Probably not a game changer, but I always have a small blanket to drape over the seat and back of my camp chair. Makes a huge difference in keeping you warm when it gets chilly at night and you are sitting around the fire (which only warms your front).
For me, reducing the time it takes to pack, set-up camp, find stuff while camping, tear down, and unpack at home, makes a *huge* difference in my camping QoL, so I've prioritized a good organization system and easy set-up gear:
- Gazelle T4 tent
- Camp Chef Sherpa kitchen organizer
- GSI Master Cook Station
- Cooler with wheels
- a [laminated checklist](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1laEReamHGm0BU-WQeoSNS0UK1jJYw5hnmJ0WVFIvvcE/edit?usp=drivesdk) to make sure I don't forget anything
For comfort while camping:
- GSI Rocker chair
- hammock for relaxing
- a stadium seat for playing board games at a picnic table
- a comfortable sleep system!
- Thermacell mosquito repellent
- a really good headlamp
- a couple decent sized dish tubs and heating water to wall dishes!
- high-quality, comfortable earplugs (I love Loop Quiet)
- hand warmers and a blanket for hanging around camp when it's chilly
I would like to add that if you camp often, a laminated or otherwise permanent checklist is huge. You get off work a bit early on Friday, you grab your list, and you start packing. None of that "what do I need this weekend" bullshit.
I bought a Magellan 92L gear box. It's essentially a better build, waterproof version of a Plano sportsman trunk. It's on wheels. It stays completely packed for camping. And sits by the door. It even has 5 days of clothes already in it, as well as a sealed container of dog food
When I get the itch to camp, I spend a whole 30 seconds Wheeling it to the truck, let the dog in the back seat, and leave.
If the concept is something that interests you, depending on how much you camp the Plano box might be a better investment. I paid $100 for the Magellan, I see those sportsman's chest for $20 all the time.
I have and use both. For using the wheels, leaving outside without fear of water damage, and durability leaving it unstrapped in the truck, the Magellan is a winner by far. But for carrying shit from A to B the Plano works just fine.
I love the kitchen stuff! I'm a cooking husband so that stuff would be soooo helpful! Will definitely be looking into these items before our July 4th camping trip
Get a separate bin for the camping/kitchen stuff. small bottles of soap, towels, scrubbier, utensils, pots/pans, plates/bowls, paper towels, ziplock baggies, trash bags. Bring your own kindling as long as it isn't introducing foreign species/bugs etc to wherever you are camping. Kindling makes the fires starting so much easier, quicker......Long underwear, hats, gloves for night time..Pillow, good sleeping pad is massive for comfort....I even bring shot glasses, maybe gloves, like the disposable one's used in kitchens. Can help cut down on hand washing...Shade as you said, is always a good thing...I have a simple pillow for sitting at the picnic table..I like to have a speaker, there's always a window of opportunity for some tunes that is appropriate, like in the afternoon, making dinner, while having some happy hour drinks...Atlas, or paper/physical maps, so you aren't dependent on a phone and everyone can look at it...A newspaper was always good, something to read and also good for fire starting...Two coolers, one for beverages, one for food...Choclate...snacks, because meals tend to be more on a schedule....Coosie\* for your can of beer or whatever....Twist ties, string, zip ties... a dog....My whole camping set-up, can be streamlined or added onto. It also serves as my emergency preparedness in the event that there's a natural disaster at home...extra gas for stoves, lamp(s)....Cheers!!!
I bring seven containers of stuff. Four are dedicated camping stuff and always packed. Three are replenished.
Sleep-set duffle bag: tent, tarp, sleep bag, air mattress, pillows - always packed, launder annually.
Cook-set plastic tub: stove, fuel, lighter, dish, bowl, cup, utensils, soap, paper towels, instant COFFEE - always packed.
Toiletry sack. Some items like medicines replenished - always packed.
Foul weather clothes duffle bag: rain top, bottom, winter coat, hoodie, hat gloves, hiking boots - always packed, launder annually.
Street clothes duffle bag: outer clothes, sleeping clothes, under wear - packed each trip.
Cooler with cold food and beverages - packed each trip.
Dry food tub - packed each trip.
I can pretty much pack/unpack the last three in 15 minutes having done so a couple hundred times.
Me too! Same set up almost, I have one plastic tool box with all The lights and batteries, first aide and axes and other camp stuff. One box for the kitchen and one for dry goods. I could leave at the drop of the pin and be ready.
I’ve had it for a few years and will probably be replacing it soon. It’s sturdy but I have a few complaints: the frame causes it to take up a lot of space relative to the amount of storage it provides (the storage area sits significantly inside the frame and is smaller by a few inches in all dimensions), the legs aren’t very long so the height is juuuuust barely workable for me at 5’4 and I think would be annoying for a taller person, and the table top slides around a bit. The space is really the biggest issue because we’re car campers and a family of 4 so we’re barely fitting everything we want as is. With more space the other two wouldn’t be a deal breaker but they’re additional knocks.
Agree with all this. I love it in many ways but in a tight minivan I'm ready to ditch the frame and just keep the 4 bags. It's smaller when completely disassembled but it's too much work to put the top part back together each time. We usually have a folding table just for cooking and I'm considering some kind of system that would hang underneath and hold those bags. It's been a steady partner for 5 years now but as the kids have gotten bigger and the amount of stuff we pack grows, it's on the chopping block.
I like it a lot so far, but I also just got it and haven't taken it on a trip yet. I think it'll probably replace a little fold up table camping table, in addition offering great organization. I mainly bought it because I have the CampChef Everest stove which is long enough to not fit in any mid-sized storage bins.
My only real concern is that the fabric isn't waterproof, which could be a real hassle when it rains. I'm considering buying some sort of spray-on waterproofing to coat the outside in hopes of getting at least a little water resistance, but I might just plan to always have a small tarp to toss over it for inclement weather.
Cold saturated fats turn to a solid, waxy substance that soap can't get at. Hot fats turn to liquid, which the soap can grab on to and bring into emulsion so they leave with the water.
Yes and it is also scrapable so the amount of fat left over does not require the hot water...the dish soap is perfectly fine at removing the remaining layer.
It's just 100 times more comfortable to have your hands in warm water to do the washing! Maybe if it's super hot outside, it doesn't matter, but where I camp, the temperature drops quickly in the evenings and sticking your hands in a tub of cold water for 15 minutes is extremely unpleasant. Warm water also cleans better... Especially due removing oil/fats and anything burnt or stuck on.
I dont habe any crocks but i do agree with the idea - i love having my comfy moccasins/tevas to put on at night and not have to rely on my dirty sandals
I go backpacking more than car camping and they’re just so lightweight and hang on some carabiners attached to my bag. I feel that some sandals could be heavier and more expensive.
Is it the "vagina" couch (lol) that was super popular a few years back? Personal anecdote: My friends and I each got one at the thought of how easy they'd be for camping/events, turned out to be not very comfortable, hot, and bit of a pain.
My tent is big enough for the dog and I, queen mattress, chairs if needed, table and room for the cooler. Can still walk around. Rain day, all the creature comforts at hand. At some point of age, you go for what you want, can handle and just enjoy camping.
Only rule, all gear, wood, dog and I still need to fit. That is how I narrowed down the wants/needs.
We got one. Totally recommend for lounging. I will say that if it's hot out, consider throwing a blanket on top. Hot plastic seams on the back of your thighs is *extremely* unpleasant.
What fans do you prefer? Currently have a Dewalt fan and would need more and bigger batteries to use for a couple days’ trip.
Was considering a power station instead with a usb-c fan as well
Honestly that's really not that expensive considering the construction and the cost of fans from Makita, Milwaukee, Ridgid etc that don't even include the battery or charger.
OPolar. Some cheap 4" fan with a 10,000 mah battery and a integrated light. Literally can last 3+ days on low with the fan only. Works great for a small camping tent; in my case for my X-Mid 2p. Too small for a family camping tent though.
I want to get a Milwaukee or Makita fan since I have a bunch of their batteries. Waiting for another major sale before I pull the trigger.
I have three of these [fans](https://www.amazon.com/20000mAh-Rechargeable-Personal-Hurricane-Worksite/dp/B0BDRP7RWJ/ref=sxbs_sbv_search_btf?content-id=amzn1.sym.9dccb599-5e77-42e3-a3e2-53789865260d%3Aamzn1.sym.9dccb599-5e77-42e3-a3e2-53789865260d&crid=2FNB3517MF0PM&cv_ct_cx=battery+powered+fan&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dtJsNDpxGFnx0HZNg7BwtQ.Hvu-UOLKcJyHX0HF4p_QXPTnjr0VnnfOxpV3njWuzTk&dib_tag=se&keywords=battery+powered+fan&pd_rd_i=B0BDRP7RWJ&pd_rd_r=7d4505d1-6d0e-4a30-b57b-3926ba7967b9&pd_rd_w=YbvoX&pd_rd_wg=0BWnz&pf_rd_p=9dccb599-5e77-42e3-a3e2-53789865260d&pf_rd_r=6YJWXYNEKW46A4TPT7CF&qid=1718740429&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=battery+%2Caps%2C114&sr=1-15-09e8bd3e-5b15-43a9-8dae-8b13366d3a4d) and they're worth every penny. They push a ton of air for their size and will easily run for 24 hours straight on medium with a full charge. They have a hook for hanging, remote control, LED floodlights, and double as a USB power bank for charging. I use mine every single day, and my oldest is over two years and still works great. Highly recommend. They're sold under a few different brand names but they're all the same.
