Minimalist camping is a growing trend in the outdoor world that has developed over the past decade. The idea of going out into nature and enjoying what you find but doing it with as little baggage as possible has a lot of merits. It’s cheaper, easier on the environment, and gives you a chance to get to know yourself better.
Camping may have been fairly primitive for most of human history, but with the advent of new materials and innovative designs, it is now possible to head out into nature without having to carry around a pack that weighs more than you do.
This is not to say that if you go minimalist camping, you need to head out into nature with nothing more than a set of clothes, a sleeping bag, and a toothbrush. You can do many things to make the experience as pleasant as possible while still bringing down your overall weight.
So without further ado, here are 40 tips for going on a minimalist outdoors adventure:
Table of Contents
1) Make sure you have the right shoes for the trip
Most people do not think about what kind of footwear they are going to need, but without decent shoes, you will find your experience pretty poor. An old pair of sneakers or trainers should be fine unless you plan on heading into rocky terrain.
2) Forget the large tent
If you are trying to sleep, you can generally get by with nothing more than a tarp, which will be small and lightweight enough that even the ultralight backpackers consider it acceptable.
3) Forget about the sleeping pad too
Modern sleeping bags are incredibly comfortable without one, so a sleeping pad is no need to bother. If you do not trust the comfort of your sleeping bag, then use some clothes as padding between yourself and the ground.
4) Put all of your things into one backpack
Most people will take their entire home with them on even a short backpacking trip, just because they don’t know how to go without. Keep your things together in one compact backpack, and if you can, bring a waterproof pack cover along as well. Then you won’t have the problem of having the food separate from the clothes or any other oddities that will eventually leave you wishing for your nice large house again.
5) Bring a hat
Not only will it stop you from getting sunburned, but it will also help to keep you warm.
6) Bring a bandana
The uses for a bandana are many and varied. You can use it as a handkerchief or washcloth, an eye patch, headband, or dust mask. It’s also lightweight and small, making it easy to carry around.
7) Eat dehydrated food
Dehydrating your food is a great way to reduce its weight while ensuring that you have good nutritious meals. However, most campers do not bother to go this route due to the large investment in time required to get everything ready. If you want to go a little lighter, though, it can be a great idea and one that is very rewarding as well
8) Drink from reusable containers
This goes for both drinking water and coffee or tea. You will be able to reduce your pack weight by quite a bit if you do this.
9) Carry a good water filter
Water might be plentiful in some areas, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. A small water filter can provide you with clean drinking water for weeks without weighing down your pack too much.
10) Carry a metal mug or pot
If you use an open flame for cooking, you need a metal pot or mug to cook with. You can either bring one from home, but a good lightweight aluminum alternative will only set you back a few dollars.
11) Carry a small towel
A towel is useful for all kinds of things, drying yourself after swimming being just the tip of the iceberg. If there is no good place to wash your face or hands somewhere in route, you’ll be glad you brought one along.
12) Carry a headlamp
Even if you do not plan to explore caves or other dark areas at night, having a good headlamp will still come in handy. If the power fails at home and you need to wander around temporarily blinded, having a good headlamp will make the whole situation significantly less dangerous.
13) Carry a lighter
Not only is it useful for lighting things like stoves or campfires, but it can also be used as an emergency beacon. Just put some dryer lint inside, light it up and set it out to signal for help.
14) Carry a few zip-lock bags
These are convenient for all kinds of things, from storing leftovers to carrying wet shoes or other items you don’t want to get everything else in your pack dirty.
15) Bring an extra pair of shoelaces and socks
You can never have too many pairs of these, so bring an extra for each day of your trip. They will also dry faster than most other items in your pack, which is very useful if you need to cross a river or stream.
16) Bring a small towel
Wet towels are heavy and take forever to dry, so carrying a lightweight alternative is strongly advised.
17) Bring extra plastic bags
If you’re not using zip-locks already for storing things, then consider bringing some with you on your trip. You’ll find that they are extremely useful in all kinds of situations. They can be used to keep wet or dirty items separate from your other clothing, for instance, or to carry weird-shaped things that otherwise couldn’t fit into your pack.
18) Bring a spare pair of shoes
Shoes are expensive, and if you’re trekking somewhere hot, then chances are they will get dirty as well. Bringing an extra pair means you’ll still be able to wear something when you get back.
19) Bring a good knife
A sharp knife is well worth its weight in gold. You can use it to cut rope or small branches for firewood, prepare food, and so much more. If you forget yours, consider buying one from the nearest town if necessary.
