We are officially halfway through 2021 and beyond the quarantine blues, which means people are heading outside more than ever to catch up on missed time. Camping is blowing up now more than ever and finding the right gear to make your trip comfortable, easy, and safe can be overwhelming with all of the options available.
Now that I’ve got my camping gear ordered and tested, I am happily sharing my list of camping essentials to get outdoors and off-grid in your car.
Sleep Essentials
SUV Air Mattress: We decided to build out our camping gear around sleeping in our car for a few reasons – safety, comfortability, and convenience. We’ve used this sleeping mattress a few times and it is so comfortable and makes our camping trips much more enjoyable. Not to mention it’s self-inflating!
SUITEDNOMAD Double Sleeping Pad for Camping, 2 Person Inflatable SUV Air Mattress Bed, Lightweight Versatile Patented Design Mat for Car Camping, Tent, Backpacking,Travel
SUV Tailgate Tent: While we can sleep comfortably with our tailgate closed, especially if we want to stealth camp, we wanted an option that would make our car feel as roomy as a tent, and this Napier Sports Cove attachment definitely delivers on that and offers shade for when we’re hanging out outside as well.
Napier Sportz Cove 61500 Mid to Full Size SUV Tailgate Shade Awning Tent, Gray
Full-Size Mattress Topper: This is a luxury addition to your car camping shopping list, but our first night testing out our sleep set up, we realized the mattress pad slid down during the night. We had found that a full-size mattress topper was the perfect size to wrap around the folded-down seats and tuck into the trunk floor to help your air mattress pad stay in place all night long. It also adds some more cushion!
Utopia Bedding Quilted Fitted Mattress Pad (Full) – Elastic Fitted Mattress Protector – Mattress Cover Stretches up to 16 Inches Deep – Machine Washable Mattress Topper
Mattress Blanket: Instead of a traditional sheet, I use this camping blanket as a top sheet because it adds just a little bit of cushion, and a lot a bit of cuteness.
BLACKDEER Harmony Waterproof Packable Beach and Camping Blanket | Perfect for Outdoor Use, Children Play, Tailgating, Kids Mat and as a Picnic Blanket.Machine wash| 3 Sizes
Blanket: I personally have a Voited sherpa blanket, but I’ve seen Rumpl is a great brand for camping blankets as well. I normally throw extra blankets from around the house into the car as well just to be safe, better to have more than not enough warmth.
Rumpl The Original Puffy | Printed Outdoor Camping Blanket for Traveling, Picnics, Beach Trips, Concerts | Black, 2-Person
Camping Fan: By nature, cars get super stuffy, so cracking your back windows and having a camping fan blowing allows air to circulate throughout the night for a comfortable sleep. To me, this is a must-have if you’re sleeping in your car!
Battery Operated Camping Fan with LED Lantern for Tent- Rechargeable 5000mAh Battery Portable USB Desk Fan with Hanging Hook for Car RV Hurricane Emergency Outages Survival Kit
Rear Window Mosquito Net Covers: These window covers allow you to keep your windows down and the bugs out all night long. It also adds a layer of privacy since it’s tougher to see through windows with these on.
Universal Car Window Sun Shade -2 Pack Breathable Mesh Car Rear Side Window Shade Sunshade UV Protection for Baby Kids Pet Size XL, Mosquito Net Curtain Fit for Most(95%) of Cars, Cover Full Window
Sunroof Mosquito Net Covers: If your car has a sunroof, this adds another layer of ventilation that you’ll definitely appreciate.
Sunroof Sun Shade Magnetic Net Car Moonroof Mesh 10 Seconds Quick Install Durable UV Sun Protection Cover for Baby Kids Breastfeeding When Parking on Trips- Black
Windshield Sunshade Reflector: This adds both privacy as well as keeps the heat/cold out depending on the conditions outside for a comfortable sleep.
A1 Shades 240T-Fabric Car Windshield Sunshade for Trucks SUV Foldable Window Sun Shade Blocking Shield Cover – Large
Camp Kitchen Essentials
Coleman Butane Stove: This little butane stove is my favorite cooking essential. It’s tiny and affordable, yet powerful. It’s all you need to whip up a gourmet camping meal!
Coleman Portable Butane Stove with Carrying Case
GSI Outdoors Frying Pan: This is the one and only pan I bring on my camping trips. I like how the handle folds in for easy packing.