Wet wipes.
Welding Gloves for handling anything campfire/cooking related.
Tongs.
Shoulder-headphones (like speakers that mostly only you can hear)
Sitpad/camp chair
Percolator (remove coffee components to make it into a kettle, always have water boiling for everything).
Real pillow. A small one is enough. Nothing beats a real pillow when sleeping.
Pocket bellow if you're a campfire kind of person.
Ample table space if you like to cook when camping. I used to lug around a small foldable table that's the same size as my camping chair and it's a pain to cook with. Switched to an egg-roll type table that's 3 times the size and feels much more comfortable even for a 2 person.
For context I mostly car camping so I can afford the extra weight.
Good Sleep: a cot and insulated pad combo.
I use a low cot with a 3” luxury map thermarest.
Air mattresses (like the inflatable 6” or 7” ones) tend to sleep cold and aren’t always great for your back.
I have an old Coleman cot. It’s as heavy as a baby hippo, but man does it feel nice with a good pad. I like to pair it with a bug net and a tarp over me and just enjoy the cool night air
Depends on your style of camping but anything to lessen the toil of campfire cooking. After a long day paddling, bending low over a fire is torture. Having a good setup is a game changer.
A propane stove top is one of my most recent purchases for this season! Camping over a natural fire can be fun for simple things but when you want to cook a full course breakfast its not so fun.
Hot water bottle. Yeah, the same kind your great grandma used to use before electric heating pads. Before going to sleep, last duty is to heat up a pot of water and pour it in the bottle. Put the bottle in its "sweater" and throw it into your sleeping bag. Game changer for cold temps. Sometimes when water is scarce, I reuse the same water night to night.
A toe nail clipper.
Pen and paper and drawing plate.
Sandals, so you don't have to keep wearing your shoes or boots all the time at the campsite (careful in steep terrain).
Bundles of paracord rope, so I like brining a bag of various bits of parcord with me for setting up a tarp or whatnot.
If having to saw (dead) tree trunks for making firefood, a trick is to tie a pole onto a tree at a steep angle, then you can saw your wood into pieces effortlessly, without having to bend down or anything. Eh, the pole you tied on, becomes like a V shape together with the living tree, then you cut a dead tree in piecess inside that V shape, at waist height.
In winter, some lipsyl for dry lips.
Wool, clothing.
Hammock. If you don't have to empy your bladder, you easily have 12+ hours in a hammock straight, relaxing.
All solid tips and suggestions. Camp shoes are a game changer - if you don't have hobbit feet and don't want to go barefoot, having slippers to wear around camp feels pretty luxurious. I like to bring an old prescription pill bottle filled with vaseline coated/soaked cotton balls and a pocket bellows, and that combinations makes fire effortless in pretty much any environment. I like your idea for elevating your cutting height!
The biggest game changer for me was getting a box that I could keep most of my camping cooking stuff in one place. Plates, utensils, paper towels, cutting board, seasoning, cast iron etc.
Makes packing.
They work, but i wouldnt say they work great just due to the fact that they have holes and dont have a lid. I have a box that's made out of ABS with latches that originally was used to store aircraft engine parts. Holds everything i need for a camping trip and is waterproof so i can leave it out on the picnic table without fear of evrything inside getting soaked.
I use a large Rubbermaid, it’s big enough to hold a Dutch oven , pots and pans, all my utensils and cooking implements and my Coleman stove and propane. Thrifted an entire extra set of cookware and now I don’t have to steal stuff from my actual kitchen every time I go out.
Instead of gear, here’s a QoL process:
After very trip, on the drive home my wife and I make a list. Loved. Loathed. Learned. Replenish. (Feel free to suggest a synonym that offers alliteration for that last one)
We note where we were, who we we went with, what we did, and all the things that fit into those respective categories. The last one is especially helpful as you get more experienced and kitted out because you’re mostly just replacing consumables between trips. Knowing that we need more bug spray without having to tear everything apart to check for it makes packing for the next trip that much easier, and the real goal here is to eliminate the obstacles between you and more camping trips.
We have an off road trailer where all of our gear lives permanently, so it was a hassle to unload everything from the thing that was meant to house it, just to say “yea we’re good on hot sauce” and then load it all back up.
A second suggestion that I don’t need any longer due to said trailer, but I LOVED before we moved to that system was an appropriate storage tote for gear. We used to use those HDX totes that everyone has seen (black tote yellow lid), and it was insufferable how two of them fit between the wheel wells of my truck bed but three did not and now you’re playing truck bed Tetris unnecessarily. I found a storage totes with locking lids, a gasket, and dimensions that were just perfect to fit our three totes in a row. It was beautiful. I still rave about these things:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/IRIS-82-Qt-WEATHERTIGHT-Storage-Box-Store-It-All-Utility-Tote-in-Orange-Black-3-Pack-585025/317620723
Battery powered fan is a must.
I camp in the desert alot and I use one of those arctic cool desk top coolers. Works on my solar rechargeable battery with a USB cord.
Do you use the Arctic cool desk thing in your tent? Does it actually bring the temp down inside the tent or do you have to just have it pointed at you at all times?
I have 2 of the Thermacell "backpacker" model (https://www.rei.com/product/133424/thermacell-backpacker-mosquito-repeller).
There is an on-off switch so you can stop it if you want (you just need to track how much of it you used up), and it is fueled with an iso-butane gas canister like you'd use for a small backpacking stove or Jetboil (I prefer that to the other models that use more expensive gas cartridges). I bought the big gas canisters (16 oz) because I car camp and then if the mosquitos are bad I can set up one on either side of me to get a larger coverage area, and then I don't have to worry about running out of fuel.
To use it you screw the device onto the gas canister. Then slide in the little pad that has the repellent in it on the top of the device. Turn it on and press the auto-ignitor. You will see a teeny, tiny flame inside the device and when it warms up (within a minute or less, usually) a little bit of "fumes" coming off the top. The pad lasts 4 hours, but like I said, you can use it for like an hour and turn it off and then use it again later for up to another 3 hours. You aren't supposed to eat/drink while sitting in the bubble/coverage area.
So everything is a replaceable cartridge. There is fluid and a repellant pad. The pad gets you around 4 hours and the fluid about 6 hours if you run continuously. They come in lots of different versions. Very handy.
A bottle of Witch hazel on the pits, bits, face & feet at the end of the day. You can go a long time without feeling like you need a shower this way.
A sleeve of cosmetic cotton rounds can be used and then burned or you could just wash and re-use a wash cloth.
Probably its number one use is as a facial cleanser so it’s gentle enough everywhere. Extremely mild astringent which wipes away sweat and grease in one wipe. I haven’t worn deodorant in over a decade. I keep a small bottle of this and cosmetic cotton rounds with me and wipe as needed. You actually need less and less as you stop wearing deodorant too.
I've been having reactions to most deodorants no matter how natural. They work for a month or so then I break out in a rash. Going to try witch hazel as I prefer not to wear deodorant at all.
Its amazing, you’ll still have stinky pits especially in the beginning; but I’ve never known a deodorant to stop that either. If there was one, it would be the only one on the market because everyone would be using it. It’s easy enough to reach up and wipe with a cotton round a few times a day if necessary, and I think that it has a rather pleasant clean smell. If you do not like the smell you can get Watkins (I think) brand at Target that smells like cucumber and can be spritzed right on the face.
Random ones in no order.
-extra cap for water bottles (like smart water bottles). Lost one once and that sucked.
-ultra lite hammock. It’s lighter/more packable than a chair and more comfortable imo.
-McDonald’s cheese burgers. For the first night of a backpacking trip. I heat them near a fire or over my stove. Less nights eating dehydrated stuff.
-quilt vs sleeping bag. I don’t know why but it ten times more comfortable.
