Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Camping & Backpacking Essentials
32
items A beginner friendly list for those looking to build out their camping supplies! This is the camping and outdoor gear that I've spent my own money on and can recommend.
Sections
7
Sleep Gear
Camp Kitchen
Seating
Accessories
Shoes
Fun
Sleep Gear
I bought this tent 3 years ago when I was just getting into backpacking, and it's traveled all over the country with me since then. The top is entirely mesh so it's excellent for stargazing. It's also lightweight and easy to put up and take down. I h...
Nemo Hornet Ultralight Backpacking Tent (2P)
I use this tent for casual camping trips with my partner. It's held up really well in rain and fits our air mattress inside. Very easy to set up and take down, definitely beginner-friendly.
Marmot Crane Creek Ultralight Backpacking Tent
I replaced my sleeping bag with this trail quilt a few years ago and I've never looked back! This trail quilt is soooo lightweight but it still has a toe box to keep you toasty warm. So many people are skeptics until they try it! Suitable for spring,...
REI Co-op Magma Trail Quilt 30
This is a great little pillow! I usually bring a regular pillow camping so this one is mainly for backpacking. Easy to inflate and deflate.
pillows
I don't always use earplugs when I'm camping, but sometimes there are noises outside my tent and for those nights I love these earplugs.
Loop Quiet Ear Plugs for Noise Reduction
This is a great sleeping pad! It's quick to inflate and holds the air all night. It can be a little loud at night when you're moving around on it.
NeoAir® XLite™ NXT Ultralight Sleeping Pad - Thermarest
Camp Kitchen
This is the classic camp stove that many folks own and I'm no exception! I've owned mine for 3 years and haven't had any issues - I really love my Coleman stove and will buy another one if mine ever breaks.
Classic Propane Gas Camping Stove, 2-Burner
This comes with me on backpacking trips, hikes, trail runs, etc. This water filter packs down really small, is super lightweight, and it works just like a water bottle. Just fill it with water, put the cap on, and drink! An absolute gamechanger for m...
Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System 1.0L USA
This little guy is so great to have! It's an easy to set up little table that provides a much needed surface to set things on, especially when dispersed camping (without a picnic table).
iClimb Ultralight Compact Alu. Folding Table
If you're camping in an area with bears (or critters who love snacking on your food), these are a must.
BearVault | Bear Canisters Built to Keep - BearVault®
This is the stove I use when backpacking! I've owned and used it regularly for almost 4 years now and it's still working perfectly. The stove and gas fit neatly inside the pot for easy packing too!
PocketRocket® 2 Canister Fuel Backpacking Stove
This is one of the first camping items I bought for myself, and many years later they're still my go-to camp dinnerware. Not much to be said other than they work and haven't broken.
Camping Dinnerware
I love this little tumblr. It's made out of silicone and does sometimes hold onto dirt more than my plastic mug, but it collapses down which makes packing it a breeze.
Collapsible X-Tumbler 12oz with Cool Grip for Hot Liquids
Great coffee maker for 1-2 people! Perfect for camping because it's lightweight and easy to use.
AeroPress Coffee Maker
I purchased a yeti while driving across the country. It kept my food cold days longer than anything else I tried at the time. I'm sure other coolers work but I can personally vouch for thesebeing the most effective coolers I've used.
Yeti Coolers
Seating
I have two of these and I love them. They're lightweight and pack up small but are pretty comfy. Much cheaper than the helinox chairs.
Ozark Trail Outdoor Compact Backpacking Chair, Black
This is one of the best things to bring camping imo! It can be a little hard to inflate but once it's done you'll have a great place to relax and stare at the stars.
Outdoor Inflatable Couch
Who doesn't love a good hammock? This one has been a reliable companion on many camping trips and I have no complaints.
NorEast Outdoors Single Hammock
Accessories
Charge this while you're hiking during the day and you'll have an easy to use light source. Lanterns can also charge your devices!
MPOWERD Solar Powered Products
If you've never used a microfiber towel get ready to have your mind blown. Half the size of a normal towel but sooooo absorbent. I can dry off my whole body and the towel barely feels wet and is dry again in 20 min.
Microfiber Towels | REI Co-op
I've used black diamond headlamps for years and have never had a problem with them. I like headlamps that include a red light setting.
Hiking Headlamp
Purchased this a few months ago for camping and festivals and ITS AMAZING. It lasts a long time and the LCD screen provides great info on the battery usage so you can get the most out of it. There is also a light bar on it which has been useful.
Anker PowerHouse 521 - 256Wh | 200W
These are super lightweight! If you've used trekking poles then you know that you're looking for something that's easy to grip and doesn't weigh much - these definitely fit the bill. These make my back feel soooo much better while backpacking
Trekking Poles
This is a running vest but I always bring it on camping trips in case I want to trail run, or just to hike in. It comes with two bladders and has lots of pockets for storing your snacks and other essentials.
Active Skin 8 - Unisex Running Vest with flasks included
I always wear sunscreen when I'm outside, and the Supergoop Play sunscreen is one of my favorites.
Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion
These are great to pack if you're worried about having enough light at camp, or if you want some ambience. These give off a surprising amount of light for how small and compact they are. I personally love making camp feel homey by hanging some string...
Fairy Lights Multicolor
Shoes
Lightweight and easy to wear! I wore these while hiking 40 miles on the Teton Crest Trail and they did really well. If you're sick of heavier hiking boots and don't need the ankle stability, these are fantastic.
Vasque Satoru Trail LT Low Womens Boot
My fav for easy summer hikes, walking around the city, and everything inbetween.
Women's Casual & Outdoor Sandals
These are cheap plastic knockoff birkenstocks that I picked up at target - they have proven to be great camp shoes. I usually put on a pair of big comfy socks and then slide these on.
Eva Sandals
Fun
I LOVE THIS SUP! It's the only inflatable sup I've ever owned so I can't compare to other brands, but I've had so much fun on this one. It inflates well with the hand pump (and you will get a sick upper body workout) and it's incredibly firm once inf...
NAUTICAL 10'6" Inflatable Paddle Board
This little speaker is durable and lightweight but sounds great.
JBL Clip 4 | Ultra-portable Waterproof Speaker
Backpacking
This is the newer version of the pack that I have. I bought my pack in 2015 and it's still going strong after touring after many trips abroad and many nights on the trail. I really like my pack and will probably upgrade to this version if I need to.
Ariel 65 Women's Backpacking Pack - Women's-specific Fit