Wild Camping for Beginners: My First 6 Months & What I’ve Learned
Introduction
If you’re new to wild camping, you might be wondering:
Where do I start?
What gear do I need?
How do I stay warm, dry, and safe outdoors?
There are plenty of seasoned campers out there with decades of experience, but that’s exactly why I wanted to create this post. I’m still a beginner myself, and a lot has changed in wild camping compared to 10–20 years ago.
This post is for beginners, by a beginner—sharing real mistakes, lessons, and must-know tips from my first six months of wild camping.
I’ll also cover my gear setup, my experience wild camping in Storm Elin, and key advice for anyone thinking of getting started.
Choosing the Right Wild Camping Spot
Before you even think about pitching your tent, you need to find a safe and suitable location.
On this trip, I was camping in a Storm, so I needed to be extra cautious. The wind speeds were predicted to increase overnight, so I had to avoid camping directly under trees.
Key Considerations When Picking a Spot:
✔ Flat & dry ground – Avoid sloped or boggy areas.
✔ Wind protection – Use natural vegetation as a windbreak.
✔ Safe distance from trees – High winds = risk of falling branches.
✔ Discreet location – Follow Leave No Trace principles.
Eventually, I found a perfect, soft-ground spot with natural wind protection from vegetation and a clear, open space to set up camp.
My Wild Camping Gear Setup
1. Sleep System – The Most Important Factor
Your sleep system will determine how comfortable your night is—don’t cut corners here!
🛏️ Sleeping Pad: OEX Flux 7R (R-value 7.2) – Affordable and warm, picked up from Go Outdoors for £60.
💨 Inflation Pump & Lantern: FlexTail Gear Pump – Dual-use pump + light, saves space and works brilliantly.
🛏️ Sleeping Bag: British Military Arctic Sleeping Bag – Absolutely toasty, even at 0°C. Planning to upgrade to a Rab down bag in the future.
🧦 Nightwear: Merino wool socks, thermal long johns & base layers – Essential for warmth.
✔ TIP: Store your nightwear in a dry bag inside your sleeping bag. That way, when you change in the morning, your clothes will be warm and dry.
2. Shelter – Tent, Bivvy, or Hammock?
One of the biggest decisions when starting wild camping is choosing your shelter.
🏕️ Tent: A safe, all-weather option.
🛏️ Hammock: Comfortable, but only suitable for woodland areas.
🎒 Bivvy bag: The most stealthy and lightweight, but less protection in bad weather.
✔ For this trip: I used the OEX Phoxx 2 V2 under a DD 3.5x3.5m tarp, secured with jungle toggles for quick setup.
3. Cooking Setup – The Simpler, The Better
When it comes to food, keep it simple.
My camp cooking setup:
🔥 Stove: Trangia alcohol stove – Compact, lightweight, and fits perfectly into the British Military BCB cook system.
🥘 Cooking Gear: Mini frying pan – Tested for cooking steak on an alcohol stove (and yes, it worked!).
☕ Coffee & Mug: Go Outdoors collapsible silicone mug – £3 bargain that saves loads of space.
🥄 Cutlery: Not a plastic spork – I accidentally bit two prongs off my last one!
✔ TIP: A lightweight aluminium camping table makes cooking way easier.
4. Wild Camping Clothing & Layering
One common beginner mistake (that I made on this trip!) is wearing too many layers too soon.
✔ Base layers: Worn directly against the skin to wick away moisture (Merino wool is ideal).
✔ Mid layers: Insulating fleece or down jacket to trap warmth.
✔ Outer layers: Waterproofs to block wind & rain.
⚠️ Lesson learned: Sweating during a hike = feeling cold later when you stop. Start with fewer layers and add more as needed.
What Wild Camping Does for Me
Wild camping is about more than just sleeping outdoors—it’s a mental reset.
Everything slows down:
Cooking takes longer.
Making coffee takes more effort.
Packing up camp takes time.
And that’s the beauty of it. It forces you to slow down, be present, and appreciate the small things.
For me, wild camping has massively improved my mental health, giving me time to:
✔ Practice breathing exercises & mindfulness.
✔ Escape daily stress & distractions.
✔ Feel more connected to nature.
If you’re feeling burnt out or stressed, I can’t recommend it enough.
Beginner Wild Camping Advice: Where to Start
1. Start With a Tent, Not a Bivvy or Hammock
If you’re new to wild camping, a tent is the easiest and safest option.
✔ Get a 2-person tent (more space = better sleep).
✔ Don’t choose the cheapest sleeping bag—it won’t be warm enough.
2. Pick a Familiar, Safe Spot for Your First Camp
Your first night alone in the wild can be unnerving.
✔ Camp somewhere you know (even your back garden!) before going remote.
3. Don’t Underestimate Cold Weather Camping
The biggest mistake beginners make is thinking a cheap 2-season sleeping bag will keep them warm in winter.
✔ Invest in a good sleeping system—a sleep mat is just as important as the bag itself.
4. Army Surplus Gear = Cheap & Reliable
If you’re on a budget, Army Surplus stores are your best friend.
✔ Affordable, durable gear at a fraction of the price of outdoor brands.
Final Thoughts & Packing Up
The morning after a wild camp is always one of my favourite moments—quiet, peaceful, and a chance to enjoy a hot coffee and breakfast in the fresh air.
✔ Breakfast: Quaker banana porridge—simple, quick, and perfect for the outdoors.
✔ Packing up: Always Leave No Trace—leave your camp exactly how you found it.
This wild camping trip, despite Storm Elin, was another amazing experience, and I’m learning new lessons every time I go out.
Would love to hear from other campers—what was your first wild camp like?
Where to Buy Wild Camping Gear
If you’re looking for budget-friendly and reliable camping gear, here’s what I used:
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In this video, I share essential wild camping tips for beginners, based on my first 6 months of experience. From choosing the right shelter and sleep system to avoiding common mistakes, this guide is perfect for anyone looking to start camping in the wild. I also discuss how wild camping benefits mental health, the best budget-friendly gear, and how to stay warm in bad weather.