Ultimate camping checklist: everything in one place

Ultimate camping checklist: everything in one place

Our ultimate camping checklist is intentionally comprehensive so that everything is listed

After years of packing and repacking in preparation for various expeditions, I've finally done it - to the point where I have a spreadsheet of all my gear alongside its weight (full and empty) so I can predict how heavy my pack will be. Most campers are probably far less pedantic, but there's no denying that we all take pride in getting our gear just right.

To help campers get their gear in order, I've put together the ultimate camping checklist - intentionally comprehensive to cover everything you need, whether for a weekend backpacking trip through the wilderness or an extended family vacation.

The ultimate camping checklist

The Ultimate Camping Checklist is designed to be used in layers. The 10 Essentials apply to everyone. After that, you can focus on different sections depending on your taste and needs.

The sections are organized as follows:

• Rucksackreisen
• Familien- und Autocamping
• Kleidung
• Küche & Lagerfeuer
• Toilettenartikel & Persönliches
• Sonstig

Where relevant, I have linked to specific products that I use and recommend. In the UK I do almost all of my outdoor shopping at either Cotswold Outdoor or Ellis Brigham and buy all my maps at Stanfords in London. In the US I recommend either REI or Backcountry.

Download a printable [PDF] version of our Ultimate Camping Checklist.

The 10 Essentials

Originally conceived by The Mountaineers in the 1930s, the "classic" 10 Essentials were updated in 2003 to keep pace with modern equipment and now take a "systems" approach (i.e. map and compass became the navigation "system"). The following should always be packed when you step into the wilderness.

alt="A map and compass that are part of the ultimate camping checklist">Atlas & Boots

Backpacking checklist

These are the basic essentials for backpacking camping. Personally, I always try to keep things as light as possible (well under 15kg/33 lbs), so depending on the climate and terrain I often don't take everything on the list.

I tend to just grab a cooking pan (which I usually eat out of) and a cup for my morning brew. Depending on the length of the trip, I sometimes forego trekking poles and a daypack and compress my main backpack for day hikes and summit climbs.

alt=”ultimate camping checklist”>I currently carry a lightweight Wild Country Zephyros 2 tent as a backpack

• Rucksack
• Tagesrucksack oder Gipfelrucksack (optional)
• Packungsdeckel
• Leichtes Zelt / Biwaksack (Heringe und Abspannleinen)
• Schlafsack
• Wasserdichte Packsäcke
• Isomatte oder Isomatte
• Kissen (aufblasbar oder Stuff-Case)
• Taschenmesser
• Pfeife
• Mahlzeiten (gefriergetrocknet)
• Energy Food (Riegel, Kaugele, Studentenfutter)
• Energy Drinks oder Mixes, Tee & Kaffee
• Herd
• Treibstoff
• Kochgeschirr
• Schale, Teller und Tasse
• Utensilien (oder Spork)
• Wasserflasche (und Aufbereitungssystem)
• Stirnlampe (Ersatzbatterien)
• Schnelltrocknendes Handtuch (optional)
• Trekkingstöcke (optional)

Family/Car Camping Checklist

If you have no restrictions when it comes to weight and space, there is almost no end to the luxury you can take with you. The following should certainly ensure that you have an enjoyable time under the screen.

Again, you may not need everything on the list depending on your circumstances and the campground facilities.

alt=“4WD car parked next to tent”>Unlimited by weight and space, you can pack more luxury for your camping trip

• Zelt (Heringe und Abspannleinen)
• Zeltabdruck
• Reparaturhülse für Zeltstangen
• Sonnenschutz, Plane oder Bildschirm
• Campingtoilette
• Toilettenzelt
• Schlafsäcke
• Isomatten oder Matten
• Luftmatratzen (Aufräumer hat einige gute Optionen)
• Polster-/Matratzen-Reparaturset
• Luftpumpe
• Kissen
• Multitool und/oder Taschenmesser
• Tagesrucksäcke
• Essen & Trinken: siehe Rubrik Küche & Lagerfeuer
• Kindertrage
• Rollender Jogger
• Klappstühle
• Klapptisch
• Kinderbetten
• Hammer oder Hammer (für Zeltheringe)
• Stirnlampen (Ersatzbatterien)
• Taschenlampen (Ersatzbatterien, Glühbirnen)
• Laternen
• Laternenbrennstoff oder Batterien
• Wasserfilter oder Behandlungstabletten
• Tierfutter
• Fahrräder
• Fahrradanhänger
• Schlauchboot mit Paddeln und Schwimmwesten
• Angelausrüstung (und Lizenz)
• Kanu-/Kajakausrüstung

Clothing checklist

Depending on your climate and terrain, you may not need everything on the checklist. I have not included any extreme weather or technical clothing for high altitude mountaineering, ice or rock climbing.

