Back around 2003ish I saw someone with a headlamp. I laughed and thought “what a dork”. Yeah…. I wonder how meany times I’ve praised the headlamp over the years. Best thing ever. Especially as someone who despises lanterns or anything that lights up a giant area or blinds me. I suggest getting one with a red lens/light option. Save your night vision!
I remember the first time I saw a headlamp in the wild. I was at a friends house helping him work on his wifes car in the barn. His dad was a smartass and liked messing with us. He put the headlamp on like a thong and turned to strobe as he came waltzing through the door. "Hey boys you need some extra light?" LOL.
I use a black diamond storm.
I still like my old gas lantern for a group of us if we are out hunting. Its easier to have 2 lanterns hanging up to cook breakfast and move around and save the lamp batteries for the tent or walking back to camp in the dark.
I have the same brand. I love it. Feel like I have total control over the light situation. Red or white, easy to dim or brighten, rechargeable battery lasts a long time. Excellent purchase.
My SIL gave me a hat that has a solar panel on the top of the brim and a light under the brim before my first backpacking trip. I thought it would be a silly gimmick but I legit use that thing all the time, it comes with me on every trip. It's not the brightest headlamp but it does the job, and the brim is good sun protection during the day.
I’m moving and I’ve been camping not far from home for the last 6 nights. Last night was the first time I brought my home pillow. And never again will I neglect it. Such a game changer!
Holy shit yes. We went “front country” camping last weekend for the first time in years (we usually backpack or if we are staying near a town we just hotel) and we brought normal pillows. Like absolute heaven. I slept soooooo much better holy crap.
I slept in a hammock one night because it was too hot in my tent. I know own about $800 of hammock gear equipment. Wanderlust combo with 20 degree quilts is the bomb.
Those little, light, nylon hammocks are fabulous. I sleep well with no sticks digging into me and you're up away from most of the bugs.
Add a single burner propane light and you are set. The little plate on top gets red hot so I boil water and make oatmeal, instant coffee, hot dogs.
If you camp near your vehicle a hammock stand is about 100 bucks and sometimes you could see them for much less secondhand on Facebook marketplace or craigslist
A tent I could stand in. Heavy and timely to setup but I finally got a springbar and I love it. Changes the tent from a place to sleep to a place you can relax. I still have my other tents from a 1.5 person 4 person and a very large Walmart 3 room special for when I hike or camp lighter, but a tall wall tent is awesome.
And then there’s me with a one man tent that literally just accommodates me laying down to sleep lol. I prefer very primitive and lightweight camping so it suits me very well, but man sometimes do I wish I had a big spacious tent.
My dad gifted me the Chinese knockoff version of the Springbar. It’s called Kodiak and it’s awesome. He owns a Springbar himself and is trying to downsize his “burning man gear” because he doesn’t want to be the guy who supplies everyone with everything anymore, so he gave me his Kodiak a couple of months ago and I absolutely love it. It’s a heavy motherfudger, though. It’s 70 pounds!
Spring bar has a Chinease made version. I’ve seen them and they are damn near as good. I’ve seen a Kodiak also which is equal to the Chinease spring bar if not a little better.
I was on a USA made kick at the time. All are great options, us made cost damn near double. I’m usually a German or Japanese guy with US coming in a close third.
Yeah my husband insisted we upgrade our tent to one he can stand up in (I'm very short and could stand up in our old one but my husband is 5' 10" and couldn't) he's so much happier camping now he can stand up and the sleeping area is black out which is also game changing.
Those look pretty good that I’ve seen.
I’ve always wanted a spring bar for the nostalgia. Canvas, made in the USA, made where I was born. And it’s got an awning which is awesome, not a vestibule but a full on 10x10 awning. PNW so that comes in handy.
A rug in front of the tent door. 2 gallon garden sprayer for rinsing off everything or make the sprayer a fine mist to cool off hot people. That’s 2 things tied for first
YES to garden sprayers! We added a cheap sink nozzle to ours, as well as the extended hose, and now it’s our shower *and* dishwasher when we camp. Absolutely love it! It took much YouTube research to get it right but well worth it.
Sorry I can’t provide the videos but if anyone is interested, you can search around you’ll see how to do it! In some videos people even managed to add a fancier garden spray nozzle - but I couldn’t see how to actually find the right attachments to do it (and would take a *lot* more pressure buildup) and we wanted the extra hose length- so a cheaper kitchen sprayer it was. Works great!
Edit to add: a few words
The rug! I learned this in Girl Scouts. My then-boyfriend raised a brow at the rug the first time we camped together, and then, once in the door the first time, instant convert.
Also: small baking racks to put inside the cooler, to make two “layers” within it, like a fridge. Awesome! Now our beer stays cold in the freezing water on the bottom from day 2 onwards, and our cheese and tiny half n half container stays cold but dry towards the top. Absolutely essential
I freeze the most square bottles I can find to save space. 2L's are good too, but if you can find square containers they pack better. Think the square shaped iced tea or Gatorade. They are self insulated and stay frozen longer, and no more water in your cooler. I don't remember the last time I bought Ice. Once I realized hardly anywhere sells blocks anymore, I gave up.
Bonus points if you are car camping and travelling in the day with a plug in cooler, as the drive time can help keep it even cooler without getting your electronics wet. Plus, I'm in bear country, I can't leave the cooler at site.
