A must-read for beginners! 10 solo camping items I'm glad I bought.
We asked a camper in his 40s who has been solo camping for over 5 years for his recommendations on camping gear.
Instead of buying everything at once, I'll introduce some of my favorite items that I've gradually acquired each year, considering what I didn't need and what would be convenient, while consulting my wallet. Please use this as a reference.
- You'll know what you need for solo camping.
Contents of this article
• Naturehike Solo Tent
This was the first tent I bought when I started solo camping. This manufacturer offers many cost-effective products, making it a great choice for those who want to start camping without spending a lot of money.
I happened to see a fellow rider using this tent, and after seeing it from the inside, I fell in love with it at first sight and bought it.
Because the main body is made of mesh, it is very lightweight (approximately 1.5 kg), making it easy to carry around.
The seams were taped, and I wore it in a torrential downpour without any problems at all.
There is a small pocket inside.
It's positioned right in front of your eyes when you're lying down on your side, so if you turn on the light, it's perfect for reading a book before going to sleep.
As expected from a product used by motorcyclists who travel all over Japan, it's designed with meticulous attention to detail.
Although the product name says "4 seasons," the main body is made of mesh and the flysheet doesn't have a skirt, so it's probably better to think of it as a 3-season tent.
This design prevents heat from building up inside during the summer, avoiding a sauna-like environment. With the right sleeping bag and other cold-weather gear, it can also be used in winter.
If you lie down inside, at 180cm tall, your head will just barely touch the ceiling, but you can place an empty 100L backpack next to you while you're sleeping.
There's no problem sitting in it. The front compartment has space to put shoes and, if you're a rider, a helmet.
This first camping trip in our tent unfortunately coincided with the passing of Typhoon No. 12, turning it into an immediate test of its durability.
The loud, strong winds around me prevented me from getting a good night's sleep, but the tent itself held up well.
It's cheap and a great tent.
From Amazon reviews
FLYFLYGO Tent Shade Waterproof Tarp
For some reason, it rains a lot during my camping trips.
Initially, I was using a blue tarp, but it felt rather embarrassing to do that during a family camping trip, so I bought this one, which seemed to offer good value for money.
By pitching the tent inside the tarp, you get excellent protection from rain and sun, making it feel like you have a living room attached to a studio apartment.
Reading while listening to the sound of raindrops hitting the tarp on rainy days makes me forget about time, and I've come to enjoy camping even in the rain.
However, a drawback is that you might be mistaken for a family camper, making it difficult for other motorcyclists to strike up a conversation.
So, when I want to interact with other campers, I sometimes eat outside my tarp to make it clear that I'm camping solo.
I bought the 3x4m size. For a two-person tent, the living area is spacious enough!
We were even able to have a bonfire under the tent. A few sparks seemed to be okay, but of course, it was at our own risk.
We experienced several torrential downpours, but there were no problems. The silver screen on the back kept us cool even in the sun.
My only complaints are the limited number of guy ropes and the flimsy plastic tensioners. I bought extra ones to compensate for that.
Overall, I'm glad I bought it.
From Amazon reviews
Captain Stag Mat
Captain Stag Camping Mat [S Size]
This is a mat that you place under your sleeping bag when you go to sleep. Without it, the unevenness of the ground won't be smoothed out, and you won't be able to sleep.
It can be confusing whether to place the silver side up or down, but since the silver side reflects heat, it's best to place it down in hot weather to block heat from the ground, and up in cold weather to take advantage of radiant heat from your body.
There are other types, such as accordion-style mats and inflatable mats, but considering packing them in a backpack, I think this roll-up type is the best.
Air-filled items can be a pain if they get punctured, and I recommend roll-up items over accordion-style ones because you can remove the elastic bands inside your backpack, create walls with a mat, and pack your items neatly within that space.
I bought one when my wife and I first started dating, and this is my second one.
I replaced my old one because I tore it a little when I pulled it too hard after wedging it in the trunk.
Conversely, it's built tough enough that you won't need to replace it unless you do something to it. It's amazing that it's so lightweight at 295g and durable at this price.
Montbell Burrow Bag
While the price itself is a bit on the expensive side, I chose this product because I believe the warmth it provides is well worth the cost, making it excellent value for money.
One of the worst things about camping is the cold nights that make it difficult to sleep, but with this down product, you can sleep very warmly. Since not being able to sleep is mentally and physically exhausting, I've invested a lot of money in a sleeping bag.
The best thing about this sleeping bag is that it's stretchable, allowing you to sit cross-legged inside, which is especially useful when you need to sit up in a tent to read a map or do other similar tasks.
Waking up in the middle of the night, getting up, and lighting a cigarette—that's another moment of pure bliss. And because it's more compact than synthetic fiber items when stored, storage isn't a problem.
The minimum usable temperature is 1 degree Celsius, so it can be used from spring to autumn. (However, the minimum usable temperature is not the temperature at which you can sleep comfortably, so warm clothing is necessary in spring and autumn.)
I used it in Hokkaido this July, and although it got colder than expected in the early morning (below 10℃), there were absolutely no problems.
I think it can be used for a wide range of seasons, from spring to autumn.
From Amazon reviews
Since sleeping bags are a piece of equipment that you'll use for a long time, I think it's a good idea to choose a high-performance one designed for mountaineering.
