Need your 2c for camping equipment/gear

Can you think of me as a kid or a friend that's never gone camping before and needs help picking out the right equipment/brand for just 2 (my gf and i)
I don't want to be a fish wasting money on some promo/ad junks, and want your suggestions/recs based on your experience.

I just ordered Rightline bed tent + air mattress (goal is bed rack + rooftop tent if camping becomes a thing)

I need help picking out the rest of camping gears/brands

Example of products I need help purchasing:
-Kitchen stove (preferably one that blocks wind) - Eureka ? coleman?
-Utensils
-lantern/lights (should i get solar?)
-Ditch lights?
-Bug repellants?
-Emergency kits?
-Any other suggestions are welcome!





thank you in advance

 

-Kitchen stove (preferably one that blocks wind) - Eureka ? coleman? Camp Chef Everest is very nice. Coleman is the best bang for the buck.
Everest 2X Camping Stove | Camp Chef

-Utensils - don't get caught up in buying a camping specific set. Anything will work. I do like Blue Ridge Overland Gear's utensil pouch though.
Cooking Kit bag – Blue Ridge Overland Gear

-lantern/lights (should i get solar?) I don't like solar because it's not uncommon to have a few rainy days in a row for me. I use the cheap Amazon ones that run off of AAs. There's a 4 pack

$29 Vont 4 Pack LED Camping Lantern, LED Lanterns, Suitable Survival Kits for Hurricane, Emergency Light for Storm, Outages, Outdoor Portable Lanterns, Black, Collapsible, (Batteries Included)

Amazon.com: Vont 4 Pack LED Camping Lantern, LED Lanterns, Suitable Survival Kits for Hurricane, Emergency Light for Storm, Outages, Outdoor Portable Lanterns, Black, Collapsible, (Batteries Included): Sports & Outdoors

-Ditch lights? I have them but don't use them for camping. LED Lanterns (above) would be preferable.

-Bug repellants? Tents with proper bug netting and Deet spray

-Emergency kits? This is a tricky question and really depends on what you're going to keep up with and what you know how to use. I would buy any first aid kit meant for 4 people and slowly build your own over time as those items expire.

A jump pack to start your truck is invaluable, too.




EDIT: I just reread you post. Go with the coleman stove.

 

you need a S&W mod 29. For things that go bump in the night.

 

I love this little grill. It's not as compact so not really for hiking. Though I have strapped to to my pack for short treks. But for cooking near the truck it's hard to beat.

 

depends a bit on length of your camping trips, how many you are feeding, and available stuff (dispersed vs developed camping). A night or two and a single burner stove is enough, though I often bring the classic coleman 2 burner propane stove, stows easily against bedrails. good cooler is important, I've had good succes with a mid-tier Kenai brand. Big blue-ice blocks or regular block ce lasts longer. coffee mess is a must for me, instant or one of those drip through deals (

$45 Stanley Perfect Brew Pour Over Set | 12 oz Camp Mug with Lid Included | Drip Coffee Maker with Reusable Filter | Insulated Stainless Steel | BPA-Free | Hammertone Green

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088JXMG3B?ie=UTF8 ). Preparing meals in advance cuts down on galley needs also. Cheap plastic water container with faucet (I use a 5 gallon). basic first aid kit never a bad idea. doormat (and perhaps mini-step) for when getting in/out of shell. coffee, beer and snax. a comfortable chair (folding) for each person.. I always put up a tent in large enough to stand in ( I use a big Agnes bighouse 4 person) in case weather goes sour, I don't need to sit nbed under cap - useful for changing in as well ... cheap solar shower is a bonus luxury. fire starter/kindling, wood fuel if nto available on-site.... this my minimalist approach to using ny ORAC for camping. cheap usb power bank for phones, etc. I prefer headlamps to lanterns. And +1 on post #3

 

Where are you located? Checking out or borrowing someone’s equipment can be helpful. If you’re close to me here in SoCal cruise over and I’ll lend you a Coleman camp stove and some other things to try.

 

Bug spray. That shit lives in the truck because where I live we have no mosquitoes, so whenever we see 3 mosquitoes it’s like a swarm.

 

Wow lucky. We have all kinds of bug problems, mosquitoes, gnats, ticks, etc.

 

We had the “organic and safe” bug spray in Joshua tree, big mistake, it was bee lure, lots of rosemary and lemongrass. Any amount of water spilled and you were swarmed by bees. My daughter ended up wearing pickle liquid out of a jar of pickled quail eggs to keep the bees away.

 

This thing is awesome too. It has two rooms. One has a mesh floor for the showering. Its instant pop up so its quick. You can put a camp toilet in one side. You lady will love you. Plus it's a back up tent. I unzip the door between the rooms and my cot will fit in it.

 

At least some recovery gear: shovel, a pair of shackles (hard or soft), tree saver, kinetic yank rope.

 

Haha! wow. I bet that smelled awesome.

 

So funny, self proclaimed 10 year old vegetarian. Doesn’t like eggs

 

i travel between Rowland heights and Orange County! I think im just going to carefully read through everyone's inputs and pull the trigger on some items!
I appreciate the offer/gesture though

 

Partner Steel make awesome stoves! Spendy but should last a lifetime or two.

 

Propane fire pit with a small 5 lb refillable propane tank,

$45 NEXPOW Battery Jumper Starter Portable,12V Car Battery Jump Starter Power Pack with USB Quick Charge (Up to 7L Gas or 5.5L Diesel Engine) Jump Box with Built-in LED Light

battery jumper

 

thanks for sharing!
Great now that i've seen the everest stove i might try to fork up the extra cost over Coleman

i ordered the latern just now
will keep the other items under wishlist at REI's till i review other inputs!

 

well noted sir! these responses and inputs are well appreciated
i need my morning coffee for sure

 

LOL >.>
This is actually helpful because I plan on making JT as my first destination (since i could drive back same day if i really wanted) before i go further to Sequoia National Park as my 2nd trip

will definitely stay away from "organic & safe"

 

just ordered the jump starter

thank you!