Kayak Camping Gear List

Oh the great debate of many camping enthusiasts, hammocks vs. tents. I am clearly a hammock guy for very simple reasons. Hammocks are smaller, lighter, easier to clean, and more comfortable.

I live and do most of my kayamping adventures in the South, where mosquitoes rule the night. Bug nets are absolutely mandatory for enjoyable nights in the woods. A good bug net is ultra-lightweight and breathable, which makes them well-worth the added few ounces.

Learn More About Hammock Bug Nets

The rain fly is what makes the hammock formidable against the protection of a tent. It serves as a roof to not only shelter you from the rain, but all of your gear as well. This is an essential item for hammock camping.

Take my word for it, hammock sleeping can be very cold if you don't have the proper insulation. Unlike sleeping bags, underquilts don't become compressed and effectively shield wind and trap heat for a comfortable night's sleep.

I bring a blanket for any temperatures below 65F to aid keeping the wind off my body and retain what heat I can. A blanket provides a comforting touch as most people sleep with blankets regularly.

I use canister stoves because of their flexibility and ease of use. I toyed with alcohol stoves because of the weight reduction, but found that it is not really necessary for kayak camping. I read this great article to help me determine the best stove type for me. I enjoy cooking and will typically cook for a few people as I don't kayak camping solo yet. We plan out our shared gear so weight is not a major factor.

One of my favorite things about camping are the campfire meals. To do so you need a few basic items that I kit together. Rocks can substitute for the grill grate and stand, just be sure to heat them up well before cooking.

Kitchen gear can get heavy so multi-purpose items are essential. Titanium or aluminum kettles work as mugs and cooking pots.

All you need to get the food to your mouth. There are some pretty nice camping sporks on the market for cheap. I like oversized sporks so you can cook and eat with them.

It is necessary to clean your cooking utensils after each meal. Use environmentally friendly soap to reduce your footprint. Also clean your food and dispose of scrap a ways away from camp so midnight critters don't come looking for you.

Lightweight, durable, and cheap are the keys here. Tupperware works really well.

I have the Ice Mule 15Liter, which is the perfect size for a two day trip. The Ice Mule has an opening that is fold to close like dry bags and a valve to let excess air out. One of the best features is that it will float even fully loaded so no worries about tipping the kayak and losing your brews!

My food barrels are nothing fancy just repurposed protein powder tubs. Within them, are small organized peanut butter jars or plastic bags containing various seasonings and small foods. If the protein tubs weren't free then I would probably buy dry bags to store my food. I bring along a good-sized mesh bag to tow gear from the kayak to camp. I repurpose this bag at night to hold the food barrels so I can hang them from a tree.

I use Platypus bottles because they fold down small after use. Also they have a standard 28M bottle thread which makes the Platypus compatible with the Sawyer Mini filter. The Sawyer Mini is the gold standard right now, but I believe the MSR Guardian has the best design. The only reason I do not have one is because it is ridiculously overpriced.

I opt for a paddling friendly life jacket for kayaking camping trips. This entails a smaller life jacket with few pockets only for the essentials. You want something that is comfortable enough that you don't mind keeping it on all day. It is tempting in calm waters to go without but you never know what the next turn of the river hides.

Sit-in kayaks are usually regarded as superior for kayak camping trips because of the protected storage space. I prefer sit-in kayaks for this very reason but sit-on tops are usable as well. Bungie cords laced across the front provided utility for storing extra paddles and small amounts of gear. Dry hatch covers won't keep all the water out, but every bit helps.

: Mainly used for detering white water surf from entering the kayak, spray skirts are useful during colder months for keeping in warmth and during heavy rain. They can really come in handy and should be brought along for all but the most tame kayak camping adventures.

Any double blade kayak paddle will do when you first start out. The stroke is more important than the paddle. Multi-day trips will put serious fatigue on your body so take the time to learn proper stroke mechanics.

A phone on a kayak is destined for the water. Keep it safely in a dry box or use a waterproof case that floats. Waterproof lanyards work well for those who can't seem to set the phone down.

I bring a single large towel to be used in my deck bag and for use at camp. This prevents the need for bring two separate towels. I recommend storing in the deck bag so you can dry off your hands or equipment or cover sunburnt appendages while paddling.

Headlamps are an absolute godsend at night. I bring a small flashlight as backup but the headlamp is the staple. Any headlamp will do, I believe I got mine for free from a tent at a convention.

I bring along both of these tools for clearing underbrush, vines, or other obstruction from my campsite. Generally, I try not to impact the land I camp on, but it is inevitable a few branches will separate me from a comfortable nights sleep. Either a machete or a hatchet are a must for camping.

They make small stool chairs that work great for kayamping. Certainly not a must have item, but it is nice to sit around the camp fire at night.

A staple any man's camping equipment, the multi-tool is always useful. However, being around water all day does not bode well for steel products. To date there are no multi-tools that are completely rust proof so meticulous care is needed. I opted for a cheap multi-tool I have had for years, but will upgrade to a Leatherman Wave when this one dies.

Pick a lightweight pant with lots of pockets that won't get snagged too easily stomping through the woods but can also be worn on the kayak to protect from the sun. The pants that zip off at the knee are extremely flexible options.

If you spend lots of time on the water it is just a matter of time until your sunglasses get knocked off. Add croakies to the back of your sunglasses to make taking them off easier and remove the risk of your $200 glasses taking a swim. I like to use Cablez brand croakies for their minimalist design and security. Attach a bobber to the back of the Cablez so your glasses float in the water.

While on the water the sun is burning you from all angles. The sun's rays are powerful enough to burn you from reflecting off the water's surface. A wide brimmed hat is your best defense against this.

Crocs or sandals like Chacos are the most popular kayaking shoe option. I am a Chaco owner, but I think I will be converting to team Croc's after my latest kayamping trip.

Nothing is worse than your feet getting cold in the middle of the night. Bring a good pair of socks to keep those toes warm.

Some opt for rain jacket and pants and others use a poncho. Both will work but the later saves on space.

These can be a life saver on your hands. Combine continued pushing and pulling plus a wet environment is a recipe for blisters and sores. I recommend the fingerless gloves for breathability.

Although I place my cell phone in airplane mode for the majority of the trip, it will still run out of battery in a day or two. Your phone is an immensely important tool for survival situations so I recommend you bring one. An average Iphone takes roughly 2000mAh to charge fully. I bring a 4400mAh battery for 3 days trips and a 9000mAh battery for trips longer than 3 days.

Always bring a spare paddle for multi-day trips. If you are in a group, then every member won't need to bring one, but I always make sure I have myself covered at least. You can get 4-piece breakdown paddles that fit in the hull or a 2-piece set and secure it under the bungies of the front deck. Make sure the paddle tightly secured because they can easily float away in surf.