Camping Equipment

The golden rule of every camping trip: Always bring complete, quality camping equipment. Being outdoors is a lot more fun if everything you need is within reach and when you're not struggling because of missing basic items. This is why having a camping gear checklist is important before you head off for the camping store. You want to make sure you don't miss anything and of course, you should ensure that whatever you'll be bringing is all in good condition. 

If you're a first-time camper, you might be wondering how to pack and which camping essentials to pack. We've broken down the most important camping gear for you into categories and included a few shopping suggestions as well. Read on, pack the best camping equipment, and be extra ready for that outdoor adventure!

What Is the Most Important Camping Equipment?

Shelter: Where you stay during your camping trip matters. Is it a caravan, a camper van, or a family tent? Regardless of what temporary shelter you'll be using, make sure it's the right size for the number of people staying in it and add in a few basic items like lighting and a sleeping bag or an inflatable mattress. You can check out some of the Bestway Air Mattresses at Outbax. They are self-inflating mattresses and have a built-in pillow too, so you won't have to bring one anymore. 

Food: No one wants to starve while camping. Aside from your meals and snacks, make sure to pack camping cooking equipment like portable cookware and utensils too. Enjoying warm meals while taking in the peace, fresh air, and beautiful surroundings is the best combo ever. 

Safety: Safety should be a top priority whether you're in a well-known camping spot or an off-grid location. Bring your first-aid kit, required medications, a bug spray, a bear spray, and some fire starters.

Comfort: You won't always need your comfort items, but it doesn't hurt to pack some of them. These camping accessories could be your favourite coffee maker, that fleece blanket you love so much, or your best pair of slippers.

Power: Most of the earlier-mentioned camping equipment is dependent on having electricity. Pack a properly sized portable power source such as a generator, camping batteries, or solar panels to keep your camping appliances and devices running smoothly. There are a lot of considerations surrounding the right power source for you, so make sure to do your research on how to select the best one for your camping trip.

What Camping Equipment Can You Use To Power Your Campsite?

There are several options when it comes to getting camping power. Let's delve into the most popular ones and give you a few tips on which ones to buy as well. Newbie campers, read on.

Camping Battery

Your camping battery packs can either be traditional lead-acid batteries, gel batteries, or lithium batteries. Usually, campers go for AGM but if you want the best quality, go for a lithium battery instead, particularly a LiFePO4 battery. This power pack does not combust nor catch fire to provide extra user safety. It is also equipped with a built-in battery management system (BMS) for optimal performance and added battery protection. 

You also need to size your battery properly. A standard 12V 100Ah battery should be enough for a weekend camping with only a few appliances but if you want to be more sure, you can go for a higher capacity instead, like a 200Ah lithium battery. 

Inverter Generator

Generators are perfect for those who are not fans of electrical setups. Inverter generators in particular are handier and more fuel-efficient so they are better for camping trips. They are considered quiet generators too, so you won't run into trouble with crowded camping areas. 

When buying an inverter generator, choose one with a pure sine wave output for stable power. We have a full range of these at Outbax that retail for an affordable price if you want to check them out. They're even suited for powering your sensitive devices like laptops and tablets!

Solar Panels

The use of solar power is increasingly becoming popular in the camping scene. If you're thinking of getting solar panels, you can choose from a variety of types such as fixed solar panels, flexible solar panels, and solar mats. Fixed and flexible panels are usually used in RVs but can also be used for tent camping. You can even pair it with a solar battery for solar power storage but this will require a bit of set-up.

How To Care For Your Camping Equipment?

So camping's over and it's time to put away your camping equipment. While this is no fun, part of camping equipment maintenance is after-use care. See to it that everything that has gotten wet is air-dried such as camping mattresses and tents. 

Keep everything clean before storing them and remember, storing does not mean chucking it in whatever space you could find. Fold up your sleeping bags neatly, keep your tent's accessories together, and follow the manufacturer's storage instructions for whatever power pack you used. 

Did a camping gear get damaged while camping? Have that fixed immediately instead of waiting for your next outing. Chances are, you'll forget that or you won't have time to wait for it to get fixed. If you run out of something, stock up on it immediately. Avid campers would know how important preparation is, including regular testing of portable power sources even during the off-season. 

More from Outbax

At Outbax, you don't have to google "camping equipment near me" anymore. We deliver the best outdoor gear all over Australia for free, so all you have to do is wait for it! Our collection of portable power packs is huge to provide lots of options for campers, plus we have leisure items as well like spas for those who want to enjoy the outdoors in the comfort of their home. The best part is that everything is of guaranteed quality and is priced competitively. This is your go-to store for excellent yet cheap camping equipment, so go ahead and restock on camping essentials now!