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There are plenty of us who adopted the idea of camping but never had the chance to stargaze under old pine trees at a young age.
When you hit adulthood, it feels like there’s too much equipment, know-how, and information to learn, but that’s where we come in to help.
This is a one-size-fits-all guide to tell you about camping essentials and other beginner needs in order to have a successful, relaxing, and fun camping experience.
Camping Essentials Checklist
1. Quality Sleeping Bag
If you can’t get a decent night’s rest, you’re going to have a wretched time for the rest of your camping trip. We advise choosing quality over quantity because your sleeping bag should last you for over a decade.
Searching the discount rack for quality rarely goes well; you need a suitable temperature rating for the type of camping you’ll be doing and a lightweight build for optimal packing.
2. Tent With Accessories
Make sure you have your tent stakes, a mallet to hammer them in, the poles, and, of course, the tent itself. Having a proper tent (not whatever’s cheapest) is what makes you feel like you have everything all together when you’re at the campsite.
You should have enough room to comfortably house yourself, your backpack, your sleeping bag, and your party size if you’re not solo camping. We recommend you start with a two-person tent, at least if you’re camping alone.
3. Survival EDC Kit
This is your go-to bag that never fails—the kit that helps you get out of numerous sticky situations, including worst-case scenarios. This includes self-defense, self-preservation items, fire starters, a compass, and similar things. You shouldn’t leave for the campsite without them.
You can find good starting kits to begin your journey, but as you progress and your experience improves, you should build your own gear. You can accomplish this by adding more items to your kit over time.
4. Light Source
You will be using headlamps, lanterns, and, of course, your campfire as a light source. Having a light source is critical to enjoying camping at night and having a quick way to get your bearings if you hear noises around the tent. Roll over, flick on the lantern, and you’re in control.
If you get lanterns with a high lumen output, they can be seen for 2,000+ feet and provide enough concentrated light to act as a self-defense method by blinding wild animals or assailants. The survivalist comes out in all of us at one point, and this is another ace in the hole.
5. Fire Starters
Fire starters are superior to matches and lighters by far. The last thing you want is to end up rubbing two rocks together because of a malfunctioning lighter or wet matches.
Most fire starters have a lifespan of 3,000 to 5,000 uses before they require replacement, and their cost ranges from a few bucks to slightly more. However, in some cases, having matches or lighters may be a good alternative.
6. Dried Food
While you don’t have to rummage through the aisle toppers at your local Walmart for beef jerky, it’s advisable to pack some dried food.
You can make your own dried foods and trail mix at home, but at the same time, there’s nothing wrong with bringing a portable camping grill and some fresh meat for the ride.
If you do this, don’t overpack and bring your entire kitchen outdoors; only bring what you need to turn the meat, store it, and, of course, some silverware to eat with.
7. Quality Camping Knife
No matter who you talk to, they’ll all agree: your camping knife is your most valuable asset out in the great outdoors. This device serves as both a versatile utility tool and a self-defense weapon, making it a constant companion by your side.
It’s not uncommon to spend $80.00+ on a quality knife. Look for partially serrated edges and additional materials on the blade finish, and ensure they meet the local municipality’s knife length laws for the area you’ll be camping.
8. Tarp
You need an umbrella at the very least, but if you’re bringing a tent, you should pack a tarp. Most tents are water-resistant, not waterproof, meaning the water will bead up and roll off in most scenarios, but leaks are still bound to occur.
A good tarp doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, and it typically packs up small, fitting right into the same area as your tent. It will especially come in handy if you decide to go hammock camping and the weather suddenly turns bad.
9. Quality Boots
Even if you’re not going to head out on a hike, you still need the traction of a pair of quality hiking boots. You never know what kind of terrain is expecting you, so better be prepared.
Walking from point A to point B on the campsite includes unknown risks, because that’s the point: This isn’t a series of paved roads in the middle of a city; you need to be ready for slippery patches of leaves, loose dirt, and surface-bound tree roots that you didn’t originally see.
10. First Aid
This should go without saying, but first aid is always a necessity. The problem arises when you’re excited about camping and may overlook the importance of first-aid supplies.
First-aid kits don’t have to be cookie-cutter models that you buy online, either. You can save a ton of money by cherry-picking the necessities in your kit and purchasing individual items.
Ensure you have burn cream, bandages, and antibacterial protectants in order to prevent infections above all else. Buying a 100-piece first-aid kit sounds excellent until you realize that 70 of those are individual band-aids. Customize the kit.
11. Patch Repair Kit
Patch and repair kits are essential, especially if you’re camping in cold conditions. You want to maintain the temperature rating while also preserving the integrity of your tent, sleeping bag, or other ripped item.
Patch kits typically come with materials that help insulate and include all of the necessary items to put them to full use. On the plus side, it doesn’t take up much space in your backpack and can be a lifesaver.
12. Fishing Gear
Heading out into the great outdoors means you have nothing but time, so why not pull up a fishing line and just lose yourself on the water?
Fishing puts you right in the thick of the outdoors, but the gear can be a hassle. You need hooks, bait, tackle, and, of course, the pole itself, but nothing else.
The hassle comes into play when you’re storing fish hooks. Wrap them in tin foil to prevent rust and puncture wounds, and put those in a plastic container with a lockable lid during transit.
Wrap-Up
Even the best equipment in the world is nothing without a skilled set of hands to guide it.
You’re the key component to making gear work, and you deserve quality gear that’s going to work for you.
