27 Dec 20+ Camping Essentials for Women – You Can’t Camp Without Them!

Whether you love camping or absolutely hate it, there are two main variables that determine how well your camping trip goes: (1) the weather (2) your level of preparedness. Unfortunately we cannot control the weather (though I am sure we have all tried at some point). However, we can control our level of preparedness. Think of it this way – if you show up to your camping weekend without a sleeping bag or without a tent, things are going to turn out poorly. Those are the bare necessities of camping (*cue the bare necessities song*). Moreover, there are a lot of other camping essentials for women that you might have never even heard or thought of before.

For example, have you ever brought a menstrual cup or a pee funnel with you while camping? Those items (as well as all of the other items detailed below) can turn your average camping experience into the best camping weekend of your life.

However, I want to say that this list is NOT just for women. This list is for anyone! For example, this list is for those who identify as women, those who identify as men, those who identify as having no gender, younger individuals, older individuals, those looking for a gift, those looking to buy something for themselves, etc. Search results and travel-related products often target either men or women, and thus this list leans towards those stereotypical “women-specific” camping essentials.  The wording in this article will generally include “men” and “women”, though we want to promote inclusiveness and love for ALL people, regardless of gender.

CONTENTS:

A. Menstrual Products

(1) Flex Disc (2) Period Underwear

B. Hygiene Products

(3) Pee Funnel (4) Reusable Pee Cloth (5) Portable Bidet (6) Chafing Stick

C. Clothing and Accessories 

(7) Lightweight Jacket (8) Breathable Pants (9) Waterproof Hiking Shoes (10) Backpack Designed for Women

D. Miscellaneous

(11) Sleeping Bag Designed for Women (12) Extra Camping Chair (13) Self Defense Keychain (14) Safety Whistle

E. BONUS: Best Camping Essentials for Everyone

(15) Laundry Soap Bar (16) Soap Sheets (17) Shower Bag (18) Microfiber Towel (19) Bug Repellent (20) Water Filter Bottle (21) First Aid Kit (22) Pop Up Tent (23) Sleeping Pad (24) Portable Solar Panels (25) Multi-tool

A. Menstrual Products

First off, I hope you do not have to deal with your period while camping. Having a period is not a pleasant experience even if you are just lying at home on the couch with a fuzzy blanket while eating a delicious snack and watching your favorite TV show. Therefore, having a period while camping can be the bane of your existence. Unfortunately I do not have some magic spell to make your period end early or to not occur on the weekend you have a camping trip planned. Instead, check out the camping menstrual essentials for women below to try and make your period a bit more manageable.

1) Flex Disc – Camping Essentials for Women

Link to product: Flex Reusable Menstrual Disc.

If you have never tried a menstrual cup before, then now is the time. Imagine this. You insert the flex disc in the morning after you wake up and finish your morning routine. Then you completely forget about it for the next 12 hours. Once the 12 hours are up, you take it out, wash it, reinsert it, and forget about it for the next 12 hours. Repeat the process until your period is over. The disc is body as well as environmentally friendly since you can reuse it over and over again. Furthermore, you can wear the disc while exercising, sleeping, swimming, or doing essentially anything else! Oh, and did I mention it can hold as much fluid as SIX super tampons?

2) Period Underwear

Link to product: Thinx Period Underwear.

Maybe a flex disc is not your preferred period product. If that is the case, then I recommend you try period underwear. You wear them just like normal underwear, but they absorb the flow from your period. The brand Thinx has a ton of different product options, so you can choose one that best suits you. For example, they have underwear ranging from thongs to sleep shorts for flows from light to super heavy. While their different products might have different absorbency levels, they all prevent leaks, trap odors, and wick moisture.

B. Hygiene Products – Camping Essentials for Women

When I go camping, I generally go “trailer camping”. What does this mean? It means my family and I stay in a trailer (like a mobile home) instead of outside in tents. We thus have a bathroom in the trailer. However, we did not get running water until more recently. Nevertheless, I understand that not everyone who goes camping has the luxury of having a bathroom with four walls where they can take care of business. If you are camping in a tent in the middle of the woods, then nature is your bathroom.

