Hiking, camping, and backpacking are fun ways to spend a weekend or a holiday. And, it’s even more enjoyable when you’re prepared! Besides some snacks, a tent or hammock, and a backpack, having some custom-made gadgets can make your trip even better.
In this article, we’ll be sharing our favorite camping and backpacking accessories. To help you find what’s the most useful, we’ve split up our selections into different categories: camping, backpacking, survival, food and cookware, and miscellaneous.
If you see something you’d like 3D printed but your printer’s acting out, head over to Craftcloud by All3DP. With a large selection of materials and finishes, you’ll get a perfect part delivered right to your door.
Now, let’s get ready to go outside, and get into the list!
Camping
In this section, we’ve got a few designs that’ll improve your campsite so you can sit back comfortably and enjoy nature.
Tent Stake
This camping accessory holds your tent or shade structure corners down so the wind doesn’t knock it over. You can even use them to hold down your hammock’s rain fly. All you do is loop a string around, shove it into soft ground, then step on it to “lock” it in.
The maker designed this 3D printable tent stake after breaking a purchased one. If you camp a lot, you probably know how easily the metal ones can get lost or bent. This tent stake is a great way to save the hassle of unbending those metal stakes or searching for them.
The designer indicated that this model requires no supports or rafts and suggests using a 0.2-mm layer height with a 100% infill for strength.
- Who made it? mistertech
- How printable/popular is it? This design has nine posted makes and three remixes.
- Where to get it? Thingiverse
Camp Light
Light up your campsite with this cool and useful design! The model has a 25-mm hole to stick a flashlight into, so you’ll either need a small flashlight that will fit or you’ll have to scale it up if you have a larger one.
Along with the eight printed parts, you’ll need some screws, a paracord, and a translucent jug of some sort. The assembly instructions are all included in his description.
- Who made it? tonpa888
- How printable/popular is it? One maker has shared a really good-looking make of this design.
- Where to get it? Printables
Bug Trap
Where there’s light, there are bugs! This trap is designed to be easily mounted on a standard Coke bottle or any soda bottle with a compatible thread. The trap’s funnel shape lures flies or wasps attracted by smell into the bottle but prevents them from finding their way out.
The recommended print settings include a 0.2-mm layer height with 25% infill. A yellow-colored print is suggested, as flies are drawn to this color. If you’re especially nice, consider letting the critters out when you’re ready to strike camp.
- Who made it? derekzoli
- How printable/popular is it? This genius model has over 21 makes as well as 6 remixes!
- Where to get it? Thingiverse
Clothespin
This camping accessory is important when you want to dry and air out clothes on a clothesline. The cool thing about this clothespin model is that it requires no spring or extra parts; it can be used right off of the print bed. According to the maker, the clothespin is strong enough to hold heavy and wet towels.
The creator of this model states that the design is optimized for printing in PLA. The designer listed the model as support-free with dimensions of 75 x 20 x 6 mm.
- Who made it? O3D Official
- How printable/popular is it? This design has over 3,000 downloads.
- Where to get it? MyMiniFactory
Backpacking
In this section, you’ll find some awesome models to maintain and optimize your backpack, including clips, carabiners, and straps!
Backpack Handle
Unlike the traditional strap loop that tends to cut into your fingers, this handle offers a strong and ergonomic grip, making it ideal for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. The handle securely stays in place during use, but it can be effortlessly removed whenever required.
Users can print this handy accessory using strong filaments like PETG, ABS, or even carbon fiber PLA given its durability.
- Who made it? guppyk
- How printable/popular is it? This lifesaver has four makes.
- Where to get it? Thingiverse
S-Carabiner
This handy accessory can clip right onto your backpack or camping gear to hold another item on separate rings. The carabiner uses two bendable arms that require no hinges or springs, making this model completely 3D printed.
No printing settings are given by the creator of this model, but a recorded maker used 20% infill, a 0.2-mm layer height, and a raft. After printing, the designer recommends separating the spring arms from the main body of the print with a knife.
