The Beginner’s Checklist For Essential Gear & Tools for Camping 

For your first camping trip, making sure you have all the essentials is so important. Not only just for your safety and comfort but also so you can make the most of your time outdoors!

Before you set off on your camping adventure, it’s always a good idea to make a list of all the things you need to pack so you can sort out what you have, what you don’t and what you need to get. You don’t want to be miles away from home only to realise that you’ve forgotten something important! (We’ve been there one too many times – it’s not fun!)

So you can avoid making that same mistake, we’ve created a handy list of essential camping tools you should take with you on your next adventure!

Read on to find out exactly what you need for your camping trip! 

The Camping Equipment Basics

Making sure you’ve got all the camping basics is essential, and you should make sure you’ve got them sorted before you go adding any extras to your checklist.

Ensuring you have the essentials to keep you warm and cosy will massively benefit your first camping trip and open you up to the wonderful possibilities of outdoor living!

Sleeping Bags for Ultimate Comfort

A bad night’s sleep has the potential to ruin your entire camping trip, so it’s essential that you invest in a good quality sleeping bag. You don’t want to wake up feeling groggy and not prepared for the day ahead!

Sleeping bags come in all shapes, sizes and materials, so finding one won’t be difficult. It’s more about finding the one that’s comfortable for you and fits your camping needs.

Sleeping Bags We Recommend

The Naturehike Goose Down Sleeping Bag provides warmth and comfort, allowing you to snuggle down for decent rest and repair ready for the next day.

Or, the Naturehike Ultralight Sleeping Pad is a great alternative to a bulky air mattress. It’s air trapping technology cushions and reduces heat loss whilst allowing for the mat to be easily rolled into a compact bag for easy travel!

Sleeping Bags

When it comes to wild camping, a good sleeping bag is essential. With Wood To Water’s selection, you can find the perfect sleeping bag to keep you warm and dry, no matter where you are. Read More

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Durable Outdoor Clothes And Shoes

Packing suitable clothing prevents you from getting caught short, no matter what mood the weather is in. Whilst you can check the weather app as many times as you like in the lead up to your camping trip, the weather can still surprise you!

We recommend packing a few layers of clothing in different weights so that you can easily adapt to the weather conditions and stay comfortable. That way, you can either layer up if you’re cold or strip off some layers if it’s too hot.

Camping Clothing We Recommend

A Highlander Waterproof Jacket is a stylish option with a Teflon coated outer layer, providing expert water-repellent technology for comfort to last your trip.

A good pair of walking boots is also a great investment for your first outdoor trip. Sturdy footwear is essential for comfort and protection so you never finish a day with sore feet.

If you’re starting out on some water sport activities, you need to pack the essentials. Dry robes/changing robes are our recommendation for keeping you warm and absorbing water so you can quickly change back into your dry clothes.

Wet shoes are also a great purchase for those who’re planning a trip near the beach! The Naturehike Outdoor Wet Shoes provide grip and protection, keeping the soles of your feet safe during fast-paced water sport activities.

Clothing

From jackets to socks and walking gaiters, Wood To Water stocks all the essential camping clothing you need to keep warm, dry and protected in the great outdoors, all whilst staying comfortable on your adventure! Read More

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Camping Lantern and Lighting

Having lighting options is definitely a must when camping – you don’t want to be left stumbling around in the dark, especially if you’re a camping-beginner. There are tons of different camping lighting options, from small flashlights to powerful lanterns to handy head torches.

You can hang your chosen light source either outside or inside your tent, or both! This way, you will never be left in the dark and you can easily find your way around.

Camping Lighting We Recommend

The AloneFire Camp Light can be hooked or mounted to easily light your space. It’s battery operated, so you don’t have to worry about plugging it in to a power source.

Alternatively, the Trustfire Mini3 Flashlight is a nifty but highly powerful handheld torch (350 lumens!) that provides an incredibly bright light. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket, so you can take it with you if you have to leave your camp for whatever reason.

Camping Lights & Lanterns

Don’t let the light stop your adventure! We have a wide range of lighting equipment, from basic camping lanterns for cosy family campfires to focusable lights for cave or forest exploration.

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Cooking Equipment for Delicious Meals

Just because you’re camping, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy delicious meals! Whether that’s a simple hotdog on the campfire or a gourmet dinner, you need the right cooking equipment!

You can set yourself up a mini camping kitchen to make the most of your cooking experience. Choose from gas, liquid or solid fuel sources for your camping stove or BBQ and make sure you have plenty of food storage items so nothing goes off.

Camping Cooking Equipment We Recommend

The BE Bushbox XL is ideal for supporting larger pans for family-style cooking. It can be folded to 1cm thick for easy packing and works with many different fuels for a truly versatile cooking option.

The GSI Bugaboo Cook And Eat Set is great for providing everything you need to cook, serve and eat within one kit. Its durable and easily packed design makes it an investment for camping trips for years to come.

A camping cool box is another great addition to your kit. They make travelling and days out exploring easier, providing a safe space to store and transport packed lunches for your family.

Cooking, Eating and Drinking

There’s something for everyone with Wood To Water’s quality camping cooking gear! Our selection of lightweight kitchen utensils are ideal for expert hiking or campfire relaxing. Read More

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Extra Camping Gear for Fun and Passing the Time!

Once you’ve got yourself all the basic equipment and tools for camping, you can start to think about the things that will add a little extra fun/comfort to your trip. If you’re planning on a family trip, this is especially important for passing the time and keeping the little ones entertained.

Classic Camping Games

Games around the campfire bring everyone together. Classic games like charades, hide and seek and storytelling will keep you occupied in the evenings and create great memories.

You should also take a few of your favourite board games for games nights or footballs and other outdoor games so you can make the most of your time outdoors.

We’ve got a whole blog post with our top 10 camping game ideas, so you should definitely check it out for some extra inspiration! 

Additional Tools for Longer Camping and Hiking Trips

If you’re planning on going on a slightly longer camping trip, you’ll probably want to add some extra essential items to your checklist to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Pure Water Source And Food Packs

Oasis Water purification tablets are a must-have for any keen survivalist. When you’re on the go and tackling the wild, hydration is essential. Water purification options are crucial to ensure you’re not limiting yourself in your water sources.

When it comes to being well fed, dehydrated expedition meals are really handy! Firepot dehydrated meals are perfect for providing tasty nutrition when all you have access to is boiling water. We have a superb range, so be sure to check them out!

Multi Tool for Fire Lighting and Survival

Multi tools for camping are great for having on hand in case of an emergency, or just for making your camping trip a little smoother. Multi-purpose pen knives and fire lighting kits can help with all sorts of tasks, from opening cans to lighting campfires. 

The Kombat Fire Starter Tin is compact, portable and contains all you need to set the perfect fire alight. Stay safe and well equipped with this neat and effective design.

Fire Making Equipment

Making a fire is essential to wild camping. Without a fire, you can’t cook your meals, keep warm or see in the dimming light. As a minimum, you’ll need flint and steel in your DIY campfire equipment, but there are more options at your fingertips.

Browse through our collection to find the right combination for you.

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Get All Your High Essential Tools for Camping from Wood To Water!

From top-quality tents to all the equipment and tools for camping, Wood To Water has everything you need to get set for your first camping trip. We know exactly what you need to make sure your trip is as enjoyable and comfortable as possible, so you can trust us with all your camping needs.

Explore our whole collection of gear and tools for camping, and get yourself ready for your new adventure!

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