What is the Best Affordable Camping Gear for Beginners?

Getting started with camping doesn’t mean you have to spend hundreds of dollars on gear. As a beginner, it can feel overwhelming with all the tents, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, and outdoor gadgets available. You can build a comfortable and reliable camping setup without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re planning your first weekend at a campground or simply want to try sleeping outdoors before investing in more expensive equipment, this guide will help you focus on the camping gear that matters most. I’ll share affordable options for beginners, what’s worth spending a little more on, and where you can save money when putting together your camping setup.

Camping Gear

Camping at Kicking Horse Campground in BC.

You don’t need to spend $500 on a tent for your first time camping. You can buy affordable ones. A camping tent should be just big enough to sleep the members of your family. If it’s too big, it may be hard to warm up the air in the tent, which could leave you cold overnight. Also, make sure the fly covers most of the tent so wind or rain doesn’t enter it. The tent below sleeps 2 to 6 people and meets the criteria mentioned above.

I recommend a 10-foot by 20-foot tarp in your camping gear to provide enough coverage for the picnic table and your tent. Smaller sizes won’t provide as much rain protection, and you’ll wish you had bought a bigger tarp. Spending money on a tarp is a good investment, as we often need it. Amazon offers a variety of camping chairs. Heavy-duty camping chairs often have extra room for drinks, which can be handy while camping. Ultimately, you can pick any chair that’s convenient for you. You’ll be thankful to have somewhere to sit other than the hard picnic table.

Tip: Bring a collapsible water container with you when camping. They are convenient for storing at home. It’s nice to have water available for drinking, cooking, and washing dishes instead of going to the tap regularly.

If you want to make a fire (when there aren’t fire bans), you’ll need an axe to cut wood.

Sleeping Gear

It’s important to invest in a good mattress when camping. The worst thing is not having a good night’s sleep and being unable to function the next day and participate in your adventures. The Exped mattresses are so comfy to sleep on. They provide a barrier between the tent floor and your back, so you don’t feel the cold air. It’s puffy enough that it feels like you aren’t sleeping on the ground, which I like. It’s easy to inflate with a bag and only takes a couple of minutes. It comes in a mummy size and a rectangular shape, depending on your needs. The mummy fits your body but saves space. The rectangular shape is a bit roomier.

For your sleeping bag, you just need a layer to protect you from the cold. You can buy a more expensive sleeping bag once you know you want to camp more often, and the price will be worth the upgrade.

We bring our backpacking pillow when we camp to avoid buying a second one. You can always bring your big one from home and save on an additional cost.

Cooking Gear

We are camping at Yard Creek in British Columbia.

We use the Coleman Gas Camping Stove. My parents use it, and now we use it too. It does the trick and isn’t too big to pack. You can purchase Coleman Propane Fuel Tanks to go along with it.

Tip: Don’t forget the matches! It will be hard to light the stove without them (as we’ve experienced in the past).

To save on money, bring your pots and frying pans from home. If you want to buy one specifically for your camping gear, the links below offer some at an affordable price. If you don’t have money or don’t want to purchase multiple pots, buy a bigger one to cook all your meals. Don’t forget your spatulas and a wooden spoon to cook.

Dishes & Cutlery

I’m camping at Ferguson Hill Campground in Cypress Hills.

The mess kit is handy camping gear and includes all the dishes and cutlery you’ll need for a low price. You can save money and bring your dishes from home. I often find they get scratched up while camping, and you might not want to bring your nicer dishes outdoors.

Bring a dishcloth, a drying cloth and dish soap from home to wash up once you’re done. You can bring a bin from home if you want to have a bigger container to wash all your dishes, or put the water in the bigger pot, as we do, and wash from there.

Tip: Dispose of your water in the grey water locations throughout the campground. They are typically found under the taps.

Food

Food will be different for every couple or family. Here are some food ideas to help get you started. We eat a lot of the same things we like to eat at home.

Breakfast

We are camping at Yard Creek, in British Columbia.

Breakfast can consist of multiple things, but we like to eat eggs, sausage, and toast (made directly on the stove with careful supervision so it doesn’t burn or over a fire). If you prefer something easier to prepare, you can also warm up water for oatmeal, hot chocolate or coffee. I like to bring berries from home and add them to my oatmeal. Almost anything that you can cook on the stove can be made camping.

Lunch

Kris and I are often out for a hike during lunch. We like to bring sandwiches with us that are nice and easy to eat on the trail. Crackers and cheese with salami are also a good alternative.

