Camping kit list: what to pack for a camping trip

Packable puffer jacket

Bulky layers take up too much valuable tent space, but late at night and early in the morning, you'll be grateful for some extra warmth. Uniqlo's ultra-light down jacket is water repellent, cosy and packs up small enough to fit in a pocket.

Uniqlo ultra-light down jacket, £59.90 – buy here

Self-purifying water bottle

Sure, most campsites will have readily available access to drinking water, but if you're going off grid and trying some real wild camping, avoid lugging litres and litres of water with Larq's innovative self-cleaning bottle. UV-C light kills 99.9999% of harmful bacteria and viruses, so you can create purified drinking water from rivers and streams. Plus the thermal insulation keeps liquids cool (or hot) for 24 hours.

Larq bottle, £95 – buy here

Durable carry-all camping bag

Inspired by mountaineering, Japanese brand Snow Peak brings chic minimalist design and utilitarian technology to outdoor gear. The durable canvas Multi Container is designed to carry camping essentials, and to stack neatly inside at the edge of the tent.

Snow Peak small Multi Container, £56 – buy here

Snow Peal large Multi Container, £79 – buy here

Head torches

If you plan to stay up after sunset, you'll need battery-powered lights. Go hands-free with a head torch, ideal for illuminating card games, reading and late-night loo trips. We recommend taking a spare in case you lose one in the dark tent in the middle of the night.

Aomees head torch, pack of two, £15.99 – buy here

Cooking tool kit

Opinel's Nomad set has everything you need for easy, portable outdoor food prep. There's a peeler, bread knife and corkscrew, all foldable and easy to transport, plus a wooden prep/serving board and a microfibre wrap to keep it all together, which doubles as a quick-drying dishcloth.

Nomad cooking set, £69 – buy here

Camping firebowl with grill

Grill sausages and toast marshmallows with this effortless campfire kit. The folding legs mean no charred damage left on the ground and the grill attachment is perfect for easy barbecuing.

La Hacienda camping firebowl, was £85, now £55.95 – buy here

Tepee tent

A retro tepee is simple enough to set up but gives you more space than a standard tent. At over two metres high it gives enough room to stand upright in the middle, so you won't spend the whole weekend on your hands and knees. It's a spacious option for two people but can sleep up to six.

Eurohike tepee tent, was £160, now £81 – buy here

Coolbag

A coolbox or bag is crucial for keeping food fresh and drinks chilled. This stylish design squashes down when not in use to save precious space, and can easily be reused for posh picnics.

Business & Pleasure Co. premium cooler bag, £75 – buy here

Waterproof picnic rug

With a waterproof lining and a removable leather strap, this rainbow-bright wool rug gives you somewhere to lounge outside the tent, and doubles up as an extra blanket on chilly nights.

Heating & Plumbing London pure new wool blanket, £155 – buy here

Inflatable sofa

Chances are you've seen these inflatable sofas popping up at festivals and in London parks this summer. They may look a bit silly to inflate (hold it open, run and let it fill with air) but the minimal effort is soon rewarded with an airy, waterproof sofa to snuggle on.

Fatboy Lamzac inflatable seat, £75 – buy here

A camping kit bundle for novices

If you're new to camping, save money when you stock up on the kit with Mountain Warehouse's Staycation bundles. Priced from £59.99 (two adults) to £104.99 (four adults) the offer includes a tent, sleeping bags and sleeping mats, with options to pick styles and colours. At a bargain price, it's ideal if you want to test the waters before fully committing to camping holidays.

Mountain Warehouse Staycation Packages, from £59.99 – buy here

Safari-style bell tent

Pitch up in style with an elegant canvas safari-style bell tell. Pick from 3m, 4m or 5m diameter for groups from two to eight. Once you've got the hang of it, the tent can be erected in less than 30 mins, and the round design and high roof create more space – and a more Instagrammable backdrop.

Safaricamping bell tent, from £405.59 – buy here

Convertible double to single sleeping bag

This lightweight waterproof sleeping bag can be used as a double or split into two singles, and comes with a pair of pillows.

Ohuhu double sleeping bag, £44.99 – buy here

Games galore

If the campfire loses its novelty and it's too cloudy for stargazing, you'll be grateful for some entertainment. Pack cards and games – the fewer fiddly parts the better.

See our guide to the best games here

Solar-powered phone charger

Going off grid sounds romantic, but if the thought of being sans phone brings on a cold sweat it's worth packing a power bank to top up the battery – just in case. This one has enough power to charge a phone five to eight times, and can be topped up with solar energy.

SWEYE Solar Power Bank, £19.95 – buy here