Camping is a great way to get outside and enjoy nature. But before you head out on your camping trip, there are some essential pieces of gear you need to have. Here are the top pieces of camping equipment that you should pack before you hit the trail.
Sheltering gear
When you’re camping, you’ll need to have some sort of shelter with you. You can bring a tent, or if you value simplicity, then you can choose small pop up campers. If the weather is good, you may only need a tarp. To sleep comfortably and stay dry when it rains, your best bet is a lightweight backpacking tent. Useful online sources like the one at www.smartexploring.com, you can find all kinds of guides and articles about how to choose a tent, the different types, and what to look for to choose the right one for your needs.
Also, make sure you check out tarp camping tips because if the weather is still good, you may only need to take a tarp with you instead of bringing a full tent. Tarps are great because they’re lightweight and fold up into tiny packages that don’t take up much room in your bag. Those are two very important things when it comes to backpacking.
Cooking gear
Camping wouldn’t be much fun if you couldn’t eat while you were out in the wild, so make sure you bring a camping stove with you. It must be lightweight and packable, but even more important is that it cooks food that tastes good. There are all kinds of cooking gear options; some people prefer to cook on small backpacking stoves while others like larger propane stoves.
Other cooking-related gear you should make sure to bring includes utensils like a spatula and a spoon, as well as something to store any leftover food or ingredients you don’t use. If there’s room for it in your pack, you may also want to bring some sort of outdoor sink with you so that you can wash dishes without having to hike back to the closest body of water.
Personal gear
Of course, you can’t go camping without some personal gear. It’s important to bring things like toilet paper, soap, sunscreen, toothpaste/brush, etc., but don’t forget about less obvious items. For starters, you should definitely pack a first aid kit while out in the wild just in case something happens to you or a fellow camper and you need some bandages and other supplies. A flashlight or headlamp will also come in handy if you plan on staying up past when the sun goes down, and can also be used for safety during nighttime bathroom adventures.
Cleaning supplies
To make sure your clothing is ready to wear again after you’re done camping, you should bring a camp laundry bag with you. Dirty clothes can be placed in this bag and then washed by hand in the nearest body of water (or even with toiletries like soap). Then, your clothes can be dried out with the sun.
Bring some diluted bleach wipes with you to clean up any messes (if they’re available in your area, of course), and make sure you bring a roll of toilet paper with you on your trip.
Safety gear
Along with a flashlight or headlamp, you should also have something bright with you to use for signalling if there’s an emergency and you need to let people know where you are. A whistle is a great option because it packs well and is very loud so that you can be heard from far away.
Other safety gear includes a first aid kit, as mentioned above. You should also make sure you have a knife or multi-tool with you in case you need to cut something (like rope) during an emergency. If the weather is cold, be sure to pack warm clothes and maybe even a sleeping bag; if it’s hot, take some sun protection along with you.
Check out some cool ways to build a survival kit before you leave home, and make sure to check the weather forecast. If rain is in the forecast, be sure to pack a waterproof backpack cover or poncho for yourself just in case of any unexpected downpours or snowstorms.
Camping is a great way to enjoy nature and get away from the hustle of everyday life. It’s important, though, that you have all the right camping gear before hitting the trail. That includes a tent or tarp for shelter as well as cooking equipment like a stove or propane tank if needed. Also, don’t forget to pack some personal gear, cleaning supplies, safety equipment, and emergency items. Then check the weather forecast before leaving home so you know what kind of clothing to bring with you on your trip.
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