When you start camping, you usually focus on the basics, but after years of camping and road tripping, we’ve realised that some of the gear we once thought was “extra” has become absolutely essential for our comfort. These are the things we didn’t know we needed at first and now bring on every single trip.
The beauty of camping is that you don’t need much to enjoy the outdoors. But adding a few clever pieces of gear can make your trips smoother, more comfortable, and a lot more enjoyable.
You can also find all our favourite camping gear and tips here.
A Fresh and Black tent
If you don’t like waking up with the curtains open at home, why accept sunlight blasting into your tent at 5am? A tent with a dark or black interior keeps it cooler during the day and much darker in the morning. Since switching, we’ve slept so much better when camping – it’s one of the most underrated upgrades you can make.
A foam mattress
Inflatable mattresses are fine… until they slowly deflate in the middle of the night or make that squeaky noise every time you move. After trying a foam mattress, we were surprised how much it changed our comfort. It feels soft, stays warm, and there’s zero risk of waking up half-flat. We now love camping even more because we actually sleep well.
Chairs with a high back
We used to think any camping chair would do. Then we tried one with a proper headrest and never looked back. It’s the difference between “just sitting” and actually relaxing. Perfect for reading, sunset watching, or just doing nothing comfortably.
A table with three levels
It might sound excessive, but once you use a height-adjustable table, you’ll wonder how you managed without it. You can prep food at waist height, lower it as a dinner table for meals, or even lower as a coffee table for evening games and drinks. It’s flexible, sturdy, and saves your back from hours of bending.
Games
It’s easy to forget how important it is to stay entertained at camp. A pétanque set is our go-to for lazy afternoons – it’s fun and social, and we love explaining the rules to foreigners. And when it rains? Having a few games that are easy to play in the tent or under a gazebo can make a huge difference. They turn a gloomy afternoon into quality time.
Portable fire pit
Sure, some campgrounds provide fire pits when fires are allowed, but it’s always disappointing when there isn’t one. A portable fire pit means you can still enjoy that campfire atmosphere wherever it’s permitted. Ours folds flat, so it barely takes up any space, and it’s been worth it every single time we’ve pulled it out.
Rotisserie
Yes, you can cook using a gas stove or a grill. But once you’ve had roast chicken or slow-cooked veggies turning gently over the fire, there’s no going back. A rotisserie makes camp cooking more fun – and a bit gourmet. It’s easy to set up, and it turns a regular evening into something special. Plus, there’s something mesmerising about watching your dinner rotate while the fire crackles.
Camping fridge
A cooler with ice will do the job – until you’ve camped a few days and realised how much easier life is with a proper camping fridge. No more soggy food or searching for fresh ice. A 12V fridge means cold drinks all day, fresh ingredients, and far less waste. It’s an investment, but one that completely changes how you camp. Make sure to think about how you’ll power it before buying!
Wine bottle tubes
If you enjoy bringing a bottle of wine or two to camp, these are brilliant. They keep bottles protected while you drive off-road or move gear around – no more clinking or extra box!
Night vision goggles
We haven’t personally tested this yet. Not exactly essential, but so fun to have if you love exploring at night or spotting wildlife around camp! It can completely change your evening adventures. You can move around without shining a torch or quietly watch nocturnal animals in their element.
Water bags
Even if you’re staying at a campground with water available, it’s so much easier to have it directly at your campsite. Refillable water packs (or collapsible jerry cans) save countless trips back and forth. They’re handy for refilling your water bottle, washing hands, cooking, or even a quick rinse – and they make you feel a little more self-sufficient.
Storage boxes that open from five sides
This one sounds trivial until you try it. Multi-access storage boxes let you grab what you need without unpacking half your car. They’re smart, space-efficient, and make setting up camp faster. It’s one of those things you don’t realise you’ve been missing until you get one.
HEYMIX 100W GaN charger
I didn’t think I needed another charger until I got this one as a Christmas gift, and I now use it all the time! It’s particularly a game-changer when you have limited access to power. This compact charger has multiple ports, so you can charge your laptop, phone, and camera all at once. It automatically adjusts the power output depending on what’s connected, so everything charges fast and safely.
Thanks to GaN (gallium nitride) technology, it’s more efficient and much smaller than traditional chargers – about 30% smaller than the standard MacBook Pro charger. The foldable plug and the option to use a cable make it easy to pack and perfect for travel.
USB car charger (fast charging)
Not all chargers are created equal. A powerful one that can fast-charge your devices, cameras, and power banks while you’re driving makes a real difference!
What camping gear did you realise was useful only after you used it? Share your experience in the comments below!
