A while back I put out my list of essential car camping equipment. This post included all my big ticket items, including my car, air mattress, portable power pack, travel fridge, camp stove, 5 Gallon water jug, portable car battery jump starter, rooftop cargo carrier, personal locator beacon, and homemade window coverings.
Since writing that post, I've been on two more long car camping swings: Lake Superior and New England/Northeast. I've learned more about myself: what I need and what I can leave behind. When I returned from the northeast I made myself a comprehensive packing list to use for future car camping sojourns. (I'll try it out on my next trip and then make it available to site members.)
I have come to appreciate the value of the small, frequently-used supplies and gear that can make the difference between a good day and a bad day on the road. So for your consideration - my favorite things*:
1) A solid cup of coffee in a solid container: Starbucks Instant Coffee and Yeti Rambler 20 oz Tumbler. Every single camping morning I put one 3.3 g. packet of Starbucks Via Instant Coffee (either Pike Place or Colombia roast) in the base of my Yeti Tumbler, pour in hot water, and add a little sugar. It is a comforting, dependable morning routine, and a satisfying start to the day. It tastes so good that around 6pm the night before I start thinking about my coffee the next morning, anticipating both the ritual and the flavor.
All credit for the Yeti Tumbler goes to my former coworkers in the First Year Experience office at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, who gave it to me as a gift on my last day of work. It is purple and personalized with FYE and Willie the Warhawk on the sides. This cup is a constant companion, often climbing mountains and crossing streams in my hand. Thank you, FYE team!
2) From my dear friend Jenna - the wondery Parks of the USA Bucket List Water Bottle. This is a solid, tried-and-true, non-leaky water bottle with easy to clean parts. Also, I get to add a sticker for every national park that I visit! It is no exaggeration to say that I use it every waking hour of every day while traveling. It keeps me hydrated, it keeps me motivated toward my travel goals, and it is a conversation starter wherever I go.
3) Tevas - My sandal and water shoe of choice is Teva. They are durable, versatile, adjustable and quick-drying. I walk a lot of coastlines and cross a lot of rivers, so I need a durable water shoe. Sometimes I swim in water where I can't see the bottom, or walk on beaches that aren't covered in soft sand. My Tevas are always with me, protecting my feet. I'd rather go barefoot, but these get me pretty close. Highly recommend. www.teva.com
4) Skeeter Beaters - When car camping, these mesh window coverings allow me to keep my windows open without mosquitoes and other bugs coming in. They adhere to the metal window frame of my Subaru Outback due to round magnets around the edge sewn in between the mesh. They stay in place even when opening or closing the car doors or windows, and they don't damage the paint. It is such fine mesh that even no-see-um's can't get through. Prospective customers plug in their car make and model on the Skeeter Beater website, and the correct size for their vehicle is determined. They come in a pair and pack up into a small bag. I remove them when driving, and store them in the door pocket. When I stop at my campsite, I put them over the rear window openings before I lower the windows. I love this product, and before next summer I think I'll buy a second pair for the front windows. www.theskeeterbeater.com
5) Mike's Tilley Hat - Thirty one years ago my husband-to-be Mike bought a Tilley T3 Wanderer hat at a shop in Ely, Minnesota just before heading out to a 6-day canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. From that day forward, he wore it on most canoe trips or fishing trips, and anyone who sojourned with him is sure to remember it.
The hat is in great shape, and it is still my headwear of choice for paddle trips and long, sunny hikes. Tilley hats are guaranteed for life, and I look forward to handing this down to Luke or Josh one day. To avoid them fighting over it, I think I'll have to purchase another one. Of course Tilley hats can be purchased online these days, but I think the real magic is taking it out on the water right after purchasing. So... BWCAW next summer - who's in? (Seriously.) https://tilley.com/collections/hats
6) LuminAID Inflatable Solar Lantern - I hardly ever use a flashlight when car camping...nor do I use my car interior lights - which would draw down the battery. I use an inflatable solar lantern called LuminAID PackLite Nova USB. When I convert my car into a bedroom, the LuminAID is the equivalent of the lamp on my bedside table.
I typically hang it from the handle above the rear passenger door and it illuminates the whole interior of my Subaru Outback. It has four different settings: I can read by it on high or just use it for general interior lighting on low. I love that it packs small and is lightweight (only 5 oz.) When deflated it is 1x5x5 inches; when inflated it is 5x5x5 inches. I typically charge it using the micro-USB that comes with it, so I can't vouch for the "solar-charging in 10 hours" claim on their website. But I can tell you, without reservation, that it is durable, inflates easily with one breath, stays charged for 20+ hours of use, and charges back up within an hour. The durable snap handle is super-convenient - if I am walking at night I can strap it to a backpack or belt or carry it by the handle. Oh, and it's waterproof. I'm never going back to flashlights. Product details here: https://luminaid.com/products/packlite-nova-usb
7) Patagonia Rain Jacket - Good rain gear is essential when camping. You hope to never have to use it, but when you need it, you really need it. I was fortunate to find a Patagonia Outlet store in California with a waterproof rain jacket in my size, so I snapped it up. I don't remember the exact product name - but it is one of their products that is called NetPlus® - which is (from the website)"100% postconsumer recycled nylon ripstop made from recycled fishing nets to help reduce ocean plastic pollution." Is it the most expensive piece of clothing that I own? Yes. But is it also from a company that is socially responsible? Yes. Is Patagonia also known for unmatched quality so I'll own it forever? Yes. (Can you tell I'm still a bit conflicted about the cost? Yes!) You should know that my midwest frugality narrowly allowed me this expense in my adult gap year budget. I am now committed to 1) eating more homemade soup, and 2) prancing around in the rain every chance I get.
Funny thing - if I have my rain gear on, I don't have my camera out, so there are very few pictures of me in my prized rain jacket. You'll just have to believe me that it has run through rainbow-filled mists at Niagara, withstood gale-force winds in Maine, and repelled every drip from the sky in between.
So that's the list of favorite things, folks. I love car camping, and I encourage you to give it a try. The supplies and gear above have helped me stay happy and healthy while traveling. I hope you will share your favorite gear and supplies with me, too, as I still have a lot to learn. Don't forget the first aid kit, and sojourn on!
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