First camping trip
Camping this weekend and you have never done it
What you actually need for first camping trip — 5 things to cover, each with a pick.
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A sleeping bag rated colder than you think
Being cold at 3am is the reason most people say they hate camping. Night temperature drops far below the daytime figure you looked at.
- Check the comfort rating, not the extreme rating - the extreme number is survival, not sleep
- Rate it about ten degrees below the forecast low
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
Coleman Brazos 20/30°F Adult Cool-Weather Sleeping Bag with No-Snag Zipper & Stuff Sack, Machine Washable, Great for Campi...
Teton Celsius Regular, 25F, 20F, 0F Degree Sleeping Bags, All Weather Bag for Adults and Kids, Camping Made Easy and Warm,...
Teton LEEF Lightweight Mummy Sleeping Bag for Camping, Hiking, Backpacking; Cold Weather Option, Compression Sack Included
A sleeping pad
The ground pulls heat out of you far faster than the air does. A pad is more about insulation than about softness, which is why a thick blanket underneath does not fix it.
- Look for an R-value - that is the insulation number
- Self-inflating pads are less faff than a pump on a first trip
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
Lost Horizon Option3 Self-Inflating Foam Camping Mattress, Full, 4.5" | Air & Foam Comfort, Adjustable Firmness, R13 Insulation, All-season ready, Sleeping Pad
OGERY Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad, 3" Memory Foam Camping Mattress | Built-in Foot Pump, Insulated Foam, Memory Foam, Car ...
FUN PAC Camping Sleeping Pad, Ultralight Camping Mat with Pillow, Built-in Foot Pump Inflatable Sleeping Pads Compact for ...
A headlamp, not a torch
Everything you do after dark at a campsite needs two hands - a tent, a stove, a zip. A torch gives you one.
- Check it has a red-light mode so you can move around without blinding the tent, and note whether it takes batteries or charges by USB
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
Blukar LED Headlamp Rechargeable, 2000L Super Bright Headlight Flashlight | 8 Modes&Stepless Dimming,Spotlight&Floodlight&...
EverBrite 350LM Rechargeable Headlamp with Red White Green Light | Tail Light, White Red Green Light, Memory Function, Dim...
DARKBEAM Red Light Headlamp LED Rechargeable Headlamps for Night Astronomy | Redlight Only Headlight Head Lamp, Waterproof...
A camp stove and fuel
A hot drink in the morning changes the whole character of a cold campsite. It is also the difference between eating and driving to find food.
- Check the fuel type is one you can actually buy nearby, and that the fuel canister is bought separately - it usually is, and it usually cannot ship with the stove
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
Coleman Cascade 18 1-Burner Camping Stove, Portable Cooktop with 8000 BTUs & Matchless Lighting, Fits 12-Inch Pan, Great for Outdoor Cooking, Camping, Tailgating, Grilling, BBQs, & More
Coleman Tabletop 2-in-1 Grill & Stove with 2 Adjustable Burners, Propane Grill/Stove with Push-Button Starter, Wind Guards, Grease Tray, & 20,000 BTUs of Power for Camping, Tailgating, & More
Gas One Portable Butane Camping Stove with Case: Automatic Ignition, Precise Heat Control - Camping & Tailgating and Outdo...
A dry bag or a few waterproof sacks
One night of rain or heavy dew and a bag left in a porch is wet. Wet spare clothes turn a good trip into a short one.
- Check the roll-top closes with at least three folds
- Sizes are in litres - a 10 litre holds a change of clothes
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
MARCHWAY Floating Waterproof Dry Bag Backpack 5L/10L/20L/30L/40L, Roll Top Sack Keeps Gear Dry for Kayaking, Rafting, Boat...
HEETA Dry Bag Waterproof Backpack with Phone Case 5L/10L/20L/30L/40L | Roll Top Lightweight Dry Storage Bag for Women Men,...
Frelaxy Dry Bag 5 Pack, Ultralight Waterproof Dry Sack for Outdoor Use | Durable material, Waterproof coating, Secure roll...