29 Ultimate Wilderness Camping Essentials You’ll Need To Pack [2023]
So you’re thinking about embarking on your first wilderness camping adventure? Well, you’ll get something!
In September, I returned from my first wilderness camping trip, where I spent nine nights driving and wilderness camping all over Scotland, from Glencoe and the Isle of Skye to the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond.
It was one of the best adventures of my life.
But no matter where you’re going, you’re sure to have a great time, as long as you’re well prepared and ready to face the elements!
The last thing you want is to start setting up camp and find yourself leaving something at the bottom of the hill (or wherever you set up camp!). .
You don’t want to be that guy.
If you want your first backcountry camping trip to go as smoothly as possible, you can’t leave home without these 29 backcountry camping essentials.
So, a good place to start your list of backcountry camping gear is a backpack. If you’re going on a multi-day backcountry camping adventure, 65l is the perfect size. However, if you’re just making an overnight camp, a 45 litre backpack will do. Always be as light as possible, your back will thank you! Ospreys are my favorite backpack brand, and while there are cheaper options, I recommend investing in a good quality backpack as it will carry all of your major backcountry camping essentials. If you choose a sustainable backpack, you’ll be rewarded!
Price :￡90
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So this is given. You need something to sleep on, right? But it’s important to invest in a tent that won’t take you a decade to put up and take down. It’s also important to remain as anonymous as possible while camping in the wild, so keep your tent small and simple so that it blends in with its surroundings. Just like your backpack, you don’t need to buy a specific tent, as long as it’s under 3kg and easy to carry! If you really want to get serious about this backcountry camping business, invest in one of the best backpacking or hiking tents available.
Price :￡76.99
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This is definitely a must-have item for wilderness camping, just in case. If you’re camping in the summer wilderness for just one night in good conditions, you can do without this. But it may be worth considering an alternative. In short, flannelette bags can act as heat and insulation when needed for survival in an emergency. They are also very versatile and can be used as sleeping bags, picnic MATS or rain ponchos.
Price :￡19.99
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Sleeping bags are another thing you don’t want to save. The last thing you want is to be unable to sleep because of the cold. When choosing a sleeping bag, look at the temperature rating. I have the Berghaus Intrepid 1000, an ultra-lightweight three-season sleeping bag with high power insulation.
Price :￡50.11
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It’s one of those must-haves for wilderness camping that can save you money or cost you a lot, depending on the quality of your sleep and how cold it is. I use (and love!) Antur’s camping mat, but if your budget allows, or if you’re camping wild in winter, you can treat yourself to a hot water bag. It provides unparalleled comfort and warmth with minimal weight!
Price :￡144.44
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You’ll also need an inflatable pillow. My favorite is this cheap and cheerful pillow that inflates in seconds. It’s very small, so you’ll hardly notice it in your backpack. Ergonomically designed for superior neck and back support, this is an essential if you don’t want to leave your backcountry camping packing list.
Price :￡11.99
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If you want a hot drink, or prepare a big meal once you’ve set up your tent (if you’ve ever climbed a mountain, I guarantee you’ll be craving some hot food!) , you’ll want a Jetboil carbon portable stove. Though a little pricey, these will be one of the essentials you’ll need for years of wilderness camping. This revolutionary new cooking system makes top-notch cooking on top of a mountain with very fast boils. Also, my friend Kate and I were amazed at how long an air cylinder would last.
Price :￡67.95
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If you’re camping outdoors in relatively mild or warm conditions, a lightweight down jacket is enough to keep you warm. Mine is
Price :￡176
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Next, you’ll need a waterproof garment to protect you from the elements. If you go camping in Scotland like I did, you will never forget the natural scenery! Of course, the best waterproof jacket you can buy will be made from Gore-Tex fabric technology, offering full waterproof protection. It is also very light and easy to pack. Even if I know it’s not going to rain, I take my raincoat with me – it makes a great trench coat!
Price :￡120
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No matter what time of year you go camping in the wilderness, you always need some quality baselines. When camping in the wilderness, you’d be surprised how cold it can be at night, even in summer! Add a thermal top and warm leggings to your wilderness camping list and you’ll be very energetic. They provided
Price :￡22.08
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There’s nothing to say about hats and gloves, and your wilderness camping packing list wouldn’t be complete without them! Again, no matter what time of year you go camping in the wild, your ears and hands will inevitably get cold, so you might as well do what you can to keep them warm.
Price :￡15.88
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Anyone who’s been on a multi-day trek knows that after a few days, your feet crave fresh air. Hiking boots are great, but if you bring a pair of flip-flops to breathe, I guarantee you’ll be the envy of others. It’s inevitable that you’ll be doing a lot of exercise on a backcountry camping trip, so take care of your feet. After all, they have to get you back in the car.
Price :￡17.18
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Next, one of my favorite wilderness camping essentials is a trusty headtorch. Perfect for hiking at night, viewing in a tent at night, or going out for a nap in the middle of the night, headlights will inevitably get you out of many tricky situations. Just make sure you bring some extra batteries as well. You really don’t need your headlamp to die on you!
