Whether you are pitching your tent in the backcountry or at a campground with bathroom facilities, toilet paper is an essential camping gear item. Headlamps are popular among campers, as they allow for hands-free illumination while traveling around the campsite.
A tarp is useful for keeping equipment dry, making meals and other activities easier, or covering up tents in case of rain. Bungee cords and rope are also important to have on hand to secure tents and tarps at the campsite. Visit https://jamhz.shop/ to learn more.
A tent provides shelter from the elements and a comfortable place to sleep while camping. Tents come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from bivy sacks that weigh only a few ounces to cabin tents that can accommodate several people. They’re also made of different materials, influencing their weight and durability.
Some tents dismantle for easier transport, while others use rigid poles that are less portable but more durable. In addition to the tent itself, you’ll need a ground cloth (tent footprint) and stakes to hold it in place.
Choose a flat spot that drains well and is free from rocks, sticks, and other debris. Spread out the footprint, if not already on the site, and lay down a tent peg / stake at each corner. Then add guy ropes (also known as taut line hitches) to the stakes to pull them tight and reinforce the structure of the tent.
Sleeping Bag
The sleeping bag is the foundation of your camp’s warmth, so be sure to choose one with a temperature rating appropriate for the season and your expected climate conditions. You can boost your comfort by adding a silk or cotton sleeping bag liner, which also prolongs the life of your main insulation.
Sleeping bags come in different shapes and sizes, including mummy and rectangular designs. A mummy-shaped bag is slimmer and features a hood that can be cinched down for extra warmth. Rectangular bags offer more room and flexibility, but can be heavier than mummy models.
Additional features to look for include draft-resistant zippers, resistance to condensation and water-resistant shell materials. If you’re camping with a partner, consider choosing a pair of rectangular sleeping bags that can be zipped together and slept in side-by-side. Some also have internal sleeves for adding a camp pillow.
Sleeping Pad
A sleeping pad cushions and insulates you from the ground, providing warmth, comfort, and support. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from compact backpacking models like Therm-a-Rest’s NeoAir to fluffy mountaineering pads like Klymit’s Static V2.
The R-value of your sleeping pad determines its level of insulation; higher ratings mean more warmth. Therm-a-Rest, REI and MEC (Canada’s gear cooperative) all use the same rating system to make it easy to compare insulated pads like for like.
Some pads have a pump sack that makes it easier to inflate them, while others are designed to be self-inflating when unpacked. Some campers prefer to bring a closed-cell foam pad rather than an inflatable one; they’re more durable, less expensive and take no time to set up at camp. Foam pads can also be used as a seat during the day.
Cooking Utensils
Unlike backpacking, where weight and packability are big considerations, car camping offers the opportunity to bring along much more creature comforts in the form of plush tents, sleeping pads, and, of course, gourmet camp cooking. From a sturdy grill to a handy bench scraper, you can cook up a feast that rivals even the most well-equipped kitchen back at home.
The type of cooking utensils you choose depends on the kind of food you plan to prepare, and whether you’ll be using them in an oven or over an open fire. Ceramic and terra-cotta utensils, for example, can be used in ovens but should never be placed directly over an open flame or they may break. Glass utensils are durable and heat-resistant but they can also crack if dropped. Metal utensils are sturdy and retain heat but can be heavy in larger sizes.
Thermos
A thermos is a bottle that can keep hot things hot and cold things cold. It works by using layers of insulation to reduce heat transfer between the inside and outside of the container. It’s important to use good quality insulation, or your Thermos may not keep its contents hot or cold for very long.
Thermos was founded in 1904 and domesticated vacuum insulation technology, which is now used around the world. It is still committed to helping people protect what they love, today as much as it was when the company began.
To set up your Thermos, first remove the labels from two bottles. Wrap both of them with paper towels to make sure there are no gaps in the insulation. This also helps to prevent the bottles from slipping apart with use. Finally, tape the bottom edge of the top bottle to the bottom of the other one.
Bug Spray
Whether you’re car-camping in Yosemite or backyard-bagging, bug spray is an essential piece of camping gear. It keeps blood-sucking mosquitoes and other bugs away from you, which protects you from diseases they carry like Lyme disease or Zika.
The best bug repellent is a formula with DEET, which decades of research have shown to be the most effective. It’s important to apply it correctly (avoiding hands and eyes), avoid excursions at dusk and dawn, and stay on marked trails to keep you from wandering into brush and tall grass.
If bug spray is too chemical for you, try insect-repelling candles or coils made from safe but effective ingredients like citronella and lemon eucalyptus oil. They smell great and work just as well as DEET-based repellents. And if you’re really serious about bug-free camping, wilderness camp instructors and wildlife biologists swear by treating clothes with Permethrin, which is odorless and kills ticks and mosquitoes on contact.
Bread
Bread is one of the most important things to have on hand for camping. It makes a great breakfast or lunch when you’re out and about, and it can also be used for making sandwiches or other snacks.
Whether you’re making bannock, dutch oven bread, or a bead on a stick, baking homemade bread in camp is an exciting and easy camping skill that everyone should try at least once. All you need is a few simple ingredients and some heat!
To keep your bread fresh for camping, make sure to store it in a cool and dry area. This will help prevent it from becoming stale or developing mold. You can use a breadbox or a reusable plastic bag to store your bread, or you can wrap it in aluminum foil.
Tortillas
Tortillas are an easy and inexpensive meal option for backpackers. Look for a tortilla that doesn’t have too many preservatives and is made with ingredients you can easily find in the grocery store.
Make a simple breakfast by wrapping a tortilla around some berries and some nut butter. You can also eat it for dinner by adding enchilada sauce seasoning, tomato paste from a tube and a protein like dehydrated beans, salami or TVP.
To make homemade trail tortillas, mix all the dry ingredients in a ziploc bag. Add a bit of water to form a sticky dough. Use a fuel or water bottle to roll the dough out until it’s very thin. Then cook it on a hot skillet. When finished, wrap it in a plastic bag and keep in the cooler until needed. This will keep it fresh and moist.
Trash Bags
One of the most important things you can bring with you camping is a trash bag. This simple yet highly useful item is inexpensive, lightweight and super packable. It has several uses while backpacking or hiking that can save you time and money on trail.
Keeping gear dry is vital on backcountry camping trips. Wet clothes can make sleeping in them uncomfortable and even dangerous. It also increases the likelihood of hypothermia, so you want to avoid it at all costs.
Trash bags are a great way to keep your gear dry in an emergency. You can use them as a liner in your backpack to prevent it from getting wet or you can make an emergency stretcher out of them if someone breaks a leg. They can even be used to signal for help if you get lost in the wilderness.
Cash
A little cash is a must-have for emergencies and paying for any extras that may come up while camping. Setting a budget ahead of time is a great way to avoid overspending or letting your family’s camping trip get out of hand.
Another great way to save money on camping gear is by purchasing second-hand or used items. When buying used, it is important to research the item beforehand and inspect it thoroughly. Look for rips, tears and any other signs of wear. Also, if the item has moving parts, make sure they are working properly.
If you are looking to buy used, browse online marketplaces or other pawn shops to see what similar gear is selling for. This will help you determine whether the seller is asking for a fair price. This is especially helpful if you are planning on bartering.