More Essential Campsite Equipment
Beyond the tent, sleeping bag and camp stove, a few compact tools can make a camping trip safer, easier and more comfortable. A good checklist should include repair items, cutting tools, basic hand tools, lighting, charging gear and a few rainy-day essentials.
If you are planning on hiking, you will need a backpack, compass, travel guide, map, suitable shoes, extra socks and a sun hat. Another indispensable piece of camping gear is the multifunction pocket knife. These handy little tools often include:
- Screwdrivers (flat head and Phillips)
- Bottle opener
- Can opener
- Corkscrew
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Awl
- One or two super-sharp blades
One model pocket knife even comes with a reusable plastic toothpick, something you might never think of including on your camping checklist. All backpacks should contain such a knife.
If you are going to swimming or bathing in a lake or stream, which often have rock bottoms, some type of waterproof foot gear, like the popular surf shoes is essential.Other miscellaneous items to bring:
- Duct tape
- Safety pins
- Sewing kit
- Paracord
- Small crank or transistor radio
- USB Power bank and cell phone charging cable
- Things to pass the time in case it rains such as a book, playing cards, dominoes, checkers, chess set, etc.
- Paper and pen
- Battery-operated clock
- Basic tools: pliers, screwdriver, hammer/mallet
- Self inflating sleeping mats
- Bear spray and bear bangers (defend yourself from wild bears)
- Bug Wear - Insect Protection
Camping is great recreation.
From campgrounds that are more like resorts to the challenge of true wilderness camping, you are bound to find some level of camping that is just right for you. Bringing the right outdoor equipment is the best way to ensure your trip will be a memorable one. A camping checklist will streamline your packing and preparation. Although experience is the best teacher, a good, comprehensive checklist can help make the difference between an enjoyable camping trip and a disastrous one. Your checklist will be dynamic you will add items and remove items with every trip. Just be sure to keep it up to date. Whether you are a minimalist or a gear-oriented camper, camping provides many challenges. A thoughtfully-devised checklist will enable you to sleep dry and warm, build a welcoming fire, enjoy a great camp-cooked dinner, light your camp effectively and handle any miscellaneous small emergencies that might occur.
Rita Liotta is a successful freelance writer offering guidance and suggestions for consumers regarding camping stoves, pocket knives, compass and topographical maps. Her many articles give information and tips to help people save money and make smarter decisions.
Useful Camp Tools to Pack
Camp Hatchet
Useful for splitting kindling and preparing small firewood where permitted.
Folding Shovel
Handy around the campsite for digging, clearing and emergency use.
Folding Saw
A compact saw can help process small branches more safely than forcing a knife.
Shop camping tools and outdoor gear
Forest City Surplus Canada carries camping tools, outdoor supplies, lanterns, tarps, emergency gear and campsite essentials at surplus prices.
More Camping Guides
Continue browsing camping-gear.ca for more checklists, campground tips, backpack guides, camp cooking ideas and campsite lighting advice.