3) Pee Funnel

Link to product: Sunany Pee Funnel with Extender.

I know, the name sounds a bit strange. Just trust me on this one. The pee funnel does essentially what you think it does. It funnels pee. You might be wondering – why do I need to funnel my pee though? Let me give you a few example scenarios. First, you are camping in the woods, and it is pretty cold outside. You then have to pee, and normally you would have to drop your pants to your ankles to then pee by a tree or in a portable toilet. At that point, your entire body might be shaking because of how cold you are. Instead with the pee funnel, you can just unzip your pants or drop them down far enough to place the funnel snug on your body. Then aim the funnel towards where your pee needs to go.

Second, you get the urge to go right before you start a hiking trail. Fortunately, there are bathrooms at the trailhead. Unfortunately, they are the vault toilets that have seen better days. (I have used my fair share of vault toilets in places like Glacier National Park and Acadia National Park.) Instead of lining the seat with toilet paper or squatting, you can use the pee funnel and pee standing up. So easy, right?! The pee funnel is portable as well as reusable, AND it even includes an extender that you can insert in a plastic bottle.

4) Reusable Pee Cloth

Link to product: CIRCE CARE Reusable Pee Cloth.

Have you ever been camping or hiking somewhere where there is no bathroom available for miles and all of a sudden you have to pee? Your choices are then to drip-dry or use a leaf. Neither of those is ideal. Let me introduce a reusable pee cloth as your third option. After you take care of business, simply wipe with the pee cloth, fold it in half to snap it in place so that nothing can touch the “dirty side”, and clip it to the outside of your backpack. The cloth is super absorbent, for it can absorb up to 10 times its weight, and it does so faster than other materials. Moreover, it is reusable. Wash it after use and then get ready to use it again.

5) Portable Bidet – Camping Essentials for Women

Link to product: HAPPYPO Portable Bidet with Travel Bag.

We took care of the front with the two camping essentials for women above, so now we need to take care of the back. Normally a bidet is installed in a toilet, but (thanks to technology) we now also have the option of a portable bidet. You can thus bring some of the luxuries of life with you when camping out in the wilderness. To use the portable bidet, fill it up with water, squeeze, and get clean! No batteries or electricity is required to power the bidet. Instead, you control the flow of the water by how hard you squeeze the bottle. Moreover, it is a great alternative to carrying around toilet paper or wet wipes.

6) Chafing Stick

Link to product: Body Glide Anti Chafe Balm or MONISTAT Chafing Relief Powder Gel.

What do we love? Hiking! What do we not love? Chafing while hiking. Prevent the horrible experience known as chafing by carrying an anti-chafing balm or powder gel. Most people will probably put the balm or gel on their inner thighs. However, keep in mind that you can use them in other locations as well. For example, you can put them under your breasts as well as under your armpits. The bottles for the balm as well as the gel are compact enough that you can carry them with you whether you have a full-size or mini backpack. Simply apply to the affected areas, hike happily without chafing, and reapply as needed throughout the day. 

Trust me, this will definitely come in handy when you are hiking long and challenging trails such as Angels Landing in Zion National Park or Iceberg Lake in Glacier National Park.

C. Clothing and Accessories 

Fashion is (normally) not the number one priority when hiking. However, you still want to make sure you pack the appropriate clothing. For example, it does not make sense to pack a pair of heels when hiking through the woods. Unless maybe you are training for one of those races where you run in heels… Anyways, take a look at the camping clothing essentials for women below to see if you need to do some shopping before your next camping trip.

Are you looking for gifts for people that love to travel? All of the items mentioned on this list are great options! If you need even more ideas, check out Travel Gifts for Couples (They Don’t Already Own).

