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Classy Camping 101

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When you head out for some camping, there are a few things you absolutely need in order to have a fine time of it. These necessities include a tent, a sleeping bag, a way to cook and serve food, and other basics. Like water. You need water to live, so bring some along or make sure you have a good filter/sterilization system (and a water source, of course).

Beyond the fundamentals, a deck of cards never hurt and even a guitar can make the outing that much more pleasurable. (Harmonicas are admittedly more portable than a guitar, but Jesus… a harmonica?) If you want to recreate in style, though, you need to take things up a notch.

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While camping out should be a departure from the humdrum of everyday life, it need not be a retreat from some of the finer comforts you enjoy there in that big city. For example, turning off your phone and leaving those Tweeter and Minterest (or whatever those socialist media things are) accounts neglected is a good idea; spending days in the bush wearing soiled clothing and smelling like a carpetbagger (yes, this is begging the question) is not a good idea. Especially not when you see the first product we’ve got lined up today!

Related: VSSL’s Flashlights

If you want to keep it classy while you camp, keep it clean using the…

Scrubba Portable Laundry System Wash Bag
Now, thanks to the miracle of “internal Scrubba nodules,” you can get clean laundry anywhere. All you need is a bit of soap, about a gallon of water, and some dirty clothes (or, for truly clean clothing, just wash clean clothing). You plop the clothes in the Scrubba, add water and a bit of soap, and then seal the bag up. Let the extra air out through a valve, and then grab hold of the bag and give ‘er some squeezes! It just takes a few minutes for this modern take on the old fashioned washboard to provide you clean clothes. And at just 5 ounces of weight, you can even pack it along on overland treks. Classy indeed.

Now, if you want to take a load off in style, you need the…

Travelchair Big Bubba Chair
It packs down small but unfolds into a full-sized chair! It has a padded headrest! It has a built-in cup holder! This is a camp chair with a goddamn FOOT rest! And it weighs less than 12 pounds! While the Big Bubba chair may be a bit large for the mountain climber to tote on his (or her) back, it’s perfect for folks camping close to their cars. It also will do just fine in a pinch as a spare seat for watching the game, a backyard BBQ party, or even as an everyday chair. Except don’t actually use it as an everyday chair, you’re better than that, sir.

Why leave the fresh beer at home? Tap a glass anywhere with the…

Jockey Box Beer Keg Cooler and Dispenser
For the record, taking this thing along for an overland trip is out of the question. But if you’re pitching your tent near the vehicles (or you’re going for a boat trip), the gentleman who brings along a Jockey Box will be unto a king. Why? Because it’s a self-contained portable beer tap, that’s why. You can pour fresh, frothy glasses of brew anywhere and everywhere (well, not like during an elementary school play…), and that certainly includes the campsite. But you know what, don’t just take it from us, take it from the product’s very own product description: “[the Jockey Box is a] perfect portable solution for dispensing large quantities of ice-cold keg beer at any party or event.” Oh yeah, perfection indeed.

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Steven John
Steven John
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Steven John is a writer and journalist living just outside New York City, by way of 12 years in Los Angeles, by way of…
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Here's how you can responsibly gather firewood. And help out your camper buddies by passing on these "rules" for collecting firewood, so they can also be good stewards of the Earth.
Check local campfire regulations
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Shop local
Invasive species are a threat to wilderness areas throughout the world. It’s tempting to bring firewood from home to your campsite, but this can threaten local ecosystems. Although it’s more expensive, the best option for “gathering” firewood is to buy it locally. The closer it’s purchased to your campsite, the better, whether that’s at the campground itself or a nearby convenience store.
Deader is better
Perhaps the most essential rule of gathering firewood responsibly is never to strip live trees. It’s bad for the environment, and it’s not sustainable. Imagine if every camper in that area -- dozens, even hundreds throughout a season -- pulled their firewood from the trees closest to their campsite. But, even from a selfish perspective, fresh, green wood is not going to burn well. Repeat after me: “Deader is better.” If it snaps easily under your boot, it’s ready to burn.
But let dead logs lie
Dead logs might look like great fire-stoking material, but there are two reasons to leave them be. The first is that they make great homes and hiding spots for smaller wildlife, including mammals, reptiles, and insects. They’re a vital part of any ecosystem. Second, the oldest logs are often damp or soaked completely through, so they make for terrible campfire wood.
Size matters
Gathering oversized pieces of wood is fine, so long as they’re cut to size before adding them to the fire pit. For front-country camping, consider packing a bow saw. Leave the axe at home, as it’s overkill for simply cutting logs to size. Backcountry campers concerned with pack weight might bring a hatchet, which is lightweight, compact, and incredibly versatile even beyond fire-making purposes. Whatever the tool, always cut firewood to fit completely inside your fire pit. This will help keep your campfire contained to a manageable size that’s less likely to get out of control.
Pay it forward
In some national and state parks, campers are not allowed to leave firewood behind. It must be taken with them or burned. Another option is to give any leftover wood to a fellow camper. It’s the right thing to do legally, environmentally, and for the simple pleasure of paying it forward.
Leave no trace
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