Essential Compact Moto Camping Gear
If you’re planning a motorcycle camping trip, every kilogram matters. Whether you’re riding for a weekend or tackling a longer adventure, compact, lightweight gear helps maximise luggage space without sacrificing comfort.
This guide features the camping equipment I personally use or would happily recommend for moto camping. The focus is on affordable, lightweight, and packable gear that’s well suited to motorcycle travel.
Note: This guide has been updated, and now the sizes are even more dramatically compact than in the video below!
Contents
What camping gear do I really need for motorcycle camping?
At a minimum, you’ll need a shelter (hammock or tent), sleeping bag, sleeping mat, cooking equipment, lighting, and a way to carry water and food. The items in this guide focus on keeping your kit lightweight and compact.
Why choose compact camping gear?
Space is limited on a motorcycle. Compact gear leaves more room for clothing, tools, camera equipment, and other essentials while helping keep the bike’s weight balanced.
Is hammock camping better than using a tent?
Space is limited on a motorcycle. Compact gear leaves more room for clothing, tools, camera equipment, and other essentials while helping keep the bike’s weight balanced.
Is hammock camping better than using a tent?
It depends on where you’re camping. A hammock is lightweight, quick to set up, and ideal in areas with suitable trees. However, a tent may be a better choice in open locations or where trees aren’t available.
Can all of this gear fit on a motorcycle?
Yes. The products featured have been selected because they pack down small and are well suited to motorcycle touring, making them easy to carry in panniers, saddlebags, or a dry bag.
Is this gear suitable for camping in Thailand?
Yes. This equipment is well suited to Thailand’s warm climate and works particularly well for camping during the cooler months. During the rainy season, always ensure your shelter provides adequate weather protection.
Is this budget camping gear?
Yes. The focus of this guide is on affordable, good-value equipment that offers a balance between price, durability, and portability.
Do you use this camping gear yourself?
Many of the products listed are items I personally use or have tested. Others have been selected because they offer excellent value and are well suited to motorcycle camping.
Are the product links affiliate links?
Yes, the links on this page are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting MotoGirlThailand.
1. Hammock, Fly, & Accessories
Lightweight Hammock & Fly Combo
This budget lightweight hammock with built-in mosquito net and waterproof fly, simply folds up into itself when packing away. It is quick and simple to set up and pack away. I have owned this hammock for many years and it has stood the test of time and works great. A great moto camping staple.
High-quality 210T parachute NYLON material, tear-resistant, breathable and quick-drying. Triple-Stitching. And nylon straps to provide support to reduce pressure points. Inbuilt mosquito net keeps all bugs and mosquitos away!
2. Sleeping Bag & Mat
Sleeping Bag
Warm weather nylon waterproof sleeping bag with polyester lining, which can be compressed down to just 28cm in height and 1.7lbs in weight.
Outer material: Nylon (Waterproof and Durable), Lining:100% Polyester (Breathable and skin-friendly), Premium Polyester keeps the temperature from 55 to 60℉ and provides a ultra-comfort sleep environment to people. It can be compressed down to just 28cm in height and 1.7lbs in weight.
Mat
Waterproof sleeping mat with Integrated foot pump, for adding a base layer to the thin fabric of the hammock. Useful for adding shape to the hammock, warmth and for keeping mosquitos from penetrating the bottom of the hammock.
This nylon waterproof sleeping pad folds into a compact 28 cm x 10 cm size and weighs only 900 g. The sleeping pad comes with an integrated foot pump, inflating in just 40 seconds.
3. Camp Cooking
Portable Camping Stove
A fantastic portable camping stove with ignition, that folds down to nothing. Just twist onto a gas canister (or refillable petrol canister) and fire up. A fab moto-camping gadget.
Adjustable control valve for fast maximum heat output all the way down to a simmer quickly and efficiently. Rated: 3000w max. The burner is lightweight aluminum alloy.
Compact Kettle
Collapsible camping coffee pot with a capacity of 1.5 L.
collapsible camping coffee pot in one package in total, it has a capacity of 1.5 L. Made from silicone and stainless steel, it can withstand the temperature of -40 to 230 degree centigrade.
Compact Cutlery
Compact stainless steel camping utensils. 4 sets.
These stainless steel utensils stack 3 units together and snap together with a button closure. Just 63g in weight and dishwasher safe.
Insulated Food Carrier
Compact water-resistant thermal bag made with food-grade aluminum foil.
The lining of the thermal bag features thick insulation walls and food-grade aluminum foil, to keep food cold, hot and fresh for hours. The exterior is made from water-resistant, wear-proof Oxford fabric that is easy to clean.
4. Accessories
Solar String Lights
LED solar camping string lights. 5400mAh/ 14 metres / 11 Modes, and rechargeable. The built-in battery doubles as a USB power bank.
Compact solar camping string lights that double as a portable USB power source. Features 11 Lighting Modes with up to 20 hours of lighting from one full charge.
DIY Hammock Tent
A MotoGirl Thailand Hammock Hack
(Video steps are here). I came up with this design and created it, when I needed to find a lightweight solution if I was in an open area with no trees or easy way to tie my hammock, (or if I just wanted to lie flat on the ground). For this conversion, you will need to buy folding tent poles, a set of four tent rings, thick nylon cord, cord thread, and thick elastic cord.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
…and that’s it. Simple!
I hope you found this camping guide useful. If you have questions I haven’t covered, drop them in the comments below.
Nice set up for sure, but this will change the way you hammock for ever 🙂
https://www.lazada.co.th/catalog/?q=under+hammock+quilt
Great comment CEDE. Thanks! It does look cosy for sure. Do you still use a mat with that one too? Doesn’t the sleeping bag do the same thing really though? Have you found it invaluable?
Not sure it is an addition I need as it doesn’t really get so very cold, but I can see that it would come in handy for colder climates or very chilly camping nights.
My aim is to get everything down to only what is needed, so if I were to use something like that I think I would need to remove some other piece… hmm…
It is certainly food for thought!