A Beginner’s Guide To Wild Camping: Gear and Food
Welcome back to the A Beginner’s Guide To Wild Camping!
Wild camping is all about self reliance in the wild so, unless you want to face nature like a caveman, you’ll need some items to keep you fed, warm and safe.
In this post we’ll be taking a look at the essential gear you absolutely must pack for your wild camping adventures, as well as a few optionals that might help you in a pinch.
We’ll also be talking about how much food you should bring with you, and what is best to eat while on the trail and at camp!
Remember to take a look at our in-depth guides for more info on all the gear we'll be going over today!
So, get comfy and let’s get started with Part 2: Gear and Food!
Backpack
As you will use it to carry all your gear for a few days at least, your backpack needs to be the right size, capacity and fit for you.
To determine the capacity of your pack, you need to know the length of your trip, how much food and water you will need to carry, as well as the size and weight of the rest of your gear.
If you try to pack light then these are the sizes that should be large enough for your trip:
30 - 45 liters should be sufficient for 2 to 6 days.
45 - 60 liters should be sufficient for 7 to 13 days.
60 - 75 liters should be sufficient for anything over 14 days
75 - 90 liters should be enough if you plan on taking up residence in the wild or climb Mount Everest.
For more tips on how to choose a new backpack and how to perfectly fit it to your body, take a look right here!
Waterproof Roll Bags
Waterproof bags come in handy when it’s humid and rainy and you don’t want your stuff getting wet.
They’re also useful if you’re crossing a body of water and just happen to drop something or fall in yourself.
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes help compress your clothes so that they take up less space in your backpack.
They’re also a great organisation tool, and will stop your gear from getting lost in the mess or ripping a hole in your pants.
Tent
Most people use the classic, and ideal for beginners, combination of tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad.
A good tent will keep rain and bugs away, shelter you from the wind and give you some privacy in crowded areas. Choosing a tent can be a little confusing and there are a lot of technical specs to consider.
The most important point to watch out for are the weight, the water resistance (or hydrostatic head) and the shape, which is important in determining the wind resistance.
Lucky for you, we have an in-depth guide right here, so take a look for extra info!
Sleeping Bag
While the tent keeps you dry, a good sleeping bag will keep you warm and toasty during those cold nights in the wild.
Always check the temperature rating of your sleeping bag before using it!
Take a look here for all the info you need on sleeping bags!
Sleeping Pad
Add a sleeping pad underneath for extra comfort and to insulate you from the ground.
Remember to check your pad’s insulation level (R value), thickness and weight!
Base Layer
Layering is the way to go. Even in warmer climates, the temperature can drop suddenly, especially at higher altitudes.
What started as a sunny day can turn into a freezing rain storm in a matter of minutes, so always make sure you pack thermal undies and shirts to wear under a fleece and a waterproof jacket.
You can then add and remove layers depending on the temperature!
Shirts And Fleece
On top of your base layer you can use a good hiking t-shirt.
The best materials to use are polyester and merino wool, because of how fast they dry and their breathability.
A fleece on top of your shirt will keep you warm and can easily be taken off if the temperature rises.
Waterproof Jacket
A good waterproof jacket is essential, as getting soaked and cold while on the trail can mean the end of your trip.
When choosing a jacket, make sure it is durable and waterproof!
Hiking Pants
Choose comfortable hiking pants made of durable and fast drying fabrics!
The last thing you want is to be hiking for hours with wet pants.
Footwear
Your footwear will depend on the type of terrain you are expecting.
Always make sure your footwear is sturdy and provides a good grip, and if you’re expecting rain or a wet terrain, waterproof.
A light mid level boot with a good under-sole will do the trick in most situations.
As for socks, choose something padded and breathable. It will help you avoid blisters and make your walks less painful!
Choosing your footgear is not as easy as it might sound, so go and take a look here!
Food
The amount of food you carry with you will depend on how long your trip will take and how far you will be from civilisation.
Prioritise dry and high calorie food that won’t spoil halfway through your trip. Freeze dried packs are a really practical alternative, all you need to do is add boiling water!
To eat, get yourself a durable and reusable plastic or aluminium bowl and cutlery.
Cooking
To boil that water you’ll need fire.
Before you run off and start practicing how to make a campfire, go and check what the area’s regulations are, and remember that a simple gas burner is a simpler and safer alternative. Just keep in mind that gas bottles are not allowed on planes!
Fire Starters and Lighters
Being able to start a fire in any situation is an essential skill for a camper.
If your stove bites the dust in the middle of your trip or perhaps you’re left with no shelter and need to warm yourself up, you need to have an alternative. Always carry a simple lighter and a flint and steel fire starter. A fire starter is a magnesium stick tied to a small piece of metal. It can produce very hot sparks that can easily light a fire!
Water Bottles
You need to make sure you’re staying hydrated during your trip.
