The Camping List: Everything You Need For A Great Tent Camping Adventure
Posted on Jan 12, 2013 | 22 comments
We had to work hard on this list.
We're setting out to travel across America and Canada for 8 months with our two kids and our little Kia Spectra. 15,000 miles of travel and not much space to spare. In order to stay happy and comfortable, we really had to research the products we chose to purchase for this journey. We looked for light-weight, quality products, and we shied away from stuff we didn't need.
Here you'll find all our camping gear for our journey, and a separate RTW list that that includes clothes, towels, and everything else we're taking around the world with us after we ditch the car and pack up the camping gear.
Enjoy. And if you have questions or suggestions, please ask!
The Cost
It's pretty much impossible to figure out the exact cost of all our gear given that we already owned some things, some was donated by friends, etc..., but we estimate we spent about $1,200 on our camping gear, and about $600 on our RTW gear. So, $1,800 in total for nearly everything we own, minus the tech stuff like our laptop, Ipads, cameras, etc...
We spent about a year gathering all this gear and shopping for deals, and a lot of the products listed here, we bought used. Making the effort to shop around at Craigslist, REI garage sales or local garage sales - saved us thousands!
For example: Our sleeping bags would have cost us over $800 new, but we found them all used and paid only $168 for all 4. Our tent, which sells for over $400 new, cost us only $79 at an REI garage sale - and it was practically brand new! And our 4 backpacks only cost us $215!
Take your time and shop around. The deals are out there.
The Camping List
The Basics
The Tent: Big Agnes King Creek 4*
The Stoves: The Amazing Biolite, and the super-tiny MSR superfly stove*.
The Dishes and Pans: GSI Bugaboo Camper
The Utensils and More: GSI Kitchen 23
The Sleeping Bags: Remember: Down bags cost more, but they're warmer, and they save a ton of space.
The Sleeping Pads: 4 REI Trekker 1.0.
The Cooler: REI Collapsible Cooler
The Lantern: Coleman Classic Family
The Extras
Coffee: 2 - GSI Personal Personal Java Press
Shelter: Kelty Large Shelterhouse
Food: Big plastic container of oatmeal, pasta, rice, bars, etc...
Tarp: 9 x 7 and packs down tight
Kid's Education and Crafts Packs: We took these Ikea Laptop bags and packed them full of books, paper, crayons, and the rest.
Toys: 2 plastic containers filled with Legos, cars, and dolls.
Sports Bag: Filled with outdoor equipment. Balls, Frisbee, etc...
Camping Chairs: 4 - Nothing special here. We've had these for years, but if you're camping, they are a must.
Rooftop Case: Sherpa Go 15 Roofbag
Car Power Adapter: Bestek 300W
Hatchet
Mini-Tool Kit
And All Our RTW Gear: Backpacks, clothes, headlamps, first aid kit, etc.. See the full list here.
We're also bringing a laptop, ipad, and a camera. Cameras are a must for travel and services like Lulu.com can help you make a photobook with ease.
As well, there are 2 scooters, some blankets, pillows, Lego and a few extra toys, bug spray, books, etc..., but that is pretty much it.
Here is EVERYTHING:
All Our Camping And RTW Gear
Just The Camping Stuff
Traveling Art & Education Kit For Kids - Great For Road Trips!
These plastic bins fit perfect behind - or under - seats! Great for small, loose toys.
Everything . . . including the Kitchen Sink!
All pans, plates, utensils, and cups pack down with ease! About 4 pounds for everything.
As well, we have our clothes, electronics, and other miscellaneous gear which you can see in our RTW Packing List.
Here is all our RTW gear:
Our RTW Gear
All our kid's clothes and shoes . . .
pack up real nice in these REI Tarn backpacks.
North America is a tent camper's dream. Endless, affordable locations for your family to explore. Just grab some good gear, get in the car, and go.
Happy Camping! And make sure you check out our full camping adventures here.
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I love the travel art and education kit. We've just unpacked and repacked between Central America and SE Asia and stocking up on new and interesting books and art supplies was our top priority. Best of luck to you guys!
Nate Johnson recently posted..The Passport Parents Manifesto
Yeah, they might be heavy for international travel. Maybe wheels might be helpful, but the idea of having a self-contained kit is great! The kids really love it. Have you seen these Usbourne travel cards. http://www.usborne.com/catalogue/catalogue.aspx?cat=1&series=4
I have had my Keen water/hiking shoes for over 6 years and two of those years I camped for at least 3 months. They still have lots of life in them. Totally worth the money. I often use socks with them and that allows my feet to be in them longer (unless I'm in water, of course).
