I have always been one for outdoor activities. Many years ago my friends and I started an annual camping trip that was initially for my birthday and over time turned into an annual just-for-fun camping trip for no particular reason. The first few years we started camping we started sleeping in a big 12 person tent with all the stakes and brackets, taking a handful of us to put it up and spending almost a good 20-30 minutes in it. We were only going to a couple of different areas and the readiness level we were at was around a 2 out of 10. In our more recent years we went to the music festival that is Coachella and to say the least we were surprised at how nice the Our friend’s setups were.
It wasn’t until we were introduced to the idea of ”glamping” that we decided to step up our camping game. While the gear we were using had slightly improved, the way we were planning it was behind schedule for a few updates. We were completely pampered during our Coachella camping time. While we were there squeezing 4 people into a small tent, all of our friends had these great pop up tents with inflatable air mattresses, memory foam padding, night stand, and even mats.
Lately, we have been camping almost every month this year. We like to explore and head north into the Sequoias and sometimes even around Orange County. It used to be a bit difficult to drive after work to our campsite and struggle to pitch our tent in the dark. Today, Costco, along with many sporting goods stores, have affordable tents that take less than a minute to set up. These tents have been worth every dollar that I along with many of my friends have spent on them and the best part is that they are built exceptionally well and are so convenient that one person could easily set them up with minimal lighting. (The added benefit is shopping at Costco, as they have an amazingly good return policy – they pretty much take back everything you buy from them.) These pop up tents are pretty affordable, and compared to the old pole and stake tents, they’re a shoot. Could it be more convenient than a moderately priced gazebo that goes from stowed away to fully set up in seconds? A portable shower head.
You haven’t been glamping before if you haven’t been able to take a nice, refreshing shower from an actual portable shower. This portable shower head has given us a lot of convenience for the small price. You can buy it on Amazon or many other online retail stores. It comes with battery and has a strainer at the end of the pump to prevent the shower head from pumping out dirt, other unwanted stuff or getting clogged. The water pressure comes out like a regular water line in the home and during times when it’s very hot, it easily becomes the main attraction. The only addition you’ll need besides batteries can be purchased for a few dollars at places like Home Depot. The 5 gallon buckets work perfectly and you would be surprised how long that bucket of water lasts when dispensed from a battery powered shower head.
After freshening up under the shower, we just want to stretch out and lie in the sun (or not if it’s too hot!) These can recline so you’re lying down and boy are they comfortable. Sure, typical folding camp chairs are pretty nice, but they can’t recline or adjust like zero-gravity ones. If this chair is still not comfortable enough and you want to take a quick nap, why not lie down on your super comfortable inflatable air mattress?
Now, you’re probably thinking… why do we have an air mattress? Why don’t we use a good old sleeping bag? Have you ever had to sleep in a simple sleeping bag with almost no cushion underneath? That has to be one of the most uncomfortable things to do and in the morning you wake up with aches and pains…not a fun time. Using an inflatable air mattress has to be the biggest change we’ve made to camping, but for the better.
These are the few pieces of gear I would suggest to really step up your camping game. Not only can all of these items be purchased for a relatively low price, but you can also find most, if not all, of these items online, right in the comfort of your own home. Whether you’re a minimalist or a glamour, this gear can completely change the way you camp. The comfort these items provide can help you get that quiet rest and relaxation that should always be associated with a successful camping trip.