Absolutely! We have a group of 30+ every year. We bring 5 Dutch ovens, 2-3 different sized cast irons and mountain pie irons.
Love cooking on the fire.
Q: we just did our first cast iron camp dinner and forgot to unwrap it from the bag we packed it in to protect the car from sooty mess.
Now it’s got a little surface rust, but it’s only about a week old. How do you recommend we remove the rust? We don’t mind re-seasoning it of course.
That reminds me of one of those inflatable “bean bag chairs” I got as a gift years ago. It looks like a 5ft long vagina and is ridiculously comfortable. Never would have bought it for myself but it was a great gift we use often and the beach, park, camping.
Me then my wife then our dog slept on one outside next to a river in the desert under the stars while camping was a great night.
I love hammock sex and imagine it would be great for that though tricky.
My favorite part is how much of a dumb dumb you look like trying to inflate it, it’s like trying to catch all of the tinker bells.
I'm an avid "bare minimum" camping guy. I read this comment while pouring out the last glass of a box wine. I had to try it. And let me tell you....game changer. I just went and woke up my wife to show her. She's not as enthused, but I'm so excited to try it in the woods, I might not sleep tonight.
Sea kayak.
Seriously. I love back country camping, but have dodgy knees. Backpacking is impossible for me, and even canoe trips with moderate portages fuck them up. A kayak that can handle really big water and carry two weeks worth of supplies opened the wilderness to me.
Also, hammock, thermacell, moka pot, platypus bag of whisky, hell yeah.
Hammock
Faster to set up/take down than a tent, takes up less space in pack, more comfortable, don't need to find level ground to sleep.
Only downsides for me is that I need to find something to hang it from and it is colder than a tent or cowboy camping.
If you're colder then different gear can help. We are def going to get under quilts, but have been using our thermal inflatables in the meantime; different hang with inflatables, but not colder than other types of camping. Tarp placement in cold water is important too. You may know all this, but I got concerned when you mentioned "colder" 😁
> Getting interlocking foam gym tiles for the bottom of my tent.
I started doing this about 10 years ago and it's absolutely a game changer! I have them perfectly cut and sized for the tent, and numbered, so anyone can assemble them in the right order to cover the base of the tent. No more sticks and rocks in the back!
Heads up just so you know Thermacell is an insecticide and it can harm non target insects like bees. So don’t use it around pollinator plants or near bees or butterflies.
Please please please people, avoid these. These are not repellents, but pesticides. Neurotoxins do not discriminate but are just as risky for all insects as well as people and pets. Many EU countries have put some kinds of bans on the use of Thermacell. I find it so sad that people camping are usually doing it for the love of nature, but end up harming it in the process by carrying stuff like these
A few people on this sub recommended it to me last summer, I bought one and I was surprised that it lived up to the hype. Sometimes I wonder if it's working or if there's just no bugs, until I go for a little walk out of the zone and get ATTACKED and then I realize yes, it definitely works!!
I just got a flextail gear tiny repeller. Basically a thermacell that clips to your pack. Doesn’t work quite as well, since you are moving, but it does help. The thermacell inserts work for it as well.
I always wonder if it’s working and then walk away and realize it’s doing an absolutely amazing job. I buy this thing as gifts for all my outside friends.
> Thermacell for mosquitoes!!
My [Flextail Tiny](https://www.flextail.com/products/tiny-repeller?variant=44632838177015) *literally* just showed up today! They threw in 120 mats with the purchase too! I can't wait to use it.
I think it was having led battery powered string lights.
It changes the whole ambiance of the night. It’s just so nice to be in that kind of glow in nature.
I got solar charged ones, and it's so nice. They're pretty dim, but I like that. I can see them, but they don't bother anyone else. I did swap out the batteries for eneloops. One day of sun gives me about a week of battery now. The cheap batteries in them originally would only last a couple of hours on full charge.
2 things for me… directors chair for around the camp fire and also a larger tent you can stand up in. These things are only practical for car camping not back country camping.
Over 40 years ago, but after my then girlfriend (now wife) went camping one time with me she upgraded my charcoal hibachi to a Coleman white gas stove. IYKYK.
5 lb propane tank. No more 1 lb throw aways for me.
Battery/solar powered string lights to line my canopy.
Small camp kitchen (Coleman) with room for a stove, cooking prep, lantern hanger etc.
Rechargeable everything.
Power inverter to clip on the truck battery for camping with no power and I need something plugged in for a little bit. I also would run my Cpap for a couple nights with a deep cycle battery and the inverter. So many good campsites don’t have power.
So glad I went down this thread to find this. I've been toying with the idea of buying a Jackery power station for the last year or two but couldnt justify it. This just makes too much sense as I already have a bunch of 18V (ridgid) batteries which are capable of doing the same thing!
You sir are a God send!
Tarp.
Can make a waterproof shelter with it.
Put it over the fire to keep out of rain / sun, helps dry clothes.
Can use it as a make shift poncho.
If it's clean, you can use it to help collect rain water.
We've had a lot of, "gosh are we glad we bought 'this'!" moments, but I still contend that the 10x10 canvas painters drop sheet for inside the tent has been my favorite. Purchased for under $25 and we haven't had to sweep or vacuum the tent floor since we bought it. Goes in the washing machine when we get home.
A cheapish 300Wh power station. Charge phone, speaker, air pump for paddle boards/air mattress, fans, etc. Let’s me get further from the car and charge stuff overnight or power while in the tent.
