Have solar charger, will travel. Luxuriously.
A helping hand
If you’re looking to get a lot of mileage out of your iPod nano or other MP3 player while you’re away then you’ll need to keep the battery levels topped up. Solar chargers are a perfect solution – and not as expensive as you might imagine.
Aural delights
An obvious one to start with. Once the ghost stories around the campfire have come to a natural end, it’s time to retire to your tent with some personal entertainment. With a slimline MP3 player and a pair of travel headphones, you can be sure of musical accompaniment during your trip.
Easy accommodation
Why spend precious holiday time wrestling with tentpoles when you could have your shelter up in a matter of seconds? Pop up tents are fantastic for anybody who wants to get on with enjoying their surroundings as quickly as possible. One thing to note, though: they’re harder to pack away than they are to put up!
Pick a size. Pick a color. Now relax!
Beat the queues
Campsite showers are very often oversubscribed of a morning, which can lead to a frustrating wait in line. A compact solar shower is an excellent way to avoid the queues and freshen up during the day. Different models will require varying amounts of time to warm the water, so do your research before you commit to a particular shower.
Shine on
No doubt a torch is already on your checklist – but have you considered a head torch? Whether you’re carrying water containers back to your pitch from the site’s communal tap or to escort little ones to the toilet in the middle of the night, having the opportunity to light the way while still having both hands free can be invaluable.
Be prepared
Space is obviously limited when you’re on a camping holiday, so it’s not practical to pack absolutely everything you might need. One way to cover as many bases as possible is to bring along a multi-tool; with retractable tools including knife blades for whittling, pliers and screwdrivers for maintenance jobs and openers for both bottles and cans, it can be a particularly useful piece of kit.
Know your place
A portable GPS device can be a real helping hand while you’re camping – particularly if you’ve decided to stay somewhere off the beaten track. By giving you incredibly accurate information on where you’re currently situated, a handheld GPS will ensure that you don’t stay lost for too long. And if you’re the adventurous type, GPS devices are the perfect accompaniment for a spot of geocaching; the countryside treasure hunt game is a great way to while away a few hours.
Beat the cold
If you’re after a little luxury while you’re on your camping trip, look no further than a heated camping chair. If you’re surprised they exist you’re not alone – but dig a little deeper and you’ll find that you can even buy models with adjustable heating levels that will hold their charge for anything up to six hours at a time. Perfect for keeping warm during those chilly evenings around the campfire.
Create the right mood
Of all the camping equipment to pack for your trip, a lantern may not be high on your priority list. But when you consider that lightweight, compact solar-powered lanterns are available for a reasonable price, they can be an efficient way of adding a touch of class to proceedings around the campsite. And they’ll certainly do a better job of lighting up your surroundings than a simple torch.
Wine and dine
If you’re treating yourself to a bottle of wine to toast the beginning of your camping trip, it’s a shame to break the civilised veneer by pouring it into beakers or, even worse, paper cups. Nesting wine glasses are a simple but wonderful invention; featuring screw-off stems to allow portability, they can help to make that first night on the campsite all the more special. And they’re made from a durable polycarbonate, so you don’t need to worry about glass smashing in your backpack during your journey.
Photo Credits: Uncleweed, Grand Canyon GPS.
