What Gear Should Beginner Campers Have? A Guide to Must-Have Items and How to Choose Them

Even if you want to start camping, you might be wondering what to get and how to choose the right items, right?

In this article, we’ll explain the gear beginner campers should have and how to choose it. If you’re thinking of starting camping, please use this as a reference.

[For Beginners] What Camping Gear Should You Get?

Here are the items beginner campers should get first!

• Tent
• Table and Chairs
• Lanterns and Lights
• Fire pit
• Camp stove
• Cooler

We’ll explain camping gear and how to choose it.

・Tents

A tent serves as your living space while camping. It’s an essential item for spending the night outdoors. There are various types of tents, including single-pole, dome, tunnel, and lodge styles.

Among these, we recommend single-pole and dome tents, which are easy to set up even for beginners. It’s best to choose a tent size based on the number of people. If you want plenty of space, select a tent designed for one more person than your group size. For backpacking trips, lightweight tents are recommended.

Pegs and a hammer are also essential items for setting up a tent. While pegs are often included with the tent, they tend to be flimsy and may break during setup... It’s a good idea to bring your own durable forged pegs in advance for peace of mind.

・Tables and Chairs

Tables and chairs come in two styles: low-style, which sits close to the ground and maximizes space, and high-style, which makes sitting and standing more comfortable.

Choose your camping table and chairs based on which style you prefer for relaxing. If you want to enjoy both styles depending on the situation, there are also 2-in-1 items available.

Choose the table size based on the number of people using it. As a general guideline, a width of 30–60 cm is suitable for solo camping, 70–90 cm for two people, and 120–140 cm for four people.

If a single table isn’t enough, it’s convenient to have a side table on hand.

・Sleeping Bags, Mats, and Cots

These are essential items for sleeping inside a tent. Sleeping bags come in 3-season and 4-season varieties; if you plan to camp in winter, a 4-season sleeping bag is recommended.

Mattresses and cots serve as your sleeping surface. If you prioritize comfort, opt for a thick mattress and a cot.

If you prioritize compactness and portability over comfort, an air mattress alone is sufficient without a cot.

Choose based on the season you plan to camp in and whether you prioritize comfort or portability to find the items that best suit your needs.

・Lanterns & Lights

Lanterns and lights are essential for camping at night. There are three main types: a main light to illuminate your campsite for eating and cooking, a secondary light for relaxing inside your tent, and a light to serve as a flashlight when moving around at night.

Choose your main and auxiliary lights based on the brightness unit "lumens."

As a general guideline, aim for 800–1,000 lumens for the main light and 200–500 lumens for the auxiliary light.

Lanterns come in two types: oil-powered models that require fuel, and LED models that run on rechargeable batteries or regular batteries. Oil-powered lanterns offer a warm, cozy atmosphere created by the flame. LED lanterns are brighter than oil-powered ones and are more convenient to use since they don’t require fuel.

Since each has different characteristics, we recommend using both depending on the situation.

・Fire Pit

This is a must-have item for anyone who wants to enjoy a campfire. While it isn’t necessary at campsites that allow open fires, most campsites do not permit them, so it’s safer to bring one along.

Fire pits come in foldable and assembly-type models. Foldable models are easy to set up, but the downside is that they take up a lot of space when transporting them.

On the other hand, assembly-type grills take more effort to set up but can be stored compactly. If convenience is your priority, choose a foldable model; if portability is your priority, choose an assembly-type model.

The best way to determine the size of your fire pit is based on the number of people using it. If you’ll mainly be using it with your family, choose a family-sized fire pit; if you’ll mainly be using it solo, choose a solo-sized fire pit. Since fire pits specify the number of users they’re designed for, be sure to check this when purchasing.

Another option is to choose a model that doubles as both a barbecue grill and a fire pit.

・Burner

Burners are primarily used for cooking. There are two types of burners: single-burner and two-burner.

For solo or duo camping, a single-burner stove is sufficient, but for group or family camping with a larger number of people, a two-burner model is recommended.

Even for small groups, a two-burner model is ideal if you want to prepare dishes that require different cooking methods at the same time, such as stir-frying while simmering a stew.

・Cooler

This is an essential item for transporting food, cold drinks, and ice. Coolers come in soft-sided and hard-sided types.

Soft-sided coolers can be stored compactly when not in use, which is convenient for the trip home or for storage at home, but their cooling performance is inferior to that of hard-sided coolers.

In contrast, hard-sided coolers take up more space when stored but offer superior insulation. You should choose based on your transportation method and intended use.

・Cooking Utensils & Seasonings

These are essential items for cooking.

[Cooking Utensils]

• Cookware such as pots, griddles, and frying pans
  
• Cooking knives
• Cutlery such as forks and spoons
• Serving dishes such as mess tins and plates

Choose your cooking utensils, especially pots and griddles, based on what you plan to cook.

[Seasonings]

• Soy sauce
• Salt
• Pepper
• Sugar
• Outdoor spices, etc.

Just like cooking utensils, it’s best to bring the seasonings you’ll need for the specific dishes you plan to make.

・Daily necessities

• Towels
• Wet wipes
• Change of clothes
• Detergent
• Sponge
• Face wash supplies

These are must-have items when cleaning up at the campsite or taking a shower.

・Seasonal Items

There are no specific items required for spring and fall, but precautions are essential for summer and winter.

[Summer]

• Insect Repellent
• Heat-beating gear like fans

During the summer, be sure to take thorough measures against insects and the heat. Use insect repellent sprays and mosquito coils to prevent insect bites.

For heat relief, we recommend using fans, cooling patches, and towels to cool your neck.

【Winter】

• Heaters
• Heat Packs
• Hot water bottle

In winter, cold-weather gear is essential. If you have access to a power source, heaters and electric blankets are also recommended. Being too cold can prevent you from sleeping and may affect your health, so be sure to take measures against the cold.

Camping Gear That’s Handy to Bring Along

Here, we’ll introduce camping gear that “isn’t essential, but is handy to have.”

・Portable Power Station

Use this to power items that require electricity, such as fans, electric heaters, electric blankets, and small refrigerators.

Since the amount of power a portable power station can supply at once depends on its capacity, choose the capacity based on what you plan to use. However, keep in mind that prices tend to rise as capacity increases.

・Outdoor Cart

This is a handy item for carrying gear to campsites where you can’t park your car right next to your tent. Some campgrounds offer rentals, but if you find borrowing and returning them a hassle, it’s convenient to bring your own.

・Entertainment Items

It’s helpful to have items to pass the time if you can’t sleep after lights out at night. Bring items that allow you to immerse yourself, such as a tablet or smartphone for watching movies or reading novels.

・Storage Items

Having items to store your camping gear helps keep your campsite tidy. Storage options include hard containers, soft containers, and bag-style options.

Choose a hard-sided container if you want to stack camping gear on top of it or use it as a table. Opt for a soft-sided container if you want to pack it down compactly when not in use. If portability is your priority, a bag-style option is recommended.

Choose your storage gear based on your intended use and design preferences.

TOKYO CRAFTS Products Recommended for Camping Beginners

Here, we’ll introduce TOKYO CRAFTS products recommended for camping beginners.

Tent: Diafort TC Solo Tent

This solo tent made of TC fabric features a sophisticated and attractive design. It is characterized by a beautiful shape reminiscent of a diamond-shaped canopy.

It features a spacious, open living and sleeping area for one person, ensuring a comfortable camping experience. The inner tent is sold separately, so if you plan to use it in the summer, be sure to purchase the inner tent as well.

Shelter Tent: Wing Fort

A family tent designed for multiple people. This two-room shelter offers a spacious living area and high ceilings that prevent a cramped feeling, ensuring a comfortable stay.

It comes with a suspended inner tent for four people, and one of its key features is that it can be easily attached or removed depending on the situation. Additionally, if you flip up the fully waterproof outer panel, it functions as a tarp, so you don’t need to bring a separate tarp—another great perk!

It’s also recommended for those who enjoy experimenting with different ways to set it up. Of course, it’s suitable for all seasons and can even be used in winter.

Table & Chairs: Sleek Modern Table & Chairs

The Sleek Modern Table and Chairs fold down to a compact size. This set features a table top with a wood grain finish that perfectly complements the bamboo armrests on the chairs.

Since they’re foldable, both the table and chairs are easy to set up. The table seats 2 to 4 people. It’s spacious enough for two and just the right size for four.

With their simple design that blends seamlessly with nature, these items are recommended for those who want to create a natural and stylish campsite.

Fire Pit: Makulite Series

The Makulite Series is TOKYO CRAFTS’ signature fire pit. It is lightweight, compact, and easy to assemble, allowing even camping beginners to set it up quickly.

Another feature is its spacious fire pit, which makes it easy to add firewood. The Makulite Series includes the original "Makulite," the "Makulite 2" equipped with a removable grill, and the Titanium model, which is even lighter and features a titanium blue finish.

This compact fire pit is recommended for those who want to enjoy watching the fire or cooking over it.It’s also recommended as camping gear for backpacking trips.

Cooking Utensils: Titanium Sierra Cup

A Sherpa cup is a versatile item that serves as a cup, for cooking rice, or as a plate—making it indispensable for camping. At TOKYO CRAFTS, we also offer Sierra Plates compatible with all Sierra Cups.

These versatile Sierra Cups and plates are must-have items to have on hand.

Storage Gear: Bucket Shelf Mesh

The Bucket Shelf Mesh helps keep your campsite neat and tidy. It’s perfect for neatly storing camping gear, making it a great addition around the campfire or table.

It can also be used like a bucket, making it convenient for carrying your camping gear.

Convenient Item: Cord Unit

The Cord Unit can be freely expanded through various combinations, letting you enjoy arranging it however you like. Line them up to create a table, or stack them to form a rack.

It’s also compatible with another TOKYO CRAFTS product, the Bucket Shelf—you can place it underneath to use as a storage bin and the top as a table.

Create your own unique layout with original combinations.

Gather your must-have items and enjoy camping!

We’ve introduced must-have items for camping, extras to enhance your camping experience, and TOKYO CRAFTS’ recommended items.

Once you’ve gathered all the must-have items featured here, your fun camping life begins! Be sure to find the camping gear you love and enjoy a wonderful time on your next trip. Please also check out our other essential camping gear (must-haves).