How To - Camp Comfortably In Summer

Taking a trip into the wild during the peak of summer can get a little uncomfortable at times. The good news is, with a couple of extra additions to your packing list, you can maximise your comfort. Here are our top ideas for making the outdoors your home when you're camping in the warmer season:

How To Camp Comfortably In The Summertime

1. Don't get weighed down by clothing. When you're outdoors in warmer climates and working up a sweat, the last thing you want to be wearing is heavy, thick clothing that clings to you. Pack breathable clothing made of lightweight fabrics that won't weigh you down and will let your skin breathe. If it's cold, wear layers so you can remove them as your body gets warmer and have them on hand again when you cool down.

2. Choose clothing with versatile designs. Long sleeve shirts with sleeve tabs are great for summer - you can keep them down for full coverage when the sun is really beating down or roll them up if you need to air your arms. Convertible pants can do the same thing for your legs, allowing you to zip off the bottom half when you want to cool down and don't need full protection.

3. Bring a pair of sandals. You'll probably have worn hiking shoes or boots to get to your camping location, but once you're set up, it's great to let your feet breathe. Teva is a premium footwear brand that offers a wide range of sandals that are great for the outdoors. KEEN is another option, with their highly regarded KEEN. Protect patented toe protection where the shoes outsoles wrap up and over the toes for ultimate protection. This stops you kicking your toes on rocks, tree stems or any other sharp or hard objects around the camp site.

4. Be sun smart and take a hat. A wide-brimmed hat is the most functional and practical option, providing the most face and neck coverage from harmful UV rays and keeping you cooler over the course of the day. If you can't get your hands on one of these, a bucket hat or one of our men's caps with a flap will also help to minimise your sun exposure. At the very least wear a cap.

5. Use plenty of sunscreen to avoid sunburn. Just in case you do experience a kiss from the sun, pack some aloe vera or another sunburn relief treatment in your first aid kit.

6. Slip on some sunglasses. If it's sunny and you don't have any eyewear, you'll end up with a headache by the end of the day if you've been squinting your eyes for long periods of time.

7. Stay hydrated. At the very least you should have a water bottle but if you plan to be in one spot for some time, maybe go for a pack tap or folding bucket - Sea to Summit have some clever designs here, which gives you greater volume of water to offer if you have a few campers to cater for. Consider carrying a hydration pack for hydration on the go.

8. Make a portable fridge. Pack an esky with some frozen water bottles to keep your perishables cold during the first couple of days of your trip. This will give you a larger range of meal options and will keep your water supply chilled until you are ready to drink it.

9. Select the right tent. First and foremost, make sure you use a 3-season tent, not a 4-season tent which is designed for winter or alpine conditions. From there, look for tent designs with more mesh and ventilation windows for air flow. Once you're set up, open the door(s) for additional breeze. If you're really keen, a tarp will give you the most open space (but least coverage).

10. Take a hammock. If you're going on a short outdoor trip, a hammock helps you pack light and still get a great night's sleep with plenty of air flow. Pack a tarp and a mosquito net for shelter and protection in case you need it.

11. Bring a pillow. This might seem like a luxury but it will help get you a good night's sleep and avoid a kinked neck in the morning.

12. Set up some furniture to make your time more comfortable and relaxing. A lightweight chair stops you having to sit cramped on the earth while a packable table lets you eat, play cards or set up your portable speakers easily.

13. Bring a kitchen. A portable cooking system allows you to make a bigger and better range of meals as you have more cooking techniques available to you. Don't forget some dinnerware and cutlery/utensils.