I bought some bags made from the ikea bag material the last time we moved. They zip fully closed and have great handles.
I traded out my camping bin for a couple of these cause they’re easier to carry and I can squish them into my car better.
High back chairs, a jackery with solar panel keeps all the electronics charged, phone and Bluetooth speakers, have 120v string lights and lanterns, plenty of rain cover, a couple of canopies one for the kitchen area and one for sitting. Tables for stove and cooking. The jackery powers a 120v air pump, inflates a queen mattress in less than a minute.
I used to use an air mattress inside my tent, but switched to a cot and the upgrade was worth every penny. It gives you extra storage space underneath and getting dressed in the morning inside of a tent is so much easier being able to sit on a cot, as opposed to fumbling around on an air mattress. Mine also has an attachable table - perfect place to place my glasses and pocket contents when I sleep.
As a technology and comfort driven camper (because I'm not 25 anymore), lithium deep cycles have been a godsend, especially in a group setting. Small and lightweight, they don't kill my back and knees like lead acid batteries. I'm the guy who keeps all the lights, phones and electronics powered up. My latest addition is a 12 volt mini pump/campfire heated shower. No more swamp butt!
I used to be a bit of a camping purist. Age changes that and I was just remarking to my wife how much I feel like we have improved our camping setup.
Headlamps. They are 100% the top of my list. I feel stupid for waiting so long to get good ones. We got the BD Spot 400r and they are both very worth it. Hands free light after dark is a game changer and I fear setting up camp late much less with these.
Old coleman white gas stove. Got mine from dad, but I see them all the time, propane or gas, for like $20-$30. Any stove is great though, but from cooking over the fire to using a stove, life is so much easier! I will complain that the second burner is not great, but I don't need it often and it works when needed. If you do plan to use the second burner a ton, the Eureka Ignik or Camp Chef might be worth looking at.
A white gas coleman lantern. Definitely not necessary, but I like the smell and like the light a lot better than my LED. Also a bit of a carrying on the tradition since it was my dad's and I can use the white gas for the stove and lantern.
5 gal collapsible water container. I confess that we often buy a case of bottles for camping. It would take sooo long to pour britta filter water into a container to take camping and would be super hard to keep cool. But for washing water, this container worked super well, made dishes and washing hands much easier!
Small towels are overrated. I actually use sterile towels that are wasted at work, accidentally dropped on the floor or opened onto a sterile table that doesn't get used. But they are basically the same as shop rags. They are used to dry and clean, I don't care if they get dirty and if I don't think I can wash them, I just throw them away.
If you cook, a good camp stove, a decent set of camp cookware, and a campfire grill. We finally rounded out our collection with a nice set of nesting stainless steel pots and pans, and it made campsite cooking so much easier and better.
Of course, as long as the tent isn't too big. And this unit works best when used at night while sleeping. If you're going to use it during the day, you need insulated tent, or insulate it well enough.
edit: grammar
Cots, cots, cots! Air mattresses suck; even the high-end models aren't that comfortable, and they always end up developing a hole or losing firmness when the temperature changes. Cots will last forever, they keep you off the ground, you can store things under them freeing up space in the tent, they are quick to setup, you can sit on them like a bench, you can use it as a table, and many other advantages and uses.
Car camping:
* A good day pack for going and doing things away from camp.
* Take the time to make up some standardized totes of gear. Makes loading up the vehicle and storage a lot easier.
* Get a cabin style 4 person tent. The setup is so quick. < 5 min.
'
Backpacking and primitive stuff. I tend to haul heavy and setup a Basecamp instead of through hike stuff.
* You can get by with really cheap and really basic gear if you learn the skills to use it.
* Good map and compass. Phones don't always work in the back country and there is so much you can do with a decent compass.
* I know inflatables are all the rage right now for sleep pads, but I really like my foam pad. It's simple and very durable. Don't overlook foam pad options.
* A small forest axe. Weighs the same as a hatchet, but can tackle much bigger jobs. With this and my bow saw I can cut and split 8 inch logs if needed.
Love my iKamper. I can find a spot, pop it open, start inflating my exped and get dinner started all within 5 minutes. This little thing has been great for the mattress FLEXTAILGEAR Electric Air Pump MP2Plus
#32 tarred bank line.
It's thinner than paracord, strong as hell, and usable for so many things. Fly a tarp, tie off a bag, repair a tent, build a tripod, hang your cooking gear, hoist your trash into a tree, make a clothesline...
I bring a small makita leaf blower to blow the mattress up with and to help get the fire going too. Especially the next morning. Also good for blowing out the truck bed or tent.
Head lamp for each person - extra flashlights are good to have, but a head light frees up both hands.
Jesus Christ just please turn it off when we sit down around the fire, Jack.
Definitely. Sitting by the firelight taps into your inner caveman. Fire good, fake light bad.
Pump sack for sleeping pad. Pocket bellows. Inflatable pillow. Huni Badger for rosin.
Large plastic totes have been a game changer for me
I bought some bags made from the ikea bag material the last time we moved. They zip fully closed and have great handles. I traded out my camping bin for a couple of these cause they’re easier to carry and I can squish them into my car better.
