For as long as I can recall, camping has been a big part of life for my family and I. Growing up my father would take me tent camping whenever he had a rare weekend off. Then, I got into Boy Scouts and it seemed like we were camping every weekend in just about any weather conditions. As a teenager, we bought a pop-up camper so that my mom and sisters would be more comfortable coming with us. As an adult, all of my friends and family have campers. This is just how we spend our free time now that our goal is to expose our kids to nature as much as we can.
While camping can happen with lots of gear or very little gear, you must always be selective. Camping without the correct gear can make for a rough trip for everyone and could even turn the trip into a survival scenario. In addition to having the right gear, you also must have some basic wilderness knowledge so you can properly use this gear. If you have the correct set of gear and the experience and skills to use it correctly, you can have a fun and safe camping trip every time. In this article, we will cover the basic camping gear you need to bring. In addition, we will cover survival items for emergencies and some luxury items to make things a little cushy if you prefer.
I do want to emphasize that just buying a bunch of gear is not enough. You need to become comfortable with this gear as quickly as possible, especially the survival items. You can try out your gear in your backyard or even in your living room or garage in some cases. If you do not know how to use the gear, it will do you no good.
I should also point out that I will not be mentioning any specific brands or models in this article. It is important that you take the time to do the research and read the reviews yourself. This is the only way you will get a product that truly fits your needs. If you buy in-store, try out the gear a bit if possible. Always keep your receipts, and do not be afraid to return gear that is not a perfect fit. You are aiming to create a set of camping gear that can last the rest of your life.
Normal Camping Gear
There are several basic pieces of gear that really everyone should bring camping. The actual items will be very different in features and cost based on your specific needs, but some version of each should be present in your gear.
Tent – One of the first things most people think of when picturing a camping trip is tents. Now we older folks sometimes rely on campers for our backs, so that would replace a tent. Also, if you are using a hammock or bedroll to just sleep under the stars, you will obviously not need the tent. Do keep in mind that sleeping under the stars can involve rain, wind, predators, insects, and the cold of night. Be sure you are okay with all of this before you plan to tough it out.
Tents will block the sun, wind, rain, sun, dew, and snow that can sometimes come with camping. You get a barrier between you and the ground, and tents can also hold in body heat if built to do so. You also have the added peace of mind that there is a boundary between you and animals or people that might wander through your camp.
Over the years I have seen all kinds of crazy tents. I own at least four myself. You can get giant, multi-room tents for big families that want some privacy. However, be aware that these will be big and heavy. You can get big canvas wall-tents that are designed for long-term camping. These are designed to handle almost any weather, and they have the option of adding a wood stove inside. They are also heavy and quite expensive. On the other end of the spectrum, you can get tiny one-person tents for backpacking. Mine is nine inches by three inches when packed up and only weighs a couple of pounds, but it does a great job.
Whichever tent you pick, be sure it is designed for the proper weather conditions for your trip. For example, camping in the winter with a two-season or three-season tent would leave you cold and possibly wet. A four-season tent is insulated to some degree to deal with cold temperatures. On the other hand, camping with a four-season tent in the heat of the summer is fine but may get a little hot.
Sleeping Bags and Blankets – For staying warm at night, you have the option of using sleeping bags or blankets. I have used both and have found that normally sleeping bags are a better option. The exception would be in July and August when nighttime temperatures around here can stay around 85F. That is rough when you are used to a cool 68F at home. It is nice to have a lightweight blanket to kick off when it gets too hot. Most blankets are too thin to use in temperatures under 60F. You can pile up several, use a thick comforter, or bring a heavy wool blanket. These would keep you warm, but they take up lots of space and can be hard to carry.
Sleeping bags will allow you to zip up inside to avoid drafts. They also roll up conveniently, so even the biggest and heaviest bag is easier to maneuver than a pile of blankets. They are specifically designed for different temperatures, so you know you will be comfortable with just your one sleeping bag. As a side benefit, a zipped up sleeping bag is significantly less likely to get creepy crawlies like spiders and scorpions inside.
