There’s still time for the budding Bear Grylls to fit in a pleasant autumnal camping trip before the summer gives way completely into winter. Before you embrace that crisp autumn air, ensure that you have all the necessary kit to guarantee a comfortable stay, wherever you might be.
We’ve put together a list of the top essential items to take away with you, categorised by shelter, sleep, furniture, food preparation, hygiene, recreation, clothing and tools.
Contents
Contents
- 75 Essential Items to Take on Your Camping Trip
- Tent Reviews
- Sleeping Bag Reviews
- Mattress Reviews
- Stove Reviews
- Bike Reviews
75 Essentials Items to Take on Your Camping Trip
Get a general overview from this list, or skip to the bottom for more detailed reviews of tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, stoves and mountain bikes.
Shelter
- Tent
- Tent accessories
- Spare tent pegs
- Mallet or hammer
Sleep
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping mat or air mattress
- Air pump and air mattress repair kit (if applicable)
- Sheets and blankets
- Pillows
Furniture
- Table and chairs
- Hammock
- Windbreak
- Collapsible drying rack
- Camping lantern
Food Preparation
- Stove or BBQ
- Gas or charcoal
- Fire starters or newspaper
- Matches or a lighter
- Pots and pans
- Kettle
- Cooking utensils
- Tableware and cutlery
- Basin for washing dishes
- Tin and bottle opener
- Coolbox or coolbag
- Thermos
- Aluminium foil
- Washing up liquid
- Cooking oil
- Storage containers
- Skewers
- Cutting board
- Seasoning and condiments
Hygiene
- Wet wipes
- Personal medication
- First aid kit
- Sun cream
- Handwash
- Insect repellent
- Toilet roll
- Towel
- Soap and shampoo
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Comb or hairbrush
- Feminine products
Recreation
- Bikes and bike helmets
- Binoculars
- Cards, games and toys
- Notepad and pen
Clothing
- Shoes or boots
- Jeans, trousers and belt
- Shorts
- T-shirts
- Socks
- Hat or bandana
- Jumpers and jacket
- Underwear
- Sleep clothes
- Rain gear
- Swimming costume and towel
- Laundry bag
Tools and Hacks
- Batteries
- Compass or GPS
- Pocket knife
- Duct tape
- Dustpan and brush
- Torch and/or head torch
- Bin bags
- String
- Whistle
- Trail maps and guidebooks
- Mobile phone and charger
- Safety pins
- Travel alarm clock
- Umbrella
Best Tent Reviews
The first thing on your list when you head off camping – somewhere to sleep. Glamping and caravaning are both very popular nowadays, but if you do not have or want such luxuries, then a tent it must be. The ideal tent is secure, warm, lightweight, spacious and easy to put up and take down.
Two person: Coleman Cobra 2 Two Person Backpacking Tent
- Quick and easy to pitch
- Compact, lightweight and easy to repack
- 3000 mm HH waterproofing makes it reliable in wet weather
Four person: Coleman Instant Tourer Tent for Four
- Pre-attached steel poles save time when pitching and packing
- Well-ventilated and holds strong in the wind and rain
- SPF 50 built into the fabric
Five or more: Coleman Cortes Octagon 8
- Built-in floor and mosquito mesh
- Very spacious inside, perfect for glamping and festivals
- Lighter than traditional bell tents
Don’t forget to bring your tent accessories – a mallet and extra pegs – to make the process of putting up and taking down easier.
Best Sleeping Bag Reviews
A warm, comfortable sleeping bag is absolutely essential for camping – you don’t want to catch your death out there! 300 gsm is a good metric for a decent, warm sleeping bag. If you’re going later in the year or camping in a colder climate, it’s worth doing further research to make sure you buy a bag that will 100% go the distance, or regret it later. Don’t forget pillows and sheets!
