Folding Camping Cot And Other Camping Gear

If you truly want to enjoy your camping experience you need the right camping gear. You can't go out for the weekend or even a week with just the clothes on your back and no gear.

The key to choosing the right camping gear is to know what conditions you will encounter while camping. The length of time you will be camping also influences what camping gear you should carry.

Thankfully we live in a day and age where camping gear manufacturers are constantly coming up with better equipment, whether it's lighter backpacks, bigger tents that are lighter, or tents that have power hook ups, you can pretty much find what you are looking for the type of camping you are going to do. I want to break down some gear that I have found useful and hopefully will make your next camping adventure even more fun!

Consider about which gear is essential based on your personal circumstances and surroundings. You will have many choices of gear from which to select that are both practical and functional even if you are on a tight budget.

Here are just a few of the basic items that you should consider carrying. Make sure you make your own list of items to bring and cross them off before heading out. It's no fun to go camping and not have camping gear you may really need.

Startup Camping Gear and Equipment Costs

A. Shelter - Tent for shelter - $55.00 for a single person up to $350. For a four person depending on design and quality.

B. Sleeping - Sleeping bag, camping sleeping cots and pad $25.00 - $100.00 per person the price is dependent on the quality, type and whether each person uses all three items or a single sleeping bag.

C. First Aid Items- A good first aid kit is mandatory, plus aspirin or other pain relief medicine

D. Lighting - Flashlights or Lantern - you need as a minimum one good flashlight - $10.00 - $25.00, Lantern - $30.00 - $60.00 is optional. If you are in a campground that supplies electricity carry a light or lights you can plug in instead of a lantern.

E. Food Preparation - Cooler - $10.00 - $30.00
Camp stove - $20.00 single burner portable camping stove, up to $60.00 for multi burner
Sterno Stove and sterno - $10.00 I don’t care for sterno it’s simple and inexpensive
Cook over a campfire - free except for wood, makes a mess of your pots and pans
Food Storage - $10.00 (I use a large plastic storage container with a lid 23“ long and 18“ wide 16“ tall)
Cardboard box - for storage of pots and pans $free
Cooking pots and pans - outdoor enameled cook set is a good place to start, it’s inexpensive has most needed pots and pans, cups, coffee pot $20.00 - $50.00
Knives - I carry a cheapo stainless knife set that comes in it’s on plastic carry case has 5 big sharp kitchen knives. $10.00 - $15.00
Utensils - Knife, fork and spoon for each person $1.00 per set tops

F. Campfire Building - If you intend to make a fire for cooking or pleasure you'll need something to cut wood. Axe, Saw or Hatchet $5.00 - $15.00
Fire Starter - I use strike anywhere matches, newspaper and dry wood - $1.00

G. Your Clothing - Your basic clothing items will include, shirts, socks, undergarments, cap or hat. Inclement weather clothing to consider carrying- Winter clothing, Raincoats or ponchos, or other type of rainproof clothing is always important to have along if you will be away from shelter. $0.00 -

H. Personal Care Items - bring along your toothbrush, soap and a towel.

I. Miscellaneous - Seasonal items, Insect repellent for summer. Extra blankets etc. for winter.

J. Chairs - There are many different types of camping and lawn chairs you can consider carrying. You may already have something. $0.00 - $30.00 per chair