You always need to check the temperature rating before purchasing a bag. I love my winter sleeping bag, but it is rated down to -27F. If I try to use it in temperatures over about 45F I will sweat all night. In warmer temperatures, I switch to one of my lighter bags. I suggest that your bag should be rated to freezing at 32F if you plan to camp in the fall or spring. A bag like this could still work fine for summer as well. When you pick a bag, watch out for the size and weight. This can vary greatly from bag to bag and will affect how you pack for your trip.
Camping Mats – For a long time I thought that camping mats were for sissies and old people. Man, I was wrong. While a sleeping mat can and does make your setup more comfortable, there is a much more important reason for bringing one. When you sleep without insulation between your body and the ground, the earth will suck the heat right out of your body. You will typically wake up shivering after sleeping just a few hours. A sleeping mat will insulate your body from the ground so you can stay warmer.
Air mattresses can help, but all they really do is raise you up off of the ground. They do not prevent your body from losing heat to the ground below through the pocket of air created. There are lots of different insulated mats, and my favorite is both insulated and inflatable. You will want to check the R value of any insulated mat. The colder your camping weather will be, the higher the R value should be. You will typically see them anywhere from an R-value of 1 for a cheap blue foam mat or as high as a 10 or 11 for the type of mats I use. You will see R values on other types of insulation like for homes and cars. Again, you should always consider the size and weight of your sleeping mat for packing purposes.
Lighting – While I have camped without lights before, it is more difficult than you would think. Trying to find something in your tent or trying to get out to pee are not easy tasks. While I’m sure you have a flashlight app on your phone, you should have other options for lighting. This is not just for convenience. You can easily be injured if you cannot see where you are stepping.
Lanterns are a great option for camping as you can set them down and work hands-free. They also light in 360 degrees, so they can light up your whole camp. There are lots of great LED options, or you can go with an old-fashioned fuel lighter. Headlamps are great because you can aim the light with your head, but they are still hands-free. Flashlights are great too, but require the use of one of your hands. Both headlamps and flashlights are usually waterproof and made of aircraft aluminum these days, so they are tough as nails. Glow sticks are nice to have as you can just toss them around or have the kids wear them around their necks.
Miscellaneous Gear – A knife is vital for a camping trip, so be sure you have at least one quality blade with you. A multitool could count for this as well. For processing firewood, a hatchet or folding saw can make a big difference. I always end up using twine or 550 paracord for a clothesline or some other little project. Duct tape is another item I always end up using at some point. Finally, sunblock and bug spray should be part of any camping trip.
Luxury Gear
If you want to step up the fun or comfort level on your camping trip, there are some additional items you should consider bringing.
Fire/Cooking Tools – I have been on camping trips where we ate nothing but cold meals and watched the sunset instead of watching a campfire. It was still fun, but it wasn’t the same. My family goes all out on the food for camping trips with hearty breakfasts, big dinners, and smores over the fire. For building the fire you will need a lighter, some newspaper, and firewood. Then you will need to bring any pots and pans you need to do the cooking.
Foil is a good idea as much of what we cook can be wrapped and then just tossed in the coals. You can also bring charcoal for a grill or bring a propane camp stove. I often bring both just in case there is no time to build a fire. We take our cooking gear to the next level with a full outdoor kitchen including a gas grill, a charcoal grill, two electric burners, a toaster, a coffee pot, and a frier.
Mini Fridge or Cooler – We often just stick to water from the faucet or closest stream for drinking, but you may want some cold beverages or to keep food cold. We have a refrigerator in our camper, but we often just pack up a cooler. With coolers, you will get what you pay for. Some of the higher-quality coolers will keep food cold for up to a week without adding any ice. Others will need ice added every day.
