Tailgate essentials: Get the best gear to level up your game-day celebrations

Summer has peaked, but fall is just around the corner, and that means the official start of tailgating season. (Honestly, as far as we’re concerned, it’s always tailgating season, but we digress …) Depending on game time, tailgating can be — and often is — an all-day affair, especially if you’re serious about it. To some, it’s as much a profession as it is a pastime. Wearing the best tailgating gear can make or break your game-day rally. Whether you are cheering for your favorite collegiate team or following the pros, here are the best items to take you from pre-game rallies to post-game celebrations.

Grills, ovens, and smokers

BioLite FirePit+

BioLite’s FirePit is a portable grill, camp stove, and fire pit all in one. The design is so cool that it’s worth gathering the camp chairs around as the centerpiece of your next tailgating event.

PKGO Grill and Smoker

We are huge fans of the Portable Kitchen (PK) grills. This latest PKGO Grill and Smoker is ideal for tailgating with the same features as the larger options but is the brand’s most portable and lightweight grill.

Primus Kinjia Camping Stove

Grab and go with this portable outdoor gas grill. The same features that make this camping stove ideal for car camping also make it perfect for tailgating. The legs fold underneath and the lid clamps tightly to make packing and unpacking a breeze.

Gozney Roccbox Portable Pizza Oven

Nothing says “baller” like showing up to the tailgate party with a legit portable pizza oven. At under 44 pounds, this beefy pizza oven reaches temperatures over 930 degrees Fahrenheit, is safe on any surface, and can cook an artisan crust pizza in as little as 60 seconds. Plus, the dual-fuel version can run on gas or wood, so you’ll never run out of fuel.

Furniture

Alps Mountaineering Dining Table

This lightweight, powder-coated aluminum table quickly deploys to provide a stable option for tailgating guests or a sturdy option for food prep and tabletop grilling. When the party’s over, it breaks down and fits inside a compact shoulder bag.

Nemo Stargaze Recliner Luxury Camp Chair

Nemo’s Stargaze Recliner may well be the most comfortable folding camp chair on the market. While camp chairs are rarely touted as “luxurious,” this chair reclines, rocks, and folds up neatly into a compact carry bag for easy transport to and from the parking lot.

Oru Full Camp Outdoor Living Set

Oru’s Full Camp is the coolest outdoor living room set you might not have heard of. Every piece in the five-piece collection from the maker of the game-changing, origami-style folding kayaks that you most definitely have heard of is durable, lightweight, and ultra portable. It’s also surprisingly comfy and affordable too — all of which makes this a great option for outfitting your best tailgating setup. We dig the monochrome Black Edition, but it’s also available in orange if that plays into your team allegiance.

GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker

Your guests will be fighting over this collapsible rocking chair. It will be just at home at your tailgate as on your front porch or favorite campsite.

Shelter

DoD Kamaboko Super Tent

If you’re serious about leveling up your tailgating lounge space, DoD has you covered (literally). Its Kamaboko Large Super Tent features a versatile design that opens wide (great for tailgating) or buttons up nicely (for camping) with room inside to pitch other smaller tents. Add some camp chairs, tables, and maybe an outdoor rug, and you can instantly convert this space to a legit open-air living room on game day. If the flagship Kamaboko is a little too pricey, DoD also offers the tent in a medium option that’s just as good for tailgating.

Big Agnes Sage Canyon Shelter Plus

This freestanding shelter is the perfect addition to any gear closet. It can serve as a food tent on game day, a sunshade for other day activities (think beach trips or soccer tournaments), and as a refuge from the elements while camping.

Diggs Revol Dog Crate

You’re not the only one who needs a proper shelter while tailgating. Give your furry friends a place to chillax on game day, too. Diggs’ Revol portable dog crate is designed to be just like your pup’s favorite everyday crate. It’s especially cozy and extra comfy with Diggs’ upgraded Snooz Crate Pad. But the best part for you is that it’s lighter and packs down way smaller than that dishwasher-size dog crate Sgt. Puppers sleeps in at home.

