Camping With Aldi, Part 2: Backpacks and Accessories (2019)
EDITOR’S NOTE: This post contains a roundup of some of Aldi’s camping accessories, continuously updated for 2019. To find Aldi’s tents and bedding, click here. To see our most recent post on backpacks and accessories, click here.
This post contains affiliate links.
When late spring rolls around, you can be sure that Aldi will start rolling out the camping gear. We’ve collated our thoughts on several of the outdoor accessories.
An important note: while this post deals with products sold in the United States (and our product listings use U.S. dollars), some of these products do appear in similar or identical form in other parts of the world, including Australia and the United Kingdom. Whether you’re from the United States or from other parts of the world, we’d love to hear your own thoughts and experiences in the comments.
Adventuridge Hiking Backpack
Cost: $29.99
Manual: none online yet
Thoughts: The Aldi take on a hiking backpack has a capacity of 65-70 liters, which is enough for a warm-weather backpacking expedition of a few days. It weighs 4 pounds, is constructed of polyester, is compatible with a hydration pack, and has several adjustable elements, including shoulder and waist straps as well as an integrated rain cover that can be stored within the bag. We’re not backpack camping enthusiasts who would need something this robust, but we do know this backpack is a lot cheaper than similarly sized packs.
Crane Hydration Backpack
Cost: $16.99
Manual: none online yet
Thoughts: Previously known as the Adventuridge Hydration Backpack, this little number has a removable 2-liter water bladder inside that can be filled simply by unscrewing the cap and pouring the water in. The instructions also say there is room in the bag for the likes of clothing and electronics, although we’re a little nervous about putting a cell phone near a water bladder. A large plastic straw with a “leak-proof” mouthpiece gives you easy access to the water even when it’s on your back.
The 2019 comes in two styles — standard and bungee — and is $2 more than previous models ($14.99). It’s backed by a 1-year warranty.
Adventuridge Lightweight Foldable Backpack or Duffle
Cost: $9.99
Manual: none online yet
Thoughts: While we have a pretty good folding backpack of our own, we’ve put the Aldi folding backpack to the test twice now. Both times, we wanted to like it, but both times we had problems, especially when it wasn’t fully loaded.
We’ve also looked at the duffle bag; it’s not the thickest of fabrics but it’s a little more functional than the backpack, and it also collapses into a small pouch like the backpack. Neither product, for some reason, comes with a warranty.
Full review (backpack): 2018, 2017
Full review (duffle): here
Adventuridge Pop-Up LED Lantern Set
Cost: $9.99
Manual: 2018 (Manual), 2018 (Warranty Card)
Thoughts: This lantern comes in a two-pack. The lanterns operate by pulling the lid up, revealing an LED light good for 85 lumens of light. The lanterns run on AA batteries, which the packaging claims last up to four hours. The lanterns also are water-resistant. We’ve only had a little bit of time with these lanterns, but early returns are promising.
Full review: here
Adventuridge Rechargeable LED Camping Lantern
Cost: $12.99
Thoughts: This little camping light is a useful, versatile tool for whenever you need illumination outdoors. It comes with a car charger and wall charger, and as of 2017 the wall charger has a USB that can be detached from the wall charger and plugged into a USB port. The LED light can be adjusted for brightness using the knob on the top. The lantern takes 6-7 hours to charge (the manual warns not to charge it for more than 16 hours) and is good for 5-10 hours depending on how bright you make it.
We’ve had this lantern for a while now and it is our go-to lantern, even over a more expensive (and blindingly bright) Rayovac lantern. It’s a bit large but still quite workable, and it puts out enough light for reading if you need it … and less if you need that, too. It comes with a 2-year warranty.
Adventuridge Lighted Tent Fan
Cost: $12.99
Manual: 2017
Thoughts: This fan sports 3 light settings (high, low, nightlight) and 2 fan speeds (high, low). It comes with a hanging hook that it claims is compatible with most tents and soft foam blades, so it shouldn’t be a cutting hazard. It requires 4 D-cell batteries, which are included. We aren’t sure how long the batteries will last, although the manual lists some projected times, including up to 72 hours for the low fan setting and 336 hours for the nightlight. We’re also not sure how much weight this fan will have with 4 D-cell batteries. Still, but it might be worth a look if you need some lighting or a breeze for your tent. The warranty is for 2 years.
Adventuridge Folding Chair
Cost: $6.99
Manual: none online yet
Thoughts: Your standard folding chair with a mesh cupholder and carrying bag. The 2019 version is $7.99, which is a dollar more than it was in 2018 ($6.99), although it was $7.99 back in 2017. We’ve tried this one out, and while it’s mostly like other chairs of its type, it does the job just fine. This is on the cheaper end of chair prices we’ve seen, comparable to deals at big-box stores. It comes with a 2-year warranty.
