Gadgets for camping in the forest – what should you bring?

A trip to the forest can be a great experience if you prepare for it properly. Well-thought-out camping gadgets increase comfort and safety and allow you to fully enjoy your stay in nature. Read this guide and find out why it is worth investing in camping gadgets and which ones we recommend from our Badger Outdoor brand.
Why is it worth having camping gadgets?
Camping in the forest is all about independence and coping without amenities. Unlike camping with showers and electricity, everything depends on you and what you have in your backpack. In forest conditions, many tasks await you: preparing kindling, cutting ropes, building a makeshift camp, repairing equipment. Without a sturdy knife or multitool, many of these activities become difficult or even impossible. The same goes for other pieces of equipment – if you plan to reach your destination on foot, a lightweight hammock with a tarp may be a much better choice than a heavy tent. Not only do you save weight in your backpack, but you also gain insulation from the cold, damp ground, which can effectively cool your body down at night, even during the summer heat.
These are just examples – the right camping gear can help in dozens of situations, from lighting a fire in damp conditions to providing a hot drink, a comfortable night’s sleep, and regeneration. Below you will find specific equipment recommendations that will work well when camping in the forest.
Practical gadgets for every camping trip — list
There are many gadgets that are worth taking with you when camping, but we particularly recommend the following products from our range:
- knife and multitool,
- flint,
- paracord,
- hammock and camping tarp,
- sleeping bag and mattress,
- outdoor dishes, spork,
- thermos and thermal mug.
Each product from the list will be described in detail later in this guide. We will provide our recommendations and specific names to help you make your choice.
Knife and multitool – for preparing wood, repairing equipment and everyday tasks in the field
It is difficult to imagine camping in the wild without a knife, as it is an absolute essential piece of equipment in the forest. A knife is useful for preparing meals, whittling wood, or making minor repairs to equipment. We recommend Badger Outdoor D2 Toro folding knife from our range. This model is made of high-quality tool steel that is resistant to blunting. We have equipped it with a clip that allows you to conveniently attach it to the edge of your pocket, belt, or other piece of equipment. In addition, our range also includes other folding knives that stay sharp for a long time. They are lightweight and compact, making them ideal for everyday carry (EDC).
When it comes to multitools, they can be compared to a small, portable toolbox. They come in handy in many situations in the forest. Their design is based on pliers, which are the central element of the tool and enable squeezing, holding, bending, or cutting various materials. Badger Outdoor offers a wide range of multitools that are perfect for camping in the forest. They differ in the number of functions, but they all feature high durability. One of the multitools valued by our customers is the Badger Outdoor Splinter, which combines as many as 18 functions in one tool. It includes, among others, pliers with a wire cutter, a saw, and spring-loaded scissors. All multitool tools are equipped with a lock, which significantly increases safety during work.
Flint and plasma lighter – fire even in difficult conditions
When you go camping in the forest, you need to take a source of fire with you. However, don’t rely on ordinary matches or cheap lighters from gas stations. It’s better to invest in flint that works regardless of rain or strong wind, requires no fuel, and lasts for thousands of uses. From our range, we can recommend the Badger Outdoor Fire Rod flint, which generates very strong sparks, so you can easily light a fire with it.
An alternative to a flint is, for example, Badger Outdoor plasma lighter from our range, which works effectively in strong wind, rain, or snow. In addition to this model, we also offer several others that are equally effective in difficult weather conditions.
Paracords and cords – hanging a hammock, attaching tarps, makeshift repairs
Experienced survivalists always take paracord with them into the forest, both in its classic form and as a bracelet. It is useful in the field for hanging a hammock, repairing equipment, or securing a tent. Badger Outdoor offers cord up to 30 meters long, which can withstand a static load of up to 250 kg. They are available in classic form or as bracelets, which, in addition to their practical function, also serve as decoration.