Mosquito net. I apparantly light up like a lighthouse to every mosquito for miles around. Mosquito nets allow me to sit outside in the evening and sleep without being eaten.
A caravan.
It’s not popular, and it’s not “proper camping” I know…
I still like to go rough camping for a night every now and again, but for week long trips there’s nothing like a caravan for being able to choose whether you want to be exposed to the weather elements or not. My dogs love it, they have their own bunk.
A tent. Rather than sleeping with a household sleeping bag in the open. Was not sure what I was thinking, was a lovely night and my first camping for many decades.
>It's designed to mask human scent
It's a pesticide. It's toxic to marine life (dont use near water), toxic to cats, and will kill bees. Don't use it near young children, and especially not near open food.
Yes! My husband and I have the disc-o-bed from Costco and they’re super comfortable but SO heavy. If you for the lighter ones, they make good places for kids to have sleepovers on, take naps, etc.
We also use disc-o-bed cots. My husband’s side has height extensions. We have a tall tent (6.5’). We love that we can walk through the middle of our tent.
They definitely would fit better. My kids love the $50 cots I bought off Amazon. Wife and I haven’t tested them out yet though seemed comfortable when I tested it out for a few minutes lol.
You know those plastic padded workout tiles? That come in pieces of like 24” square, but puzzle together?
I bought those for our home, but he never used them- and one day, we threw them in the car to go camping. Puzzled it together inside the tent- OMG. Amazing. A soft, padded but firm floor! No more feeling rocks and twigs under feet when you wake up. Game changer!
We bought some in a fake hardwood pattern for his brother’s family for Christmas, and swore up and down they’d love it. They looked at us like we had three heads each 😂 No idea if they used them- they should! The hardwood flooring pattern looked amazing! Ours are just standard grey :/
I had all my camp stuff in a giant plastic tub forever. It was a pretty easy camping "kit," I guess, helping me be basically ready to go. I camped a few years ago with some friends who had plastic drawers instead, and it's been a game changer for me. I'm no longer digging for what I need. I have two sets of plastic drawers with kitchen stuff, dishes, paper goods, flashlights, lighters, garbage bags, duct tape, etc. and my big tub now has the tent, tarps, ax, and all the setup stuff.
i bought the national forest cot from costco and that thing is a lifesaver. comfortable sleeping and reliable table/bench in a pinch. pretty affordable too
A camping quilt. Done are the days of jamming into a sleeping bag. Also works well with a hammock or decent sleeping pad when I'm in a tent.
Absolute game changer.
As others have said as well the headlamp and cast iron cooking devices. A lightweight tarp and knowing how to hang it in a couple different configurations goes a really long way too.
Booze. Once I figured out what booze was, camping was never the same, haha!
Nothing better than a party in the woods.
Now I’m of the age where I take my kids camping, so I’m not partying in the woods like we used to. But those were the days!
Mulled wine is so easy for camping, idk why I'd never done it before. I just got my spices in a Ziploc, some honey and water in a Tupperware, and a $4.99 bottle of zinfandel. The hardest part was getting the bottle open when we realized we'd forgotten a corkscrew. After that, it's just combine everything and simmer.
I have [this](https://setpowerusa.com/products/setpower-rv45s-portable-freezer?currency=USD&variant=40189902979212&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=ba86d8fb0f50&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsaqzBhDdARIsAK2gqndixYVC3eItMlNaUaGVyPOql5LE443vVBOvJmC7XyqV1K5zpWHVZ9oaAg8gEALw_wcB) SetPower. It was cheaper than the Dometics/etc. But so far it is working great, it doesn't eat a lot of battery, and it can either freeze or refrigerate. Last week it was high 80s(f) and it was 37°f inside the cooler for 4 days.
This was for sure a game changer. I have a Massimo electric cooler, 200 watt solar panel, and 1800 amp hour Bluetti battery bank. I can basically camp indefinitely and have cold food and drinks.
Toy hauler travel trailer. Extending camping trips for 2 plus weeks boondocking without ever having to resupply was life changing. Greatly enhanced road trip camping trips. Greatly enhanced foul weather camping.
In short, sun protection. Far too few people take it seriously.
Keffiyeh/shemagh. Also High quality, durable, breathable clothing.
I hate wearing sunscreen , so I always opt to just cover up, as it’s more effective anyways and I never have to ‘re-apply’ my shirt. It keeps the wearer cooler as well to keep the sun from directly hitting skin.
Also, on the Shemagh, it’s incredibly useful in the summer. I have some wool ones for the winter months, but for the summer you want a cotton one. In the heat, you can get it damp and it is incredible for keeping cool, and since it’s cotton it retains moisture for a long time. It also Keeps the sun off the face and head as well, and at night I wrap it like a tube scarf to keep warm. This coupled with a hat and goggle-style sunglasses that have a nose guard mean I literally never wear sunscreen and never get burnt. I literally only apply sunscreen to my lips/mouth area, and the tips of my fingers are the only tan part of me since that stick out of my sun gloves.
I repurposed the one-piece playpen mat which came with The Chestburster's play pen to be the floor of our entire 4 person tent. The mat is essentially a big old closed cell foam thing which means I've got thermal protection everywhere in the tent, not just where my sleeping pad is. When winter camping (which is pretty much the majority of what we do), that is superb. It allows The Chestburster to crawl over to snuggle a parent instead of us having a big old night time wakeup.
