I love camping as a group, but sometimes I get the urge to go on a spontaneous solo camping trip without trying to round everybody up and organise everything.
I started solo camping about seven years ago, and what started as a weekend escape quickly became a way of life. Now, having spent countless nights alone in forests, on mountain ridges, and by riverside camps, I’ve gained confidence and learned valuable lessons that I can’t wait to pass on.
Camping solo, especially without a car, can prove challenging, and while I have never had any issues, solo women can sometimes have a few more things to take into consideration.
As BBC Countryfile Magazine's outdoor equipment reviewer, I’ve put together the perfect lightweight kit range, including compact solo tents, reliable sleeping bags, comfortable walking shoes, and a load of handy tips when camping solo as a woman with or without a car or transport.
Whether you’re pitching your first tent in a clearing, watching the sunrise beside a misty lake, or simply craving that quiet evening around a fire–solo camping has a way of helping you discover just how capable, curious, and resilient you truly are.
Is Solo Camping Right for You?
When I started solo camping, I had a lot of questions–mostly about safety, whether I’d be lonely, and if I could handle everything on my own. It turns out, I could. And more than that, I really enjoyed it.
Solo camping isn’t always comfortable. You’re responsible for every part of the experience–from setting up your tent to staying calm if something goes wrong. But it’s also incredibly rewarding. You learn to trust yourself, make decisions without second-guessing, and enjoy time alone in a way that’s hard to find elsewhere.
If you’re someone who values independence, likes spending time in nature, and doesn’t mind a bit of challenge, it’s worth trying. You don’t need to be brave or experienced–just prepared and open to learning. For me, it’s been one of the most practical and confidence-building things I’ve done.
Planning Your First Trip With The Best Solo Camping Essentials
Start with the essentials — tent, sleeping bag, camping stove, layered clothing, food, first aid, power bank. Don’t overpack, just bring what you’ve tested or know how to use. I always do a full gear check the night before and lay everything out, charge devices, repack tight.
Practice matters. I pitched my tent in the garden and cooked with my stove before I ever used them in the field. That saved me stress more than once when the weather turned or I arrived late.
Always share your location with someone you trust and text them your plan and check-in time. Have offline maps, a weather app, and backup lighting. For food, go simple. Bring things you can heat fast or eat cold if needed, and don’t forget snacks!
Most importantly, plan with intention. Know your route, understand the terrain, and don’t overestimate what you can carry or handle alone. Solo camping is incredibly rewarding, but it’s the prep that makes it smooth. With the right approach, it becomes second nature.
Solo Camping Essentials
Walking Shoes
Merrell Moab Speed 2
Depending on what I'm planning, I will either take walking shoes, hiking boots, or both. If you know you're only going to be going on gentle walks and want to pack as light as possible, then a good pair of walking shoes is what you want. I love my Merrell Moab Speed 2 GORE-TEX walking shoes, which are lightweight, waterproof and vegan friendly.
Read more: Merrell Moab Speed 2 walking shoes review
Curious about other options? My guide to the best walking shoes has you covered.
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Hiking Boot
Scarpa Rush TRK Pro GTX
As soon as I slipped the Scarpa Rush TRK Pro GTX boots on my feet, they simply felt right. The dual density EVA midsole and Interactive Kinetic System provide brilliant cushioning underfoot. Like the princess and the pea, I could barely feel the uneven rocky ground below me due to the DST frame and PRESA sole system, which absorbed all the impact.
Read more: Scarpa Rush TRK Pro GTX review
Want to compare options? Our buying guide covers the best walking boots available.
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Lightweight Tent
OEX Bandicoot II Ultralite
I use the OEX Bandicoot II Ultralite when I want extra space without carrying too much weight. At around 1.6 kg, it’s light enough for solo trips and easy to pitch on my own, even in rough weather. I love the roomy interior–it fits me and all my gear comfortably–and the porch is perfect for cooking or sitting out of the rain. It packs down small and has held up well, though I did reseal the seams for peace of mind.
Read more: OEX Bandicoot II Ultralight Tent review
For a full overview, don’t miss our comprehensive guide to the best two person tents.
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Lightweight Firepit
Skreppa Titanium Superlight Fire Pit
This has honestly become one of my favourite bits of kit for solo camping, as I struggled for years to find a ultralightweight way of cooking at the campsite without using disposable barbeques. This Skreppa Skreppa Titanium Superlight Fire Pit weighs just 1.875 kg and packs down to 20 mm thin and fits neatly in my backpack alongside everything else.
