Is there anything more draining than hauling a ton of camping gear with you on your trip? Not only is it a pain to carry everything, but it also takes up valuable space in your vehicle. It slows down the packing process and makes it more difficult to find things when you need them.
And it’s not like you can just up and leave all your gear at home — you actually need those tools as well as all the essential surviving skills every camper should master in order to make it through the outing in the wilderness. Sure, everyone always preaches minimalist camping, but how exactly are you supposed to do that? Well, with a little planning and the right gear, it’s actually not that difficult.
How Do You Camp With Minimal Gear?
Perhaps the most vital principle of minimalism is to invest in quality gear that can serve multiple purposes. You can’t exactly pack light if the items you’re bringing are weak and flimsy. Multi-use items will help reduce your pack weight while still providing everything you need for a comfortable camping trip.
Pocket-Sized Multitool
Despite being somewhat overlooked by the majority of campers, mainly because they don’t realize just how handy they are, a pocket-sized multitool is an excellent piece of equipment to take with you on any camping trip.
Generally speaking, practical and durable multitools are amalgams of every single tool you might need while out in the wild — and they all fit snugly into your pocket. From knives and saws to pliers and screwdrivers, you’ll find a variety of additional functions and capabilities all rolled into one small yet mighty tool.
It’s worth noting that some models may have a greater range of features than others, which goes hand in hand with their size. The larger the multitool, the more functions it will have, leaving you to decide just how much you need and which size will fit most conveniently into your pocket.
But even the most robust multitools don’t take up a lot of space, and they can be used for a variety of tasks such as starting a fire, preparing food, building a shelter, or fixing gear. Instead of dragging a whole toolbox with you whenever you go camping, all you need is a single multitool, and you’re good to go.
When it comes to cleaning and maintenance, simply wipe down your multitool with a damp cloth after each use, and make sure to lubricate the hinges and moving parts on a regular basis. Keep your blades sharp with a honing stone or sharpener before each trip as well, so that you’ll be prepared for anything that comes your way.
Outdoor Torches
Even if you leave at the crack of dawn and plan on returning well before dusk, having bright flashlights for outdoor lighting in dim and low-light areas should be high on your list of priorities. After all, you can never predict when an emergency might occur, and you don’t want to be left in the dark — quite literally.
Plus, one-day camping trips aren’t all nearly as fun as they’re hyped up to be. If you want to make the most of your time outdoors and camp under the stars, then you’ll need a reliable source of illumination to guide your way in the dark.
These days, there’s a whole spectrum of flashlights for outdoor lighting available, ranging from the classic handheld models to more modern headlamps and penlights. And with new advancements in LED technology, these lights are now more powerful and efficient than ever before.
One thing to keep in mind when shopping for a flashlight is the lumen count, which indicates just how bright the illumination will be. For example, a flashlight with a lumen count of 1000 will be much brighter than one with a lumen count of 100. For most people, a device with a lumen count between 500 and 1000 will be more than sufficient.
Another important consideration is the beam distance, which tells you how far the light will travel before it begins to fade away. If you’re planning on doing any hiking or exploring in the dark, then you’ll want a model with a long beam distance so that you can see what’s ahead of you.
Finally, you’ll also want to think about the runtime, which is how long the flashlight will stay on before it needs to be recharged or have its batteries replaced. Campers that spend extended periods of time in the wilderness should opt for a flashlight with a long uptime so that they don’t have to worry about it running out of juice in the middle of the night.
Portable Grill
Eating out in the wilderness can be a real treat, especially if you have your own portable grill to cook with. You can enjoy the fresh air and scenery while cooking up your favourite camping recipes over an open flame.
The size of the grill will largely depend on how many people are taking part in the trip. If you’re only cooking for yourself, then a small personal-sized grill will do the trick. But if you’re feeding a large group of people, then you’ll need something that’s big enough to accommodate all of the food.
The two main types of portable grills are propane and charcoal. Propane models are typically more expensive, but they’re also much easier to use since you don’t have to deal with lighting the coals. Charcoal grills will require a bit more work on your part, but many campers prefer the taste of food that’s been cooked over smouldering coals.
Folding Chairs
Once the food has been prepared, it’s time to sit back and relax in a comfortable chair. But lugging around heavy and bulky camping stools is hardly ideal, which is why folding chairs are such a popular choice among camp-goers.
These chairs can be easily packed up and stored away when not in use, and they’re usually lightweight enough that you can carry them around without any problems. They’re generally more comfortable than camping stools as well, so you can sit back and enjoy the view without having to worry about your back or neck.
Pay close attention to the weight limit when buying a folding chair, as some models are only designed to support a certain amount of weight. You don’t want the chair to collapse under you while you’re sitting in it, so make sure to choose one that’s rated for your body weight.