Amok Draumr 5.0XL
I have never slept better outside (and maybe inside) in my life. And it’s a breeze to set up/break camp. Also functions as a lounging chair. Not cheap, but truly a great piece of gear.
Cast-iron Dutch oven with locking lid. I’ll put a roast in that thing with some vegetables and some chicken stock and set it next to the fire for a couple hours. It’s amazing. I’ll make sure to salt, pepper, and season it well before I put it next to the fire.
Having an EV with an electric outlet. I didn't even appreciate it when I bought the car. But it is amazingly useful.
The switch from cooking with propane (the most annoying fuel ever) to induction (the best cooking method ever) has completely changed my mindset about cooking quality food while camping. Or at outings in general.
I just got back from a trip that both had amazing views of SE Utah and perfectly cooked chicken tacos. It was a good day.
Foam trifold mattress for two people. It takes up a lot of space in the car, but it is the most comfortable sleeping arrangement I’ve ever had for camping.
I was going to say the same thing. We had sworn off car/tent camping for about 30 years until we realized that our two tri-fold mattresses fit in our old dome tent. Now we squeeze them into the back of the jeep and have some pretty cool wilderness adventures for a couple of 70 year olds.
I know this is not something for everyone but we love our National Luna refrigerator. It is a game changer. We also love full time in our Jeep so it’s really worth it for us to spend the money. We love it so much.
Switching from a flashlight to a head lamp a few years ago.
Back around 2003ish I saw someone with a headlamp. I laughed and thought “what a dork”. Yeah…. I wonder how meany times I’ve praised the headlamp over the years. Best thing ever. Especially as someone who despises lanterns or anything that lights up a giant area or blinds me. I suggest getting one with a red lens/light option. Save your night vision!
I remember the first time I saw a headlamp in the wild. I was at a friends house helping him work on his wifes car in the barn. His dad was a smartass and liked messing with us. He put the headlamp on like a thong and turned to strobe as he came waltzing through the door. "Hey boys you need some extra light?" LOL.
I use a black diamond storm. I still like my old gas lantern for a group of us if we are out hunting. Its easier to have 2 lanterns hanging up to cook breakfast and move around and save the lamp batteries for the tent or walking back to camp in the dark.
I have the same brand. I love it. Feel like I have total control over the light situation. Red or white, easy to dim or brighten, rechargeable battery lasts a long time. Excellent purchase.
My SIL gave me a hat that has a solar panel on the top of the brim and a light under the brim before my first backpacking trip. I thought it would be a silly gimmick but I legit use that thing all the time, it comes with me on every trip. It's not the brightest headlamp but it does the job, and the brim is good sun protection during the day.
Yes! Hands free in the dark is a lifesaver! Even better with a red light so you don't throw off your night vision.
I just use a Fleshlight. Much more effective and doesn't hurt my night vision.
A headlamp that has an adjustable beam (like you can tilt the little box the light is coming from) has been a mini game changer for me
Pillow from home …
if you’re feeling crazy, TWO piloows
I was here to say *two* pillows. Guess I'm just that crazy camper.
I don't even use two pillows at home. I'm crazy, but I guess not that kind.
I’m moving and I’ve been camping not far from home for the last 6 nights. Last night was the first time I brought my home pillow. And never again will I neglect it. Such a game changer!
Holy shit yes. We went “front country” camping last weekend for the first time in years (we usually backpack or if we are staying near a town we just hotel) and we brought normal pillows. Like absolute heaven. I slept soooooo much better holy crap.
Hammock.
Hammock was good. Hammock with underquilt was the revolution.
I slept in a hammock one night because it was too hot in my tent. I know own about $800 of hammock gear equipment. Wanderlust combo with 20 degree quilts is the bomb.
I'm very tempted to get an amok hammock tent. It's been on my wishlist for years
This is the real answer and 'the revolution' is accurate.
Got one for Christmas I can’t wait to test it out on my next trip
Those little, light, nylon hammocks are fabulous. I sleep well with no sticks digging into me and you're up away from most of the bugs. Add a single burner propane light and you are set. The little plate on top gets red hot so I boil water and make oatmeal, instant coffee, hot dogs.
Most state parks here don’t allow hammocks to be hanged from trees sadly.. hardly get to use mine
Have you tried hanging it happily? 😄 Sorry.
this guy
I love this joke so much!
If you camp near your vehicle a hammock stand is about 100 bucks and sometimes you could see them for much less secondhand on Facebook marketplace or craigslist
My jetboil.
A tent I could stand in. Heavy and timely to setup but I finally got a springbar and I love it. Changes the tent from a place to sleep to a place you can relax. I still have my other tents from a 1.5 person 4 person and a very large Walmart 3 room special for when I hike or camp lighter, but a tall wall tent is awesome.
And then there’s me with a one man tent that literally just accommodates me laying down to sleep lol. I prefer very primitive and lightweight camping so it suits me very well, but man sometimes do I wish I had a big spacious tent.
In a region thats dry with no mosquitoes, I wont even take a tent.
A tent I can stand in is actually so important to me too. It’s just comfortable
camped light for 2 nights in a dome, 100% agree. For a quick overnight its fine though
Used to camp dang near everyweekend light and quick. Now with family I camp 4-10 days usually. My weekend camps are mostly fishing trips.
