Ready to get outdoors, but don’t know what gear you need? This no-frills list has everything you need and nothing you don’t.
Outdoor hobbies can be intimidating. They require specific gear—most of which is shrouded by all sorts of marketing jargon and acronyms—that can be overwhelming to navigate as a beginner. In reality, camping is simple! Sure, there’s a lot of stuff to stock up on in the beginning, but truth be told, you don’t need as much stuff as you might think. In my quest to help more people get outdoors and enjoy the thrills (and relaxation) of camping, I put together this straightforward guide to must-have camping gear for beginners.
Note: For the purposes of this article, I’ll assume you’re going car camping, which means you’ll pack all of your belongings in your car, drive to a campsite, and set up camp near your car. (Backcountry camping requires a whole different set of gear, so that’s for another day.)
Shelter
A tent or other shelter should be one of your first camping gear investments. Photo by Amanda Capritto.
Your shelter is arguably the most important item you can take camping. In most cases, a camping shelter is a tent, though there are other options, like hammocks and canopies. A tent provides protection from precipitation, wind, and coldness. Depending on what time of year you plan to camp, you could get by with a 2-season tent (spring and summer) or a 3-season tent (spring, summer, and fall). If you plan to do any winter camping, it’s wise to invest in a 4-season tent, which will keep you warmer and more protected from snow, sleet, and hail.
Tip: Don’t forget a tarp or tent footprint to place beneath your tent. This prevents water from seeping in through the tent floor and seams. Guylines are also helpful in case of windy weather. And don’t forget to bring your tent stakes.
Sleep System
A cot or sleeping pad is essential for comfort and warmth. Photo by Amanda Capritto.
Sleeping on the ground isn’t everyone’s idea of fun, but with the right tools, it can be surprisingly comfortable. First and foremost, you’ll need a sleeping bag rated for the weather you plan to camp in. Sleeping bags are rated in degrees, such as 0-degree, 20-degree, and 30-degree. A bag rated for 40 to 60 degrees is great for spring and fall camping, whereas a bag rated for 30 degrees or lower is ideal for winter camping. In the summer months, you may not need to use your sleeping bag, or you can sleep with it unzipped.
In addition to a sleeping bag, you’ll need a sleeping pad or cot. Cots tend to be more comfortable since they are elevated from the ground, but pads are lighter and easier to pack. Sleeping pads are rated with R-values, which refer to how warm the pad will keep you. The higher the R-value, the more insulated the pad. You can choose from an inflatable pad or a foam pad depending on your preferences. And don’t forget a camp pillow!
A two-burner gas stove is excellent for camping. Photo by Amanda Capritto.
You don’t want to go hungry at camp, so be sure to invest in a camp kitchen setup. Like all things camping, cooking systems range from super basic to ultra-luxurious. Here’s what I recommend for a seamless but not overdone camp cooking setup:
Propane or butane stove with two burners
1 anodized aluminum kettle
1 cast iron or carbon steel skillet
1 Dutch oven
Pour-over coffee kit
Stainless steel spatula and serving spoon
A set of sporks
Wood cutting board
Collapsible sink for washing dishes
Biodegradable camp soap
Bear bin or bear bag to keep wildlife out of food
Water Storage or Water Filtration
If you’re camping with a potable water tap, no need to bring water or filtration devices. If you’re camping without a freshwater amenity, these items are necessary. Instead of bringing cases of bottled water, I recommend purchasing a five- to 10-gallon refillable water container with a spout. This is cheaper for you, since it’s a one-time purchase and you can fill it at home before hitting the road. It’s also better for the environment since you won’t be using so much single-use plastic (and you’ll have less trash to dispose of after camping). If you’ll need to filter water from natural sources, pick up a kit from LifeStraw, Sawyer, Platypus, Katadyn, or Grayl.
Camp Chair
Your fur friend will appreciate a nice camp chair, too. Photo by Amanda Capritto.
Even though many established campsites have picnic tables, a comfy camp chair elevates the camping experience. It doesn’t have to be something over-the-top: One of my top camping gear recommendations is a simple folding outdoor chair.
Cooler
Essential for keeping drinks cold and preventing food from perishing, a good ice chest is a camping must-have. Rotomolded coolers tend to perform the best, though if you’re only camping for a couple of nights, you can get away with less expensive models.