Full review: here
Adventuridge Camping Floor Mat
Cost: $19.99
Manual: none online yet
Thoughts: This is a floor mat suitable for creating surfaces for the likes of campers or large portable gazebos. It’s made of 100% PVC and is designed to let water escape while keeping an area free of dirt, grass, and twigs. It also claims to be breathable and mold resistant. It measures 9.8 feet by 8.2 feet, but it can be cut to different sizes as needed. We think it’s a good price, especially for the size.
Adventuridge Butane Stove
Cost: $14.99
Manual: 2017
Thoughts: This looks like your standard butane stove, which comes with a single burner and, we assume, runs on butane canisters, which can be found in many places. It looks similar to (but not quite identical to) a Coleman Butane Stove. It comes with a 2-year warranty.
Adventuridge Collapsible Tub or Dish Drainer
Cost: $12.99
Manual: none online yet
Thoughts: Available in blue or green, this surprisingly large basin can be used for doing dish washing and other tasks while outdoors. We haven’t used it and we don’t need one, but we have to admit that it’s one of the niftier Aldi outdoor camping accessories. While we haven’t formally reviewed it, we do own the basin; it folds out to a generous size and stores easily.
Adventuridge Tent Stakes, Folding Shovel, Water Carrier, Solar Shower or 2-Pack Reflective Rope
Cost: $6.99
Manual: none online yet
Thoughts: We haven’t tried them, and the kind of camping that requires latrines and solar showers isn’t our thing. (We also don’t need LED tent stakes.) We’d be curious to hear how they work, though. The price was about $2 higher in 2018 ($6.99) than it was in 2017 ($4.99).
The Verdict:
We’ve interacted with some of these products, and our experiences with them have been a mix of good and not-as-good. That said, we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
We used the Adventuridge Hydration Backpack last year on our trip to Sedona, AZ and Grand Canyon. It was perfect for hiking around in the desert and at the Canyon. No leaks from the bladder and plenty of room to carry the essentials for a day hike. Also – lighter weight than the other more expensive brand hydration pack we also took with us, but the same capacity for water. Another plus for a long hike.
Awesome story. Thanks for sharing.
Any idea if the bladder is bpa free?
Adventuridge Lighted Tent Fan
We hung 2 of these in our hunting camp bedroom. They seemed perfect, the fan was super quiet, good air movement on low and the lights were nice. Unfortunately they did not last at all. One started making a loud clicking noise after 1 1/2 nights use (about 12 hours), to loud to sleep with. The second made it 2 1/2 nights (about 20 hours). It then started smoking, and the on/off for the fan didn’t work. I had to pull the batteries to get it to stop. Too bad, because they were great and the batteries still had a good charge.
We have had this tent light fan for two summers. We tent camp 10-12 times each summer. Very happy with the quality. Am very impressed with the adventuring brand.
I picked up two of the Adventuridge Hiking Backpacks for my Grandkids. It looks like we should be able to fit them to several different size people but no real instructions on how to do it. I am looking for some guidance. They won’t be packing a lot in the packs just sleeping bag, mat and a change of clothes, but if we can adjust them to fit them more comfortably that would be great.
That’s a great question. You might try searching for general “packing a hiking backpack” online. I don’t think the Aldi backpack is too different than many other backpacks out there. Good luck.
I picked up the Adventureridge Tent Fan a few days ago, not for camping, but for positioning in the back of my station wagon for my dog to improve the ventilation for him, so I was happy for the remote. But I am using it by my bedside right now when I wake up hot and it’s been terrific–whisper quiet. Not sure how durable it will be but for now it’s been great.
I bought the backpack in 2016 shortly before traipsing across southern Poland and the Czech Republic. I am very happy about it. I like all the pockets. I carried it on heading there and checked it in heading home. It held up well even after the airline shipped it to my home via FedEx because a 2 hour connection wasn’t enough time for Heathrow airport. I had a problem with a part poking me in the back but that turned out to be a case of the height adjustment didn’t loop through enough straps in the back. There is a stitch or two that is worn but it is my go to backpack for an upcoming Camino de Santiago trip and more which we expect to take 2 months.
The upcoming Camino trip ended up being 1 1/2 week of Camino de Santiago and the rest of the 2 months going though several countries in Europe. Backpack needs a couple of stitches redone but is ready for the next adventure!
Thus, 3 full months of active use and still doing well!
I just wish Aldi’s would have them again so others can discover how handy they are!
My wife used the hydration pack on our two week hiking trip in Glacier and Yellowstone. She loved it. Does the job for a fraction of the price or a Camelback!
We love all the Aldi products we purchase!!