20) Bring some emergency cash
Even if you do not plan on spending any money while out there, bringing a small amount of emergency cash is always a good idea. Just in case something goes wrong on your way home or you need to treat yourself to a nice meal from time to time.
21) Bring plastic bags for garbage
These will make it much more convenient to pack out your garbage and can be used to separate dirty items from the rest of your stuff.
22) Bring a multi-tool or Swiss-army knife
A small one will do if you are not planning on doing any major bush-crafting. This will provide you with all kinds of tools that might come in handy, like a screwdriver or can opener.
23) Bring some duct tape
There are all kinds of uses for duct tape out in the wild, and it makes an excellent addition to any pack. If you don’t need it on your trip, give it to someone who might.
24) Bring waterproof matches or a lighter
Even if you remember to pack a full waterproof container for your matches, it might break in transit. Packing a cheap plastic cigarette lighter will still work much better than nothing at all.
25) Bring s’more supplies
If you have not roasted marshmallows or made smores, then you have never been camping! Carrying some chocolate and maybe even a bag of marshmallows will make your trip all the better.
26) Bring an air mattress or something similar
Even if you plan on sleeping out under the stars, bringing some padding is always a good idea. You’ll be more comfortable and can still get a decent night’s sleep.
27) Bring a bottle of water or some other kind of liquid refreshment
It does get hot out there, and it might get very dry. Bring something to drink with you, even if it’s just a single plastic bottle. It could save your life if you don’t have anything else on hand!
28) Bring glow sticks or anything that glows in the dark
These things will make your trip safer, as you can tie them to your pack or hang them from a tree. They are also great for setting up camp at night if you are unsure where everything is.
29) Bring some snacks you enjoy
Packing something from home to munch on will make your trip so much more enjoyable. If you have a sweet tooth, some chocolate or candy can be very helpful, while nut-based snacks are also good for staying energized.
30) Bring a whistle
A simple whistle can be used to get someone’s attention if they’re lost, and you are unable to find them. It will also be very helpful in calling off any dogs that might get away from you.
31) Bring a pillow or extra clothing
If you are planning to bring pillows, clothes, or towels for drying yourself off after a swim, these only take up so much space when rolled uptight. They are also great for sitting on while playing cards or lounging around the campfire.
32) Bring sunscreen and sunglasses
If you plan to go out during summer or in a sunny climate, these items will be very important for protecting yourself from getting burned, especially if you have fair skin. They can also protect your eyesight.
33) Bring some water purification tablets or a filter
If you are not planning to bring clean drinking water with you, be sure to bring at least some kind of water purification agent. Most backpackers will use either iodine tablets or a small filter, making the heavy job of boiling your water much easier.
34) Bring a first aid kit
It is very rare for anyone to get hurt while out camping, but if they do, it’s nice to know that the first aid kit you came prepared with will be able to handle it. You can also pack some extra supplies like bandages and disinfectants if needed.
35) Bring a padlock
These can be very helpful for keeping your items safe from thieves, and it doesn’t take up too much space. You should also make sure to bring a key with you so you don’t get locked out of your stuff!
36) Bring a one-time use camera or a phone
It’s always nice to get some souvenirs from your trip, and it can also help you create an adventure-filled scrapbook. Don’t worry if the camera gets wet or dirty because it will be disposable, but it can still let you get some shots for your collection.
37) Bring a phone or GPS device
This is especially important if you are not very good with directions or you need to get a hold of someone in the case of an emergency. Don’t rely on them, though, because they can be broken and might run down your battery more quickly if it’s hot out.
38) Bring a rope
If you plan to do anything where climbing is involved, you will probably want to bring a rope with you. They can also help when setting up tents or playing around when sitting around the campfire!
39) Bring an umbrella
It’s always good to be prepared for any weather, including rainy weather. The last thing you want is to get caught in the rain without any cover, especially if you are soaked to the bone, and it’s super cold.
40) Bring lots of water
Even though these items take up space, they can help make your trip much more enjoyable or even safe. If you keep them light, you will be able to carry them with ease.
Conclusion
The less gear you bring, the more space for other essentials like food and fun. We’ve put together this guide to help get your minimalist camping started on the right foot with these helpful tips so that you can enjoy nature in all its glory without having to lug around a heavy pack full of unnecessary items. But don’t just take our word for it! Take some time today to think about what’s necessary when going out into the great outdoors and then go ahead and pare down your packing list accordingly. Don’t forget – if you have any questions or need someone else’s opinion before deciding which things are essential versus superfluous, feel free to reach out anytime! You rock 🙂
