Camping 101 | A Really Simple Gear List for Beginners

Selecting camping equipment is perhaps the most common pitfall for beginners before their first camping experience. When purchasing camping gear, it's crucial to consider a range of factors, such as budget, location, season, and the camper's needs – it can be quite an investment all at once. For those new to camping, what are the essential camping supplies? Personally, I prefer a minimalist approach, gradually acquiring items based on trial and experience. Below is a list of what I believe are essential equipment items. I hope everyone has a smooth first camping experience.

Camping equipment, first exposure equipment 2
Camping gears

Essentials #1 | Tent

A tent is one of the basic equipment for camping. It is one of the most important items in camping, it is our home in the wilderness and protects us from the weather and insects. When choosing a tent, you mainly need to consider the size, weight, material and design.

For newcomers, these concepts might not be familiar, so having a basic understanding is sufficient - buy a tent slightly bigger than the number of people who are going to be there, e.g. for two people, buy a 3-4 person tent, and for four people, buy a 6 person tent.

We don't need to buy many things for the first time. We can think about the larger tents for living room and kitchen purposes later. All we need is a place to sleep and store basic stuffs here for now. After deciding the size, search according to your budget. If you don't have too many people in your family, you can buy a 3-4 person tent which should even work for hike-in sites. (Although it is not the lightest, at least you will be able to carry it)

After trying camping out, if you plan to camp for more than a few days a time and intend to have family and friends join you, your equipment list will increase over time. You can also opt for larger tents then. However, for short-term camping, a lightweight tent should suffice. Modern tents are of good quality, easy to carry, and as long as you choose reputable brands, you can't go wrong. More affordable options like Coleman are available, while pricier ones include The North Face and REI. Choose according to your budget.

Here are a few examples:

Essentials #2 | Camping stakes and hammer

Many beginners tend to overlook the importance of tent stakes and guy lines. Especially tent stakes – they are fundamental for securing your tent. Quality tent stakes ensure that your tent remains stable regardless of the weather conditions.

Generally, tents come with included tent stakes, so you can manage without buying additional ones. However, many times tents only come with four or six stakes, and it's recommended to have at least eight stakes. This ensures that you can secure all the loops of your tent. My personal favorite tent stakes are from MSR. I've bought multiple sets over time. While they might be a bit more expensive, they're of high quality and provide excellent stability.

If you have stakes, you'll need a mallet. If you've invested in good quality stakes, avoid using a heavy iron hammer that could damage them. Opt for a regular camping mallet – lightweight, portable, and much easier to use when removing stakes.

Essentials #3 | Sleeping Bag and Sleeping Pad

Sleeping bags and sleeping pads are another important piece of equipment for camping. When choosing a sleeping bag, it is important to consider the temperature rating and the type of filling. Sleeping pads provide extra comfort and support to make you feel more comfortable while sleeping.

Sleeping bags and sleeping pads are never recommended to be skipped. Those who have not been camping before are often unaware of the fact that the ground is in fact damp and cold at night, and if you don't keep warm, it will almost definitely ruin the entire experience. Sleeping pads can also turn uneven floors into comfortable beds, "A good sleeping pad will make you sleep like a king!"

If you can afford it, buy a sleeping bag that can be used in all seasons and a sleeping pad that is warm and does not require self-inflation. The sleeping bag should work in at least 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or 20 degrees Fahrenheit if you plan to camp in fall.

Essentials #4 | Cooking Equipment

Unless you go camping and buy everything including water from elsewhere, some cooking equipment is a must for camping. The common ones include camp stoves, grills, lights and fuel. When purchasing cooking equipment, it is important to consider their weight, size and ease of use.

If you are going to a campground that provides the basics (in the United States, campgrounds usually provide fire rings and grills that can be used for basic grilling and cooking), you just need to bring firewood or charcoal. However, a basic camp stove that can boil water and is lightweight is still a must.

I recommend buying the first set of camp stove for convenience and a set of camping utensils that can be used for both eating and drinking. If you want to cook, try using the campground's equipment to grill meat, or bring your existing cassette stove. My favorite thing to bring is a Jetboil stove to boil water, it's also great for picnics.

Essentials #5 | Lighting

Lighting at night is a must. If you don't want to spend money on flashlights, bring whatever you can find, but I highly recommend buying a headlamp to greatly improve the quality of your camping experience. Camping often requires the use of both hands, at least when going to the toilet, it is really tiring to hold a flashlight.

Others

  • There are often quite a lot of insects, bring a mosquito repellent product.
  • The campground is not always covered, so bring sunscreen.
  • It's more convenient to bring a larger water container so you don't have to make too many trips to the faucet.
  • Even in summer, the difference in temperature between morning and evening in the wilderness may be greater than you can imagine, so you should bring a warm jacket in case of emergency. If you are driving and able to carry a heavier load, you can bring more clothes and add a few layers.
  • Other things that you would normally bring on a trip, such as toiletries are still needed, don't forget to bring them.

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