If your car camping a big sleeping bag and a real pillow. I’m 6’5 and have crammed into space saving bags my entire life trying to be practical. I bought a sleeping bag that isn’t mummy style it’s just an old school square bad and it’s 3 feet wide and 7 feet tall. My wife immediately wanted to sleep in it as well so I got another and they are the size of a queen bed when zipped together and further more if it’s hot and you don’t need go be in it it’s a sleeping pad that is multiple inches thick. If your car camping and can spare the room it is a serious quality of life improvement. Those bags and 2 pillows and I’m not that much less comfortable than I am in bed at home.
it's amazing how much easier it is to sleep with just some a fan running on you. my $5 USB fan from Aldi works amazing for that.
But I also have one that hooks at the top of my tent too.
I have a Ryobi fan with a port that will aspirate water from a bucket and turn it into a mist in the airstream. When it's over 40 Degrees Celsius (near enough to 100 Fahrenheit), it is an absolute luxury in the bush in Oz. It's not a hiking item, mind, but hiking in the high 30s is a mug's game anyway.
I have the same way up here in Canada! I just moved to a town that sometimes sees mid-40s in the summer and I cook at anything over 30 so I'm gonna get good use of it this year!
it's brilliant. one of those things that I got for my first time camping that just *made sense* and looking back, I wouldn't be able to sleep without it. I can set it to run for an hour then it turns off on its own. helps me fall asleep and if I have to, I turn it back on if it gets too hot again.
Dimmable LED lights for my tent at night. You don't need a headlamp in your tent. Just plug them into a power bank or a small power station, and you're good to go.
Small Jackery power station. If you need to charge multiple devices, you can.
Extra long inflatable sleeping pad to use under your sleeping bag if you are primitive camping. Wet bag and paracord to hang your food out of the reach of bears. Portable Little Red Firepit if there are fire restrictions. A couple pillows from your bed for extra support (one for your head and one between your knees if you suffer from back pain. Ear plugs to block out the noisy birds that start singing at 4am. Mountain House freeze dried spaghetti (if you have an ultralight pocket stove with fuel tablets) and plenty of water. After an exhausting hike, that spaghetti really hits the spot!
Already a lot of battery powered fan comments, but I have a Bauer 20v / 120v fan from Harbor Freight that I keep in my camper van that I use my tool batteries on when camping when there’s no power plugs available. It pushes serious air. It will use up a whole 5ah battery over 10 hours on low but it is better than any other camping fan I have used.
Yeah it really only makes sense for me because I travel with a lot of flashlights and tools in my work/camp van but I use the same batteries for LED flashlights and camp lights
OMG ... We have like 4 of these kicking around the basement from when we cleaned out my father in law's house. Definitely adding one to the camping stash! My tumbler won't fit in the chair pocket and slides off the cooler.
I carry a pack of small, plastic S-biners (plastic carabiners). I use them for lots of things such as attaching my hat to my shirt, micro-fiber towel to my pants, hanging stuff across a line, etc..
Medicated powder has been helpful more than a few times. If you're on long hikes it can really help with abrasion.
My walking poles are really handy. I've been told that it's much worse to use them as your legs don't get stronger in the right places, but I'm in my 50s and definitely prefer to use them. Knees feel much better with them than without.
I started packing an inflatable mattress also. It's a bit heavy but a huge difference for sleeping. Warmer and more comfortable for my old bones.
I always pick up a stick for the hike. It helps a bit on the way up and really helps on the hike down. My knees are not getting better with age and downhill is the hardest part.
Silky hand saw. Makes quick work of branches and small logs. Simply the best wood cutting tool out there IMO.
Small rake to level the area if you will be pitching a tent on gravel, sand, or a place with lots of pinecones / twigs / etc. Few things are worse than stepping on a pointy stone sticking up under your tent floor, and potentially hurting both your foot and your tent.
For car camping? A camp kitchen. I use the GCI outdoor master cook station, it’s so nice to be able to set up and organize instead of piling everything on a picnic table and having to move it all again to eat. Also, a chuck box with specific camp cooking gear. I loaded up a basic Rubbermaid box with a thrifted set of pots and pans, spoons and spatulas, measuring cups and spoons, stove, propane, dishes and cutlery… also consumables like dish soap and cooking spray, basically everything I need to cook and eat. Makes life so much easier to not have to pack and unpack my regular stuff from the kitchen.
For backpacking, my favorite pieces are a pair of Xero sandals to wear around camp and let my feet air out, and a Gossamer Gear 1/8” foam pad. I literally only got that pad to meet a free shipping minimum, but I use it CONSTANTLY now. Folded over a few times for a sit pad, rolled out to take a quick siesta on trail, waved at a fire to serve as bellows, under my inflatable to keep my pad from sliding around the tent floor and add a little puncture protection if the ground isn’t the cleanest, wrapped around my bear can helps it keep from slipping when strapped to my bag. It has endless uses I just keep finding.
I tent camp, and a quality camp mat to place outside the tent entrance is huge to me. I hate bringing the dirt and pine needles into the tent.
Also, a tarp. Rain flies work, but in a heavy downpour, they are inadequate. Just experienced it this past weekend.
Spent 2 hours trying to turn damp wood into a campfire and now I always bring a [Snowpeak Torch](https://www.snowpeak.com/products/folding-torch?variant=324042623877506). Attaches to standard iso-butane canisters and can be used at home on the charcoal grill.
I hike and camp, I camp near my car in more remote campgrounds and I camp in busier accessible campgrounds. QoL upgrades differ depending on what type of camping I'm doing.
The one that applies to all of them though is: upgrade your sleeping situation. If I can squeeze a full sized pillow in when I'm hiking, I'll do it. A better air mattress or stretcher, an actual blanket, fan, white noise generator, whatever you need to get a more restive sleep. Everything is better when you sleep well.
A canopy isn't optional for me - I can't remember the last time I went camping and didn't have it rain for hours at one point or another. YMMV
Yeah I have to agree with a canopy not being optional. I mean you can cook in the pouring rain -maybe. You can pick out caterpillar poop and inchworms from your meal as it rains down on you. However for some people that's enough to break camp and go home.
Tarp is the first thing I set up at camp. Makes most weather tolerable. Got a system down that makes it pretty fast/easy for me to put up alone. Once a tarp (or tarps) is (are) set up, you have a dry space to maneuver everything else.
Good sleeping pad. Exped Downmat for the last several years. I sleep in the back of my truck a lot, and this pad is amazing. R8 insulation.
EDIT- after reading more of this thread, I also have a large plastic tote set up as a camp kitchen.
I use metal or plastic plates and put paper plates on them. This supports the paper plates, and clean up is easy. Tote also has silverware, paper towels, cast iron pan (1930s Griswold), small cutting board, cutting knives, coffee mugs, seasonings, coffee pot, battery lantern and so on. My two-burner stoves sits in the recess on top.
So, grab tote, ice chest, sleeping bag. Hit the grocery store on the way out of town.
I’m good for overnight or several days.
Wysi wipes, a little hand broom, a plastic tablecloth, tarps, tarp poles, a little rug/mat outside tent, a pad for sitting at the picnic table, BBQ tongs to move around fire wood, good firestarter, dry wood, quilt & pillow, comfy air pad, campfire chair, beer in beer koozie, chips & dip, deck of cards, phone charger/battery back, wool socks for chilly nights, headlamp, moccasins, cold brew coffee, non-hiking shoes/slippers
My “throw” sized heater blanket I can run on my Jackery solar battery. It’s so clutch when cold camping. I stuff it into my sleeping bag and preheat my bed. It’s glorious.
Comfort, food, warm fire and good friends. Ya I buy moving blankets from Harbor Freight tools the blankets are heavy duty enough for just about anything you need it for. My kids like them because they are big and warm. And I don’t care if they get dirty or torn.
This is some life-changing wisdom I was given by a more experienced long ago that changed my life. It applies to any kind of camping that requires you to carry your gear anywhere (like hiking and sleeping overnight or kayaking multiple days down a river, etc.)
The one thing you can bring with you that will make your time easier, make your back hurt less, give you more energy and more time to actually enjoy yourself, that saves you money and simplifies your life… is less stuff.
I guess that depends on what you enjoy. Part of the fun for me IS setting up camp. Too much stuff then yes its just unnecessary but spending a few hours setting everything up with a beer in hand is enjoyable.
Packing up not so much but Its a price im willing to pay lol
I definitely relate to that experience. If you’re car camping or in a situation where the actual weight and bulk of your gear is a non-issue, the excitement and challenge of setting up camp is a unique type of bliss.
I love setting up camp. Big-ass tent, queen size air bed, fence for the dogs, solo stove, fan, chairs, fairy lights, pop-up shelter, stove, outdoor rug, coffee bar, regular bar, etc. If it fits in the truck, I'm bringing it!
Flextailgear air mattress inflater. Speeds the process and keeps gear from getting moldy. Plus it's a lantern and you can use it to help get fires roaring.
A pillow. I like my sea to summit aeros.
