Camping is awesome. It's one of the best ways to enjoy the great outdoors, either alone, as a couple or with a group of friends. Camping brings you closer to nature and allows you to see some of the most beautiful sights and natural wonders this world has to offer.

In some ways, it can be almost therapeutic. Spending a night or two sleeping outside can be great for your body and mind and offers a cheap and easy way to disconnect from our busy lives.

All of this changes, however, if you don't have the right camping equipment. What was intended to be a nice relaxing trip can soon turn into a trip from hell if you aren’t properly prepared? Don’t forget your out in nature which means you’ll be exposed to the elements and be somewhat at the mercy of mother nature.

Trust me, one long, cold, sleepless night in the rain is an ideal way to put you off the idea of camping again for quite some time.

So, before you head out into the great wide open, you'll need to get a few pieces of gear to help maximize your enjoyment and keep you safe. While some things like pillows, axes, and a deck of cards are optional, there are a handful of necessities that you can't go camping without. You'll find everything you need on this camping checklist. Let’s begin with the essentials.

Essentials

Tent

I’m sure it’s no surprise to anyone to see this as number one on our list!

This is the quintessential piece of camping gear. No matter where or how you go camping, you'll need a tent. Tents come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, from lightweight one-person tents for backcountry hiking to multi-roomed 8-person tents for family vacations.

The better the tent, the lighter and more waterproof it tends to be. Cheaper tents are suitable for the occasional camping trip to a campground. If you're planning a more adventurous camping trip, you should look to invest as much as you can in your tent. You’ll thank me later.

Tents can be your best friend or your worst enemy on a camping trip. If you're going camping in a hot climate, look for a tent with proper ventilation and plenty of mesh walls to let in the fresh air. If you know it's going to be raining, look for a tent with a groundsheet and covered porch area for your boots and pack.

Sleeping bag

Your sleeping bag is probably the second-most important piece of camping gear for a successful trip. Like tents, there are plenty of makes, models, and price points when it comes to sleeping bags. Try to get the best one you can afford. A good sleeping bag will last a long time, and you'll thank yourself for it when you're out camping.

Sleeping bags vary depending on how many seasons they're designed for. You can get synthetic and down sleeping bags. Cheaper, lightweight sleeping bags are suitable for one season and are great for a backpacking trip in the summer because of their minimal size.

If you're going camping in the spring or autumn or if you know it's going to get cool overnight, a 3-season sleeping bag will do the job. If you're heading out in the winter, or if it's going to go below freezing, you'll probably want a 4-season sleeping bag. These tend to be pricier and bulkier.

Sleeping pad

Sleeping on the hard ground is a recipe for waking up with a bad back. A sleeping pad is essential when it comes to sleeping outside. Again, there's a wide range of options and prices when it comes to buying a sleeping pad.

Basic foam mats are light and inexpensive. They do the job but don't expect an excellent night's sleep. If you're looking for comfort, then self-inflating mats or air mattresses are probably a better option. As you go up in price, the material gets better, and mats tend to be smaller and lighter.

If you're car camping, you can get air mattresses and fill them using a pump that plugs into a USB outlet or cigarette lighter in your car.

Hiking boots

Boots are the most essential piece of clothing when you're camping. You might be able to get by with sneakers, sandals, or flip flops on a campground, but most types of camping require a pair of boots.

Hiking boots are made out of a combination of nylon, leather, or suede. The different materials change the weight, durability, and waterproof level of the boots. Some boots have mesh panels to add breathability.

You can take care of your hiking boots by cleaning them and waterproofing them after coming back from your hiking trip. Insufficient footwear is a surefire way to have wet feet the whole time and possibly injure yourself carrying weight over uneven terrain.

Flashlight/headlamp

Without streetlights to light your way, things can get pretty dark at night when you're camping in the wilderness. Don't rely on your phone to be enough light, you’ll soon realize its limitations when your outside in the pitch black.

Try to get a good headlamp or flashlight. The better flashlights and headlamps come with multiple LEDs. And don't forget extra batteries!

Safety gear

Safety is paramount when it comes to camping. To protect yourself from the elements and any potential injuries, you'll want a lightweight first aid kit with bandages, band-aids, tape, scissors, and water purifying pills. You can also get water-purifying pumps and water bottles.

A knife or multitool is an excellent piece of gear. Good ones come with blades, scissors, a can opener, and numerous other tools that come in handy while camping. If you're backcountry camping, then you'll want a map, compass, whistle, and matches.

Non-essentials

Camping pillow

If you don't want to use your rolled-up sweater for a pillow, then get yourself a camping pillow. These can be lightweight, and some are inflatable. A camping pillow is a small luxury that goes a long way in making your camping trip enjoyable instead of a pain in the neck.

Camp chairs

If you are going car camping, think about taking some foldable camp chairs along with you. They make a huge difference, especially if your camping somewhere for a while. Sitting on the ground gets uncomfortable, and if it's raining, it gets even worse.

Camp table

Another luxury for car campers is a lightweight, foldable camp table. This piece of gear transforms meal times and card games into pleasurable, comfortable experiences instead of making the most of discomfort and inconvenience.

Lantern

If you don't have decent light sources, then when it gets dark, the only thing to do when you're camping is to go to bed. If you want to stay up after sunset, a free-standing lantern is an excellent idea for enjoying your camping trip.

Ultimate Camping Gear Checklist

So there you have it. Those are the top pieces of gear, both essentials, and luxuries, that you'll want to take with you on your camping trip. It’s important to plan ahead and consider what type of camping you'll be doing so you can decide on what you will need to take and what you won’t.

Don’t forget, taking too much stuff with you can also be a huge pain in the neck, so stick to our camping checklist and you’ll have all you need.

Have fun on your trip and thanks for reading!