Best Minimalist Camping Gear

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Minimalist camping involves bringing the least amount of gear possible and being resourceful with the tools nature provides. whether out of necessity like when backpacking or just for fun, many people have left their bulky gear bags behind and packed their heads with the confidence and knowledge to survive in the wild. You don’t need all of the bells and whistles and creature comforts to have a good time camping.

The best shelter, water purifier, cookware, backpack, and other gear will depend largely on your personal preferences, but each option has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Maybe you’re planning your next backpacking trip, or maybe you just don’t want the hassle of lugging lots of stuff to your campsite. Either way, I’ve done the dirty work for you and found the best gear for your minimalist camping experience.

Shelter – Tarp, Tent, or Hammock 

No matter how you’re camping, your shelter is arguably your most important camping gear. There are several options to choose from for a minimalist camping setup, but your three best choices are going to be a tarp, a tent, or a hammock.

Tarp 

The most basic tarp setup you can use is an a-frame. You’ll want to make sure that you grab one specifically for camping or a similarly lightweight tarp that won’t tear, and then all you need is rope.

Tie the rope between two trees and drape the tarp overtop. Then put your sleeping bag underneath and…you’re done! It really doesn’t get easier than that, and it’s also the least expensive option for shelter you’re likely to find. If you would rather not put your sleeping bag right on the ground you can get a second, smaller tarp or sheet to place underneath.

The downside to using an a-frame tarp for your shelter is the lack of sides. You may be protected from the sun, the rain, and the snow, but just about anything else can and will join you in your shelter including animals and bugs. 

Tent 

Sometimes it’s best to not overthink things. Tents have been part of standard camping supplies since the 1800s and there’s no reason that a tent wouldn’t work for your minimalist setup. 

1-2 man tents are lightweight and relatively easy to pitch, though they are a bit more labor intensive than a tarp. They are also much more likely to keep everything out from moisture and dirt to bugs and animals.

The one main downside to using a tent is the cost – Specialized small lightweight tents can run $135+ for a decent brand. If part of your minimalist camping experience is minimal cost, then you may be better off sticking with the tarp.

Hammock

If you’re wanting something compact and easy to carry, a hammock is a great option. It’s very lightweight and folds down to almost nothing, and you don’t have to worry about poles unlike a tent. 

A hammock can be just as effective as a tent at keeping the elements out, and since you’re up off the ground you’re less likely to have to deal with animals and bugs. Having said that, they do tend to get colder than tents and you may wake up to find you are literally freezing your buns off. 

Something to keep in mind with hammocks is that they can be setup intensive. First off you have to be in a wooded area and the trees have to be the right spacing for your gear. You will also have to play around with the straps to make sure the hammock will support your weight, and then add a rain tarp or bug net if there is not one built into the hammock’s design.

Water

Clean water is a necessity while you’re camping, not only because of the whole needing water to live thing but also because dirty water can have contaminants and microorganisms that can make you sick. Fortunately there are multiple ways to purify your water supply that won’t take up too much space in your pack.

Compact Filters

These really are the gold standard for making sure you have clean water. These filters are extremely lightweight and fit in the palm of your hand in most cases, which makes them great for travel and storage. LifeStraw and Sawyer are two such brands with micro compact filters, and they remove over 99% of bacteria and parasites in the water, They also take out many particulates like micro plastics and grit.

Compact filters don’t alter the taste of the water and they’re good for roughly 100,000 gallons, which means you can take many, many camping trips before you have to worry about a replacement.

The only downside is their cost. Some of them can get very pricey, especially the filters that are already built into a water bottle. The good news is that because of their longevity, you won’t have to worry about buying another one for a while. And there’s no price I won’t pay to prevent diarrhea while camping out in the bush.

Purification Tablets

These used to be the only way to ensure your water was fit to drink, but in the age of the compact filter they have become much less appealing. First off, these take time. The fastest product will work in 30 minutes, but the ones that kill Cryptosporidia – a parasitic protozoa that you definitely want to avoid – often take 4 hours. 

Another thing to consider is filtration. You can kill most of the bad bugs with a purification tablet, but you won’t be able to get particles out without a second step. The taste of the water also varies widely from one brand to another, and some people even report getting a sore throat from the chemicals in certain tablets. 

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Canteen

Fresh, clean water doesn’t mean much if you don’t have something to put it in. Many people will go for a classic metal canteen because you can store both hot and cold liquids in it and they don’t leave a plastic taste.

Canteens are bulky, so using a water bottle instead can take up less space and there is often a mesh pocket to store them on the side of your backpack. Otherwise, water bottles offer the same advantages as a canteen.

If you would rather have a collapsible water container, you can go for a bladder. Some bladders are built into your backpack, but these can be tricky to get out and it is hard to know how much water you have left. A portable bladder separate from the backpack is also an option, but they tend to be less durable and harder to fill than a bottle or canteen.

My favorite water storage and purification solution is the Microlyscs CrazyCap. It’s an insulated stainless steel bottle that keeps my liquids cool on a hot summer day and also has a UV light to kill bacteria in the water or that builds up in the bottle.

Because the CrazyCap is stainless steel it won’t leave a plastic flavor to your water which is always a turn off. The UV light is built into the cap as well so your can sanitize your hands or surfaces by running the cap over top of them with the light on.