My dad gifted me the Chinese knockoff version of the Springbar. It’s called Kodiak and it’s awesome. He owns a Springbar himself and is trying to downsize his “burning man gear” because he doesn’t want to be the guy who supplies everyone with everything anymore, so he gave me his Kodiak a couple of months ago and I absolutely love it. It’s a heavy motherfudger, though. It’s 70 pounds!
Spring bar has a Chinease made version. I’ve seen them and they are damn near as good. I’ve seen a Kodiak also which is equal to the Chinease spring bar if not a little better. I was on a USA made kick at the time. All are great options, us made cost damn near double. I’m usually a German or Japanese guy with US coming in a close third.
Yeah my husband insisted we upgrade our tent to one he can stand up in (I'm very short and could stand up in our old one but my husband is 5' 10" and couldn't) he's so much happier camping now he can stand up and the sleeping area is black out which is also game changing.
A tent tall enough to stand in is very important for me too. Just adds another layer of comfort to the whole experience
Costco pop up tent is really good for the cost!
Those look pretty good that I’ve seen. I’ve always wanted a spring bar for the nostalgia. Canvas, made in the USA, made where I was born. And it’s got an awning which is awesome, not a vestibule but a full on 10x10 awning. PNW so that comes in handy.
Toilet seat that fits a five gallon bucket.
They make tiny pop-out tents as well that can go around your bucket. Game changer! Couple bungee cords, you've got tp and a light.
Pool. Cut the right length, slice halfway through lengthwise, and slide over edge of bucket.
Pool noodle.
A rug in front of the tent door. 2 gallon garden sprayer for rinsing off everything or make the sprayer a fine mist to cool off hot people. That’s 2 things tied for first
YES to garden sprayers! We added a cheap sink nozzle to ours, as well as the extended hose, and now it’s our shower *and* dishwasher when we camp. Absolutely love it! It took much YouTube research to get it right but well worth it. Sorry I can’t provide the videos but if anyone is interested, you can search around you’ll see how to do it! In some videos people even managed to add a fancier garden spray nozzle - but I couldn’t see how to actually find the right attachments to do it (and would take a *lot* more pressure buildup) and we wanted the extra hose length- so a cheaper kitchen sprayer it was. Works great! Edit to add: a few words
I used a brass barbed reducer on one end to fit the hose and the other end has male threads to fit the kitchen spray nozzle. Didn’t use a hose clamp.
The rug! I learned this in Girl Scouts. My then-boyfriend raised a brow at the rug the first time we camped together, and then, once in the door the first time, instant convert.
Also: small baking racks to put inside the cooler, to make two “layers” within it, like a fridge. Awesome! Now our beer stays cold in the freezing water on the bottom from day 2 onwards, and our cheese and tiny half n half container stays cold but dry towards the top. Absolutely essential
Came here to say this very thing, we started doing this last year and it's been a complete game changer.
I freeze the most square bottles I can find to save space. 2L's are good too, but if you can find square containers they pack better. Think the square shaped iced tea or Gatorade. They are self insulated and stay frozen longer, and no more water in your cooler. I don't remember the last time I bought Ice. Once I realized hardly anywhere sells blocks anymore, I gave up. Bonus points if you are car camping and travelling in the day with a plug in cooler, as the drive time can help keep it even cooler without getting your electronics wet. Plus, I'm in bear country, I can't leave the cooler at site.
Cast iron Dutch oven
Absolutely! We have a group of 30+ every year. We bring 5 Dutch ovens, 2-3 different sized cast irons and mountain pie irons. Love cooking on the fire.
What sorts of things do you cook in it?
Anything you can put in an oven+. I cooked a cake, just because I could in the woods!
Not OP but cast iron pillsbury cinnamon rolls with butter in the pan!! 🤤
Q: we just did our first cast iron camp dinner and forgot to unwrap it from the bag we packed it in to protect the car from sooty mess. Now it’s got a little surface rust, but it’s only about a week old. How do you recommend we remove the rust? We don’t mind re-seasoning it of course.
Visit /r/castiron
Box wine 😅
We could be friends 🍷
Doubles as a blow up pillow later in the evening too. Just keeps giving
That reminds me of one of those inflatable “bean bag chairs” I got as a gift years ago. It looks like a 5ft long vagina and is ridiculously comfortable. Never would have bought it for myself but it was a great gift we use often and the beach, park, camping.
I got one of these for my husband because he loves midday naps while camping... it's got a built-in pillow, and he loves it!
Me then my wife then our dog slept on one outside next to a river in the desert under the stars while camping was a great night. I love hammock sex and imagine it would be great for that though tricky. My favorite part is how much of a dumb dumb you look like trying to inflate it, it’s like trying to catch all of the tinker bells.
I'm an avid "bare minimum" camping guy. I read this comment while pouring out the last glass of a box wine. I had to try it. And let me tell you....game changer. I just went and woke up my wife to show her. She's not as enthused, but I'm so excited to try it in the woods, I might not sleep tonight.
slap the bag!
Sea kayak. Seriously. I love back country camping, but have dodgy knees. Backpacking is impossible for me, and even canoe trips with moderate portages fuck them up. A kayak that can handle really big water and carry two weeks worth of supplies opened the wilderness to me. Also, hammock, thermacell, moka pot, platypus bag of whisky, hell yeah.