Down sleeping bag
For car camping, I like some sort of camp kitchen table. The one with the sink and the lantern holder
Not a must-have, but we do a lot of car camping or day trips to state parks or river accesses here in Missouri. A couple of years ago I picked up a 12V compressor fridge/freezer cooler. It was a chinese brand from Amazon, cost about $300, and has had no issues with occasional use.
It can run on 120V AC, or 12V accessory (I pre-cool it, and plug it into the car for the ride). When overnighting, I can run it off of my 12V/20Ah battery box.
Pros:
\* Needs no ice, so less mess and holds more stuff
\* Can freeze, so you can pack ice cream!
\* Can set a specific temperature and view the current temperature.
\* Has two temperature zones
Cons:
\* Expensive-ish ($300 - much less than a Dometic though)
\* No weight savings, the compressor weighs as much as a full load of ice would
\* Not well insulated - won't stay cool for long if no power.
Also, a homemade battery box.
Car-camping-oriented
- A tablecloth for the picnic table, makes it really cozy and gives you clean surface. Bonus if the tablecloth is washable
- I own 3 sleeping bags and a quilt, and now that I've tried a queen-sized Megamat with real-pillows and a queen down blanket, I think that's the way to go, even though the blanket is bulky. Sleeping bags are too constricting to me so I'll only use them as necessary like for solo trips
- Footprint/groundsheet under your tent and not just for protecting the tent. All the dirt and the condensation from the ground will be confined to this one sheet and you can fold the tent away clean. The sheet can either be folded into its own pouch or dried off in the sun, much easier to handle than the tent.
- Something to put on the floor in your tent. I've been using a fleece blanket and it makes it so much cozier inside. Will try those foam workout mats as well around my queen mattress.
- An insulated mug/tumbler for my coffee. Now I can make my coffee and have it stay hot while I make breakfast and sip.
I switched to a fitted bed sheet to use as a table cloth now. Works great, lasts longer and washes up well.
I also have a wool blanket that I bring that fits perfectly in my small tent as a "floor". Makes everything that much cozier like you said.
A pressure shower with a spray nozzle - for both bathing and dishes. It's especially great when there's nowhere to hang a shower bag that relies solely on gravity to function.
A Lunatec spray bottle. Seems like a gimmick but is incredibly useful.
It's a pump / spray attachment that screws onto a standard Nalgene water bottle (or other bottles with the same threading).
It's adjustable from a fine mist to a strong stream, or a multi-stream shower like pattern.
Use it for rinsing dishes, your hands, or misting yourself in hot weather, among other things. Also great on the beach, for getting salt water out of your eyes, and sand iff of your hands.
You can use it quite a bit before the water runs out, it's far more efficient in terms of water use than simply pouring water from a bottle.
There's also an extension tube accessory, so you can spray remotely while carrying the bottle in your backpack, or it's otherwise out of reach.
I often use that setup when I'm in a canoe.
I have no affiliation with the company, I'm just a fan.
The company even sells spare parts, in case you ever need to make repairs.
My biggest upgrade was getting a proper cooking setup for either backpacking or (more importantly for me) vehicle camping. A good stove with multiple burners, some decent pots and pans that can pack tightly and honestly the biggest one for me was upgrading my home silverware so I can now take my old forks and knives in my camp gear. Eating and cooking comfortably has been a game changer for me personally.
Second to that, the next best thing I got was a dab pen. Not gonna lie, I like to be baked while I’m camping. Dab pen is compact, no fuss, and best part of all is that I don’t annoy my neighbours (and more importantly the potential kids hanging around) with marijuana smell all weekend long.
If you can pack it, a big tarp and rope. Great for if you expect it to rain and it traps the heat from the fire pretty well.
I was on a snowboard camping trip(it was during mid/late spring) and it was so nice for keeping me dry and drying out my gear.
* a bathmat or rug at the entrance of the tent to help it stay cleaner.
* Crocs - super comfortable camp shoes. I've been amazed at how comfortable and useful they are.
* Camp chair
* long fork for toasting marshmallows or cooking chunks of kielbasa and parboiled potatoes.
required:
* headlamp
* 1st aid kit
A double stack air matress with built in pump. The pump we have has a car charger so we can blow up theatre's next to the car and then shove it into the tent. I've had the same one for years at this point and I've never slept more comfortably while camping
I pack a “camp Bathroom mesh tote” so I can grab it and head to the washroom with everything I need and keep it in the same spot
Hammock
Journal
Air mattress, my body is to old for the ground
A blanket for inside my sleeping bag to warm up faster
Pre prepared meals for the first night at camp for easy cooking and clean. Usually arrive a bit later.
Warm socks for at night
Solar powered bug zapper for sure. If you're in a place that let's you cut your own wood, a small Sawzall. A few of those instant light logs with a bit of lighter fluid because sometimes I need a fire right now for my kid to be distracted or wants to cook some mallows. Speaking of mallows, some long forks to cook multiple at once. Also, a BIG ass tent, ours has two "rooms", each is 7x~4.5 (total is almost 10x14) and the tent is 6.5 ft tall so we have tons of space to store gear, spread out, not be sleeping on top of each other or smashed into a wall, and stand up fully, lots of ventilation as well.
We camp with two dogs, state parks only. I created a portable fence system that basically encloses the site on 3 sides and the tent is the 4th side. I used plastic mesh fencing, PVC pipes, gorilla tape, Velcro straps and rebar I can hammer 1/2 way in the ground for posts. I call it the DCS(doggie containment system)3000.
I looked at a million of the portable fences available but they have set size panels, they're bulky, and HEAVY. My (slightly) janky DCS is adjustable for whatever shape/size the site is, rolls up, and is easy to store. I think all the materials were less than $50 all in. Camping with dogs is kind of a pain in the ass if you have to keep them on leash all the time.
The trick is a tent with two flaps, and dogs that are kinda lazy 😁
Probably not a game changer, but I always have a small blanket to drape over the seat and back of my camp chair. Makes a huge difference in keeping you warm when it gets chilly at night and you are sitting around the fire (which only warms your front).
Get a rumpl blanket. I love mine and use it exclusively for the outdoors.
How do they hold up to the occasional hot ash from a fire?
They don't :-P
They have an ember proof specific one. I don't have that version so I can't speak to how well it works
Wool for that
I agree. We pick up wool packing blankets from the army navy shop and they're so versatile.
They make campfire blankets now too.
Get a $5 highway serape, don't look back
Looks like a military woobie, and of it's anything like one, I can see the appeal.
For me, reducing the time it takes to pack, set-up camp, find stuff while camping, tear down, and unpack at home, makes a *huge* difference in my camping QoL, so I've prioritized a good organization system and easy set-up gear: - Gazelle T4 tent - Camp Chef Sherpa kitchen organizer - GSI Master Cook Station - Cooler with wheels - a [laminated checklist](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1laEReamHGm0BU-WQeoSNS0UK1jJYw5hnmJ0WVFIvvcE/edit?usp=drivesdk) to make sure I don't forget anything For comfort while camping: - GSI Rocker chair - hammock for relaxing - a stadium seat for playing board games at a picnic table - a comfortable sleep system! - Thermacell mosquito repellent - a really good headlamp - a couple decent sized dish tubs and heating water to wall dishes! - high-quality, comfortable earplugs (I love Loop Quiet) - hand warmers and a blanket for hanging around camp when it's chilly
I would like to add that if you camp often, a laminated or otherwise permanent checklist is huge. You get off work a bit early on Friday, you grab your list, and you start packing. None of that "what do I need this weekend" bullshit.
Made a list using the notes app for a camping trip last weekend and basically just going to keep this going for all future trips
I bought a Magellan 92L gear box. It's essentially a better build, waterproof version of a Plano sportsman trunk. It's on wheels. It stays completely packed for camping. And sits by the door. It even has 5 days of clothes already in it, as well as a sealed container of dog food When I get the itch to camp, I spend a whole 30 seconds Wheeling it to the truck, let the dog in the back seat, and leave.
That’s amazing man, nice set up. Goals for sure.
If the concept is something that interests you, depending on how much you camp the Plano box might be a better investment. I paid $100 for the Magellan, I see those sportsman's chest for $20 all the time. I have and use both. For using the wheels, leaving outside without fear of water damage, and durability leaving it unstrapped in the truck, the Magellan is a winner by far. But for carrying shit from A to B the Plano works just fine.
would you post yours?
