This list includes 41 Camping Items and supplies that start with S, from “Sandals” to “Survival kit”. These entries cover common, useful gear for sleeping, cooking, shelter, navigation, safety, and personal comfort.
Camping items and supplies that start with S are everyday tools and comforts you bring to camp. Historically, simple S-items like sandals and spices show how campers blend practicality and culture on trips.
Below you’ll find the table with Item, Usage, and Popular Brands.
Item: The entry name for each gear or supply, helping you scan specific S-items you might pack or buy.
Usage: Short, practical description showing how the item serves you at camp, and when you’d use it.
Popular Brands: A few common manufacturers or brands you can look for when buying, useful for comparison shopping.
Camping Items and supplies that start with S
| Item | Typical use | Typical weight/size | Popular brands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeping bag | Sleeping and warmth | 2 lb | REI, Marmot, The North Face |
| Sleeping pad | Insulation and comfort under sleeping bag | 1 lb | Therm-a-Rest, Klymit, Sea to Summit |
| Shelter | Primary overhead protection (tent/tarp) | 3 lb | MSR, Big Agnes, Hilleberg |
| Stove | Cooking and boiling water | 8 oz | Jetboil, MSR, Coleman |
| Stove fuel | Fuel for backpacking or camp stoves | 8 oz (canister) | MSR, Coleman, Primus |
| Stuff sack | Gear organization and compression | 2 oz | Sea to Summit, REI, Osprey |
| Solar charger | Portable device charging small electronics | 12 oz | Goal Zero, Anker, RAVPower |
| Solar panel | Direct solar power for devices/batteries | 1 lb | Goal Zero, Renogy, Anker |
| Spork | Eating utensil combining spoon and fork | 0.5 oz | Light My Fire, Sea to Summit, GSI |
| Stake | Anchoring tents and tarps to ground | 2 oz | MSR, Vargo, NEMO |
| Shovel | Digging fire pits, latrines, or clearing snow | 1 lb | Gerber, Fiskars, MSR |
| Saw | Cutting firewood and pruning | 12 oz | Silky, Bahco, Gerber |
| Soap | Personal hygiene and dishwashing | 3.5 oz | Dr. Bronner’s, Campsuds, Sea to Summit |
| Sunscreen | UV protection for skin | 3 oz | Neutrogena, Banana Boat, Coppertone |
| Sunglasses | Eye protection from sun and glare | 1.5 oz | Oakley, Ray-Ban, Smith |
| Sun hat | Shade and sun protection for head/face | 3 oz | Columbia, Outdoor Research, Sunday Afternoons |
| Snacks | Quick-energy food for hiking or camp | 1 lb/day per person | Clif Bar, KIND, GU |
| Socks | Foot comfort and blister prevention | 4 oz (pair) | Darn Tough, Smartwool, Bridgedale |
| Stool | Lightweight camp seating | 2 lb | Helinox, REI, GCI |
| Survival kit | Emergency navigation and basic survival gear | 1 lb | Adventure Medical Kits, SOL, Lifesystems |
| Space blanket | Emergency insulation and signaling | 1 oz | SOL, Coghlan’s, Adventure Medical Kits |
| Sleeping cot | Elevated sleeping platform | 5 lb | Coleman, Helinox, ALPS Mountaineering |
| Sleeping quilt | Alternative to sleeping bag for flexible warmth | 1.5 lb | Enlightened Equipment, Katabatic, Therm-a-Rest |
| Sleeping liner | Adds warmth/cleanliness inside a sleeping bag | 8 oz | Sea to Summit, REI, Cocoon |
| Stove windscreen | Blocks wind to improve stove efficiency | 3 oz | WindBurner, MSR, Vargo |
| Strike-anywhere matches | Firestarting with a rough-strike match | 1 oz (box) | UCO, Coghlan’s, Diamond Match |
| Signal mirror | Emergency signaling to aircraft or rescuers | 0.5 oz | Coghlan’s, UST, SOL |
| Sewing kit | Repair tent, clothing, and gear | 3 oz | Coghlan’s, REI, UST |
| Solid fuel tablets | Compact cooking fuel (esbit-type) | 2 oz (pack) | Esbit, Coghlan’s, Coleman |
| Sharpening stone | Maintain knife and tool edges | 6 oz | Smith’s, DMT, Lansky |
| Snow shovel | Heavy-duty digging in snow conditions | 1.5 lb | MSR, Black Diamond, Fiskars |
| Sunshade | Open-sided fabric shelter for shade | 2 lb | E-Z UP, Sea to Summit, REI |
| Saucepan | Cooking pot for camp meals | 12 oz | GSI, MSR, Snow Peak |
| Screwdriver | Tool for gear repairs and adjustments | 6 oz | Leatherman, Stanley, Gerber |
| Sandals | Campsite footwear and water crossings | 12 oz (pair) | Teva, Chaco, Keen |
| Seat pad | Foam or inflatable cushion for sitting | 6 oz | Therm-a-Rest, Sea to Summit, REI |
| Sleeping mask | Block light for better sleep | 0.5 oz | Sea to Summit, REI, Nalu |
| Sparker | Metal firestarter that produces sparks | 1 oz | Gerber, UST, Exotac |
| Shelter repair kit | Patches and adhesives for shelters | 4 oz | Gear Aid, Tenacious Tape, Seam Grip |
| Signal whistle | Audible distress and location signaling | 0.5 oz | Fox 40, Silva, UST |
| Sterno-style fuel | Canned or gel fuel for camp stoves/heat | 6 oz (can) | Coleman, Sterno, Esbit |
Descriptions
Sleeping bag
A core piece of overnight gear that traps body heat for sleep. Available in mummy, rectangular, and quilt styles with different temperature ratings for seasons.
