Essential Camping Gear for Avoiding Beginner Mistakes

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These essentials start at only $6.

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Mistakes are bound to happen when you’re a beginner at something. This was especially true when I first started camping. I was humbled every time I failed at lighting a fire or realized I had forgotten my headlamp at home. Now that I’ve been camping for more than 12 years, I’m looking back and wishing I had invested in camping essentials earlier, which would have made life at the campsite so much easier. While I’ve since accumulated my favorite camp cookware and mess kits, I recommend that you grab yours now so you don’t have to make the same mistakes I did.

Below, I’m sharing the top 10 camping mistakes I made as a beginner, and the gear I wish I’d had back then to rectify them. My favorite Coleman camp stove, car trunk organizer, Merrell thermal socks, and more start at just $6.

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It didn’t take very long for me to realize I was in dire need of a camping grill or stove. My first couple of camping trips happened to be in the rain, so lighting a fire for hot dogs proved to be difficult. Thankfully, my future in-laws gave us their camping stove that’s been around for decades, and it’s still the one I use today. It’s a Coleman camp stove that’s similar to this one with side wings that protect the burners from rain and wind. This 3-burner model even has instant ignition, which allows you to start the burners with the push of a button.

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To keep a clean campsite and make sure your cooking equipment stays in good condition, thorough cleanup is key. I’m embarrassed to admit it, but there were several camping trips early on that ended with me lugging dirty cookware and dishware home because I didn’t have any soap to wash up after cooking. Now, I keep a travel-sized bottle of Dr. Bronner’s soap in my gear box. It’s gentle yet thorough on cookware and even works for personal use in the camp showers.

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Because headlamps are so small, I often forgot mine when I first started camping and each time was a trial since I had to hold a flashlight. Whether I was cooking or setting up our tent, not being able to use both of my hands made for a slow and bumpy process. Eventually, I learned to keep several around and even stashed one in my backpack so it would always be with me. A headlamp like this Foxelli one is great because you can adjust the angle of the beam to keep from having to crane your neck as you work.

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When the camping season starts to cool down, the leaves may look pretty, but the lower temperatures don’t kid around. I learned early on that camping with thick, wool socks is essential to having a comfortable time at the campsite or on the hiking trail. I was given a pack of Merrell wool socks for the holidays and they’ve become my favorites to wear outdoors and even at home. The soles have a bit of cushion to them, which makes them extra comfy when I spend long hours on my feet.

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Sometimes I look back and wonder how I ever camped without a mess kit. I used to show up to the campsite with an assortment of paper plates and plastic utensils from takeout orders. It was always a headache to manage all of these loose parts, which is why I was thrilled to finally get a dedicated camping mess kit with reusable plates, bowls, utensils, and cups. This Odoland mess kit has everything you need — it even comes with a pot, pan, and kettle.

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Weather happens. When I used to camp in the rain, I would look longingly over at the campers who had canopies protecting them from the downpour while I was getting soaked. If I could go back in time, I would grab a canopy tent immediately. It would allow my friends and I to spend more time together at our campsite no matter the forecast. This camping-friendly Eagle Peak canopy is designed to pop up easily and fold down to a portable size.

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Beyond camping, a car trunk organizer is useful for the day-to-day. I love using mine to organize my groceries, but it’s great for camping when I want to make sure everything has a place. Say goodbye to digging around for that camping tool you know you brought along but can’t find in the mess of gear. The sturdy sides of this organizer provide a stable structure for its contents and it packs down easily if you need some trunk space back.

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I panic-bought a cheap soft cooler when I first started camping and soon found out why it was so cheap — all of my food for the weekend spoiled before I could cook with it. I learned my lesson and got a hard cooler with thick foam insulation, like this Igloo BMX cooler, to keep my ingredients nice and cool throughout my camping trips. Now, I can pack eggs and cheese for my scrambled eggs and know they’ll stay fresh over the weekend. The Igloo BMX is particularly designed for rugged environments and can provide up to four days of ice retention even in 90°F conditions, according to the brand.

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While this didn’t happen at the campsite, forfeiting my multitool to the Transportation Security Administration at the airport was a true loss. Before I was able to get my hands on another multitool, I had to go camping without one and sorely felt its absence. This Gerber multitool is very similar to the one I have now and is 15 different tools built into one small gadget. Aside from its sharp serrated blade and spring-loaded pliers, it’s a compact tool that folds down to just 4.5 inches long.

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I used to stash away salt and pepper packets from my takeout deliveries to bring them camping later, but knowing my palate, I really should have just bought spice containers. Now, I can bring along all of my favorite spices to cook my meals just the way I like them. Each mini spice container in this 4-pack offers a 1-ounce capacity and has a perforated lid for easy spice distribution.