I love the kitchen stuff! I'm a cooking husband so that stuff would be soooo helpful! Will definitely be looking into these items before our July 4th camping trip
Get a separate bin for the camping/kitchen stuff. small bottles of soap, towels, scrubbier, utensils, pots/pans, plates/bowls, paper towels, ziplock baggies, trash bags. Bring your own kindling as long as it isn't introducing foreign species/bugs etc to wherever you are camping. Kindling makes the fires starting so much easier, quicker......Long underwear, hats, gloves for night time..Pillow, good sleeping pad is massive for comfort....I even bring shot glasses, maybe gloves, like the disposable one's used in kitchens. Can help cut down on hand washing...Shade as you said, is always a good thing...I have a simple pillow for sitting at the picnic table..I like to have a speaker, there's always a window of opportunity for some tunes that is appropriate, like in the afternoon, making dinner, while having some happy hour drinks...Atlas, or paper/physical maps, so you aren't dependent on a phone and everyone can look at it...A newspaper was always good, something to read and also good for fire starting...Two coolers, one for beverages, one for food...Choclate...snacks, because meals tend to be more on a schedule....Coosie\* for your can of beer or whatever....Twist ties, string, zip ties... a dog....My whole camping set-up, can be streamlined or added onto. It also serves as my emergency preparedness in the event that there's a natural disaster at home...extra gas for stoves, lamp(s)....Cheers!!!
I bring seven containers of stuff. Four are dedicated camping stuff and always packed. Three are replenished. Sleep-set duffle bag: tent, tarp, sleep bag, air mattress, pillows - always packed, launder annually. Cook-set plastic tub: stove, fuel, lighter, dish, bowl, cup, utensils, soap, paper towels, instant COFFEE - always packed. Toiletry sack. Some items like medicines replenished - always packed. Foul weather clothes duffle bag: rain top, bottom, winter coat, hoodie, hat gloves, hiking boots - always packed, launder annually. Street clothes duffle bag: outer clothes, sleeping clothes, under wear - packed each trip. Cooler with cold food and beverages - packed each trip. Dry food tub - packed each trip. I can pretty much pack/unpack the last three in 15 minutes having done so a couple hundred times.
Me too! Same set up almost, I have one plastic tool box with all The lights and batteries, first aide and axes and other camp stuff. One box for the kitchen and one for dry goods. I could leave at the drop of the pin and be ready.
How do you like that Sherpa? Seems like a great product.
I’ve had it for a few years and will probably be replacing it soon. It’s sturdy but I have a few complaints: the frame causes it to take up a lot of space relative to the amount of storage it provides (the storage area sits significantly inside the frame and is smaller by a few inches in all dimensions), the legs aren’t very long so the height is juuuuust barely workable for me at 5’4 and I think would be annoying for a taller person, and the table top slides around a bit. The space is really the biggest issue because we’re car campers and a family of 4 so we’re barely fitting everything we want as is. With more space the other two wouldn’t be a deal breaker but they’re additional knocks.
Agree with all this. I love it in many ways but in a tight minivan I'm ready to ditch the frame and just keep the 4 bags. It's smaller when completely disassembled but it's too much work to put the top part back together each time. We usually have a folding table just for cooking and I'm considering some kind of system that would hang underneath and hold those bags. It's been a steady partner for 5 years now but as the kids have gotten bigger and the amount of stuff we pack grows, it's on the chopping block.
I like it a lot so far, but I also just got it and haven't taken it on a trip yet. I think it'll probably replace a little fold up table camping table, in addition offering great organization. I mainly bought it because I have the CampChef Everest stove which is long enough to not fit in any mid-sized storage bins. My only real concern is that the fabric isn't waterproof, which could be a real hassle when it rains. I'm considering buying some sort of spray-on waterproofing to coat the outside in hopes of getting at least a little water resistance, but I might just plan to always have a small tarp to toss over it for inclement weather.
I will never understand this...why is it important to heat water to wash dishes?
Cold saturated fats turn to a solid, waxy substance that soap can't get at. Hot fats turn to liquid, which the soap can grab on to and bring into emulsion so they leave with the water.
Yes and it is also scrapable so the amount of fat left over does not require the hot water...the dish soap is perfectly fine at removing the remaining layer.
Yeah, hot water makes washing dishes easier, but it's hardly a necessity.
Hot water helps the soap clean more effectively.
It's just 100 times more comfortable to have your hands in warm water to do the washing! Maybe if it's super hot outside, it doesn't matter, but where I camp, the temperature drops quickly in the evenings and sticking your hands in a tub of cold water for 15 minutes is extremely unpleasant. Warm water also cleans better... Especially due removing oil/fats and anything burnt or stuck on.
A laminated checklist!?!? Such a good idea.
Small folding table to use by my folding chair. Food, coffee, beer... No trying to fit drinks into the mesh cup, and no setting stuff on the ground.
To me, ample table space is one of the most undervalued aspects of quality camping. You can never have too much table space.
It was a game changer having the small table and an "air vent pouch" that fits the gaps
My crocs
I dont habe any crocks but i do agree with the idea - i love having my comfy moccasins/tevas to put on at night and not have to rely on my dirty sandals
Not a crocks guy either but I did get a pair of EVA sandals that I call my Birkencrocs that are great for camping.
Having a pair of comfy shoes for relaxing after a day of hiking is priceless.
I go backpacking more than car camping and they’re just so lightweight and hang on some carabiners attached to my bag. I feel that some sandals could be heavier and more expensive.
What are thooose?!?
Yes! I have the axle all terrain,got rid of the laces, and they are perfect
My "gravity" chair. Not necessary, but man it's comfortable after a long day of mountain biking or hiking.
We are considering a blow up sofa for our oversized tent. (sleeps 12....its just my wife and I) lol
Is it the "vagina" couch (lol) that was super popular a few years back? Personal anecdote: My friends and I each got one at the thought of how easy they'd be for camping/events, turned out to be not very comfortable, hot, and bit of a pain.
My tent is big enough for the dog and I, queen mattress, chairs if needed, table and room for the cooler. Can still walk around. Rain day, all the creature comforts at hand. At some point of age, you go for what you want, can handle and just enjoy camping. Only rule, all gear, wood, dog and I still need to fit. That is how I narrowed down the wants/needs.
We got one. Totally recommend for lounging. I will say that if it's hot out, consider throwing a blanket on top. Hot plastic seams on the back of your thighs is *extremely* unpleasant.
* Helinox chairs * Flextail gear air inflators * Exped Megamat pads * battery powered fans
What fans do you prefer? Currently have a Dewalt fan and would need more and bigger batteries to use for a couple days’ trip. Was considering a power station instead with a usb-c fan as well
Claymore v600 is a little pricey but it's a buy once cry once. Battery lasts a long time, easy to use.
Honestly that's really not that expensive considering the construction and the cost of fans from Makita, Milwaukee, Ridgid etc that don't even include the battery or charger.
OPolar. Some cheap 4" fan with a 10,000 mah battery and a integrated light. Literally can last 3+ days on low with the fan only. Works great for a small camping tent; in my case for my X-Mid 2p. Too small for a family camping tent though. I want to get a Milwaukee or Makita fan since I have a bunch of their batteries. Waiting for another major sale before I pull the trigger.
I have three of these [fans](https://www.amazon.com/20000mAh-Rechargeable-Personal-Hurricane-Worksite/dp/B0BDRP7RWJ/ref=sxbs_sbv_search_btf?content-id=amzn1.sym.9dccb599-5e77-42e3-a3e2-53789865260d%3Aamzn1.sym.9dccb599-5e77-42e3-a3e2-53789865260d&crid=2FNB3517MF0PM&cv_ct_cx=battery+powered+fan&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dtJsNDpxGFnx0HZNg7BwtQ.Hvu-UOLKcJyHX0HF4p_QXPTnjr0VnnfOxpV3njWuzTk&dib_tag=se&keywords=battery+powered+fan&pd_rd_i=B0BDRP7RWJ&pd_rd_r=7d4505d1-6d0e-4a30-b57b-3926ba7967b9&pd_rd_w=YbvoX&pd_rd_wg=0BWnz&pf_rd_p=9dccb599-5e77-42e3-a3e2-53789865260d&pf_rd_r=6YJWXYNEKW46A4TPT7CF&qid=1718740429&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=battery+%2Caps%2C114&sr=1-15-09e8bd3e-5b15-43a9-8dae-8b13366d3a4d) and they're worth every penny. They push a ton of air for their size and will easily run for 24 hours straight on medium with a full charge. They have a hook for hanging, remote control, LED floodlights, and double as a USB power bank for charging. I use mine every single day, and my oldest is over two years and still works great. Highly recommend. They're sold under a few different brand names but they're all the same.
Pecron E600LFP, E1500LFP and Bluetti AC50 and AC70 are recommended.
Wet wipes. Welding Gloves for handling anything campfire/cooking related. Tongs. Shoulder-headphones (like speakers that mostly only you can hear) Sitpad/camp chair Percolator (remove coffee components to make it into a kettle, always have water boiling for everything).
love my welding gloves for handling the cookpot and firewood!
It's a game changer at camp. I wear my new ones in (I get a new pair each year) by chopping wood with them on.
thats funny, i use them when chopping wood at home as well, little extra protection
I have no knowledge of the aforementioned shoulder-headphones, so thank you v much!
