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As we move into late spring and early summer, camping season quickly approaches. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a complete novice, it’s essential that you properly prepare before heading out into the woods for a camping trip. A good camper is prepared for the elements and almost any situation — from a wildlife encounter to a midnight tent failure.
At Streamlight, we have a lot of outdoor enthusiasts and veteran campers on our team who take packing for an outdoors trip pretty seriously. Here are some essentials we think you need to make your summer of camping a success.
1. Tent
Shelter is arguably the most important part of a good camping trip. It protects you from the elements, whether it be the hot sun or unexpected rainfall. It also provides a nice space to escape swarms of bugs or your annoying cousin. Last but not least, a tent provides a place to sleep and relax after a long day. While most tents will do fine, don’t forget to bring extra stakes, rope, and a tarp just in case you run into any nasty weather.
2. Lantern
A lighting solution is an essential part of camping. Sometimes you need to build a fire, adjust your tent, or even find your way back to your campground during the nighttime. In any of these situations, you’ll want a light that can illuminate the area around you.
The Super Siege® lantern is the ultimate camping tool: its 360° light distribution offers multiple light output modes, making it comfortable to use in close quarters without impairing vision, and bright enough to illuminate large areas. The Super Siege is impact-resistant and floats, so it’s ready for any situation. We have to say, one of our favorite features of this light is the USB power bank that can charge your cellphone, smartwatch, or other flashlights you might bring on the trip!
3. Fire Starter
Whatever your preferred method is for lighting a fire (matches, lighter, or the traditional flint and steel), having a fire available for your campsite is invaluable. A fire provides many purposes: it can be for warmth, bug prevention, or just a nice space to gather around at the end of the day.
4. Knife or Multi-Tool
Another multi-faceted camping essential, a multi-tool, can get you out of many tough situations. Some uses include splitting kindling, assisting with food preparation, fire starting, whittling tent stakes, cutting cord or rope, and even skinning a fish if necessary. A good knife is one of the smallest things to pack, but one of the biggest tools you’ll use when camping.
5. First Aid Kit
Hopefully a first aid kit isn’t something you'll need every trip (fingers crossed), but it is important to have in case an accident does take place. First aid essentials can come in handy any time you’re in a remote location. We also suggest having your phone charged to call for help in case of an emergency.
6. Handheld Flashlight
We know we’ve already listed a lantern, but we want to highlight how handy a small, everyday carry (EDC) flashlight can be when camping (and just for everyday use in general). A handheld flashlight like the Wedge® can be easily stored in your pocket or clipped to your backpack. This light can fit into tight spots that your lantern may not be able to reach. Plus, the Wedge offers a bright 1000 lumens, which can be used to spot unknown visitors or threats coming to your campsite.
7. Chapstick
We admit this isn’t something you’ll find on every packing list for a camping trip. Chapped lips can drive you crazy and could ruin your camping trip. Spending time outside on those windy or cold days can make it more likely for your lips to get dry. It’s something that you might have overlooked, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Trip saved. You’re welcome.
When you’re planning a camping trip, make sure you have your bases covered and bring along these essentials. Dependent on the type of camping trip (yes, we’re looking at you glampers), you may only need a few of these items or you might need a lot more. No matter how you pack for your next camping trip, we hope you take a Streamlight flashlight along!