7) Lightweight Jacket – Camping Essentials for Women

Link to product: Columbia Women’s Switchback Jacket.

When choosing a lightweight jacket, I recommend you opt for a waterproof jacket. Therefore, you will be doubly ready for anything you might encounter during your camping trip – both in terms of chilly weather as well as rain. Columbia is a well-known brand for outdoorsy clothing, and their lightweight waterproof jackets are no exception. The Switchback Jacket is lightweight as well as waterproof. Moreover, it has a hood that can be stowed away when not in use. When you want to pack away the jacket, you can roll it up and stow it in one of the front pockets. When they say compact and portable, they truly mean it.

8) Breathable Pants

Link to product: Libin Women’s Cargo Joggers.

You are covered on the top with the jacket above, so now let’s get you covered on the bottom with some pants. First and foremost, it is a good idea to hike in pants in many areas for a few reasons. You might encounter a trail that is a bit unkempt, and you could get scratches all over your legs if you wear shorts. Moreover, wearing pants helps protect you from ticks as less of your body is exposed. All of that being said, I recommend you check out the cargo joggers linked above. They are lightweight as well as breathable, and they are even made with a quick-dry fabric. However, one of the best things about these pants is that they have five built-in pockets. To make it even better, three of the pockets have zippers and two have hook and loop closures.

9) Waterproof Hiking Shoes

Link to product: Merrell Women’s Moab Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot.

I personally own a pair of Merrell hiking shoes, and I could go on and on about how I love them. They have helped me hike the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail in Glacier, run around on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Salt Lake City, and trek around the black sand beaches of Iceland. Still not convinced you should get a pair? Well, they are waterproof as well as available in a variety of colors. I do not currently own a pair of waterproof hiking shoes. I was deeply regretting that when trekking through Fern Canyon in Redwoods National Park. Why? I might have slightly stepped in the shallow part of the stream a few times in addition to losing my balance and sticking a whole foot into ankle-deep water.

10) Backpack Designed for Women

Link to product: Osprey Women’s Backpacks.

I included a link above to the Osprey store. There are so many backpack options available that I do not want to limit you to a certain kind. For example, Osprey offers hiking backpacks, backpacking backpacks, skiing backpacks, biking backpacks, running backpacks, and MORE. Additionally, Osprey makes backpacks specific for women vs. men. Not only are Osprey backpacks one of the best camping essentials for women, but they are one of the best essentials for women overall. On top of all of that, the backpacks come in various sizes and include adjustable straps. If that backpack does not fit you perfectly when you first put it on, you can then adjust the straps until it does.

D. Miscellaneous – Camping Essentials for Women

Did you think I would not have a miscellaneous category? I always do. Below you will find a few additional camping essentials for women that do not fit neatly into any of the categories already mentioned above. Do not skip over this category, for it holds some pretty cool as well as unique items. Honestly, sometimes the miscellaneous category holds the best items. (Do not tell the other categories I said that though).

If you are looking for other camping and/or travel essentials, then check out Accessories for Pop Up Campers and Travel Essentials for Women.

11) Sleeping Bag Designed for Women

Link to product: Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed 20 Degree Sleeping Bag for Women.

A sleeping bag is one of the most basic camping essentials. It can be pretty hard to get a good night’s sleep if you do not have something to keep you warm in addition to providing you some cushion from the cold, hard ground. There are a ton of sleeping bags out on the market, but the Sierra Designs brand creates sleeping bags specific for men vs. women. The specific sleeping bag linked above does not have any zippers. Instead, it utilizes a cord closure system. Gone are the days where you have to fight with the zipper to get your sleeping bag closed. Or have you ever had an ice-cold zipper touch your bare skin? Not a very pleasant experience.

Moreover, the Sierra Designs sleeping bag has a little extra cushion on the bottom to help protect you from the hard ground to a greater extent than most other sleeping bags. But wait, there is more. The sleeping bag even includes insulated hand and arm pockets to help keep you extra warm throughout the night.

