Top kit for a solo wild camping microadventure

Steph shares her top gear picks for a solo wild camping micro adventure

I love a midweek overnight adventure out to a wild corner – heading out after work to a beautiful spot, watching the world around me change and get dark, cosy up in my tent, then wake with the dawn chorus and be home in time to start work again. 

Over the years I’ve refined my kit to a slimmed down kit with the odd hint of luxury. Here’s my top 5 items: 

Kepler merino baselayers 

I’m a cold sleeper, and keeping myself warm in the evening and overnight has always been a challenge. Merino baselayers have been a real game changer for me and I love the Kepler ones – they’re a perfect balance of quality and affordability, and feel really soft and comfortable to wear. 

Brukit stove 

When I’m camping solo, I often pack really light regarding food and opt for a dehydrated meal for the evening and just a coffee bag in the morning. As a result I don’t need a complicated stove set up – just the ability to boil water quickly and efficiently, and the Brukit is a perfect choice for this. I don’t have to worry about whether I have all the elements I need like a windbreak, lighter, stabiliser etc – just pack and go! 

Pipedream sleeping bag 

The Pipedream 400 sleeping bag is my go-to wild camping option for much of the year. As a plus size woman, I find a lot of sleeping bags too tight, but the Pipedream is still spacious for me as a size 20, and is a great balance of weight, size and warmth. 

Rifugio slippers 

These camping slippers are a recent addition to my camping kit but a bit of luxury I’ve come to appreciate. Once I’ve got my tent set up, I hate putting my boots on and off every time I get in and out of my tent and these are a great option to easily slip on and off, keep my feet warm and stretch out my toes a bit after a hike.  

A decent headtorch 

I love my Qark headtorch as it’s rechargeable but can also take AAA batteries as a backup. It’s got a really adjustable beam which I find makes it nicer to use in a tent than a lot of alternatives, and the red light mode is an added bonus.  

Numo camping mat 

The Numo is my camping mat of choice in the warmer months (I opt for a more insulated option when it’s colder), especially for one or two night trips. It’s incredibly lightweight and small but still more comfortable than a lot of larger mats, and is also a really affordable option.