Whether you are spending the night outdoors or planning a longer journey in the wild, camping is always a wonderful way to spend some time in nature and connect with your surroundings. However, even the most pleasant of outdoor experiences can quickly turn sour if you’re not adequately prepared. To avoid these situations and ensure your next camping trip is a fun and enjoyable one, here are some of the most important items you should always have in your backpack when camping:
Tent and sleeping bag
Even if you decide to camp in a van or plan on sleeping under the starry skies, it’s crucial to have a tent or another kind of emergency shelter, just in case. Keep in mind that the weather can change drastically and leave you stranded in an unfavorable area, and a tent can help to keep both you and your gear safe and protected. Choose a tent that suits your needs the most, and always carry needed accessories like rope, stakes, tent poles, and a rain fly. You should also have a sleeping bag on hand for the very same reasons, offering comfort and protection if necessary.
Compass and map
We are so used to our smart devices in this modern digital world that we often forget that they can’t be used everywhere. Mobile devices can get low on battery or not have a good enough signal to provide the necessary directions in the wilderness, which is why having a backup is preferred. Always bring a physical map and a compass with you on camping trips, especially if you’re visiting more remote areas, as they can prevent you from getting lost or stranded. Alternatively, you could also invest in a good GPS device that’s specifically designed for outdoor activities.
A high-quality knife
Regardless of the nature of your camping trip, it’s recommended to carry great otf automatic knives with you at all times. Not only are these types of knives robust and durable, but they also represent the ideal multipurpose tool that can help you survive outdoors. Knives can be used for cutting ropes and fishing lines, hunting and preparing food, cutting wood and starting fires, opening packages, untangling vines, or even tightening crews and fixing equipment. With endless practical uses, a high-quality knife can be your number one companion in the wild.
A few fire starters
No caping trip can be complete without a crackling, warm campfire, so make sure you have the necessary tools to quickly and effortlessly start one. This can mean carrying matches, a lighter, flint and steel, or magnesium fire starters. In case you choose matches, ensure they are waterproof, and always bring a backup fire starter in case one of them fails. It might also be challenging to find dry kindling in the wild when you need it the most, so take some kindling with you as well, such as newspaper strips or dry bark in a watertight container.
A good first aid kit
Even though serious accidents and injuries are unlikely to occur during a camping trip, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Not to mention that smaller ailments like scrapes, cuts, and blisters can easily appear after hiking through the woods all day as well. For these reasons, you should always have a good first aid kit on hand. You can either purchase a pre-made one or make your own. In either case, ensure it’s equipped with the necessary items such as antiseptics, bandages, gauze, adhesive, scissors, an emergency whistle, and a CPR mouth barrier. Items such as insect repellent and sunscreen could be quite helpful as well.
Other useful items
Depending on where you go, certain camping trips can be unpredictable, the weather can change quite suddenly, and there may even be a possibility of you getting stuck or lost in an unknown area. That is why you should also pack a number of useful items that can ensure you are protected no matter the circumstances. Above all, this means packing enough water and snacks to survive the trip. You might also want to bring weather-appropriate, water-repellent clothes and an additional layer of clothing to stay warm and dry. Other items like flashlights, toilet paper, towels, and portable chargers could be useful as well.
Camping trips can be as diverse as the gear that’s necessary for ensuring they’re safe and enjoyable. The items mentioned above are just some of the most essential ones you should bring to turn your next camping trip into a success.
