Best Camping Essentials: Unplug And Recharge In The Wild

Bathing under the moonlight and the gorgeous network of stars, with fresh breezes brushing past the face and carrying away with them the complexities, lethargies, and monotony of daily routine- camping is therapeutic. An unplugging from the fast-paced lifestyle of the tech-driven world, camping is an antidote to cluttered thoughts. Whether staged beside a river or nestled in the lap of mountains, the joy remains profound. However, living in the greens with little to no luxuries of the routine, a careful selection of essentials to be carried is a must. We have brought to you a list of the best camping essentials that'll keep you covered during your next adventure in the greens.

Best Camping Essentials

1. Backpack

Backpacks make for a great travel partner, even when travelling solo. Wearable storehouses of sort, these are designed to avoid pressure on the back and help in covering long distances without being hurdled by the weight of the essentials. An ideal backpack offers large storage space, several compartments, handy pockets, and is made of rugged, durable material. Select a backpack depending upon the number of days to be travelled, length of the trek, your height and the items to be packed. Very heavy packing must be avoided at all costs.

2. Tent

Camping serves the taste of nomadic life by providing stays in make-shift-arrangements. If you have decided to snooze off in a tent, it is important to consider the group size and match it with the sleeping capacity of the tent in question. Another factor to consider is its season-specific build- while some can withstand all the seasons smoothly (eg. four-season tents), others are designed for camping in lighter weather conditions such as spring, falls, and summer (three-season tents). Some more things to be checked for include peak height, tent floor-length, tent doors, rainfly, interior loops/pockets, ventilation, etc.

3. Sleeping Bags

A sound sleep is very important during travel, especially when you also have hiking in your to-do list. To pick the right sleeping bag, make sure that its temperature rating is lower than the lowest night time temperature of the place you are camping in. Similarly, the insulation when provided by down fill in comparison to synthetic ones, offers a lighter weight, compact packing, and is better suited for cold and dry weather conditions. Synthetic ones on the other hand continue to insulate even in damp conditions and are affordable with quicker drying. You can also check for additional features such as shape, sleeping bag hood, zipper features, stash pocket etc.

4. Camping Stove

Camping serves the refreshing taste of nature, freedom and serenity. However, away from the luxuries of daily life, they require the travellers to prepare their own food, giving them the adrenaline rush of being a survivor in nature besides a truckload of memories to cherish and forever. To cook in the wild, cooking stoves need to be carried around. While backpacking stoves are smaller, lighter, and are designed primarily for boiling water, camping stoves are heavier, larger, more hardwearing, and can simmer well while allowing main course meals to be prepared. Before finalising a cooking stove, travellers need to check for the number of burners, wind-resistance, simmer control, fuel type and capacity, and cooking space.

5. Flashlight

As fascinating as “into the wild” sounds, safety precautions are a must to navigate through the wilderness safely. While camping or even hiking and trekking, for that matter, one may encounter pitch dark pathways, which need to be properly scanned in ample light before stepping forward, necessitating a powerful flashlight. An ideal outdoor flashlight should give off roughly between 100 to 200 lumens of brightness. Similarly, lighter flashlights running on rechargeable batteries with long durability are preferred.

6. First Aid Kit

First aid kits keep the campers fully prepared in case of any minor accident, injury or medical emergency. It is usually advised to take along bandages, tweezers, scissors, anti-septic or anti-biotic creams or wipes, bug repellents, anti-acids, ice pack and over the counter pills for fever, cold, cough, nausea, stomach pain, backache, diarrhea, etc. If you are planning on camping in a very sunny area, keep sunscreen handy. Don’t forget to pack any of your regular medication or anti-allergens. You can also read a few manuals or watch expert-recognised videos on medical emergencies in advance to avoid panic during the situation.

Tips For Camping

1. Pack smart and light to avoid carrying around bulky weights. 

2. Avoid testing your camping skills on the site and practice beforehand to get a hang of setting up a camp quickly. 

3. Decide and virtually scan or research about your campsite beforehand to avoid chaos and confusion at the occasion. 

4. Carry snacks, energy bars and easily prepared food items to ensure a constant source of energy while in the wild. 

5. Make sure to pack fire starters, utensils, pots etc., if you are planning on displaying your culinary skills on the campsite. 

6. To ensure a comfortable sleep-time, you can also carry along an extra padding or inflatable mattresses.    

7. Dress as per the terrain. It is usually advised to choose moisture-wicking clothes and synthetic or wool socks to keep the body sweat-free. 

8. Make sure to waterproof your tent or carry the requisite gear for the same, to avoid any last-minute panic, due to unexpected pours. 

9. If you are looking for camping in solace, plan your visit on weekdays instead of weekends to avoid the rush. 

10. Carry with you hand-sanitisers, soaps, and toilet papers, among other toiletries to ensure hygiene and avoid any infections. 

11. Don’t forget to carry a fully-stocked first aid kit to counter any small injuries or medical injuries. 

12. Bring along insect-repellents and avoid camping near high grass to avoid ticks.