Guides
Winter camping and extreme cold: what changes
Below freezing, it isn't the sleeping bag that decides the night: ground insulation, gas, condensation, clothing and water all behave differently.
Independent guide
Camping gear: guides, advice and equipment for camping well
Preparing a camping trip gets a great deal simpler with the right equipment. Materiel-de-Camping.com helps you choose kit that suits the way you travel: family camping, hiking, bivouac, a holiday under canvas, caravan or motorhome.
Camping categories
Tents and camping shelters
How to choose a camping tent: real capacity, seasonality, waterproof rating, structure and care. Practical guides for family camping, hiking and bivouac.
Camping sleep system
Sleeping well outdoors: choosing a sleeping bag by temperature rating, comparing air mats, self-inflating mats and camp beds, and getting ground insulation right.
Camp cooking
Equipping a camp kitchen: choosing a gas or liquid-fuel stove, putting together a cook set, managing water, the cool box and food storage.
Camp furniture
Choosing camp furniture: folding tables and chairs, storage units, lighting and awnings. Practical guidance on weight, packed size and sturdiness.
Hiking and bivouac
Hiking and bivouac gear: backpack, lightweight shelter, sleep system, minimal cooking. How to cut weight and pack for several days out.
Motorhome and caravan
Equipping a motorhome or caravan: electricity, water, gas, awning, outdoor furniture and storage. Practical guidance for a trip by vehicle.
Camping guides and checklists
All our camping checklists and practical guides: the complete gear list, family camping, a first trip, bivouac. Lists to read before you leave.
Latest guides
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Furniture
How to choose a camping table and chairs
Suitcase or roll-top tables, low chairs, steel or aluminium folding frames: seat height, stability on soft ground and weight, compared properly.
Guides
Family camping: the essential gear list
Camping with children: which tent, which sleep system and what gear to plan for. Storage, safety, laundry and organising the pitch.
Hiking & Bivouac
Essential gear for bike touring
Gear for a bike tour: panniers or bikepacking bags, repair kit, camp setup, clothing and safety. Load distribution and a departure checklist.
Hiking & Bivouac
Bivouac gear list
The bivouac gear list: lightweight shelter, sleep system, minimal cooking, safety and navigation. Reference weights, regulations and good practice.
Cooking
How to organise a camp kitchen
Organising a camp kitchen: where to set it up, the kitchen crate, managing water and the cool box, washing up, food safety and simple menus.
You will find practical guides here on tents, sleeping bags, mats, stoves, camp furniture, lighting, accessories and hiking equipment. Each guide starts from a concrete question and gives an answer you can use before buying, without needless jargon.
Preparing the trip properly
What you need depends on how long you are away, the season, how many of you there are and the kind of camping you do. A family tent and a lightweight bivouac shelter answer opposite briefs: the first prioritises living space and headroom, the second weight and packed size.
Our guides exist to help you prepare your kit without hauling along things you will never use. Starting from a complete checklist is still the most reliable way to leave with a clear head.
The main pieces of camping equipment
- Tents and shelters
- Sleeping bags
- Mats and camp beds
- Stoves and camp cooking
- Folding tables and chairs
- Lanterns and head torches
- Cool boxes and food storage
- Backpacks and luggage
- Hiking and bivouac gear
- Motorhome and caravan accessories
Where to start
If this is your first trip, three guides cover the essentials: what gear do you need for camping, how to choose a camping tent and how to choose a sleeping bag.
Have a look at our checklists too, so nothing gets left behind.