{"id":200568,"date":"2025-04-23T11:59:32","date_gmt":"2025-04-23T11:59:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/adventure\/cheap-camping-gear-what-to-splurge-on-and-where-you-can-save\/"},"modified":"2025-04-23T11:59:32","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T11:59:32","slug":"cheap-camping-gear-what-to-splurge-on-and-where-you-can-save","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=200568","title":{"rendered":"Cheap Camping Gear: What To Splurge on and Where You Can Save"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"10<\/p>\n

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We all want to save a buck, but sometimes things are cheap for a reason. Kate\u2019s made her fair share of purchases (and mistakes) and she\u2019s here to share what\u2019s worth investing in, and where you can save.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

I was scrolling through Facebook recently and saw a post that made me smile. A woman posted on one of the local community groups asking if anyone had any camping<\/a> gear that her family could borrow.<\/p>\n

Nice! Camping is great fun! You get to spend time in our beautiful bush or alongside gorgeous beaches cooking marshmallows on sticks, marvelling at the stars above, waking to the sound of birds, and not showering for three days. Bliss<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Some of the answers, however, were less David Attenborough and more David Rose from Schitt\u2019s Creek<\/em>. (You know, before he became a less materialistic person. Gee, jokes are much funnier when you explain them, right?!)<\/p>\n

\u2018Just buy some cheap shit from Kmart and upgrade once you know you like it.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Don\u2019t buy good stuff until you know you\u2019ll go again.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Buy ALDI stuff and bin it if it\u2019s no good.\u2019<\/p>\n

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\"Saphira<\/a><\/p>\n

Saphira Schroers tested a full kit of cheap ALDI hiking gear over nearly 100km<\/a> and has some thoughts on the Aldi offering…<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Look, I get it. When you start out camping, it can be daunting \u2013 and expensive \u2013 to gather all the gear you need to make it enjoyable.<\/p>\n

You can\u2019t just buy a tent and drive into the sunset; you need everything to be self-sustainable (and comfortable) for a couple of days, and the upfront cost for the essentials can be off-putting (not to mention figuring out where you\u2019re going to store it all).<\/p>\n

But, buying cheap-as-chips gear that isn\u2019t designed to last \u2013 and will (very quickly) end up in landfill can\u2019t be the answer, either. Just think of those images of festivals in the days after<\/a>, where fields are mangled with blown over cheap tents that people have bought for next to nothing and just left behind.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s quite devastating to think of all the gear that simply ends up in the bin \u2013 and equally devastating to see many people recommend the buy-cheap-and-throw-away<\/em> method on a public forum. Camping gear shouldn\u2019t be single-use \u2013 it\u2019s not dental floss.<\/p>\n

Of course, it\u2019s always worth considering the ethical considerations of how things are made<\/a> too \u2013 the cheapest gear doesn\u2019t usually come from happy, well-paid factory workers.<\/p>\n

Read More: <\/strong>The Dark Side Of Cheap Gear<\/a><\/p>\n

That said, it got me thinking about the plethora of items where a cheaper version is perfectly adequate, and the items I think absolutely need a bit of money invested in them.<\/p>\n

Because if you\u2019re testing the waters to see if you like camping, but your cheap tent leaks in the rain, your bargain mattress leaves you with aching bones, your cheap stove cooker blows out in every breeze, and your cut-price solar lights are dead by 10pm, you\u2019re probably not going to be in a rush to go camping again.<\/p>\n

Set yourself up for success.<\/p>\n

Gear You Should Invest In<\/h2>\n

1. Camping Mattress<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re going to invest in one camping item, let it be a good quality camping mattress. I can\u2019t stress this enough. Your mattress is the key to a good night\u2019s sleep, so ditch the cheap yoga mats and invest in something comfortable.<\/p>\n

Self-inflating is good \u2013 something thick enough to create distance between you and the cold ground, plus it means it can be rolled up and easily. Our mattress is the Wanderer Tourer Extreme 4×4 mattress,<\/a> it\u2019s the biggest, most cumbersome camping item we own, and it\u2019s worth its weight in gold.<\/p>\n

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Should I have made the bed before I took a photo? Probably…<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Other camping mattresses we love:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Darche Kozi self-inflating mattress<\/a> \u2013 100mm thick.<\/p>\n

Nemo Quasar Insulated Double Sleeping Pad<\/a> \u2013 not self-inflating, but lightweight.<\/p>\n

