What I’m Packing: 10 Items I’m Bringing Everytime
Over the years, I’ve wasted money on camping gear that broke, leaked, or felt like a good idea until I was three hours from home trying to make it work.
This list isn’t about packing light — it’s about packing smart. These are the items that earned their spot in my gear bin because they’re durable, useful, and actually make camping better.
I don’t care about trends. I care about gear that does its job, without a user manual or a meltdown.
If you want fast, this is it. The whole thing pops up in seconds — no wrestling with poles or trying to guess which sleeve goes where.
It’s become my wife and I’s go-to for weekend trips. I’m 6 feet tall and still sleep comfortably in it, which says a lot for a one-person tent. It’s simple, reliable, and it’s never let us down. Our very first night using it, a storm rolled in — wind, rain, the whole deal — and we stayed completely dry. That was all it took to earn its spot in our permanent rotation.
Sleeping Pad
Forget those inflatable pads that deflate halfway through the night. This foam pad is thick, folds up like a suitcase, and actually feels like a real mattress — not a yoga mat.
It’s too bulky for backpacking, but if you’re driving in and setting up camp for a couple nights, this thing is unbeatable for comfort. I’ve used it on a tent floor, cabin floor, and even in the back of a truck bed.
It’s not fancy, but it fires up every time, cooks evenly, and doesn’t make a scene when it’s windy. I’ve made eggs, coffee, and quesadillas on this thing — sometimes all at once.
Folding Table
This table punches way above its weight. It’s light, folds up small, and the adjustable height is a nice touch — low for a snack table, tall enough for prepping food or playing cards without hunching over.
It sets up quickly, stays steady on uneven ground, and wipes clean easily. It’s one of the first things we unpack at camp
Sometimes a little background sound just hits right — and this speaker nails it. It’s small enough to throw in a side pocket, but loud enough to fill the site with music or a podcast while we’re cooking or just hanging around the fire. It’s waterproof, rugged, and surprisingly clear for its size. I really like that I can strap it to the backpack cooler on hikes.
This thing lives up to the name — we’ve pulled it out of the car hours later and still had ice. It’s super insulated, doesn’t sweat, and the wide mouth makes it easy to clean or toss in some lemon slices or whatever you’re into.
My wife and I usually bring one each — especially for hotter trips or long drives — and we’ve both been impressed. No leaks, no weird taste, and it still looks new after a few dents and drops. We’ve tried a lot of bottles, and this one just gets it done.
I’ve been big on backpack coolers for a while — long before they were everywhere. I started bringing one to the Indy 500 (if you’ve never been, just know there’s a lot of walking), and not having to think about carrying a bulky cooler was a game-changer.
That same hands-free freedom has carried over to camping, and this RTIC model fits the bill. It keeps ice solid all day and it doesn’t leak. We’ve packed it full for hikes, float trips, and long days at the campsite — and it’s never let us down. Just a solid, grab-and-go cooler that’s made things easier every single time.
Mesh Food Covers
If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s something crawling into my food. You just don’t mess with a big man’s plate — and after one too many fly-covered burgers, these became a permanent part of our kit.
They pop open like little tents, cover your food without smashing it, and keep bugs out without you having to hover over the table like a bodyguard. My wife sets them up while I’m grilling, and we don’t even have to think about it after that. Not a flashy piece of gear — just one of those things you’ll be glad you packed
We are the type of people who, if there is no fan, there is no sleep. Whether it’s the summer heat or just needing some white noise, this thing earns its keep every single trip.
It has a built-in light, which is one less thing to forget. It hangs easily from the top of the tent or sits flat. It’s not some massive high-powered fan, but it’s reliable, quiet, and compact. For how little space it takes up, it’s one of our most used pieces of gear.
I love having a headlamp because it keeps my hands free for everything else. Since it’s pointed exactly where I’m looking, I’m not constantly adjusting or guessing.
We’ve tried the cheap ones before — they work until they don’t. Milwaukee is known for being a quality brand, and this headlamp is no exception. It’s bright, comfortable, and rechargeable, so we’re not burning through batteries.
