Eight Must-Have Camping Essentials
We’ve made it all the way to the 21st century, so by now it’s pretty clear that women don’t have quite the same list of packing essentials as men for your average camping trip. Sure, many of the items on the list will be the same, but there are some products that are simply made for us ladies to have a smoother, safer travel experience.
Whether you’re taking a quick day hike or embarking on a multi-day backpacking adventure, you’ll want to make sure that you’re prepared with all of the best camping essentials. We’ve compiled a list of the 8 must-have camping essentials for women for your next adventure.
Pixie Cup + Wipes
There is nothing worse than having to pack a full box of tampons for your camping trip, especially if you’re not even positive that your time of the month will arrive at this time. Or better yet, being surprised when your period arrives and you aren’t prepared out in the wilderness.
Camping with a Pixie Cup is an eco-friendly, budget-friendly, and hiking adventure-friendly period solution. It is small and compact, a simple reusable option for your next camping adventure. Pixie Cups have a 12-hour wear time, so you can spend more time focusing on having a fun camping trip.
Plus, you won’t even need water to clean your cup! Pixie Cup Wipes are available for a quick clean on-the-go. These water-based wipes are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and compostable. For on-the-go storage you can either opt for the Pixie Cup bag or the Public Restroom Carry Cup.
Don’t go on one more camping trip without a Pixie Cup to easily and comfortably manage your period while enjoying the outdoors. Use code PIXIEBLOG to save 10% off your entire order!
Reusable Water Bottle
On the note of sustainability, there is no need to be traveling with plastic water bottles. A reusable water bottle is a must-have travel essential for women. Having a reusable water bottle on you ensures that you are always hydrated, without having to spend money on single use plastic bottles. Plus, brands like Vapur sell water bottles that fold up when not in use, so you don’t have to worry about wasting precious cargo space in your backpack when every pound makes a difference.
If a stream or body of running water is available throughout your camping trip, you may want to consider bringing along a LifeStraw to safely refill your reusable water bottle.
Hip Pack
Likely you’ll be hiking with a larger backpack – the size itself, of course, depending on the length of the trip. However, if you’re hiking for a few days, it can be inconvenient to rifle through a large backpack in order to find your phone or safety device. Hiking with a hip pack allows you to have your most important items easily accessible at all times. This might be your cell phone, sunscreen, snacks, or even safety items such as a whistle or bear spray.
Patagonia creates an ultra-light 1 liter hip pack in a variety of fun colors.
Sunscreen
A daily sunscreen is a must-have camping essential that you should never hike without. Summer or winter, sun or clouds – a daily sunscreen is a must. This is especially crucial if you’re adventuring into the mountains at a higher elevation, where the sun is often deceptively strong.
Cocokind and BioClarity are both great options for a lightweight sunscreen with clean ingredients (at an affordable price).
Lip Balm
On the topic of protecting and moisturizing your face from the outdoors, a good lip balm is crucial for protecting your lips from the sun. My go-to is Bag Balm, a local brand from Vermont. Not only will it keep your lips feeling moisturized and protected, but it doubles as a hand cream! Bonus, it is also great for preventing chafing and blisters on your feet during long hikes, or to
soften calluses that may have already formed. With both a 1 ounce tin and stick available, it is a must-have camping essential.
Body Wipes
Unfortunately, most camping adventures do not involve proper running water and a shower – although there are definitely exceptions to this! Do-It-All Body Wipes are a great alternative when a shower isn’t available. They can even double as a makeup remover if you need it, or simply to remove the sunscreen and dirt from your face at night. Plus, it works wonders on sticky fingers after some late night s’mores.
Solid Toiletries
Trust me, there is nothing worse than your shampoo and conditioner leaking all over your bag, especially when you’re many miles into the woods, far from any sort of washing machine. If you have access to water (or maybe even a shower), then I recommend ditching the travel size toiletries and instead packing solid toiletries. Similar to a bar of soap, your shampoo and
conditioner can be packed in an easy, solid form! We love Ethique Shampoo Bars & Conditioner Bars.
Portable Charger
If you’re camping without electricity then a portable charger is essential for a safe and successful camping trip. As women, our safety is always our number one priority. And this is just as important as ever when you are out in the wilderness. By carrying a portable charger you can ensure that your phone battery is charged for access to maps, emergency calls, and of course some fun pictures of the trail. Here is a middle of the road charger that works great to power all your basic necessities.
Drop all of these must-have camping essentials into your shopping cart for a safe, convenient adventure!
Have other products that you never camp without? Be sure to drop them in the comment section below.
