Are you a woman who loves the outdoors but has trouble finding equipment catering to your needs?
Until very recently, camping gear has been designed primarily for men. I think all of us women have, unfortunately, experienced a backpack that was too bulky, worn a shoe that wasn’t quite up-to-par with the men’s equivalent or had to get creative when figuring out how to manage a period in the woods.
But things are changing, and more wonderful equipment options are popping up for women every day.
So get ready to gear up because we’re about to dive into this list of 11 camping essentials for women you won’t want to leave the house without!
Women’s Camping Attire Essentials
A Hiking Backpack Made for Women
Have you ever found yourself having to readjust your backpack multiple times on a camping trip? Fidgeting with straps that don’t seem to be the right height? Or ending up with lovely red scratches and scrapes on your shoulders by the end of the day?
Having a camping backpack made specifically for women will solve all of those issues, and is one of the most important camping essentials for women on this list.
Built specifically to fit women’s bodies, packs designed for women will make hiking with a backpack much more pleasurable than with a bulky pack designed for men.
For a great backpack designed with women in mind, the Osprey Aura AG 65 Women’s Backpack is your perfect go-to! Created with a women’s-specific fit, its suspension and harness will perfectly envelop your back and hips. The pack is also entirely made up of recycled materials.
Waterproof Hiking Boots
Keeping your socks and feet dry as you trudge through the mud and puddles you’ll inevitably encounter on your camping adventures is imperative for a fun time. Waterproof hiking boots that protect your feet from the elements should be an essential for any camper, but they are most definitely a camping essential for women.
And finding a good pair that are as great as the options available for men can sometimes be tough!
For a wonderful—and affordable—waterproof boot, check out the Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge Lightweight Waterproof Hiking Boot. Designed for durability, these boots are also loved by wearers for their comfort and traction.
They run a little small and narrow, so consider that before placing your order!
A Hooded and Lightweight Jacket
A lightweight jacket is a camping essential for anyone, but what makes it a camping essential for women (or anyone with long hair) is one distinct feature: a hood!
Nobody wants to retire to their tent for the evening with dripping wet hair when it rains. And unfortunately for us women with long hair, without a great hood, we risk being wet for hours.
Enter the hooded—and waterproof—jacket. Perfect for keeping you dry in any weather. When looking for a camping coat, you’ll want something lightweight for easy wear and layering. Consider sizing up slightly so your jacket will fit over bulky clothing, like a sweater.
The OTU Women’s Waterproof Rain Jacket is a wonderful and inexpensive option to throw over your hoodie and keep you dry.
Feminine Hygiene Camping Essentials for Women
A Pee Funnel
The concept of using a pee funnel seems silly, yes. And as a seasoned camping vet, you’re used to popping a squat in the woods…I get it.
But hear me out; quick access without having to drop your drawers in the cold or on the trail is pretty wonderful. Using a device like Freshette Pee Funnel is great for when you’re on the move or on a cold day when stripping down isn’t appealing.
Designed for reuse and no larger than the palm of your hand, this invention is a great addition to your trekking pack!
Reusable Pee Cloths
Busting out toilet paper while you’re in the middle of the woods can be a pain. But there is a better solution: a reusable pee cloth!
Reusable pee cloths will be there for you to dry yourself after relieving yourself and are an absolute camping essential for women.
With a reusable pee cloth, like the Kula Cloth Reusable Antimicrobial Pee Cloth, you’ll waste less toilet paper (while also using less pack space to carry it) and avoid getting yourself into any “drip-dry” scenarios. Cloths, like the Kula, attach right to your backpack, fold over for privacy, dry super quickly, and are nontoxic and nonirritating. The Kula is even made of reflective material so that you can find it in the dark.
So pick out your favorite cloth design and head into your next camping trip, ready for a clean and hassle-free post-pee experience.
Menstrual Cups
Camping trips and periods are two things that sometimes, regrettably, coincide.
Menstrual cups will make managing your period a breeze while enjoying the wilderness.
