Tactical Gear To Bring On Your Next Camping Trip
A Guide to Packing Everything You Need When Camping Out in the Wild
Who says work and play need to be kept separate? When it comes to stocking up on items to bring on your next camping trip, take a look in your tactical bag for things that will prove to be incredibly useful.
With that being said, check out our guide to find out which items you’d normally have in your tactical bag that should be brought along on a camping trip.
Why Bring Tactical Gear Camping
Tactical gear is designed for survival out in the elements and harsh conditions. This durable gear will keep you safe and dry, no matter what kind of weather or threats approach on your camping trips.
Tactical gear will also help you enjoy your camping trip to the fullest. Tactical camping gear will help you set up camp, cook, and keep yourself safe and comfortable while taking in the great outdoors.
Best Tactical Essentials To Pack
The following are lists of the top things to pack for your camping trip.
Basics
Here are the basics that will keep you alive and well when you’re out in the wild:
- Food
- Water—unless you will have access to potable water at your campsite, bring clean drinking water with you. You’ll also need enough water for cooking, cleaning, and extinguishing your fire.
- Mess kit with cookware and utensils—and a telescoping fork for cooking hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire.
- Coffee pot and a thermos or collapsible stainless steel cup.
- Sleeping bag—an absolute must to keep you warm on cold nights.
- Tent, shelter, or waterproof bivy (bivouac) sac—to keep you warm and dry throughout your trip.
- Sleeping pad or air mattress (with a pillow)—to sleep comfortably.
- Toilet paper
- Toiletries—toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap and shampoo.
- Thick long socks for every day of your trip—to keep your feet dry, healthy, and protected from mosquitos and ticks.
- Extra clothes
Tools and Equipment
Tactical tools will help you get through your camping trip with ease, and some will even help you ward off any threats in the woods.
- Map
- Compass
- Firestarters—to get your campfires lit ASAP
- Waterproof matches
- Tactical flashlight
- Tactical multi-tool
- Survival knife—to cut rope, whittle a stick, fillet a fish, pierce, slice, and chop
- Survival whistle
- Survival hatchet or axe—to split a bunch of firewood fast
- Signal rescue mirror
- Hand-crank radio
- Binoculars
- Shovel or E-tool
- Paracord
- Pepper spray
Emergency Supplies
An emergency kit is a must-have in case something goes wrong while you’re hiking around. Keep one packed either separate or at the bottom of your tactical bag, and include the following items:
- Medic bag or First Aid Kit with bandages, painkillers, gauze, and essential emergency medical supplies
- Mini water filter—in case you need to drink water from a stream, creek, or unclean water source
- WAG bags or waste kits
- Extra food
- Blanket
- Fishing and hunting equipment
Comfort Items
Roughing it in the wild doesn’t mean you have to suffer on your camping trip. Pack these items either alongside or in your tactical bag to help keep you comfortable no matter the weather or bug situation:
- LED headlamp—for hands-free light at night while you’re reading or walking around the campsite
- LED campsite lantern—ideal for playing cards, prepping snacks at night, and lighting the way to the washroom
- Bug repellant—a must-have for keeping nasty mosquitos and other biting insects away
- Sunscreen—since you will be spending most of your time outdoors and you’ll want to avoid a painful sunburn
- Camp sandals—though not essential, these are ideal for hot summer days
- Cooling bandana
- Extra boots
- Cap, toque, or beanie
- Hand warmers
- Long Johns, silks, and other cold-weather gear
- Lightweight poncho or rain jacket—to keep you dry without overheating in humid weather
- Hammock—for sitting, lounging, and even sleeping
- Camping chairs—so you don’t have to sit on the hard, cold, and possibly wet ground
- Solar chargers—if you want to charge flashlight batteries
- A camping stove—in case you can’t have a campfire to cook with
- High-performance cooler with ice—to keep your food and beer cold for at least three days
- Airtight food containers—to trap food smells and protect you and your food from hungry animals
- Firewood—unless you want to rough it and source your own firewood, bring some seasoned firewood with you to ensure you have excellent campfires to cook and enjoy under the stars
Choosing A Great Tactical Bag To Hold It All
With a high-capacity tactical bag designed for camping, you can pack what you need for the duration of your camping trip plus extra food and socks for two days in case you need it. When choosing a tactical backpack, look for the following qualities to ensure your bag will withstand the elements and hiking over rough terrain:
- High-capacity to carry all or most of your camping gear, depending on if you are hiking or driving to your campsite
- Comfortable with a padded back panel
- Lightweight so it won’t add too much weight when carrying your gear
- Adjustable compression straps to tighten your load for easier carrying
- Proper load distribution (e.g. with chest straps) so you can maintain your balance while trekking
- Enough compartments and pockets (both inside and outside) so you can store everything you need
- Rugged durability and weatherproofing to withstand harsh conditions, including rain and snow
- MOLLE compatibility for easy access to packs and pouches
- Hydration system compatibility—if you plan to go for long treks and you want hands-free water
- Expandable storage pockets if you don’t want to attach MOLLE pouches
- Zipper and Velcro closures
- High-vis panels or lining—if you plan to be trekking at night and want to be seen by hunters and other adventurers
Once you go camping with your tactical bag packed with all the essentials, you’ll never want to go camping without it again.
All of this tactical gear is not only useful for survival outdoors, but it also makes for a more comfortable and enjoyable camping trip. So keep these tips in mind when choosing a new tactical bag and packing it for many camping trips to come.
