One of the main challenges for the outdoor holiday is the equipment, mainly its weight. Imagine carrying a thirty-pound backpack and trying to conquer the top of a mountain while enjoying the views. The impossible enterprise, I’d say. That’s why expert travelers constantly discuss lightweight equipment and try to travel without any redundant gear. However, you can avoid these inconveniences by choosing a car trip instead of a backpack one.
With a car, you can create the most comfortable and enjoyable trip to nature. All equipment will fit into the vehicle, and you won’t need to make hard decisions on what to take with you. Moreover, you’ll be able to take special cooking gear to prepare marvelous camping dishes.
In the article, we discuss the essential gear for the trip to nature, focusing on the possibilities that car traveling opens to you. We’ll divide recommendations into two categories:
- the main gear to survive outside the city’s protection;
- equipment that fits in the car and enables you to spend the holiday with comfort and fun.
Camping essentials
We’ll start with listing the core gear that is needed in every kind of outdoor outing. If you don’t want to spend a night in the cold car, you’d better prepare the right gear to camp well.
1. A home-like shelter under the sky
First of all, you’ll need a tent. There are various kinds, from ones you throw on the ground and it’s already assembled to ones you need to stretch on trekking poles meticulously. Also, check out the winter camping checklist to adapt to the cold season’s challenges. If you travel in a large company or with a family, choose a tent suitable for the right amount of people. Moreover, we’d recommend picking one with a high ceiling and a lot of space inside to dine in the tent and spend an evening comfortably playing board games.
2. Sleeping arrangements
Firstly, choose from a range of sleeping bags. They are designed to provide the best sleeping experience that is even better than bad at home. But you need to pick one according to the temperature outside. There are alternatives to sleeping bags like hammocks, but try it out before the main trip. Hammocks aren’t perfect for everyone, and you don’t want to have a sleepless night.
Secondly, find protection from the cold ground. It would be best if you didn’t place a sleeping bag directly on the tent’s floor because it’ll lose all its warming abilities. Purchase a foam pad or inflating mattress to put under the bag. There is also an option of a folding bed. It raises you from the ground at least on a foot and a half.
Thirdly, prepare a spare set of clothes for the night. After a long active day, you’ll need dry and clean clothes to fall into a deep and untroubled sleep. Remember to take several pairs of socks because feet suffer the most during the trip.
3. A first-aid kit and toiletries
Painkillers and a bar of soap don’t come to mind when you hear the word “camping,” but they must be with you during the trip. Wild nature hides many dangers, and you need to be ready to tend to various wounds. If you travel with kids, take all the necessities to help in case of a bruise, scratches, or mosquito bites.
Perks from car camping
The main advantage that the car provides is the amount of stuff you can take with you. Instead of counting each ounce, you can dedicate your time to finding the best gear to enjoy the traveling experience to the fullest.
1. A stove for cooking and drying clothes
A camping stove is a beautiful way to warm the tent and cook any meal during cold seasons. There are numerous tutorials on adjusting your tent for the stove and what perks it’ll give you. Apart from cooking, you can also dry your boots after the day in deep snow. RBM offers different tents explicitly made to accommodate a dutch stove.
2. Now you can finally take a pillow with you
Usually, we stack a bundle of clothes under our heads instead of a pillow. It’s a good option if there are no alternatives, but you don’t need to worry about the space and can take comfort with you if you have a vehicle.
3. Take the food and prepare it on the spot
When you travel with a backpack, you can’t allow yourself the luxury of carrying a piece of raw meat or two pounds of potatoes. However, with a car you a free to choose any favorite food and cook it with smoke. Imagine a crust on a potato made in the coals from the fire! Here are several ideas on what to cook on the fire.
If you have a large company, remember to bring something sweet to enjoy near the fire. The common and great choice is marshmallows that are perfect after a bit of melting from flames.
Don’t forget to bring tea and coffee. The best morning starts with the favorite beverage, and the sunrise with a warm cup of tea will be unforgettable.
4. Camping furniture
It is undoubtedly atmospheric to sit on the mat on the ground, but you can choose a higher comfort level. Take with you a set of chairs and a table to organize a proper dinner under the stars. Remember to bring the light like several lanterns because fire won’t be enough to lit the whole spot.
5. Sports during the day and board games for the evening
Enjoying the scenery and the fresh air is not the only option in the woods or seashore. Take a ball and several board games to engage everyone in the game.