If you love camping or hiking or just getting out and about into the countryside, then you will no doubt have a pile of stuff in a box or cupboard or garage or attic that is reserved for those occasions and activities. Many of us will get home from our little adventure, clean everything up (perhaps) and put it all away somewhere out of sight and out of mind.

But I say no! Your outdoors bits and bobs shouldn’t be confined to a big plastic box between trips. While you may not be the kind of person who will happily go to Sainsburys in your hiking boots (why not?!), or do the School run in your beanie hat and ski coat (go on…), there are lots of uses for all that stuff every day. You never know, some of it might even encourage you to spend more time outside than you do already.



So here is my list of the things that should never be confined to that camping box in the garage…



Roll Up or Inflatable Bed

Possibly the most obvious thing in this list so I’ll put this one first… a roll up or inflatable bed will mean you can have comfortable guests on sleep overs.

Reusable Water Bottle

I think we’ve all agreed now that water and other drinks in single use plastic bottles is incredibly bad for our planet, so don’t pack away your reusable water bottle at the end of your camping trip, make it an everyday habit. Fill your bottle up from the tap in the morning, refill as you need to, and you’ll save money and the environment at the same time.

Plastic Crockery

Don’t use your good china when you have a barbecue, make use of that pile of plastic crockery you have for camping instead. It doesn’t break when it gets thrown on the floor! Most camping crockery can go in the dishwasher too so you’re not creating yourself any extra work. For that really authentic experience you could also provide only sporks to your guests…

Head Torch

You might not have a dark grey bunny rabbit who likes to hide in the corner just when it’s too dark to spot him, but I reckon everyone needs a head torch in that kitchen drawer of stuff. Handy for finding things in the loft and the cupboard under the stairs, finding your way back from the pub in rural England, and can be ready in case of a power cut. A traditional torch will do, of course, but a head torch leaves both hands free.

Good Socks

Everyone needs decent socks. Technical hiking or running socks make any footwear more comfortable, and keep your feet happy much longer. I’ve given up with rubbish thin cotton socks these days, I choose good quality (not necessarily expensive) socks that will stay put and cushion my feet in all the right places.

'Camping Equipment You Can Use At Home' is written by Zoe from splodzblogz.co.uk / Twitter: @splodz

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