5 Underrated Camping Essentials for Your Next Trip

Enjoying the outdoors on your own or with friends and family is a great way to bond and make memories. However, while camping is a relatively safe activity, it is important to have some added security with a bit of extra preparation. Consider these five underrated camping essentials for your next trip, and you’ll thank yourself in case something goes awry.

Baby Wipes

Baby wipes are great when you find yourself in a situation where you need to wash yourself without access to a source of water. While they are not going to give you the warm shower you might want, they are great for cleaning up minor messes and keeping you clean. They are easy to carry and make a big impact when needed.

Filtered Straw

Filtered straws are recommended for trips that go into more remote territories that run the risk of drying out your water supply. Situations where you are unsure of the water source's cleanliness benefit greatly from using a filtered straw. Some refillable water bottles have these straws built-in to provide a more portable utility.

Packraft

For the more adventurous types, rafting down a river is an incredible experience that whisks you through the surrounding areas. There are several packrafts to choose from, each with its benefits and specialties. It's great to have one on hand when you're camping for a long period and need different activities to participate in.

Magnesium Bar

Many campers underestimate the usefulness of a magnesium bar when it comes to fire starters. Unlike matches and lighters that struggle to operate when soaked to a certain degree, magnesium bars are easy to dry and create sparks. A magnesium bar is worth taking along for easy fires and is a reliable tool.

Duct Tape

If you have ever broken a tool or torn a string needed for your tent, duct tape is the best repair tool to bring along in a sinch. Whether it's in the water or on the land, if something has snapped or bent in the wrong way, having a means of repairing it relieves you of that stress almost immediately. The less time you spend on fixing those problems, the faster you can get back to the activities you want to do.

A bit of prep work goes into a good camping trip. While you do not have to prepare yourself for a survival journey, most people prefer to be safe rather than sorry later. These five underrated camping essentials for your next trip are helpful things to consider bringing along on your next escapade.