Camping is one of those pursuits that seems to split populations clean in two. For some, it’s a quaint, almost idyllic escape from the noise of modern life; for others, it’s quite literally the worst way imaginable to spend a weekend. We firmly fall into the former camp. In fact, we’re convinced that most people who claim to hate camping simply haven’t done it properly yet.
This guide is here to change that. A small introduction to the magic of waking to birdsong, brewing coffee in the open air, building a campfire with friends, and wrestling with a tent for forty-five minutes.
Below you’ll find a list of things we reckon you genuinely need for a good camping trip – and a fair few things you absolutely don’t. Tents, sleeping bags, knives, beverages – it’s all here.
Camping usually falls apart the moment moisture enters the equation, but the simple fix is a large overhead shelter like this Snow Peak one. It’s a place where you and your friends can sit out of the rain, play cards, drink beer, and listen to music. All things you could do in the comfort of your living room, really.
Montbell O.D. Compact Dripper 4
One of the main appeals of camping is doing everyday things in a far more convoluted way – like making coffee. That said, knowing Montbell, this coffee dripper is probably more efficient than whatever you’ve currently got at home.
There’s only one real way to get peace of mind from those terrifying noises outside your tent at night: keeping some kind of weapon close by. This Opinel No. 08 should be enough to scare off any imaginary baddies – and it’ll come in handy for chopping things, too.
Camping without a chair is a shortcut to having one of the most miserable weekends of your life. Save yourself the mither by purchasing something like this Vango Micro Lux.
When we mentioned things you absolutely don’t need to go camping, this is exactly the sort of thing we meant. That said, these Helinox Vibram Ball Feet are a brilliantly simple fix for wobbly furniture. You never know – they might just save your dinner from ending up on the floor one weekend.
You’d be amazed at how easy it is to lose stuff in a massive field with long grass, so having some kind of storage device is an absolute must. Launch everything from spare tent pegs to car keys in this Gregory box and spend the rest of your evening with total peace of mind.
Nalgene Tritan 1.5L Wide Mouth Bottle
Anyone who’s watched their fair share of Outdoor Boys will know how much that man loves his large Nalgene bottle. He drinks out of it, washes his face with it, and even fills it with hot water to use as a water bottle. Undoubtedly a camping essential.
Ever tried transporting all your camping equipment in Bags for Life? I have, and it’s not fun. Do the sensible thing and get your hands on a large litre-age hiking pack, like this lovely Fjallraven Kajka.
Snow Peak Camping Bucket Jumbo
Not only would this be good for camping, but it would also make the coolest dirty washing basket of all time.
Big Agnes Sarvis CST 2 Ultralight Tent
Although Big Agnes might sound like the name of a scary Salford landlady, it’s actually a brand that produces some of the finest, lightweight tents known to man. This Sarvis CST 2 fits two people, and only weighs about a kilogram, which is mental when you think about it.
Montbell Seamless Down Hugger 800
There are two ways to sleep on a camping trip – drink enough warm lager that you pass out in your chair and wake up with hypothermia, or huddle up in a nice warm sleeping bag. Although the first option is a rite of passage, we’d definitely recommend going with the latter.
I’ve got one of these Helinox Tables permanently set up in my flat, and it’s the strongest piece of furniture I own. More than capable of withstanding the weight of your friend when they inevitably mistake it for a chair.
This Snow Peak Chair vaguely resembles a director’s chair – perfect for directing your idiot mates on how to build their tents, when secretly you don’t actually have a clue yourself.
The obvious number one solution to make you forget all about how cold you are, the bugs, the stench of smoke, your burnt food, the wind, the rain and the permanent lack of phone service is alcohol. Bring plenty of it, and the rest of the weekend will fall into place. Probably.
