smkettner wrote:
NOT essential. Collect these items as time, needs, and money permit.
This is excellent advice.
None are "essential" or "must haves" in order to camp.
Each one does have a function and IF you find you really "need" one you can often find the item at a "camp store" or even a nearby Walmart.
While some folks try to justify by using an insurance analogy these items really are not the same as "insurance" with perhaps the exception of say a water pressure regulator (some campgrounds have high water pressure but if you never camp in a campground then why in the world would one buy a pressure regulator you will never use?).
Buy only what you need and when you need it as you can afford but no reason to just buy a bunch of extras that you may never use..