Smaller than an iconic “silver bullet” Airstream trailer but cuter than the brand’s compact lightweight Nest model, the new Airstream Basecamp X is designed to go farther than ever. An upgrade to the standard Basecamp model released in 2016, the X adds three inches of extra ground clearance, Goodyear all-terrain tires, increased departure angles and a steel front stone guard to stand up to road conditions far off the beaten path – but it retains a sense of Airstream charm.

Rugged off-road trailers are big business, and there are certainly plenty of them to choose from, whether you’re a hardcore survivalist looking for a bug-out vehicle or just like a little more comfort than tent camping can offer when you’re in the wilderness. Some simply contain the basics and pack down to highly streamlined proportions, and some include everything you can imagine needing, including the kitchen sink. But if you’re an Airstream enthusiast stuck on a classic look, the Basecamp X may be a nice compromise, and at $39,600, it comes a lot cheaper than the full-length version, which can run upwards of $100K.

The Basecamp X weighs in at 2,635 pounds with a gross weight rating of 3,500 pounds, falling into the towing capacity range of many small and midsize SUVs. Inside, it’s got a convertible sofa bed offering accommodations for two travelers, a small kitchenette and bathroom and a large back door for loading kayaks and other gear. It’s pre-wired for solar panels, too. It may not be quite rugged enough to manage the rockiest of roads, but it’s capable of handling the needs of most outdoor enthusiasts.

The Nest, which debuted last year, is more of a departure from Airstream’s general aesthetic with its molded fiberglass body, but it’s also super lightweight and more comfortable and spacious inside than the Basecamp, for those who prefer a slightly less adventurous approach to trailer camping.

“The world is your waterbed” according to SmithFly, the creators of the floating Shoal Tent, an inflatable sleeping craft that lets you drift off while drifting out on the water.

The base is inflatable as is the tent structure, obviating the need for poles. Waterproof and wind resistant, it features a thick drop-stitched floor that serves as a robust but comfortable air mattress.

The tent is about eight by eight feet along the outside, and a person within can stand up without hitting the top.The top attaches easily but also detaches quickly in case of emergency. Each unit comes with a storage bag, foot pump and patch kit in case those shoals turn out to be rocky.

Of course, you have to be a bit adventurous to try this out on the open water, but SmithFly suggests sticking to “your favorite farm pond, salt water flat, spring creek, or eddie on your favorite river.” They are scheduled to cost around $1500 and are available for pre-sale.

More from its maker: “SmithFly designs and builds modular gear for sportsmen who want to be able to change and reconfigure their gear to suit various conditions and situations. Our goal is to build as much as possible in the USA.Our unique small batch mentality allows us great flexibility to test and maintain the highest standards of quality possible..”

The Air Opus Camper packs down into a surprisingly tiny trailer box easily towed behind a vehicle, but deploys automatically in less than two minutes (then folds back up in just 30 seconds).

Using what the company calls “Air Pole Technology,” the pre-inflation process is pretty straightforward: the top panels are flipped outward and a quick-release lever pulled.

Once it is open, a few bed supports need to be snapped into place for sleeping, but the structure is otherwise self-contained and essentially ready for use immediately.

By folding both upward and outward, the design makes maximum use of a small initial footprint, roughly doubling usable area within once it is set up.

Furniture, meanwhile, is a combination of of inflated and folding, again to minimize spatial requirements, helping make the whole setup more compact for travel.

The camper retails for a bit over $20,000, so not cheap, but it offers a lot of space illuminated by built-in windows and skylights, plus a pull-out kitchen and grill for outdoor cooking (which also helps free up interior space for living and sleeping).

Camping season may be just about over for the casual fair-weather enthusiast, but in any case, here’s a fun piece of gear to add to your Christmas wishlist. Have you ever gone paddle boarding or kayaking, and wished you could just sleep out on the water? Or maybe you’ve fantasized about living in a houseboat, but owning one is a bit impractical. The ‘Shoal Tent’ by SmithFly is like a cheaper, more casual version of heavy-duty floating fishing tents, and it’s way easier to set up.

Noting that 70% of the surface of the Earth is covered in water, the Ohio-based outdoor goods retailer offers an inflatable floating raft with a tent topper that lets you sleep out on the water, and requires no poles to set up. You just use a pump to fill the three raft body air chambers and tent frame with air to make the world “your waterbed.”

Since the tent floor is inflated, your air mattress is built right in, and it features a 6” drop to keep you dry, along with heavy-duty waterproof fabric and sturdy #8 zippers. The top and sides attach with velcro, so you can get in and out easily if you need to (no struggling to position the door just right.)

The tent features an 8’x8’ footprint and can sleep people up to 6’3” tall, with the same standing room height in the center. It packs down to a burrito-roll-style bag and comes with a patch kit and manual foot pump. At 50 pounds, it’s not exactly lightweight, but depending on your plans, it’s probably worth it. It’s currently on pre-order sale at a discount for $1274.15, with an MSRP of $1499.

If you’ve got an appetite for backcountry exploration but hate setting up tents, perhaps a more comfortable wilderness hut would be a better fit. Designs for home-like retreats in remote locations range from minimalist sci-fi sleeping pods to luxurious vacation properties with modest exteriors that retain the feel of a homesteader’s cabin, and they’re often self-sustainable, portable and low-impact.

Back Country House by David Maurice

Throughout the wilderness of New Zealand, adventurous backpackers can find basic, rustic huts that will put a roof over their heads for a night or two. ‘Back Country House’ by LTD Architectural keeps the spirit of those simple structures while making it a whole lot more comfortable. Designed for the architect’s own family, the home features a spacious terrace that functions as the living room, with an outdoor fireplace and two sunken tubs in the deck keeping it cozy in winter. The pop-up tub covers double as tables for a sunken seating area.

Drew House by Simon Laws

A series of pavilions joined by outdoor walkways offers living space for a family near Queensland, Australia. Though it looks like a reclaimed sewer pipe, the rounded pavilion was just built to that shape using metal sheeting, capped on one end with hardwood louvers. All components were constructed offsite and transported to the plot to minimize disturbance. The passive solar home is self-sufficient, with rainwater tanks and recycling systems, solar power panels and solar hot water.

Tiny House in the San Juan Islands by Prentiss Architects

Overlooking the sea from its perch on Washington’s San Juan Island, Eagle Point Cabin by Prentiss Architects looks modest from the outside, with its rustic wooden facade and grassy roof. But inside, it’s just as comfortable as any high-end home, offering a wood stove, a wall of windows for whale watching, a spacious bedroom and a bathtub with a view.

Eco POD Hotel in Switzerland

Designed by Robust Outdoor Brands, Switzerland’s first eco POD hotel features dreamy little rounded rooms set into a snowy landscape. After dark, when they’re illuminated from within, they look almost too much like a fairytale to be true. Each low-impact room is made with FSC-certified wood and double-glazed windows and accommodates two people.

Tye River Cabin by Olson Kundig

Located in a dense forest near the Tye River in Skykomish, Washington, the Tye River Cabin by Olson Kundig architects is envisioend as a meditative retreat with pivoting glass windows that swing open to blur the lines between outside and in. The architects set the cabin on a concrete base and wrapped the exterior in rusted steel siding.

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Wilderness Huts For Backcountry Glamour 15 Not So Rustic Retreats