Over my decade plus of camping, it has become clear that the gear you pack largely influences your camping venture. The desire to bring every home comfort is tempting, but the key to an enjoyable experience outdoors is packing less. After all, camping is about savouring the great outdoors, not sifting through your vehicle for a misplaced tool or knife. For a smoother camping experience and for enhanced outdoor cooking efficiency, here are ten items you can skip packing, and what you should bring in their place, starting at a modest $5.

Digging through your camping kit for loose, exposed utensils and knives can be both irritating and hazardous. I've found that keeping a standalone set of utensils for camping, like the handy Freehiker portable camping kitchen utensil pack, is imperative. No longer do I have to carry items from my kitchen to the car and risk misplacing or ruining my finer knives. This set is complete with cooking utensils, securely enveloped knives, dining utensils, and even a chopping board - all fitting perfectly into a flat bag. Currently, it's on sale for 38% off.

I made the mistake of taking my kitchen frying pans on an early camping expedition and regretted it. Those pans, designed for home use, were unfit for a camp kitchen. The Lodge cast iron skillet, on the other hand, is flexible, tough enough to withstand the grill of a campfire pit and immune to chips and scratches. It's also ideal for open-fire cooking because of its even heat distribution. You can buy one for just $20.

While it might seem practical to pack a few saucepans from your kitchen, their handles can obstruct the packing process when you're trying to accommodate your essential camping gear. This set of two nesting nonstick ceramic pots comes with a removable handle for convenient storage. Both pots share a single handle, saving you even more space. Their ceramic nonstick coating also makes for swift cleanup.

Over the years, I’ve learned that packing numerous loose water bottles results in a disorganized camping site. So, I invested in a 5-gallon water jug filled before a trip, using it to refill my few water bottles. This approach also makes it easier to fill pots for boiling water or washing dishes. The Digury water jug is available for 23% off.

Camping does not mean resigning yourself to subpar coffee. While it's easier to carry instant coffee, I found myself yearning for a taste-filled cup of coffee post a night under the stars. This Stansport percolator coffee pot, together with a handheld manual grinder, enable you to swiftly brew nine cups of premium coffee. You can procure this percolator for only $16.

Paper plates and bowls are suitable for cookouts or parties, but regular campers will want a reusable and robust set of dinnerware in their camping arsenal. This is not only eco-friendly but saves money in the long run. The stainless steel messware kit includes two plates, two bowls, two cups and two sets of cutlery. All these stack neatly together inside a mesh bag for easy storage and transport.

I used to pack spices in plastic snack bags for camping trips, which always ended up misplaced upon reaching the campsite. Now, I have a standalone set of spice pots neatly stored in a container like the Coghlan multi-spice container. This is a $5 bin with compartments for six spices, such as paprika, curry, cayenne, garlic salt, black pepper, and salt.

While soft cooler bags are adequate for picnics or beach days, multi-day camping requires a robust, capacious, and cooling hard cooler. The Coleman Chiller Series cooler is perfect, capable of retaining cold thanks to its insulation and holding up to 47 cans plus 30 pounds of ice. It also features wheels and an extendable handle for effortless transportation to your campsite. You can get it for under $40.

Instead of a handheld flashlight that can't stand by itself or cast a broad light, opt for this two-pack of Consciot LED camping lanterns, currently 32% off. These waterproof and battery-powered lanterns have a range of up to 1000 lumens, ensuring you have plenty of light over your whole campsite, whether you're having a late dinner or setting up your tent in the dark.

Lastly, swap plastic or paper cups with insulated mugs which keep your drinks hot or cold for longer. The double-wall vacuum insulated stainless steel camping mug, now only $13, comes with a spill-resistant lid for easy drinking. Available in several attractive colors, this popular mug was purchased by over 1,000 Amazon shoppers in the past month.