Heading off to the great outdoors is always a good idea. Bonding with nature can give you that much-needed break – to plug family and friends out of the hustle and bustle of city life. You could be planning an outdoor trip far off into the mountains or you could stay close to home. Whichever way, the fun shouldn’t commence without ample preparation first.
That begins today with getting to know some outdoor trip essentials. First, start by identifying the places you’re going to so you can make your own checklist of what you need. It’s a lot to do and prepare for, yet it’s a must to avoid any of the dangers that nature may bring. Outdoor trips are fun, and they should also end on a good note.
Are you ready for your next outdoor trip? Be sure to pack these essentials with you.
1. Multitool
By its name, you may already have an idea of what a multitool is. A multitool comes in handy for outdoor trips given how it’s a portable and compact device with extensions for many tools, conveniently folded into the handle. Those tool extensions include knives, saw blades, pliers, scissors, screwdrivers, and openers.
Bringing one for your trip allows you to enjoy many benefits, including:
- It can be used for simple repairs;
- It’s small, portable, and light; and
- It’s easy to use for many varied purposes.
2. Spare Pair Of Shoelaces
The odds of losing your shoelaces during your trip are very slim to zero, especially because you’ll be using your shoes the whole time. But, bringing spare laces is actually another must-do. Apart from literally lacing up your shoe together, those spare laces can be good for a host of other purposes like:
- Retrieve lost items, like if you’ve dropped things down a drain, or down a slope;
- Replace strings in your outdoor jacket;
- Stop the bleeding from a wound, if you or any companion gets hurt; and
- Use it for fishing.
3. Duct Tape
Duct tapes are strong, flexible, and very sticky. All thanks to those characteristics, there are so many things that a roll of duct tape can do for you, especially when you’re out camping and hiking.
In fact, a roll of duct tape is of the most useful things you’ll ever bring along with you. Here’s why:
- It can fix up any tears you may have in your tent;
- It can fix broken tent poles;
- It can fix broken zippers;
- It may help remove splinters, particularly when you don’t have tweezers with you;
- It can make guy lines.
4. Headlamp
Being able to find your way through the night is essential, especially if your outdoor excursion is one that takes you to the wilderness. Don’t immediately assume it that you’ll be sure there’ll be lights in all camping and trekking locations you’re going to.
A headlamp may be a small thing, but it’s one with a significant impact to ensure your safety at night. It lights up your path or location while keeping your hands free to do other tasks like navigating a map in the dark and even cooking at the campsite.
5. Pack Of Wet Wipes / Wet Tissues
If you happen to stop at a place where there isn’t water and you have to eat or do your business, you’ll be glad to have a pack of wet tissues with you. Just because you’re out in nature doesn’t mean you should forget about sanitary practices. In fact, staying clean is a must so you don’t fall sick after your outdoor trip. That pack of wet tissue can go a long way in cleaning your body and wiping dirty surfaces.
6. Quick-Drying Towel
A quick-drying towel is something you’ll need if you’re going on a multi-day outdoor activity or if you’re going swimming while outdoors. You won’t have all the space in your backpack to bring along with you a very thick towel.
This is where it’s handy to have a thin, microfiber, quick-drying, and absorbent towel. You may not think you’ll need it, but it’s nice to have, just in case. Moreover, you can use that towel too as a makeshift blanket or picnic blanket if you don’t have one on hand.
7. Ziploc Bags
Lastly, pack with you a few Ziploc bags of various sizes. Better yet, choose those with a zip-like seal just so you can avoid leaks.
It can be used for many purposes while outdoors, such as packing leftover food so as not for it to spill all over your bag, or keeping important items like money and gadgets inside to prevent them from getting wet.
Conclusion
Take the list above as your basic guide of what your camping bag should have. Nonetheless, don’t construe it as absolute. You also have to consider your personal needs and be sure to add those to your list. Exploring the great outdoors can be filled with so many surprises, some perhaps more unpleasant than others are – so it’s always best to be prepared. Packing exactly what you need can often spell the difference between coming home safely, and a potential trip to danger.
