-preprogrammed NOAA weather stations that can send alerts signals that will activate the radio's "alert" mode. It’s also equipped with Bluetooth technology, USB ports for charging devices, and LED flashlight and a 5-LED reading lamp.