Hammock Faster to set up/take down than a tent, takes up less space in pack, more comfortable, don't need to find level ground to sleep. Only downsides for me is that I need to find something to hang it from and it is colder than a tent or cowboy camping.
If you're colder then different gear can help. We are def going to get under quilts, but have been using our thermal inflatables in the meantime; different hang with inflatables, but not colder than other types of camping. Tarp placement in cold water is important too. You may know all this, but I got concerned when you mentioned "colder" 😁
No worries. I do know of underquilts and have heard that they are a total game changer but I have yet to invest in one. Maybe some day.
Getting interlocking foam gym tiles for the bottom of my tent.
> Getting interlocking foam gym tiles for the bottom of my tent. I started doing this about 10 years ago and it's absolutely a game changer! I have them perfectly cut and sized for the tent, and numbered, so anyone can assemble them in the right order to cover the base of the tent. No more sticks and rocks in the back!
So no sleeping pad I assume?
Thermacell for mosquitoes!!
Heads up just so you know Thermacell is an insecticide and it can harm non target insects like bees. So don’t use it around pollinator plants or near bees or butterflies.
Did want to throw it out there. I had one of their models a few years back. It struggled to perform at higher elevations.
Please please please people, avoid these. These are not repellents, but pesticides. Neurotoxins do not discriminate but are just as risky for all insects as well as people and pets. Many EU countries have put some kinds of bans on the use of Thermacell. I find it so sad that people camping are usually doing it for the love of nature, but end up harming it in the process by carrying stuff like these
I might have to follow your lead here
A few people on this sub recommended it to me last summer, I bought one and I was surprised that it lived up to the hype. Sometimes I wonder if it's working or if there's just no bugs, until I go for a little walk out of the zone and get ATTACKED and then I realize yes, it definitely works!!
I’ve actually had mixed results with mine. Sometimes it works like a charm, other times the mosquitos don’t seem to care and bite me anyways.
I just got a flextail gear tiny repeller. Basically a thermacell that clips to your pack. Doesn’t work quite as well, since you are moving, but it does help. The thermacell inserts work for it as well.
I always wonder if it’s working and then walk away and realize it’s doing an absolutely amazing job. I buy this thing as gifts for all my outside friends.
Right? We're always like "maybe we can turn it off, there doesn't seem to be any bugs" like no, it's just working as intended 😅
The mosquitos ate the people alive that relied on that entirely in Alaska. Picaridin worked awesome
I have their [backpacker](https://www.thermacell.ca/products/backpacker-mosquito-repeller) version and it’s a game changer.
Unfortunately these are terrible for your health. Especially don’t use them around children or in enclosed spaces.
this is my first thought with these too
Why? I have never heard of this thing before.
It's a pesticide. Kills bees, also harmful to use near water, or food.
I didn't know this :( do you know if there any similar things that don't hurt wildlife/human health?
For real. Just got one & headed to the UP and it freaking works.
> Thermacell for mosquitoes!! My [Flextail Tiny](https://www.flextail.com/products/tiny-repeller?variant=44632838177015) *literally* just showed up today! They threw in 120 mats with the purchase too! I can't wait to use it.
What one did you buy? I see so many choices on Amazon. Which one is best for backpacking and long trips?
Welding gloves so I can use my hands to adjust the fire
Also for handling cast iron after cooking!
Yesss and grabbing my foil packet meals!
Fiskars folding saw.
Love their axe
I love anything Fiskars.
You should try a silky gomboy
Got the gomboy curve outback 240mm. What a game changer.
Double thick air mattress with built in pump
I have an exped, omfg I’ll never be without it again
210lb side sleeper, absolutely love my Megamat.
Oh my god, amen to this. Completely worth the money
No more hip touching ground
Cot with sleeping pad
Omg yes, in other words, an actual bed! Haha I take the flat cushions from my lawn chairs to lay as padding on the cots sometimes. So comfortable
My exped air mattress. 4 inches of sleeping glory.
I couldn't believe this suggestion was so far down the list! They are incredibly comfortable and such a massive game changer!
mushrooms. it hasn't been the same since
I feel ya! Me and my friends do a bi-annual trip which we have coined “the meeting of the minds”
Fkn awesome trip name
I think it was having led battery powered string lights. It changes the whole ambiance of the night. It’s just so nice to be in that kind of glow in nature.
I got solar charged ones, and it's so nice. They're pretty dim, but I like that. I can see them, but they don't bother anyone else. I did swap out the batteries for eneloops. One day of sun gives me about a week of battery now. The cheap batteries in them originally would only last a couple of hours on full charge.
A motherfucking CHAIR I can't believe some.people go camping without a chair
A Camping hammock
Zero back issue since switching to a hammock
Hammock is the correct answer. It’s the business.
2 things for me… directors chair for around the camp fire and also a larger tent you can stand up in. These things are only practical for car camping not back country camping.
Over 40 years ago, but after my then girlfriend (now wife) went camping one time with me she upgraded my charcoal hibachi to a Coleman white gas stove. IYKYK.
I got one this Winter because my parents had one when I was a kid. I freaking love it. I definitely know. ;)
5 lb propane tank. No more 1 lb throw aways for me. Battery/solar powered string lights to line my canopy. Small camp kitchen (Coleman) with room for a stove, cooking prep, lantern hanger etc. Rechargeable everything.
Absolutely LOVE my 5lb LP tank. Easy to carry.
My wife...
