Our pick of the best Summer camping musts

Claire Muffett-Reece — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 15:36:49 +0000

When it comes to camping we can’t predict the weather, but what we can do is round-up some camping essentials to ensure your escape is as best as it can be.

Mountain Warehouse 6 Man Holiday Tent, £159.99

With three large separate sleeping areas and with a spacious standing-height socialising area, this tent’s designed with both communal living and privacy in mind. It also features a familiar dome style with large ventilation, flysheet doors, and a small PVC window placed within the roof.

Vango Exedra 200 Tent, £149.99

Need something smaller? This tent for two features premium fabric and excellent waterproofing. The dome design maximises living space and height, despite its small, light pack size. It can be pitched inner first, or inner only – ideal for warm, dry conditions – and the wide mouth carry bag means packing away can be done quickly.

ORS Strawberry Hydration Tablets, £7.99

Compact, mess-free, and ideal for your trip, each tube of O.R.S Immune contains easy-to-use effervescent tablets – simply dissolve one in water for a hydrating, immunity-boosting drink. They’re especially helpful after a day in the sun.

Netgear Nighthawk M3, £399

We can’t live without Wi-Fi – let’s face it – and this is where the Nighthawk 3 steps in. A powerful 5G mobile router with Wi-Fi 6 performance, it also boasts a 13-hour battery, and support for up to 32 devices, keeping you connected wherever you pitch up. There’s even coverage in over 125 countries and easy SIM swapping!

Exploding Kittens No Loyalty Game, £19

Card games are a perfect addition to any camping trip for proper family time. Here’s one we like: a chaotic, laugh-out-loud party game where teams shuffle every round, alliances are temporary, and only one player walks away with five tokens and ultimate bragging rights. Flip, team up, complete the challenge, and betray again next round!

Hoddog Card Game, £7.99

Here’s another game for the family: using cards with different toppings, place same-numbered matched sets to build the longest hot dog – but be careful pushing your luck, as the timer might run out! What’s more, as you assemble your meal using hot dog cards, ketchup cards are revealed, moving the timer along until the final SPLAT is drawn.

Highlander Venture Backpack, £24.99

This 20L day pack’s main compartment has compression straps for neat packing, and hydration bladder compatibility for outdoors activities. A bungee corded front pouch makes for additional storage, while the elasticated side pockets are perfect for a water bottle and umbrella. All that plus adjustable chest and shoulder straps for correct load distribution.

BiGDUG Folding Camping & Festival Trolley, £76

With a 150kg load capacity, this trolley’s wide 9.5cm all‑terrain wheels glide over uneven ground with ease. It folds flat in seconds for compact storage, while its durable steel frame ensures long‑lasting performance. Steerable front wheels and an adjustable handle provide smooth manoeuvring, plus handy side pockets offer easy‑access extra storage.

Coleman Snap ‘N Go Cooler, from £119.95

Designed for anyone short on space, this cooler collapses down to a third of its size when not in use. Available in three sizes – 33L, 42L and 52L capacity – it simply snaps up to full size in an instant when you’re ready to head out. That gives you space to pack and keep cool plenty of food and drinks.

Micro Scooters Micro Deluxe Wagon, £139.95

This wagon folds easily for storage with a protective cover. The height adjustable handlebar makes steering easier, and 360-degree rotating front wheels allow for optimal manoeuvring. It also comes complete with a removable sunroof and cool bag, so your snacks and drinks stay cool, while its interior floor can be removed for easy cleaning.

Blackstone Omnivore Flex‑Fold Cart Griddle with Hood, £359.99

Designed for portability, performance, and versatility, this griddle brings outdoor cooking to life wherever you go. Its collapsible Flexfold® leg system and ‘Roll & Go’ design make set‑up and pack‑down a breeze, while the integrated hood protects the cooking surface during travel and helps lock in heat, while dual heat zones let you cook mains and sides at different temperatures at the same time.

Chipolo Loop Tracker, £39

Possibly one of the most stressful and annoying things while camping is misplacing your belongings – and having to turn your tent upside down trying to find them! This Bluetooth tracker – that’s long lasting and has rechargeable batteries – has a loud noise and can be used to find your phone. It uses Apple Find My and Google Find Hub, and is available in coral, honey, navy, charcoal, mint, and chalk.

Lifesystems First Aid Kit, £16.95

Make sure you’re well equipped to deal with injuries with this well-designed kit. It covers a vast range of common ailments, providing essential first aid for treating cuts, grazes, blisters and other minor injuries. It’s even recommended by the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Sequence Health The Original Pillar, £9.99

Need to take regular medication? Pack Pillar, which keeps your daily medication visible and accessible – and with no stiff hinges or fiddly lids. Instead it opens with a smooth sliding motion. Simply pre-fill it for the week and there’s no second-guessing what you’ve taken.