Sleeping pad
Provides cushioning and crucial insulation from cold ground. Comes as inflatable, foam, or self-inflating pads; R-value indicates warmth.
Shelter
Generic term for tents, tarps or bivies that protect from weather. Choice depends on weight, seasonality, and how many people it must cover.
Stove
Portable cooking system for preparing hot meals and sterilizing water. Options include canister, liquid-fuel, and wood-burning stoves for different trip types.
Stove fuel
Canister gas, white gas, or fuel tablets used with stoves. Choose fuel compatible with your stove and consider weight and refill availability.
Stuff sack
Simple fabric bag to store and compress clothing, sleeping bags, or gear. Comes waterproof or mesh for ventilation; sizes vary by use.
Solar charger
Foldable panels or battery-charger combos that top up phones and lights using sun power. Handy for extended trips where outlets aren’t available.
Solar panel
Larger folding panels used to charge power banks or run devices at basecamp. Output varies by wattage; portability trades off with power.
Spork
Lightweight multiuse spoon-fork tool used for meals. Available in plastic, metal, or titanium—great single-item option for ultralight setups.
Stake
Metal or plastic pegs driven into soil to secure shelter. Designs vary for soft soil, snow, or rocky ground; often sold in multi-packs.
Shovel
A compact or folding shovel useful for campsite maintenance and safety tasks like digging catholes or clearing snow around tents.
Saw
Folding or compact saws allow quick cutting of deadwood for fires or shelter building. Useful where axe use is impractical or restricted.
Soap
Biodegradable soaps are used for washing hands, dishes, and gear. Use sparingly and away from water sources to minimize impact.
Sunscreen
Essential for sun protection at higher elevations or exposed sites. Choose broad-spectrum and water-resistant formulas for outdoor use.
Sunglasses
Protects eyes from UV and reduces glare near water or snow. Look for durable frames and polarized lenses for outdoor comfort.
Sun hat
Wide-brim or cap styles that block sun, reduce heat, and protect neck and face. Important for long days exposed to sun.
Snacks
Light, high-calorie snacks like bars, nuts, and dried fruit provide on-trail energy and easy meal supplements at camp.
Socks
Merino wool or synthetic socks that wick moisture and cushion feet. Bring spare pairs to stay dry and prevent blisters.
Stool
Compact foldable stools give a small, portable seat at camp. Useful when a full chair is too heavy or space is limited.
Survival kit
Compact pack of essentials (knife, firestarter, signal, first aid basics) for emergencies. Size ranges from minimal to comprehensive.
Space blanket
Thin, reflective Mylar blanket used for emergency warmth and signaling. Extremely lightweight and compact for emergencies.
Sleeping cot
Portable cot keeps you off the ground for comfort and insulation. Popular for car camping or basecamps where weight isn’t critical.
Sleeping quilt
Lighter, open-bottom sleep insulation that wraps around you. Popular ultralight alternative to traditional sleeping bags.
Sleeping liner
Thin fabric liner that boosts thermal performance and keeps sleeping bags cleaner. Available in silk, cotton, and synthetic options.
Stove windscreen
Thin metal or aluminum screens that surround a stove to protect flame and reduce fuel consumption. Compact and lightweight.
Strike-anywhere matches
Matches that ignite on any rough surface—convenient backup firestarter. Keep waterproof container to protect from moisture.
Signal mirror
An optical device used to flash sunlight for long-distance signaling. Extremely lightweight and effective in clear conditions.
Sewing kit
Small kit with needles, thread, and patches for quick repairs. Handy for fixing seams, zippers, or gear failures at camp.
Solid fuel tablets
Hexamine or similar tablets that burn cleanly for light cooking or boiling. Simple, stable, and easy to pack for emergencies or ultralight trips.
Sharpening stone
Small whetstones or pocket sharpeners for keeping blades functional. Useful for tent stakes, cooking, and safety tasks.
Snow shovel
Sturdy foldable shovels for digging tents out of snow, creating wind barriers, or emergency use in winter camping.
Sunshade
Aereal shade shelters or canopies that create shaded camp areas. Useful at hot basecamps or picnic areas for sun protection.
Saucepan
Small lightweight pot used for boiling, simmering, and meal prep. Materials vary (aluminum, titanium, stainless) affecting weight and heat performance.
Screwdriver
A compact screwdriver or multitool bit set helps tighten stove fittings, repair gear, and fix equipment in the field.
Sandals
Open footwear for wearing around camp, for stream crossings, or letting feet breathe after hikes. Durable straps and grippy soles are helpful.
Seat pad
Small pad for extra seat comfort or insulation on rocks and logs. Inflatable or closed-cell foam options pack small.
Sleeping mask
Light-blocking eye mask that helps sleep in long summer days or noisy campsites; small and easily packed.
Sparker
Also called ferrocerium rod; generates sparks to start fires even when wet. A durable alternative to matches for reliable firestarting.
Shelter repair kit
Small repair kit for tents and tarps with patches and seam sealant to fix rips or leaks and extend shelter lifespan.
Signal whistle
Loud, compact whistle used to attract attention in emergencies. Often mandatory in some backcountry areas and boating contexts.
Sterno-style fuel
Gel or canned fuel used for portable chafing stoves or emergency cooking. Stable and simple to use for car camping setups.