Outdoor Adventure USA

Must Have Things For Camping

What camping gear is a "must have" when you go camping?
You can construe this question in any fashion you like. This is one of those opportunities for us to learn from everyone. So, its time for you to give us the things that are a must have for you, that are unique, different, or new, things that you have fabricated, and anything that will improve the camping experience. So, consider the following as a guide:

Is Comfort the must have?
Is Security the highest priority?
How about staying warm and dry with a good night sleep?
Is good food the top priority?
How about if you could only take 10 things?
Is it the most overlooked items by most campers?

Post up your list! What's most important in your world?

I will start this off with a couple of thoughts.

I have to say the most important things for me are:

Good camping companions and friends. Some people may like to sit in the woods by themselves - not me. If I end up at camp alone - let's say, I needed to get there early to secure the site - I find I go to bed as soon as I eat my supper.




Next is a tent and warm sleeping bag, pillow, mattress, and blankets. A cold sleepless night just ruins the trip. I could eat hotdogs and not take a shower for a week if I have to (prefer not to). I don't even need to stand up in the tent if it block the wind and keeps me dry. I just need a good nights sleep.
If it helps you decide on what is important to you, here are some areas for thought.

Shelter
Sleeping
Food
Food Prep
Garbage
Emergencies
First Aid
Tools
Navigation
Communication
Bathroom
Clothing
Hygiene
Office (pass port, money)
EDC - Essentials
Meds
Protection

Product spotlight.

Car Awning

https://www.amazon.com/Yescom-6-6x8-2-Rooftop-Shelter

My short list of key items that make any trip more enjoyable.

1. Some type of shade beyond sitting in a hot car
2. Something to sit on besides my car
3. Something to drink besides the warm water that is
In my car
4. Something to eat besides what I can find between my
Car seats
5. The ability to occupy myself. Book, music, ham
Radio, walking/hiking shoes, friends(2 or 4 legged), etc

Specific items

DTK's Camping Must Haves

Some of the most important things that I work to "have" on all my camping trips, are ones that you cannot buy, make, or pack in the 4x4. But, they are ones that can make for the very best camping experiences. It is the camaraderie of good company around the campfire, around the meal table, and around the happy hour gathering. It certainly adds significantly when all this can happen in spectacular wilderness settings. Our recent trip photos are the evidence of what this looks like.



While it generally goes without saying, we'll say it anyway. One of the most appreciated "must haves" on any camping trip is the food. Our approach has always been, if it's good enough to prepare and serve at home, then its appropriate to do so when camping, We lack none of the cooking utensils and tools, and, fortunately, we have never lacked the chefs who put a whole lot into the meals they prepare and serve.

Must Haves Beyond Being Basic

My camping "must have" basics pretty much echo those listed above but I’m always looking for equipment that is a little different or provides a little outdoor luxury.


Camp Furniture

Cot -


Having something to sleep on that agrees with your back can make the difference between a very enjoyable trip or a very miserable time. Everyone is different and sometimes it takes awhile to find something that works well for you. Here are a couple of options that are a little different that I’ve found work well for me


Therm-a-rest Luxury Lite Cot

This is great for backpacking, motorcycle camping, or any time where space is tight. It takes a while to assemble and disassemble but is lightweight and extremely compact for a cot.








Oztent King Goanna Cot

At the other end of the cot spectrum from the Luxury Lite is the Oztent King Goanna. This is an extra large cot with padded material that provides extra comfort and a level of insulation. These are large and heavy but work great for people who toss and turn at night. There is more room to move around without falling out than is offered by most standard cots.




Tables -

Having one or more tables in camp is always important. Even at camp sites with tables its good to have extra space for meal preparation, serving, or to use in the event that the campsite table is on the less than cleanly side (i.e. pretty disgusting).


Dining Table - Snow Peak Single Action Table Large

This table has been on many of my trips and is holding up very well. The bamboo surface is more pleasant to use than a hard plastic table. It folds up quickly with a very clever action and has a cover with a handle to make it easy to carry.








