Camping Essentials: Must-Haves for Your 2024 Camping Trip
Updated: Aug 14
We love hitting the road in our camper van, exploring new places. The freedom we experience is simply unparalleled. To ensure your camping adventure is just as smooth and comfortable, we’ve put together a detailed list of essential camping gear.
Table of Contents
1. Essentials for Your Camping Trip
Camper Van Basics:
Camping Chair and Table: Comfortable and sturdy camping furniture is a must! They should also look good, of course. We recommend these camping chairs and this folding table
Awning or Canopy: For shade and rain protection, an awning or canopy is essential. We now have a canopy, which is a must for camping and extends our space! :-) Make sure your awning or canopy fits your camper van or motorhome and is easy to use
Leveling Ramps: Not every camping spot is perfectly flat, so always have leveling ramps with you to level your vehicle. Nothing is worse than sleeping or cooking at an angle
2. Practical Camping Kitchen Equipment
A well-equipped camper kitchen is invaluable. Here are our top recommendations:
Camping Stove: If you’re not traveling with a camper van with an installed kitchen (like us), a powerful camping stove is a must-have. It allows you to prepare hot meals easily and offers a versatile alternative to a grill
Camping Cookware: Of course, you also need the right camper cookware set. It should be lightweight and space-saving, and ideally, look good too, like ours :-)
Cooler: An electric cooler keeps your food fresh and allows for longer, self-sufficient camping trips. Alternatively, there are passive coolers that don’t require power but have a shorter cooling duration
Kitchen Utensils: A comprehensive set like this camping cooking utensils set is essential for cooking on the go
3. Hygiene and Comfort while Camping
With this gear, you’ll stay clean and comfortable on the road:
Camping Sink: We always have this sink with water tank and shower with us. You can wash your dishes, wash your face in the morning, brush your teeth comfortably, and fully enjoy nature. With the shower, you can even take a shower
Camping Toilet: A portable toilet like this one adds extra comfort on the road
Towels: Quick-drying outdoor towels are not only practical but also space-saving and available in various sizes. For drying your face, we recommend these camping towels made of terry cloth, which are more pleasant on the skin in our opinion
Grill: A small portable grill is also a must, and for that extra something, we love our fire bowl, where you can roast stick bread or just enjoy the feeling.
4. Outdoor Gear: Our Must-Haves
For adventures outside the van, you should always have these when camping:
Camping Lamp: A compact, bright, and stylish camping lamp is essential. We also recommend a headlamp, which frees up both hands and makes it easier to move around outside, for example, if you need to quickly pack something up
Hiking Gear: High-quality hiking boots are a must to keep you sure-footed on your tours (for women / for men)
5. Technical Camping Equipment
Tech that makes camping life easier:
Power Station: We’ve been using this power station for a while now and are totally thrilled as we can effortlessly charge all our electronic devices with it. More information on different models can be found in this blog post
Solar Panel: To go even longer without power, you can also get a suitable solar panel. We always take this one for longer camping trips
Power Bank: We always have a small power bank with us, especially for longer hikes
6. Safety and Emergency Gear for Camping
Always be well-prepared:
First Aid Kit: You should always have a first aid kit with you.
7. Additional Camping Gear and Handy Gadgets
Little things that make a big difference:
Multitool: A versatile tool can help you out in a pinch
Retractable Clothesline: The camping clothesline is light, compact, and quick to set up and take down. You can dry your clothes on it after washing at the campsite
The Smallest Washing Machine in the World: If you don’t have a chance to wash at a campsite, this cool gadget should be part of your camping gear
Organization System: Boxes like these help you stay organized. Additionally, you can store your gear in them waterproof
With this gear, you’ll be well-prepared for your next camping adventure. Don’t forget to make a checklist so you don’t forget anything and can fully enjoy your vacation. If you need a packing list, you can find our camping packing list here.
We hope our recommendations help you and that you have just as much fun camping as we do. If you’re looking for additional must-have equipment for your next camping trip, this article might be helpful for you.
Want more insights into our travels? Check out our Instagram channels tom_rbg_ and anna_mser! If you have questions about the routes, feel free to contact us via these channels!
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