Do you often fantasize about living a simple lifestyle, far away from society, without having to wake up to the sound of your alarm ringing every morning to remind you it’s time to get ready for work? If you are an outdoorsy person and love nature perhaps you can get used to such a lifestyle with ease.
As a matter of fact, we watch and read about many people who are traveling around the world in their vans and all they have are a few possessions they carry around with them. The idea of living off-grid or going out on a camping trip either alone or with friends seems appealing enough for lots of people.
Research studies show that nature has a way to heal us and reset our minds and bodies, so we can feel renewed from the inside out. Besides, we all need an opportunity for a digital detox to get away from the constant exposure to the screens of our TV and smartphone devices and give ourselves the break we deserve. But just dreaming about some things won’t actually get you close to your goal, as you need to do something about it. Good organization and mental preparation are key factors when it comes to getting ready to switch to another lifestyle routine.
Every camper or any outdoor enthusiast knows that heading off into the wild requires taking with you at least a few essentials that will help you have a comfortable and enjoyable time. If you are interested to learn about each of these must-haves, I suggest you continue reading this article where I’m going to give you a detailed description of each one of them. Hopefully, this can help you choose the right camping requirements that will serve your goal of having a wonderful time each time you decide to pack for a trip away from home.
What are the 4 Most Important Things to Bring With you When You go Camping?
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping outdoors is certainly a one-of-a-kind experience. Being able to wake up to the sounds of nature and drink your morning coffee surrounded by the beautiful scenery can bring such peace of mind. Still, you need to know that nature can be harsh, and nights can be cold even in summer, so you will most likely need a good sleeping bag. Therefore, you need to pick one that is chosen carefully according to some of the requirements I’ve just mentioned.
Most often sleeping bags feature either synthetic or down insulation. The incredibly warm down filled sleeping bag will keep you nice and cosy, because down is considered to be one of the best thermal insulators. At the same time it happens to be super light too. Such bags make use of the world’s lightest downproof nylon, which is also super smooth. A quality down sleeping bag can be expected to last more than a decade without detracting from its quality.
The lightweight down filled sleeping bag is perfect for spring and summer camping and for traveling in places with warmer climates. Compared to them, synthetic sleeping bags are less compressible and much heavier. These bags make use of synthetic fibres that have a heavier warmth-to-weight ratio, which affects the bag’s compressibility.
Different brands and companies make use of a variety of synthetic proprietary fill, but the two most often preferred choices are short-staple fibres and long continuous filaments. Synthetically insulated bags are less expensive and dry quicker, however, they are much better to keep the users comfortable even if they are soaked.
Whatever type of bag you decide on will ultimately depend on your individual preference and of course your budget. The down filled bags are exceptionally resilient bags and therefore much more expensive than the synthetic ones. So, if you are ready to make an investment that will last you years down the road, you should definitely consider this type of sleeping bag.
Camping Tent
Feeling snug and comfortably warm while sleeping outdoors is one thing but having a roof over your head is yet another. Unless you prefer to sleep under the stars, you may want to consider buying yourself a nice and cosy tent. There are different types of camping tents on the market.
They differ between themselves in the level of protection they offer, the ease of installation, shape, and the space they feature inside. Also, some are free-standing, while others are good for bad weather. If you are more of a solo camper, you will need a lightweight design that won’t cause too much bulk in addition to the other stuff you carry with you.
For this purpose, you should look out for a tent that is smaller in size and will provide enough space for sleep, and for storing all your camping gear like your comfy down filled sleeping bag. Dome tents tend to be smaller than average tents, and they are very durable and sturdy. Their design consists of poles that cross over in the middle of the tent, which makes them easy to set up.
If you plan to go camping with a group of friends, you may consider choosing a design that accommodates more people. Tunnel tents are great for first-time campers, as they are easy to set up and can withstand tough weather conditions. The tunnel design usually offers multiple rooms which can often accommodate up to six people at most, and lots of storage space. Depending on how much space your need, and your budget, you can choose a design that suits your individual requirements.
Sleeping Mattress
To get a comfy night’s sleep while camping you need a good sleeping mat. Besides, if you don’t want to get cold you need to have a good pad that will give your body the right support and warmth. There are a variety of sleeping mattresses for camping on the market, such as self-inflating, air, and closed-cell foam pads. The cell foam pads are the most basic camping mattresses and often the cheapest option. This mattress is made out of a dense foam that is filled with tiny, closed air cells.
Although they are great for camping, they don’t often provide the best comfort and support for your body as they aren’t very thick. Therefore, if a good night’s sleep is important for you, you may decide to choose an air mattress as these feature different levels of thicknesses you can choose from. Besides, they can inflate as thick as 8cm in height and still be able to pack down to small sizes in your backpack with ease.
Camping Stove
Being tucked in a cosy tent is certainly enjoyable. Just imagine the sight and sound of pouring rain outside while you stay comfortable inside your tent, cooking a delicious meal. If you truly want to experience the outdoors camping to the fullest, preparing food in nature can offer you the perfect opportunity for it. Packing snacks, drinks, or homemade sandwiches is convenient but making your food in nature will let you experience your trip in a whole new way. Therefore, make sure you supply yourself with a cooking stove specially designed for campers.
From brewing your coffee in the morning, to making delicious and flavourful stews, the choice of recipes for outdoor cooking is endless. For instance, you can cook your favourite bolognese spaghetti recipe in just about 45 minutes with a camp stove. All you need to have is a jar of prepared sauce and pasta. Simply place the spaghetti in a bowl to simmer and after they are cooked you can add the pasta sauce, and you have your cooked meal!
There are a variety of brands that offer popular designs for camping stoves. The Camp Chef’s Everest is one of the most popular and proven designs due to its amazing performance features such as cooking power, convenience, and superior reliability. The stove you choose needs to be able to be set up quickly, and for this, you need to pick a flat ground. Most of the cooking stove designs also feature sturdy legs that can easily adapt to uneven ground to make a stable surface for cooking.