12) Extra Camping Chair

Link to product: GCI Outdoor Rocker Camping Chair or MARCHWAY Ultralight Folding Backpacking Chair.

Extra camping chair? When did I mention a camping chair to begin with? Well, there is no other camping chair on this checklist of camping essentials. Instead, I recommend you bring along an extra camping chair for safety. If you set up your campsite with only one chair by the fire, then people will most likely assume that you are camping alone. However, if you set up your campsite with two chairs by the fire, then people will most likely assume that you are camping with someone else. Unfortunately people with ill intentions will more often target a woman camping solo than two people camping together.

13) Self Defense Keychain

Link to product: Tasmtto Safety Keychain with Accessories.

This item and the following one continue the trend set by the extra camping chair above: camping essentials for women that promote safety. A self defense keychain is an item you should not forget to pack. Do not worry, the keychain is fairly small, so it will not take up too much space. Moreover, you can always clip it to the outside of your backpack for easy storage as well as access. My favorite part about the keychain linked above is that it includes a variety of different accessories, ranging from a pocket knife to pepper spray to a seatbelt cutter. You receive all of the accessories within the kit when you order it, Nevertheless, you can then choose which accessories to actually include on the keychain based on where you are going and what you anticipate needing.

14) Safety Whistle – Camping Essentials for Women

Link to product: SHvivik Emergency Whistle with Lanyard.

Some people have true talent and can whistle with their fingers in their mouth. Alas, I do not have that talent. My loudest whistle would not even alert somebody on the opposite side of the house. That being said, a safety whistle could literally save my life in an emergency situation. The whistle linked above includes a lanyard as well as a keychain for easy transportation. You can hang the whistle around your neck or clip it on your keychain, backpack, or belt. Moreover, the whistle works no matter whether it is wet or dry. When used, it reaches a sound level of 120 decibels.

E. BONUS: Best Camping Essentials for Everyone

All of the above items were geared a bit more towards women and individuals who identify as women (though as I said in the introduction, they can be for anyone). However, I do not want to end the list there. There are so many more camping essentials on the market. I could list out hundreds of them here. But let’s be honest, nobody is going to read past item 30 or so. That being said, I included 11 of my favorite general camping essentials below. I tried to include a few basic items as well as a fair amount of items that are more unique.

Heading on a road trip anytime soon and looking for recommendations on what to pack?: Winter Road Trip Packing List and Summer Road Trip Packing List.

15) Laundry Soap Bar

Link to product: Fels Naptha Laundry Soap Bar.

Some people pack an entire suitcase full of clothes for an overnight trip. If that is you, then you probably do not need a laundry soap bar. However, some people can pack a minimalist backpack for a weekend or even week-long trip. If that is you, then you might want to wash your clothes once or twice depending on what you are doing. For example, clothes might not smell when you rewear them as long as you are just lounging around. On the other hand, clothes can wreak havoc to your nose if you rewear them after running around, hiking, or doing anything that would cause you to sweat and/or smell.

Therefore, let me introduce to you a laundry soap bar, for example the bar linked above. You can rub the bar directly on clothes to remove stains and smells. Moreover, you can shave off pieces of the bar if you want to fully wash your clothes. The first option obviously is a bit easier, but the second option gives you the chance to really bring your clothes back to their prime.

16) Soap Sheets

Link to product: FOMIN – Antibacterial Paper Soap Sheets.

I am 99.99% sure that everyone reading this has experienced a situation before where they just went to the bathroom only to discover there is no soap to wash their hands. I have been in that exact situation more times than I would like to count. Sometimes the bathrooms at campgrounds are out of soap or the bathrooms at hiking trailheads never even had soap to begin with. It is always a good idea to have hand sanitizer as a back-up for these exact scenarios.

