Camping, hiking, and backpacking can be so much fun, but it’s even better when you have luxury gear and don’t forget the important stuff. Here’s everything I bring with me when I’m camping for more than a couple nights, hiking for more than 5 miles, or backpacking any amount.
Sleeping
Tent: We have an ultralight two-person we like for backpacking, and a larger 4-person tent for car camping. Good tents usually come with a footprint, but you can use a tarp underneath your tent if necessary. Ideally your tent also has a rain fly just in case it rains in the middle of the night or you expect there to be a lot of dew. (REI)
Pillow: If we are backpacking we have small inflatable pillows, but if we are car camping, we usually just bring the pillows from our bed at home.
Sleeping bag: If you are car camping feel free to bring bedding from home. But you’ll have a much better experience with a high quality sleeping bag. We have bags that can keep us warm in 15 degree temperatures. Some people even use a liner inside their bag to stay warm when they need it. When we get too warm during the night we just unzip and stick a leg out. You want one that is somewhat form fitting to your body because any extra space is room for cold air. I got one especially made for women’s shapes and my partner got one made for his height. We love our down sleeping bags so much! (Marmot)
Sleeping pad: For extra comfort and warmth, you can also use a pad between your sleeping bag and the tent floor. You can get one that folds or rolls up or an inflatable one. (REI)
Sleeping cot: We recently added cots to our car camping setup. Way better than an air mattress! We don’t bring them for backpacking because they are about as heavy as folding camp chairs. Not ideal when we’re trying to keep our weight to 30 pounds total including water. (REI)
Eating and Drinking
Bladder: We use both bottles and bladders for our camping trips. We have a water filter if we know there is going to be somewhat potable water nearby like a flowing stream, but we also may just bring in all the water we intend to consume during the trip. Always overestimate what you’ll need. Always.
Water filter: There are many ways to ensure you are drinking clean water throughout your camping trip. We personally like an easy filter but are exploring other options as well.
Paper towels: it’s a little wasteful, but they are an easy option for cleaning up messes on gear to prevent attracting bugs and animals.
Trash bags: Something you can hang from a clothesline to keep animals away. Remember to Leave No Trace.
Cookware: Planning out your meals will help you determine what you need to bring as far as cooking utensils, pots and pans, etc. There are specialty camp versions of everything, or you may decide not to bring anything but a mountain pie maker and a cast iron skillet to cook over a fire. Don’t forget marshmallow sticks!
Serveware: I like reusables but cardboard or bamboo disposables are fine in a pinch. Be sure they don’t have any sort of coating on them if you intend to throw them in the campfire though.
Cleaning supplies: I usually use biodegradable soap and paper towels.
Animal protection: This can be a bear canister, a bag with rope to hang from a tree branch or other option. You don’t want to leave food in a cooler or out in any way.
Cooler: To keep food and drinks cold. I prefer large ice packs so when they melt my items aren’t floating in water, but ice is always an easy option. I try to keep cheese and other small items in a separate cooler with ice packs and leave the cooler for things like milk and beer since they won’t get soggy.
Wearing
For as much of my clothing as possible, I try to bring natural fibers like wool and cotton. I do also have some more technical clothing as well that helps wick sweat and dew from me.
Bottoms: I almost never wear jeans because they don’t dry quickly so hiking pants and leggings for me, but some people prefer shorts. I usually bring one per day. I’ve been burned before (falling into the river while kayaking) and have needed more than one outfit in a day, but you can also wear the same thing more than one day. No one cares what you look like while camping. (Prana, Patagonia, Girlfriend Collective)
Tops: Regardless of the temperature, I always bring tank tops, short sleeves and long sleeves so I can layer as necessary as the temperatures change throughout the day and night. I wear these items over and over unless I sweat excessively. (REI, Patagonia)
Pajamas: changing into clean pajamas before you slip into your sleeping bag can help keep it clean since it’s so hard to launder.
Underthings: sports bras, underwear, socks, etc. I bring just a few sports bras and wear them inside out the second time. I always pack more underwear than I need. Fresh underwear is the best feeling when the rest of you feels a little dirty out in the woods somewhere. I usually only bring enough socks for the days I’m hiking. I wear dirty socks inside out with my sandals around the fire in the evenings. (SmartWool)
Swim suit: I almost always bring it even if there is no pool. You may find a lake, pond or river you just can’t resist.
Rain gear: It’s important to bring a waterPROOF jacket, not a water RESISTANT one. One with a hood is best. You can also get waterproof pants as well, but it’s not necessary unless you anticipate being wet and cold for a long time like in Iceland or during a winter hike. (Patagonia, Columbia)
Gloves: Speaking of winter, you may decide to bring warm gloves with you as well. If you’re seeing below 40 degrees, you may also consider a winter coat, scarves, and other accoutrement like crampons.
Hat: this could be something warm for winter or a baseball cap for warmer weather. I hear bucket hats are in lately, but I just can’t with some 90s trends.
Hiking shoes or boots: Depending on your needs, you may decide to go with a more lightweight hiking shoe or a more sturdy boot, but both should be waterproof when possible. (Merrell, Ariat)
Sandals: I like thick velcro ones I can adjust as my feet swell throughout the day. I can use them as water shoes and campfire shoes, and even short, flat hikes in them if I need to. (Teva, Toms are good alternatives if you don’t plan on using them for water)
Sunglasses: But don’t bring your fancy ones in case they get dirty, broken or lost.
