Skip to main content

This great camping hack involves. . . bread tags?

Save up some bread tags for your next camping trip

Bread tag keeping a bag of bread closed
Francois Lariviere / Shutterstock

When camping, it’s often the smallest, most unexpected items that prove to be the most useful. One tool that’s been overlooked in this fashion is the humble bread tag. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve tossed that little plastic clip that keeps the bread closed in my backpack, but believe it or not, bread tags are pretty useful when it comes to camping. Here are two fantastic ways to use bread tags next time you go camping in the wild.

Camping gear often involves cords and ropes, and oftentimes, these get tangled pretty badly to and from the campsite. A bread tag is a simple yet effective solution to keep all of your cords and tent lines in order while you’re on the go. Just wrap your cord into loops around your hand and secure it all with the bread tag. As long as everything fits inside, this tip can help prevent those frustrating knots that remind you of untangling the Christmas lights.

Recommended Videos

Next, if you’re a hard-core camper, there’s a fair chance that you’re getting pretty muddy while out on your adventures. Whether you’re hiking or biking, there might come a time when you need to wash your clothes the old-fashioned way, and here’s where the bread tags come in handy. Clothespins can be bulky when you’re trying to pack light, but if you pack a few bread clips instead, you can easily keep your clothing secure while it’s attached to the line. This works best with lightweight fabrics, but this is a handy fix if you need to wash or air out damp socks.

Next time you go camping, give your bread tags a new life. The planet will thank you.

Sarah Joseph
With a bright sense of adventure and a heart for the mountains, Sarah is always thrilled to share nature with others through…
Look great on the go: How to overpack without checking bags
My trip to Bellevue, WA gave me the perfect chance to pack efficiently.
Man in polo by a plane

I travel all over the everywhere, all the time. I am on the road about once a month. In the last two years, I have gone diving in Bonaire, hiked for five days to Machu Picchu, had a Viking feast in a cave in Iceland, and had countless dinners and cocktails all over the Carribean, South America, and beyond. One of the things I learned along the way was how vital it is to pack well. The truth is, travel is one of my first loves, but traveling is one of the worst experiences. Flying is a nightmare. The airports are crowded, the process to get through TSA is long and arduous, and the seats on airlines aren't made for adults. The worst part of all of that is that the prices don't reflect the hassle. This is why packing efficiently is so vital. When I went to Bellevue, Washington, it was one of the more difficult to plan for because there was such a wide range of things to do.

Checked bags are expensive, so I had to learn the life skill of overpacking without having to check a bag. Part of that learning curve was simply economic, and part of it was because I am a chronic overpacker. I love to dress up, I love to test out outdoor clothing, and I can't help but have more costume changes than the host of the Oscars. Since I am not a gatekeeper, here are the tips that I have picked up along the way.

Read more
6 simple travel wellness hacks that actually make a difference
These wellness tips make every trip a little healthier
man outside wearing a black hat

Traveling is one of my favorite things, but it can also be exhausting and stressful. Long flights, time zone changes, airport snacks, and unpredictable schedules tend to throw my body and mind off balance. 

Over time, I’ve developed a handful of wellness hacks that help me stay energized, calm, and feeling good no matter where I’m headed. These simple travel wellness hacks have made a huge difference in how I experience travel.
1. Prioritize hydration

Read more
Tune Outdoor’s new M1 Lite is a rugged, affordable, featherweight truck camper
Minimalist pickup owners will love the straightforward "everything you need, nothing you don't" design.
Side profile of Tune Outdoor's M1 Lite truck camper/topper parked in a field.

Sometimes less really is more. Personally, I think that's doubly true when it comes to camping. Whether you're backpacking, car camping, or RV'ing, there's beauty in a dead-simple camp setup. That's the thinking behind Tune Outdoor's new M1 Lite — a more affordable, more streamlined, and (wait for it ...) lighter version of the company's flagship M1 truck camper/topper.
While the original M1 is already lightweight and relatively affordable, compared to other overlanding and truck camping options in the space, Tune Outdoor is upping its game by making this new model even more affordable. That's done by cutting weight and overall size. The M1 Lite's interior is about 20% smaller, but that nets a 20-percent reduction in base weight. At a scant 322 pounds, it hardly weighs much more than some of the larger, most robust rooftop tents on the market. The result? Better fuel economy and a more agile ride both on- and off-road.

The compact interior features a smaller longitudinal double bed that measures 72 by 60 inches, compared to the M1's more generous east-west configuration. The over-cab space is also shorter, measuring just 45 inches. But the 57-inch-long alcove standard in the flagship M1 is available in the M1L as a $1,000 add-on. Overall, the space feels roomier than it should, though, thanks to a full-length pop-top roof with a generous 6.5 feet of headroom. That means most average-height adults can change and move around while standing. Panoramic, wraparound fabric "window" walls also help keep the space light and breezy.
The new M1 Lite starts at $8,999 (based on a Toyota Tacoma short bed). That's a full $4,000 cheaper than its OG predecessor, and Tune Outdoors will even install it for free at its Colorado headquarters. Eager buyers can reserve their very own with a $500 deposit to secure their place in line. First deliveries are expected sometime in December 2025.

Read more