[Highly Popular] How to Start Your Dream Camp Touring Adventure

The recent outdoor boom shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Do you ever think, "I want to try motorcycle camping, but I don't know how to start," or "There's so much information, I'm lost on what gear to buy"? This article is for beginners, introducing the essential camping gear you'll need.

11 essential items

1. Tent
2. Pegs
3. Groundsheet
4. Sleeping bag
5. Mat
6. Chair
7. Table
8. Lantern
9. Gas burner
10. Cutlery
11. Loading bag

Let's look at them in order.

Tent

First and foremost, a tent. Even for solo touring, considering space for your luggage, it's safer to choose a 2-person tent. Opt for one that's easy to set up and take down, and that packs down compactly.

Wild Country Hoolie 2 Green 2-person tent

https://bikeman.jp/

Coleman Touring Dome ST

Pegs

These are essential for securing your tent to the ground. Most tents come with them, so you usually don't need to buy them separately. If you go camping a few times and feel the need for stronger pegs that can handle any terrain, then consider purchasing some.

Nordisk Steel V-Peg 6-piece set

ELLISSE Ellisse Stake 28cm 8-piece set

Groundsheet

This sheet is laid under the tent to protect the tent's bottom surface and prevent rainwater from seeping in. It also helps keep the tent cleaner, making takedown easier. A blue tarp from a 100-yen store or home center will suffice, but choosing one designed for your specific tent is a sure bet.

IRIS OHYAMA Blue Sheet #3000

Sleeping bag

Be sure to buy one that suits the season. There are broadly two types: "down" and "synthetic fiber."

• Characteristics of down

・Lightweight

・Compact storage size

・Vulnerable to moisture

・More expensive than synthetic fiber

• Characteristics of synthetic fiber

・Heavy

・Larger storage size

・Resistant to moisture

・Cheaper than down

ISUKA Down Plus Tyrol X Fresh Green

Coleman Mummy Sleeping Bag

OMORC Envelope-style Convertible

Mat

Since you'll be sleeping outdoors, your sleep quality will often be lower than usual. When camping, the mat is actually more important than the sleeping bag for good sleep. It insulates from ground heat and protects your body from uneven ground.

CAPTAIN STAG Inflatable Mat

Chair

Essential for relaxing at the campsite. For your first chair, an inexpensive one with a backrest is a good choice.

Outdoor Folding Chair

Table

Even with a small tabletop, cooking and eating are surprisingly manageable. A low table that folds up compactly is recommended.

CAPTAIN STAG Laforet Aluminum FD Table 56x34cm

CAPTAIN STAG Aluminum Low Table

Lantern

Campsites, with little artificial light, become truly pitch black at night. A lantern that illuminates the entire site is essential. If you use it in conjunction with your smartphone's flashlight app, one lantern will be enough. An LED lantern is recommended for your first one.

CAPTAIN STAG Pop-up Lantern (Wild Black) with carabiner

CAPTAIN STAG Might LED Lantern M-1349

Gas burner

You can use it to boil water for instant noodles or coffee. Even if you're not cooking a full meal, just boiling water at the campsite can create a special atmosphere.

SOTO Single Burner ST-301

Gas canisters here

SOTO Power Gas 3-pack ST-760

Cutlery

What you use at home is perfectly fine, but if you want to get something specifically for camping, foldable and compact options are recommended.

MAGNA Folding Cutlery Set

Loading bag

As you continue camping, you'll likely accumulate more gear, so it's a good idea to have one large seat bag.

TANAX Camping Seat Bag 2

Please refer to this article for information on loading.

URL:

Useful and enjoyable items to have

Fire pit

Bonfires are a quintessential part of camping, aren't they? You can use them for cooking, or just gazing at the flames is therapeutic. Again, a compact and foldable option would be best.

CAPTAIN STAG BBQ Grill Fire Pit

Fire Stand Folding Fire Pit

If you're having a bonfire, don't forget the sheet to lay under the fire pit. It's necessary to prevent damage to the campsite's grass and other surfaces. Be sure to prepare it as well.

Fire Pit Sheet

Torch

Used for lighting bonfires, etc. Matches can work, but a torch is highly recommended because of its high heat and ability to light a fire quickly, making it very convenient.

SOTO Micro Torch COMPACT

For a detailed article on SOTO Micro Torches, please click the URL below.

Cooker, Sierra cup, Cup

A cooker and Sierra cup are essential for cooking. We recommend purchasing a set initially. For cups, any unbreakable cup you have at home is fine, but if you're buying new ones, those with foldable handles are recommended.

Snow peak Aluminum Personal Cooker Set

WAQ Titanium Mug 450ml (with lid)

If you want to know more about Sierra cups, please read the article at the URL below.

Tarp and Tarp Poles

Makes packing up in the rain easier. If you have extra luggage space and budget, you might consider getting one from the start. It also protects you from strong sunlight. Freestanding tarps are not suitable for motorcycle camping due to their large packed size.

KingCamp Waterproof Tarp

NORDISK Tarp VossTech SI

https://bikeman.jp/

When using a tarp, don't forget tarp poles. If there are trees nearby that you can tie ropes to, you won't need them, but in most cases, you'll set up your tarp using tarp poles.

FLYFLYGO Aluminum Tarp Poles, Set of 2

https://amzn.to/4aJTXIq

Cot

Sleep is important when camping. Poor sleep quality can lead to riding your motorcycle the next day while sleep-deprived. While it takes up a bit of space, comfortable sleep is priceless. If you find that sleeping on a mat alone isn't enough, or if you've actually tried it and couldn't sleep well, you might consider a cot. Again, one that packs down compactly is recommended.

TOMOUNT Outdoor Cot

Headlamp

Since it's worn on your head, your hands are free. A headlamp is extremely convenient for activities like using the restroom at night, cooking when you need to see your hands clearly, or organizing your tent before bed.

CAPTAIN STAG Giga Flash LED Headlamp

cross factor LEK012 3W＋4LED Headlamp

Cooler bag

It's convenient to have for transporting cold drinks on your motorcycle or keeping food fresh. It will be especially useful in the summer. If too much time passes between shopping and cooking, your food might spoil, leading to an upset stomach. This item is essential for anyone who wants to cook at the campsite.

CAPTAIN STAG Cooler Bag [Foldable Storage]

Hammer

Used for driving in pegs when setting up tents and tarps. You can substitute with a suitably sized rock found at the campsite, but the efficiency is vastly different. There's also a risk of injury, so a hammer is very convenient.

CAPTAIN STAG Plastic Peg Hammer

Eletorot Tent Hammer with Storage Bag

Knife

While you could bring a kitchen knife from home, it's dangerous to wrap the blade in a towel and put it in your bag. It also takes up a lot of space. For cooking at a campsite, a knife is often sufficient and can also be used for other purposes like batoning.

CAPTAINSTAG Folding Fruit Knife

Mora Knife (Stainless Steel)

Summary

How was that? By having the tools introduced here, you can easily start a camping tour. After camping a few times, finding and collecting gear that suits you is one of the joys of camping.