14 Must-Have Camping Essentials
/Camping is something people love to do so much that some of us have a tradition of going to their favorite spot every weekend or month. When you are this invested in this activity, you should also spend some money on making your experience much better than it already is.
Camping is fun and gives you a much-needed break from the stress of life. However, it can quickly go wrong if you go unprepared. It also depends on the people. While the main purpose of camping is to enjoy nature, everyone has a different way of doing it. Some like to unplug from the world completely and live the lifestyle without any technology. Other people like to mix it all and create a balance. After all, there is no harm in elevating your experience with a bit of help. Having said that, there are some things that you should definitely take with you the next time you go camping. The list we have provided in this article is a mix of things that are must-have and things that will give you some help in adjusting to the lifestyle (even if you are camping for just a few days). Have a look below and see if you are missing anything on your camping trip check-list!
1. A First Aid Kit
No matter how much you are familiar with the place, you should always have a first aid kit. In fact, you do not have to go camping to have a first aid kit. It is something that should be in every household or your car. No matter where you go, a first aid kit can literally save lives. This fact alone should shed light on how important a small first aid kit can be.
As you go camping, there are many risks involved. Even the smallest bruises or falls can end up being more complicated because of negligence and lack of care. A first aid kit will help you take the situation under control (even if a little bit). Take all the necessary medicines with you. Some people have allergies, and they do not carry any anti-allergy medicines with them. Even if these allergies are not frequent, you never know how and when your body might react.
2. A Good Quality Camera
If you are not going to take a camera to your camping trip, are you even going on a trip?! While unplugging and living the camp-life in its most authentic way is great, we would still recommend you take a camera with you. It feels amazing to capture the memories and then to be able to look at them later on. Even if you go camping frequently and think it is not worth it, we would still say take a camera with you! You never know when you come across something that you wish you could capture in a frame forever!
While we are on the subject of a camera, you should get a good camera. In this day, there are plenty of options that are available at an affordable price, so you should not have trouble finding a good model. Be careful of the lens you buy because that also matters. If you want to invest a little more, remember to buy Nikon d5300 lens as it will make your pictures so much more crisp and colorful.
3. A Bug Repellant
It is not just anti-allergy medicine that is important. You should take bug repellents with you as well. Insects and bugs can be nasty, especially when it comes to camping. Out there, who knows what is creeping in the darkness. Bugs can be one thing that stops many people from living their best lives and going camping, and we get it, they can ruin everything. Unless you want to spend your nights scratching your arms (or even worse, get an allergic reaction to a bite), you should really take a good bug repellent with you. It is not just for convenience but for safety. Trust us as it can transform your experience.
4. A Map or GPS
No one likes being lost in the wilderness, except for some people. However, they are professionals and enjoy exploring places. Most of the campers, on the other hand, just want to spend quality time in nature. Without a map or a GPS, there are chances that you will get lost and it can get pretty ugly in some cases, especially if it is dark. Before you go camping, you should always get a map of that place( physical or digital). The best thing to have is one the best travel apps because it can be a great help and is always updated.
Download one of the best off-line navigators “MapFactor” one of the top travel apps in 2020!
5. A Water Filter
Water is necessary, and while you are out in the woods, it becomes even more necessary than ever. There is hardly any water in the wilderness, and even if there is, who knows if it is clean enough to drink. You need more water when you go camping. There is so much you do when you are camping, from hiking to cooking and doing other things, that you need to stay hydrated at all times. When it is hot, your water intake should double!
If you are going camping for one or two days, maybe you can make do with the water you take with you, but you cannot take a lot of water with you which is a huge limitation. You should always have clean water to drink because let's be serious, it's not healthy to drink water that is not properly filtered. It can be a hazard and cause diseases. A water filter is a great option.
6. A Cooler or a Heater
In order to make your trip more comfortable, it is a good idea to take a cooler in summers, and a heater in winters. A cooler will keep your drinks cool. Nothing feels better than chilled drinks in summer when you are in the middle of nowhere.
