Updated 04/20/2026

Everything I need for a trip — from compact electronics and lighting to other small camp items — stays together in one organized bin, ready to grab and go.

Camping trips are more enjoyable when the small essentials are easy to find and ready to use. An adjustable bin keeps compact electronics, lighting, tools, a first-aid kit, and other small items organized and ready for every camping trip.

By keeping these small items together, organized, and accessible, I can grab the bin and head out for a trip without worrying about forgetting anything important. It’s a simple system that saves time and keeps my gear ready for whatever the outdoors throws my way.

REI Trailgate 25 Liter Adjustable Cube

Trailgate cubes are made with heavy duty outer fabric with a zippered mesh top so you can see what’s inside. Two dividers can be positioned where needed – and make a big difference in keeping everything in place. The bin has carrying handles on the sides, and they are stackable with other cubes for fitting into larger REI Trailgate Bins.

Camping Essentials

These are the items that I keep in the adjustable bin – everything from lights to power banks to items needed for camping in my car. The bin holds a lot more than it would seem possible… I keep adding small items and it seems there’s always a bit of room for a little more.

Electronics

For keeping all of my electronics charged, I carry two power banks, charging cords, and extra batteries. I also use a rechargeable pump for blowing up air mattresses.

Power banks: Charmast 26800mAh charger; Anker PowerCore 13000mAh charger
The Charmast charger has four output ports and three input ports – and has plenty of capacity for charging multiple devices at the same time. The Anker is an older charger that I take as a backup. For charging cords, I take an assortment, including a lightning cord for my iPhone, micro-USB and USB-C cords. I also bring AAA batteries for the few devices I have that need them, including a headlamp and fairy lights. Everything else I use is rechargeable.

Portable pump: FlextailGear Tiny Pump
This pump makes blowing up an air mattress super easy and fast. And it includes a light with three brightness settings.

Lighting

Good lighting can create a fun ambiance at camp, but more importantly, having a well-lit camp can keep you from tripping in the dark. I like to use a variety of lights, including lanterns for use in my camp kitchen and tent or car, string lights, and a headlamp.

LANTERNS

UST Gear Spright Solar Lantern: This LED lantern has four modes of light: high (120 lumens), low (50 lumens), amber nightlight, and amber candlelight flicker mode, and can be charged via solar or USB. The silicone globe collapses into the base to take up less space. Since it has several soft light modes, I like using this light inside the tent.

UCO Sprout Mini Lantern: For lighting while cooking, this rechargeable lantern provides up to 130 lumens of brightness and can be hung facing downward via a loop on the bottom.

STRING LIGHTS

Big Agnes MtnGLO String Lights: I add two light strings for soft light in my tent or car and love the fairy light ambiance that they provide. The MtnGLO lights can be powered via 3 AAA batteries, or by plugging into a USB power bank device.

Biolite Luci Solar String Lights + Detachable Power Hub: This string of lights has a 44 ft. long cord and three brightness settings: 140 lumens of light on high, 70 lumens on medium, or 20 lumens on low. The detachable hub can be used to power other devices, although I prefer to save the energy for just using the lights. The unit can be recharged via solar or USB-C (charging cable included). The longer length of these lights are great for lighting up a campsite. I attach them to my pop-up canopy for lighting up my camp kitchen area.

HEADLAMPS

Nitecore NU25 400 Lumen Headlamp: This rechargeable headlamp features dual beam spotlights and floodlights, and a red lamp for retaining night vision (and not blinding your campmates).

Black Diamond Spot: Headlamps are great for those middle of the night bathroom trips, or for walking around camp at night. This headlamp uses batteries and has flood, spot, and red lamp modes.

Tools

It’s helpful to have small tools on hand for things such as fixing gear, pounding tent stakes, or hanging lights. I also bring a small level for my camp table so gear doesn’t roll off of it, and mini binder clips for hanging fairy lights.

GreatNeck Mallet: I use this mallet with a dual rubber/plastic head to secure the stakes in my car canopy or tent.

UST Reflective Clothes Line: This bungee cord with clips is good for hanging wet clothes or towels.

Silicone Magnetic Ties: These small magnet ties are useful for many things – I use them to hang string lights on my car canopy.

Campfire tools

Diamond Strike-a-Fire: These fire starters are great for starting a fire without kindling.

FireMaple Orange Lantern: When having a campfire isn’t possible, I’ve been enjoying the warm glow this lantern creates at camp.The FireMaple gas lantern isn’t the old-fashioned type that may come to mind. Instead of using liquid fuel, this lantern works with a standard isobutane canister, the same fuel used for backpacking stoves found at outdoor retailers.

Personal Safety Items

Hot Hands Body Warmers: In frigid conditions, I use these body warmers and keep them in the pockets of my jacket, or at night in my sleeping bag to stay warm.

PrimaCare Instant Cold Therapy Ice Packs: These instant cold packs are part of my first aid kit on camping trips. Just squeeze the pack for 15 minutes of cold therapy.

Bear Spray: While I’ve never had to use it, I camp in areas where black bears and cougars live so I keep this bear spray on hand just in case.

Additional Gear

Mosquito Repellent Coils: These coils are made with Permethrin and are very effective in keeping mosquitoes away at camp.

ShadeSox Window Screens: I use these window screens when I’m camping in my car so I can open the windows for ventilation and keep bugs out.

Video Walkthrough

Gear Reviews: My goal is to share clear, unbiased information about outdoor gear. I am not sponsored by any gear companies and I don’t accept paid posts or links. I regularly receive products from brands for review, with no expectation of a positive review and no compensation for my opinions. As an independent gear reviewer, I only review items I’ve personally used on multiple trips and that I believe are high-quality and worth recommending.

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