CAMPING TIPS | Underrated Items to Bring with You on a Camping Trip

August 31, 2022 Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Camping Tips & Advice, Homepage Feature, Sponsored posts, Tips & Advice

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Camping is a hugely popular activity, especially in the UK, where there are so many natural landscapes to explore. There are plenty of beautiful locations all over the country that attract campers all year round, particularly in the summer months. It’s a lot of fun to go with friends or family, pitch a tent and enjoy being in the outdoors, surrounded by nature.

While camping can be a serene and peaceful activity, it’s important to make sure you have the right gear to help you focus on chilling out and having fun. Camping in the UK isn’t particularly dangerous as you’re never too far from civilisation, but it can certainly be uncomfortable if you’re unprepared, and the nearest shop could be many, many miles away.

Before you go camping, you should always make sure you have all the important items like your tent, sleeping bag and other equipment. However, there are a few other things that sometimes get overlooked.

Here are a few of the most underrated items that you should bring with you on a camping trip.

Tent Repair Kit

Although we all remember to take our tent, pegs, poles and mallet along with us, few ever think to bring a tent repair kit. Although it’s rare to have an issue with your tent, poles can snap in very high wind and the outer fly or zips can also get damaged.

Having a broken tent can quickly lead to a ruined trip, especially if it’s raining. Items such as metal glue, duct tape, paracord, sewing kit and cable ties can allow you to patch up your tent quickly.

First Aid Kit

A first aid kit should really be an essential item that every camper should bring, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t think about it.

Although you’re (hopefully!) not going to need it very often, when you do need to dress a wound or treat something, they are super useful to have.

Camping first aid kits should contain a few basic items such as antiseptic wipes and cream, plasters, gauze and scissors to treat common camping injuries such as blisters, burns, insect bites and scrapes.

**Don’t forget to take a light source with you**

A Proper Light Source

A light source is important if you’re camping outdoors, even in the summer when the days are much longer. It can be very dark in the countryside away from all the light pollution of the cities.

Make sure you have a lamp and a torch, preferably one you can attach to your head or a lantern that you can hang inside your tent.

Hands-free lighting is much more flexible and will help you see where you’re going. Either use a rechargeable headlamp, lantern or torch alternatively, make sure you have spare batteries with you just in case.

Windbreak

The weather when camping in the UK can be unpredictable and even in the summer, it can get quite chilly outside, especially if there’s a strong wind.

A windbreak will help keep the wind off your tent, it can create a sheltered area for you to sit outside your tent and a windbreak will also give you a bit of extra privacy too.

They’re generally quick and simple to set up, they roll up small and they are usually quite easy to find, either buy online before your trip or the local camp or beach shops are likely to carry them during the summer.

Jack Wolfskin Wolfmat SIM — **A good quality SIM is a must!**

Sleeping Mat

A lot of people think that a sleeping bag is enough when camping. While it’s possible to get by in just a sleeping bag, especially if you’re wild camping, you’ll probably wake up a bit sore in the morning.

You’ll also find that you lose a lot of heat to the ground, so by not using a sleeping mat (often known as a SIM – Self Inflating Mat), you stand the chance of being cold at night too.

A good quality SIM will provide padding and extra insulation for a more comfortable night under canvas and unlike an air mattress, they are less likely to deflate during the night.

Rubbish Bags

One of the most important things to remember when camping is that you shouldn’t leave a trace of your trip. Once you’ve gone home, no one should be able to tell you were ever there. This means getting rid of any rubbish and not leaving anything behind.

Make sure you pack a few bin bags with you when you go camping so you can collect any rubbish and bring it back to dispose of it when you get home and importantly, make sure you separate recyclables out.

DISCLOSURE | This is a sponsored post placed by Loctite

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Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Editor & Owner at Camping with Style

Shell loves all things travel and outdoors and is a nature-loving, comfy-camping kinda girl. Shell started the Camping with Style blog after a serious snowboarding accident which left her with a broken back. Despite this she used the outdoors and healing power of nature to aid her recovery and she continues to spend time outdoors whenever she can.

From open water swimming, snowboarding and kayaking to hill walks and meditation, Shell shares her travels and microadventures here on the blog and in various publications she's written for, Shell has a particular interest in promoting wellbeing and the many benefits of nature therapy.

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