July outdoor tip — 10 gear tips for your road trip

July is peak summer holiday season, and with the weather usually at its warmest, it's a good time to get outdoors. A road trip is an easy, affordable way to make the most of your time off. You could explore closer to home, head for the Scottish Highlands, or venture further afield to Sweden and Norway.

We've put together 20 gear tips that make road trips easier and a lot more comfortable, whether you're wild camping or staying on a campsite.

Choose the right shelter

If you don't have a campervan or caravan, or you'd rather sleep out under the stars, a tent is the simplest way to spend the night outdoors – especially when it's raining and the weather isn't playing along.

If you'll be carrying your tent, go for a lighter, weatherproof backpacking tent. If you're pitching close to the car, a family or camping tent gives you far more comfort.

Pictured: the Nordisk Asgard 12,6 Tent camping tent.

Larger campsite tents can be surprisingly affordable, and they're a relaxing place to spend time.

Sleep comfortably on a camp bed

If sleeping on just a mat is too uncomfortable for you, consider a camp bed.

Pictured: the Robens Outpost Base Camp Tall camp bed.

Because a camp bed sits higher off the ground, it's easier to climb in and out of. You can also stash gear underneath, so it isn't cluttering up the tent.

A good sleeping mat means a good night's sleep

On a comfortable sleeping mat, you might sleep almost as well as you do at home. If you like a softer surface, choose a thicker model. If you'll be carrying your mat on hikes and backpacking trips, keep an eye on the weight.

The plushest mat in our range is the Thermarest Neoloft, available in Regular, Regular Wide and Large sizes. At almost 12 cm thick, it's a genuinely comfortable mat to sleep on.

Once you get used to a camping chair, you won't go without

A camping chair adds a lot of comfort – you can sit back, relax and enjoy the summer. The lightest models are even practical for backpacking. The heavier ones are best left for camping near the car.

The most versatile option is a lightweight chair you can take on a hike that also works on the campsite. The Nemo Moonlite Elite Reclining Backpacking Chair weighs only around half a kilo.

If comfort is your priority, the Nemo Satellite Reclining Anywhere Chair gives you a more supportive backrest, a bottle holder and more.

A camping table makes mealtimes easier

Even a small camping table makes eating much easier, since you can reach your food comfortably from your chair. Check the packed size before you buy, so the car doesn't end up overloaded.

The Robens Adventure Aluminium Table S is a compact camping table that packs down into a small stuff sack.

You'll find all our camping furniture here.

Easy-care, long-lasting camping tableware

Nordic brand Kupilka is the most popular choice for camping tableware. Most wilderness guide companies that serve meals outdoors swear by it too. Kupilka products are made from a blend of wood fibre and synthetic materials, and they meet food safety standards.

The Kupilka Eräruokalautanen 44 is a handy plate. Add the Cutlery Set and a larger cup, and you've got a solid starter kit. Kupilka's range is extensive and comes in plenty of colours, so it's easy to build a set that suits you.

Cook for less with a camping stove

If you want to save money and still eat well, a camping stove is the easiest way to do it. A gas stove is the simplest option, and our gas stove range is wide. You can either buy a complete set that includes pans, or pick the stove and cookware separately.

When it comes to stove and cookware sets, Trangia is the most popular. The set includes a gas burner, pans, a lid that doubles as a frying pan, a pot gripper and a strap that holds the whole kit together.

If you're cooking next to the car or on a campsite, a camp stove may be the more sensible choice. Pictured is the Outwell Katmai Duo two-burner camp stove.

Keep food fresh with a cool box

In summer, heat is the challenge. Without somewhere cool to store food, you can't stock up for several days at a time. A cool box solves that problem – and it's nice to have a cold drink on a hot day, too.

Yeti makes rugged cool boxes built to last for years and keep their contents cold for a long time. The Yeti Tundra 35 holds, for example, 21 cans plus a generous amount of ice. You can also add a Yeti ice pack as an accessory.

Don't forget your water supply

Always bring more than one water bottle. They're easy to refill at a service station or rest stop.

The 1-litre Nalgene bottle has become a favourite with campers and hikers. It comes in a huge range of colours, so you're bound to find one you like.

Insulated mugs have become hugely popular lately. They're great for coffee and tea, of course, but they work the other way round too – keeping cold drinks cold.

A water carrier lets you store larger amounts of water. These are also useful on hikes and paddling trips where there's no water source and you have to carry your own. The Sea To Summit Pack Tap 10L water container holds 10 litres.

Keep the car tidy and organised

Pack your clothes and gear into a larger bag so you can easily lift everything into the tent once you're on site.

The The North Face Camp Gear Box M, for example, works almost like a gear crate and makes it easy to keep your kit organised. There's also a larger version.

It's also worth looking at Ortlieb's bags. Ortlieb is known for waterproof bags that stand up to hard use.

We hope these tips come in handy on your summer adventures!