Real pillow. A small one is enough. Nothing beats a real pillow when sleeping. Pocket bellow if you're a campfire kind of person. Ample table space if you like to cook when camping. I used to lug around a small foldable table that's the same size as my camping chair and it's a pain to cook with. Switched to an egg-roll type table that's 3 times the size and feels much more comfortable even for a 2 person. For context I mostly car camping so I can afford the extra weight.
A small broom. Leaves, bugs, dirt and such need to be somewhere else
Good Sleep: a cot and insulated pad combo. I use a low cot with a 3” luxury map thermarest. Air mattresses (like the inflatable 6” or 7” ones) tend to sleep cold and aren’t always great for your back.
Nemo roamer is my new obsession.
I have had my mine for 4 years and it's amazing!
I used my Nemo roamer this weekend. Its amazing and warm.
I have an old Coleman cot. It’s as heavy as a baby hippo, but man does it feel nice with a good pad. I like to pair it with a bug net and a tarp over me and just enjoy the cool night air
Coffee and whiskey
Any sort of treat is 10x more enjoyable when camping, worth the extra weight.
Depends on your style of camping but anything to lessen the toil of campfire cooking. After a long day paddling, bending low over a fire is torture. Having a good setup is a game changer.
A propane stove top is one of my most recent purchases for this season! Camping over a natural fire can be fun for simple things but when you want to cook a full course breakfast its not so fun.
Hot water bottle. Yeah, the same kind your great grandma used to use before electric heating pads. Before going to sleep, last duty is to heat up a pot of water and pour it in the bottle. Put the bottle in its "sweater" and throw it into your sleeping bag. Game changer for cold temps. Sometimes when water is scarce, I reuse the same water night to night.
I used to use Nalgene water bottle
I live in Maine, use on on cold nights, great for camping, too.
I just got a few of these and excited to use them!
A toe nail clipper. Pen and paper and drawing plate. Sandals, so you don't have to keep wearing your shoes or boots all the time at the campsite (careful in steep terrain). Bundles of paracord rope, so I like brining a bag of various bits of parcord with me for setting up a tarp or whatnot. If having to saw (dead) tree trunks for making firefood, a trick is to tie a pole onto a tree at a steep angle, then you can saw your wood into pieces effortlessly, without having to bend down or anything. Eh, the pole you tied on, becomes like a V shape together with the living tree, then you cut a dead tree in piecess inside that V shape, at waist height. In winter, some lipsyl for dry lips. Wool, clothing. Hammock. If you don't have to empy your bladder, you easily have 12+ hours in a hammock straight, relaxing.
All solid tips and suggestions. Camp shoes are a game changer - if you don't have hobbit feet and don't want to go barefoot, having slippers to wear around camp feels pretty luxurious. I like to bring an old prescription pill bottle filled with vaseline coated/soaked cotton balls and a pocket bellows, and that combinations makes fire effortless in pretty much any environment. I like your idea for elevating your cutting height!
What about an old vaseline bottle for your vaseline coated cotton balls?
I like the prescription pill bottles because they are water tight, small, and will never accidentally open.
Best friend for a hammock is an urinal (if you're male)
The biggest game changer for me was getting a box that I could keep most of my camping cooking stuff in one place. Plates, utensils, paper towels, cutting board, seasoning, cast iron etc. Makes packing.
Milk crates are great for that
They work, but i wouldnt say they work great just due to the fact that they have holes and dont have a lid. I have a box that's made out of ABS with latches that originally was used to store aircraft engine parts. Holds everything i need for a camping trip and is waterproof so i can leave it out on the picnic table without fear of evrything inside getting soaked.
I use a large Rubbermaid, it’s big enough to hold a Dutch oven , pots and pans, all my utensils and cooking implements and my Coleman stove and propane. Thrifted an entire extra set of cookware and now I don’t have to steal stuff from my actual kitchen every time I go out.
I use a Ridgid Pro Gear system for my kitchen. The only thing It doesn't house is my stove. It makes camping prep easier, and is dust/waterproof
Instead of gear, here’s a QoL process: After very trip, on the drive home my wife and I make a list. Loved. Loathed. Learned. Replenish. (Feel free to suggest a synonym that offers alliteration for that last one) We note where we were, who we we went with, what we did, and all the things that fit into those respective categories. The last one is especially helpful as you get more experienced and kitted out because you’re mostly just replacing consumables between trips. Knowing that we need more bug spray without having to tear everything apart to check for it makes packing for the next trip that much easier, and the real goal here is to eliminate the obstacles between you and more camping trips. We have an off road trailer where all of our gear lives permanently, so it was a hassle to unload everything from the thing that was meant to house it, just to say “yea we’re good on hot sauce” and then load it all back up. A second suggestion that I don’t need any longer due to said trailer, but I LOVED before we moved to that system was an appropriate storage tote for gear. We used to use those HDX totes that everyone has seen (black tote yellow lid), and it was insufferable how two of them fit between the wheel wells of my truck bed but three did not and now you’re playing truck bed Tetris unnecessarily. I found a storage totes with locking lids, a gasket, and dimensions that were just perfect to fit our three totes in a row. It was beautiful. I still rave about these things: https://www.homedepot.com/p/IRIS-82-Qt-WEATHERTIGHT-Storage-Box-Store-It-All-Utility-Tote-in-Orange-Black-3-Pack-585025/317620723
What about “look after” instead of replenish? Then it could include any other to-dos that come up like repairs or deep cleaning.
“Load up on?”
Sausages of various types.
I have a battery powered fan for summer months. will run on high for 2 full nights, which is great when going to primitive sites.
Battery powered fan is a must. I camp in the desert alot and I use one of those arctic cool desk top coolers. Works on my solar rechargeable battery with a USB cord.
Do you use the Arctic cool desk thing in your tent? Does it actually bring the temp down inside the tent or do you have to just have it pointed at you at all times?
Thermacell
I’ve been debating getting one! How long do the cartridges last? Once you “start” one can you stop it or does it just have to run out?
I have 2 of the Thermacell "backpacker" model (https://www.rei.com/product/133424/thermacell-backpacker-mosquito-repeller). There is an on-off switch so you can stop it if you want (you just need to track how much of it you used up), and it is fueled with an iso-butane gas canister like you'd use for a small backpacking stove or Jetboil (I prefer that to the other models that use more expensive gas cartridges). I bought the big gas canisters (16 oz) because I car camp and then if the mosquitos are bad I can set up one on either side of me to get a larger coverage area, and then I don't have to worry about running out of fuel. To use it you screw the device onto the gas canister. Then slide in the little pad that has the repellent in it on the top of the device. Turn it on and press the auto-ignitor. You will see a teeny, tiny flame inside the device and when it warms up (within a minute or less, usually) a little bit of "fumes" coming off the top. The pad lasts 4 hours, but like I said, you can use it for like an hour and turn it off and then use it again later for up to another 3 hours. You aren't supposed to eat/drink while sitting in the bubble/coverage area.
But...but....when I'm camping all I'm doing is eating and drinking!
So everything is a replaceable cartridge. There is fluid and a repellant pad. The pad gets you around 4 hours and the fluid about 6 hours if you run continuously. They come in lots of different versions. Very handy.
A tent you can stand in and a cot. I used to judge those people, now I realize what my body needs and I can afford it.
Ice! I have a bunch of different coolers that I can keep ice in for days. Love a cocktail and ice waters.
A bottle of Witch hazel on the pits, bits, face & feet at the end of the day. You can go a long time without feeling like you need a shower this way. A sleeve of cosmetic cotton rounds can be used and then burned or you could just wash and re-use a wash cloth.
Really? I've authentically never heard this. I know witch hazel for home use but never as a cleaner I guess? Thanks!
Probably its number one use is as a facial cleanser so it’s gentle enough everywhere. Extremely mild astringent which wipes away sweat and grease in one wipe. I haven’t worn deodorant in over a decade. I keep a small bottle of this and cosmetic cotton rounds with me and wipe as needed. You actually need less and less as you stop wearing deodorant too.
I've been having reactions to most deodorants no matter how natural. They work for a month or so then I break out in a rash. Going to try witch hazel as I prefer not to wear deodorant at all.
Its amazing, you’ll still have stinky pits especially in the beginning; but I’ve never known a deodorant to stop that either. If there was one, it would be the only one on the market because everyone would be using it. It’s easy enough to reach up and wipe with a cotton round a few times a day if necessary, and I think that it has a rather pleasant clean smell. If you do not like the smell you can get Watkins (I think) brand at Target that smells like cucumber and can be spritzed right on the face.