- Who made it? briscoe28
- How pr6ntable/popular is it? This very popular and useful design has 56 posted makes as well as 9 remixes!
- Where to get it? Thingiverse
Strap Clip
This backpack strap clip attaches to your strap and offers a hook to carry or attach something to. Since it’s printed in plastic, it’s lighter than traditional metal clips. There’s both a large and a small strap model available and the creator of the design also suggests that you can use them to hold your cooking gear.
The designer provides no printing suggestions, but, from what we can tell, it should be a pretty straightforward print.
- Who made it? TeamOutdoor
- How printable/popular is it? This design has over 12,800 views with over 880 downloads.
- Where to get it? Cults
Buckle
This backpack buckle is a good replacement if your backpack has a broken one. It measures 47 x 55 mm and should fit most 50-mm backpack straps.
The designer recommends printing with a 100% infill and a 0.3-mm layer height. The maker also advises printing with both a raft and supports. Check out this YouTube video to see how you should remove the supports.
- Who made it? bebenlebricolo
- How printable/popular is it? This design has 14 recorded makes and a couple of remixes.
- Where to get it? Thingiverse
Strap Connector
If your original backpack strap adjuster is broken, you’re in luck. Connecting two straps together in a different way than the buckle above, this model is another way to keep your backpack in working order.
The designer recommends printing the two parts in a vertical orientation with the rods facing up. The creator of this model also suggests printing with supports activated.
Survival Essentials
In this section, you can find some models that might help you survive in a worst-case scenario. Stay safe out there!
Match Case
Having a way to start a fire is absolutely essential in survival situations. Whether to start a fire to keep warm, to cook, or create smoke to grab the attention of passers-by, you should definitely have matches handy when you’re camping.
This match case is designed with simplicity and durability in mind, ensuring your matches stay safe and dry during your camping trips or survival outings. The top of the case is threaded specifically to fit standard soda bottle tops, which will provide a reliable and waterproof seal for your matches and tinder.
For the material, the creator suggests using PET due to its excellent properties such as strength and warp resistance. However, there’s no reason why you couldn’t print this PETG, ABS, or even PLA.
- Who made it? nearadyn
- How printable/popular is it? This useful device has over 10 makes and 6 remixes.
- Where to get it? Thingiverse
Fishing Pole
While perhaps not a conventional piece of survival equipment, a fishing pole can be used to find dinner. It’s made up of a combination of 3D printed parts and other hardware, and should be significantly cheaper than purchased fishing poles.
The maker has provided multiple options for the reel, which you can see on the project page linked below. There are also instructions for assembly in five steps.
The designer didn’t provide any printing tips and only listed that he used an FDM printer. The maker also listed the dimensions for the 3D printed parts as 21.5 x 21.5 x 113 mm.
- Who made it? walterhsiao
- How printable/popular is it? With over 400 downloads, we’re confident there are some campers out there with these 3D printed fishing poles.
- Where to get it? MyMiniFactory
Multi-Tool
A more conventional survival essential, this small and useful tool is essential for any emergency. This multi-tool is equipped with a box-cutter blade, a loud emergency whistle, and an LED light. You’ll need some screws for assembly.
The designer didn’t provide that much information for this model, so be careful when assembling and printing.
Water Filter
If you’ve been backpacking before, you’re most likely familiar with water filters. With a water filter, you can turn any water source into safe drinking water.
This water filter includes five 3D printed parts and the filtering process has three stages: removing the sediments, removing impurities and some pathogens, and removing the rest of the bad stuff. Each filter stage uses non-printable components such as cotton pads, a little bit of iodine, charcoal, and more. More details are on the project page.
The maker suggests printing with a 0.2-mm layer height with a 25% infill. The designer also listed that they used two shells to print the parts, with no raft or supports. Assembly shouldn’t be hard and only requires hot-gluing the parts together.
- Who made it? mussy
- How printable/popular is it? This design has a couple of posted makes as well as a remix.
- Where to get it? Thingiverse
Food & Cookware
These prints are for making cooking in the outdoors just a tad more convenient. For all of them, you might want to consider printing them in a food-safe filament.