GSI Outdoors Bugaboo 10″ Aluminum Non-Stick Fry Pan for Camping, Home, Backpacking at The Cabin
Mess Kit & Backpacking Stove: For my morning coffee and “just add water” meals, these compact cookware kits are perfect. I start every morning by making coffee with the pocket rocket backpacking stove that came with this kit. It’s so lightweight and convenient!
Odoland 16pcs Camping Cookware Mess Kit, Lightweight Pot Pan Mini Stove with 2 Cups, Fork Spoon Kits for Backpacking, Outdoor Camping Hiking and Picnic
Instant Coffee: Speaking of coffee, I’m a no-fuss kinda gal, so I decided to go with instant over pour over purely for convenience. I know it’s not the same taste, but it definitely does the job!
Starbucks VIA Instant Coffee Medium Roast Packets — Pike Place Roast — 1 box (8 packets)
5 Gallon Water Jug: On camping trips, you can find yourself in higher altitudes or in dry desert conditions, and more than not you need to drink way more water than you normally need to. We always bring a 5-gallon water jug, which we found is more than enough for us for a weekend camping trip. It’s also a great gravity-fed “sink” for washing dishes and washing up. The best part is that it packs down as water depletes!
WaterStorageCube BPA-Free Collapsible Water Container with Spigot, Food-Grade Camping Water Storage Carrier Jug for Outdoors Hiking Hurricane Emergency, Foldable Portable Water Canteen (5.3 Gallon)
Collapsible Sink/Cutting Board/Strainer: Pair this with the 5-gallon jug and you have an off-grid sink! It’s got multiple uses like a cutting board and even a strainer for cleaning vegetables and draining pasta. Even more, this even comes with incredible kitchen sheers, which is arguably the most versatile kitchen tool ever.
Collapsible Sink Cutting Board, HI NINGER Foldable Cutting Board with Multifunction Scissors Portable Camping Kitchen Silicone Sink Vegetable Washing Basket Sink for BBQ Prep/Picnic/Camping（White）
Scrub Daddy: I chose this to clean our dishes due to its quick-drying nature and the diversity in how it scrubs.
Scrub Daddy Sponge Set – Colors – Scratch-Free Sponges for Dishes and Home, Odor Resistant, Soft in Warm Water, Firm in Cold, Deep Cleaning, Dishwasher Safe, Multi-use, Functional, Ergonomic, 3ct
Kitchen Knife with Sheath: As much as I can, I pre-cut anything I need for camping, but still always keep a knife on me just in case! This knife comes with a sheath, so it stays concealed in my camping tub.
Zyliss Zyliss-31380 Utility Kitchen Knife with Sheath Cover, 5.25-Inch Stainless Steel Blade, Purple, Paring
Mini Kitchen Utensils: I’m all about saving on space, so to go with my tiny butane stove, I have tiny utensils to cook with!
Country Kitchen Set of Five Grey and Gunmetal Silicone MINI Kitchen Utensil Set COOK WITH COLOR Set of Five Navy and Rose Gold Silicone Mini Kitchen Utensil Set
Spork: This one is pretty self-explanatory. You gotta eat somehow!
Light My Fire Camping Spork – Sporks Reusable – BPA Free Bio-Based Plastic Cutlery – Camping Utensils 3 in 1 Camping Spoon Fork Knife Combo – Spork Travel – Backpacking Spork – Lunchbox Spork
Plates & Bowls: I personally use the $.50 plates and bowls you can find from Target that I keep full time in my camp kit, but I love these stainless steel camping plates from Amazon too!
Stansport Stainless Steel Camping Plate, 9-Inch, One Size (263)
Yeti Rambler Mug: Keeps your coffee hot and beverages cold for an extended amount of time. It’s as simple as that and what makes it so worth it.
YETI Rambler 14 oz Mug, Vacuum Insulated, Stainless Steel with MagSlider Lid, Navy
Hygiene Essentials
Microfiber Towels: I love that these towels come in 3 sizes and pack down super tiny. They dry ultra-fast and dry you off fast too.
OlimpiaFit Microfiber Towels – Quick Dry 3 Size Pack (51inx31in, 30inx15in, 15inx15in) Camping, Sports, Beach, Backpacking, Gym, Travel Towels with Bag – Soft, Compact, Lightweight, Khaki
Dr. Bronners Castille Soap: All-purpose soap that is biodegradable is a camping must. I use this to bathe as well as wash the dishes.
