Camping gadgets: what to bring when camping?
Tent camping is a great way to relax. It allows you to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and surround yourself with the tranquillity of nature. Although camping gadgets are not part of the standard equipment you take with you to a tent, they can certainly provide more comfort and convenience when you are outdoors.
In this article, we will suggest which camping gadgets you should include in your pre-trip packing list.
Food for camping — cooking in the field
Cooking on a camping trip will not only enable you to satisfy your hunger, but can also be great fun, especially if you have the opportunity to bring a range of useful accessories. Camping for many days in one place, which can be reached by car, for example, makes it possible to complete a large and practical cooking kit. If your camping takes place in such circumstances, you can easily take along: a tourist cooker, pots, a set of plates, cutlery, cups and the like.
In a different situation, it is very often important to keep your equipment to a minimum. What to eat on a camping trip if you have little space for your equipment? If this is the case, it is advisable to use ready-made meals that are easy to prepare and do not require many ingredients or the use of a lot of utensils. Freeze-dried food is great for this type of situation.
And what cooking gadgets are worth taking with you? We've put together some suggestions for both those who can afford a larger piece of luggage and those who pack their equipment in one backpack:
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Water treatment products — access to drinking water is one of the most important issues when camping. The right water treatment products, such as disinfectant tablets or water filters, can ensure clean and safe water without having to carry large quantities of liquids with you. With these, you can draw water from rivers, streams or lakes and be sure that you are not putting yourself at risk of poisoning. This is an essential part of an expedition, especially in areas where drinking water is difficult to access.
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Collapsible dishes — save valuable space in your backpack while enjoying a full range of cookware that will come in handy when preparing meals on a camping trip. Collapsible dishes such as plates, bowls and mugs are lightweight, durable and easy to store, making them a great solution for minimalist travelers who value functionality and space saving. Look out for the collapsible bottle, which can even fit in a pocket when empty.
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Sporks and essentials — is another group of products worth including in your camping equipment. A spork is a combination of a spoon and fork, while an essential is a cutlery set, with additional items such as a can or bottle opener.
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Travel coffee maker — coffee enthusiasts do not have to give it up even in the wilderness. A travel coffee maker is a special vessel used to prepare coffee outdoors, especially when camping or hiking. It is usually a lightweight and compact design consisting of three main components: the lower water container, the coffee basket and the upper container for the prepared coffee. The process of preparing coffee in a travel coffee maker is quite simple. The water is placed in the lower container and the coffee is placed in the basket. The coffee maker is then placed over a heat source, such as a campfire or a travel stove. As the water heats up, the pressure forces it to flow through the coffee and the prepared coffee collects in the upper container. Travel coffee makers are valued by coffee enthusiasts for allowing them to enjoy their favourite beverage even in the middle of nowhere.
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Field stove in a log — food cooked over a fire is one of the perks of camping, but what to do when a large campfire cannot be lit at the camp site? The answer is a field stove, known as a Swedish torch. It is an unusual but very practical camping gadget. The Swedish torch is a stove made from a log that has been prepared in such a way that a fire can be lit inside. Holes or channels are cut in the log to provide air and smoke. Log field stoves are popular among bushcraft enthusiasts and people who value an authentic camping experience. They are eco-friendly as they do not generate waste or a trail of used gas cylinders.
Tent sleeping accessories
Sleeping in a tent has both supporters and opponents. Many people are concerned about the uncomfortable conditions, but camping does not necessarily have to involve sleeping on the hard ground. There are many gadgets that make it possible to spend a comfortable night in a tent or in the open air. It is commonly associated that a sleeping bag and a tent are sufficient for a night outdoors, but this set can be expanded or modified.
Travel mat and sleeping bag
Travel mats and mattresses provide good insulation from the ground. The set consisting of a mat or mattress and a slepping bag creates an insulating system that prevents heat loss during sleep. For even greater convenience, you can stock up on travel pillow and travel blanket. Sleeping on the ground doesn't suit you at all? Choose a field bed.
Hammock with mosquito net
If you don't want to sleep in a tent, you can choose a hammock. An interesting option is a hammock with a mosquito net, so that you can sleep peacefully without annoying mosquito bites. Hammocks with mosquito nets also have the advantage of being light and compact, and are easy to hang up. For sleeping in a hammock, it is also useful to have something to shield us from possible rain or wind. A tarp is ideal for this role.
