Sometimes, you never know what to expect when you’re out in nature, even if you’ve checked the forecast for the day. There’s a chance it might rain, the day may turn out to be hotter than expected (or colder!), and of course there’s bugs. To make sure you’re as prepared and comfortable as possible on your next camping trip or outside adventure, we’ve taken the guesswork out of shopping for essentials to help you focus on enjoying your trip — no matter what surprises nature brings!

Protection from the cold

We’ve all been there — shivering while trying to fall asleep. The right sleeping pad and apparel can make all the difference and change a sleepless night into a peaceful one beneath the stars. Check out our recommendations:

Thanks to its R-value to keep you warm and comfy, you can protect yourself from the cold, hard ground with the Therm-a-Rest, MondoKing™ 3D Sleeping Pad. It provides the brand’s highest level of comfort,  and compresses easily to save room in your trunk or closet.

Check out the Men’s Down Sweater Jacket from Patagonia. This featherweight ripstop shell includes a Traceable Down stabilized with quilted-through construction, a contoured fit and the down water-repellent finish sheds moisture.

Women will love Patagonia’s Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover Sweater. It’s breathable and lightweight, and features double-sided fleece that makes this piece a great cozy layer for added warmth.

The Women’s Atom SL Jacket by Arc’teryx is perfect for lighter insulation. It balances airflow with wind protection and the DWR finish will protect you from light rain showers.

Protection from rain

Whether you’re looking to spend all day at the lake, or want to stay dry while it’s raining, you can make it easier with the right gear. Dive into our suggestions:

The ultra-light Women’s Venture 2 Jacket from The North Face will protect you during those surprise rainstorms. It’s packable and easy to stash if you have a little bit of extra room in your pack.

Patagonia’s Men’s Torrentshell 3L Jacket uses 3-layer H2No® Performance Standard technology to bring next-level waterproof and breathable performance. Plus, it’s easy to pack because it self-stuffs into the left handwarmer pocket.

Keep the kids dry with Helly Hansen’s Juniors’ Pursuit Jacket. It’s fully waterproof and has bold logos and the bright colours kids will love.

Protection from the sun

Everyone loves a hot, sunny day when you’re out exploring the great Canadian playground, but some days you need to beat the heat to make sure you don’t get too dehydrated or suffer from sunstroke. Bring on carefree summer days with these items:

Sun protection starts with a top-of-the-line sunscreen. Sun Bum’s SPF 50 Original Sunscreen Lotion protects against harmful UVA/UVB rays while enriching your skin with Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps to neutralize free radicals, which are the main cause of premature skin aging.

The Men’s Wander T-Shirt by The North Face is abrasion-resistant and offers UPF 15+ sun protection. It also features vented side seams to help keep you cool and mobile on your adventures.

Protection from bugs

While encountering bugs when you’re camping is inevitable, that doesn’t mean you can’t do your best to minimize the nuisance. Here are a few essentials to keep bugs at bay:

The Thermacell Patio Shield Mosquito Repeller creates a 15-foot zone of protection so you can enjoy your trip, mosquito-bite free. It’s compact and easy to use, making it a must-have tool for every trip.

Take your mosquito protection even further with Coghlan’s Mosquito Head Net. It’s lightweight, fits over most headgear and the polyester mesh will effectively keep mosquitos and other bugs at bay.

Ready to head outside? Show us your view on social media by tagging @sportinglifeca. We can’t wait to see where you go!