The best things to 3D print for camping are light, low-stakes gear like a tick tool that takes 2 g of filament and 10 minutes, or a fork-spoon that takes 8 g and 48 minutes, according to Jet L, a YouTube channel that printed 10 camping tools (Jet L, “These 10 3D Printed Camping Tools Are Genius!”). Save printed parts for convenience items, not safety gear.
Outdoor YouTuber Dan Becker and his friend Gordon Crum field-tested downloaded gear and found some PLA pieces brittle, and noted a printed carabiner isn’t load rated (Dan Becker and Gordon Crum, “I Tested 3D Printed Camping Gadgets… Some Were Awesome”). Joshua Briggs, an outdoors and making channel, called his printed storage stool his favorite print “because it just works” (Joshua Briggs, “5 Practical 3D Prints for the Outdoors!”). Here are prints that work outdoors, which to skip and the filament to use.
Best Things to 3D Print for Camping
Prices from Amazon at time of writing. I may earn a commission from links, at no cost to you.
| Category | Prints | Filament |
|---|---|---|
| Camp setup | Guy-line tensioners, cord organizers, soft-ground tent stakes, lantern hooks, fuel canister stands | PETG |
| Camp kitchen and hygiene | Bottle shower kit, camp washing machine, spice pods, cutlery | PETG |
| Safety and navigation | Tick tools, knot reference cards, whistles, map holders | PLA or PETG |
| Comfort | Storage stool, adjustable table, can cooler, phone and light mounts | PETG or PLA |
| Storage | Flip-top and screw-top hiking containers | PLA or PETG |
| Fishing | Compact reels, rod holders, line spools, lures | PETG |
Jet L’s 10 Camping Prints
Jet L listed slicer figures for each print (Jet L, “These 10 3D Printed Camping Tools Are Genius!”):
- Bottle shower kit: about 64 g and 3.8 hours. It screws onto common bottles from half a liter to 2 liters and lets air in for a steady flow; there’s an A1 mini profile.
- Camp washing machine: a small basin with a wash plate and splash guard that cleans a shirt or socks in a cup or two of water.
- Knot reference card: 51 g and 2.9 hours on a multicolor printer, showing six knots with the rope modeled in 3D, with a loop to clip to a pack.
- Tick tool: 2 g and 10 minutes, with a keychain cutout.
- Cutlery set: a print-in-place fork, knife and spoon on a keychain, 32 g and 2.8 hours, which he found sturdier than expected.
- Fork-spoon combo: 8 g and 48 minutes.
He cautioned that some filaments, and 3D printing in general, may not be food safe, and that you should research before eating off printed utensils.
Field Tests: What Worked and What Didn’t
Dan Becker and Gordon Crum rated each printed item one to five stars (Dan Becker and Gordon Crum, “I Tested 3D Printed Camping Gadgets… Some Were Awesome”). Gordon chose high-visibility orange for the tent stakes so they’re easy to find, but noted the PLA stakes felt brittle. A printed carabiner, hung with a loaded backpack and rocks plus a hard pull, held better than they expected, but they rated it two stars for basic use only and stressed it’s not for climbing. They suggested printing a trowel at 100% infill for strength.
Joshua Briggs’ Outdoor Prints
Joshua Briggs printed five free models on a Bambu Lab X1C, all in PLA except one (Joshua Briggs, “5 Practical 3D Prints for the Outdoors!”):
- Hiking containers: flip-top and screw-top versions you can scale to fit batteries, snacks or matches.
- Can cooler: holds four 12 oz cans; he thinks the air pockets in the print insulate, and it kept his soda cold on a warm Alaskan day.
- Pocket fishing reel: with a ratcheting gearbox printed in PETG because it takes the most wear. He spooled 8 lb test and caught a fish with it.
- Adjustable table: each leg adjusts for uneven ground; he called it an advanced print where tolerances matter, and the legs a little finicky.
- Storage stool: about 36 hours to print and almost 3 lb, with the seat using nearly a full roll. The designer says it was tested to 200 lb; Briggs suggested PETG for extra strength.
Filament for Outdoor 3D Prints
| Filament | Use it for |
|---|---|
| PLA | Prototypes and single trips; softens around 60°C, so not in a hot car |
| PETG | Gear that goes back in the bag; gears and moving parts |
| ASA | Gear that lives in sun or a hot vehicle |
See PLA vs PETG for beginners for more.
Safety: Never trust printed carabiners or buckles for climbing or life safety. Be careful with food and water contact: printed layers are hard to clean. Keep plastics away from flames.
Best Printers for Camping Gear
| Printer | Price (Amazon, Oct 16, 2026) | Why it fits | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bambu Lab P1S Combo | $549.00 | Enclosed for ASA outdoor gear | Check price |
| Bambu Lab P2S Combo | $779.00 | Enclosed with built-in filament drying | Check price |
| Bambu Lab A1 | $299.99 | Great value for PETG gear | Check price |
Video: Jet L, “These 10 3D Printed Camping Tools Are Genius!”. Embedded with credit.
Video: Dan Becker and Gordon Crum, “I Tested 3D Printed Camping Gadgets… Some Were Awesome”.
Things to 3D Print for Camping: Frequently Asked Questions
What filament is best for 3D printed camping gear?
PETG for most gear; ASA if it will sit in sun or a hot car.
Can I 3D print tent stakes?
For soft ground. Carry metal stakes for hard soil, and consider bright colors so they’re easy to spot.
Are 3D printed utensils safe?
Printed layers trap bacteria and most filaments are not certified food-safe. Use them with care, or not at all.
Will PLA survive a hot car?
Often not; it can soften around 60°C.
What is the most useful thing to 3D print for camping?
Small items like a tick tool or knot card; Joshua Briggs picked a storage stool as his favorite.
Sources
- Jet L, “These 10 3D Printed Camping Tools Are Genius!”
- Dan Becker and Gordon Crum, “I Tested 3D Printed Camping Gadgets… Some Were Awesome”
- Joshua Briggs, “5 Practical 3D Prints for the Outdoors!”
- r/CampingGear: Best 3D printable camping gear?
- r/3Dprinting: PLA prints in hot cars
- Amazon product listings for the printers linked above, October 16, 2026
Related: 3D Prints for the Garden | 3D Prints for Car Accessories | PLA vs PETG for Beginners | 3D Printed Hooks | 3D Printed Fishing Lures
Notes and disclosure
Note: Printer prices come from Amazon listings on October 16, 2026 and change often. Print times and test results come from the credited YouTube creators and Reddit threads; I have not field-tested this gear myself.