by MARSHALL BONE
For many outdoor enthusiasts, camping offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It is a chance to disconnect from the world and enjoy nature by yourself or in good company. While camping may primarily be a way to relax and reset, some supplies are crucial to help ensure a comfortable and safe experience. After all, you are at the mercy of Mother Nature, so it’s best to be prepared. From shelter to food, here are some of the most important supplies for your next camping trip.
Tent
Unless you have the luxury of bringing a motorhome to the campground or want to brave the elements and sleep under the stars, some form of shelter is typically necessary. For most people, this is a standard camping tent where you can store your valuables, be protected from the elements, and, of course, have a safe place to lay your head at night. Tents come in countless sizes, shapes, materials, and complexity, so select the one that best fits your needs.
Survival Knife
Although it is unlikely that you will need a knife for any life-threatening situations or hunting your dinner, a reliable outdoor survival knife cannot be overlooked in terms of value while camping. Of course, a knife is perfect for its intended purpose, such as cutting food and rope, but it has many other uses and can double as different tools if you think outside the box. If you ask any skilled outdoorsman, they’ll tell you they never go anywhere without their knife, and for good reason.
Appropriate Clothing
When preparing to go camping, you should always pack the correct clothing for the anticipated weather as well as unexpected circumstances. There are few things less uncomfortable than realizing you should have brought an extra jacket when the sun goes down and the temperature drops or forgot a hat when the sun is beating down relentlessly on your face. Unless you are backpacking, it is typically advised to bring more than you might need in case the weather takes a turn or is different from the forecast.
Flashlights
When the sun goes down in nature, there aren’t any lights outside the stars to help you see. Even with a full moon, the night is typically too dark to do anything, even just walking around the campsite! That’s why bringing flashlights and extra batteries is necessary if you plan on staying overnight. Flashlights can range from super basic to incredibly high-tech, but the most important thing is that they are reliable and give off enough light to allow you to see through the dark and prevent accidents from happening. Plus, who doesn’t love reading a book by flashlight in a tent before bed?
Water
Even if your campsite comes with available water, there is no guarantee that it will be in working order and most likely won’t be safe to drink. Therefore, coming prepared with water to last you at least a few days is highly recommended to stay hydrated in a worst-case scenario. Not only will you have water to drink, do dishes, wash your hands, and more, but it can prove invaluable in any situation when you don’t have access to water. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to water in the wilderness.
Fire Starter
Believe it or not, starting a fire is a lot harder than it looks. Especially out in nature, it’s nothing like turning the knob on your stove, which makes having a fire starter all the more important Especially if you are tent camping, the ability to light a fire with ease is crucial. A campfire helps provide light and warmth, allows you to cook food, and is the central gathering place for any campsite after dark. The last thing anyone wants when the sun starts to go down is to realize they can’t get a fire going.
Camping can be a great way to get away from everyday life and reconnect with nature, but that doesn’t mean it’s always a walk in the park. Camping requires being in nature, which can be wild, unpredictable, and dangerous. Thankfully, there are supplies designed to make camping as comfortable as possible so you can spend more time enjoying the natural world around you. Be safe and have fun.
Marshall Bone is a writer, copy strategist and all-around stylish guy who has been following trends in GQ for more than two decades. Voted best-dressed both his junior and senior year, Bone has continued this legacy and can be found covering various topics from men’s fashion to self care and grooming. He enjoys reading and is based in the greater Los Angeles area.
