Top 5 Must Haves for Comfortable Camping

Let’s face it we all like comfort. Sometimes getting out in the great outdoors and roughing it can get downright uncomfortable. I love waking up out in the wild with fresh air and nature all around me but there are still some things that can make it a whole lot more pleasant.

Having camped in miserable and pleasant conditions throughout my life I have come to realize that there are some items that are essential for a memorable trip. The following is a list of my favorite items for providing the creature comforts we all need and love. I’ll tell you the lessons I’ve learned the hard way and how you can save yourself the trouble.

Problem: Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can ruin even the most beautiful camping site. I remember camping up in the Canadian Rockies when I was 18 years old and the mosquitoes were so thick it was like a gray fog. I had to wave my hand in front of my face just to breathe. We cooked inside the tent because there was no way we were going to stay outside in that mess. (Kids, don’t do this at home!)

Thermacell Bristol Repellent Lantern

Mosquitoes can ruin even the most beautiful camping site. I remember camping up in the Canadian Rockies when I was 18 years old and the mosquitoes were so thick it was like a gray fog. I had to wave my hand in front of my face just to breathe. We cooked inside the tent because there was no way we were going to stay outside in that mess. (Kids, don’t do this at home!) If I only had one of these amazing Thermacell Bristol Repellent Lanterns, life would have been a whole lot more pleasant.

Not only does it provide a 15-foot invisible zone of protection so your family can enjoy the great outdoors but is also a great lantern to help illuminate your campsite. Say goodbye to the messy sprays and smelly candles that irritate your throat. Thermacell uses a chemical-free repellent that is clean, odorless, and silent while effectively repelling bugs in the open air.

We often use it for camping or if we want to enjoy a bug-free night on the back porch. My wife just chimed in and said to remind everyone that it is much better than some app you download on your phone. She tried that one time we went out and I think it had the opposite effect. So for a nice comfortable picnic, camp, barbecue, or whatever outdoor adventure you plan this is top on our list.

Problem: All Smoke and No Fire

Have you ever hiked to the perfect campsite only to spend the next few hours trying to get your fire started because the wood was too wet? An even worse situation is you rented a cabin in the woods and the cabin filled up with smoke because you just couldn’t get the wood burning hot enough to get the smoke to go up the flue and not into the room.

Solution: InstaFire® Fire starter

Believe me, these situations take the fun out of camping. If you need to start a fire fast whether it is for a campfire, grill, or fireplace, these do the trick — fast! These all-natural fire starters light quickly and get the fire burning just as hot and fast. No more blowing into the fire only to get a face full of smoke. And now you can Get Free Shipping on the Fire Starter Sample Pack!

If you want to find out more about this awesome product, check out the video down below.

Problem: Tiny Tent – Big Family

The older I get the more I enjoy living in style and the less I like roughing it. I love camping though so I often find cabins or I even had a rooftop tent at one time. The problem is that if you have kids you will find that inevitably you will awake with a foot in your face or a thrashing child who makes it impossible to sleep. What if you could camp in style with a tent that was like a cabin?

Solution: CORE 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent

This Core 9-person tent is the answer. The best part is that this tent sets up in just 60 seconds! It is a two-person job but that shouldn’t be a problem if you need a 9-person tent. If your kids, wife, or friends abandon you, it can still be set up in around 4 minutes. I have a video below showing how easy it is. The price is also less than you might spend on much smaller tents.

The great part about this tent is it can be compartmentalized so you can store your gear in one section while you live in the other. You can also use the divider to section off the kids on one end and the grown-ups on the other. The built-in wall storage pockets keep items neat and off the tent floor as well. If you have an electrical cord that needs to be fed into the tent, it has an electrical cord access port that is fully closable when not in use.

Click the image to watch Ethan put this tent up all by himself in about 4 minutes.

Problem: Unsteady and cramped cooking area

I remember trying to balance a flaming camp stove balanced on a rock only to have the whole pot of water that I was boiling for breakfast tip over. Then there was the time that, try as I might, I couldn’t get the flame to stay lit because of high winds. If only I had something that would provide a nice stable platform for cooking and protected me from wind gusts.

Solution: A Portable Kitchen Table

Both of those problems are solved with this amazing Happybuy Portable Camping Kitchen Table. It has a windscreen to block high winds and the spacious design has plenty of room for food prep and storage. It includes 4 aluminum tabletops and 3 cupboards.

I’ve had my share of tiny tables that barely could fit my cooking supplies as I tried to prep a meal. This amazing marvel of engineering then packs up into a 35″ by 6″ by 20″ for easy transport. It definitely is a great thing to have if you are going to be set up and camping for a while in one location.

Problem: No comfortable place to sit!

You can’t always find a log, stump, or rock for convenient sitting when you are out. Uncomfortable rocks like the one this guy above is sitting on are easy to find but comfortable rocks are few and far between. Since space is a premium when you are camping, it’s nice to have something that is lightweight, small, and sturdy.

Solution: A Lightweight But Sturdy Chair

The Helinox Chair One collapsible camping chair is perfect for camping. It’s only 14 inches long when packed and the weight is around 2 lbs. This tiny lightweight chair is incredibly strong holding up to 320 lbs! No more Sitting on the cold, wet ground when you have this great addition to your creature comforts.

What Are Your Camping Must-Haves?

The previous items are all my ideas. Do you have any different ones? My wife told me I should have a portable toilet here but so far I’ve lived without one. I know the last time we were out, games, and activities to keep the kids entertained were a must as well. If you have any favorites or ideas for future pages leave a message in the comment section below.

Until the next time from my fox family to yours: Stay safe and stay comfortable.

~Jim