Five surprising items to remove from your camping checklist
As spring approaches and temperatures begin to rise across the UK, many outdoor enthusiasts are starting to dust off their camping gear and plan their first adventure of the year.
However, before loading up the car with everything but the kitchen sink, one camping specialist is recommending taking a more minimalist approach.
Most first-time campers make the same mistake – they bring way too much stuff. It’s actually what you leave behind that can make the biggest difference to your camping experience.
To help you travel lighter, Andy Halliday of Lexrope, a UK-based company specialising in outdoor camping gear and accessories, reveals the five items you should consider leaving at home on your next camping trip, explaining how less can truly be more when it comes to enjoying the great outdoors.
1) Excess equipment
One of the biggest mistakes campers make is bringing excessive equipment. Overpacking makes transportation difficult and can also actually diminish your outdoor experience.
You’ll no doubt have seen families arrive at campsites with cars so packed they can barely close the boot, then spend hours setting up equipment they’ll never use. The more you bring, the more you have to carry, set up, pack away, and clean. This turns what should be a relaxing break into a logistical nightmare.
Instead, focus on true essentials and multi-purpose items. A good quality pocket knife, for example, can serve multiple functions rather than packing separate tools for each task.
Before adding something to your camping bag, ask yourself: ‘Will I use this more than once?’ and ‘What would happen if I didn’t bring this?’ If you can live without it or find another item that serves the same purpose, leave it at home.
2) The wrong tent
Not all tents are created equal, and bringing an inappropriate shelter can quickly ruin your camping experience. Campers usually make the mistake of choosing a tent based solely on price or appearance without considering practical factors.
Some people bring massive family tents for solo weekend trips, or worse – bring pop-up festival tents for week-long autumn camping in the Scottish Highlands. Your tent should match the weather conditions, the terrain, and the number of people using it.
For camping in the UK, weather resistance should be a top priority. A tent with a high hydrostatic head rating (the measure of water resistance) is vital for Britain’s notoriously unpredictable weather.
Consider the season and location of your trip when selecting your tent. For summer camping in mild conditions, a lightweight 2-3 season tent works well. For spring, autumn, or highland camping, you’ll want something more substantial with a good-quality rain fly and stronger poles.
3) Fragile items
This might seem obvious, countless campers bringing items that simply won’t survive the rugged outdoor environment.
Leave the fine china and wine glasses at home. Some people pack their normal dinnerware only to find it broken by day two. Camping conditions are rough – items get dropped, stepped on, or damaged by the elements.
Items like glass bottles, ceramic mugs, and electronics without proper protective cases are particularly vulnerable. Instead, opt for durable alternatives specifically designed for outdoor use.
Invest in proper camping dishware made from durable materials like stainless steel, titanium, or BPA-free plastics. These are lightweight, nearly indestructible, and often stack together for easy packing.
4) Unnecessary electronics
While some tech can enhance your camping experience, you don’t need to bring your entire digital life into the wilderness.
One of the main benefits of camping is disconnecting from the constant digital noise. Yet you see people setting up elaborate charging stations, portable TVs, and bringing every gadget they own. Beyond the practical challenges of keeping everything charged, all these electronics defeat the purpose of connecting with nature.
Instead, limit electronics to essentials like a phone (for emergencies), perhaps a weather radio, and maybe a simple camera.
If you’re camping with children who might need entertainment, bring offline alternatives like cards, board games, or nature identification guides. These promote family interaction and engagement with the surroundings in ways that screens simply can’t match.
5) Valuables and irreplaceable items
The final item on the leave at home list is anything of significant monetary or sentimental value that would be devastating to lose or damage.
Campsites, even well-maintained ones, aren’t secure environments. Your tent can’t be locked like a hotel room, and environmental factors like rain, mud, and humidity can damage sensitive items.
Expensive jewellery, important documents, family heirlooms, and other irreplaceable items should remain safely at home.
Only bring what you can afford to lose. Leave expensive watches, jewellery, and unnecessary credit cards at home. Bring only the ID and payment methods you absolutely need, and keep those on your person rather than left in your tent.
For items you must bring, like wedding rings or prescription glasses, have a dedicated secure storage solution, like a small waterproof container that stays with you at all times.
Don’t drag unnecessary items with you on your camping trip
What you leave behind can be just as important as what you pack for a camping trip. I’ve seen countless camping trips spoiled by overloaded cars, inappropriate equipment, or the heartbreak of damaged valuables. The best camping experiences often come from keeping things simple and focusing on what truly matters – connecting with nature and each other.
For families especially, do a ‘practice pack’ before your trip. Lay everything out, then challenge yourselves to reduce it by at least 25%. You’ll be surprised how much you can eliminate when you really think about each item’s purpose.
Remember that every unnecessary item adds weight, takes up space, and creates more work setting up and packing away. By packing thoughtfully, you’ll spend less time managing your stuff and more time enjoying the freedom and simplicity that make camping such a rewarding experience.
Lexrope is a UK-based company specialising in outdoor camping gear and accessories. They offer a curated selection of durable and reliable products designed to withstand the UK’s diverse weather conditions. They are committed to enhancing family camping experiences with insightful tips and advice for camping with children.
Their website features informative articles on topics such as selecting appropriate sleepwear for camping, addressing tent leaks, and repurposing old sleeping bags, aiming to equip campers with the knowledge needed for safe and enjoyable outdoor adventures.
