6 Essentials for a Comfortable Camping Trip

Comfortable Camping Trips need planning! Mention camping to some people and they’ll run a mile. The idea of sitting in a freezing cold tent, hoping that the rain isn’t going to leak through and soak all of your stuff doesn’t sound like a fun way to spend your time. But camping doesn’t have to be like that. Most people that have had bad camping experiences were just unprepared. If you plan properly and take all of the right equipment, camping can be amazing. There are some amazing camping spots around the world where you can really get up close and personal with nature. It’s the best way to see natural landscapes and it’s so relaxing to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. If you’ve written off the idea of camping, it might be worth giving it another try. This time, make sure you get everything on this essential camping equipment checklist.

The Right Tent

Getting the right tent will make your camping experience so much easier. If you just go for a cheap one, you’re likely to get leaks and you won’t have that much space in there so it’ll be a pain to do simple things like getting changed. When you’re picking a tent, there are a few things that you should look for. First off, you should always go for one that has a sewn in groundsheet. If the tent is completely sealed around the bottom, you’re not going to get any leaks. Then you need to look at the hydrostatic head rating of a tent. The hydrostatic head rating is measured in millimetres and it refers to the height of a column of water that a tent can hold before it leaks. For example, if you take a tent with a hydrostatic head rating of 3000, that means you could stand a column of water 3000mm high and it wouldn’t seep through. It’s a good way of measuring how water resistant the tent will be so you want as high a number as possible. However, even with a high hydrostatic head rating, the tent can still leak if the seams aren’t protected properly. You need to check the seams and make sure that they’re taped up properly.

As well as the waterproofing on a tent, you need to consider the space inside. The sleeping area needs to be fairly big so you’re not cramped in there but it’s more important to think about the space in the porch area. It’s best to find one that has a large porch area with enough room to stand fully upright. It’ll make it so much easier to get changed in the morning and there’s plenty of room for all of your stuff.

Usually, buying a cheap tent is a bad move. If you’re going to become a regular camper, a decent tent is a good investment.

A Good Sleeping Bag

A lot of people don’t put much thought into sleeping bags because they think that they’re all pretty much the same, so they just go for the cheap option. But that’s not the case at all and there is actually a big difference in the quality of sleeping bags. It’s best to get a mummy bag with a hood if you’re camping in particularly cold conditions and always go for a more expensive, thicker one. A good camping pillow is also a worthwhile purchase. You can pick them up pretty cheap and they make all of the difference when you’re trying to get comfortable in your tent.

Waterproof Lighters

Sitting around the campfire is one of the most magical things about camping, as long as you can get the fire started in the first place that is. If it’s the middle of summer and the weather is warm and dry, it’s not too difficult to get a fire going with some matches or a lighter. But if the weather isn’t so good, it can be a real struggle. The good news is, there is an easy solution to that. You can get some great waterproof fire lighting devices like the Everstryke Match. Waterproof lighters will work in almost all conditions so you can always get a fire going wherever you are.

Camping Chairs

Comfort is the most important thing when you’re camping, if you aren’t comfortable, the experience isn’t going to be very good. So, never underestimate the importance of a good camping chair. Most of them are pretty similar so there’s no need to go for the most expensive ones if you don’t want to. The really cheap ones probably won’t last but a good mid range one will do the job just fine.

Solar Powered Chargers

Image From Wikimedia

Even though you’re trying to get away from it all, you still want to be connected. It’s also important to have a phone on you in case of emergencies. But your phone is useless if the battery runs down and the batteries on modern phones don’t really last that long. You can get a portable charger that you charge from the mains and they’ll last you quite a few days. If you’re going on a longer trip though, you need something more reliable. There are some great solar powered chargers out there so, no matter how long you’re camping for, you can always keep your devices charged.

Hiking Boots

Image From Pexels

If you’re out in nature, you want to go and explore as much as possible, which usually means a lot of walking. If you’re hiking around in your normal shoes, your feet aren’t supported and you’ll end up feeling sore at the end of the day. If you’re going to be walking a lot, especially over difficult terrain, you need to invest in some good hiking boots. On a normal camping trip, you probably don’t need to shell out for the most expensive hiking boots because they’re designed for serious climbing. But the cheapest options won’t be much better than a normal pair of trainers. Try to look for something mid-range that offers good support but doesn’t cost the earth.

Camping can be terrible if you don’t prepare properly but if you get all of the essential equipment, your trip will be a huge success.   

A Collaborative Post

You’d also enjoy: