Table of Contents
Five Gift Ideas for Someone who Loves Motorcycle Camping
I quite rare that I have the audacity to proclaim myself an expert on any subject, but motorcycle camping is one of my greatest passions, which I’ve been practicing for over a decade.
With the mileage I have under my belt and the number of hours spent assembling, enjoying, dismantling, and transporting my campsite, I do declare that I deserve an honorary degree in motorcycle camping.
Over the years, and thanks to many (many, many!) lessons learned, I have constantly improved my motorcycle camping kit. Today, I can confidently say that it is better than it has ever been, and it truly reflects the wisdom and experience of someone who knows what they’re doing. No humility here.
When it comes to motorcycle camping, the criteria that matter most to me are: the size and weight of the item in question when packed, ease of assembly and disassembly, and of course, the performance of the item in question.
Here is a list of items I couldn’t do without, with links to where you can buy them. All the items I suggest here meet these criteria, and I have personally tested them all.
Whether it’s for yourself or as a gift for someone who loves motorcycle camping, this collection of must-haves is sure to enhance the motorcycle camping experience. As much as possible, I tried to find items available in Quebec or Canadian stores, but sometimes, unfortunately, a good old Amazon link is hard to beat.
1- The Perfect Mattress
Previously, my mattress was a small, ultra-lightweight and compact inflatable sleeping pad made up of small bubbles and with a built-in pillow. You had to blow into it to inflate it. I really liked this mattress, and I think it remains a very good ultra-compact option: weighing less than 2 lbs and measuring approximately 25 cm x 10 cm when packed, it’s a very practical choice.
However, in my opinion, this type of mattress sacrifices too much comfort for convenience. First of all, it’s very narrow, so you often wake up partly (or entirely) beside it. But above all, the bubbles are not only uncomfortable in themselves, but the space between them doesn’t contain any air, which means you can feel the ground between the bubbles. There’s nothing like turning over in the night and resting your elbow on rocky ground to make you want to switch to a slightly more luxurious mattress.
That’s how I discovered my new mattress: a real gem, the love of my life, my soul mate.
Although it is slightly less compact than my previous one (this one measures approximately 17 cm x 30 cm) and is a little heavier at 3.75 lbs, the added comfort and convenience easily justify the extra space and weight it adds to my camping gear.
It inflates by repeatedly pressing down on a small built-in pump, and once inflated, this mattress rivals my queen-size bed at home in terms of comfort. Its 14 cm thickness keeps you well off the ground, which is not only comfortable but also very practical on cooler nights. I love that the sides are slightly raised; no chance of waking up on the floor with this mattress!
2- A Set for Cooking and Eating
There is a wide selection out there of excellent compact and lightweight cookware sets for camping, but I am completely in love with my GSI set and enthusiastically recommend it.
We have had many adventures together, and after several years of use, I can confirm that this set is reliable, high-performing, and shows no signs of wear or rust; I am really happy with my purchase. The pieces fold and fit together like Russian nesting dolls, which is very practical and much appreciated. It contains everything you need for cooking and eating, including bowls and utensils.
To add a little luxury to this already perfect set, you can purchase this handy coffee filter separately:
GSI Ultralight Java Drip | MEC
It folds up nicely and can be stored right inside the cooking set.
Of course, you need a burner, and I find this one very good.
It unscrews into smaller pieces so it can be hidden away more easily in your camping gear. Pro tip: I always keep a lighter and a pack of matches in my cooking set!
If you really want to take comfort and luxury to the next level, you can even add a beautiful camping knife set like this one to your kit:
Personally, I don’t have enough space to afford such a luxury when motorcycle camping; instead, I bring a simple small knife in a plastic case.
3- A Multi-Purpose Tool
This year, I bought myself a multi-purpose tool, and I don’t know how I ever managed without it! Mine has 16 tools in one, including an axe, a hammer, a knife, a screwdriver, a bottle opener, and a whistle.
It’s very small and the quality is surprising for the price! I use the hammer a lot to install my tent pegs, and the axe to prepare my campfire.
4- A Thermacell
My Thermacell is my best friend when camping. It is the love of my life and sometimes write love poems to it. Mosquitoes adore me, and before I had my Thermacell, I lost count of how many camping trips they ruined for me.
There are several types of Thermacell, but I really like this one because it’s tiny, ultra-lightweight, and doesn’t require batteries or recharging: you simply plug it into the small fuel canister that you’re already carrying around for cooking.
Thermacell Backpacker’s Pack Repeller | MEC
However, don’t forget to bring refill mats:
Thermacell Mat Only Refill 48 Hours | MEC
It should be noted that Thermacell creates a kind of bubble around itself, but in windy conditions it will not work because the wind blows the product away.
5- Solar Powered Lights That Also Recharge Small Electronic Devices
Okay, this item may not necessarily be considered essential, but I find that a beautiful string of lights can really add to the atmosphere and comfort when camping.
BioLite Solar String Lights 18ft | MEC
But what’s more, thanks to the small built-in solar panel, this wonderful invention can also be used to recharge your small electronic devices such as your phone, Bluetooth communication system, and others.
On sunny days, I install this handy little treasure on top of my bags at the back of my motorcycle, so that the sun’s rays shine on it throughout my ride. I’m in love with my little lights, which I added to my camping kit this summer, and I couldn’t do without them now!
Motorcycle camping: a state of mind
Motorcycle camping isn’t just about equipment. It’s a state of mind: traveling light, being ready for adventure, sleeping under the stars, and remembering that comfort often lies in the little details. If the finds I’ve shared with you can make people’s motorcycle camping adventures a little cozier and more magical, then my mission will have been accomplished.
I’ll finish with a little pro shopping tip:
If this article has inspired you to do a little online shopping, search for the keyword “hiking,” as these items are specifically designed to be compact and lightweight.
Happy shopping!