Backpack

Choosing the right backpack is like choosing the right car – they come in many different styles, everyone has a different preference, some will have things you don’t need or won’t use, and some will be missing features that you’d really like to have.

No matter what backpack you choose, it should definitely have the following qualities:

Comfortable

Shoulder straps should be well padded and be adjustable from the top and bottom connection points. A chest strap will also help make a backpack more comfortable to carry on your back. 

Waist straps help distribute the weight of your pack onto your hips rather than supporting it all on your shoulders. If you plan to travel more than a few hundred feet you’ll be thankful for your padded waist straps.

Lightweight

Your pack should be constructed of strong but lightweight materials. Choosing a large pack can feel like the right choice initially but once it’s loaded down with all your gear it quickly becomes a burden. Choosing a smaller lighter pack will help limit the gear you bring (keeping you minimalist) and make sure the weight on your back is a factor of your gear and not your pack itself.

Accessibility

Next, it should be accessible. Having ten thousand pockets is great, but if they are placed so that they are hard to access it won’t be helpful to you. You’ll want to be able to easily get the gear you need, so looking at how the space is organized is a big factor. It’s also suggested to keep your backpack to less than 50L in size.

Low Profile

Low profile pockets will allow you to keep small gear like a map, compass and snack close at hand without becoming snag hazards while hiking around trees and branches. Having front access down your entire pack is also a nice feature that reduces the need to rummage through all your gear and prevents constant unpacking and repacking to locate a tool or item at the bottom of your bag.

Weather Resistant

Finally, you want it to protect your gear. Some backpacks will be made with waterproof or water resistant material, but a rain cover will guarantee that your gear stays protected from the elements as you travel. Overall, the right backpack will help you organize and protect your minimalist gear comfortably.

Cook Set

Cooking on the go is a challenge, but making it minimalist is easy! You only need a pot to boil water in and a skillet or fry pan for cooking, then a plate and a bowl for eating. You can find lightweight sets with collapsible handles that nest in each other, making them easy to store as well. 

You can get a lightweight cup for flavored drinks and a multi utensil tool that is a combination of a fork, spoon, and knife, and then all you need is a rag for dishes and your cook set is good to go.

For a more in depth look at the type of gear you’ll need for cooking on your camping trip check out this guide to the Essential Backpacking Cooking Gear

Hatchet

There’s no substitute for a reliable hatchet in the when you’re out in the bush, it could be the difference between life and death. Splitting wood for fires, clearing brush around a site, chopping dead limbs to build a shelter are jobs created for a hatchet.

Of course a heavy axe will just weigh you down and be a burden. That’s what makes a lightweight, razor sharp, hand forged tool like the Hults Bruk Small Hatchet the perfect addition to your gear. There’s no substitute for quality when you’re on your own and need a reliable tool to depend on.

Knife

A knife is going to be the single most helpful tool for camping, and you’ll use a camping knife for everything from starting your fire to cutting wood for it, from fileting fish to cutting cord, and everything in between. 

You’ll want a sheath for your knife, and you can find ones that go around your leg or on your belt. You’ll also want a grip that is comfortable on your knife – you’re going to be using it a lot.

I always carry my Carbon Steel Morakniv when I’m out in the bush camping. It has a comfortable hand grip, it fits snug in the belt sheath, is razor sharp and is the perfect tool for prepping and starting a fire.

Headlamp

You won’t want to fumble with a flashlight when you can just as easily have a light source on your head. This will let you move hands-free and make it easier for you to work once the sun goes down.

Newer headlamps like the Everbeam H6 are motion activated so a simple wave of the hand turns it on. Just make sure you bring extra batteries or a USB battery pack for charging on the go. Having a light with adjustable brightness and colors is helpful as well. Pro tip – use red light to help preserve your night vision.

Paracord 

There are many things that you can skip bringing on a minimalist trip, but this isn’t one of them. Paracord is extremely durable while still being lightweight, and it can be used for everything from hanging your food and laundry to bundling firewood. 

Not to mention, you can make just about anything from branches and cord. Need a spear for fishing? Your tent got ripped up by a bear and you want to make a lean-to? Want to make traps and snares for food? Paracord.

Map and Compass

Many hikers have met their demise because they got lost, and you’ll definitely want to keep that from happening to you. Even hikers following trails can get lost because wildlife trails often intersect with and run along marked trails, and it’s all too easy for you to accidentally follow the wrong one.

Using a map and compass even when you’re following a trail is a great way to prevent getting lost, and it’s absolutely necessary to use one if you’re bushwhacking. You’ll want to have some kind of idea about the terrain and environment you’re going into beforehand, and you’ll also want to tell someone what your plan is for the hike in case the worst does happen.

First Aid

You don’t need a fully stocked clinic to be prepared for an injury – but you do need a first aid kit. You can find a wide selection of compact kits with all of the essentials, but I’d definitely recommend taking some time to get familiar with the kit before you head out. The last thing you want is to be reading the package instructions when you or one of your hiking partners needs help.

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Closing Thoughts 

Minimalist camping is a wonderful way to connect with the outdoors, and you don’t need a whole bunch of bulky gear to do it. As long as you have the essentials, you’ll be all set to have a great camping experience.