Going camping? What to bring? Bring too much and you carry too much weight. Bring to little and your camping trip may not be the best experience.

If you are going for a 3 night camp and need to pack light, you could follow this list to help you decide what best to bring along. The list is divided into categories.

Bag
Your bag should be a double shoulder strap bag to ensure comfort and keeping your hands free. A waist strap is really good.

Clothes - A set a day
Bring along enough clothes for a new set a day. In the tropics, you sweat alot, so to it is more hygenic to change to new clothes daily.

Make sure you have the following:

1. Socks (Must change daily)
2. Underwear (Must change daily)
3. Bottoms - Either shorts or longs (Should change daily)
4. Top - Shirts or T-shirts (Advised to change daily)
5. Hat/Cap - Recommended against both rain and sun
6. Slippers/Sandals - Choose the more suitable of the 2 depending on what you expect to do. Water based activities are more fun when you footwear does not float away.
7. Swimwear - If you plan to go swimming
8. Shoes (worn) - Unless you have a good reason to bring 2 pairs, just wear your pair of shoes. A good hiking pair is great, but the sports or canvas kind is fine too. If it gets wet, take out the insoles at night when you sleep and leave it under shelter. This usually gets it dry or almost dry by morning.

It is a good idea to bundle clothes together for each day, so that you have quick access to them. If you are going for a long camp, washing your clothes is better as you will carry less and wash less when you get back!

Shelter
Tent - Should be big enough for all campers and suitable for weather expected. At least try putting it up once so you know how to set it up quickly
Sleeping bag - Good to have item, depending on where you are going. Can be used as a mattress if too hot.

Toiletries
It is best to pack all of these together in a small bag so that will not play hid and seek with them when you look for the items. Also try to bring them in small quantity unless sharing.

1. Toothbrush/Toothpaste - Toothpaste can be shared if not bring a small tube
2. Soap - Dettol or anti bacterial kind is best for camping
3. Shampoo - Best to bring those in throw away packets
4. Comb
5. Female Hygiene Products - As needed

You should also bring along a towel. I think a medium size towel is the biggest one you should look at to save on space.

Food
If you are going to live off what you carry along, you need to plan this carefully. Just remember to bring things that will not go bad when left out for too long. Special attention is needed to avoid food like bread or bananas from getting squashed.

Water
You should bring water based on how much you expect to drink than plus another say 25%. If you can top up water along the way, take that into consideration. Collapsible containers are good and make sure your water source is easy to reach as you will be accessing it often. Also choose a water container based on your bag. A water bladder for one with an access for the pipe, or if you have 2 small side pockets on your backpack, 2 750ml bottles is better and a 1.5l bottle.

Cutlery
A mess tin tends to be one of the most multi functional eating and cooking utensil. It takes soups, rick and the vegetables and drinks well. A fork and spoon is another must. Make sure to utilise the empty space in the mess tin by putting food or clothing items inside. A small amount of detergent is good to keep these items clean.


Survival
A survival kit maybe useful

1. Wind Breaker / Rain Coat / Poncho - One of these is always a must. Bring a disposable poncho to save space
2. Torch Light - Usually at least one is required. Small ones are best as they are light and compact.
3. Handphone - Make sure your battery will last the trip and keep it waterproofed.
4. Money - As required
5. First Aid Kit - At least 5 most basic items - Plasters, 2 roller bandage, panadol, Antheseptic cream/wipes and muscle rub. Personal medication (eg. Asthma Inhaler) should also be inside
6. Knife
7. String - Many uses

Misc

1. Writing Materials if you need it
2. Camera
3. Radio
4. Insect Repellent
5. Plastic Bags / Zip Lock Bags - For waterproofing or keeping of rubbish and dirty clothes
6. Sunglasses / Sun Block - Protection against sun
7. Extra Batteries as required

Above covers most of the basic things you should bring along when going camping. You can of course bring more depending on the activities you expect to do. You can download the file from here which you can print and fill out to help you in planning for your next camping trip.

How to pack?
It should be stated that there is no one fixed way of packing. The reason is simply because every bag design and content carried is different. However, there are some rules you should follow to make yourself more comfortable.

Waterproof using items
Instead of putting your clothes ontop, put a poncho or wind breaker onto, to add an additional layer of protection.

Heavy items below
Try to put the heavies items of your bag below. The opposite of doing so means an unbalanced and uncomfortable bag to carry.

Items required often and in a hurry
Keep these items, like your knife, water bottle or first aid kit in an easily accessible area for quick access and placing back.

Group items logically
Keep items like food and cooking utensils clustered together and clothes and toiletories together. You can then reach both items quickly.

Keep least used items in hardest to reach places
Bury your Day 3 food at the bottom of your pack as you do not need it. Towards the end of the camp, replace those items with dirty clothes perhaps.

Keep things that need to be apart apart
If you have mosquito repellent, do not store it with your food. If it leaks, you will need to dispose of your food.

Keep something flat on your back
If you have a file or a board of any sort, place it against your back for better support.

Just keep in mind these tips and your backpack and equipment will serve you well on your camping trip.

Download a packing list here to help you prepare for your next camp.
*The column, Packed, is for you to tick when you have put the item into your bag.

Going camping with the Iguania 4-men Tent