Lifestyle
How To Pack Light For Camping When You're Not Really A Camper, But Want To Look The Part

by Ciara Johnson

Camping is one of the most exciting ways to travel. It gives you the chance to unplug and immerse yourself in the great outdoors. You'll be surrounded by nature as you hike and explore during the day, and fall asleep underneath the stars. It sounds like a dream, right? The best thing about camping is that you can leave all of your heavy baggage behind. You'll spend the majority of your time outside, so there's no need to pack for a lot of different scenarios. In fact, you should know how to pack light for camping if you're not really a camper, but want to look the part.

If you want to step outside your comfort zone, camping allows you to do just that. You don't have to worry about booking an expensive hotel room or taking public transportation to check out nearby sites. You'll carry your belongings with you, and be able to get up close and personal with nature. In my opinion, there's no better feeling than that.

If you're new to the camping scene, then the idea of it may sound a little overwhelming. One of the best ways for you to prepare for a camping trip is knowing what you should and shouldn't pack. The packing process is quite different than any other style of travel, so you'll need to prepare for full exposure to the elements. Proper packing will make your trip a breeze, and before you know it, you'll be living your best life as you take in the beauty of the great outdoors.

01
Create A Packing List
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It's important to know what to pack before you head off on your adventure. A camping trip will require you to pack differently than you would for a beach vacation or ski trip.

Consider your planned activities, and pack accordingly. You'll need a good, durable pair of hiking boots if you plan on hiking often. You'll likely also need a flashlight, water filter, bug spray, plastic tarp, sleeping bag, and other items that aren't on your usual packing list. Do plenty of research on camping blogs and Pinterest to find camping essentials if you're unsure where to start.

02
Stick To The Basics
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When it comes to packing for a camping trip, it's important to stick to the basics. This means that you should try your best to leave those extra "what if" outfits behind, in addition to fancy garments of clothing and accessories.

While you're packing, it's important to ask whether you'll actually use an item. If not, then it's best to leave it behind. You'll likely be carrying a backpack, so anything extra will just weigh you down. Stick to neutral clothes that you can pair with different items in your bag. You'll thank yourself for keeping to the basics later!

03
Roll Your Clothes
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When it comes to arranging your clothes inside of your backpack, rolling is always the way to go. Rolling will give you a bit more space than folding. After you've rolled your clothing, you can stack them on top of each other and stuff them inside of your backpack.

04
Use Packing Cubes
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Camping backpacks don't have as much structure as traditional suitcases, but packing cubes can help you stay really organized. Packing cubes will allow you to compress your clothing. This will make it easier to pack, sort through, and unpack your backpack. You'll be surprised just how much you can squeeze into your camping bag with this simple trick!