I am a fair weather human. I am someone who likes all the comforts. I am not a backpacker or an unltralighter or a minimalist. So when I go out in the wild, I like to have comforts of home. Here is what I bring with me to help provide that. I am traveling in a 2018 Subaru Outback. I travel alone so I have both seats folded down and the front seat moved up far enough to fit my cooler behind it.
I want to start by saying that I've been collecting gear since my early 20s and so has my husband. You by no means need to go out and buy a lot or high end things to camp. Sleeping in your car is one of those things thats cool if your rich but not if you're broke. Which is ridiculous. If you want to get outside and explore the world, do that. So much can be found at thrift stores and gear swaps. REI has their used gear site that can be super helpful.
First layer- Society6 Outdoor Blanket I got this in a Fabfitfun box and it works perfectly as a way to start my set up. I love the bright colors and graphic pattern as a way to offset mostly dark and neutral gear.
Layer 2: Storage
Small Car organizer: Yet another Fabfitfun find, this small organizer fits nicely in the back of my car under the small table I have.
Large Car Organizer- I use this for my dry food, small camping gear/cooking gear and clothing storage. It fits perfectly on the seat back behind the drivers side. If I didn't have the smaller one, I'd have gotten 2 of these.
Yeti Roadie -24 My husband has a very large Yeti that's nearly 2x the size of this on wheels and it's way to big for me to handle on my own. It's also way more than I need for what I do as a solo camper. So he got me this as an anniversary present this year. When I move my passenger seat up I can slide this in perfectly and it nearly levels out with the backseat, which is useful should I sleep in my car. I can carry this by myself when it's fully loaded with food and ice.
Stasher Bags These are great for food storage. I have 2 sandwich sized and 2 1/2 gallon size. I can bring pre-cooked meets, or use it as storage for left overs if pre-cooked meals that I can heat up when I get to camp. I can also use them at home so that's nice.
Packing Cube I use a single cube from this set for clothing storage and it works fine. I have it in lime green, which was nice for easy access, but really use whatever you already have- there is no reason to buy something new.
Kevu Toiletry bag This is the bag I use every day. I took out my make up and took it camping.
Layer 3: Sleep and Table
Single Folding Mattress- I can sleep in my car, but I have chosen to also bring a tent and sleep in that. This mattress makes that experience better. It's a single so it's the same size as the larger fold down in the back of my car- hence allowing me to sleep in the car if needed/wanted. I also use that set up to lounge at the beach and watch the waves.
tri-fold Mattress Fitted Sheet- Keep your bed clean.
I used a camping blanket the first weekend out- it wasn't warm enough. So now I use a Columbia Omni Heat 40-degree bag that opens up nearly entirely so I can use it more as a blanket which I prefer.
Lap desk/ Table This is the newer model of the one I have- I got it when we first started teaching from home in 2020. It was great back then but I think for me it's true calling is as a table for my car camping set up. When I'm in car sleep/lounge mode it is a flat level surface for my cooktop to go on and in the tent it serves as a desk if I'm stuck inside and a bed side table, and I can bring it outside to use as a table when I'm sitting in my camp chair. It also fits perfectly over my small car organizer and provides a second level for storage that would otherwise be lost.
I used a travel pillow on my first trip out- that wont be happening again, the luxury of car camping is the ability to bring the pillow you already love.
Camping Gear
2 person half dome tent by REI. It's color coded and easy enough for me to set up solo. It takes me about 5 minutes.
Camp Chef 2 burner stove which has been super easy to use for a beginner.
GSI Cookset is bigger than I need, but it's what we have, so it more than does the trick.
Added Touches:
Solar Powered String Lights I got these through Fabfitfun, but they are available on Amazon. They string up perfectly in the tent or car and can charge by USB or solar. They have a variety of colors and are a fun touch to a normal tent.
Rechargeable Fan If you are camping somewhere cool with a nice breeze, you don't need this, if you are camping somewhere warm, stuffy, humid or are stuck in a raining tent, you want a fan. This one can be used with our without the tripod- I think I prefer it without but it sits nicely on my table both in the tent and in the car.
Bug Screens for Windows are a wonderful thing when I park at the beach and don't want sand to blow in but I want cross ventilation. Its also great for sleeping in the car so it's not so hot and humid or claustrophobic.
REI Flexlite Chair - There is nothing better than kicking back in a comfortable chair, enjoying your dinner and a beer or cider after a long day, that doesn't change when you're in nature- at least it doesn't for me. I find this chair comfortable and don't mind how low it is- but you should bring something you like.
I don't really feel like I have "Food" figured out yet- like I have been making things that are edible, but nothing I'd serve to others.
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