I recommend bringing a variety of lights on camping trips to make it easier to get around during evenings and at night. I typically have:
Headlamps for targeted tasks like cooking in the dark
Lanterns or string lights for general lighting around the campsite
Flashlights for extra light when needed
Appropriate Shoes and Clothing
Make sure to pack good shoes that can keep your feet warm and dry. Photo by Amanda Capritto.
This probably goes without saying, but make sure to wear and pack clothes and shoes that are appropriate for the weather and activities you will encounter. Good hiking shoes and a rain jacket are almost always a must.
Garbage and Waste Kit
If you’re new to camping, you’ll likely be someplace that has bathrooms and trash services. If so, great! But if you for any reason find yourself camping in areas without such services, such as in drive-in National Forest or Bureau of Land Management campsites, it’s critical that you devise a way to deal with your garbage and waste—yes, your waste.
For trash, it’s simple: Pack it in, pack it out. Bring trash bags with you and have a way to store and carry your trash. I use the Kelty Trash Pak, which can fit a few days to a full week of garbage.
You have a few options for solid human waste and toilet paper. The most environmentally friendly option is to pack it out. This isn’t appealing, of course, but items like WAG Bags make it easier. I recommend this option if you are camping in a heavy-use location without toilets, because eventually, there won’t be room to dig any more holes and the environment will literally become saturated with human waste.
That brings me to the next option: cat holes. In low-use areas, it’s acceptable to dig a hole for your waste. If you choose this option, the hole must be 6 to 8 inches deep and 4 inches in diameter, and you must dig at least 200 feet away from any body of water (or any dry area where water obviously flows during storms). In certain wilderness areas, you may be allowed to bury your poop but required to pack out your toilet paper. Always follow the regulations of the area you are recreating in.
Finally, for car camping, a portable toilet is an option. The Luggable Loo is a popular option; when you’re done camping, you can find an RV dump station to get rid of the waste. Another option, the CleanWaste Portable Toilet + Waste Kit, utilizes something similar to a WAG Bag, which you can throw in the trash.
Never go camping without a first aid kit. Though you are likely to be safe, there’s always a possibility of encountering scrapes, burns, blisters, bug bites, snake bites, spider bites, or other injuries that require care. First aid kits range from basic kits with bandaids, pain medication, and blister care to extensive systems with snake venom removers, tourniquets, and other advanced medical tools.
At a minimum, I recommend keeping the following items in your first aid kit:
Band-Aids in multiple sizes
Moleskin patches
Various types of pain medication (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.)
Various types of allergy medication (antihistamines, decongestants)
Roller bandage with self-closure (like an ACE Bandage)
Non-latex gloves
Tweezers
Oral thermometer (non-mercury, non-glass)
You may also choose to have the following first aid items for more serious injuries and conditions. In all likelihood, you won’t need these items for campground camping, but they are worth considering if you plan on doing unguided activities like hiking, mountain biking, or whitewater paddling (if you have a guide, they should have emergency care items).
A portable lithium generator that can charge via DC outlets or solar panels is good to have for charging devices. Photo by Amanda Capritto.
In addition to a first aid kit, I recommend keeping an emergency grab-bag in your car for camping. It may be overkill, but these items are good to have, camping or otherwise. Here’s what I recommend for an emergency grab-bag:
When spending time outdoors, the National Park Service recommends having these essential items at all times: navigation (map, compass, GPS); sun protection (sunscreen, sun shirt and pants, hat, sunglasses); insulation (hat, gloves, jacket, socks); illumination (headlamp, flashlight); first aid supplies; fire-starting supplies; repair kit and tools; nutrition; water and water treatment supplies; shelter.
What is the rule #1 of camping?
The No. 1 rule of camping is to leave no trace (LNT). This means properly dealing with all of your garbage, pet waste, and, if necessary, human waste. In other words, leave the campsite exactly as—or better—than you found it.
What camping gear is essential?
A shelter, sleep system, cooking system, first aid kit, lights, emergency items, water/water filtration, and a way to pack out waste are essential for all types of camping.
While getting off-grid is part of the appeal of camping, staying connected can help keep you and your family safe in the event of emergencies (or just to look up your next adventure). Learn how TravlFi can elevate your camping experience.
Article By: Amanda Capritto
Amanda Capritto is a fitness and outdoors journalist who travels full-time in a Winnebago camper van. Her work has appeared in national and global outlets like Lonely Planet, Reader's Digest, CleverHiker, CNET, and more.
We're sorry.
Your browser is no longer supported by TravlFi.com.
Please download the latest version of a modern browser:
