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When considering ways to travel and explore nature this winter, you may have heard of car camping.
What is car camping?
It’s when you transport all of your camping gear in your car and head to the campsite. From there, you may also sleep in your car or in a tent.
Preparation is key when it comes to car camping.
Before heading out for a winter camping trip, you must have camping gear for winter.
This checklist will help you determine which winter camping gear you need for car camping.
Cold Weather Sleeping Bag
Choose a winter-specific sleeping bag that will insulate you from the cold. The best winter bags are rated for 0 degrees or lower, making them ideal for winter camping.
Weather-Proof Outer Layers
To stay warm during your camping trip, you need the proper outerwear. A few essentials include:
- High-quality winter coat
- Hat
- Gloves and mittens
- Thick, warm socks
- Water-proof jacket
- Snow Pants
- Snow boots
Sleeping Pad
A sleeping pad helps make your vehicle or tent more comfortable for sleeping. A lightweight sleeping pad will provide comfort and protection even in a small space.
Tent
Most car campers have a tent that they set up to sleep in. Be sure to choose a quality tent that can withstand the elements and fits your entire camping crew. One option to consider is a car-top tent that you set up on the roof of your car. This keeps you off of the ground, which can help you feel safer and more secure.
Wool Clothing Base Layers
In addition to the right outerwear, you also need quality base layers to keep you warm and dry. Opt for wool long-sleeve shirts and base layers.
Biodegradable Toilet Paper
Instead of taking a chance on the leaves when duty calls, opt for biodegradable toilet paper. It will provide you with more bathroom flexibility without litter.
Car Charger
A car charger is a must when road-tripping and car camping. Never worry about your phone dying while you’re trying to get to your destination. Charge your devices with your car port using a fast car charger so you could charge on the go.
Power Bank
Charge on the go, even when your car is off or you’re in your tent, using the Baseus Ambilight Power Bank 65W 30000mAh. With a large capacity, it offers 7 days of power and fast charging speeds. It has seven ports that support various devices including iPhones, Android phones, MacBook Air, MacBookPro, Dell Laptop, Samsung Notebook, and more. It’s the best solution for keeping all of your essentials charged during your camping trip.
USB-C Cable
For a fast charger with high-speed transfer capabilities, you need the Baseus Fish Eye USB-C Spring Cable 2A 3.3 ft. The coiled design is durable and bend resistant, making it ideal for car storage and use.
Hand Warmers
Keeping your hands and toes warm is always a challenge in winter. Bringing hand and foot warmers can help, especially when you’re trying to sleep.
Propane Cooker
A small propane cooker can cook canned food and heat water. You can use it to cook noodles, hard-boiled eggs, and more. It’s versatile and quick, making car camping a bit easier.
Camping Cookware
A camping cookware kit is perfect for eating meals while camping. Choose a kit that includes cutlery, knives, and a few other outdoor cooking supplies.
Car Vacuum Cleaner
Keep your vehicle clean and crumb-free to avoid pests while car camping with the Baseus A3 lite Car Vacuum Cleaner. It’s small and portable but powerful at the same time, helping you quickly clean up debris, dirt, pet hair, and crumbs. It’s great for preparing for your trip and keeping your space tidy throughout your camping adventure.
Foldable Camp Chairs
You may be sleeping in your vehicle or a tent, but you’ll still want some camping furniture to enjoy time by the fire or with your company. Foldable, lightweight camping chairs are the ideal option. Bring some that are quick and easy to set up but still comfortable.
Headlamps
Light is something you don’t want to forget about when camping! Depending on where you’re staying, there may not be a ton of light available at night. That’s why a headlamp is ideal for all camping experiences. They light up your space without occupying your hands, which is ideal if you need to adjust your tent or head out to the bathroom. Opt for one with a rechargeable battery and long battery life.
First Aid Kit
You should always have a first aid kit in your vehicle, but especially if you’ll be camping! You should be able to treat minor injuries with the first aid kit. Some items to include are:
- Band-aids
- Compression wrap
- Ibuprofen
- Allergy medicine
- Tweezers
- Disposable ice pack
- Antibiotic cream
- Emergency contact card
Hard Shell Carrier
Depending on your vehicle type, you may not have a lot of room for storing camping gear and traveling/sleeping. Attaching a hard shell carrier to the top of your vehicle adds storage and frees up car space.
Portable Heater
A small portable heater can make all of the difference for winter camping. They can quickly warm up your space and make sleeping much more comfortable. Make sure that it is tent-safe if you’ll be using it in the tent.
Fire Supplies
A bonfire is part of the camping experience, and can also help with a lot of your cooking. In winter, getting your fires up quickly and efficiently is key to staying warm. A few fire supplies to have on hand include
- Weatherproof matches
- A lighter
- Dry tinder
- Medium sticks
- Logs
A Cooler
A cooler is a key camping item to have even during winter. Store your leftovers, drinks, and/or any other food items. Ideally, choose one with wheels so it’s easy to bring to your cook site.
Prepare For Your Winter Camping Trip!
Winter camping can be an incredible experience, but you must prepare ahead of time with the right car-camping gear.
Now that you know the best camping accessories to have for winter car camping, you can begin (or improve) your preparations! Follow the checklist above to prepare for an awesome camping adventure during winter.