Tarp
Tarp is a lightweight, versatile outdoor equipment that can successfully replace a tent. You can extend the tarp in many ways and make it into, for example: a gable canopy, a bushcraft tent or an emergency bed. Want to know more about tarps? Check out our guide Tarp - what is it and which model to choose?
Solar panel for the tent, or access to energy
Electricity is one of those conveniences of civilisation that is very hard to part with. The good news is that you don't have to give up electricity at all. Portable power banks, power stations and solar panels are all devices that will keep you comfortably camping.
It is worth opting for a model compatible with a solar panel. In good weather conditions, it will provide constant access to electricity.
Showering while camping — hygiene in the field
Showering while camping is generally not the most pleasant thing to do, and of course we are not referring to bathing in a lake during a hot day. Taking care of hygiene in camping conditions often involves cold water and shampoo that has not been fully rinsed out of the hair, but these problems can also be managed.
A travel shower is equipped with a hose with a handset and some models even have a water flow control. This makes taking a shower on a camping trip more convenient. In addition, the problem of cold water is also solved. Exposing a filled travel shower to the sun's rays will allow the water to warm up and allow you to take a warm shower.
What else is worth taking on a camping trip for showering? We recommend stocking up on quick-dry towels, which are much smaller and lighter than the classic versions.
Gadgets for camping that are still worth taking along
In addition to the items listed above, it is also worth mentioning three camping gadgets from another category, such as:
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A multitool – is a multifunctional set of tools which comes in handy when carrying out various jobs. Depending on the model, the multitool contains, for example: strong pliers, knife, screwdriver, file, scissors, saw or can and bottle openers. The entire set fits in the palm of your hand, making the multitool a great tool for use in the field.
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Plasma lighte – anyone who has tried to light a barbecue on a windy day knows that the classic lighter and matches are unreliable. That is why we suggest choosing a plasma lighter, which is an alternative even to incandescent lighters. The fire is produced by electric arcs, so wind or rain will not be an obstacle.
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Survival kit – even if you are not going on a demanding bushcraft expedition, it is worth carrying a survival kit. There are quite a few survival kit models, and each one is different. The example kit includes: a multi-purpose paracord (you can use it to replace shoelaces, hang laundry on it or pitch a tarp), kindling, a cotton swab, a knife, an antiseptic wipe, an LED light, a flint, a sewing kit, a signal mirror, a cable, a fishing kit, an emergency whistle and a wire saw.
What to take to a tent — a list
The composition of camping equipment is a decision you make based on your own preferences. Below is a sample list of gadgets useful for camping:
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sleeping bag and mat — insulate from outdoor conditions and provide thermal comfort,
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hammock with mosquito net — allows you to sleep comfortably, it is easy to hang up and protects from nuisance insects,
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Tarp — a versatile sheet that can be used to make a basic shelter or canopy over a hammock,
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travel stove with pot — enables you to cook a hot meal wherever you are,
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flint (or assault matches as well as a plasma lighter) — with its help one can start a stove or light a fire, even in difficult weather conditions,
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collapsible bottle and collapsible utensils — lightweight and environmentally friendly utensils for eating and carrying water,
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spork or essentials — simple equipment for convenient consumption of prepared food,
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power bank or power station and solar panel — a charged phone always comes in handy, whether for taking photos or calling for help; depending on how much power you need, you can opt for a lightweight power bank or a heavier but much more capacious power station,
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water treatment products — hydration of the body is essential, and you won't find clean, drinkable water everywhere,
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multitool — small and lightweight tool kit for camp work,
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paracord — paracord will replace lashing lines, laundry string or even a broken shoe lace,
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insect repellent – mosquitoes, ticks or other insects can make life miserable, so it is worth carrying an effective repellent with you,
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lamp or torch for the tent — good lighting is an essential piece of camping equipment; our range includes standard models as well as advanced lights equipped with, for example, a loudspeaker.
Camping gadgets at MILITARY.EU
At MILITARY.EU we know the outdoors, which is why you'll find all the equipment you need for your expeditions in our range. Our offer includes equipment for hikers that will fit in a backpack, as well as products that will come in handy for car travelers. Take a look at the survival, bushcraft and tourism categories at MILITARY.EU to complete not only the standard equipment, but also to select useful camping gadgets.
