If you have never gone camping before, it can be hard to know where to start when making a shopping list. Luckily, there are plenty of extensive indexes available online with everything you’ll need to bring on your first trip. When you go to the store with this list, it can be overwhelming to see the wide range in quality of camping supplies. While some items are ‘okay’ to opt for the generic product versus the brand name product, other items are worth the investment. Read on to see what five items we believe are worth the investment before you go on your first camping trip.
Tent
An area you don’t want to skimp on in terms of investment is your shelter, especially if you are camping somewhere with unpredictable weather or remote. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a nice tent, this is an item you may want to consider renting from somewhere. Outdoor stores often rent camping equipment, and they can give you advice on what type of tent you will need for your trip.
Sleeping Bag
Spending extra money on your sleeping materials is something you will thank yourself for doing when you’re trying to fall asleep in the woods. Unlike a tent, a sleeping bag is something you probably don’t want to rent. You can look into renting a sleeping pad or air mattress if this is something you have room for.
Lighting
When it gets dark out, you will be glad you spent extra money on flashlights and lanterns for your trip. Cheap flashlights can be unreliable and die out when you need them most. Investing in high-quality LED flashlights makes sure they won’t die out on you, and they will better illuminate your campsite. If you don’t know where to shop for lighting, companies like Fenix Lighting have various high-quality rechargeable flashlights, lanterns, and headlamps.
Backpack
A quality backpack can make all the difference between you enjoying your hike or being in pain the whole time. A backpack that doesn’t fit or isn’t designed for hiking can be highly bothersome during your trip. You don’t want to spend your time constantly readjusting your bag or sore from a backpack not meant for what you’re using it. If you plan on doing a lot of hiking or carrying your supplies on your back, you may even want to get fitted for a backpack at an outdoor store.
Footwear
If you plan on hiking on your trip, you will want to invest in good quality, waterproof hiking boots. Make sure to get these far enough in advance before your trip, so you have time to break them in. Go on a few shorter hikes before your trip so your boots can conform to your feet; this will help reduce the chance of blisters when you’re on your journey. You will also want to make sure you have comfortable shoes with you to slip on after a day of hiking.
Although it can be hard to spend money on camping equipment that you are not sure if you will use again, spending extra money on certain items now will make the trip much more enjoyable. We hope this list gives you an idea of what to spend your money on and where you can save to be prepared for your first camping trip.
Featured Image by sabinamajoor from Pixabay
