Message Forums

Hi,

I'm going to start camping within the next few weeks and i'm wondering what the bare minimum list of equipment is to start? Thanks

Ross

Absolute bare minimum?

Something to keep the rain off you (e.g. a tent)

Something to lay on (e.g. a self-inflating mattress or an airbed)

Something to lay in (e.g. a sleeping bag, or just bring your duvet from home)

Something to see with (e.g. a torch, or a UFA light from Poundland)

You can eat out for your first trip, thus not having to take a stove/gas/pots & pans/plates/cutlery/cups/food/cooler/washing up gear/table & chairs etc

If you read through the "Features/Tips" section (link at the top of the page) then you'll find the suggested packing list which is very useful - but of course, you won't need all of that for your first trip! :)

Not really the bare minimum, but this is what we used to take on our hols, 2 adults, 3 kids in an enormous Royal Montpellier 12 tent.

1 * Tent

3 * Airbed

5 * Sleeping bag

1 * Camping Stove + gas

1 * Toast rack

1 * Camp kitchen

1 * Electric Hookup

2 * Electric fan heater

2 * Strip lights

1 * Coolbag

1 * 12v coolbox

1 * 12v/240v coolbox adapter

1 * Folding Table

5 * folding chairs

1 * Water carrier

1 * Windbreak

1 * Mallet

1 * Torch

1 * Battery charger

1 * Air compressor

20 * Rock pegs

1 * Kettle

Mugs, plates, glasses, dishes

Knives, forks, spoons, utensils

Washing up bowl

1 * Frying pan

1 * Pan set

1 * Bottle opener

1 * Tin opener

1 * Food/utensil box

Matches

1 * mini-toolkit

Clothes pegs

Tea towels

Dishcloth/cleaning pad

Washing up liquid

Tea/coffee/sugar

Ice packs

Clothes Bags

Shoes/flip flops

Fleeces/jumpers

Kagoules

Wellies

Laptop

Beach bag

Beach towels

Umbrella

Mobile phones + car chargers

Reading material

Spare car keys

Camera

Sun tan lotion

Medicine bag

Radio

Optional stuff for kids:

Body Boards

Buckets/spades/games/balls/toys

kite

scooters

Everones 'bare minimum' list will be different! I am afraid you will have to make up your own, using other peoples lists, and your own once you start camping!

Everyone has different priorities! And luxuries!!

In order of importance

Tent

Sleeping arrangements

Seat

Light

Cooking equipment -if cooking

Sorry everyone, i realised after posting that this may be a bit subjective. Thanks for the replies anyway, there's definately a few things on there i wouldn't of thought of.

One question though, if you're hiking to your camp site/area and there's no facilities there, how to manage about cooking/eating. As in, do you just sit on the floor of your tent and eat, or can you take portable chairs/stands with you? Sorry if this seems a silly question.

Thanks,

Ross

That will depend on how strong you are and how far you intend to hike. I would not be capable of hiking with gear at all. I use a shopping trolley on wheels to get my wind break, mat, chair and flask to my local beach.

I have recently made up my bicycle trailer list, which I thought of as my bare minimum, and there is no way it could be back packed. It involved thirty two items that I could not camp without. Multiple items like spoons forks knives etc. are classed as one item. This did include food and cooking equipment though. Trailer size is twenty x twenty x thirty inches. In the end, the bracket did not fit my bike, so it all went in the boot and I went by car. It was great to have an empty car with a half empty boot to go camping with !  It is usually, full car and boot and trailer and roof rack etc.

Quote: Originally posted by cha1n on 07/6/2009[

One question though, if you're hiking to your camp site/area and there's no facilities there, how to manage about cooking/eating. As in, do you just sit on the floor of your tent and eat, or can you take portable chairs/stands with you? Sorry if this seems a silly question.

Thanks,

Ross

---

---