Snacks

Honey Stinger Energy Chews make a tasty snack and provide fuel for your daily adventure. Granola bars and dried fruit like pineapple are also nice to eat on the trail. Ritz Peanut Butter sandwiches are filling and can be a nice addition to have outdoors. Try to bring snacks that will provide you with energy.

Supper

For supper, we like to eat an easy meal like this fresh summer salad. We bring cooked chicken and vegetables from our garden so we can easily prepare them once we get to the campsite. We often get back late after a day of adventure and don’t want to spend much time cooking or cleaning up.

The chicken gyro is also quick to eat after a day of adventure. We bring pita, cooked chicken, cucumbers, and tomatoes from our garden, then add yogourt, spices, and feta on top to make a nice, tasty meal.

Rain Gear

Rain gear is important when camping. You’ll be really miserable if you get wet and don’t have the right gear to keep you dry. If you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors, I suggest investing in a good raincoat and rain pants. We both like our Arc’teryx raincoats, found on their website. Although they’re pricey, they last a long time, are breathable, and are completely waterproof.

If you aren’t sure how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, the Columbia men’s and women’s rain pants are available on Amazon for an affordable price; the Columbia Women’s Arcadia II Jacket is a good choice for $119.99.

Clothing

You can bring your clothes from home if you’re planning to spend time at the campsite, which will help you save money. If you’re planning outdoor activities, consider bringing breathable clothes.

Kris really likes his Columbia Men’s Rapid Rivers Printed Short Sleeve Shirt because it is quick-drying, lightweight, and easy to move in while hiking.

Convertible pants are awesome while exercising. We highly recommend them. They provide warmth first thing in the morning, or when the weather isn’t as nice, and when it warms up, you can easily zip off the bottom half of the pants, turning them into shorts! Instead of wearing shorts and pants on top, which can be awkward to walk around in, this makes it much simpler. It saves weight and prevents awkwardness if you need to switch from pants to shorts on the trail.

I find a Merino pant base layer handy to have for sleeping at night. Sometimes it can get cold at night, and having something warm can help you get a full night’s sleep.

A fleece or down jacket is important to have if you need a warmer layer.

Undergarments

Don’t forget to bring your undergarments with you when camping.

Tip: Bring socks with a cushion under the heel if you plan on spending time hiking. They will make your feet much more comfortable.

Extra Clothing

Extra clothing is important camping gear to have with you to sit around the campfire or at the campsite. The weather can change quickly in the mountains. A toque and lightweight mitts are helpful for brisk mornings in August or when a cold front shows up. A baseball cap is good for sun protection and keeping rain out of your eyes. It can also help keep your hood up and prevent it from coming down on your eyes.

Toiletries

Don’t forget your toiletries when camping. We often bring travel-size toothbrushes and toothpaste. You can save money here by bringing your toiletries from home. Most campgrounds provide toilet paper. I like to bring toilet paper and hand sanitizer with me when hiking. They only come in bulk on Amazon; bring the amount you need for your hike.

Footwear

I used to have 100% Gore-Tex hiking boots but often found them stiff and not breathable. Since making the switch, La Sportiva Women’s Nucleo Hiking boots are much better for hiking. I love the ankle support for scrambling; they offer waterproofing while staying flexible and breathable.

When it’s muddy and wet, gaiters offer additional protection to keep your boots and feet dry. Sandals can be nice to have to walk around the campsite.

Water for Hiking

Staying hydrated while hiking is important. Both the CamelBak and the Nalgene bottle are good options for drinking water on the trail. They are both affordable options.

Safety

A first aid kit is always a good idea to include in your camping gear in case you get hurt while camping or doing other activities. A Petzl headlamp is useful in the morning or evening when it gets dark.

A Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is great for taking pictures and videos without worrying about carrying a bulky camera, and it can help track your whereabouts on a hike.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need expensive gear to enjoy your first camping adventures. Start with the essentials, choose affordable and reliable options, and add to your gear as you gain experience and discover what works best for you.

I’d suggest making a comfortable camping mattress your biggest investment. A good night’s sleep can make a huge difference in how much you enjoy your trip. For everything else, save where you can by bringing as many things from home as possible, such as kitchen supplies, clothes, and other everyday items you already own.

The best camping gear for beginners fits your budget, your camping style, and your comfort level. Spend wisely, keep it simple, and focus on getting outside and enjoying the adventure!

Additional Links

• Carrot Apple Loaf
• Shrimp Veggie Bowl
• Pineapple Chicken Stirfry
• Thai Chicken Pasta
• Mini Angel Food Cakes