So you are all set to pitch your tent out in the wilderness and are stocking up on all the essentials you need to carry. Given that camping is a universal activity enjoyed by people of all ages, there are thousands of options to be considered when packing up.
Instead of spending hours on the internet finding what to carry, why not go through this detailed list of ‘must-haves’ when camping. Not only will we give you an ideal checklist, but we will also be recommending some best-sellers that will save you time.
Dive in!
| Category | Item name | Recommendations |
| Essentials | Tent | Check it out here |
| Tarp | Check it out here | |
| Sleeping bag | Check it out here | |
| Camping chair | Check it out here | |
| Lantern | Check it out here | |
| Emergency supplies | First aid kit | Check it out here |
| Spare batteries | Check it out here | |
| Emergency toolkit | Check it out here | |
| Tent repair kit | Check it out here | |
| Toiletries | Check it out here | |
| Map | – | |
| Paracord | Check it out here | |
| Clothing essentials | All-weather jackets | Check it out here |
| Gloves and sunhat | Check it out here | |
| Hiking footwear | Check it out here | |
| Sun protection | Check it out here | |
| Kitchen supplies | Stove/BBQ | Check it out here |
| Fire starter | Check it out here | |
| Fridge/cooler | Check it out here | |
| Pan & kettle | Check it out here | |
| Bottle opener | Check it out here |
Essentials to Ensure a Comfortable Stay
The primary and perhaps the most crucial aspect of camping: Setting up your digs! Whether you are going on a long trip by the mountains or just planning a small retreat in your backyard, here are some items to keep you comfy:
A tent
When choosing a tent, you should make your evaluations by considering the following points:
- Capacity
- Seasonality
- Peak height
- Price
You can either go with conventional tents or instant cabin tents which are easier to set up. As for tent materials, always go with cotton or canvas. This is because they are good insulators, can absorb water easily and are also quieter. Needless to say, this can change if you were to camp in a colder environment.
Click here to master the art of pitching a tent.
A tarp
If you want to extend the footprint of your tent, then carrying a tarp is a good idea. This is essentially a large piece of waterproof cloth which offers extra coverage area and also shields your camp against harsh weather.
When talking about tarps, there are just two sub-categories you can choose from: Heavy-duty tarps and lightweight ones. The former is good for harsh weather and snow whereas the latter pulls ahead in hotter temperatures.
Tip: The higher the number of reattachment points you have in a tarp, the better support and stability it will offer. Look for at least four corners when purchasing.
Sleeping bags
These are bifurcated into winter and three-season bags. Gone are the days when this item added heft to your checklist. Nowadays, most sleeping bags can be folded and come with a zipper to keep you comfortable and snug.
Another important thing to check here is the temperature rating your bag comes with. Synthetic bags are usually cheaper and good for wet conditions. If you are looking for something compact, then go with down type insulation.
Sleeping pad
Most budget sleeping bags fail to provide an even base on which you can sleep. No one wants to feel pebbles and twigs while laying down beneath a breathtaking view. Ideally, you should go for a lay-flat pad which will protect you while also promoting a better posture.
You can also go for foam sleeping pads which typically provide better weather insulation and comfort.
Camping chair
When you picture yourself camping with your loved ones, apart from a tent, a camping chair is another must-have you need. After all, who doesn’t want to bask in pleasant sunlight after a lethargic day of trail-hiking?
You can also pick a chair with additional features like foldability, cup-holders, side pockets etc. Upon searching, you can also find various 3-5 seater camping chairs which can be assembled effortlessly.
A lantern
You don’t want darkness to stop you from playing cards after dinner. A lantern will also allow you to go on small midnight trips without worrying about anything. Keep in mind to go for a product which has a decent battery life.
You can look into solar-powered options since they minimize your carbon footprint and also do not depend on electricity.
Emergency Supplies
For those unannounced injuries or power-cuts that may come in the way of your trip, having these emergency supplies will go a long way.
Here are they:
A first aid kit
This one is a must-have for every camper. When out in the woods, you never know when you scrub your knees in the bushes or slip on a slippery path. A good medical kit must contain bandages, tablets for fever/ headache and a sanitizer/germ-disinfectant.
Aside from this, you should also have an idea of the basic first aid procedures like CPR and AEDs.
Here’s a brief overview on camping first aid.
Spare batteries
Given the limited battery capacity of mobile phones, laptops etc., if you want to be able to work on-the-go, carrying a power-bank is a must. You can also carry a large sized battery bank which can power your car’s battery, refrigerator and mobile at the same time.
Emergency toolkit
An emergency toolkit has tools like knives and screwdrivers which will come in handy while travelling. Having a multi-tool kit will also eliminate the need of having to buy separate tools.