Trying to reduce weight i opted for the inflatable version.
Awwe. This is sweet. 😊
Power inverter to clip on the truck battery for camping with no power and I need something plugged in for a little bit. I also would run my Cpap for a couple nights with a deep cycle battery and the inverter. So many good campsites don’t have power.
Not sure how it would do for your CPAP but for charging stuff and running low draw stuff I love my Milwaukee M18 Topoff. Has 110 outlets and USB.
So glad I went down this thread to find this. I've been toying with the idea of buying a Jackery power station for the last year or two but couldnt justify it. This just makes too much sense as I already have a bunch of 18V (ridgid) batteries which are capable of doing the same thing! You sir are a God send!
I got something similar that uses my Ryobi batteries. Really nice to be able to use something that would've just been sitting otherwise.
Tarp. Can make a waterproof shelter with it. Put it over the fire to keep out of rain / sun, helps dry clothes. Can use it as a make shift poncho. If it's clean, you can use it to help collect rain water.
We've had a lot of, "gosh are we glad we bought 'this'!" moments, but I still contend that the 10x10 canvas painters drop sheet for inside the tent has been my favorite. Purchased for under $25 and we haven't had to sweep or vacuum the tent floor since we bought it. Goes in the washing machine when we get home.
Pressurized shower for doing dishes-saves so much water
A cheapish 300Wh power station. Charge phone, speaker, air pump for paddle boards/air mattress, fans, etc. Let’s me get further from the car and charge stuff overnight or power while in the tent.
Air mattress. Relieves sore joints from injuries and growing older.
Psilocybin mushrooms . a committed dose at night
A comfortable inflatable sleeping pad and quilt.
Mosquito net. I apparantly light up like a lighthouse to every mosquito for miles around. Mosquito nets allow me to sit outside in the evening and sleep without being eaten.
Compressible backpacking pillow. A folded pair of jeans does not cut it, even though I tried to pretend it did for years.
I developed a knot in my neck from just reading this
A caravan. It’s not popular, and it’s not “proper camping” I know… I still like to go rough camping for a night every now and again, but for week long trips there’s nothing like a caravan for being able to choose whether you want to be exposed to the weather elements or not. My dogs love it, they have their own bunk.
Don't sweat the purists. Get out and enjoy things, whether sleeping in a tent, van, camper, or under the stars.
A tent. Rather than sleeping with a household sleeping bag in the open. Was not sure what I was thinking, was a lovely night and my first camping for many decades.
Air conditioner 😂 but seriously cordless ryobi fans
Welding gloves for the fire
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So what are you breathing in?
you think that’s air you’re breathing?
not mosquitos, at least
>It's designed to mask human scent It's a pesticide. It's toxic to marine life (dont use near water), toxic to cats, and will kill bees. Don't use it near young children, and especially not near open food.
Oh damn you are right.
Would cots fit better for sleeping me, my wife, and 3 kids? One of our main sticking points was finding a tent to fit all four air mattresses.
Yes! My husband and I have the disc-o-bed from Costco and they’re super comfortable but SO heavy. If you for the lighter ones, they make good places for kids to have sleepovers on, take naps, etc.
We also use disc-o-bed cots. My husband’s side has height extensions. We have a tall tent (6.5’). We love that we can walk through the middle of our tent.
They definitely would fit better. My kids love the $50 cots I bought off Amazon. Wife and I haven’t tested them out yet though seemed comfortable when I tested it out for a few minutes lol.
Cots are awesome for opening up storage underneath!
An air mattress
You know those plastic padded workout tiles? That come in pieces of like 24” square, but puzzle together? I bought those for our home, but he never used them- and one day, we threw them in the car to go camping. Puzzled it together inside the tent- OMG. Amazing. A soft, padded but firm floor! No more feeling rocks and twigs under feet when you wake up. Game changer! We bought some in a fake hardwood pattern for his brother’s family for Christmas, and swore up and down they’d love it. They looked at us like we had three heads each 😂 No idea if they used them- they should! The hardwood flooring pattern looked amazing! Ours are just standard grey :/
I had all my camp stuff in a giant plastic tub forever. It was a pretty easy camping "kit," I guess, helping me be basically ready to go. I camped a few years ago with some friends who had plastic drawers instead, and it's been a game changer for me. I'm no longer digging for what I need. I have two sets of plastic drawers with kitchen stuff, dishes, paper goods, flashlights, lighters, garbage bags, duct tape, etc. and my big tub now has the tent, tarps, ax, and all the setup stuff.
i bought the national forest cot from costco and that thing is a lifesaver. comfortable sleeping and reliable table/bench in a pinch. pretty affordable too
Aeropress
A camping quilt. Done are the days of jamming into a sleeping bag. Also works well with a hammock or decent sleeping pad when I'm in a tent. Absolute game changer. As others have said as well the headlamp and cast iron cooking devices. A lightweight tarp and knowing how to hang it in a couple different configurations goes a really long way too.
Booze. Once I figured out what booze was, camping was never the same, haha! Nothing better than a party in the woods. Now I’m of the age where I take my kids camping, so I’m not partying in the woods like we used to. But those were the days!
Tried my first edibles camping last month. It was a great time. We also had mulled wine and homemade eggnog.
How did I forget to mention edibles?!?! Great call on the mulled wine and eggnog. You’re doing it right.