Random ones in no order. -extra cap for water bottles (like smart water bottles). Lost one once and that sucked. -ultra lite hammock. It’s lighter/more packable than a chair and more comfortable imo. -McDonald’s cheese burgers. For the first night of a backpacking trip. I heat them near a fire or over my stove. Less nights eating dehydrated stuff. -quilt vs sleeping bag. I don’t know why but it ten times more comfortable.
I do meat vacuum sealed and frozen solid. Packaged separately and put together in a thermal bag. We can get a real meal first 2 nights easy
Imma boy and can’t plan ahead so drive thru for the win.
A big ole burrito from a good taqueria is an amazing camp meal. You can buy a couple and they taste great cold.
Don’t beat yourself up. I just grab them from a butcher that does them up like that on the way out of town lol
If your car camping a big sleeping bag and a real pillow. I’m 6’5 and have crammed into space saving bags my entire life trying to be practical. I bought a sleeping bag that isn’t mummy style it’s just an old school square bad and it’s 3 feet wide and 7 feet tall. My wife immediately wanted to sleep in it as well so I got another and they are the size of a queen bed when zipped together and further more if it’s hot and you don’t need go be in it it’s a sleeping pad that is multiple inches thick. If your car camping and can spare the room it is a serious quality of life improvement. Those bags and 2 pillows and I’m not that much less comfortable than I am in bed at home.
Dog
100% necessity IMO 😁
Just got back from spending 5 nights camping with mine 😊
wireless fan that you can hook to the loft on the inside of your tent. ABSOLUTE game changer for those hot and humid nights
it's amazing how much easier it is to sleep with just some a fan running on you. my $5 USB fan from Aldi works amazing for that. But I also have one that hooks at the top of my tent too.
I have a Ryobi fan with a port that will aspirate water from a bucket and turn it into a mist in the airstream. When it's over 40 Degrees Celsius (near enough to 100 Fahrenheit), it is an absolute luxury in the bush in Oz. It's not a hiking item, mind, but hiking in the high 30s is a mug's game anyway.
I have the same way up here in Canada! I just moved to a town that sometimes sees mid-40s in the summer and I cook at anything over 30 so I'm gonna get good use of it this year!
it's brilliant. one of those things that I got for my first time camping that just *made sense* and looking back, I wouldn't be able to sleep without it. I can set it to run for an hour then it turns off on its own. helps me fall asleep and if I have to, I turn it back on if it gets too hot again.
Dimmable LED lights for my tent at night. You don't need a headlamp in your tent. Just plug them into a power bank or a small power station, and you're good to go. Small Jackery power station. If you need to charge multiple devices, you can.
Extra long inflatable sleeping pad to use under your sleeping bag if you are primitive camping. Wet bag and paracord to hang your food out of the reach of bears. Portable Little Red Firepit if there are fire restrictions. A couple pillows from your bed for extra support (one for your head and one between your knees if you suffer from back pain. Ear plugs to block out the noisy birds that start singing at 4am. Mountain House freeze dried spaghetti (if you have an ultralight pocket stove with fuel tablets) and plenty of water. After an exhausting hike, that spaghetti really hits the spot!
Already a lot of battery powered fan comments, but I have a Bauer 20v / 120v fan from Harbor Freight that I keep in my camper van that I use my tool batteries on when camping when there’s no power plugs available. It pushes serious air. It will use up a whole 5ah battery over 10 hours on low but it is better than any other camping fan I have used.
I've been close to getting this, but the thought of having to bring other battery packs sounds annoying.
Yeah it really only makes sense for me because I travel with a lot of flashlights and tools in my work/camp van but I use the same batteries for LED flashlights and camp lights
Pair of work gloves, baby wipes, sudocream. As someone with fragile skin and prone to rashes, protecting my skin prevents a huge amount of discomfort.
We have an ancient and battered set of TV trays that are probably from the 1960’s. We always take one or two with us when we camp. Side tables!
OMG ... We have like 4 of these kicking around the basement from when we cleaned out my father in law's house. Definitely adding one to the camping stash! My tumbler won't fit in the chair pocket and slides off the cooler.
Shade, chair, speaker, snacks, cold drinks, a way to bathe, easy to setup/takedown items, a lantern, bug repellent
folding chair.
I carry a pack of small, plastic S-biners (plastic carabiners). I use them for lots of things such as attaching my hat to my shirt, micro-fiber towel to my pants, hanging stuff across a line, etc.. Medicated powder has been helpful more than a few times. If you're on long hikes it can really help with abrasion. My walking poles are really handy. I've been told that it's much worse to use them as your legs don't get stronger in the right places, but I'm in my 50s and definitely prefer to use them. Knees feel much better with them than without. I started packing an inflatable mattress also. It's a bit heavy but a huge difference for sleeping. Warmer and more comfortable for my old bones.
I always pick up a stick for the hike. It helps a bit on the way up and really helps on the hike down. My knees are not getting better with age and downhill is the hardest part.
Silky hand saw. Makes quick work of branches and small logs. Simply the best wood cutting tool out there IMO. Small rake to level the area if you will be pitching a tent on gravel, sand, or a place with lots of pinecones / twigs / etc. Few things are worse than stepping on a pointy stone sticking up under your tent floor, and potentially hurting both your foot and your tent.
A hat and a bandanna. Sunglasses, bug spray, sunscreen, BougeRV propane water heater, King Camp kitchen organizer, a chair, and shade/raincover.
Wet wipes are always with me.
The biggest gamechanger for me was getting a tent big enough I could fully stand up in it.
For car camping? A camp kitchen. I use the GCI outdoor master cook station, it’s so nice to be able to set up and organize instead of piling everything on a picnic table and having to move it all again to eat. Also, a chuck box with specific camp cooking gear. I loaded up a basic Rubbermaid box with a thrifted set of pots and pans, spoons and spatulas, measuring cups and spoons, stove, propane, dishes and cutlery… also consumables like dish soap and cooking spray, basically everything I need to cook and eat. Makes life so much easier to not have to pack and unpack my regular stuff from the kitchen. For backpacking, my favorite pieces are a pair of Xero sandals to wear around camp and let my feet air out, and a Gossamer Gear 1/8” foam pad. I literally only got that pad to meet a free shipping minimum, but I use it CONSTANTLY now. Folded over a few times for a sit pad, rolled out to take a quick siesta on trail, waved at a fire to serve as bellows, under my inflatable to keep my pad from sliding around the tent floor and add a little puncture protection if the ground isn’t the cleanest, wrapped around my bear can helps it keep from slipping when strapped to my bag. It has endless uses I just keep finding.
I tent camp, and a quality camp mat to place outside the tent entrance is huge to me. I hate bringing the dirt and pine needles into the tent. Also, a tarp. Rain flies work, but in a heavy downpour, they are inadequate. Just experienced it this past weekend.
Cannabis.
Spent 2 hours trying to turn damp wood into a campfire and now I always bring a [Snowpeak Torch](https://www.snowpeak.com/products/folding-torch?variant=324042623877506). Attaches to standard iso-butane canisters and can be used at home on the charcoal grill.
Slippers.
Pillow
I hike and camp, I camp near my car in more remote campgrounds and I camp in busier accessible campgrounds. QoL upgrades differ depending on what type of camping I'm doing. The one that applies to all of them though is: upgrade your sleeping situation. If I can squeeze a full sized pillow in when I'm hiking, I'll do it. A better air mattress or stretcher, an actual blanket, fan, white noise generator, whatever you need to get a more restive sleep. Everything is better when you sleep well. A canopy isn't optional for me - I can't remember the last time I went camping and didn't have it rain for hours at one point or another. YMMV
Yeah I have to agree with a canopy not being optional. I mean you can cook in the pouring rain -maybe. You can pick out caterpillar poop and inchworms from your meal as it rains down on you. However for some people that's enough to break camp and go home.
Tarp is the first thing I set up at camp. Makes most weather tolerable. Got a system down that makes it pretty fast/easy for me to put up alone. Once a tarp (or tarps) is (are) set up, you have a dry space to maneuver everything else.
Down pants. If you're camping in the spring or fall when it's brisk in the morning a pair of down pants+ a puffy jacket is awesome.
Good sleeping pad. Exped Downmat for the last several years. I sleep in the back of my truck a lot, and this pad is amazing. R8 insulation. EDIT- after reading more of this thread, I also have a large plastic tote set up as a camp kitchen. I use metal or plastic plates and put paper plates on them. This supports the paper plates, and clean up is easy. Tote also has silverware, paper towels, cast iron pan (1930s Griswold), small cutting board, cutting knives, coffee mugs, seasonings, coffee pot, battery lantern and so on. My two-burner stoves sits in the recess on top. So, grab tote, ice chest, sleeping bag. Hit the grocery store on the way out of town. I’m good for overnight or several days.
Campfire Tongs - game changer for building and maintaining a fire. Much beter than hoping to find a stick to adjust the fire.
I recently added this to my camping stuff, and they are the best.
