Camping gadgets: what to bring when camping?

Tent camping is a great way to relax. It allows you to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and surround yourself with the tranquillity of nature. Although camping gadgets are not part of the standard equipment you take with you to a tent, they can certainly provide more comfort and convenience when you are outdoors.

In this article, we will suggest which camping gadgets you should include in your pre-trip packing list.

Food for camping — cooking in the field

Cooking on a camping trip will not only enable you to satisfy your hunger, but can also be great fun, especially if you have the opportunity to bring a range of useful accessories. Camping for many days in one place, which can be reached by car, for example, makes it possible to complete a large and practical cooking kit. If your camping takes place in such circumstances, you can easily take along: a tourist cooker, pots, a set of plates, cutlery, cups and the like.

In a different situation, it is very often important to keep your equipment to a minimum. What to eat on a camping trip if you have little space for your equipment? If this is the case, it is advisable to use ready-made meals that are easy to prepare and do not require many ingredients or the use of a lot of crockery. Freeze-dried food is great for this type of situation.

Lyo Food freeze-dried pork loin in green pepper sauce

And what cooking gadgets are worth taking with you? We've put together some suggestions for both those who can afford a larger piece of luggage and those who pack their equipment in one backpack:

Water treatment products — access to drinking water is one of the most important issues when camping. The right water treatment products, such as disinfectant tablets or water filters, can ensure clean and safe water without having to carry large quantities of liquids with you. With these, you can draw water from rivers, streams or lakes and be sure that you are not putting yourself at risk of poisoning. This is an essential part of an expedition, especially in areas where drinking water is difficult to access.
Collapsible dishes — with them, you can save valuable space in your backpack while enjoying a full range of cookware that will come in handy when preparing meals on a camping trip. Collapsible utensils such as plates, bowls and cups are lightweight, durable and easy to store, making them a great solution for minimalist travellers who value functionality and space saving. Look out for the collapsible bottle, which can even fit in a pocket when empty.
Sporks and essentials — is another group of products worth including in your camping equipment. A spork is a combination of a spoon and fork, and an essential is a set of cutlery with, for example, a can or bottle opener in addition.
Tourist coffee machine — coffee lovers do not have to give it up even in the wilderness. A travel coffee maker is a special vessel used to prepare coffee outdoors, especially when camping or hiking. It is usually a lightweight and compact design consisting of three main components: the lower water tank, the coffee basket and the upper container for the finished coffee. The process of preparing coffee in a touring coffee maker is quite simple. The water is placed in the lower tank and the coffee is placed in the basket. The coffee maker is then placed over a heat source, such as a campfire or a hiking cooker. As the water heats up, the pressure forces it to flow through the coffee and the finished coffee collects in the upper reservoir. Touring coffee makers are prized by coffee lovers for allowing them to enjoy their favourite beverage even in the middle of nowhere.
Field cooker in the trunk — food cooked over a fire is one of the beauties of camping, but what to do when a large campfire cannot be lit at the camp site? The answer is a field cooker, known as a Swedish torch. It is an unusual but very practical camping gadget. The Swedish torch is a cooker made from a stump that has been prepared in such a way that a fire can be lit inside. Holes or channels are cut in the stump to provide air and smoke. Log field cookers are popular with bushcraft enthusiasts and people who value an authentic camping experience. They are eco-friendly as they do not generate waste or a trail of used gas cylinders.

Sleeping tent accessories

Sleeping in a tent has both supporters and opponents. Many people are concerned about the uncomfortable conditions, but camping does not necessarily have to involve sleeping on the hard ground. There are many gadgets that make it possible to spend a comfortable night in a tent or in the open air. It is commonly associated that a sleeping bag and a tent are sufficient for a night outdoors, but this kit can be expanded or modified.

Hiking mat and sleeping bag

Tourist mats and mattresses provide good insulation from the ground. Set consisting of a mat or mattress and a slepping bag creates an insulating system that prevents heat loss during sleep. For even greater convenience, you can stock up on travel pillow and tourist blanket. Sleeping on the ground doesn't suit you at all? Choose camp bed.

Hammock with mosquito net

If you don't want to sleep in a tent, you can choose a hammock. An interesting option is a hammock with a mosquito net, so that you can sleep peacefully without annoying mosquito bites. Hammocks with mosquito nets also have the advantage of being light and compact, and are easy to hang up. For sleeping in a hammock, it is also useful to have something to shield us from possible rain or wind. A tarp is ideal for this role.