2. Lanterns<\/h3>\n

I\u2019m yet to find a cheap lantern that projects light downwards onto our food, rather than directly into my eyes. Having good lighting means being able to see when you\u2019re cooking \u2013 especially useful in the months when daylight savings ends and you\u2019re roving around in the dark.<\/p>\n

Cheap lanterns often break and have harsh light \u2013 I\u2019ve even been asked to turn one of mine off by a nearby camper because the light was \u2018so annoying\u2019 \u2013 she wasn\u2019t wrong.<\/p>\n

Get a lantern that projects light downwards for your tent and for camping, and ideally one that has a long battery life and can be easily recharged. The Hangdome<\/a> is my favourite.<\/p>\n

The same goes for solar lights \u2013 I tried the cheap ones from Kmart and they were fantastic\u2026 for precisely one camping trip. Sigh.<\/p>\n

Other lanterns we love:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Luminaid Packlite Max 2 in 1 Phone Charger and Compact Lantern<\/a> (it’s amazing and<\/em> it charges your phone!)<\/p>\n

Black Diamond Moji + Lantern<\/a><\/p>\n

Luci Pro Lux Solar Compact Lantern<\/a><\/p>\n

3. Gazebo \/ Pop-up Shelter<\/h3>\n

Picture this. You\u2019ve popped up a gazebo to protect yourself from the elements. It\u2019s drizzling. A gust of wind sweeps through your campground.<\/p>\n

The gazebo is now flying towards your neighbour\u2019s campsite, a la Mary Poppins in that iconic opening scene. It\u2019s strewn over their gas-burner. The entire campground ignites.<\/p>\n

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Get a sturdy gazebo that can withstand winds – even better when it can double as a clothesline<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Okay, hyperbole aside, if you are going to buy a gazebo for your camping trips (and they are definitely a nice-to-have, rather than an essential), get a good, heavy, sturdy one that can survive the wind.<\/p>\n

Many cheap versions have reviews that say they won\u2019t hold up in a breeze, so you\u2019re better off getting a stainless-steel frame with a covering that can survive the elements. We use this one from King\u2019s<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong> Could Hiring Camp Gear Change Your Life?<\/a><\/p>\n

3. Mosquito Coils<\/h3>\n

I\u2019m popping this one in here because while the scent of citronella sends me to a tropical paradise filled with summertime barbecues and warm breezes, the really<\/em> cheap mosquito coils and candles smell like lemon-scented petrol. Ugh. Buy the non-home-brand stuff.<\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong> Insect Repellent Gear: Our Guide To Getting Them To Buzz Off<\/a><\/p>\n

Gear That You Can Buy Cheap<\/h2>\n

1. Tent<\/h3>\n

I\u2019ll caveat this buy saying don\u2019t buy the cheapest tent available (gestures back to post-festival Armageddon photograph). But, you don\u2019t need to fork out for blackout fabric and internal lighting for your first tent.<\/p>\n

Our six-person pop-up tent cost around $129 and only sustained some damage during gale force winds one camping trip \u2013 and even then, it was a tiny, tiny tear in the corner. We\u2019ve since upgraded to a Coleman, but we keep the old one on hand to lend to friends.<\/p>\n

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\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

@lisabenjess<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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You can pick up the following 4-5 person tents for less than $300:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Vango Tay 4-person tent<\/a><\/p>\n

Oztrail Tasman 4-person tent<\/a><\/p>\n

Naturehike Cloud Up 3 Person Ultralight Hiking Tent<\/a><\/p>\n

2. Camp Tubs<\/h3>\n

Let me regale you a tale of when we went camping and safely secured all our food in reusable bags in our car \u2013 or so we thought.<\/p>\n

We were surprised when we opened the boot to find our hamburger buns missing a big chunk from them, and horrified when we then found an even bigger chunk missing from our car seat\u2026<\/p>\n

Getting a cheap, plastic camp tub to put your food in keeps it (and your car\u2019s upholstery) safe from pests (like hungry rats).<\/p>\n

You can also create a \u2018camping essentials\u2019 tub which will house all the little things you need that are easy to forget \u2013 sponges, matches, cooking utensils, foil, dishwashing liquid, paper towel. These don\u2019t need to be expensive, and they make packing for the weekend a breze. You can pick up an 18L storage tub from Officeworks<\/a> for less than $16.<\/p>\n

3. Chairs<\/h3>\n

Is it comfortable? Do you have good back support? Are there plenty of pockets and drink holders?<\/p>\n

Even though the really cheap options are usually terrible, as long as camp chairs hit the above criteria, you can usually find some really affordable options.<\/p>\n

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Ample back support…. check<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

