Camping gear rental for first-timers

The fastest way to find out whether your family likes camping is to go once without buying anything. Tents, sleeping pads, stoves and coolers are exactly the kind of thing neighbors own and rarely use, and renting a full kit for a weekend costs a small fraction of buying it new.

What to rent

• Tent: size it by people plus gear. A “6-person” tent is comfortable for four. Ask whether the footprint and stakes are included.
• Sleeping pads or an air mattress: this is what decides whether anyone sleeps. Do not skip it.
• Camp stove and fuel: two burners for a family; ask how full the fuel canister is.
• Cooler: a hard cooler keeps ice for a weekend if you pre-chill it.
• Lantern and headlamps, camp chairs, and a folding table if the site has none.

What to bring yourself

Sleeping bags and pillows are personal items most people already own or can borrow from friends. Bring your own cookware you do not mind getting sooty, plenty of trash bags, and a tarp — a cheap tarp under the tent protects a borrowed floor from stones and damp.

Before you leave the owner’s driveway

1. 1Count poles, stakes and guy lines against the tent bag’s contents. Ask the owner if you are unsure.
2. 2Ask for a two-minute setup walkthrough. Every tent has one trick.
3. 3Light the stove once. Check the regulator and the fuel level.
4. 4Photograph everything laid out. It is your record for the return.

Returning gear in good shape

Wet gear is the number one cause of camping-gear claims. Dry the tent fully before you pack it — a damp tent grows mildew in days. Shake out sand, empty the cooler and let it air, and return the stove clean. The owner has 72 hours after return to raise any issue; a dry, clean kit means there is nothing to raise.

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