Camping kit - what items are a game changer?

[RS1987]

We are a family of 4 plus dog - DC are 10 and 8.

We go camping twice a year and am looking at expanding our kit repetoire.

What do you swear by for camping? Especially interested in comfort options for sleeping and sitting. Also organisation, our packing and tent organisation is generally a bit chaotic.

A wise woman once told me: camping is holidaying in conditions you wouldn’t tolerate at home.

Blimey, wisdom has been dumbed down!

I camp in conditions better than some of those cottages rented out. Clean have everything I need in a location I want. Win win.

This is my game changer. Warmth, sitting out chatting and drinking, watching an orange moon rise over the sea

Edited to say attempt to post photo failed.

Imagine a campfire…

We do solar fairy lights, air fryer, open fire. Mini fridge, table top freezer, remote heaters and light. Camping toilet. A tv as a back up with dvds for a wet week. A huge tent vango orava 600Xl plus decathlon kitchen tent.

We may camp but we don’t slum it.

We have this water container and I love it!
https://colapz.co.uk/collections/water-containers/products/collapsible-2-in-1-water-carrier-bucket-with-tap-handle-8l

I second that water container. It’s the only one I’ve ever had that I can wash and dry well enough to not be mouldy the next time I use it

Does it impart any plasticity taste to the water? (My main issue with camp water containers - I just keep refilling a supermarket 5l bottle)

We use ex-army water containers. They don’t give a taste and are black so no mould or algae can form inside.

The downside is that they are dry heavy when full.

@cinquanta can you actually get your hand inside them to wash them and dry them? That's what's so good about the collapz ones IMO.

No, but you don’t need to because they never go mouldy or musty. The plastic they are made from is totally light proof.

We have been using them for twenty years and never had a problem. They just get a swill out if they have been standing.

We have a folding bread/kitchen knife that is rounded for safety. It’s brilliant especially for those who hike camp/take public transport/motorcycle tour.

I have never seen those. I’ll have to go look.

Although we have knifes with covers anyway but folding has me intrigued.

Aeropress
Flexi trug for washing up
Decent chairs
Blanket
Really Useful Boxes (35L great as storage, seat and table)
A tarp with 4 poles to make a gazebo/shelter anywhere you want.

This is my favourite knife. I keep it at home and try to remember to take it on holiday with me. It is stronger than the regular serrated paring knives they do (which I also love) https://www.victorinox.com/en-GB/Products/Cutlery/Paring-Knives/Swiss-Classic-Picnic-Knife/p/6.7831.FC1

This is my favourite knife. I keep it at home and try to remember to take it on holiday with me. It is stronger than the regular serrated paring knives they do (which I also love) https://www.victorinox.com/en-GB/Products/Cutlery/Paring-Knives/Swiss-Classic-Picnic-Knife/p/6.7831.FC1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victorinox-Classic-Vegetable-Serrated-Dishwasher/dp/B08FC67XJM/ref=asc_df_B08FC67XJM?mcid=ca6d2c73f1c63a84a43823afce8ab952&th=1&hvocijid=11486086601305067954-B08FC67XJM-&hvexpln=74&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11486086601305067954&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045916&hvtargid=pla-2281435176938&gad_source=1 Reduced on Amazon

"Length of blade: 11 cm"

So you shouldn't carry it in public.

Presumably it will be used for chopping up vegetables and the like while camping, not randomly waved around in public.

My understanding is that a knife which does not lock in place or is a not a flick knife is ok as long as you have a legitimate reason.

Surely every camper’s kitchen box has a knife, unless they are doing lightweight backpacking? This knife lists cutting sausages as one of its primary uses- surely an essential camping use!

Presumably so.

But it has the appearance of a folding pocket knife or penknife, which are usually OK to carry for non-violent purposes, but this blade length exceeds the limit.

Camp beds with sims on top. Stash stuff underneath. Carpet is a game changer. I have a camping kitchen which is great for storage and surface for for food prep.

I believe that a campsite doesn't count as being "out in public" - it's private land and you're paying to be there as a guest so the knife rules shouldn't apply.

Another game changer for me is quick dry towels from Decathlon and using a dry flannel to get the worst of the water off before a proper dry with the big towel. Getting towels dry is always hard work if it's not a sunny day.

My understanding is that you can carry any knife that isn't e.g. a flick knife or another knife that's specifically banned as long as you have a reason for it. So backpacking or camping would be a reason. But that if you want to carry a knife day to day with no specific reason, then the blade needs to be both folding and under 3 inches.

There is no limit if you are carrying or using it with a good reason.