Portable Salt Shaker
Cooking in the wilderness can be rewarding, but it’s not entirely without its difficulties (try lugging a spice rack up a mountain). These portable salt shakers were designed for backpacking and take up very little space in your bag without causing a mess. All you have to do to use the shaker is gently push the plug down and, poof! Out comes the salt or mélange of your choice.
The shaker is fairly small and comprised of just three 3D printable parts, including an interior, exterior, and plug. The designer also mentions that they added a small magnet inside the shaker so they could attach multiple shakers together, but it’s not necessary.
It’s recommended to print the cap piece in a flexible filament, such as TPU. Other than this, printing should be fairly simple. One maker listed that they used a 0.24-mm layer height, a 100% infill density, and neither supports nor a raft to print the models.
- Who made it? walter
- How printable/popular is it? Nine makes of this portable salt shaker design have been shared, along with a couple of remixes.
- Where to get it? Thingiverse
Camp Stove Stand
The easiest way to get a hot meal on a backpacking trip is with a portable propane camp stove. However, a common problem is that these have a tendency to fall over unless they’re placed on a steady flat surface, which can be hard to find in the woods. Some camp stoves come with a tripod stand to ensure the stove doesn’t tip over, but if yours doesn’t or it broke, you can 3D print your own stove stand.
This three-legged stand is made of four 3D printed parts, three screws, and three nuts. The three legs attach to the 3D printable centerpiece using hinges, with one screw and nut per hinge. The resulting model is effective for keeping your camp stove upright, and the designer states that the stand is compatible with most cylindrical propane camping canisters.
While the designer didn’t indicate the print settings they used, one maker posted a terrific print of this stand and shared a few of the settings they used. These include a 0.28-mm layer height and a 20% infill density, with neither supports nor a raft.
- Who made it? Pooky
- How printable/popular is it? This camp stove stand has 12 recorded makes and 6 remixes!
- Where to get it? Thingiverse
Cutlery Box
Utensils are essential on camping and backpacking trips, but you wouldn’t want to use a fork or knife covered in leaves or other forest debris. This 3D printable cutlery box will securely store your eating utensils and separate them from the other items in your bag and outside conditions.
The container follows a pretty simplistic design, consisting of a hollow cylindrical body and a screw-on cap. As for printing, your machine will have to be at least somewhat dimensionally accurate to properly print the threads. However, it shouldn’t be too difficult, and the designer states that supports aren’t necessary for the prints.
CloseCan
This useful design is compatible with various types of cans, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, from hiking and camping to beach days. With the ability to store closed cans in any position, including horizontal or upside down, the “CloseCan” ensures your beverages stay fresh and secure during all your adventures.
According to the designer, the model is best printed using classic PLA or ABS, while the joint model requires flexible materials such as TPU.
Tic-Tac Spice Rack
We take back what we said before, of course you can carry a spice rack in your rucksack! This 3D printable organizer can hold up to five Tic-Tac boxes, which you can fill with different spices, to make flavorful meals on a camping trip.
The model is a hollow rectangular box with dividers to separate and hold in place the inserted Tic-Tac containers. As such, printing this model should be fairly straightforward. The creator of this design listed that settings included a 0.15-mm layer height and a 100% infill density.
- Who made it? kabeza
- How printable/popular is it? This Tic-Tac spice rack project has a couple of remixes and over 2,300 downloads.
- Where to get it? Thingiverse
Folding Multi-Utensil
This folding multi-utensil can help save space and reduce weight for your backpack, without sacrificing proper cutlery for your meals!
This model offers a combination of any of the three main utensils, spoon, fork, and knife, with sharp and dull options for the knife. You can choose which combo you want and attach the pins to connect them into a folding double utensil. The model also locks in place when rotated 180 degrees.
With the dimensions of 10.4 x 10.4 x 7.4 mm, the designer states that there’s “nothing special” to be aware of when printing. Since you’ll be eating with these, make sure you use food-safe filament.