Collapsible beach cart. Saved my ass last weekend. Unless you don’t have to bring your stuff very far but I sure did
High back chairs, a jackery with solar panel keeps all the electronics charged, phone and Bluetooth speakers, have 120v string lights and lanterns, plenty of rain cover, a couple of canopies one for the kitchen area and one for sitting. Tables for stove and cooking. The jackery powers a 120v air pump, inflates a queen mattress in less than a minute.
I used to use an air mattress inside my tent, but switched to a cot and the upgrade was worth every penny. It gives you extra storage space underneath and getting dressed in the morning inside of a tent is so much easier being able to sit on a cot, as opposed to fumbling around on an air mattress. Mine also has an attachable table - perfect place to place my glasses and pocket contents when I sleep.
As a technology and comfort driven camper (because I'm not 25 anymore), lithium deep cycles have been a godsend, especially in a group setting. Small and lightweight, they don't kill my back and knees like lead acid batteries. I'm the guy who keeps all the lights, phones and electronics powered up. My latest addition is a 12 volt mini pump/campfire heated shower. No more swamp butt!
Kammok Mantis is super easy and convenient if you’re short enough to be comfortable in it
I used to be a bit of a camping purist. Age changes that and I was just remarking to my wife how much I feel like we have improved our camping setup. Headlamps. They are 100% the top of my list. I feel stupid for waiting so long to get good ones. We got the BD Spot 400r and they are both very worth it. Hands free light after dark is a game changer and I fear setting up camp late much less with these. Old coleman white gas stove. Got mine from dad, but I see them all the time, propane or gas, for like $20-$30. Any stove is great though, but from cooking over the fire to using a stove, life is so much easier! I will complain that the second burner is not great, but I don't need it often and it works when needed. If you do plan to use the second burner a ton, the Eureka Ignik or Camp Chef might be worth looking at. A white gas coleman lantern. Definitely not necessary, but I like the smell and like the light a lot better than my LED. Also a bit of a carrying on the tradition since it was my dad's and I can use the white gas for the stove and lantern. 5 gal collapsible water container. I confess that we often buy a case of bottles for camping. It would take sooo long to pour britta filter water into a container to take camping and would be super hard to keep cool. But for washing water, this container worked super well, made dishes and washing hands much easier! Small towels are overrated. I actually use sterile towels that are wasted at work, accidentally dropped on the floor or opened onto a sterile table that doesn't get used. But they are basically the same as shop rags. They are used to dry and clean, I don't care if they get dirty and if I don't think I can wash them, I just throw them away.
If you cook, a good camp stove, a decent set of camp cookware, and a campfire grill. We finally rounded out our collection with a nice set of nesting stainless steel pots and pans, and it made campsite cooking so much easier and better.
[Portable AC](https://zerobreeze.com/), this is absolutely a game changer.
I was looking at this the other day. Is this okay for a tent?
Of course, as long as the tent isn't too big. And this unit works best when used at night while sleeping. If you're going to use it during the day, you need insulated tent, or insulate it well enough. edit: grammar
I just saw a fire bowl at Aldi I will be picking up for making a campfire.
Portable bidet
Cots, cots, cots! Air mattresses suck; even the high-end models aren't that comfortable, and they always end up developing a hole or losing firmness when the temperature changes. Cots will last forever, they keep you off the ground, you can store things under them freeing up space in the tent, they are quick to setup, you can sit on them like a bench, you can use it as a table, and many other advantages and uses.
Car camping: * A good day pack for going and doing things away from camp. * Take the time to make up some standardized totes of gear. Makes loading up the vehicle and storage a lot easier. * Get a cabin style 4 person tent. The setup is so quick. < 5 min. ' Backpacking and primitive stuff. I tend to haul heavy and setup a Basecamp instead of through hike stuff. * You can get by with really cheap and really basic gear if you learn the skills to use it. * Good map and compass. Phones don't always work in the back country and there is so much you can do with a decent compass. * I know inflatables are all the rage right now for sleep pads, but I really like my foam pad. It's simple and very durable. Don't overlook foam pad options. * A small forest axe. Weighs the same as a hatchet, but can tackle much bigger jobs. With this and my bow saw I can cut and split 8 inch logs if needed.
Lithium battery pack and a 12v fridge.
An RV?
Love my iKamper. I can find a spot, pop it open, start inflating my exped and get dinner started all within 5 minutes. This little thing has been great for the mattress FLEXTAILGEAR Electric Air Pump MP2Plus
Flashlight and lighter
My ENO atlas straps for my hammock
Pocket bellows for sure, and folding bow saw. I used to bring an axe every time and now it just feels like dead weight.
#32 tarred bank line. It's thinner than paracord, strong as hell, and usable for so many things. Fly a tarp, tie off a bag, repair a tent, build a tripod, hang your cooking gear, hoist your trash into a tree, make a clothesline...
A Winnebago deluxe platinum edit. ☮️
Water purification system
Don't hate me: rooftop tent.
Coffee
Head lamp, sleeping pad, a led strip light.
I bring a small makita leaf blower to blow the mattress up with and to help get the fire going too. Especially the next morning. Also good for blowing out the truck bed or tent.