To get the best functionality, go for a box which has the following:
- Pliers with mini-cutters
- Shaping tool
- Can and bottle opener
- Screwdriver
- Ruler
- Bike/ car multi-tool
- Tape measure
- Kitchen-scissors
Here’s everything you need to know about putting together a survival first aid kit.
Tent repair kit
A tent repair kit will help you in mending any torn seams. They also contain heavy-duty nylon tapes which can be used to cover any open patches on the tent.
Additionally, these kits should also have the following items:
- Needle and waxed thread: Comes in handy when large patches are to be sewn together.
- Patches: Repair patches are a quick solution that come in a variety of materials. You can not only use them on your tent, but virtually anything that needs repairing.
- Ferrules and shock cords: Having extra ferrules will prevent your tent from collapsing in case the end of the poles break.
Usual toiletries
Mainly the things you will need for overnight stays. This includes tissues, cleaning cloths, toothpaste, etc. Aside from this, you can also carry germ-repellent soap and face wash, insect repellents and cutlery sets if required.
Map
Having some information about the local topography is quite useful when going through dense forests or hills with poor connectivity. Another useful tip is to download offline maps of the location you will be visiting in your mobile phone.
Here’s how you can do so.
This can be done via the in-built google maps application. Some other noteworthy camping apps for smartphones are Roadtrippers, The Dyrt, Van Secrets and ParkMe.
Paracord
When stuffing everything in a hiking backpack or a suitcase, not everything will fit. Sometimes, you may even want something to stay outside for easy-access. This is where a paracord comes in. You can use it both as a water-bottle holder and a smartphone holder.
Paracord can also secure the rain fly of your tent on windy/rainy days. Needless to say you will also need a clothesline after a rainy day. All in all, these paracords can be used in a wide variety of circumstances.
Clothing Essentials
Camping calls for clothing that can easily withstand the ruggedness of the wilderness. You can surely take your everyday outfits, but make sure to top them off with protective layers of quality camping clothes.
All-weather jackets
Here are the considerations that you need to make before purchasing a jacket:
- Waterproofing: Go with a 3-layer construction waterproof fabric. This fabric is sandwiched between a face fabric and a woven inner fabric. Consequently, they are also heavier but do an excellent job in alpine environments. Look for jackets which have a Gore-Tex membrane since they are the best.
- Comfortable fit: Choose a fit that lets your skin breathe. This will also depend on the activity you will be doing and the number of layers beneath your jacket. Your jacket should ideally cover your upper-palm and shouldn’t be too tight across the shoulders and underarms.
- Zip: Having what is called a hydro-seal zip will keep you dry even during heavy downpour.
Gloves and sunhat
There are more than 700 species of plants in America alone that are venomous in nature. This necessitates the use of gloves and high-top boots when walking through grass, forests or trails in general.
Gloves also provide a superior grip which minimizes the chances of you falling down. Furthermore, you can also carry a sunhat to prevent any potential sun damage to your skin.
Tip: Carrying a SPF cream can also help your skin fight against harmful UV rays.
Hiking footwear
| Full-grain leather |
|
| Synthetics |
|
| To ensure a proper fit |
|
| Outsole pattern | Go for an outsole with lug pattern since it provides resistance against slippage and good traction. |
Confused between two pairs? Check out this link to know more.
Sun protection
Exposure to sun rays for extended periods of time can have adverse effects on your skin. This is because sun rays have the ability to penetrate the epidermal layer of your skin causing hyperpigmentation and tanning. Carrying sun protection will shield your skin from this and keep it glowing despite the conditions.
Kitchen Essentials
Camping calls for a tasty retreat, be it some grilled sandwiches or hotdogs, your trip will be incomplete without some delectable delicacies. Here are some kitchen essentials to help you with this:
Stove/BBQ
Backpacking stoves are portable, easy to carry and also provide heat whenever needed. Your best bet would be to go with a canister stove which comes with a screwable stovetop.
If you are going to be camping in temperature climates though, then the best option is liquid fuel system. Since they are catalysed using a fuel, they can be used anywhere regardless of the temperature and altitude. You can also carry a barbeque if you are not bothered by the additional weight.
Fridge
Most men just want to keep their six-pack cold while they chill in a scenic area to sip on it later. Having a fridge will also allow you to refrigerate essentials such as food, drinks and certain medications. Fridge sizes range from a trip-friendly 35” to full-fledged coolers, so make your choice depending upon the need.
Pan or a kettle
This along with a fire starter will make the perfect combination for cooking almost anything you like. Go for heavy-bottom pans as opposed to light ones though.
Summing up
There you have it, a round up of the best camping accessories and must-haves any camper can ask for. However, if you want to go light and skip on some items, you can even do so.
As long as you are carrying enough gear to last the length of your trip and have a source of nutrition, you will not face any problem. Check out some of our other blogs to know more about camping and hiking gear.
Thanks for keeping up.