Hiking is a very intensive activity and dehydration can sneak up on you very fast if you’re not careful. Make sure to always have a filled water bottle with you, and consider taking a water bladder if you don’t have regular access to a water source.
Check out our guide on water bottles here!
Water Filter
If you won’t have access to fresh and clean water during your trip, then you’ll need a water filter. There are several varieties to choose from, and out favourites are the ones that are already connected to a bottle or bladder. This way they also double as a water reserve!
Knife
A good outdoor knife is an essential, and I never hike or camp without one.
From cutting rope to prepping food, it will take part in many tasks around the camp.
To choose a proper knife check out our guide here!
Trowel
If you’re out in the wild for long enough, you’ll hear nature’s call in various ways.
Number one is easy enough, do it behind a tree and you’re fine, just make sure you’re not too close to a fresh water source. Number two on the other hand is a little trickier.
While on shorter trips you have the option of bagging it and throwing it away in the the trash, that option quickly becomes unreasonable when you’re out trekking for two weeks.
The best solution is to bury your waste, and to do that you’ll need a trowel. Always remember to bury your number two deep and away from water sources!
Trowels are also ideal for digging a fire pit:
Make a hole, at least a good 10 cm deep, and place your tinder in it. A fire pit should prevent the flames from reaching any other combustible material around them.
When you’re done, remember to throw the dirt back in the pit, as it will prevent any embers from re-igniting and potentially starting a forest fire.
Headlamp
A good headlamp is a lifesaver if you get caught by nightfall without having set up camp or even if nature calls in the middle of the night.
Good luck trying to do your business while holding a flashlight in your hands! Remember to choose a model that is bright enough to give you a good nighttime visibility but also not so strong that you’ll blind someone if looking the wrong way!
Map
Having even the slightest idea of where you are is essential for any hiker or camper.
A map of the area will not only help you navigate and plan your adventure, in case of accidents it can help you provide rescuers with vital information about your location!
Compass
If you’re sticking to the trail, a compass is an item you might never need but that will make all the difference when you do.
When lost, it will allow you to at least find your bearings, and perhaps the way home.
Be sure to freshen up on the basics of reading a compass here!
Hygiene
Let’s be honest, after a few days in the wild you’ll smell, no matter what.
With that said, you can try to maintain a sense of decency and hygiene by using an old fashioned bar of bio-degradable soap!
Always wash yourself at least 200m away from any water source and make sure that the product you are using is eco-friendly!
As far as your dishes are concerned, you can wash away any food residue in the water. But if you’re using a bio-degradable dish washing liquid, the same rules as with the soap apply!
First Aid Kit
A first aid kit needs to be in your pack, no discussions.
Wild camping and trekking are inherently dangerous, so make sure you are able to at least treat small injuries and bruises.
Remember that out in the wild even a small cut can quickly get infected and cause serious problems, so make sure to pack disinfectants, bandaids and bandages!
Also keep in mind that you’ll be drastically changing your diet on the trail, so some stomach medicine can be very helpful.
You can buy a pre filled first aid kit and add what you need or make your own, just make sure to have the essentials.
Bug Repellants
Unless you’re in the dead of winter, you’re sure to be bombarded with bugs the moment you step foot on the trail.
It is what it is, deal with it. To make the experience less miserable, make sure to pack a good insect spray, cover legs and arms and get some info on which periods of the year are the worse. A mosquito net to cover your face is also a must have.
Just know that it won’t work for midges, as we sadly found out in Scotland. Those buggers will need a net with a tighter mesh. Also pack a pair of tweezers for ticks, you’ll probably need them.
Hiking Poles
Hiking Poles are a good option if you want some extra support.
They are not an essential, and I haven’t used them for most of my trips, but they will help you take a load off your back, knees and ankles, as well as give you extra balance on difficult terrains.
Powerbank
Not an essential, but it can really help you in a pinch.
Being able to recharge your electronics can be as simple as charging your music player to giving your phone a quick charge for an emergency call.
Paracord
This one might not be an essential for everyone but it can really come in handy!
I suggest you bring a good length of paracord, around 3 - 4 meters. It’s a very strong material that can easily replace tent ropes and shoe laces.
The inner strands can also be used for a variety of purposes, like stitching up wounds or repairing ripped fabric. Paracord can even be used to make hunting traps in extreme survival situations or slings if you get hurt!
These items are the basic essentials you should have with you on any camping trip, no matter where or for how long.
As you gain more experience, you’ll without a doubt add a few things here and take off a few things there. Wild camping is a very personal experience, and everyone has their preferences.
Thank you for checking out part 2 of our series!
We’ll see you in the next one, where we’ll go over the best ways to set up camp.
𝘿𝙞𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙡𝙚 ?
𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘱𝘴 !
I’ll see you on the trail and until next time this is Luca, signing off.
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If you’re tired of spending your outdoor time on a camping ground, you might want to give wild camping a shot. It’s the best way to immerse yourself in the peace and quiet of nature, just you, a tent and the wilderness around you.