Dean sandbox page 3

Tent or shelter

Search for wild camping on Instagram and you’ll be greeted with pictures of campers in sensational locations with a bivvy bag, tarps and hammocks – there’s no denying that it looks cool, either.

Personally, we prefer the shelter and warmth of a real tent.

This doesn’t mean you need to carry an eight-man monster, though. “My current shelter of choice is the Sierra Designs Meteor 3000 ,” says Iain. “It costs around £250, weighs just over 2kg and is a two-berth model, which I find suits me best, as I prefer to have a bit more room in the tent.”

Similar models include the Cobra 2 from Coleman , another two-man tent with a lightweight design that stands up to tough weather conditions, helping you to have a good night’s sleep no matter what’s happening outdoors.

Rucksack

“After the tent, your rucksack will probably be your next biggest buy,” says Iain. “For a weekend’s camping, something with a capacity between 50 and 60 litres should be ideal.”

Iain carries a Fjällräven Kaipak 58 , which is a substantial rucksack built from polyester and cotton blended into what Fjällräven calls G-1000 Heavy Duty Eco. It’s tough as nails, and will go toe to toe with your most adventurous camping trips.

For a lighter option, check out this 40-litre option from Olpro – its modular design makes organising kit a breeze and the adjustable straps mean you can tack extra items like sleeping mats and tents on the side.

Cooking equipment

Whether you’re planning a multi-day expedition or a casual lightweight adventure in your local hills, you won’t get far on an empty stomach.

You might be tempted to visit a local pub for your meals (we have on many occasions while camping), but cooking for yourself is cheaper and, at the very least, you’ll want to boil water for a morning cuppa, so a lightweight stove is a must.

Iain uses the Coleman F1 Lite and, like the Fyrestorm from the same brand, it’s a lightweight, powerful and easy-to-use stove that folds away into its own bag. Not all of these feature piezo ignition, so make sure you’ve packed matches, too.

Gas canisters are essential and both of those models screw onto universally compatible gas bottles .

Beyond this, you’ll need a pot to cook in (unless you opt for something like a Jetboil) and some basics, like this cutlery set from NGT .

Clothing

The short answer here is that you should wear whatever will keep you dry and at the right temperature.

The longer answer?

This isn’t much more complicated, just stipulating that you should factor in the season in which you’re camping, the place you’re heading to and what kind of activity you’ll be undertaking while you’re there. Focus on wearing comfortable, hard-wearing materials like merino wool that wick moisture away from the skin and are naturally odour-resistant.

There are a few items that should always be with you, either being worn or in your rucksack, no matter the season:

• A waterproof jacket
• Waterproof trousers
• A fleece
• Walking boots or shoes suitable for the terrain and season
• A hat (either for warmth or sun protection

Sleeping bag/mat

For a lightweight camping trip, make sure that your sleeping bag and mat take into account what you’re sleeping in. If you’re in a bivvy bag, you might want to consider a slightly thicker sleeping bag than if you’re using a tent, for example.

Most brands opt for a mummy-style sleeping bag but Iain prefers a rectangular-shaped one thanks to the increased space within them, and you don’t need to spend much to get a decent one. “I picked up a Forclaz 10 rectangular-shaped bag from Decathlon in late 2019 – it cost under £20, so was a bit of a bargain,” he says.

A good-quality sleeping mat or air mattress is essential for a comfortable, warm night’s sleep, too. There are plenty of options out there but look for something that packs down into a compact carry case, keeping your rucksack light while still helping you get a good night’s rest.

Health and safety

“A first aid kit is the one piece of camping gear that you never want to use,” says Iain, “but you need to know you can rely on it in the worst-case scenario.”

Make sure you've got the basics covered:

• Plasters
• Bandages
• Trauma pads for bleeding
• Antiseptic wipes
• Adhesive tape
• A splinter removal tool

Useful tools

With those basics covered, there are some additional tools and pieces of kit that will help to make your experience more enjoyable:

Water filter

You might not be planning to go fully off-grid, but making sure that you have easy access to water is essential. If you’re staying on a campsite, that won’t be a problem – if you’re wild camping, you might need to take it from a natural source.

If that’s the case, try to get water from a running river or stream and make sure that you filter or boil it before drinking. Iain uses a LifeSaver Liberty bottle , also used by the British Army and Oxfam, while super lightweight options like a LifeStraw are also available.

Multi-tool

If a job needs doing, there’s a pretty decent chance that a multi-tool can do it. From opening tins of food to repairing your kit, this is something you don’t want to be caught without.

Iain describes the Free P4 from Leatherman as a “virtual toolbox in your pocket… even with a mind-boggling 21 tools, it weighs in at just 250g”.

Solar charger

True, you might be going camping to escape civilisation and use your phone less, but you still don’t want to lose power completely. When you’re on the move, an off-grid power bank is an essential.

Iain uses a solar-powered charger: the Freeloader iSIS , which can power a phone three times on one charge.

Head torch

It doesn’t matter whether you’re staying on a campsite or pitching up off-piste in the Highlands – there are few artificial lights when you’re camping, which is kind of the point. This does mean that you’ll need a decent head torch for after dark, though.

“BioLite has a reputation for developing sleek-looking kit that performs brilliantly, and its HeadLamp 200 is no exception,” says Iain. “This is a modern, slimline headlamp, which is incredibly comfy, really light and provides a superb beam of light. I love it.”

If you’re looking for something a bit more old school, Coleman has a good range of lanterns and handheld torches that are perfect for navigating around the campsite once the sun has set.

Miscellaneous kit

With everything above, you’re ready to go camping! There are, however, some extra bits of kit that will help to make sure you have the best experience possible, which you may want to grab alongside the essential kit.

• Microfibre towel
• Wet wipes
• Toilet paper
• Map and compass
• Tick removal tool
• Waterproof dry bag
• Trowel (for digging a latrine)
• Notebook/pen

Got everything?

Now it’s time to get out there and put this kit to good use! If you have your heart set on wild camping, make sure you read our guide first – it contains all the handy tips we learned the hard way so that you don’t have to.

You can also browse hundreds of brilliant campsites on Campsite Finder and make sure you’ve got everything you need with the Out & About Shop , featuring products recommended and reviewed by our expert editors.