Cindy - I got my keens for 4 bucks used! Love them! The kids are new, but man they are great shoes!
Very cool gear. Joshua made me promise that I'd warn you to beware of strangers and bad guys. I see you're bringing a hatchet, good choice. I'll make sure he's informed that you've taken every precaution LOL. The Ikea laptop bags were a great idea. Good luck and enjoy every moment living your dream
Hi Julie!
Glad to know Joshua has our backs! We have flint fire-starter as well! Sam loves that! Thanks for coming by! and the laptop bags are great, even around the house. the kids love them!
A coffee maker does not go in the "extras" category. I'd classify that as ESSENTIAL.
Happy Trails, so excited for you.
Well, I can't argue with that! It's an awesome one. Really. But a simple french press works just as well. The one here has a mug built in, so that helped save space.
This is a fascinating list! I have always been an over packer, especially for the kids. We have honestly taken more than the above amount of stuff for just a weekend trip. This is a great reference, even for those of us who are not traveling full time. I definitely want to pack more efficiently for our shorter trips.
I have been curious about what you were bringing in the way of toys. My five year old spends most of his time with Legos and I assumed they would be hard to pack. I like the containers you found for those.
I am also impressed that you are traveling in a small car. We have three kids and a minivan that is always packed to capacity. We have made it from PA to the Florida Keys and from PA to Maine and can barely move around in the car because it is so full. A lot of what we have brought to entertain the kids ends up on the floor of the car when they get tired, cranky and bored. (They are 8, 5 and almost 3, but my 8 year old is developmentally much younger). I am thinking maybe less is the way to go.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Rose Townsend recently posted..Winter at the creek
Hi Rose,
The key is really the gear. Get backpacking gear if you can, lot's of sacks to store stuff.
EX: We took all our board games out of the boxes, packed them in small Ziploc bags and bands, and they all go in one bags. But, of course we aren't bringing big games like Candyland and such.
The kids have Legos, action figures, dolls, football, scooters, baseball gloves, basketball, soccer, Nerf crossbows. Maggie has lot's of kits. Pin making, henna, weaving. The laptop bags we pictured hold a ton!
It gets pretty sloppy in the backseat, but they aren't phased much. We clean it daily, try to get them to put things back, but you know how that goes. We're all learning!
Never thought of taking the games out of the boxes. Excellent idea that we will be using for our next trip!
Rose Townsend recently posted..Winter at the creek
I will take a pic of our games. We have like 10 in a small bag.
SO thrilled that you guys are on your way! This is hardly any stuff and yet in the pics it seems like heaps! If I hadn't seen inside your magical never- ending car boot I would have doubted it would all fit!!
Tracey - Life Changing Year recently posted..We Are Back From Our Post-Travel Pity Party!
We'll, it wasn't packed in the bags. My bag is half the size of Gerts!
It all fits with room to spare!
Tracey - I am also creating a page about mishaps and embarrassing moments just so you can get your kicks! I figured we owed you after all your travel moments.
Looks fantastic!! Great choices, and kudos for keeping it small and light!!
So small and light! We're loving it - and so is the car!
Great list of gear! Love seeing all of the REI gear - should last a very long time (and it helps fund our adventures as my hubby's current employer!). The list looks short, but the pictures show lots of gear. I'd love to see a picture of the packed car - looks like a lot of stuff for a small car!
Can't wait to hear about your adventures. We love camping too, and haven't done any in the East or Southeast. Thanks for the continued inspiration!
Tiffany Fite recently posted..Our Adventures in Groupon & Living Social
You guys should have a rock solid start with REI in your pocket! Hope we get to meet up!
So jealous! Of both your packing skills, and the adventures that lay ahead for you! Can't wait to read about your travels and life on the road. Hope you guys have the best time!
Thank you! That means a lot!
Don't be jealous! I know, that is easy to say from where I am now (I used to be so jealous of travelers
), but just do it. Good Luck!
What about clothing?! In all seriousness this is a good list though. I use http://www.campingchecklist.me/ but I could probably learn a few things from you too -- I really like the kitchen sink.
Thanks,Robb! Clothing is all listed in the RTW checklist. I'll check out your list as well. Here is the link to the RTW stuff:
http://www.greatfamilyescape.com/rtw-packing-list-a-packing-list-for-long-term-family-travel/