If you’ve never used one before, consider trying them. Menstrual cups can be worn up to 12 hours at a time—hours longer than tampons and pads—making them a great option for all the time you’ll spend outside. They’re reusable and make for easy transport.
The Saalt Menstrual Cup is a great option for those looking to give menstrual cups a shot and comes with its own carrying bag for sanitary transportation and storage.
To use a menstrual cup while camping, if no restroom is available, head to a secluded spot away from water. Empty your cup into a hole six to eight inches deep, and bury the menstrual waste. Then rinse your cup with clean water and reuse it.
Shelter Essentials
A Sleeping Bag Made Specifically for Women
A list of camping essentials for women wouldn’t be complete without a sleeping bag. But like other items on this list, not a regular sleeping bag, but one properly fitted for women.
Sleeping bags like the Women’s NEMO Disco 15 Sleeping Bag are designed with the female anatomy in mind. The NEMO Disco 15, for example, is specifically designed for plush comfort while side sleeping and also comes in different shapes and lengths to ensure the perfect fit for your body. The NEMO will also have you sleeping comfortably in temperatures as low as 17 degrees Fahrenheit.
A great sleeping back is not something to pass up. So definitely cozy up in one on your next camping trip!
A Spacious and Weatherproof Tent
Level up your next camping trip with a spacious and weatherproof tent.
A great tent is obviously going to make it onto this list of camping essentials for women because the perfect tent is paramount to the entire camping experience. When looking for a tent, keep an eye out for something double-walled with external guylines—ropes attached to the tent’s rainfly—that can be pulled taut for improved water resistance in inclement weather.
The North Face Wawona 6 Tent is a great example of what an excellent tent can provide. Built with ample space and great weather resistance, this double-walled tent will practically turn your camping experience into a glamping one.
This North Face tent is built with high ceilings so you can stand and move around with ease. It has a large vestibule that can be used to store gear and has color-coded poles for easy setup.
Women’s Camping Gear Essentials
A Lightweight Towel
A lightweight towel, or two (I’d recommend two), is a non-negotiable camping essential for women.
Staying dry will keep you comfortable and warm while exploring the bush. Traditional towels are far too bulky to pack up and bring, so get a quick-dry, lightweight towel like the PackTowl UltraLite Towel.
Lightweight camping towels, like the PackTowl, dry much faster than traditional towels (in this case, 80% faster) and are ultra absorbent. And, due to their small size, you can even bring two along to rotate use while one is drying.
Power for All Your Devices
This next item might not be an obvious choice for camping essentials for women, but stick with us on this. A power bank to keep your small electronics charged while out in the wilderness isn’t just for comfort — it’s also for safety.
Having spare power with you can keep critical equipment and communication tools charged in case of emergency, keeping campers safe. To use a power bank, charge it up before you leave for your camping trip, and then use it on the trails to charge devices as needed.
A great feature in many power banks these days is solar charging capabilities! For example, the QiSa 38800mAh Solar Power Bank comes with four collapsable solar panels, allowing the power bank to continuously top itself up on power while the sun is out.
There are plenty of other solar power bank options out there as well. So if you’re looking to harness a continuous power source, read this article on the best portable solar panels for camping.
Trekking Poles for Treacherous Trails
For all of the extreme hikers, a pair of trekking poles are an absolute must-have if you’re heading out on a treacherous expedition. They’ll keep you sturdy and safe on the trails while you conquer new heights—quite literally, if you’re summiting a mountain—and explore more difficult routes.
The Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles for women are built with lightweight yet sturdy aluminum shafts and have ergonomic grips to keep your hands and wrists comfortable while using the poles. Collapsable and adjustable, the trekking poles can accommodate women of various heights and round off our list of 11 camping essentials for women.
Hit the Campsites With Your Camping Essentials for Women
Now that you’re all geared up with the best camping essentials for women, it’s time to get out there and use this top-notch equipment. So pack up your car, hit the road toward a nearby campground, and immerse yourself in the great outdoors!
Not sure where to venture off to on your next trip? We’ve got you covered!
Check out the Campground Guides page on our website to kick off the planning for your next trip.