However, what if I told you there was still a way you could fully wash your hands? Say hello to soap sheets. Soap sheets are a portable as well as planet-friendly solution for when you need to wash your hands. Simply run water over the sheet and watch as it dissolves into soap. Moreover, the sheets come in a small package, which means you can truly take them everywhere with you. Stick a pack in your car, in your backpack, in your pocket, in your purse…you get the idea.

17) Shower Bag – Camping Essentials for Women

Link to product: Advanced Elements Solar Shower Bag.

My family has a camping trailer in the mountains of Pennsylvania, and we did not have running water for a long time. This meant that we could not take showers in the trailer. Instead, our shower was the nearby creek. Let me tell you, the water was COLD. We consistently camped during the holiday weekends in May and September. September was not too bad, but May?! Pennsylvania often receives some snow into March, which means May is not going to be that much warmer.

But alas, all I needed to save my body from experiencing the cold shock of a Pennsylvania creek in May was a solar shower bag. Too bad I did not know about these (or maybe they did not exist) at the time. The concept of a solar shower bag is fairly simple. Fill the bag with water and let it heat up in the sun for a couple of hours. Then hang it somewhere for easy use (like a tree branch) and use the attached shower head to wash all your worries away. The solar shower bag linked above can heat up to a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (~43 Celsius) in three hours when placed in direct sunlight.

18) Microfiber Towel

Link to product: Rainleaf Microfiber Towel.

I own this particular microfiber towel, in the army green color to be exact. I have used it after jumping in a glacial river in Iceland, while camping in Glacier National Park, and after zipping down Sliding Rock near Asheville, North Carolina. Needless to say, it has come in handy a number of times. First and foremost, it is a microfiber towel, which means it is incredibly absorbent (aka absorbs more than five times its weight) as well as fast-drying. Second, it has a small loop with a clasp so that you can hang it essentially anywhere to dry. For example, you can hang it in your car, on a tree, on your backpack, etc. Third, it is portable. You can easily roll it up after you are finished and place it back into the small bag in which it came.

A microfiber towel is also one of the best international travel essentials. Curious about the other essentials on the list? Then click on the link to read more!

19) Bug Repellent

Link to product: Para’Kito Mosquito Repellent Bracelets + Refill Pellets or OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent Wipes or Proven Insect Repellent Lotion.

Did you think I was just going to talk about a normal bug spray you find in stores? Of course not! Let’s dive into some alternative options for bug repellent. First, I linked above a mosquito repellent bracelet. If you hate the feeling of bug spray, then this might be the best option for you. The mosquito repellent is located inside of the bracelet as a small pellet. Each pellet within the bracelet lasts for 15 days, so you do not have to change it very often. Not only can you ditch the bug spray, but you can also be environmentally friendly as you reuse the bracelet over and over again.

Second, I linked above insect repellent wipes. If you are going backpacking and need to cut down on space, then simply stick a few wipes in your pack and get ready to go. You can avoid the hassle of packing an entire can of bug spray as well as the worry about the spray leaking within your backpack. The wipes include 25% DEET and last for up to eight hours. Moreover, they offer protection from mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, biting flies, chiggers, and fleas.

Third, I linked above the insect repellent lotion. I know, they make insect repellent in just about every type of format nowadays. The Proven brand of insect repellent lotion includes 20% Picaridin, which is an active ingredient recommended by the CDC for repelling insects that carry diseases. Moreover, the lotion repels ticks and mosquitos for up to 14 hours and repels black flies, gnats, no-see-ums, and chiggers for up to eight hours. To top it off, the lotion is odorless as well as grease-free.

20) Filtered Water Bottle

Link to product: GRAYL UltraPress Water Purifier and Filter Bottle or LifeStraw Personal Water Filter.

Access to fresh water is not always a possibility while camping or backpacking. It is not safe to drink dirty water straight from a stream or other water source, though at times you might be tempted to do so. Instead, carry a water bottle with a built-in filter so that you can purify the water that comes from a stream or other water source and then drink it. For the filtered water bottle linked above, simply fill the bottle with water, press down on the bottle to purify the water, and then drink away!

