12 Budget Camping Items I Won't Camp Without!
Looking for the best budget camping gear for 2025? In this video, I’m sharing 12 affordable camping items I won’t camp without — all practical, proven, and easy on the wallet. These are the exact pieces of gear I pack for every trip — whether I’m camping out of a small camper trailer, car camping, or heading into the backcountry for a simple tent setup. I’ve tested them in the rain, heat, cold, and everything in between — and they’ve earned a permanent spot in my kit.
You’ll see space-saving tools that help you pack smarter, essential camping gear under $25 that makes camp life more comfortable, a few of my favorite Walmart finds, and budget-friendly items that work just as well for seasoned campers as they do for beginners. If you’re wondering what camping gear do I need? — this is a great place to start. These are the simple tools that make every trip easier, faster, and more enjoyable. And if you have budget gear of your own that you take out on every trip that I didn’t mention in this video, make sure to let me know in the comments.
✅ If you want to see all the camping gear we use and abuse on a daily basis you can find it here:
🔽 Gear shown in this video:
🟢$7 Backpacking Stove :
🟢$20 Backpacking Stove:
I find the most affordable fuel for the backpacking stove is at Walmart
🟢Headlamp Pack of 5 for $22:
🟢Nebo Mycro Headlamp (2 pack):
🟢First Aid Kit Camping:
🟢First Aid Splint:
🟢Tourniquet:
🟢Gerber Stakeout:
🟢Tablecloth: On Amazon they are like $25, but I saw them this week at Walmart for like $4 I believe. Also, look at this neat product. I have never used it, but I would like to try:
🟢Small oven mitts:
🟢Leather Gloves: also have the Sam’s Club 2 pack: and the Costco 6 pack:
🟢2 pack collapsible wash and rinse dish basins:
🟢Collapsible Bucket:
🟢Collapsible Dish Drying Rack:
🟢Solar Shower 2 pack:
🟢Large Body Sponge 2 pack (But cleaning or car washing sponge holds more water):
🟢Camp Fan:
🟢Camp Shovel Survival:
🟢Camp Shovel Small Folding:
🟢Lifesaver Straw ($9.99 at Walmart):
🟢Sawyer Water FIlter:
🟢Collapsible Stool:
👉Want to see more similar videos with camping gear that will make life easier on the road? Check out this playlist:
By purchasing items through these Playing with Sticks links there is no additional cost to you. Our family gets a small kickback from amazon for any purchases you make using these affiliate links.
It’s been 9 months since this video posted and the $7 backpacking stove is now $13.99…
Is this guy Mr. Ballen
I sleep with my headlamp around my neck. So if there is an emergency, I’m not fumbling in the dark for a light.
My essential item for all outdoor trips is a strong material full front apron. I’ve modified it to have the pockets where I want them and to carry what I need. When on short hikes from camp the apron has one high pocket for my binoculars, one pocket for a small camera, another pocket for my mini first aid kit and couple more pockets for misc. The main thing is that it has saved my clothes from the dirt and grime that seems to be part of camping and I don’t ever need to hesitate wiping my hands on it, wet or dry. I also put a bandana on one of the side rings so I always have a quick way to wipe things up (or down) or when bugs are bad I swing it around my face while walking. The apron is filthy when I get home but that means my clothes aren’t. I put it on in the morning and don’t take it off until nighttime.
I use crib/pack and play sheets as table cloths. If it gets dirty i wash one in the kitchen sink and hang it to dry. Simple, small, lightweight fabric and has elastic.