Top 10 Camping Gear Essentials

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Start With These Top 10 Camping Gear Essentials

Top 10 Camping Gear Essentials: Your Ultimate Beginner’s Guide. This list is perfect if your friends invited you to go camping and you’ve never been before or it’s been a very long time since you last went camping.

You have a few items and honestly, you just aren’t sure what you need and don’t need. If this sounds like you, then you need to start with this beginner’s list.

gray and black folding pocket knife — Photo by Lum3n on Pexels.com

Why start with these Top 10 Camping Gear Essentials?

I created this list to give you an idea of the very basic, essential items necessary for a comfortable camping trip.
This beginner’s camping gear list is a great starting point and will give you a great goal for gear to be on the lookout for.
I’ve been camping throughout Kentucky. Energy Lake at Land Between the Lakes, Green River, Red River Gorge, Daniel Boone National Forest & Nolin Lake. And throughout Arizona. Although I am still learning, I have camped in the rain and during winter. I continue to camp and learn as well as seek new information that I can then share.

1. Sleeping Bag

One of the key pieces of gear you’ll need is a sleeping bag like this Oaskys Camping Sleeping Bag.

A solid night’s rest is essential to your overall mood. If it gets too hot, you can unzip the bag to let some air in. However, if it’s not rated for low temperatures, and the temperature drops, expect to be chilly.

To solve this, look for a sleeping bag that is rated lower than the lowest temperature you will be camping in.

There are other considerations to also consider before purchasing your sleeping bag such as sleeping bag style. Check out this great article from REI: How to Choose Sleeping Bags for Camping

2. Hammock w/ Rain Tarp & Bug Net

A hammock is a great option vs. a tent because it keeps you off the ground. All you have to do is hang it between two trees, between a van and a tree, or even inside your grand caravan! I have mine set up inside my caravan and you can learn more about that on my YouTube Channel: Mellow Nomadic Adventures. I am currently filming my first video!

3. Cooler

Now unless you plan on having only non-refrigerated food, it’s likely you will need a way to keep your meal ingredients cold. I like to use the Coleman Portable 50 quart with Wheels and I like this cooler because it has wheels, a telescoping handle, a drain plug, & it’s 50 quarts which means I can fit a lot in it.

4. Camp Chair

Having a collapsible camp chair is also a great idea as some areas may not have anywhere else to sit. I use a chair similar to this Coleman Portable Camping Chair. You can catch them on sale at your local stores.

I also carry this tripod stool which has a smaller footprint.

5. Knife

Safety, preparing food, cutting rope, and a knife has multiple uses. I like this one because it has a full tang which means the blade runs from end to end and it has a leather sheath.

6. Water jug

Currently, I am using the 5-gallon version of this cube-style water jug. I purchased this jug years ago when I used to camp frequently. It’s still in great shape so I’m going to use this for now.

7. Rain Jacket

Having a rain jacket that is lightweight and that can be folded up into a backpack can be a game changer especially when the weather decides to turn. I have a Columbia rain jacket I picked up from Target for about $60 or you can check out this one which comes in under $30.

8. Cookware

You’ll want a small set of pots and pans that nest together and that also comes with utensils. Another item I have added is this Lodge griddle that has a flat top on one side and a grill top on the other. It’s actually on sale for about half off right now!

9. Gas Powered Stove

I inherited this Dual-Fuel Coleman Camping Stove from an old friend of my father. It’s used and still in great shape. This stove will use white gas fuel or unleaded gasoline.