Tarp

Tarp is a lightweight, versatile outdoor equipment that can successfully replace a tent. You can extend the tarp in many ways and make it into, for example: a gable canopy, a bushcraft tent or an emergency bed. Want to know more about tarps? Check out our advice Tarp - what is it and which model to choose?

Solar panel for the tent, or access to energy

Electricity is one of those conveniences of civilisation that is very hard to part with. The good news is that you don't have to give up electricity at all. Portable power banks, power stations and solar panels are all devices that will keep you comfortably camping.

It is worth opting for a model compatible with a solar panel. In good weather conditions, it will provide constant access to electricity.

Showering on a camping trip — hygiene in the field

Bathing while camping is generally not the most pleasant thing to do, and of course we are not referring to bathing in a lake during a hot day. Taking care of hygiene in camping conditions often involves cold water and shampoo that has not been fully rinsed out of the hair, but these problems can also be remedied.

A hiking shower has a hose with a handset and some models even have a water flow control. This makes taking a shower on a camping trip more convenient. In addition, the problem of cold water is also solved. Exposing a filled hiking shower to the sun's rays will allow the water to warm up and allow you to take a warm shower.

What else is worth taking on a camping trip for swimming? We recommend stocking up on quick-dry towels, which are much smaller and lighter than the classic versions.

Gadgets for camping that are still worth taking along

In addition to the items listed above, it is also worth mentioning three camping gadgets from another category, such as:

A multitool – is a multifunctional set of tools which comes in handy when carrying out various jobs. Depending on the model, the multitool contains, for example: strong pliers, knife, screwdriver, file, scissors, saw or can and bottle openers. The entire set fits in the palm of your hand, making the multitool a great tool for use in the field.
Plasma lighter – anyone who has tried to light a barbecue on a windy day knows that the classic lighter and matches are unreliable. That is why we suggest choosing a plasma lighter, which is an alternative even to incandescent lighters. The fire is produced by electric arcs, so wind or rain will not be an obstacle.
Survival kit – even if you are not going on a demanding bushcraft expedition, it is worth carrying a survival kit. There are quite a few survival kit models, and each one is different. The example kit includes: a multi-purpose paracord cord (you can use it to replace shoelaces, hang laundry on it or pitch a tarp), kindling, a cotton swab, a knife, an antiseptic wipe, an LED light, a flintlock, a sewing kit, a signal mirror, a cable, a fishing kit, an emergency whistle and a wire saw.

What to take in a tent — a list

The composition of camping equipment is a decision you make based on your own preferences. Below is a sample list of gadgets useful for camping:

Sleeping bag and mat — iinsulate from outdoor conditions and provide thermal comfort,
hammock with mosquito net — allows you to sleep comfortably, is easy to hang up and protects you from nuisance insects,
tarp — a versatile sheet that can be used to make a basic shelter or canopy over a hammock,
tourist cooker with pot — enables you to cook a hot meal wherever you are,
flint (or assault matches or plasma lighter) — to start a cooker or fire, even in difficult weather conditions,
collapsible bottle and collapsible utensils — lightweight and environmentally friendly utensils for eating and carrying water,
spork or essentials — simple equipment for convenient consumption of prepared food,
power bank or power station and solar panel — A charged phone always comes in handy, whether for taking photos or calling for help; depending on how much power you need, you can opt for a lightweight power bank or a heavier but much more capacious power station,
water treatment products — hydration of the body is essential, and you won't find clean, drinkable water everywhere,
multitool — small and lightweight toolkit for camp work,
paracord — paracord will replace lashing lines, laundry string or even a broken shoe lace,
insect repellent – mosquitoes, ticks or other insects can make life miserable, so it is worth carrying an effective repellent with you,
lamp or torch for the tent — good lighting is an essential piece of camping equipment; our range includes standard models as well as advanced lights equipped with, for example, a loudspeaker.

Camping gadgets in the MILITARY.PL

At MILITARY.PL we know the outdoors, which is why you'll find all the equipment you need for your expeditions in our range. Our range ranges from equipment for hikers that will fit in a rucksack to products that will come in handy for car travellers. Take a look at the categories survival, bushcraft and tourism at MILITARY.PL to complete not only the standard equipment, but also to select useful camping gadgets.