Prepare thoroughly for year-end road trips: A comprehensive gear checklist

    With Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Chinese New Year arriving one after another alongside holidays, the festive season is in full swing. After a busy year, it’s time to relax your body and mind. Setting off on a road trip with friends or family is an excellent choice to lift your spirits. So, what outdoor gear do you need for a year-end road trip? Let’s do a comprehensive gear checklist together.

　　Three-day short road trips

　　    Road tripping by car is different from backpacking — there’s usually ample space in the vehicle. So pack as much as you can think of without worrying about extra fuel consumption. If needed, the time and money you might lose by not being prepared will far outweigh the cost of a bit more fuel. It’s a good idea to visit a flagship store of a well-known outdoor camping brand like KingCamp before departure and get some advice from the staff. Generally speaking, for a three-day short road trip, you should bring gear such as windbreakers, windproof pants, hiking shoes, a backpack, a waist bag, trekking poles, a water bottle, a driving pillow, a meal bag, a cooler box, foldable outdoor chairs, a folding bed, and foldable stools.

　　

    For road trips lasting five to seven days, you can choose a central city and explore its surrounding areas. Taking Beijing as an example, you could head north to Harbin to visit places like Wusong Island and Snow Village. If you’re road-tripping in Harbin at the end of the year, staying warm is essential — ski jackets are a must, along with thick gloves, ear-covering hats, and non-slip shoes.

　　    To the west, you can center your trip around Xi’an to visit attractions such as the Terracotta Army, Hukou Waterfall, and the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Xi’an has lots of local snacks, so bringing a KingCamp meal bag (model KG9018) and a 20L cooler box (model KG3734) lets you enjoy hot meals anytime. The 20L cooler box KG3734 keeps food cold for up to 48 hours, so you can buy local treats to bring home.

　　    To the south, center your trip around Shanghai and explore cities like Suzhou and Hangzhou. Winters in Shanghai are damp and chilly, so dress warmly. We recommend bringing the KingCamp lightweight down jacket KWB593W, which uses the brand’s Defender Light 20 fabric for good windproofing and breathability. Filled with 95/5 white goose down, it offers excellent warmth. More importantly, the whole jacket weighs less than 150 grams and can be packed into a small pocket, making it super convenient to carry.

　　    Seven-day+ long road trips

　　    Generally speaking, for road trips lasting seven days or longer, it’s best to travel with two or more vehicles that can support each other. Try to avoid driving at night — traveling isn’t about rushing, and fatigue from long hours on the road can ruin your trip. Essential KingCamp outdoor gear includes windbreakers, windproof pants, hiking shoes, a backpack, a waist bag, trekking poles, a water bottle, a driving pillow, a meal bag, a cooler box, foldable outdoor chairs, a folding bed, foldable stools, a tent, a sleeping bag, and a sleeping mat. In addition, you’ll also need cookware sets and stoves.

　　    Also, considering the long distances involved in road trips, it may be inconvenient to wash clothes en route. Pack extra clothing, shoes, and socks. And adjust your clothing according to the local climate.

　　    The holidays are almost here. After checking out the recommended routes and gear above, when do you plan to set off? Have you made targeted and adequate preparations for the outdoor gear you’ll need? Remember, “A workman must sharpen his tools if he is to do his work well” — being well-prepared will make your journey more comfortable and smooth.