£20 and under: Yellowstone Sleepwell 300 Sleeping Bag
- Comfortable and very roomy, allows for movement
- Ideal shape for sleeping in a hammock
- Perfect sleeping bag for summer, but warm enough for winter too
£50 and under: 300GSM Professional Mummy Sleeping Bag
- Warm and lightweight (double-layered 300 gsm)
- Contains a windproof double zipper system and valuables pouch
- Easy to roll up and repack
£80 and under: Grand Canyon Utah Blanket Sleeping Bag
- 2 way zip makes it easier to control temperature
- Suitable for all seasons – Comfort +2°C / Limit -3°C / Extreme -20°C
- Comes with pack sack for easy transportation
Best Camping Mattress Reviews
It’s no secret that camping has a reputation for being uncomfortable. But it does not have to be so. The essence of a good night’s sleep in a tent – aside from being warm and dry – is a trusty sleeping mat or air mattress. The benefit of a mat over a mattress is that you remove the risk of the mattress potentially deflating on you throughout the night. But an air mattress is undoubtedly more comfortable, especially if you’re pitched on a rough surface. The sensible camper would take an air mattress, with a backup mat just in case.
Basic: Vango Self-Inflating Mat
- Light and quick to inflate
- Easy to roll up and packs into a small bag
- Comfortable to sleep on and puncture-resistant
Medium: UKHobbyStore Airbed & Electric Air Pump
- Quick and easy to inflate and deflate
- Pump is powerful and easy to use
- Comfortable, though a little on the noisy side if you fidget
Luxury: ETEKCITY Upgraded Queen Size Double Air Bed
- Built-in electric pump and power cable
- Maintains shape and durability – no sinking
- Puncture proof material
Before you shell out on a bigger mattress, consider the size of your tent. Will a large mattress realistically fit inside? Will there still be space for your bags and clothes?
Best Camping Cookware Reviews
What better way to wake up in the woods than with a cooked breakfast of bacon and eggs, fresh from the stove? Investing in decent camping cookware is a must if you go camping a lot. There are some great lightweight options available to campers now. A good (but heavier) option is to get something like a fire pit, which can be used as both a stove and a barbeque – great for group trips. Think about what you’ll most likely be cooking and how you’ll be carrying the stove about, and make your decision based on this.
Basic stove: Campingaz Camp Bistro Gas Stove
- Automatic piezo ignition
- Suitable for large pans
- Comes with carry case for easy transportation
Top-of-the-range stove: Solo Stove Titan
- Efficient and ultra-clean burning
- Uses much less wood than an open fire
- Sealed base prevents embers from dropping on the ground
Best barbeque: La Hacienda 58106 Camping Firebowl
- Fire pit with the added bonus of a BBQ grill
- Lightweight with pull-out legs
- Best on paving or stones to avoid blackened grass
Best Mountain Bike Reviews
Mountain biking is not for everyone, but it goes hand-in-hand with camping as it’s a great way to explore local areas, woods and trails at a speedier pace than walking. For anything offroad, you will definitely want to invest in a specialised mountain bike – do not try it on a road bike, as the skinny tyres won’t be able to handle it. You need bulkier tyres and excellent suspension to tackle trails. Trust me on this one. And of course, don’t even think about going out there without a strong bike helmet and lights. Mountain biking is great fun, but the ground can get uneven and no-one is exempt from the occasional fall.
For men: VooDoo Bantu Mountain Bike
- Sharp aesthetics
- Excellent gears and brakes
- Very firm saddle; for long rides, it would benefit from a gel seat cover
For women: Carrera Vengeance Women’s Mountain Bike
- Light and comfy
- Very good suspension
- Speedy with strong brakes
For children: Ammaco Gladiator Kids Mountain Bike
- Six speed
- 20” wheels
- Only requires simple final assembly
For toddlers: WeeRide Classic Front Mounted Children’s Safest Bike Seat
- Suitable for ages 1-4
- Full suspension
- 5-point safety strap
Hopefully, you’re now feeling ready to go out and get everything you need to make your camping trip as fun and fulfilling as possible. Remember, as the Scouts say: Always be prepared.
Leave a Reply