Light My Fire Fire N Grill, £22.48

Reconnect with the art of fire, with the package that opens the natural ways of fire making. Just add wood and you have all you need for stepping back in time, where sparks, tinder, and skill made eating not only filling but rewarding.

Kuchoma Portable Grill, £219.99

This is a similar size to a disposable BBQ – but one that you can use again and again! It’s 4600 Grams, 2500 W, and can feed up to 10 people. Light and compact, it’s big enough for those ribeye steaks, tand also toasts, and bakes.

TheraTears Hay Fever Relief Drops, £6.75

If you’re a hay fever sufferer the last thing you need is to be miserable with it while camping. These eye drops are the first and only 5-in-1 product that benefits users in five key ways: relieves itching, calms soreness, reduces redness, alleviates watering and reduces inflammation.

Silva Free 900 S Head Torch, £139.99

No more stumbling in pitch black to the campsite loo in the middle of the night! This headlamp features an adjustable headband, along with a powerful battery that’s carried in your pocket. It’s also well worth investing in if your camping trip is more of an adventure, be it adding in a long distance run, mountain climbing or more.

Incognito Mini Hair & Body Wash, £8.99

Insect bites are a downside of camping, unless you’re one of the lucky ones. That’s where this wash comes in, a 2-in-1 shampoo and shower gel that enhances your protection against bites and stings. Made with organic bergamot, tea tree oil and java citronella, it’s also got antiseptic and anti-fungal qualities to camouflage you from insects.

Silva Glow Lantern, £29.99

This pocket-size lantern low features a compact, lightweight design made from recycled plastic, weighs 61 grams (excluding batteries), and is small enough to fit in your pocket. It’s also rain-resistant, equipped with a lock function, and has backlit buttons for easy on/off operation in the dark.

Petromax Tea Kettle, £59.95

This temperature-resistant stainless-steel kettle means your tea can be boiled directly in the embers or while hanging over the fire. The multi-layered bottom provides for optimal heat distribution, and the water boils within no time. The long spout also enables precise pouring without a drop missing your cup.

Silentnight Deep Sleep Ultimate Air Bed, £97.99

The Deep Sleep Ultimate Air Bed offers the perfect sleep surface, with the added practicality of a built-in pump for quick inflation and deflation. That means you can spend more time in the great outdoors and less time setting up and packing away. Sounds good to us.

Silentnight Adult Double Sleeping Bag, £44.99

In addition, Silentnight’s double sleeping bag offers spacious comfort that’s even larger than a standard double mattress, with room for two adults to sleep comfortably. Made from soft, lightweight fabric, it can be fully zipped or opened out and used as a cover for added versatility and ventilation.

Twelve South PowerCapsule, from £49.99

This ultra-slim magnetic power bank delivers Qi2-certified wireless charging for iPhone and Qi2-compatible devices in a refined, pocket-ready design. Built to snap on with secure magnetic alignment, it preserves the natural feel of an iPhone in hand while adding dependable power.

All About Sleep Bamboo Eye Mask, £29.99

Don’t want to wake just because the sun’s up nice and early over the warmer months? This organic mask ensures a much-needed lie-in. It’s made from luxuriously soft bamboo fabric, is breathable and gentle on your skin, and comfortable enough to wear all night.

Ayacucho Magura 10°C Long Sleeping Bag, £75

This offers comfort camping while reducing the impact to the environment. Crafted from 100% recycled fabrics and fillings, it’s designed for convenience, with an anti-snag zipper. It also features temperature-regulating fabrics, ergonomic shapes, and excellent insulation.

Groov-e Th under Wireless Party Speaker, £15

This boasts a powerful, punchy sound thanks to its 20 watt speaker with deep bass. The pulsing, colourful RGB lights create the perfect party atmosphere, and its rugged design and integrated carry handle means it can be taken wherever the vibes lead. Just watch how loud or late you have it, as you don’t want narky nearby campers!

Mylor Wraparound Sunglasses, £59

These wraparound sunnies include anti-slip temples, a comfortable fit, and streamlined shape that also works for everyday wear. The frame offers increased coverage and protection in bright, exposed conditions. They’ve also polarised UV400 impact-resistant lenses, and are backed by a lifetime warranty.