Whatever activity you have planned, choosing the right shoes is crucial.

alt="The Man's Boots Walking Through Grass">

• Wanderschuhe oder Wanderschuhe (relativ zum Gelände)
• Socken (Synthetik oder Wolle) plus Ersatzteile
• Gamaschen
• Regenbekleidung (wasserdichte Jacke, Hose)
• Fleecejacke oder Weste, leichte Daunenjacke
• Feuchtigkeitstransportierende Unterwäsche (Unterwäsche)
• Feuchtigkeitstransportierendes T-Shirt (Mittelschicht)
• Feuchtigkeitstransportierendes Langarm-T-Shirt (Oberschicht)
• Schnell trocknende Zip-off-Hose
• Langarmshirt (optional für Sonnen- und Insektenschutz)
• Sonnenschutzhut oder -kappe
• Bandana oder Buff
• Thermounterwäsche
• Warme Mütze, Helmmütze oder Sturmhaube
• Wasserdichte Handschuhe und/oder Fäustlinge
• Dicke Daunenjacke (falls erforderlich)

Kitchen & campfire checklist

When you're not backpacking, meals while camping can be so much more than freeze-dried macaroni and cheese or chicken pasta. With the right equipment and planning, there are no limits to culinary delights.

Make sure you bring everything you need to start a campfire for a wonderful night of campfire under the stars.

• Feueranzünder
• Streichhölzer / Feuerzeug
• Taschenmesser
• Axt oder Holzsäge
• Grill
• Herd
• Windschutzscheibe
• Treibstoff
• Kraftstoffflasche(n)
• Kochgeschirr (Töpfe, Pfannen & Wasserkocher)
• Bratpfanne oder Grillplatte
• Topfgreifer
• Kanister zur Aufbewahrung von Lebensmitteln
• Kühlbox / Kühler
• Wasserflaschen
• Teller, Schalen
• Becher / Tassen (Messbecher)
• Utensilien (mit Messer)
• Zusammenklappbare Spüle oder Behälter
• Tragbare Kaffee-/Espressomaschine
• Vereiteln
• Müllbeutel
• Spülmittel

Toiletries/personal checklist

The following list depends on where you fall on the Bushman scale. How clean do you want to be during your camping trip? Choose to meet your needs but ensure they are always biodegradable.

• Zahnbürste und Zahnpasta
• Toilettenpapier
• Sonnencreme
• Lippenbalsam
• Insektenschutz
• Hand-Desinfektionsmittel
• Alkohol oder antiseptische Tücher
• Ersatzbrille / Kontaktlinsen
• Spiegel
• Erste-Hilfe-Kasten
• Verschreibungspflichtige Medikamente
• Kulturbeutel
• Kosmetika
• Bürste / Kamm
• Augenschirme und Ohrstöpsel[
• Biodegradable soap
• Shower water bag

Miscellaneous

I wouldn’t regard any of the below as essential but they may be useful depending on the activities you’re planning. Some of the items will make your time camping more comfortable, others are additional safety measures that are worth considering.

alt="Miscellaneous objects in a bucket">

• Tent-pole repair sleeve
• Tent footprint or groundsheet
• Signalling mirror
• Multifunction watch with altimeter
• Trekking poles
• Ice axe
• Crampons
• Ropes and climbing equipment
• Skiing equipment
• Sandals
• Waterproof camera
• Waterproof phone case
• Extra memory cards
• Binoculars
• Permits
• Route description or guidebook
• Field guide(s); star identifier
• Outdoor journal and pen or pencil
• Credit card; small amount of cash
• Sanitation trowel
• Mosquito net
• Bear spray
• Bear canister (or hang bags for food)
• Biodegradable soap
• Cell phone / satellite phone / 2-way radios
• Personal locator beacon
• Trip itinerary left with friend and under car seat
• Games, playing cards, Frisbee, kite, hacky sack
• Bluetooth speakers
• Solar power
• Battery pack

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Additional photography: Dreamstime

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