Basic Camping Equipment for Roughing It in the Wilderness

The appeal of overlanding is enjoying the journey rather than just the destination, right? But if you combine overlanding with wilderness camping, you get an entirely new experience. A lot of our customers do just that. They love the great outdoors enough to take an extensive overlanding trip just to find a fantastic wilderness campsite.

Here's assuming you know enough about overlanding and are ready to talk about roughing it in the wilderness. Specifically, let's talk about the basic camping equipment you would need to comfortably survive for a couple of days in the middle of nowhere.

Gear For Sleeping

One of the most important elements of the camping experience: sleeping arrangements. Traditionally camping usually includes a tent but maybe that’s not your arrangement. 

Perhaps you are content to sleep under the stars. Perhaps you have a rooftop camper built on top of your truck. Awnings, tarps, or trench shelters can also create a great experience. In addition to all that, you will also need:

• Weather-proofed and high-quality sleeping bags

• Mattresses, pads, or inflatables (or something else to put underneath)

• Compact but comfortable pillows and extra blankets

Think about how comfortable you want to be when you sleep. Pack your sleeping equipment and supplies accordingly.

For Eating

The equipment you pack for preparing and consuming meals could depend on how long you plan on being out there and the amount of effort you want to put into cooking. We've known outdoorsy types content to live on canned foods and beef jerky. We have known others who love nothing more than to cook a full meal over an open fire. Or our personal favorite, cook anything you like on a TemboTusk Skottle Grill.

Here's what you might need:

• Camping pots and pans

• Plates, cups, and utensils

• Camping stove (or grates for the fire)

• Coolers and ice to preserve any food that can spoil.

For Everything Else

Eating and sleeping tend to be the biggest concerns for new campers. If this isn't your first rodeo, you're probably already looking at equipment for advanced camping experiences. The first thing we recommend are our Rollercam cam straps for camping. Use them to secure equipment to your truck or trailer. 

You will need basics like flashlights and matches. It's a smart idea to take a well-stocked first aid kit complete with bandages, splints, wound dressings, and antiseptic.

For all survival gear and tips, we recommend our friends over at Fieldcraft Survival.

Beyond the basics, anything else you bring is relative to the things you like to do while you are camping. If you're big into canoeing and kayaking, you'll need your vessel and its oars/paddles. (Our cams work great for rigging up your craft, too.) If you're into fishing, you will need your rods, reels, and tackle.

A Packing List and Game Plan

Wilderness camping can be a fantastic experience or a miserable one — all dependent on your gear. The key to making it fantastic is to create a robust packing list and a game plan. Having your gear always prepared and ready to secure down for the trip is a great way to stay spontaneous on your travels.

Your game plan and prepped gear serves two purposes. It helps you plan ahead, be ready for whatever the road brings, and, most importantly, provide information you can pass on to family or friends to keep you safe in case of an emergency.

Whether you are new to camping or highly experienced, get out there and enjoy the wilderness. It's waiting to offer you things you'll never experience on the road.