If you’re a hardcore camper, you dress for utility. Great style is a bonus but pales in comparison to functionality. Glamping is a little bit different. What should you wear? What gear do you need?

Depending on your personality, you might have different outfits for camping and glamping. Additionally, you need more gear for one than the other. Understanding the similarities and differences helps you plan your vacation wardrobe and bring the right tools.

What Is the Difference Between Glamping and Camping?

There’s no clear dividing line between glamping and camping. In general, glamping is a more luxurious way of enjoying the great outdoors while maintaining many of the comforts of home. It’s short for “glamorous camping,” as traditional camping is a bit more rugged.

Some folks consider anything outside of the traditional tent glamping, such as staying in an RV. However, glamping resorts also exist, where you might bed down in anything from a refurbished vintage Airstream to a yurt or a treehouse. Some locations feature luxury tents on raised platforms complete with raised beds, climate control, and running water — it’s like a canvas hotel room.

Glamping Benefits

Glamping’s appeal has soared in popularity in recent years because it makes the outdoors accessible to a wider range of people, not just those family members who don’t like getting too dirty. For example, some folks with disabilities have trouble with body temperature regulation, and having a place to escape extremes is a must.

Additionally, many glamping spots are ideal for families with young children. Over 50% of campers have kids, and keeping them occupied with little more than a tent can prove challenging. Glamping facilities and RV resorts often have enclosed play areas to keep tots safe, and some even offer on-site babysitting services to let adult family members catch a break.

Camping Perks 

On the other hand, camping is more likely to appeal to young adults and hearty outdoors folk who gleefully and willingly shed civilization’s trappings for meditative quiet in the wilderness. It allows you to travel far from the madding crowd. You might even carry everything you need in a backpack, including your tent. However, the right gear is crucial, as there may be no one around for miles if you become injured or lost.

Once you have the gear you need, camping is among the most affordable leisure activities — another reason it appeals to a younger crowd. You can take off to enjoy the solitude of the forest anytime you like, staking out a sweet spot for hunting season or simply relaxing in the serenity and silence.

Differences Between Camping and Glamping Outfits and Gear

The biggest difference between camping and glamping outfitting lies in the gear. While glamping gives you the resources to doll up for a night on the town, it also provides you with many of the accessories you need. For example, many RV and glamping rentals with kitchens include basic pots, pans and dishware for preparing meals.

Campers need a few survival items besides warm clothes. At the very least, they need a bivvy bag to keep them snug when sleeping under the stars. Bear spray is a must in bruin country, and a sharp knife comes in handy for anything from whittling sticks for toasting marshmallows or using the steel with a piece of flint to start the blaze. And, of course, they need the right pack to carry all their gear.

However, some items make any glamping or camping excursion more comfortable. Here’s what you need.

10 Items to Outfit Yourself for Camping or Glamping 

Add the following top ten items to your packing list before heading into the great outdoors.

1. Sturdy Boots 

Hiking is a favorite activity of campers and glampers alike, and the right footgear protects you on the trail. Look for waterproof, breathable versions that offer sufficient ankle support for traversing rocky terrain. They should have rugged rubber outsoles that maintain your grip on slick surfaces.

2. Camp Shoes

While campers may skip these if they add too much weight to their pack, a comfortable pair of shoes to wear around the fire makes your trip cozier. These might be slippers or more casual shoes — as long as they have a tough outsole made of something like rubber to protect your feet from sharp rocks and sticks.

3. Warm Socks and Clean Underwear

You can never have enough socks when camping. Damp socks breed bacteria, can lead to trenchfoot and are downright uncomfortable. Furthermore, the material closest to your skin harbors all kinds of germs. A good rule of thumb is to pack more than you think you’ll need, then add one more pair. Merino wool brands like Darn Tough Vermont and Smartwool Socks are top leaders in recommendations.

4. Top Layers 

Dressing in layers keeps you more comfortable in varying climates. The basic formula is thus: 

• Base layer: Use sweat-wicking fabrics such as merino wool, nylon or polyester. Avoid cotton long johns.
• Middle layer: This layer insulates you. It may consist of anything from a lightweight tee in warmer weather to a zip-up sweatshirt in cooler temperatures. Some folks like a fleece vest to keep their internal organs toasty while leaving their arms free to chop firewood. 
• Top layer: It protects against wind and rain, typically consisting of a jacket, although a rain slicker might be more appropriate in warm, rainy weather.

5. Pants With Plenty of Pockets 

Pockets are a must for glamping and camping, as they provide a convenient place to stash your compass, phone, knife or that nifty rock you found by the river. While it’s best to wear long pants when hiking to avoid ticks, a few pairs of shorts can’t hurt in summer weather.

6. Bug Spray 

Ask folks what they dislike about the great outdoors, and biting insects invariably make the list. While you should always inspect yourself for ticks after a hike, the right repellent decreases your chances of having one latch on and also keeps disease-bearing mosquitoes at bay. Make sure you don’t forget to pack a tick key as well. 

7. A First Aid Kit 

Even if you go glamping at an established site, you need a first-aid kit — you can’t always rely on the facility to stock what you need. Ensure you bring copies of prescriptions and an emergency blanket if heading out in cold weather.

8. Hygiene Items 

Staying clean is easier when you go glamping and have access to running water. However, the right soap made from all-natural biodegradable ingredients lets you cleanse your hands before eating in the wild. Additionally, balm is a must if your lips tend to crack, and the wax can serve as a lubricant in a pinch.

9. A Firestarter and Mess Kit 

You have eat, and even glampers with full kitchens appreciate marshmallows over the campfire. Investing in a wind-resistant lighter can get your blaze going. If fire restrictions prohibit open flames, many sites still allow camp stoves for cooking anything from hotdogs to s’mores fixings. Something else to consider that is very lightweight and packable is the Tuff Camp Saw. Game changer for cutting kindling, logs, or trees. 

10. Sun Protection

If you overdo fun in the sun, the right healing balm can cool the burn. Of course, it’s best to prevent the damage in the first place by investing in the right sunscreen for your skin type and slathering it on every two hours and after heavy sweating or swimming.

Glamping Versus Camping Outfits 

Whether you’re a glamper or a camper, outfitting yourself with the right gear makes for a more comfortable and safe experience. Load up your pack with the right clothing and essentials, and head out for adventure in the great outdoors.

Happy Adventuring, friends!

Guest Post Contributor: Jack Shaw