ALDI is hit and miss when it comes to camp gear, but their camping chairs<\/a> are *chef\u2019s kiss* (and only $30 each).<\/p>\n

Side note, how cool is this?<\/strong> OzTent 3-in-1 Sidekick<\/a><\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong> Helinox vs Aldi \u2013 Lightweight Camping Chair Comparison<\/a><\/p>\n

4. Camp Table<\/h3>\n

We have a fold-out table from Kmart<\/a> and it\u2019s great. A table just needs to be sturdy, hold the weight of a camp cooker, and survive when you play an especially violent game of Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Needs to be sturdy for when card games get heated<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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It\u2019s been on many a camp trip with us and we\u2019ve never had an issue. It\u2019s not the cheapest one available at $52 (some of the ultra cheap options look really, really flimsy) but you absolutely don\u2019t need to spend hundreds on a special \u2018camping\u2019 table.<\/p>\n

Alternatives for a bargain include opting for a lightweight folding table like this one from Uquip<\/a>, but it’s a big compromise on surface size and height.<\/p>\n

5. Camp Cooking Gear<\/h3>\n

Thrift stores can be a great option for camping gear in general but are an especially great place to pick up some cheap pots and pans for camp cooking, and op-shops are often heaving with pots and pans. It\u2019s better than spending loads on the \u2018camp cooking set\u2019 you often find in camping stores for an eye-watering price.<\/p>\n

Just be mindful of weight if you’ve got a decent walk to your campsite.<\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong> Testing Everything Including The (Camp) Kitchen Sink From Kmart\u2019s Camp Cooking Range<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If you’d still prefer to buy new, there are bargains to be found if you shop around:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Traverse 1-Person Camping Pot & Pan Set<\/a><\/p>\n

Sea To Summit X-Cup Lightweight Collapsible Cup<\/a><\/p>\n

Sea To Summit Passage Medium Bowl<\/a><\/p>\n

6. Ice<\/h3>\n

This is more of a hack, but don\u2019t buy ice to fill your esky \u2013 it melts quickly and leaves everything in a gross post-camping lukewarm puddle. Instead, fill some old milk bottles with water and freeze them. They\u2019ll take longer to melt, and keep the melted water contained.<\/p>\n

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If you don’t have old milk bottles handy, try one of these:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Black and Blum Stainless Steel Explorer Water Bottle 850ml<\/a><\/p>\n

Mont Tritan Trusted Wide Mouth Bottle 1L<\/a><\/p>\n

360 Degrees Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Growler Water Bottle 1.8L<\/a><\/p>\n

Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n

Of course, the original intention of the Facebook post I saw is a great option for anyone who wants to try out camping, without buying everything first.<\/p>\n

Ask friends and family if they have gear you can borrow, put the question on a (hopefully more helpful) community group, or see if your city has a \u2018thing library\u2019<\/a>; basically a library but instead of books, it\u2019s full of, well, things!<\/p>\n

Camp gear, suitcases, party wares \u2013 they\u2019re set up for people to borrow items that they only need short-term.<\/p>\n

Camping doesn\u2019t need to be really expensive upfront \u2013 but the better the gear you have, the more comfortable you\u2019ll be, the more fun you\u2019ll have, and the more likely you\u2019ll make it a regular thing.<\/p>\n

And if you need a six-person tent with a small hole in the corner, I\u2019ll loan you mine!<\/p>\n

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\"How<\/p>\n

FAQs Cheap Camping Gear<\/h2>\n

What cheap camping gear is actually okay to buy?<\/h3>\n

Items like camping tubs, tables, and cooking utensils are usually fine to buy on the cheap \u2013 just check reviews and avoid ultra-flimsy options.<\/p>\n

How do I avoid waste when buying beginner camping gear?<\/h3>\n

Start by borrowing from friends, checking your local \u2018thing library\u2019, or buying second-hand. It helps you try before you buy and keeps stuff out of landfill.<\/p>\n

Are op shops good for camping cooking gear?<\/h3>\n

Absolutely! Op shops are goldmines for durable pots, pans, and utensils. Get creative with what\u2019s already out there.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the best way to keep food cold while camping?<\/h3>\n

Forget buying ice bags \u2013 just freeze bottles of water. They last longer, reduce mess, and double as drinking water as they melt.<\/p>\n

How do I test if I like camping without buying all the gear?<\/h3>\n

Borrow gear from mates, post in a local community group, or rent through a gear library. If you fall in love with camping, you can start building your kit over time.<\/p>\n

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Table of contents image by @fungshuay<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Still not sure what to pack?<\/h2>\n