Last Updated on 10/2021 by Diane
There’s a lot of crossover between backpacking, camping and glamping. For example, I sometimes bring my portable espresso maker (definitely a glamping item) camping but sit on the ground instead of camping chairs.
Below is a breakdown of backpacking vs. camping vs. glamping. See which items you do on your trips. If they mostly fall into one category, that’s the type of camper you are.
| Backpacking | Camping | Glamping | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelter | Minimalist tent, tarp or hammock | Family tent | Yurt, cabin or treehouse |
| Sleeping | Foam or self-inflating pad and sleeping bag | Inflatable mattress, sleeping bag and inflatable pillow | Cot with mattress, blankets and pillow |
| Food | Dried food | Canned food and instant meals | Dutch oven and cast iron meals |
| Water | Filter water | Jugs of water | Faucet with potable water |
| Cooking | Canister or alcohol stove | Campfire cooking and large canister stove | Wood stove and oven with hotplate |
| Refrigeration | No refrigerator | Cooler | Electric cooler |
| Utensils | Spork | Nesting or folding utensils | Kitchen cutlery set |
| Dishes | Eat from steel or titanium pot | Plastic or silicone bowls | Graniteware, ceramic or wood tableware |
| Coffee | Instant coffee | Portable coffee filter | French press or portable espresso maker |
| Kitchen | Cook on ground | Cook on picnic table | Portable camp kitchen |
| Washing dishes | Lick dishes clean and rinse | Bucket sink or campground washing station | Sink with plumbed hot water |
| Clothes | One change of wool or synthetic clothes | Lots of layers, cotton or whatever you have | Wool and down clothes for each day |
| Bathroom | Cathole | Outhouse | Plumbed WC |
| Shower | No shower | Communal campground shower or solar shower | Shower with hot water |
| Transport | Walk or hike to camp | Drive to camp | Taken by guide |
| Fees | Free or park permit | Site fee, vehicle fee, electric hookup | Nightly or tour fee |
| Entertainment | Talking to other backpackers | Music, games, campfire stories | Performances, portable projectors |
| Seating | Sit on ground or foam pad | Folding camp chairs, picnic table | Adirondack chairs, high-end folding chairs |
| Temperature control | No AC or heating | Electric fan, campfire | Air conditioning, wood or gas heater |
| Power | Rechargeable batteries or power bank | Portable solar charger, campground electric hookup | Electric hookups |
| Lighting | Headlamp | LED lamps and flashlights | Lanterns |
| Connectivity | Personal locator beacon or satellite messenger | Phone signal | Phone signal and wifi |
What other differences between backpacking, camping and glamping can you think up? Let us know in the comments section.
