Camping in the woods is one of the few things we can do to take a break from everything that we have to deal with on a daily basis. We can escape technology, the overcrowded city, queues – in short, everything that has at least once made our days terrible.
However, when we decide to go camping, we might not realize that doing so requires more preparation than it seems. After all, escaping the modern world will never be easy. If you don’t want to return to the city because you forgot something essential for your camping trip, then you must really pack your gear accordingly.
Even when doing so, you will most likely forget a thing or two that you will either need or that would make camping in the woods a lot easier. Therefore, today we’ll be covering five pieces of camping gear that most people usually forget.
Keep on reading if you want to find out the things that you should always have in your backpack before entering the woods!
Magnesium Bar
No, we are not referring to a protein bar containing magnesium – even though your body could use one while camping. We refer to a magnesium fire starter bar.
If you are going to spend more than just a couple of days in the woods, then you will most likely face either rain or damp firewood. Moreover, depending on your location, the morning dew might cover all of the tinder you planned on using to start a fire.
Magnesium burns at a temperature of around 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit. In short, even if your fire kindling is a bit wet, a dash of magnesium, so to speak, will start a fire with no problem. Also, keep in mind that matches are literally no match against heavy rain.
French Press Coffee Maker
So, why would a French press be a necessary piece of gear when camping? Well, first of all, there are people out there that cannot simply function without a hot cup of coffee in the morning.
However, there’s much more to this item than you may think. Keep in mind that it doesn’t require electricity to function and can make both tea and coffee. When you are stuck in the woods, with rain pouring over you, and you feel like you are catching a cold, then you won’t need to simply endure the illness, so to speak.
All you have to do is boil some water over your campfire and then enjoy a nice, hot cup of coffee or tea.
Camping Knife and Multi-Tool
A camping knife and a multi-tool go hand in hand. But apparently, most people forget at least one of them. If you go at any shooting range, you will see that you are provided with both the gun and the bullets, obviously.
In our case, the camping knife can be seen as the gun, the force behind all of the dirty work that we have to do while camping in the woods. On the other hand, a multi-tool is our bullet for precise and careful movements.
The same concept can be applied to a bow and arrow set – you can use the arrow on its own to pierce/puncture something, but it is much more effective when paired with a compound bow, naturally.
In short, always make sure to bring these two items with you as you will most likely need them both. A proper camping knife will be perfect at cutting down branches for the fire, while a multi-tool can be used for almost any camping activity, from opening cans to precision cutting.
Proper Socks/Footwear
Always keep in mind that camping involves a lot of walking around, for hours or even for the entire day. One thing that you definitely don’t want to happen while camping is getting blistered, sweaty, or sore feet.
Moreover, if you are camping in a humid environment, it goes without saying why cushioned socks and proper footwear are recommended. While you can easily find the perfect shoes for camping, the socks are a different story, so to speak.
When it comes to the best socks for camping, you’ll want a pair that is cushioned, breathable and can dry quite fast. A plus would be some antimicrobial fabric, to make sure that your feet will be in perfect health for the duration of your camping trip.
Depending on the area you are camping in, you will want to pick socks/footwear that can either keep your feet cool or warm – keep this in mind when shopping for such gear.
Tactical Gloves
Clearly, this one item is something most people don’t even think of bringing with them on a camping trip. After all, why would you need tactical gloves while camping?
Well, you actually do need them – and not only if you plan on hunting. A proper pair of tactical gloves can protect you from any type of bruises, cuts, bug bites, scrapes, and weather as well.
There are also gloves that come with ventilating holes, making sure that your hands won’t get too warm no matter the activity you are doing – be it assembling your tent or gathering wood for the fire.
Also, if you find yourself in difficult terrain and have to use your hands to cross it, then you will definitely need a pair of tactical gloves. You will have no issues leaning on trees, bark, rocks, and so on.
The Bottom Line
This is obviously not the end of the list when it comes to necessary gear that you are likely to forget when camping in the woods. However, we think of the items we have just mentioned as some of the most important things you need to have with you.
Also, keep in mind that the gear you need to bring with you depends on the areas you want to visit. Make sure to check the whole area you want to camp in, as well as its surroundings, in order to pack everything that you may use during your trip.
In the end, all we can do is tell you to double-check your camping backpack before jumping in your car and heading for the woods!