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So, you've packed the tent, the sleeping bags, and an alarming amount of instant noodles. Your annual leave is approved and it’s official, you and the lads are finally taking that long-talked about camping trip out of the group chat and into the great outdoors.
Now, you might think you have the essentials, but are you really as prepared as you think you are? You might want to play it chill, but there’s nothing chill about being stuck in the bush thanks to a dead battery and no reception. So, to make your first big trip a success, you need the right gear to keep everything — including yourself — running.
Here’s the ultimate lad’s rundown of the essentials you need to pack for your maiden voyage into the wild.
First up, the power
First things first, let's talk about power. Any appliances, your lights, and your phone charger all need a reliable energy source. A deep cycle battery is the backbone of any serious camping setup, and the NEW Century Lithium 150Ah Battery, only available from Battery World, is a game-changer. Unlike a standard car battery, this bad boy is built to handle repeated deep discharging and recharging, making it perfect for running your gear for days (over 3,000 cycles to be exact) on end without a snag*.
*Unlike yourself, who has probably stocked up on many a snag to fry up for brekky, lunch and dinner.
To ensure you are able to drive out the way you drove in there are a couple small items that can make a dead battery seem like a small speed bump.
- A pair of good old fashion jumper leads, whilst they seem outdated they don’t go flat or expire and can stay in the vehicle.
- A lithium Jump Pack. These are a great addition as they are small, light and pack a punch to get most vehicles started if, god forbid, you do end up with a flat battery on a camp trip.
Speaking of brekky, lunch and dinner…
You (sadly) can't live on instant noodles alone. A reliable camping stove is a must-have for a decent feed. The Coleman Fyreknight 2-Burner Stove is a solid choice. It's portable, powerful, and easy to use, letting you whip up everything from scrambled eggs to a full-on fry-up. Plus, with two burners, you can multitask like a pro. And, if you’re feeling flash, induction cook tops are all the rage, but you’re going to need something that can power it up.
Keep your lights on
When the sun goes down, you'll be glad you packed a decent light source. Ditch the bulky lantern and grab a headlamp. Battery World’s own 120 lumen LED headband torch will do just the trick. It's perfect for setting up camp in the dark, finding things in your tent, or a late-night adventure to the toot without tripping over any ropes.
Make tent set-up the least of your worries
Don't be that person wrestling with tent poles for an hour in the rain. An instant-up tent is your best friend on a first trip or even a simple swag. The Coleman Instant Up DarkRoom Tent lives up to its name, promising a fast setup and a clever fabric that blocks out 95% of sunlight. This means you can sleep in longer without the sun turning your tent into an oven.
Level up from your standard cooler
Warm beers? Absolutely not. Not in the world you’re living in. A cooler is fine, but a real galaxy-brained camper knows that a camping fridge is the way to go. Look no further than Battery World, where you can buy goods like the EcoFlow Glacier Portable Fridge. This is a truly next level bit of kit. It features an industry-first integrated ice maker, so you can have ice-cold bevs on demand, and a dual-zone design that lets you set different temperatures for each compartment — so you can freeze your meat on one side and keep your veggies chilled on the other.
PS. While you’re at Battery World, why not get a free battery health check while you’re at it? With over 110 stores nationwide, there’s no excuse to not set yourself up in the best shape before you head off. Not only that, but if you need a secondary battery fitment, someone in your local store will be able to help you. No-one likes a false start, do they?
The LADbible Team