- Who made it? Superbeasti
- How printable/popular is it? This design has about 3,000 downloads from both sites combined.
- Where to get it? MyMiniFactory, Thingiverse
Miscellaneous
In this section, we’ll provide some other great backpacking and camping accessory designs that don’t fit into the other categories.
Pocket Tackle Box
Slightly larger than a smartphone, this low-profile and sleek tackle box boasts a user-friendly design that has a couple of neat features. Inside, you’ll find removable dividers that can be configured to accommodate various trinkets, providing flexibility for any purpose.
There’s also an integrated loop that allows the box to be conveniently attached to a carabiner or keychain, making it an ideal companion for fishing, bicycling, camping, or even as an organizer for extra hardware and 3D printer parts! It’s recommended to print this model with a 0.2 mm layer height and 15% infill.
- Who made it? Ghost_4444
- How printable/popular is it? This handy contraption has over 3,000 downloads and 3 community prints.
- Where to get it? MyMiniFactory
Customizable Comb
This camping accessory is for you to keep yourself looking (relatively) neat and tidy. This comb design is easily customizable, so you add your name and change the shape and length. A compact version will save you space in your backpack!
The designer recommends printing with an 85-100% infill and with a layer height of 0.12-0.2 mm. No supports are necessary.
- Who made it? mightynozzle
- How printable/popular is it? This design has 11 shared makes and a whopping 1,111 remixes!
- Where to get it? Thingiverse
Rope Tensioner
Whether you use it to tighten the slack on a tarp or set up a clothesline, a rope tensioner is a handy gadget to have on a camping trip. According to the designer, this 3D printable rope tensioner design is meant for holding a taut 3-4 mm diameter cord and can be made with two 3D printed parts, a screw, a nut, and a rubber band.
Although the design is complex, the parts should still be pretty easy to make. Moreover, the designer listed that they successfully printed the models using a 0.3-mm layer height and a 30% infill density. They also noted that they didn’t activate a raft or any supports.
- Who made it? Cadfinger
- How printable/popular is it? This paracord tensioner model has 22 recorded makes. With so many successful makes, you definitely should be able to print your own rope tensioner!
- Where to get it? Thingiverse
Waterproof Container
This container, although not waterproof through the design alone, can be made watertight through certain printing methods. The container has a screw cap (as seen in the picture) and the designer states that this design is good for camping.
Although the designer doesn’t provide any printing advice, a recorded maker posted a successful print and listed some of their printing tips. The maker listed that they used a 0.2-mm layer height with a 10% infill. They also listed that they printed the model with no supports or a raft.
- Who made it? harterengineering
- How printable/popular is it? This design has 13 posted makes as well as 6 remixes.
- Where to get it? Thingiverse
Q-Tip Case
With this Q-tip case, say goodbye to loose or wet Q-tips in your toiletry bag. The case holds up to six Q-tips that’ll keep your ears clean when you’re on your next outdoor adventure.
The designer recommends printing with a 0.15-mm layer height and in PLA. The maker also lists that they didn’t use supports or a raft for this print.
- Who made it? az3dr
- How printable/popular is it? This design has 1 recorded make and over 740 downloads.
- Where to get it? Thingiverse
Compact Travel Chess Set
It’s always good to bring some entertainment on a camping or backpacking trip. This complete chess set will keep you entertained while taking up very little space in your bag. Moreover, the 32 chess pieces can be stacked into each other to form two battery-sized figures, as seen in the image above.
Sadly, you’ll have to find the board on your own. One idea is to print a paper chess board so that you can easily roll it up.
As for 3D printing the pieces, you’ll need a decent level of dimensional accuracy to ensure that each piece can fit inside another one. Additionally, the creator of this project mentioned that they printed the pieces without supports, and that it took around 3 hours in total.
- Who made it? Kagarov
- How printable/popular is it? This compact chess set has been made 28 times, so it’s definitely a very feasible project.
- Where to get it? Printables
License: The text of "The Best 3D Printed Camping & Backpacking Gear of 2023" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.