Another way to achieve purified water while out in the wilderness is with a life straw. The straw works in a similar format to the filtered water bottle but with one main difference: it is just a straw and not an entire bottle. All you have to do is stick the straw in the water and drink away. The straw purifies the water before it reaches your mouth.

21) First Aid Kit

Link to product: General Medi 2-in-1 First Aid Kit (215 Piece Set).

What is one item that you should ALWAYS pack on your camping trips? A first aid kit. My partner and I keep a first aid kit in the trunk of our car so that we always have it whenever we go camping, hiking, etc. If we did not keep it in our car, then I am sure that we would forget to pack it probably at least every other time. One of my favorite things about the first aid kit linked above is that it includes a large 215-piece set as well as a mini 43-piece set. If you decide to not carry the large kit around in your backpack while hiking or exploring, then you can at least carry the mini kit since it is pretty compact. The kits include items such as an emergency blanket, saline solution, bandages, gauze, safety pins, scissors, tweezers, and so much more.

22) Pop Up Tent – Camping Essentials for Women

Link to product: Amflip Pop-Up Camping Tent.

Let me start off by saying that I do not think I have ever set up a tent with poles. I do not know the struggle that is fighting with tent poles until they either fit into place or snap in two. Instead, my partner and I figured it would be best to buy a tent with an easy set up. When I say easy, I mean that you can set up the tent in under five minutes. Moreover, you can remain in a good mood afterwards since you did not fight and curse your way through the tent setup process.

The tent linked above literally pops-up, and it is large enough for two people to comfortably sleep inside. I have used this tent in Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks. It kept me dry and warm to then conquer hikes such as Avalanche Lake Trail as well as St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail.

23) Sleeping Pad

Link to product: Elegear Double Sleeping Pad.

Do not be fooled, the sleeping bag and tent mentioned above are not enough to keep you comfy and cozy throughout the night. Therefore, you also need to bring along a sleeping pad. Think of it this way – a sleeping pad is essentially a mini air mattress. I do not know about you, but having only a sleeping bag + a tent bottom between me and the cold, hard ground does not make me a happy person in the morning. My partner and I have personally used the sleeping pad linked above multiple times. Not only does it fit two people, but you can pump it up with your foot. You can thus save space as you do not have to bring along an extra air pump.

24) Portable Solar Panels

Link to product: Jackery SolarSaga 300 Plus Portable Power Station.

Are you someone that cannot live a day without coffee? Then do I have the solution for you. Portable solar panels allow you to provide power to your coffee pot while at the beach, in the middle of the woods, and just about everywhere in between. You can thus no longer use “but how will I get my coffee?” as an excuse for not camping. The brand Jackery (linked above) has so many different solar panel options. You can opt for a smaller version like the Explorer 300 Plus + Solarsaga 100. On the other hand, you can opt for ALL THE POWER with the Explorer 3000 Pro + 2 Solarsaga 200.

The solar panels will not only power up your coffee pot, but they can power up essentially everything else you need. For example, you can charge your phone, your laptop, your camera, your drone, and so on and so forth. The majority of their solar panels fold up for easy transport. Moreover, some options include USB-A and USB-C outlets directly on the panels themselves. 

25) Multi-tool

Link to product: LEATHERMAN, Super Tool 300 Multitool.

Need a set of pliers? Check. Need can or bottle openers? Check. Need a saw? Check. Need a wire stripper? Check. Multi-tools are exactly what you think – a set of multiple tools. The specific multi-tool linked above includes 19 different tools hidden inside a set of pliers. It is easily transportable yet still prepares you for almost any circumstance you might encounter. And you might encounter just about anything while camping – that is half the adventure!

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Looking for even more travel essentials?: The Best and Most Unique Travel Accessories for Men.

Ready to start planning your dream vacation?: Road Trip Itinerary for Iceland.