The Camping Gear You’ll Regret Not Packing

My first camping trip was a crash course in what not to pack. I showed up with big dreams, a cheap tent, and a cooler stuffed with snacks, thinking I had it all figured out. Spoiler: I didn’t. Half the gear I skipped turned out to be the stuff that would’ve saved my sanity.

If you’re prepping for your own adventure, here’s the gear I once called “extra” but now won’t camp without. These are the unsung heroes that make roughing it feel a little less rough.

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A Lightweight Tarp

I figured the tent roof would do the job. Wrong. Rain doesn’t announce itself; it sneaks in sideways. On trip two, a sudden downpour turned our site into a puddle party.

That $10 tarp? It became our dining room, clothesline, and sanity saver. Pitch it over the picnic table or as a rain fly. Bonus: It packs smaller than your doubts.

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Headlamp (With Extra Batteries)

Flashlights are for sissies, right? I left mine at home to “tough it out.” Cue midnight bathroom runs in pitch black, tripping over roots like a bad comedy sketch. Now, a headlamp’s always first in the bag. Hands-free light for chopping veggies or reading by firelight. And yeah, stash those batteries—cold nights eat ’em alive.

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Duct Tape (The Mini Roll)

This felt like prepper paranoia. Why tape in the woods? Then my tent zipper gave up halfway through a windy night. A quick wrap, and we were sealed. It’s fixed boots, patched holes in packs, even held a splint once. Keep a roll on your water bottle. It’s the Swiss Army knife of fixes without the bulk.

Portable Camp Chair

“Sit on a log,” I told myself. Logs are romantic until your butt goes numb after hour one. Post-hike evenings? Gold. A cheap folding chair lets you kick back with a beer and zero spine complaints. Mine’s seen campfires from the Rockies to the Smokies. Foldable ones weigh next to nothing—trust me, your back will thank you.

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A Packable Water Filter or Tablets

Boiling water sounded easy. Until you’re beat and fumbling with a stove at dusk. Filters like the Sawyer Mini screw onto your bottle and make sketchy streams drinkable in seconds. They’re tiny, cheap, and beat the gut punch of bad water.

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Earplugs and an Eye Mask

Snoring tent mates? Chirping birds at 5 a.m.? I powered through my first trip on three hours of sleep and pure spite. Now, these are non-negotiable. Foam plugs block the symphony of saws (sorry, partners), and a mask kills dawn light. Sleep well, wake happy. Pack ’em in a ziplock—done.

Trash Bags (Heavy-Duty Ones)

“Leave no trace” is the rule, but I didn’t think bags mattered much. Wrong again. Wet clothes, food scraps, random junk—they pile up fast. Sturdy bags double as ponchos, ground covers, or emergency shelters. I use ’em to haul out every scrap, keeping sites pristine. Mother Nature notices.

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A Small First-Aid Kit (The Overpacked Kind)

Band-Aids and Neosporin? Basic. But I skimped and regretted it when a stubbed toe turned infected. Stock yours with moleskin for blisters, tweezers for splinters, pain meds, and antiseptic wipes. Add allergy stuff if pollen’s your foe. It’s peace of mind in a fanny pack—way lighter than a limp home.

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These aren’t the flashy gadgets that drain your wallet. They’re the unglamorous MVPs that turn “survive the weekend” into “can’t wait to go back.”

My first trip taught me: Pack light, but pack smart. Over time, you’ll tweak the list to fit your style—maybe swap the chair for a hammock if you’re feeling fancy.

What’s your “should’ve brought that” story? Drop it in the comments below!

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• The Camping Gear You’ll Regret Not Packing