A Must-Read for Beginners!! My Top 10 Favorite Solo Camping Gear Purchases

A must-read for beginners! Top 10 solo camping gear I'm glad I bought

I asked a 40-something camper who has been solo camping for over 5 years about their recommended camping gear.

Instead of buying everything at once, I've gradually acquired my favorite items over the years, thinking "I didn't need this" or "this would be convenient," while consulting my wallet. I hope you find them helpful.

・naturehike Solo Tent

This was the first tent I bought when I started solo camping. Naturehike is a manufacturer with many cost-effective products, so I recommend it to those who want to start camping without spending too much money.

A biker I happened to meet was using this tent, and I fell in love with it after he showed me inside. I bought it immediately.
Since the main body is made of mesh, it is very lightweight (approx. 1.5 kg) and easy to carry.
The seams are taped, and I spent time in it during a torrential downpour without any problems.

There is a small pocket inside.
It's located right in front of your eyes when you lie down on your side, so if you put a light in it, it's perfect for reading a book before bed.
As expected, it's designed with great attention to detail, a testament to its use by bikers who travel all over Japan.

Although the product name says "4 seasons," I think it's better to consider it for 3 seasons, as the main body is mesh and the flysheet does not have a skirt.

However, in summer, it prevents heat from building up inside and avoids a sauna-like situation. With a sleeping bag and other cold weather gear, it can be used in winter as well.

When lying down inside, my head barely touches at 180cm tall, but I can place an empty 100L backpack next to me.
Sitting is not a problem. There is space in the vestibule for shoes and, for bikers, a helmet.

The debut camping trip with this tent unfortunately coincided with Typhoon No. 12, so it became an immediate durability test.

I couldn't sleep soundly due to the intense wind noise around me, but the tent itself held up well.

It's inexpensive and a great tent.

From Amazon reviews

・FLYFLYGO Tarp Shade Waterproof Tarp

For some reason, it often rains during my camping trips.

At first, I used a blue tarp, but doing so during family camping was rather embarrassing, so I bought this one, which seemed to offer good value for money.

By pitching the tent inside the tarp, it effectively blocks out rain and sunlight, creating a feeling like a one-room apartment with a living room.

On rainy days, reading while listening to the raindrops hitting the tarp makes me forget the time, and I've come to enjoy camping even in the rain.

However, there's a downside: I might be mistaken for a family camper, making it harder for bikers to strike up a conversation.

So, when I want to socialize with other campers, I might eat outside the tarp to signal that I'm solo.

I bought the 3x4m. For a 2-person tent, the living area is spacious enough!

I was able to have a campfire under the tarp. Minor sparks don't seem to be a problem, but it's at your own risk.

I've experienced several heavy downpours, but no issues. The silver lining on the back kept it cool from the sun.

The unsatisfactory points are the number of guy lines and the flimsy plastic adjusters. I bought additional ones to compensate.

Overall, I'm glad I bought it.

From Amazon reviews

・Captain Stag Mat

CAPTAIN STAG Camping Mat [S Size]

This is a mat to put under your sleeping bag when you sleep. Without it, the unevenness of the ground would make it impossible to sleep.

You might wonder whether to place the silver side up or down. Since the silver side reflects heat, it's best to place it silver-side down in hot weather to block heat from the ground, and silver-side up in cold weather to harness your body's radiant heat.

There are also accordion-fold mats and inflatable mats, but if you're packing it into a backpack, this roll-up type is probably better.

Inflatable mats can be a hassle if they get a hole, and I recommend the roll-up type over the accordion type because you can remove the elastic bands inside your backpack and use the mat to create a wall, allowing for neat packing.

I bought one when I first started dating my wife, and this is my second one.

The previous one got a little torn because I accidentally got it caught in the trunk and pulled it too hard, so I replaced it.

In other words, it's tough enough that it won't need replacing unless something significant happens. It's amazing that it's so lightweight (295g) and durable for the price.

・Montbell Burrow Bag

This product is a bit expensive, but I chose it because I believe its warmth makes it a sufficiently cost-effective option.

The toughest part of camping is the cold nights when you can't sleep, but with this down product, you can sleep very warmly. Not being able to sleep is mentally and physically draining, so I invested a lot in a sleeping bag.

Above all, the great thing about this sleeping bag is that it stretches, allowing you to sit cross-legged inside while still in the bag. This really comes in handy when you want to sit up and read a map inside your tent.

Waking up in the middle of the night, sitting up, and lighting a cigarette is another blissful moment. When packed, it's more compact than synthetic fiber sleeping bags, so storage isn't an issue.

The minimum usable temperature is 1 degree Celsius, so it can be used widely from spring to autumn. (Note that the minimum usable temperature is not a comfortable sleeping temperature, so warm clothing is still necessary in spring and autumn.)

I used it in Hokkaido in July this year. It got colder than expected in the early morning (below 10℃), but there were no problems at all.

I think it can be used widely from spring to autumn.

From Amazon reviews

When it comes to sleeping bags, they are long-lasting items, so it's a good idea to choose high-performance mountaineering ones.