Hammock and camping tarp – lightweight and quick shelter, protection from rain and wind
When camping, you will need somewhere to sleep, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be a standard tent. We recommend a hammock with a tarp as an alternative. This will usually be a much lighter set than a one-person tent. In addition, a hammock eliminates the problem of moisture and uneven ground, making sleep much more comfortable.
We recommend, for example, Tundra hammock from our range, which can withstand loads of up to 200 kg. It takes only a few minutes to set up. The set includes two strong 2-meter ropes and two durable carabiners, which allow you to mount the hammock in many configurations, e.g., between trees.
It is also worth adding an X-Rain camping tarp, which will protect you from falling leaves at night, rain, or the morning sun, which could wake you up prematurely. Unfolding such a tarp is easy and takes only a few minutes. It can be mounted in many ways, using ropes, trekking poles, trees, rocks, or other elements of the environment.
Sleeping bag and mattress – comfortable sleep and ground insulation
The quality of sleep during camping in the forest is extremely important for the regeneration of the body and overall well-being during the trip. Without a proper sleeping bag and mattress, even the best-planned camping trip can turn into a tiring night full of discomfort.
For camping in the woods, we recommend mummy-shaped sleeping bags, which provide excellent thermal insulation thanks to their tailored fit. A good choice would be, for example, the Nightpack 100R sleeping bag, which guarantees a very comfortable sleep even when the temperature drops a few degrees below zero at night. This sleeping bag is equipped with a hood for additional head protection, and its construction is highly resistant to tears and mechanical damage.
However, a mattress is worth taking with you, especially if you plan to sleep in a tent. It provides insulation from the cold and damp ground, significantly improving your sleeping comfort. An example of a proven product is the Badger Outdoor single mattress, measuring 188 × 58 cm, which is lightweight and has a durable polyester construction. The mat is equipped with a wide air inlet that allows for quick inflation, either by mouth or with a pump.
Outdoor dishes, spork – cooking and eating in the field
When camping in the woods, it is worth taking appropriate outdoor dishes for preparing and eating meals, especially if you plan to do more than just pour water over freeze-dried food. Most people who camp in a forest environment appreciate the opportunity to prepare a warm, wholesome meal in the open air.
The basis for such a set can be a compact camping stove, such as the Badger Outdoor FSCS Camping Stove – a folding design that can be lit with various fuels, from dry wood to camping fuel in the form of tablets or gel.
A great addition is the 3Steelcook 3-piece mess tin, which can be placed directly over the stove to prepare a tasty meal. Made of durable material, it can withstand contact with open flames without the risk of deformation or damage.
A practical gadget worth buying for camping in the woods is a spork, such as the 5in1 Hiker, which combines a knife, spoon, fork, bottle opener, and can opener in one tool. It’s a much better alternative than packing each piece of cutlery separately.
Thermos and thermal mug – hot drinks and water at arm’s reach
When camping in the woods, you probably won’t have time to constantly reheat water for coffee or tea. That’s why it’s worth getting a thermos or thermal mug, because you can prepare your drink in the morning, pour it into one of these accessories, and it will stay warm for hours. Such a mug or thermos will also work well on hot days – just pour cold water into it and it will stay cool for hours.
Our range includes thermoses and mugs of various capacities. For camping in the woods, we recommend, for example, Badger Outdoor Big Boy Thermos 1.3 l. It is made of high-quality 304 stainless steel and keeps drinks warm for up to 24 hours. The material of the thermoses is safe for health, BPA-free, and does not alter the taste of liquids.
Badger Outdoor camping gadgets – proven and tactical
Check out the full range of our Badger Outdoor brand, where you will find even more essential camping gear. We offer a complete range of equipment to make your stay in the great outdoors comfortable and safe.
In addition to basic camping accessories, our range also includes practical axes for chopping wood for a campfire or preparing a campsite, as well as shovels and other field tools. We also offer lightsticks, which are useful for marking your campsite after dark or as an emergency light source. Choosing Badger Outdoor accessories, you invest in durable and proven equipment that you can rely on during every trip to the forest.