Price :￡6.99
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Please don’t leave the house without a power bank in your backcountry camping kit list. If you’re like me and you rely heavily on your phone, you’ll want to be able to contact emergency services as soon as possible if something goes wrong on a backcountry camping trip. The last thing you want is for your phone to run out of battery. You can also use a power bank to charge any other appliance that uses USB to charge. Better yet, get a solar charger so you know it will never die!
Price :￡14.98
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Now for the good stuff: food! I promise you, you’ll thank me when you pack a nice meal in your backpack. My favorite food when camping in the wilderness is dehydrated food, which I find surprisingly good. They are full of energy and keep you going even when you think you can’t go on any more. Just add hot water, seal the bag, and wait for the refill — it’s as simple as that! Of course, be sure to pack plenty of snacks.
Price :￡7.99
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If you’re just cooking dehydrated food, you don’t need to bring POTS and pans because you just need to add boiling water. But if you want to make a bigger meal, you’re going to need some POTS and pans. However, I avoid these as much as possible because they take up a lot of space. You’ll always need cutlery, though, so don’t forget that!
Price :￡25.99
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I personally don’t like hot drinks, so I don’t need these (yes, I’m the worst Brit ever). But if you drink tea or coffee, some foldable cups come in handy. Their foldable design helps save space in your backpack, so you don’t have to worry about them being heavy or taking up too much space.
Price :￡6.66
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Any old cleaning sponge will do, so you might be able to find one right at home! But if you don’t already have a cleaning sponge on hand, you’ll want to add one to your wilderness camping list. You can use these to clean your pans and utensils. While you can’t clean properly (because you need to avoid introducing any cleaning products into the land/water source), until you can clean them properly, some water will do the trick.
Price :￡6.99
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It’s no surprise that camping meetings are wet and muddy, especially if the weather is not on your side. Microfiber towels are small and lightweight, which can come in handy in many situations. They come in a small box and dry 10 times faster than traditional cotton towels, so you don’t have to worry about lugging wet, smelly towels around.
Price :￡10.99
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You need to add a dry bag to your list of wilderness camping essentials! These handy bags can protect your valuables and technology from rain, snow, dust, and any other source of moisture you might encounter while hiking or camping. They are lightweight, durable, and come in different sizes, depending on your needs.
Price :￡12.49
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While you may feel like you’re roughing it when camping in the wilderness, you might want to take some toiletries with you. A small toiletry kit is perfect for carrying a toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, and anything else.
Price :￡8.95
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Better safe than sorry, right? This one goes without saying, but taking a full first aid kit with you when venturing out might just save your life or the life of a loved one. Ideally, buy one in a small package so it doesn’t take up too much space.
Price :￡9.95
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One of my favorite eco-friendly travel products is my trusty S ‘well bottle, which has stuck with me through thick and thin over the years. These reusable, vacuum-insulated bottles are designed to keep drinks cold for 24 hours or hot for 12 hours. You may even need to bring a couple along. Water is one of the most important necessities for wilderness camping, please don’t leave home without healthy drinking water!
Price :￡24.50
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While water bottles are important, there’s only so much water you can carry. So the water filter is a good backup. The all-in-one device is both a reusable water bottle and a very powerful water filter. This incredibly clever system reduces chlorine, reduces odors, and removes bacteria and parasites (including salmonella, E. coli, and Giardia) and chemicals. No clean water? No problem! Go to the nearest river or water source.
Price :￡25.19
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Wet wipes will be your go-to for a quick “bath” while camping. For an eco-friendly camping trip, make sure your wipes are biodegradable and made of bamboo fiber.
Price :￡8.49
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Whether you’re camping outdoors in summer or winter, sunscreen is a year-round must-have. You always need to protect your skin from the sun (yes, even on a cloudy day!). So they put on foam to protect themselves from the sun’s harsh rays. To save space in your backpack, invest in a travel-friendly sunscreen.
Price :￡4.99
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If, like me, you are planning to camp anywhere near the Scottish Highlands, you are bound to make enemies of these gnats. Don’t let these little annoyances ruin your trip. I’ve heard many stories of mosquitoes ruining wilderness camping trips, so don’t let that happen to you. The best way to keep mosquitoes away is to use insect repellent. I also found a Best Friends mosquito repellent bracelet – the ultimate backcountry camping fashion accessory! If mosquitoes are the bugs you’re more likely to encounter, both are good at warding off mosquitoes.
Price :￡7.00
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A map and compass aren’t always necessary, depending on where you’re camping backcountry, but if you’re going on a particularly challenging hike, you won’t want to leave home without one of these items in your backcountry camping kit list. This compass comes with full instructions, so if you don’t know how to use it yet, why not use it as a great opportunity to learn?
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As with my last suggestion, walking poles are not always necessary. But if you’re on a particularly challenging hike, the impact-resistant, absorbent walking pole will greatly reduce the damage from the impact.
Price :￡22.98
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So there you have it: The ultimate backcountry camping checklist! Don’t forget these 29 items if you want your first camping experience to be relaxing and enjoyable. However, the more times you camp in different conditions, you will quickly learn what you personally need and don’t need. These tips are only a guide!
Investing in the right equipment will help you a lot in the long run, so don’t underestimate what you’ll need. Better safe than sorry, right? Whenever possible, make sure everything you bring is super light. Is there anything else I’m missing from this list of wild camping gear? Let me know in the comments below!