Synthetic sleeping bags, made of chemical fibers, have the disadvantage of being about twice as bulky, but they are generally cheaper.

・MSR Whisperlite International

MSR Whisperlite International

Initially, I used a gas canister type, but I found it difficult to obtain in my region after summer and struggled with disposing of empty canisters, so I considered a replacement.

I opted for this model, which uses regular gasoline that can be refilled at any gas station nationwide.

The burner part and the red tank shown in the image are sold separately, and there are three sizes: 325ml, 592ml, and 887ml. Even the smallest one should easily last three days for solo camping, cooking one go (approx. 150g) of rice three times a day.

・Captain Stag Mess Tin

Military-style mess tin, 4-go capacity

I bought this soon after becoming an adult. At the time, outdoor tableware was only used by serious mountaineers and wasn't readily available, so I had no choice but to buy this for the "ambiance."
How to cook rice in a mess tin.

① After washing the rice, add water up to the first joint of your index finger from the surface of the rice, let it soak for 30 minutes, then put it over high heat. Once it boils, reduce to low heat, and when you hear crackling sounds, remove it from the heat.

② Steam for 15 minutes and it's done.

For 1-2 go, use the silver inner lid; for 3-4 go, use the outer lid.
Initially, I was told to flip it over and tap the bottom when the rice was cooked, so I did that, which caused the bottom to dent. But it's not critically broken, so it still seems usable.

For solo camping, you don't need to prepare other dishes; the inner lid can be used as a plate and the outer lid as a frying pan.

・KOMAES Headlamp

KOMAES Headlamp

I bought this because the candle lantern, which I'll mention later, was too dark and inconvenient.

Now I can read inside the tent without worrying about carbon monoxide poisoning.

The deciding factor for my purchase was the band that goes over the top of the head, which prevents it from slipping down.

Also, the angle adjustment has a satisfying click and is easy to adjust, which is a plus.

It can continuously illuminate for 48 hours in low mode and 18 hours in high mode.

With two modes, high and low, you can reduce battery consumption depending on the situation.

・UCO Candle Lantern

This was my main light source before I bought the headlamp. Once your eyes adjust to the darkness, this amount of light is sufficient.

After getting a headlamp, its role changed. While solo camping, I try to minimize my luggage, but sometimes I bring things like this for the ambiance, as it can feel a bit bland otherwise.
In the evening, coffee or alcohol while gazing at this and the campfire flames is truly exceptional.

・UNIFLAME Nature Stove

UNIFLAME Nature Stove

It's not an absolutely essential item, but at night, gazing at the flames without a care in the world makes time stand still, giving you the feeling that you're the only one in the world.

It's also fun to sit around a campfire with fellow riders you meet on site and listen to their travel stories.
Its dimensions are 130x130x160mm when in use and 130x130x15mm when stored, making it perfect for solo camping and fitting snugly into a backpack. It's also lightweight at 320g.

Once your tent is set up, head out to gather twigs while it's still light.
You often see cooking over a bonfire on video sites, but it makes cookware covered in soot, which is a pain to clean, so I don't really recommend it.
I use it mainly for admiring the flickering flames.

It's lightweight, easy to assemble, and burns well. That's my impression. It does warp, though. The top part of the main body warps a bit outwards. But storage is not a problem. It's well thought out. They probably anticipated it. Also, it burns out quickly, so I put in thicker firewood once the fire is stable. That eases the dissatisfaction and anxiety about the burning time. This is probably the same for all stoves. More importantly, the advantage is its lightness! It's easy to cook quickly and not a burden to carry. That's because it's lighter than stainless steel Emberlit (and similar products). Plus, this cost performance. I was a bit surprised when I actually held it. So cheap! So light! However, I felt that maintenance is essential. First, the main body and the grate. You'll want an alkaline degreaser and non-woven abrasive. A pink scouring pad with detergent would also be fine. Also, since it's foldable, the opening and closing parts seem to benefit from a cheap rust-preventive lubricant. Even though it's stainless steel, it's still a stove, so it's rust-resistant but seems to rust. From what I hear from friends, it depends on maintenance.

From Amazon reviews

・CHUMS Double Hot Sandwich Cooker

CHUMS Double Hot Sandwich Cooker

Honestly, it's heavy and bulky. However, it has an undeniable charm that more than makes up for it.

Using this to make curry bread by stuffing leftover retort curry into sliced bread is the ultimate deliciousness.
With this, a sunrise, and coffee, you truly feel glad you came camping.
It's also delicious to simply grill a "lunch pack" (pre-made sandwich), or to grill a steamed bun until it's slightly charred. I'm thinking of trying gyoza next.

Summary
I've recommended gear for solo camping, especially for cycling or walking. When you're moving under your own power, lightness is key.

Assuming that the journey itself is part of the enjoyment, I've focused on lightweight and compact items.
However, to balance the stoicism of travel, I've also included items like a hot sandwich maker for "fun," even though they might contradict the premise.

Why not try solo camping with these as a reference?