Festival Table - Snow Peak Renewed Bamboo My Table

Here is a smaller bamboo table from Snow Peak that is perfect for a single table for eating, as a night stand next to your cot, or to put between a couple of chairs when attend outdoor festivals. Like the larger Snow Peak table it folds in half and has a cover with a handle for carrying and storage.








Chairs -

Camp chairs are always something to have on trips so you have your own portable seating and don't need to sit on logs, rocks, or the ground.

Kermit Chair -

I've mentioned these before but they are worth showing again. They are American made of high quality U.S. sourced materials, disassemble into a very small package, can be folded like a regular lawn chair when assembled, and provide a nice feeling of camp luxury due to their wood construction.

Another important point that wasn't mentioned in the past is that they are repairable. In an age of cheap disposable items that need to be thrown away when they break it's nice to see that there are still items which can be repaired if necessary.

These chairs are a great match for the Snow Peak tables above. With the extension legs they work well with the large table and without the extension legs they are the perfect height for use with the small table. I've received numerous complements for the setup of the small table and Kermit chairs at festivals.



Here is a video on how to assemble and repack the Kermit Chair -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNxKUw_CKhE


Lights -

Lights are another camp necessity. The classic liquid fueled Coleman mantel lantern was the staple for camp lighting for decades. Today there are many options for LED lights that are quiet and don't have the glare of the lanterns of old.

Here are a couple of LED lanterns that have adjustable light levels and can mimic the flicker of a candle if desired.

Snow Peak Hozuki Lantern





Snow Peak Mini Hozuki

There are many comfort-enhancing things that I always ensure I have while camping (e.g., a hat, relaxing chair, thick sleeping mattress, dry and warm sleeping bag, adequate but not excessive lights, tasty and filling meal, cold and hot drinks as desired, etc. etc.). My wife complains that I always bring waaay too much, but my goal is to avoid discomfort, especially hers. I think I’m somewhat successful at this because my wife regularly goes on our expeditions, whereas virtually no other women do.

But for me what really makes a camping trip great—what I must have—are: remoteness away from people other than those in my camping cohort, peace & quiet except while having some good laughs / conversation with said group, feeling of being “out there” surrounded by Nature, a robust campfire at night, and—after the fire burns down—visible stars without light pollution.

Please check in -

John - KN6VL

Bruce - KD6GCO

Check in please - Thanks - Bernie

Sorry for being sort of "off topic" here...but just wanted to say a few things here on the website...and I'll probably use the vehicle
for going camping.

You guys sure know how to camp in style so to speak...LOL...My friends and I camped in less "luxury" LOL...

I haven't camped for a number of years now but I might start again soon.

A couple of days ago I received a 1996, well taken care of, hardly no rust at all, only around the rear wiper, Jimmy GMC SUV,
as a gift from my brother, after not driving my own vehicle for almost 4 years.

He stuck about $3,000.00 into it, as it was his daughter's, or my niece's vehicle, so he wanted to keep it in good shape for her.

He calls it my inheritance, as he was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic Cancer, which now has spread to his liver, so since he feels that he doesn't have much time, he had a celebration of friends and family last weekend, for two days, at a lake and a resort.

He rented a cabin for the weekend, and he also has a boat on the lake where a friend of his has storage for his boat during the Winter. Anyway, he's only 56 and will be 57 if he makes it until December, and I'm 62 and will be 63 in December.

Anyway, we had a lot of fun, and I thanked him for the SUV, and some money that he had given to me.

Now I'm trying to decide whether anyone would want to see the 25 year old vehicle in car/truck shows or not.

However, I probably will use it to load up and go camping with, and he said that I was very welcome, and he also said that I can relax and try to enjoy the years that I have left.

Now I need to decide whether to put HF in the SUV, as I do have one of those HF mobile antennas where you move a jumper to change bands with, or just put in VHF, and/or UHF, as I have mobiles and antennas for those as well.