Published

July 18, 2019

Written by

Chris Gonzales

Photography

Laurine Bailly

When you're on the trail, sometimes you want to set up camp without breaking out a huge bag of equipment about it.

Below we've gathered just a few pieces of gear that can all be packed up together when it's time to move onto the next campsite.

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campsite-starter-kit-guide-items

  1. The Hidden Woodsmen’s Possible Pouch. ($25–$30, depending on colorway)

    Essentially a well-made dopp kit that can hold a surprising amount of stuff. Measuring around 9″ x 5″ x 3″ — the size varies a bit with each bag — this durable pouch is made from a water-resistant, rot-proof 1000d nylon material and has a beefy zipper with a US-made paracord pull, plus a generous grab handle.

  2. Quiet Carry’s “The Current” fixed-blade knife. ($195)

    • An all-around camp knife that excels at food prep and more. The blade is fashioned from LC200N steel, an exceedingly capable metal known for its superior corrosion resistance and edge retention, even in salty environs. This stuff is what NASA uses for aerospace ball bearings, which should tell you something.

  3. Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel 2.0. ($20)

    A dependable army-style fire starter that can last up to 12,000 strikes, works in any situation/weather/altitude (even if it's dripping wet), and includes a built-in emergency whistle.

  4. “Pocket Bellow” telescoping fire blower pipe. ($5 for a two-pack)

    Compresses and focuses oxygen directly into the heart of a fire, helping you start rolling campfires with wet or dry firewood in minutes without burning your face off.

  5. NITECORE “TUP” 1000-lumen rechargeable pocket flashlight. ($61)

    All the power of a full-size torch packed into a supremely compact size that fits easily into a pocket or on your keychain. Has a rechargeable Li-ion battery that can run for up to 70 hours straight, plus an OLED display that can tell you the flashlight’s battery level and voltage, its brightness level, and the runtime remaining.

    All of this comes in a high-strength aluminum alloy shell with a scratch-resistant hard-anodized finish.

  6. Snow Peak’s HotLips 600 titanium mug. ($34)

    Snow Peak’s single-wall, 600-size titanium mug is an ultralight, durable option for both heating and consuming hot foods and drinks on the trail. Its titanium construction makes it practically bomb-proof (though I don’t recommend attempting such a test) and able to be heated directly above open flame without imparting any metallic flavors, so it’s ideal for coffee, tea, soup, boiling water for other purposes…you name it.

    The mug comes with a “HotLips” guard, a silicone accessory that slips over the cup’s lip (only after heating, not during) to keep your lips from getting burned while sipping. After you’re done, the split handle folds back against the mug’s body for easy storage.

Want more great campfire supplies? We've got another guide for you: “Gear to Pack on Your Next Outdoors Excursion”