9 Items for the Perfect Camping Kit

If you’ve spent much time camping, you know how important it is to be prepared. This curated bunch of items is sure to make your experience in the backcountry that much better, each picked for their utility and lightweight, packable design.

1. The Smartwool Merino 150 Line

Want to stay warm on chilly nights in the backcountry without overpacking? Smartwool base layers won’t let you down. Made of merino wool and built for comfort and durability, you’ll be hard pressed to find a base layer lineup you’ll like more than Smartwool’s. Products in their new Merino 150 line will quickly become some of your favorite gear for adventuring.

2. Snow Lizard Solar Powered Phone Case

Rugged, useful, and waterproof, the Snow Lizard solar-powered phone cases are the perfect way to protect your phone and keep it juiced up during a camping trip. One way to use the case is to keep your phone in it all the time, but perhaps a more practical way to use it is to let the sun charge the case during the day and then plug your phone into it at night.

3. The Ultra-Sil Compression Dry Sack

Not only does the Sea-to-Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Dry Sack reduce the size of your clothing and gear to approximately one third of the size, it also keeps its contents completely dry. These qualities make this dry bag perfect for storing things like your clothing and sleeping bags.

4. The Lifestraw

Camping for extended periods of time means you’ll need plenty of water. Chances are, you won’t want to pack in too many liters due to weight and the space it takes up. The Lifestraw is the perfect solution as long as you know you’ll have access to a lake or stream. This handy tool lets you purify water on the spot, giving you an essentially endless supply of fluids. The most compact version is the simple straw, but the company also has a pump that can be used to fill bottles with purified water for later consumption.

5. Trek Light Gear Versatrek

Falling somewhere between a hammock and a chair, the Trek Light Gear Versatrek is the perfect solution for campsite relaxation. It’s roughly the size of a baseball when it’s packed and has several different uses, including a gear riser, a lightweight seat, and a hammock.

6. The Cosmic 20 Sleeping Bag

A packable multi-season sleeping bag, the Cosmic 20 by Kelty is lightweight and compact, but rated to keep you warm in temperatures as cold as 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

7. Collapsible Cookwear

What’s a camping trip without some delicious campsite cooking? Bring along a variety of Sea-to-Summit collapsible cookware to have all of the tools you need, each built with a compact design.  With an array of different cooking tools in their line, you’ll be able to make a wide range of campfire dishes without needing a kitchen.

8. Cusa Tea

Need a quick caffeine boost to get you going in the morning?  Individually packaged and in powdered form, Cusa Tea can be mixed with either hot or cold water and comes in several different flavors. As an added bonus, the tea is totally organic.

9. The Ultralight Duplex Tent

Heads up, this one is pricey. But if cutting weight is your main concern, the Zpack product line is worth checking out. The “ duplex tent” is one of their larger, lightweight models. It only weighs 2 pounds, but it’s capable of housing 2 people and has an easy set-up with only 2 trekking poles.