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Camping with your family is one of the most fun ways to spend time together and enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you’re a seasoned adventuring family that travels all around to find the best camping spots or looking to go on your first trip with the little ones, there are tons of pieces of survival gear that can make the trip much easier. Everyone knows that they need to pack sleeping bags, camping tents, and other common supplies, but preparing to be out in the wilderness requires more than the basics. Even if you don’t use everything you bring every time you go out in the woods, the old adage “it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it” rings true, especially in unforeseen circumstances. Thankfully, we’ve compiled a list of our top survival items that you should make sure are in your packs before you set up camp.
Self-Defense Gear
The first thing you should always grab before you head out into the woods is some type of weapon to defend yourself. Even if you’re going to a campground or an area where other people frequent, being in the wilderness means exposing yourself to potential dangers, so preparing for that situation beforehand will help keep you safe. Generally, the most reliable method is bringing a firearm with you, but this isn’t always possible, whether because you’re in a public campground where they’re not allowed or you’re unable to for any other reason. Thankfully, there are plenty of other ways to protect yourself while you’re out in the woods. For example, Mace Guard Alaska Bear Pepper Spray is an excellent tool to help you stop woodland critters that threaten your campsite. We also have a wide range of Less-Lethal Weapons that you can choose from, including tons of options from TASER that will help you fend off any uninvited guests. Alternatively, even having a reliable woodcutting axe with you serves the dual purposes of giving you a handy tool for more firewood and having a sharp edge to defend yourself.
Trash Bags
On the surface, you’re probably wondering why trash bags are on this list, as it seems obvious that you should bring a way to dispose of your garbage so that you don’t harm the environment. And while that’s extremely true and important, extra trash bags are much more versatile than you might think. First, a trash bag makes an excellent impromptu poncho if you’re caught out in a sudden storm. They are lightweight, waterproof, and cheap, so if one rips, you’re not out a lot of money replacing your favorite rain coat. Additionally, you can quickly stuff all your important and sensitive items into extra trash bags while you wait out the storm.
Aside from blocking the rain, trash bags are also an excellent source of repair material and even shelter. If a stray branch crashes down and rips a hole in your tent, you’ll end up with a lot more problems than just a draft. A trash bag serves as a fantastic patch, as it stretches and can hold nearly any shape you need, especially when you use liberal amounts of duct tape to keep it in place. From holding extra supplies and functioning as emergency ponchos to being a decent windbreak and shelter-building material when necessary, bringing extra trash bags with you can completely change your camping trip. And if you’re thinking that extra tarps can accomplish all of this as well, you’d be right; however, tarps weigh much more than a box of trash bags, and you’ll have to lug them around with you.
Satellite Communicator
Even if you’re only going to a public campground, you should never head into the woods without a reliable way to communicate with people outside of where you are. One of the best ways to ensure you stay connected in case of an emergency is with a satellite communicator, which allows you to call, send messages, and reach people without nearby cell phone towers. Some of the best satellite communicators we offer come from the Garmin inReach family! These handy GPS devices pack a ton of features into a small package to help you brave any conditions while you’re exploring the great outdoors. Aside from being a reliable GPS and navigation device that lets you plot trails, follow topographic maps, and generally make sure you’re in the right area, the Garmin inReach Mini 2 also features live location sharing so that your loved ones can track you, as well as SOS messaging capabilities that connect you directly to a 24/7-staffed communications hub. Put together, having one (or more) of these little devices with your camping crew can make sure everyone stays safe even if they venture off alone from time to time.
Redundant Apparel
If you’re like me, you already pack more clothes than you know you’ll need no matter where you’re traveling. Even if it’s only for a few days, bringing a week’s worth of underwear and socks is usually sufficient for a normal vacation. However, for people who like to really go off grid, you might not think that there are plenty of other items that you very likely could need an extra set of. For example, if you’re out hiking, there’s a non-zero chance that you might lose a boot or damage it in some way that renders it effectively useless. Most people don’t think to pack an extra pair of boots or durable trail shoes, which means that when their current pair is out of commission, they’re stuck using sneakers or sandals for the rest of the trip. Instead, you should always bring a backup pair of high-quality footwear, especially for longer trips.
Following that same thought, you should also bring an extra jacket and clothes that you might not think you’ll immediately need, such as cold-weather clothing when you’re camping in the summer. This is because the weather can change quickly and drastically before you know it, rendering your best laid plans completely useless. For example, if you’re hiking and camping in the backcountry, the elevation changes can significantly affect the ambient temperature, especially at night. If you’re caught camping at a higher elevation than you originally planned, you’ll find that the night gets significantly colder than you might expect, so having a backup winter coat can keep you safe and cozy until you get back to the trail.
Gear Up & Have Fun With OpticsPlanet!
While not an exhaustive list by any means, we hope you’ll find a few things here that you may not have thought about bringing on your next camping trip. We also have a huge selection of more general camping gear to help you prepare, such as backpacks, sleeping pads, water filtration systems, and more, so you can get everything you need to stay safe and have fun in one place. Check out our selection today!
