Tips for Plus-Size Camping: Gear, Comfort & Essentials
Camping is a fantastic way to connect with nature, unwind, and experience adventure. However, for plus-size individuals, finding the right gear can be a challenge. The key to an enjoyable trip is choosing equipment that fits comfortably and meets your needs, whether you prefer a campsite experience or an adventurous backpacking trip.
In this guide, our founder Rebecca will share her experiences of camping and the positive impact it's had on her life - as well as the struggles she's faced in finding camping gear that works for her plus size body.
We’ll cover gear options for campsite camping and which can also be used in campervans, including essential equipment, sleeping solutions, and practical advice for an enjoyable experience.
Why Go Camping Anyway? Read About Rebecca's Experience
Camping in a tent or out in the open, gives us the opportunity to connect deeply with nature, the earth, our history as humans, and to immerse ourselves in adventure - potentially stepping beyond our comfort zone to grow our resilience and capacity to cope with change.
I've been camping on and off since I was a child. I was fortunate to have a family that was pretty outdoorsy, and wasn't fazed by sleeping in the outdoors, although it was more occasional trips than annual holidays. Most of my camping as a child was as part of a group - either with friends, Girl Guides, Pony Club Camp, and as an adult it's been at festivals, with friends or a partner, and more recently - on my own.
Camping at a campsite in Burgundy, France, in 2008
I've always considered myself a 'comfort camper' whether I'm on a campsite or wild camping. On a campsite I always felt at home with large tent I can stand up in, with all the gear - camp kitchen included (we might use the word 'glamping' these days). And I still like camping like this! One of my favourite holidays as an adult was a week's road-trip in France with my partner, staying at three different campsites as we explored the Bourgogne and Champagne wine regions in my 5-person Vango dome tent. Cooking cassoulet on my stove, getting to know the campsite's resident cat, relaxing by the tent in the evening, drinking local wine.... you get the picture.
But - camping as a plus size person can have its challenges. And as my body has got bigger over the years I've found it harder to find gear that fits and works for me. I'm still at heart a 'comfort camper' and though I have invested in some lightweight equipment for backpacking, I highly value a good night's sleep! For me, that means a wider sleeping mat because I tend to turn over a lot in the hight, and I get panicked if I feel constricted, so a roomy sleeping bag that's still warm, lightweight and packable, is also an essential.
So...let's get into the detail of camping equipment and how to make things more accessible and comfortable for plus size people!
Campsite Camping: Comfort and Convenience
If you're just starting out, or you think you'll prefer a more comfortable camping experience and you have access to a car to move your gear around, staying at a campsite is ideal.
There are levels of conveniences at a campsite, but most will include toilets, showers, running water and some will have electric hookups so you can charge your electronics. Larger sites may have a small shop for essentials, children's play areas, or even a cafe.
If you'd prefer a half-way house of being on a more rustic site, but still with basic facilities, look for 'wilder campsites'. These tend to just offer a grass pitch for your tent, and you might get a composting toilet or a basic shower. You may also get access to a fire pit.
Advantages of Campsite Camping For Plus Size People
- Access to toilets and showers
- Larger tents and furniture can be accommodated
- Easier food preparation with stoves and electric for mini fridges
- No need to carry your gear long distances
Essential Gear for Campsite Camping
What you can take will likely be dictated by how much room you have in your car! But there are several essentials that you will definitely need, and others which are more for adding extra comfort.
1. Tent – Choose a spacious tunnel or dome-style style tent for extra headroom and movement. Being able to stand up in your tent makes a huge difference to your comfort, especially if you're camping for several days rather than just one night.
If you struggle to put up a tent, there are options with inflatable supports - all you need is an electric pump.
Don't forget to secure your tent properly with sturdy tent pegs to ensure stability in all weather conditions. A lot of tents come with poor-quality pegs and you will need to replace them as they often get bent by the hard ground found on most campsites.
Ensure your guylines are taught to prevent the tent fabric sagging or flapping
2. Sleeping Gear – A wide sleeping bag and extra-large or wide sleeping mat are must-haves to ensure a restful, comfortable night. Many traditional sleeping bags are too narrow for plus size people, but a plus-size-friendly bag allows for movement and warmth.
Choose from down or synthetic wide sleeping bags depending on your preferences and budget - some are zipperless to make it easier to get in or out.
A wide sleeping mat can give greater comfort
You'll want to pair your sleeping bag with a wide, supportive sleeping mat for ultimate comfort. The type of mat you use can make a HUGE difference to how warm you feel overnight. That's because air is a terrible insulator - which most people don't realise.
Standard air mattresses (like you use at home as a spare bed) will feel very cold, even in the summer. Using an insulated camping mat will help maintain warmth and means you might not need such a thick sleeping bag!
If you want a sleeping mat that feels like lying in your own bed, you can't go wrong with the self-inflating Thermarest Mondoking 3D - it's the mat made for comfort camping!
3. Camp Furniture – A wide and sturdy camp chair provides comfortable seating, while a folding camp table is useful for cooking on, eating at, and just using as a flat surface when there often isn't any!
When buying camping chairs - look at the weight capacity - most manufacturers do provide this. Depending on your body shape you might also want to look for one that's wider in the seat, so it doesn't dig in to your legs or hips when you sit down.
4. Cooking Equipment – Not everyone wants to cook a full-on meal when camping, but having a way to make a cuppa in the morning or before bed, is one of the joys of camping for a lot of people.
There are a variety of camp stoves depending on the level of cooking you're planning - anything from a small one-burner with gas can cassette to double burner and grill camp kitchens that need a larger gas bottle. And don't forget the small stoves that sit on top of a small canister (the type used for wild camping) will do perfectly fine to make a cup or tea or coffee. Check the connections work for your gas bottle! They are not all compatible (as I've discovered to my immense irritation when I bought a new gas bottle for my camp kitchen...)
Cooking breakfast on my camp kitchen
A coolbox or mini-fridge is essential for fresh food, and don’t forget lightweight cookware, mugs and utensils. Carry small quantities of cooking ingredients like oil, spices, or powdered milk in Small Nalgene storage bottles for easy access and leak-free storage.
5. Clothing and Weather Protection – Whether you're planning an active day away from the campsite, exploring or hiking, or you're relaxing by your tent, opt for moisture-wicking layers and a rain jacket for unpredictable weather.
Our plus size outdoor clothing range for men and women ensures you stay comfortable in all conditions.
Don't forget a warm layer for the evening - it get's colder than you think! An insulated poncho or camping blanket can be really cosy when sitting around a campfire, or snuggling up with a book and your headtorch in your tent.
Stay warm with extra layers, including fleeces, jackets or a poncho
Don't forget to protect yourself from insect bites with bug spray against mosquitoes, midges, and ticks.
10 Essential Tips for Plus-Size Campers
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Choose the right size sleeping bag. Go for a wide, plus-size-friendly sleeping bag. Many standard bags are too tight, making it hard to move around. Look for roomy, wide-mummy shape, rectangular or semi-rectangular designs with plenty of insulation (down or synthetic) for a comfortable night’s sleep.
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Pick the right sleeping mat. Size and thickness matter! A wider, thicker sleeping mat prevents rolling off and gives extra comfort on uneven ground. Look for mats at least 25-30 inches wide with good cushioning and insulation. Whether you go for blow-up or self-inflating is often down to personal choice, budget, and how much space you have to store and transport your gear.
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Tent size and set-up. Bigger is better! A tent designed for at least one more person than will be sleeping in it is often best for plus-size campers, giving extra space for movement and gear storage. Look for a tall, wide door for easier access.
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Secure your tent. Use appropriate pegs for the ground conditions and expected weather. Wind can quickly pick up so check you tent is securely pegged down each night before you go to bed, by pushing in or re-pegging any anchor points, and adjusting all your guy lines so they're taught.
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Choose your campsite with care. While campsite camping is more comfortable for beginners and you’ll have access to bathrooms and running water, not all sites have all facilities. You might also want to choose a more 'off grid' experience to get closer to nature.
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Camp chairs and seating. Standard camp chairs don’t always cut it. Look for wide, high-weight capacity chairs with sturdy frames and good back support for extra comfort.
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Don't forget your stove! A simple one-ring or portable backpacking stove is ample to boil water for tea and coffee, or cook up a quick breakfast. But if you want to really get stuck in and cook more elaborate or larger meals, consider a 2-burner camp kitchen, with gas bottle.
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Layer your clothing for comfort. Pack moisture-wicking, breathable layers. Whether campsite or wild camping, quick-dry clothing helps regulate temperature and prevent chafing. Bring a waterproof jacket for unexpected weather!
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Pack bug repellent. Avoid pesky bites by spraying yourself and your clothes with an appropriate insect repellent. At a campsite, burning a natural citronella scented candle can also help keep biting insects at bag, but never leave a naked flame unattended, and always keep them off the ground on a table.
- Pack for comfort. Bring what makes you comfortable! A wide sleeping bag, an extra pillow, a cosy blanket, and proper seating can transform camping from ‘roughing it’ to truly enjoying the outdoors.
To conclude, camping is for every body, and with the right gear, plus-size adventurers can camp in comfort and confidence.
Whether you’re setting up at a scenic campsite or heading deep into the wild, investing in size-inclusive outdoor gear makes all the difference.
Explore our range of wide sleeping bags, roomy sleeping mats, tent pegs, toiletries, and plus-size-friendly outdoor clothing, and more—because the outdoors has no size limits!
Happy camping!