Camping season is upon us, and we’re here to help you prepare with our handy essentials guide. Jam-packed with top tips and camping essentials to make the most out of your trips this year, and we’ve also got Taunton Leisure right here on our doorstep to grab some equipment.

1 - TENT

First things first, you’re going to need a tent, and depending on what type of campaign you’re going to be doing, Taunton Leisure can help you find the perfect tent for your trip. A few things to remember when choosing your tent is:

Make sure there’s enough space for you...and your kit!

Don’t forget the groundsheet
Tent weight and how you’ll transport it
Choose 3000mm Hydrostatic Head MINIMUM! - this is a gauge of how well waterproofed your tent is. 3000mm is widely considered the base level.

TENTS

2 - PACK

A good pack can make all the difference to your camping trip.

You might be carrying everything you need for a trip on your back, or you might just be looking to put everything into a duffle bag or holdall, ready for the car boot!

If it’s the first… make sure you go into the store and speak to the team on getting a well fitted pack. An ill-fitted one can really ruin your trip!

PACKS

3 - SLEEPING BAG

Even though the weather may be getting a little warmer, you’re still going to want a good quality sleeping bag as it still gets pretty chilly at night. Pay important attention to the temperate rating of your bag.

This will come in three measurements; Comfort, Limit & Extreme

Comfort: This is the temperature the sleeping bag should ideally be used in to provide adequate warmth and comfort to the camper, and the best night's sleep.

Limit: The limit is the lower limit of temperature that the sleeping bag should be used in. The sleeping bag should not really be used in colder temperatures than the Limit Rating.

Extreme: The Extreme Rating, is the temperature that a person would "survive" the night in the sleeping bag, but not sleep or be in any comfort at all. The sleeping bag should only be used in this temperature as a last resort or emergency.

SLEEPING BAG

4 - WATER CONTAINERS

There’s a lot of options at your disposal here as water containers come in all shapes and sizes. Nalgene bottles and hydration bladders are ideal for solo trekkers, larger containers and wheeled units are ideal for big family trips and car camping!

WATER CONTAINERS

5 - FIRST AID

It’s always best to be prepared; even for minor injuries! A well-stocked first-aid kit is a must. Particularly if you’re out in the wild.

FIRST AID

6 - CAMPING STOVE

A good stove is going to make or break a trip. Small super light models are available if you’re scrimping on weight. Or you can get bigger pieces of kit that are better suited to family trips on campsites.

Whatever stove you get, it’s important to make sure you have the right gas and fittings to go with. Not all gas canisters and stoves work with each other, so ask in store to be absolutely sure!

Also, if you’re opting for a lightweight stove, don’t forget to pick up a wind baffle… it’ll make life so much easier!

STOVE

7 - POTS AND PANS

Whether you’re going solo in the wilderness or camping with the family, you’re going to need some pots and pans! The options are wide open; from classic Trangias, full family crockery sets through to the humble billy can. But at the end of the day, the choice is yours.

POTS AND PANS

8 - LIGHT

Something you don’t want to forget is a light or lantern for the night times in the tent. The last thing you want is an awkward late night trip to the loo in the dark, or getting caught on a hike as the sun begins to drop.

The most crucial bit of equipment is a good bright head torch, with plenty of spare batteries. Or a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, if that’s what you’d prefer.

But remember if you are taking a rechargeable torch, you might want to consider picking up a portable charger… if you’re going to be away from the mains for a while!

LIGHTS

9 - THE RIGHT CLOTHING

There’s no such thing as bad weather… only inappropriate clothing!

Starting at the bottom, a good pair of boots is a must. You can opt for leather or synthetic, the choice is yours. But we’d advise coming in for a proper fitting first. You’re also going to need a few paris of good socks!

Good sturdy trousers, combined with a pair of waterproof overtrousers will have you prepared for anything. You can also go for some thermal underwear or leggings.

For the top half, layering is the key to keeping snug. Baselayer, mid-layer, and outer, if things get a little toasty, you can always take one off!

CLOTHING

10 - EXTRA TENT PEGS

Probably the most important thing to remember for any camping trip is EXTRA PEGS! Sometimes things just get lost or the weather takes a bit of turn, and you don’t want to be in a position where you don’t have enough pegs to secure your tent.

PEGS