Darn Tough Men’s Stride Micro Crew Ultra-Lightweight Running Socks, £24

These aren’t just for runners – camping often involves a nice hike or long walk around the country, so this is where these socks come in. A performance fit means no slipping, no bunching, and no blisters, with merino wool drying quickly and moving excess heat and moisture away from feet.

Helly Hansen Men’s Odin Muninn Shell Trousers, £165

These may seem a tad pricey – but there’s a reason. They’re water-resistant for protection in changeable conditions, with a fabric that’s extremely durable, and with a four-way stretch for freedom of movement. There’s even a zippered pocket made for notebooks. Well, you’re going to have forgotten something on your trip and need to pop off to the shops.

NORTIV 8 Men’s Waterproof PRO Hiking Boots, £49.99

Who knows what the weather’s going to do on your trip – so a good pair of waterproof boots are a must. These deliver cushioning and shock absorption, while a waterproof construction keeps feet dry. They also feature a slip-resistant outsole, high-top support, and reinforced protection at the toe and heel.

Toe Zone Dino Adventure Duo Danny Welly and Raptor Umbrella, £29.99

Don’t forget about your little ones – if it rains they’ll need to keep dry (and splash about in those muddy puddles). Besides their co-ordinated design for all dinosaur fans, they’re durable and waterproof, with the wellies having a comfortable fleece lining. They’re also easy to slip on and off.

AA 2026 The Caravan & Camping Guide, £12.15

The UK’s best-selling annual caravan and camping guide, this is perfect whether you prefer a quiet countryside retreat, a family-friendly holiday park, or a luxury glamping escape. Discover over 550 sites, all visited and rated by AA inspectors for quality and facilities, as well as ‘Best-of’ lists from inspectors to inspire your next trip.

Wild Wipe Reusable Wiper, £13.99

If you’ve camped before you’ll understand what it’s like to venture to the loo only to find no toilet roll. This is where the brand-new Wild Wipe comes in: a feminine hygiene essential for wiping away those drips after you’ve been for a number one. Portable, lightweight, and pocket sized, it can be washed by hand with soap, and is antimicrobial for maximum hygiene.

Yanaa Petit Pois Pea & Mint Pouch, £3.50

Putting up tents and the rest of your camping equipment’s hard work – so this is a natural, savoury alternative to sweet sports gels, designed to fuel you after all that blood, sweat and tears (well we hope just sweat). A purée of garden peas, quinoa and extra-virgin olive oil, it’s perfect for that uphill climb, midday sun, or getting back into your rhythm.

Keela Outdoors Insect Shield Blanket, £49.99

This blanket is treated with Insect Shield repellent to help reduce insect bites, a great solution where midges and other biting insects can be a persistent issue during warmer months while camping. It’s long-lasting, too, and designed to remain effective through repeated use and washing.

Vievé Watermelon Protein Water, £12.99 for a pack of six

Thirsty but not in the mood for plain water (and too early for a tipple)? Try Vievé’s range of flavoured waters. Available in seven varieties: Wild Cherry, Strawberry & Rhubarb, Watermelon, Orange & Mango, Peach & Raspberry, Citrus & Apple, and Pineapple & Coconut; each 500ml bottle is infused with 20g collagen protein, and amino acids to bring extra benefits in every sip.

HydroPeptide Solar Defence Body SPF 30, £37.80

Staying safe in the sun (and under clouds – over 90% of UV rays can still pass through cloud and cause sunburn) is essential. Step forward this SPF, providing a high level of water-resistant protection against UVA, UVB and Infrared damage.

More Toddler Meals The Taste & Try Bundle, £10.66

Want to give a toddler something nutritious but that’s easy to pack? Buy this bundle of three freeze dried toddler meals: Sweet Potato & Aubergine Dhal, Five Veg Macaroni, and the Super Green Pasta Stars. Ready in under five minutes, all you need to do is add warm water. All that and with no added sugar, no added salt, and no artificial additives.

POCA Audio PINE Beat Traveller Speaker, £129.95

This high-fidelity, waterproof unit is designed to be repaired, not replaced. Accessible parts and easy fixes mean you never have to throw your speaker away, plus its 30-hour battery packs snap in and out, so the party stops when you say so. It also boasts a versatile Carry Cord and super-strong carabiner.

Faith In Nature Lemon 1L Washing Up Liquid, £6.39

From barbecue platters to alfresco dining, this cuts through grease and leaves dishes sparkling clean. Made with 99% natural origin ingredients and scented with uplifting lemon oil, the concentrated formula delivers effective results with a fresh citrus aroma.

The post Our pick of the best Summer camping musts appeared first on Checklists.

CampingEssentials Archives - Checklists