* Essentials to make camping more comfortable during any season
* Great items for hikes and emergency prep kits too
* From tents to solar chargers, make sure you’re prepared
Fall is often the ideal time for taking camping trips; the weather’s not too hot, and not too cold. Regardless of whether you prefer to head to mountains, the coast, or the desert for your next outdoor vacation, you’ll want to be prepared with the right supplies to keep you comfortable while sleeping outside.
Many of these items also double as essentials that you’ll want to keep in your emergency preparation kit at home, too. Consider this your comprehensive checklist before you pack up to leave.
Insect Repellent
The best way to treat an insect bite is to first, prevent it from happening. This selection of all-natural remedies to keep bugs away are safe for sensitive skin and non-toxic, so they’re safe to use on the whole family.
Bug Bite Treatment
Regardless of the time of year you go camping, if you’re headed to mountains, bug bites are pretty much a given. Be prepared to treat painful and itchy bites with a selection of all-natural and over-the-counter treatments to help soothe and heal bug bites.
Cutlery
One of the best parts of camping? Cookouts. But you’ll need some tools to help you eat your food. Some people choose to bring disposable utensils on camping trips, but dealing with trash is a hassle, and the plastic is hazardous for the environment. Check out our list of environmentally friendly cutlery kits that can be conveniently stored and reused for the next meal below.
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Camping Knives
It’s always good to carry a multi-functional knife of some kind when camping or even going on a hike. You never know what type of situation you’ll presented with in the wild, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. We’ve rounded up a list of decent, multi-purpose knife and utensil tools that will come in handy during outdoor adventures and for day-to-day needs.
Hammocks
If you plan on camping this summer, the Covacure Camping Hammock may be a solid investment for your summer adventures. This 5-star item on Amazon comes equipped with a built-in mosquito net to keep you comfortable and safe from pesky bugs all night long.
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Heated Blankets
If you love camping, but find a sleeping bag just never feels quite warm enough on colder evenings, it’s time to invest in one equipped with artificial heating. The Alice Heated Sleeping Blanket features a built-in, cordless heating system that will warm you up within a matter of minutes. Find out more details below.
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Lanterns
With the days becoming shorter and shorter as we inch towards daylight savings time coming to an end, lighting will be even more essential than was during the summer. We rounded up a list of the best lanterns for outdoor illumination, with options that provide optimum performance in low-light settings and some that allow you to creative with fun decorative lights to help brighten and beautify your campsite. Plus, having a reliable lantern that’s portable is also an essential item to keep in your emergency prep kit at home.
Multitools
Whether you’re working on a project at home or going camping, having at least one or two all-purpose and portable multitools is an absolute must. It’s not really practical to bring your entire tool set on your trip, but you still want to be equipped and prepared. We made a list of six of the best multitools under $50 that will serve a wide range of functions for camping and beyond.
Napsacks
Like an elongated vest, the napsack is a versatile item capable of bending to your specific needs. Outfitted with zippers at the shoulders and a bottom cinch, you can choose exactly how you’d like to sport this adventure accessory. For a fully mobile option, you can keep your arms through the provided holes and cinch the sack to waist length, giving your legs full freedom.
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Outdoor Blankets
When the air gets chilly, you’ll need a heavy duty blanket to keep you warm. Clearly, your standard indoor throw won’t work in outdoor conditions when you’re sleeping outdoors. See our selection of the best durable outdoor blankets will keep you nice and cozy and will hold up in Mother Nature.
Portable Chairs
The only thing more valuable than a fire during camping or cookout is a great place to sit. After a long day of hiking or when you’re ready to enjoy a beer and some star gazing, you won’t want to sit down on the hard ground. We hunted down four of the best camping chairs around so you can be seated comfortably. Take a look at our list below and get prepared for your next adventure.
Sleeping Bags
Choosing the right sleeping bag is a bit more complex than you’d think. Most sleeping bags on the market today are rated for temperature according to the international EN testing standards. This is good news because it means you can reliably compare sleeping bags from different brands and see which ones meet your camping or backpacking needs. If this sounds confusing, don’t fret. We created a complete guide to help you choose the best one for your specific needs and destination.
Solar Chargers
If you want to stay connected during your camping trip, or simply want to make sure you have your phone on for emergencies, you’ll want to make sure you have enough charge across all of your devices. Seeing as how Mother Nature isn’t really equipped with built-in outlets embedded in the trees, a solar charger is your best bet. From phone chargers to water purifiers, check out our list of the best solar-powered gadgets.
Solar Flashlights
If you’ve ever found yourself in a situation with dying batteries and no way to replenish your supplies, you already appreciate that a solar-powered device can be a godsend. This is especially true when it comes to flashlights. With a solar-powered flashlight, you can always charge the device as long as can get to the sun. See a few of our favorite models below.
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Tarps
You can avoid the sweltering heat of midsummer in the deserts and high basins and other weather conditions with the help of a sturdy harp. See some of our favorite options below to make camping comfortable regardless of the season.
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Tents
Unless you’re exceptionally outdoorsy, you’ll probably want to invest in a good quality tent for your camping tent. Read our list of the best camping tents that will help you sleep comfortably outdoors, and that aren’t impossible to assemble/take down.