Synthetic sleeping bags, made from synthetic fibers, have the disadvantage of being about twice as bulky, but they are generally cheaper.
MSR WhisperLite International
MSR WhisperLite International
Initially, I was using a type that uses gas cylinders, but since I live in an area where they become difficult to obtain after summer, and I was having trouble disposing of the nearly empty cans, I considered buying a different type.
I chose this because it's available at gas stations all over the country and can be used by topping it up with regular gasoline.
The burner and red tank shown in the image are sold separately and come in three sizes: 325ml, 592ml, and 887ml. Even the smallest size should easily last for three days if you're cooking one cup of rice for three meals a day if you're cooking alone.
Captain Stag Mess Kit
Military-style mess kit (4 cups capacity)
I bought this soon after becoming a working adult. At the time, outdoor tableware and similar items were only available to serious mountaineers and weren't sold locally, so I didn't have many options and bought this one on a whim.
How to cook rice in a mess tin.
① After rinsing the rice, add water up to the first joint of your index finger, let it soak for 30 minutes, then put it on high heat initially, reduce the heat to low once it boils, and remove it from the heat when you hear a crackling sound.
② Let it steam for 15 minutes and it's done.
For 1-2 cups of rice, use the inner silver lid; for 3-4 cups, use the outer lid.
At first, I heard that it's good to turn the rice cooker upside down and tap the bottom after it's finished cooking, so I did that, which caused a dent in the bottom. However, it's not completely broken, so it seems like I can still use it for a while longer.
When cooking alone, you don't need to prepare any other plates; the inner lid can be used as a plate and the outer lid as a frying pan.
KOMAES headlights
KOMAES Headlights
I bought this because the candle lantern, which I'll describe later, was simply too dim and inconvenient.
Now, I can read safely inside my tent without worrying about carbon monoxide poisoning.
The deciding factor for my purchase was the band that goes over the top of the head; it prevents the headpiece from slipping down.
Another key feature is the click-type adjustment mechanism, which makes it easy to adjust the angle.
It can stay lit continuously for 48 hours in low mode and 18 hours in high mode.
With two modes, high and low, you can conserve battery power depending on the situation.
UCO Candle Lantern
This was the main light I used before I bought a headlamp. Once your eyes adjust to the darkness, this level of light is sufficient.
Since I started using a headlamp, its role has changed, and I want to minimize my luggage as much as possible when solo camping. However, it would be boring if I only did that, so I sometimes bring along things that create a nice atmosphere like this.
At night, enjoying coffee or alcohol while watching this and the campfire flames is truly special.
UNIFLAME Nature Stove
UNIFLAME Nature Stove
It's not an essential item, but when you're alone at night, watching the flames without thinking about anything, time seems to stop, and you get the feeling that you're the only one in the world.
It's also fun to sit around a campfire and listen to the travel stories of other riders I meet there.
The dimensions are 130 x 130 x 160 mm when in use and 130 x 130 x 15 mm when stored, making it perfect for solo use and allowing it to fit into the gaps in a backpack. It's also lightweight at 320g.
Once you've finished setting up the tent, go out and collect some twigs while it's still light.
You often see people cooking over a campfire on video-sharing sites, but I don't really recommend it because the cookware and other equipment get covered in soot, and it's a real pain to clean.
I use it for ornamental purposes, to enjoy the flickering of the flame.
It's lightweight, quick to assemble, and burns well. That's the impression I get. There is some warping, though. The top part of the main body warps slightly outwards. But storage isn't a problem. It's well thought out. They must have anticipated this. Also, it burns out quickly, so once the fire is stable, I put in thicker logs. That way, the dissatisfaction and anxiety about the burning time are alleviated. I guess that's the same for all stoves. But the biggest advantage is definitely its lightness! You can cook quickly and it's not a hassle to carry around. Because it's lighter than the stainless steel Emberlit (including similar products). And on top of that, it's cost-effective.I was a little surprised when I actually held it in my hands. It's cheap! And light! However, I felt that maintenance is essential. First, the main body and the grate. You'll want an alkaline oil remover and a non-woven polishing cloth. Bonstar (the pink detergent-covered kind) would also work. Also, since it's foldable, a cheap rust-preventive lubricant seems to be sufficient for the opening and closing parts. Even though it's stainless steel, it's still a stove, so it's rust-resistant but it seems to rust eventually. From what I've heard from acquaintances, it seems to depend on maintenance.
From Amazon reviews
CHUMS Double Hot Sandwich Cooker
CHUMS Double Hot Sandwich Cooker
To be honest, it's heavy and bulky. However, it has charms that more than make up for those drawbacks.
Using this, curry bread made by putting leftover instant curry from the previous day between slices of bread is the epitome of deliciousness.
If you add a sunrise and a cup of coffee to this, you'll truly feel that coming camping was worthwhile.
It's delicious simply to put a Lunch Pack sandwich in and grill it, and it's also tasty to put a steamed bun in and let it brown. I'm thinking of trying dumplings next.
summary
I've recommended gear for solo camping, especially for those traveling by bicycle or on foot. When traveling under your own power, lightness is key.
Since the goal was to make the journey enjoyable, the focus was on lightweight and compact items.
However, because traveling can be quite restrictive, I decided to include things that completely contradict the premise, such as a hot sandwich maker, as a way to add some enjoyment.
Using these ideas as a guide, why not try solo camping?
