Camping on the beach or in the mountains is the perfect plan — but buying the full gear easily costs $ 320-$ 600. If you go 1-2 times a year, renting is the obvious choice.

The essentials (basic package for 2 people)

• 3-person tent: $ 8-$ 14/day. Oversized for 2 = room for backpacks inside.
• Sleeping bags (2): $ 4-$ 6/day each. For warm weather, a light 15°C bag is enough.
• Inflatable sleeping pads: $ 3-$ 5/day. The difference between sleeping well and not sleeping at all.
• Portable stove (gas): $ 6-$ 10/day. Small, with a butane canister.
• Flashlights / LED lanterns: $ 2-$ 4/day.

Total basic package: ~$ 28-$ 40/day. Vs. buying everything new: $ 160-$ 320.

Extras worth adding

• Inflatable kayak: $ 16-$ 24/day. If there's water nearby, a must.
• Large cooler: $ 6/day. A 5-day trip without a cooler is suffering.
• GoPro: $ 10-$ 16/day. So the trip gets recorded.

Tips for the trip

1. Book 10-14 days ahead. Camping gear on VAKA turns over fast on long weekends.
2. Same owner = discount: many owners give 10-15% off if you rent 3+ items.
3. Arrange the pickup in your city: pick everything up the day before you leave and take it with you.

Ready to put your package together? Explore camping on VAKA.