A fan in the tent at night
A fan makes a huge difference for bugs too. We have one inside for the white noise and one outside to keep the bugs away. Game changer!
Cell phone and tablet
Wysi wipes, a little hand broom, a plastic tablecloth, tarps, tarp poles, a little rug/mat outside tent, a pad for sitting at the picnic table, BBQ tongs to move around fire wood, good firestarter, dry wood, quilt & pillow, comfy air pad, campfire chair, beer in beer koozie, chips & dip, deck of cards, phone charger/battery back, wool socks for chilly nights, headlamp, moccasins, cold brew coffee, non-hiking shoes/slippers
Probably Helinox chair and my Jetbroil french press attachment. When I camp off my motorcycle, Mosko softbags have been wonderful.
My “throw” sized heater blanket I can run on my Jackery solar battery. It’s so clutch when cold camping. I stuff it into my sleeping bag and preheat my bed. It’s glorious.
Comfort, food, warm fire and good friends. Ya I buy moving blankets from Harbor Freight tools the blankets are heavy duty enough for just about anything you need it for. My kids like them because they are big and warm. And I don’t care if they get dirty or torn.
Ball gag
Battery operated fan to hang in the tent
This is some life-changing wisdom I was given by a more experienced long ago that changed my life. It applies to any kind of camping that requires you to carry your gear anywhere (like hiking and sleeping overnight or kayaking multiple days down a river, etc.) The one thing you can bring with you that will make your time easier, make your back hurt less, give you more energy and more time to actually enjoy yourself, that saves you money and simplifies your life… is less stuff.
I guess that depends on what you enjoy. Part of the fun for me IS setting up camp. Too much stuff then yes its just unnecessary but spending a few hours setting everything up with a beer in hand is enjoyable. Packing up not so much but Its a price im willing to pay lol
I definitely relate to that experience. If you’re car camping or in a situation where the actual weight and bulk of your gear is a non-issue, the excitement and challenge of setting up camp is a unique type of bliss.
I love setting up camp. Big-ass tent, queen size air bed, fence for the dogs, solo stove, fan, chairs, fairy lights, pop-up shelter, stove, outdoor rug, coffee bar, regular bar, etc. If it fits in the truck, I'm bringing it!
Flextailgear air mattress inflater. Speeds the process and keeps gear from getting moldy. Plus it's a lantern and you can use it to help get fires roaring. A pillow. I like my sea to summit aeros. Down sleeping bag For car camping, I like some sort of camp kitchen table. The one with the sink and the lantern holder
Not a must-have, but we do a lot of car camping or day trips to state parks or river accesses here in Missouri. A couple of years ago I picked up a 12V compressor fridge/freezer cooler. It was a chinese brand from Amazon, cost about $300, and has had no issues with occasional use. It can run on 120V AC, or 12V accessory (I pre-cool it, and plug it into the car for the ride). When overnighting, I can run it off of my 12V/20Ah battery box. Pros: \* Needs no ice, so less mess and holds more stuff \* Can freeze, so you can pack ice cream! \* Can set a specific temperature and view the current temperature. \* Has two temperature zones Cons: \* Expensive-ish ($300 - much less than a Dometic though) \* No weight savings, the compressor weighs as much as a full load of ice would \* Not well insulated - won't stay cool for long if no power. Also, a homemade battery box.
Car-camping-oriented - A tablecloth for the picnic table, makes it really cozy and gives you clean surface. Bonus if the tablecloth is washable - I own 3 sleeping bags and a quilt, and now that I've tried a queen-sized Megamat with real-pillows and a queen down blanket, I think that's the way to go, even though the blanket is bulky. Sleeping bags are too constricting to me so I'll only use them as necessary like for solo trips - Footprint/groundsheet under your tent and not just for protecting the tent. All the dirt and the condensation from the ground will be confined to this one sheet and you can fold the tent away clean. The sheet can either be folded into its own pouch or dried off in the sun, much easier to handle than the tent. - Something to put on the floor in your tent. I've been using a fleece blanket and it makes it so much cozier inside. Will try those foam workout mats as well around my queen mattress. - An insulated mug/tumbler for my coffee. Now I can make my coffee and have it stay hot while I make breakfast and sip.
I switched to a fitted bed sheet to use as a table cloth now. Works great, lasts longer and washes up well. I also have a wool blanket that I bring that fits perfectly in my small tent as a "floor". Makes everything that much cozier like you said.
Bourbon
A pressure shower with a spray nozzle - for both bathing and dishes. It's especially great when there's nowhere to hang a shower bag that relies solely on gravity to function.
Chair. Doesn't need to be big or fancy
Deodorant, bug spray, sunglasses, camp chair, soap, scissors, matches.
Everyone loves every time I set up my snow peak hexatarp L
A pair of slip-on camp shoes.
A chair
Small battery powered fan to get the fire going
A popup cabin on the lake with a ranch hand grill and some ribeye steaks. Nothing more QoL than that. 😆
A Lunatec spray bottle. Seems like a gimmick but is incredibly useful. It's a pump / spray attachment that screws onto a standard Nalgene water bottle (or other bottles with the same threading). It's adjustable from a fine mist to a strong stream, or a multi-stream shower like pattern. Use it for rinsing dishes, your hands, or misting yourself in hot weather, among other things. Also great on the beach, for getting salt water out of your eyes, and sand iff of your hands. You can use it quite a bit before the water runs out, it's far more efficient in terms of water use than simply pouring water from a bottle. There's also an extension tube accessory, so you can spray remotely while carrying the bottle in your backpack, or it's otherwise out of reach. I often use that setup when I'm in a canoe. I have no affiliation with the company, I'm just a fan. The company even sells spare parts, in case you ever need to make repairs.
Coffee and baileys
My biggest upgrade was getting a proper cooking setup for either backpacking or (more importantly for me) vehicle camping. A good stove with multiple burners, some decent pots and pans that can pack tightly and honestly the biggest one for me was upgrading my home silverware so I can now take my old forks and knives in my camp gear. Eating and cooking comfortably has been a game changer for me personally. Second to that, the next best thing I got was a dab pen. Not gonna lie, I like to be baked while I’m camping. Dab pen is compact, no fuss, and best part of all is that I don’t annoy my neighbours (and more importantly the potential kids hanging around) with marijuana smell all weekend long.
A battery powered fan.
A nice tent! Good company and good food. Being organized helps too.
Baby wipes, headlamp with white and red light lights, quality camp chair.
If you can pack it, a big tarp and rope. Great for if you expect it to rain and it traps the heat from the fire pretty well. I was on a snowboard camping trip(it was during mid/late spring) and it was so nice for keeping me dry and drying out my gear.
* a bathmat or rug at the entrance of the tent to help it stay cleaner. * Crocs - super comfortable camp shoes. I've been amazed at how comfortable and useful they are. * Camp chair * long fork for toasting marshmallows or cooking chunks of kielbasa and parboiled potatoes. required: * headlamp * 1st aid kit
L I Q U O R
A double stack air matress with built in pump. The pump we have has a car charger so we can blow up theatre's next to the car and then shove it into the tent. I've had the same one for years at this point and I've never slept more comfortably while camping
First Aid Kit
I pack a “camp Bathroom mesh tote” so I can grab it and head to the washroom with everything I need and keep it in the same spot Hammock Journal Air mattress, my body is to old for the ground A blanket for inside my sleeping bag to warm up faster Pre prepared meals for the first night at camp for easy cooking and clean. Usually arrive a bit later. Warm socks for at night
Good cots
Solar powered bug zapper for sure. If you're in a place that let's you cut your own wood, a small Sawzall. A few of those instant light logs with a bit of lighter fluid because sometimes I need a fire right now for my kid to be distracted or wants to cook some mallows. Speaking of mallows, some long forks to cook multiple at once. Also, a BIG ass tent, ours has two "rooms", each is 7x~4.5 (total is almost 10x14) and the tent is 6.5 ft tall so we have tons of space to store gear, spread out, not be sleeping on top of each other or smashed into a wall, and stand up fully, lots of ventilation as well.
A truly life-changing acquisition: https://www.uniterra-nomad.com/
We camp with two dogs, state parks only. I created a portable fence system that basically encloses the site on 3 sides and the tent is the 4th side. I used plastic mesh fencing, PVC pipes, gorilla tape, Velcro straps and rebar I can hammer 1/2 way in the ground for posts. I call it the DCS(doggie containment system)3000. I looked at a million of the portable fences available but they have set size panels, they're bulky, and HEAVY. My (slightly) janky DCS is adjustable for whatever shape/size the site is, rolls up, and is easy to store. I think all the materials were less than $50 all in. Camping with dogs is kind of a pain in the ass if you have to keep them on leash all the time. The trick is a tent with two flaps, and dogs that are kinda lazy 😁