Wild Camping Essentials: What to Pack for a Night Under the Stars

We had so many people in the shop picking up bits and bobs for a wild camp that we thought it was time to put our essentials list into words. This is the kit we'd genuinely take ourselves for a night out under the stars, not a generic packing list.

Hammock and tarp

The first bit of kit I'd take is a hammock. For anyone who hasn't tried hammocking, I can highly recommend it. There's nothing like the feeling of weightlessness, surrounded by air, and some of the best night's sleep I've had have been in a hammock. One tip: go easy on the mead before you sleep, or you might end up face down against the mosquito net hanging on for dear life. Maybe that's just me.

We've stocked plenty of hammocks over the years, but DD Hammocks have consistently been the quality, reliable option. Which one I recommend depends on what you want from it. My first was the DD Hammocks Scout Hammock, and I didn't regret it. You zip yourself in surrounded by mosquito net to keep the flies out, and I used the same setup as a bivi on the scout cave camps we used to run. With the waterproof base, a rough stick tripod is enough to lift the net off your face while you sleep.

Lately I've found myself reaching for the DD Hammocks Camping Hammock more and more. It's a little comfier, wrapped in parachute-type fabric, and if the lack of mosquito net doesn't bother you, you can get a great hammock in this range for under £30 - ideal if you're just starting out.

If you've never hammocked before, YouTube has plenty of ways to hang a hammock and tarp. You can buy all kinds of accessories for it, but after trying most of what's on the market, I'm back to just the webbing straps that come with DD hammocks. Wrap around the tree, bring it back on itself, tie a simple shoelace knot, sit on the hammock to stretch the webbing, undo the knot, pull it as tight as you can, then tie it again. Do that two or three times and it's ready to sleep in.

For the tarp, a square tarp is the most versatile choice, and the 3x3 size covers most needs (big isn't always best). I run a line across between two trees as the underline, throw the tarp over it, thread a second line through the loops on the centre of the tarp, and tie that off tight to the tree. Prusik knots at each end connect to the tarp's loops with a 6mm carabiner, pulled tight, then pegged out with the guy lines.

Keeping your kit dry

I always take a ditty bag or small dry bag for valuables, something that stays dry if the weather turns and clips onto the underline so it's within reach when you wake up. Swedish Army ditty bags are a cheap, simple option for this.

I'd also pack a small groundsheet. It's not the first thing you think of when hammocking, since it's more associated with tents, but it gives you somewhere dry to stand the moment you step out of the hammock in the morning. A ribbed rubberised groundsheet around 7ft by 4ft, with a cord inlay to stop it ripping, is genuinely waterproof and does the job for not much money.

Staying dry when the weather turns

If there's rain forecast, take a proper waterproof. My go-to is a Gore-Tex style army surplus jacket - generous in the cut, waterproof and breathable with a tough outer layer, and light enough to wear over just a t-shirt in moderate weather. A poncho is worth packing too: it substitutes for a jacket, but doubles as a groundsheet or tarp if you're travelling light, especially a rubberised poncho with eyelets and a hood.

Cooking on the fire

My own cooking skills stretch to refried chips and noodles on toast, so take this with a pinch of salt, but a foldable fire grill is one of our steady sellers. It's a decent size, fits a couple of pans at once, stainless steel, folds flat and is easy to clean - see the Foldable Fire Grill for the one we use.

What you cook with comes down to preference. We sell decent steel frying pans in 21cm and 26cm for a fry up, but as a veggie I'm biased towards mess tins - two pans in one, and the lid doubles as a plate, perfect for boiling noodles. On an open fire, rub a bit of washing-up liquid on the base of the pan before you start cooking; it makes the soot far easier to clean off afterwards.

Browse the full range in Open Fire Cooking.

Water and first aid

A proper water bottle is non-negotiable. The Dutch Army Water Bottle pairs with the 44 Pattern steel mug, which slots together with the bottle in its waterproof pouch. The mug doubles as a way to boil noodles on the fire grill if you'd rather not cook properly, and the pouch clips straight onto a belt.

I always pack a small first aid kit too - plasters, bandages and blister plasters come in handy more often than you'd think. Look for one with a field dressing included; it's designed for cuts from an axe or knife, and hopefully you never need it, but it's worth having in the bag. Don't forget midge spray either; nothing ruins a wild camp faster than getting bitten all night. See our Medical / First Aid range for kit options.

Carrying it all

Finally, you need a rucksack to carry everything. There are plenty of options across our Camping range depending on how much kit you're bringing and how far you're walking with it. Look for one with MOLLE attachments if you want the flexibility to add pouches later, and a hydration bladder exit point if you'd rather sip on the move than stop to drink.

What's next

There's more to a wild camp than what's above - sleeping bags and blankets deserve their own guide, and we'll get to it. In the meantime, let us know your own wild camp essentials, and tag us in your photos when you're out.

Dave, MilitaryMart