Dr. Bronner’s – Pure-Castile Liquid Soap (Peppermint, 32 ounce, 2-Pack) – Made with Organic Oils, 18-in-1 Uses: Face, Body, Hair, Laundry, Pets and Dishes, Concentrated, Vegan, Non-GMO
Shower Wipes: For those nights where you can’t get to showering or if you’re off-grid, use these wipes to get you clean enough to feel good hopping into bed.
Surviveware Biodegradable Wet Wipes, Rinse-Free Shower for Post Workout and Camping, Large, 32 Count
Pee Funnel: Truthfully, I haven’t mastered “popping a squat” myself, so this helps in those situations where you can’t wait until after the hike or if you’re off the grid.
Female Urination Device, Female Urinal Silicone Funnel Urine Cups Portable Urinal for Women Standing Up to Pee Funnel Reusable Women Pee Funnel, Outdoor, Activities, Camping (Fuchsia)
Pee Cloth: To go with your pee funnel, bring along this silver-infused pee cloth. This is designed to air dry and self-clean due to them having silver infused into the fabric.
CIRCE CARE Pee Cloth: Silver Infused Pee rag for Women who Pee Outdoors, Reusable Absorbent Wipes, Ecofriendly alt. to Toilet Paper, Female Urination Solution for Camping, Hiking (1pc BlueDisco)
Leisure Essentials
Headlamps: This is a major essential on any camper’s list. It’s great to have both hands free at night while you’re fumbling around at camp. And with how tiny these are, there’s no excuse not to have one.
GearLight LED Headlamp Flashlight S500 [2 Pack] – Running, Camping, and Outdoor Headlight Headlamps – Head Lamp with Red Safety Light for Adults and Kids
Luminaid Lantern: I love this lantern since it packs super light, but inflates when you get to camp. It charges both from a normal plug and solar power so it’s great to have if you have no access to power. It also has a USB port to charge things like your phone when you’re in a pinch!
LuminAID PackLite Nova USB Solar Inflatable Waterproof Light
Camping Ceiling Cargo Net: This cargo net allows you to have access to your most-used camping tools at an easy reach.
ZATOOTO Car Camping Cargo Net Pocket – Road Trip Essentials for Adults SUV Ceiling Tent Roof Long Trip Storage Bag Tent Putting Quilt Childrens Toy Towel Sundries
Camping Chairs: These chairs pack super light, are easy to set up, and hug your body in all the right ways. They don’t look like anything special, but they are definitely comfortable and I highly recommend them.
Camping Chair, Ultralight Portable Folding Sportneer Backpacking Chair, Compact and Heavy Duty Outdoors, BBQ, Beach, Travel, Picnic with 2 Storage Bags and Carry Bag, Height Adjustable
Camping Table: Always a good thing to have when you’re lounging with drinks or cooking dinner.
Sportneer Portable Camping Tables with Mesh Storage Bag, Ultralight Camp Folding Side Table, Aluminum Table Top Great for Camp, Picnic, Backpacks, Beach, Tailgate, Boat, S, M, L (Medium)
Inflatable Couch: You may look silly setting it up, but once it’s inflated, it’s actually a really comfortable couch to lounge on while at camp. It packs down super tiny and is a great thing to have if you want to nap outdoors.
AlphaBeing Inflatable Lounger – Best Air Lounger for Travelling, Camping, Hiking – Ideal Inflatable Couch for Pool and Beach Parties – Perfect Air Chair for Picnics or Festivals
Camp Rug: I use a waterproof blanket to layout at the back of my car to have a nice dirt-free area to set up our camp table, chairs, and inflatable couch.
Exclusivo Mezcla Waterproof Picnic Blankets 3-Layer 60×80 Inches Large Sandproof Beach Blanket Foldable Outdoor Blanket for Camping on Grass Picnic Mat with 4 Windproof Stakes, Waved Blue
Table Topics: This is a fun way to spark interesting conversation while warming up around the campfire with friends!
TableTopics Original – 10th Anniversary Edition: Questions to Start Great Conversations
Life Straw: We keep these on hand to be better safe than sorry. If you have no access to water and you’re in a pinch, these can be a lifesaver, hence Life Straw!
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for Hiking, Camping, Travel, and Emergency Preparedness, 2 Pack, Blue
