What to Buy First for Your First Overnight Camping Trip
Your first overnight trip can feel like a very long shopping list. Outdoor stores sell hundreds of items, and most of them aren't needed on night one. If you're building a kit of camping & hiking equipment from scratch, the order you buy in will save you money. This guide is for beginners planning one night at a campsite with a few short hikes. It covers what to buy first, what to borrow, and what can wait. TL;DR for Your First Camping and Hiking Kit Here's the short version, in the order to buy: Buy footwear and socks first. Get a daypack of about 20 liters. Choose a tent and a sleeping bag that suit the coldest night of your trip. Add a sleeping pad for warmth and comfort. Pack water, a way to navigate, and a basic first aid kit. Borrow or skip stoves, chairs and lanterns on trip one. Footwear and Socks Come First Shoes are the one place where a beginner should spend a little more. Sore feet can end a trip faster than bad weather. Sturdy hiking shoes or trail runners...