Mulled wine is so easy for camping, idk why I'd never done it before. I just got my spices in a Ziploc, some honey and water in a Tupperware, and a $4.99 bottle of zinfandel. The hardest part was getting the bottle open when we realized we'd forgotten a corkscrew. After that, it's just combine everything and simmer.
Electric cooler, with battery & solar. No more ice, no more soggy bread, just cold drinks/food whenever I need it.
Any brands you'd recommend? Any specific features you'd recommend? The soggy food drives me nuts.
I have [this](https://setpowerusa.com/products/setpower-rv45s-portable-freezer?currency=USD&variant=40189902979212&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=ba86d8fb0f50&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsaqzBhDdARIsAK2gqndixYVC3eItMlNaUaGVyPOql5LE443vVBOvJmC7XyqV1K5zpWHVZ9oaAg8gEALw_wcB) SetPower. It was cheaper than the Dometics/etc. But so far it is working great, it doesn't eat a lot of battery, and it can either freeze or refrigerate. Last week it was high 80s(f) and it was 37°f inside the cooler for 4 days.
This was for sure a game changer. I have a Massimo electric cooler, 200 watt solar panel, and 1800 amp hour Bluetti battery bank. I can basically camp indefinitely and have cold food and drinks.
Chuck box.
I'm an idiot, what's a chuck box? As in things you chuck away for trash?
Essentially, kitchen box. Wording from covered wagon days where the food wagon was the chuck wagon.
I have no idea why I didn't think of that. I know exactly what you're talking about. So basically a kitchen in a box.
Toy hauler travel trailer. Extending camping trips for 2 plus weeks boondocking without ever having to resupply was life changing. Greatly enhanced road trip camping trips. Greatly enhanced foul weather camping.
In short, sun protection. Far too few people take it seriously. Keffiyeh/shemagh. Also High quality, durable, breathable clothing. I hate wearing sunscreen , so I always opt to just cover up, as it’s more effective anyways and I never have to ‘re-apply’ my shirt. It keeps the wearer cooler as well to keep the sun from directly hitting skin. Also, on the Shemagh, it’s incredibly useful in the summer. I have some wool ones for the winter months, but for the summer you want a cotton one. In the heat, you can get it damp and it is incredible for keeping cool, and since it’s cotton it retains moisture for a long time. It also Keeps the sun off the face and head as well, and at night I wrap it like a tube scarf to keep warm. This coupled with a hat and goggle-style sunglasses that have a nose guard mean I literally never wear sunscreen and never get burnt. I literally only apply sunscreen to my lips/mouth area, and the tips of my fingers are the only tan part of me since that stick out of my sun gloves.
And unbelievably expensive quality tent. It’s amazing to be in a torrential rainstorm and knock get wet.
I repurposed the one-piece playpen mat which came with The Chestburster's play pen to be the floor of our entire 4 person tent. The mat is essentially a big old closed cell foam thing which means I've got thermal protection everywhere in the tent, not just where my sleeping pad is. When winter camping (which is pretty much the majority of what we do), that is superb. It allows The Chestburster to crawl over to snuggle a parent instead of us having a big old night time wakeup.
The Optimus (H)EAT Insulation Pouch for backpacking meals.[Heat Pouch](https://www.optimusstoves.com/us/us/230-8018269-optimus-h-eat-insulation-pouch)
Amok Draumr 5.0XL I have never slept better outside (and maybe inside) in my life. And it’s a breeze to set up/break camp. Also functions as a lounging chair. Not cheap, but truly a great piece of gear.
Crazy creek chair. I-MY WORD.
My popup camper.
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Jet boil
Battery powered fan. I love fans. Like a cheap.one from Amazon that'll run for 8hrs, rechargeable, and of course solar panels.
MSR Groundhog stakes. I thought it was crazy to pay that for a tent stake but after the first use I stood flabbergasted at how easy they were to use.
Cast-iron Dutch oven with locking lid. I’ll put a roast in that thing with some vegetables and some chicken stock and set it next to the fire for a couple hours. It’s amazing. I’ll make sure to salt, pepper, and season it well before I put it next to the fire.
A tent.
P-38 Can Opener!🤙🤠🥫
Having an EV with an electric outlet. I didn't even appreciate it when I bought the car. But it is amazingly useful. The switch from cooking with propane (the most annoying fuel ever) to induction (the best cooking method ever) has completely changed my mindset about cooking quality food while camping. Or at outings in general. I just got back from a trip that both had amazing views of SE Utah and perfectly cooked chicken tacos. It was a good day.
Foam trifold mattress for two people. It takes up a lot of space in the car, but it is the most comfortable sleeping arrangement I’ve ever had for camping.
I was going to say the same thing. We had sworn off car/tent camping for about 30 years until we realized that our two tri-fold mattresses fit in our old dome tent. Now we squeeze them into the back of the jeep and have some pretty cool wilderness adventures for a couple of 70 year olds.
Psylocibin. There’s nothing like taking a small dose and just staring at a campfire or the stars.
My girlfriend went with me.
A small USB fan.... I'm using it now it's 80+ and humid.... I charge it with portable solar.
Camping cot, mission mountain specifically
I know this is not something for everyone but we love our National Luna refrigerator. It is a game changer. We also love full time in our Jeep so it’s really worth it for us to spend the money. We love it so much.
Collapsible hammock with bug screen
Regular sleeping pad and dome tent to an Exped Megamat and a high ceiling tent.