Heading off into the outdoors is exciting, right up until a leaky tent floor, a paper-thin sleeping mat, or a temperamental camping stove ruins your weekend.
While basic gear gets you through your first couple of trips, upgrading to reliable kit makes the difference between simply surviving a night in the wild and actually looking forward to the next one. Whether you’re planning a full week of wild camping or a quick weekend break at a local campsite, putting a bit of thought into your setup pays off big time. Here’s some of the essential gear upgrades worth making before you pack up the car and head out.
A good tent is where every camping trip starts.
Family sized tents built to handle changeable British weather are worth prioritising, especially ones offering room dividers for a bit of extra privacy and strong waterproof ratings to cope with sudden downpours. For anyone planning a family trip, a larger poled tent with storm protection removes a lot of stress if the forecast turns unpredictable.
For solo trips or lighter adventures, smaller lightweight tents weighing just a couple of kilos make a real difference when you’re carrying everything on your back. Quick setup times and decent waterproofing matter just as much here, even in a smaller package.
A windbreak adds an extra layer of protection around your pitch.
Adding a windbreak alongside your tent gives extra shelter from wind and weather, and a small viewing window built into the design lets you keep an eye on what’s happening around your campsite without needing to peer round the edge constantly. It’s a small addition, but one that actually improves comfort during exposed or breezy pitches, particularly if you’re camping somewhere without much natural shelter nearby.
Getting your sleeping setup right is pretty important.
An inflatable camping mattress lifts you off cold, hard ground and can make a massive difference to how well you actually sleep. Ones that inflate quickly and stay inflated overnight are worth prioritising over cheaper alternatives that tend to deflate part way through the night. Lightweight sleeping mats are a great alternative for anyone hiking to their pitch, rolling down small enough to barely notice in your bag while still offering comfort and support overnight.
A decent sleeping bag beats a basic one every time.
Fleece lined sleeping bags offer considerably more comfort than standard synthetic ones, and options rated for a wide temperature range mean you’re covered whether the night turns unexpectedly chilly or stays mild. Bags with double zips are worth considering, too, since two can often be zipped together for couples wanting to share. A reflective sleeping mat placed underneath your usual setup can also help trap warmth between your body and the ground, helping prevent that unpleasant experience of waking up shivering in the middle of the night.
Don’t underestimate the value of a proper pillow.
Foam filled camping pillows that pack down small for easy transport offer better neck support than balling up a jumper, and inflatable versions work well too, particularly ones with a removable, washable cover for easy cleaning. It’s a small thing to pack, but one that impacts how rested you feel the next morning, especially over a longer camping trip.
Keeping food and drinks cold makes camp life feel considerably more civilised.
A cool box that holds a decent number of cans, or fits wine and larger soda bottles lying on their side, earns its keep on longer trips. Stackable, insulated tumblers are also worth having on hand, keeping cold drinks cooler for longer while doubling up nicely as a mug for warm coffee or soup too. A foldable table with built-in cupholders solves the constant problem of finding somewhere flat to eat, while also protecting your drink from getting knocked over or blown away by wind.
Comfortable seating changes how a trip feels.
A simple folding chair held together with its own elastic strap saves you from wrestling with loose parts and carry bags at the end of a trip. For anyone wanting a bit more comfort, a director’s style chair with a side table, drinks holder and storage pocket offers a spot to relax and unwind after a day outdoors. Comfortable seating might seem like a small detail, but it shapes how relaxing a camping trip actually feels once the tent is up and the exploring is done for the day.
A compact cooking setup covers the basics without the bulk.
A small, nesting cook set including a kettle and a couple of pans covers most basic camping meals without taking up much space in your bag. A portable pocket sized gas stove weighing under 100 grams offers real cooking power despite its tiny size, simply clipping onto a gas canister to get started. Sandwich bags turn out to be useful beyond just food storage too, handy for rubbish, keeping spare clothing dry, or even protecting your feet if your shoes end up letting water in.
A decent multi tool covers almost everything else.
A multi function pocket knife with a range of built-in tools covers a wide range of unexpected camping needs, from opening a drink to handling small repairs out in the wilderness. It’s the kind of item that feels unnecessary until you’re the only person at camp without one. While it’s a bigger upfront cost than most other camping essentials, having a reliable, well-built tool on hand tends to save frustration later in a trip.
Reliable light is vital once the sun goes down.
A handheld torch with a long battery life and waterproofing offers far more reliability after dark than relying on a phone torch alone. A wind up lantern makes a great backup too, particularly useful for late night trips to the loo or settling into your sleeping bag without fumbling in the dark. Having both a handheld torch and a lantern covers different situations well, giving you flexibility depending on whether you need focused light or a wider glow around camp.
Keeping devices charged is worth planning for, too.
A high-capacity portable power bank keeps phones charged for days at a time, and one with fast charging plus multiple port types covers charging other small devices too. For longer trips further from civilisation, a foldable solar panel offers a useful backup, recharging your power bank even without access to a plug socket. Alongside power, reliable fire starters, and a refillable gas lighter designed to work in wet or windy conditions make getting your stove or fire going considerably less frustrating than fumbling with matches.
A few toiletries make a big difference to comfort.
Strong insect repellent is worth applying generously, both indoors and outdoors around your tent, since bugs are often around even when you can’t see them. Biodegradable wet wipes are useful too, covering everything from quick clean-ups to unexpected tent spills when a real shower isn’t an option. A good dry shampoo can revive several days without washing your hair, and high-SPF sunscreen for your face and body remains essential regardless of whether the day looks sunny or overcast.
