‘Worth every penny’: 13 camping essentials you can’t live without

Guardian journalism is independent. We earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. You told us your camping must-haves, from portable pumps and blackout tents to a flask that keeps beer cold. Plus, women’s summer wardrobe updates and celeb booze, tested Don’t get the Filter delivered to your inbox? Sign up here One thing we’ve discovered here on the Filter is that our readers are an outdoorsy bunch. Few topics have driven as many enthusiastic write-ins as when we asked for your best camping tips. From a strap that turns your mattress into a chair to a super-smart peg-free washing line, here are your top tips and tricks. (And no, none of you has any commercial links to these companies or products – we always check.) Chris recommends a trusty tent that has withstood gales. “I have an Alpkit Soloist, which I use for solo bikepacking adventures,” he says. “When I was camping during a storm with heavy rain and gales all night, I emerged unscathed the next morning, only for a fellow camper who had been sleeping in her minivan to exclaim: “How the hell are you still dry?” Mike Howells advises to think about how far you’ll need to carr

May 18, 2026 → May 18, 2026