Portable fridges/coolers

EcoFlow Glacier Portable Fridge

EcoFlow’s Glacier is ideal for boats, campers, and tailgating extravaganzas. The battery-powered portable fridge/freezer keeps food cold (even frozen) until it’s ready for grilling or keeps condiments chilled and beverages readily accessible. The temperature is easy to adjust via the touchscreen display or smartphone app, and did we mention it even has a built-in icemaker!

Rugged Road 65 V2 Cooler

Stock your fancy portable fridge with meat, bevies, and snacks. But keep a separate premium cooler like Rugged’s 65 V2 for storing all your ice, so you’re always ready for chilled soft drinks, ice-cold sweet teas, and frozen cocktails.

RTIC 52 Qt Ultra-Light Cooler

For a slightly smaller option, RTIC’s 52 Qt Ultra-Light Cooler is our go-to midsized cooler with a 52-quart capacity that’s ideal for tailgating, camping, and backyard barbecues. We especially love the Trailblazer and Patriot colorways that add a bit of flair to any pre-game get-together.

Dometic PSC 22 Backpack Cooler

When the menu calls for BYOB, show up in style with cold beverages and keep the festivities mobile as you navigate the minefield of game-day parties. This all-new, soft-sided 22-liter backpack cooler from Dometic is also available in 9-liter and 19-liter varieties.

Bluetooth speakers

Sony SRS-XG500 X-Series Wireless Portable-Bluetooth Party-Speaker

Sony’s X-Series Wireless Portable Bluetooth speakers are damn near-perfect for tailgating. The SRS-XG500 is powerful, portable, and durable, with IPX66 water and dust resistance. Plus, it runs for 30 hours on a single charge.

Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

This compact, mid-range Bluetooth speaker is loud, waterproof, and portable. Plus, one charge can provide 20 hours of non-stop party tunes with connectivity maintained up to 100 feet.

Outdoor Tech Turtle Shell 4.0

For casual outdoor listening, Outdoor Tech’s Turtle Shell 4.0 is our favorite budget-friendly option. It’s compact, surprisingly loud, and waterproof, so you can take it camping, tailgating, or down to the beach. For an even more compact (and magnetic!) option, go with tje OT’s Bolt Bluetooth speaker.

Tailgating games

GoPong 8-Foot Portable Beer Pong / Tailgate Tables

This portable table folds up and packs away to fit into most trunks and SUV hatches. Bring your own cups and beverage of choice (you can call it Beverage Pong for family events), then use the six included balls for non-stop excitement that is sure to attract additional participants (and spectators).

RampShot

This family-friendly game is described as “cornhole on steroids.” The two boards contain grooves that make the ball bounce in various directions. RampShot is played two-on-two and will keep kids and adults occupied all day.

Tech and power

Bluetti AC200L Portable Power Station

For serious on-the-go power, look no further than Bluetti’s beefy, all-new AC200L Portable Power Station. It packs 2,048Wh of power and 2,400 watts of AC output, allowing you to power everything from portable fridges to electric smokers and everything in between. Add Bluetti’s B300 expansion battery to more than double the power and keep the party going long after the clock runs out.

weBoost Drive Reach

Pics or it didn’t happen, right? Make sure you and your tailgating guests can post all their photos from the day’s shenanigans to social. WeBoost’s Drive Reach helps boost the signal from nearby cell towers so you and your guests never have to worry about cell network “dead zones.”

Health

Thermacell E90 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller

Nothing ruins a good time like mosquitos. Thermacell’s line of rechargeable, purpose-built mosquito repellers ensure you never have to deal with those biting SOBs on game day. The E90, in particular, is compact and portable and creates a 20-foot zone of skeeter protection that lasts up to nine hours on a single charge.

Trelino Portable Composting Toilet

Portable toilets hardly sound like “fun” tailgating gear. But you know what’s even less fun? Using a porta-john on game day. If you care enough about your friends and family to make sure their tailgating experience is next level, don’t forget the little things like giving them a proper place to pop a squat. Trelino’s portable toilets are lightweight, ultra compact, and never smell like a public restroom (seriously, we checked).