The ten items our hosts never camp without — from lighting to layers — and how to pack them so they actually fit.
Every seasoned camper has a story about the one thing they forgot. Ours usually involve tent pegs in a storm. After hosting tens of thousands of stays, our team has boiled the packing list down to ten essentials that cover shelter, warmth, food, and safety.
Start with the big three: a tent you have actually pitched before, a sleeping bag rated below the coldest expected night, and an insulated mat — the mat matters more than most beginners think, since the ground steals more heat than the air.
Then light and layers. A headlamp plus a lantern covers camp after dark, while a waterproof shell and a warm mid-layer handle weather swings. Finish with a stove and fuel, a sharp knife, a first-aid kit, and two ways to make fire.
The golden rule: pack it, then remove three things you packed 'just in case'. Your back — and your tent porch — will thank you. Everything else is available from our gear library at every site.