In winters, while you can wear layers to ward off the cold, you should think of buying a mini heater. Nothing can beat the campfire, but some people can have a hard time getting a fire started. If you do not want a heater, you should at least take the right tools with you like a lighter, matches, or magnesium fire starter.
7. A Campfire Tripod
One of the best things about camping is cooking on fire! We have to say, the food tastes better and there is nothing better than listening to the crackling of the fire and brewing tasty food on top of it. There is nothing about coking on fire that will ever get old. However, you do have the option to make it easier than ever.
You can get a tripod. That would hold your dutch oven over the fire at a height where your food can get the perfect temperature. To make sure that your tripod doesn't tip over, you can shove the tripod's legs down into the ground. Also, it would be better if you set the apparatus up over a smaller fire as it will be much easier!
8. A Tent
How are you planning to camp if you do not have a tent with you? It is better if you invest in a good quality tent once instead of switching to different ones.
You need a tent that is quite steady so that it won’t get blown off because of some wind or heavy rain. A good tent must be water-resistant and should be made of strong material. There are different sizes available and so many varieties that most of the tents look more like a collection of mini rooms when they are set up. Get the tent that best suits your need.
9. Sleeping Bag
Some people decide to skip on a sleeping bag or even if they do take one, they do not pay much attention to what they are getting. Your sleeping bag is crucial because it is where you will be able to sleep and rest. If you are not well-rested because the bag is uncomfortable or too hot or too cold, you would not be able to enjoy your trip. Also, you will have the perfect opportunity to sleep underneath the stars as there is nothing more beautiful than that!
Get a sleeping bag that is lightweight (you do not want unnecessary weight on your back), durable, and easy to clean.
10. A Good Pillow
Always keep a pillow with you, whether you are going camping or are traveling. Believe us, once you snuggle into your sleeping bag at night, you will regret nothing more than not bringing a good pillow with you! Not having a good pillow can tire you out, and worse, you can develop a neck or backache. That is especially true for people who already have back issues. One of the common causes of backaches is not having a proper pillow, and you do not want to spend the rest of the trip wishing someone would give you a back massage.
You should not be afraid of investing money in your pillow because it can really help you out whether you are out camping or are traveling in a car/plane.
11. A Rain Jacket
There are some places that are cold and rainy. If you happen to camp in such places, you must take a rain jacket with you. Even if you think there are no chances of rain, you should still have one because you never know about the unpredictable weather, it can change in minutes. A rain jacket is important because if you do not have one on a camping trip, and it starts to rain, you will be unable to do anything.
Not only that but if it starts raining when you are far from your tent, you will get soaked and probably get sick in no time. That is why taking a rain jacket is a precautionary measure everyone must take.
12. A Flashlight or a Torch
Do not think you can camp without any light. Sitting under the black sky and enjoying the stars seems a lot of fun until you need to make a cup of tea or do something else in the darkness. It is not fun to stumble around, unable to see anything clearly.
Almost everyone has a phone these days, and they think that their mobile phone's torch will be enough. Do not fall into that trap. Your mobile phone is not your torch, but it has far more important functions to do. Do not drain your phone's battery when you can take a flashlight or torch with you. Do not forget to take extra batteries too.
13. A Power Bank
A power bank is necessary if you have a mobile phone with you. Your mobile phone comes in handy at the time of emergencies which is why you should always keep your phone fully charged. We know there is no electricity out in the woods, which is why a power bank is an ideal solution. Get a high-capacity power bank that can charge your mobile multiple times, so you do not have any battery problems during all of your trips.
14. Plastic Sheet
This is such an underrated item when it comes to a camping trip check-list. A plastic sheet is helpful if you want to sit and eat some food out in the open. No need to sit inside your tent or else what would be the point of spending time in nature. Not having a sheet can tie your hands once you are on the site and no one tells you that.
While you go camping, remember that your safety is as much important as anything else. Next time you go camping, do not forget to get inspiration from our list!