Getting the right gear for your first real camping trip will ensure your experience goes well. If you can’t purchase all these items at once, you can rent gear from sporting and outdoor stores. Take the time to read reviews and source from quality stores.
Solid Tent
A good tent makes camping comfortable, safe and fun. There are good tents and bad tents and finding the right one for your adventures may take a little research. If you’re going to buy one, invest in a tent that can hold up to the elements. Rain showers (and sometimes snow showers) are always a possibility, and so is wind.
Sleeping Bag
That cotton sleeping bag you had when you were a kid that you toted around from apartment to apartment doesn’t count! If you invest in a high quality, warm sleeping bag, it will last you a long, long time. You can find a great sleeping bag for between $100-$150.
Hiking Shoes
Some folks prefer to wear sneakers camping or a pair of work boots, but having a good pair of weatherproof hiking shoes will come in handy on long hikes. If you plan on backpacking any distance more than a couple of miles, or you are going to be on terrain that is rocky or steep, you’ll be really happy you invested in a great pair of hiking shoes.
Camp Stove
Depending on where you are camping, some campgrounds have outdoor grill areas where you can start your own fire and you may not need your own stove. A camp stove is a must if there are fire restrictions or you’re backpacking far into the woods away from public campgrounds. There are compact single burner stoves best for backpacking and bigger two-burner camp stoves that fold up and hook up to portable butane containers. Don’t forget a lighter/matches to make lighting your stove easy.
Camping Pots and Pans
An inexpensive set of camping pots and pans can stow away with your camp stove in the off season. A set that is nested, meaning it can all fit inside of one another, will save space and make your life easier when it’s time to unpack and put things away. Also, don’t forget about utensils and knives. “Sporks,” combined fork and spoon utensils save space.
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