Pillows – While pillows are a luxury item for most people, they become more of an essential every year I camp. My wife and I have back, neck, and shoulder issues so we cannot sleep without a pillow. Full-sized pillows are tough on camping trips and tend to get dirt all over them. There are now inflatable camping pillows that take up almost no space. They are not as nice as what you have at home, but much better than nothing.
Electricity – There are lots of camping sites that have electricity available. This can light your camp, charge your devices, let you play some music, and help run any gear that needs power. However, having your own power source opens up your options for where to camp. I love that we can camp out in the wilderness with nobody around and still have electricity. We have a gas-powered generator that works great for these trips. It is a bit noisy, so we run it before we leave for our trip and then it stores the power for when we need it. You can also charge many large power banks just by plugging them in at home before you go. In addition, we always have several pocket-sized power banks for our smaller devices.
Seating – Some campgrounds will have a picnic table for seating, but that is about it. I suggest you always have some folding chairs with your gear unless you prefer the ground. You can also bring a variety of inflatable seating options that might be more comfortable.
Bathroom Setup – Doing your business in the woods is fine and some campsites have bathrooms, but bringing your own bathroom is sometimes better. My sister and her family always bring a portable toilet with a curtain for privacy. You can also set up hanging water systems for washing your hands and even showering if you like.
Wilderness Survival Gear
While camping is normally good harmless fun, it can go south quickly. Do keep in mind that you are staying in the wild and have to face everything that it could throw at you. We do most of our camping far away from other campers. This means getting any kind of help could be difficult. If this happens, you need to have the gear to keep everyone going until they are safe. These items can help you accomplish this goal.
Backup Firestarters – You already have a lighter in most cases, but it is easy to lose that lighter or for it to run out of fuel. I always like to have a couple of backup lighters and a ferro rod. Ferro rods are windproof, waterproof, and require no fuel to start a fire. They are the ultimate backup plan. You may also want some waterproof tinder such as Wetfire Cubes or Firestix in case it is pouring rain. This can allow you to build a fire for warmth, light, cooking, water purification, and signaling for help.
Water Purification – Clean drinking water is one of the most valuable resources you can have for survival. If you do not have access to clean water, you will need to purify whatever you can find. You can boil the water if you have a fire, but this can take some time. You also may not have a fire. Filter bottles, straw filters, and gravity-fed bladder filters are all going to eliminate 99.999% of harmful pathogens. Without purification, most water would make you sick with diarrhea and vomiting. You should also bring a backup plan like iodine tablets.
Bivy Sacks and Emergency Blankets – If you were planning on sleeping under the stars or your tent gets ruined, it is good to have a backup plan to stay dry and warm. Emergency blankets are waterproof and the shiny side reflects 90% of your body heat back to you. The nicer ones are made of tarp material and have grommets at the corners. You can use them to build a shelter or just to wrap up. Bivy sacks are just emergency blankets sewn into a sack like a sleeping bag. Either option can help you fend off the primary reason for wilderness survival deaths, hypothermia.
First Aid Gear – You never know what kind of injuries could happen on a camping trip. It is vital that you have a basic first aid kit along with knowledge of how to use it. I suggest building your own so you have the items you specifically want. Important items should include bandages, prescription medication, antibiotic ointment, medical tape, gauze, prescriptions, burn ointment, and allergy medication.
Miscellaneous Gear – Other items that could help in a survival scenario are a map and compass of the area. If you do any hiking or need to hike back to civilization, you will need these. Signaling mirrors and whistles can help rescuers find you if needed. You can also bring dried survival foods or MRE’s in case you run out of the primary food you brought. If a weekend camping trip turns into a week or longer, you will be happy you brought it.
Camping trips can look very different from one person to the next. That is part of the beauty of it. Camping is an affordable and exciting way to go on vacation and enjoy the great outdoors with family and friends. You can rough it to test your grit, or you can go glamping and enjoy some comfort. You can head for the middle of nowhere, or camp at a big campground with a pool and a game room. The choice is yours. Whatever kind of camping you do, review your gear with this list and see if there are any changes you need to make to have the best time possible.