Clothes for the camping holiday

Sep 12, 2026

Short answer: Camping means limited space and limited washing. Choose a few pieces that can be worn for several days and that dry quickly on a line between two trees. That keeps the bag light and the trip simpler.

Space in the bag is the hard limit

Everything has to fit in one bag, and the tent, sleeping bag and cooking gear take half of it. So every item of clothing counts. Thick jumpers and stiff trousers take up a lot of room and dry slowly. Choose thin layers that take little space, see bamboo T-shirts for women.

Washing is done by hand

A sink and a line are the whole laundry at most campsites. What you wash in the evening should ideally be dry by morning. Underwear that dries overnight makes the trip possible with only a few sets in the bag, see bamboo panties.

How to wash by hand

Use lukewarm water and ordinary soap. Do not scrub hard, but press the water through the fabric a few times. Rinse well, so no soap is left, as that makes the clothes stiff. Wring gently and roll them in a towel to get more water out before hanging them up.

Drying in the shade

Hang your clothes in the shade with air around them. Direct sun can make the fabric stiff and fade the colours over time. A line between two trees or between the car and the tent is enough. Bring them in if dew or rain comes during the night.

Nights in a tent are cold

Even in August the temperature in the tent drops at around four in the morning. The sleeping bag keeps you warm, but only if you are dry yourself. A layer to sleep in that is only worn at night helps a lot, see bamboo sweatshirt for women.

A set just for the night

It is tempting to sleep in the clothes you wore all day, but they are often damp from sweat and dew. A dry set used only for sleeping keeps the sleeping bag clean and you warm. Keep it in a separate bag, so it stays dry during the day.

How much clothing to bring

Three sets of underwear, three pairs of socks, two tops and a warm layer are enough for most trips. The rest is washed along the way. Choose colours that go together, so everything can be combined. That keeps the bag light.

Pack smart

Roll your clothes instead of folding them, so they take less space and crease less. Put your sleepwear in one bag and clean underwear in another. That way you always know what is clean, and you do not have to empty the whole bag in the tent.