Camping stay: The essentials to put in your luggage

Have you decided to go camping? Excellent idea! Camping is a fun, healthy and relatively inexpensive way to commune with nature. You can turn off the screens, escape the hustle and bustle of city life and return to nature where you can eat and sleep under the stars.

But if you're new to camping, how do you know what to take with you on your trip? What type of accessory do you need? And how can you be sure not to forget anything?

Rest assured. This article explains how to plan a camping trip and gives you tips to prepare for a successful and enjoyable adventure under the stars. Also consult our guide how to pack a suitcase so you don't forget anything.

We've used our camping experience to draw up this list of essentials to put in your luggage and we'll explain how to guarantee the success of your stay, wherever you go.

Let's find out right away.

I - Camping: Everything what you need to know

What is camping?

The term camping is very broad, but in its essence, camping is a way to get away from the hassles of urban life and settle into a more natural environment for a limited period of time.

It involves staying in the open air, usually in a tent, and spending more than one night there. Ultimately it's about staying outdoors, away from cities and towns, and enjoying nature and fresh air.

Recreational camping began in the late 19th century and has become one of the most common outdoor activities all over the world.

Camping is associated with many adventure activities, such as hiking, trekking, which provide the ultimate outdoor experience air. Some like to go camping alone, but others like to go with their family and friends to share a unique moment.

Origin of camping

Our nomadic ancestors were the first to build houses for shelter when it was difficult to find a cave or cavern in the wilderness.

Today, of course, we no longer use wooden sticks and some skins to build our removable house. But you get the idea.

Although amenities are much more sophisticated these days, the spirit of adventure from that era is still present in the technological age.

Difference camping and glamping

We're sure you've heard of glamping before. Glamping or camping, what is the difference? Are they really two separate things? Let us explain.

Glamping is like camping, but you bring items with you that are absolutely not necessary except to make your experience more comfortable.

Technically, even an inflatable mattress can be considered a glamping item.

Let's take an example. When you go camping, you are normally in the woods or at a campsite, with a log fire and a tent. When you go glamping, you're usually somewhere a little more comfortable, like a wooden cabin with all the amenities that go with it.

II - Essential accessories to take camping

We'll assume here that you'll be sleeping under the stars in a tent. Everything that is most basic during a camping experience. Please note, however, that you can also use this list if you go glamping.

Let's see what you need for a successful experience.

1. Take a good tent

First of all, you need to make sure that you have chosen the best tent for your needs. Nothing can change the quality of your camping experience more quickly and more completely than bringing a tent that's too heavy, too small, or doesn't provide enough protection from the elements.

Ideally, you don't want to spend a lot of time in your tent when you're not sleeping, but if conditions aren't ideal, you want to be as comfortable as possible.

With the many technological advances in recent years, and the wide variety of offerings on the market, it's easy to get overwhelmed. But to choose your tent carefully, take into account the structure, the method of assembly, the climate, the water resistance, the weight and your budget.

Indeed, if the camping bug has really taken you and you have in mind to repeat the experience several times, the best thing to do is to invest in a quality tent.

2. Take a good sleeping bag

Your sleeping bag is another factor that will have a huge impact on your comfort. The last thing you want is to crawl into your sleeping bag after a long day of adventure only to wake up shivering an hour later.

In general, it's better to have a bag that's a little too warm than not warm enough, because you can always unzip your bag to cool down, but you can't make it any warmer.

The warmer the bag, the larger and heavier it often is. You should consider your own needs, the nature of your hiking or camping trip, the climate and seasons in which you are likely to use it.

3. Choose a good backpack

In practice, the backpack becomes your portable wardrobe. Choosing the right backpack is not an easy task, but it is not impossible either. You have to be very meticulous and use logic.

Of course, your backpack must be adapted to camping, to your appearance, and the space must be optimized as much as possible. But what should you take with you? We strongly advise you to make a list of all the things you need to take with you. You can also read our article on this subject to know exactly what you should take in your backpack.

Remember, you must always take into account the weight you are prepared to carry, otherwise you may not be able to take everything.

4. Clean and healthy: Take your toiletry bag

We advise you to bring a toiletry bag in which you will store everything you may need at any given moment and which you cannot find in a nearby store or pharmacy. And also because you have to wash!

Bandages, plaster and bandages, a disinfectant, analgesics and other anti-inflammatories, a powerful mosquito repellent... And, of course, all your hygiene products.

We understand that in the great outdoors it can be difficult to take a shower like in a hotel, nevertheless it remains important to take care of your body and be own.

So choose your toiletry bag accordingly. Choose a large big toiletry bag preferably for your basic necessities and beauty products. To find out what to put in it, read our guide what to put in a toiletry bag.

Stick with the classics: your toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, as well as a microfiber towel, more absorbent and lighter. No need to bring your perfume collection.

5. Things for cooking

It is essential to bring a small stove because, even if you are going to a campsite with a restaurant, you may want to have a coffee at any time.

It is also essential to have a small cooler to store food and drinks, and of course some cooking utensils such as pots, pans, plates, cutlery, glasses, napkins, etc.

Finally, also bring a can opener and a bottle opener, a bottle to carry water if you are going on an excursion, a little scouring powder for washing dishes and, of course, a trash bag, to leave the place you used even cleaner than it was.

Our last tip

That's it, with all these tips, you are now ready for your very first camping trip.

However, it is important not to neglect the small details. We have not covered these points in the article, but some of these elements are essential and others may be necessary at any time.

We are thinking in particular of flashlights, rope and clothespins, mobile phone charger (if you can find a socket), camera to immortalize the moment, knife, lighter or even toilet paper.

In short, everything that will allow the adventure not to become a nightmare, but an experience extraordinary to renew. And for your beauty and hygiene equipment, find all our travel toiletry bags travel on Sogaïa.

So, ready to go?