Made from titanium, its ultra lightweight and incredibly durable and impervious to corrosion, meaning you can leave it out in the rain, and its open design means it's clear that this fire pit was designed with long-term use in mind, not just as a gimmick for ultralight enthusiasts.
Read more: Skreppa Titanium Superlight Fire Pit review
See more in our round up of the best camping BBQs.
Multi-tool
Gerber Stakeout Spark Multi-tool
I think a multi-tool is essential when camping solo or otherwise, and the best way to cover yourself for most eventualities, without overloading your pack. Weighing only 210 grams, and with ten practical tools including: a tent peg remover, a bottle opener, a knife, and a saw with a ferro rod for fast fire starting.
This tool helps me feel like I've got everything I need to camp solo. Whether I’m pitching a tent, starting a fire in the rain, cooking, or opening a beer, the Stakeout Spark has proven to be lightweight, compact, and full of genuinely useful features.
Read more: Gerber Stakeout Spark Multi-Tool review
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Lightweight Blanket
Matador Pocket Blanket
The standard Matador Pocket Blanket weighs in at just 108 grams, and folds down to about 4.5 × 2.7 × 1.1, about the size of the palm of my hand, and seats 2 to 4. There’s also a mini version which weighs just 37 grams and folds down to 3 × 1.6 × 0.8 in, seating 1 to 2 people. Incredibly portable and storable, the Matador Pocket Blanket slipped into any pocket in my backpack or shorts, and it’s light enough to clip onto a key ring.
Read more: Matador Pocket Blanket review
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Sleeping Bag
Sierra Designs Night Cap 20
The clever zipless design of the Sierra Designs Night Cap 20 sleeping bag earned it a well-deserved Product of the Year award from the Outdoor Industries Association (OIA) in 2021. It proves that sometimes the simplest ideas are the most effective–by removing the zipper entirely, the Night Cap creates a comfortable hybrid between a sleeping bag and a quilt, offering freedom of movement without the usual bulk or fuss.
Read more: Night Cap 20 Womens Sleeping Bag review
Need help choosing? Our best sleeping bags guide is a great place to start.
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Power Bank
Belkin Boost Charge 20K
One of the first things I appreciated about the Belkin Boost Charge 20K was how tidy the design is. It’s not the lightest or slimmest power bank I’ve used, but the built–in Lightning cable makes up for that, no more rummaging around for spares or forgetting to pack one altogether. It’s solid and slightly chunky, but still slides into my backpack or tote without too much bulk. For something with 20,000mAh of power, I think the trade–off between size and capacity is totally fair.
Read more: Belkin Boost Charge 20K review
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We’ve tested the best — see which portable power banks made the cut in our buying guide.
Lightweight Chair
Helinox Chair One (re)
The design of the Helinox Chair One (re) is what really won me over. It’s minimalist, weighing roughly one kilo, but thoughtfully engineered and is an update on the original award winning Chair One, now featuring (re)Tension Design – adding a second tension line within the parameter of the chair to distribute weight around the frame.
Weighing roughly a kilo, this chair packs away to the size of a water bottle, and can be put up and taken down in seconds.
Read more: Helinox Chair One (re) review
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You might also like our tried and tested round up of the best camping chairs.
Cooking Pot
MSR Alpine Stowaway Pot
I’ve been using the MSR Alpine Stowaway Pot for over ten years now, and it’s honestly one of those bits of gear that just quietly gets the job done, trip after trip. It’s not the flashiest or the lightest, but it’s earned its place in my kit through sheer reliability. Whether I’m boiling water for coffee on a frosty morning or cooking something a bit more involved like a stew or pasta, this pot has never let me down.
This packs down small, doubles as storage for leakier food items, and will do everything you need.
Read more: MSR Alpine Stowaway Pot review
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Portable Speaker
Tribit StormBox Micro 2
I strongly recommend taking a portable speaker when solo camping. Whether it’s playing music or a podcast by the fire in the evening, relaxing with some tunes on the beach during the day, or putting the radio on while making breakfast, it helps me feel less alone. That bit of background sound creates a sense of comfort and normality, especially on longer trips where the quiet can start to feel a little too quiet.
The Tribit StormBox Micro 2 is a neat little thing, sturdy and compact and small enough to fit in the palm of my hand, yet it doesn’t feel flimsy or plasticky like some more budget speakers. The textured fabric on the front gives it an expensive feeling, while the rubber on the back adds a bit of grip, which is useful when you’re balancing it on uneven surfaces.
Read more: Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 review
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Have we missed any walking shoes you'd like to see reviewed? Want to share your experience with any of the above models? Contact leonie.helm@ourmedia.co.uk
