The Most Efficient Packing Strategy for Your Next Camping Trip

Planning on taking a weekend camping trip with family or friends? If you’re like us, you’ll agree that packing is the worst part. Because you want to ensure you're bringing the gear you need to make your outdoor living an enjoyable experience, it’s hard to determine what to leave behind. After a while, the back of your car, truck, or SUV will inevitably start looking like that closet you throw stuff in when the company’s coming over! It’s time for some better solutions. Follow this quick guide to replace your “stuff-it-and-go” packing strategy with an efficient and space-saving way to prep for an outdoor excursion.

Step One: Consolidate Your Gear

The first step to packing anything is to take an inventory of your gear and consolidate it into like categories. Do you have three burners? How about a couple of sets of trekking poles? It’s always a good idea to go ahead and pull all your gear into one place and to begin organizing it before you even begin packing. That way, you know that 1.) you’re covering all of your bases and 2.) you aren’t forgetting any important items. Remember, the amount of gear you pack is dependent upon the available space in your vehicle and at your campsite. Make the gear you’re toting fits the context. 

Step Two: Plan Your Activities

If you’re a “just in case” packer, consider this your intervention. It’s essential to actually make a plan for the types of activities your weekend may include. You don’t have to take away all forms of spontaneity. You simply need to make sure you have the proper equipment to partake in all potential activities without packing nonessentials that just take up space. Planning the activities beforehand is the best way to make sure your packing is efficient. You don’t want to end up free climbing a rock face without the proper equipment! Just spend an hour or so thinking over your desired itinerary before packing. This act alone can save you loads of stress out on the trail or in the wilderness. 

Step Three: Purchase a Game-Changing Organizational Box

Let’s face it, plastic tubs, cardboard boxes, and blindly throwing your stuff in the back of a truck bed just won’t cut it if you’re a serious camper. It’s ludicrous to believe you’ll be able to remember everything you need when you’re stuffing it away in a million different packing containers. Instead, just get one. The Renlicon Out-In-About Box™ is the perfect space-saving, efficient packing tool. It’s weatherproof and flexible enough to store your sleeping gear, climbing gear, food supplies, and entertainment all in one. Don’t skip this step, as it’s really the crux of efficient packing. If you don’t have the right tools, you’ll end up looking and feeling like an amateur! Don’t miss your opportunity to end your packing frustrations once and for all. 

Step Four: Make Sure You’re Transportation Has Enough Space

Look, camping is a game for off-road capable, high-storage capacity, toughly-built vehicles. If you’re trying to pack efficiently in your Pruis while taking a group of friends to the mountains, you may want to consider renting a vehicle. Some vehicles simply aren’t made to store the amount of gear required to camp in style. If you’re having trouble fitting everything into one car, the problem may be the vehicle. Choose a vehicle with four-wheel drive and plenty of storage capacity. You may even want to consider roof-top storage if you’re camping with a large group. If you’re looking to camp in luxury, you may even consider renting an RV. There are some things a Mini-Cooper just can’t do!

Bonus Tip & Quick Hacks: Dry Storage for Food and Other Items

Make sure your dry food and other essential items are double-packed. The Out-In About Box™ is a great storage option overall, but you may want to completely waterproof certain items inside the box. This will deter moisture from humidity and other spills that may occur inside the box from ruining your food supply. For this job, try a Waterproof Dry Sack from REI for this kind of storage option. 

Quick Camping Hacks

• Put scrambled eggs in a water bottle so you don’t have to worry about cracking the shells when transporting, then wash the bottle and use it for water.
• Use a laundry bag to store perishable items such as food or kindling, then use it for dirty laundry on the way back. 
• Transfer products such as spices, toothpaste, and condiments into smaller containers such as a tic-tac container or travel-sized bottles instead of bringing the large containers they come in. 
• Use a vegetable peeler to shave off mini bars of soap for all your fellow campers.

Next time you’re planning a camping excursion with friends, follow this guide to pack efficiently and save space in your vehicle. Missing any of these steps can lead to forgetting an important item that may ruin your entire trip. Make sure to read up on these tips and check out our website for all of your camping and outdoor adventuring needs. 

, for your next camping adventure. If you’re looking for a world-class space-saving tool, you’ve come to the right place. Get yours today and camp the smart way with Renlicon!