Now that the summer camping season is in full swing, here are our top ten summer camping essentials that will ensure you don’t become “that guy” on your next trip.
10. Saw/Axe/Chainsaw
There are 2 things everyone expects when they go on a camping trip, the first thing is a fire, the second is s’mores (that’s probably just my wife, but her expectations become mine very quickly). Having the tools to quickly process wood for the fire will make your life substantially easier, and it also insures that a downed tree on the trail doesn’t end your adventure.
9. Quality Rain Gear
Adventures don’t stop because of rain unless that adventure is the Land Rover experience and you’re at Expo East or West. If you live on the east coast you understand rain during the camping season is more of a “when” rather than an “if”. Don’t be the schmuck that settles for Walmart rain gear that breathes less than a hefty bag, but if you’re looking to wear a portable sauna, go for it.
8. Maps
Repeat after me, “men don’t get lost,” now practice apologizing to your wife. This is probably one of the most important things you should never start a trip without. Whether you’re old school and like paper, or you stole your kids iPad to run Gaia GPS, make sure you don’t leave home without a map. It also helps if you plan ahead, but that’s a whole different story.
7. Appropriate Footwear
Unless your name is Cody Lundin and your feet are tougher than leather, get yourself the right footwear for your locale. Snow camping is probably not the time to show off your toe shoes, and not bringing a set of muck boots on a trip into the Vermont back country is probably a recipe for disaster.
6. Spare Tire
I’m not talking about the one around your waist so I hope you didn’t get too excited. You will get a flat tire at some point, so make sure you’re not “that guy” in your Jeep with no spare tire on the back. If you do have a spare, make sure it’s properly inflated and the same size as the rest of your tires. You don’t want to find that your spare has rotted out when you’re knee deep in mud on the side of the trail.
5. Hammock
If you’ve never strung up a hammock while out in the woods, you’re missing out. There’s just something so satisfying about laying back in your hammock with a cold one while listening to the sounds of nature. It’s also great if you bring a lady friend along…
4. A Good Teammate
Unless your a serial killer/ass hole, you probably enjoy spending time with other people. Traveling solo is fun from time to time unless your name is Chris McCandless, too soon? but having a friend/wife/dog with you makes a trip that much better. It also lets you share the work load and gives you someone to talk to. Having that extra set of eyes and the opinions that come with it can keep you from making some pretty boneheaded mistakes (or he convinces you to go to the Daytona 500 and you’re forever in his debt).
3. Tent
I don’t care what anyone says, sleeping in a bivy sack or hammock is not more comfortable than having a tent. We prefer OzTent’s or as New Yorkers call them, studio apartments. It’s nice to be able to stretch out, have a dry place to store your gear, and a place to fit multiple people. If you want to try and cram 2 people into a bivy though, please let us know how it works out… pictures required.
2. “Undies and Hundies”
Mark has a great saying “all I travel with are undies and hundies”, and really truer words have never been spoken. Make sure you’ve got some quality underwear for your time in the field, you probably don’t have access to a washing machine unless you’re an overlander so get something that can be quickly washed and dried outdoors. Also bring cash, some of our favorite places we travel to still don’t take credit cards. Note: I could have included a photo of my in my underwear here but I decided to just put something just as ridiculous up instead.
1. Plenty of Water
If you’re like us and you’ve been watching Naked and Afraid, you also probably know that the human body can’t last long without water. Dehydration sucks almost as much as grabbing the last beer out of your National Luna when you’re only half way through your trip. So when you think you have enough water, pack more. You never know when you’ll have to refill a radiator, fill your portable hot tub in the back country, or build an impromptu slip and slide.
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