Relaxing
Hammock: Laying in a hammock is one of the best ways to chill out. Be sure to pack your straps and stand if you don’t anticipate finding good trees for it. (ENO, Kammok)
Camp chairs: Any folding camp chairs will do, but there are awesome anti-gravity ones that will really enhance your experience.
Games: I always bring a deck of cards for the size and flexibility, but board games that can be played on a picnic table or that don’t have small pieces that could get lost in the grass or cards that can blow away in the wind are great as well. If you have room in your car, you can also bring yard games like corn hole, bocce, can jam and others.
Binoculars: If you want to peep some birds or animals from afar, binoculars are a fun addition to your list
Firewood: Make sure it’s seasoned and dry. You’ll want large logs and small kindling as well as a lighter and paper and cardboard scraps.
Safety
Sunscreen: Sun protection is no joke. I’m a bit of a crazy person about making sure I apply it thoroughly and reapply regularly. We were just at a cabin with friends and I was the only one who didn’t get burned. I prefer 50 SPF mineral sunscreen in lotion form, but anything is better than nothing. Aerosols and chemical sunscreens aren’t great for the environment (if it doesn’t say mineral on the label, it’s chemical). Many places like Hawaii and Australia are even banning chemical sunscreens because of the damage they can do to reefs and ocean life.
Bug spray: Even if you don’t think you need it, bring it anyway. You can also bring citronella candles and other bug deterrents but spray is often the easiest and most reliable.
Whistle: If you get lost or need help, a whistle may be louder and use less energy than your own voice.
Emergency blankets: These small foil blankets you often see marathoners wearing after a race can help keep you warm. Hand warmers are also a nice thing to pack if you expect any chilly weather.
Band aids: My partner loves to prevent blisters with bandages like Moleskin, but band aids are still helpful for small cuts. You should also have an Ace bandage and a healthy first aid kit with a variety of common items like allergy pills, ibuprofen, Tums, and antiseptic.
Hand sanitizer and soap: We have biodegradable soap we use for everything and washing your hands with soap and water is always the better option, but in a pinch hand sanitizer will do.
Hand crank radio: I have this hand crank-powered radio and flashlight device that I would use in an emergency, it’s the size of a can of soda and if my phone and headlamp died, I could use it to listen to music and get some light.
Toilet paper: Just in case your campground runs out in the middle of the night, or if you are primitive camping. You should also consider a portable loo or double doodie bags if you need to pack out your personal waste.
Jumper cables: And generally a car safety kit. You may need to turn the headlights on for a bit or charge phones so it’s best to not get stranded with a dead battery and no cell service.
Knife: Many people bring a knife or ax as well for odds and ends set up and firewood management.
Miscellaneous
Backpack, day pack: Obviously if you’re backpacking you’ll need something to carry everything. You can mostly get away with a 30-40 liter pack for most short trips. But it’s also nice to have a smaller day pack that’s only 10-15 liters for hiking and exploring. (Osprey, Mountain Hardwear)
Hair ties: no one wants you to accidentally light your hair on fire; pull it back. Rock a braid or top knot.
Headlamps: It’s nice to have a lantern or flashlight as well, but to keep the number of items we need to bring low, we just bring headlamps. The brightness and angle can be adjusted on the ones we have. (Black Diamond)
Towel or sarong: We have a small hand town made of microfiber as well as a thin sarong-style blanket we can use as a towel as well. Again, if we are car camping, we just bring beach towels from home.
Deodorant and other toiletries: I like to keep a fragrance-free set of toiletries for camping and outdoor trips. I’m not bringing perfume to attract bees my way, or anything of the sort. My camping toiletries are bare bones and I may not even bring a hair brush. My fingers work just fine for my hair for the most part. Toothbrush and paste, deodorant, facial cleansing wipes. I like using these wipes just before bed once I’m already in my tent to get all the bug spray and sunscreen off. You may need to bring additional sanitary items if for example you need to stick your dirty fingers in your eyes to remove your contacts. You do you.
Solar charger: I have a small hand held solar charger for my devices. It’s not a battery so it only charges when it’s in direct bright sunlight, but I can usually make sure all my devices are charged by sunset and make it through the night just fine. Airplane mode helps too if you need it. I also have been bringing a power bank lately for car camping trips. Definitely leaving that heavy item at home for backpacking though.
Clothesline or rope: to hang food, trash, wet clothes, etc.
Bags: I bring dry bags to keep wet things separate from dry things, ziplock bags for period products or toilet paper I can’t dispose of immediately, and beeswax and reusable baggies for leftover food and other items I want to keep covered.
Corkscrew: I will not be caught with a bottle of wine I can’t open. Usually I try to bring only screw tops or other options, but a good one to have just in case.
Trekking poles: Great for elevation gain and icy spots along the trails. They can also be used as poles in some tent/tarp combos in a pinch. (Black Diamond)
Downloaded offline maps: Download offline Google Maps to your phone so even if you don’t have cell service you can still navigate home.
If you know you’re staying somewhere that is known for having a bunch of bugs, I recommend a mosquito head net. It’s basically a drawstring bag that you can wear over a wide brimmed hat to keep the bugs at least out of your face.
Duct tape: Because it can fix everything including holes in your tent.
Cash: Some parks and campgrounds only accept cash. Plus it’s nice to have for emergency vending machines or tipping anyone who assists you during your trip.
I know that’s a lot. I’m happy to help you pack or plan your next camping trip. I promise it’s a blast, even if it’s a little extra work!